A Retirement Resources Blog for Seniors and Retirees – HOME

New Kids on The Street - Hazel and Fred Douglas

Following the excitement of seeing their plans turned into reality, the Douglas’ say everything is going well.

“We’re still going through boxes, of course,” said Hazel, and of course every move carries with it some trauma.”

Once the Dust Settles

“I admit we’ve had our “blue” moments,” said Hazel.  It’s a big move to leave what you once called home.”

“It’s the little things that you took for granted that you miss”, explained Hazel, I went out to our back yard in our old home and looked at the Aspen tree and realized I won’t get to hear it get its spring leaves.  That brought a blue moment.  I didn’t realize that was so special.”

“But we’re glad we made the decision we did,” she said, “and our new place is starting to look like home now.”

New Friends in New Places

Hazel and Fred have started exploring the lay of the land and participating in the activities of their new community.  According to Hazel, Fred drove down one nice day and found the fishing dock.  “He walked all the way to Safeway, so he’s getting more oriented in that manner.” She said.

Together they attended a flower show recommended by another resident.  “Now I have a bunch of little baby plants on my back patio,” said Hazel, “and a new friend down the street who just happens to be a master gardener.”

Fred and Hazel have discovered new ways to enjoy activities they have found pleasurable for years.  “We drove up to Burien and found out how to catch the Seattle Light Rail,” said Hazel, We’ll take it down to go to Beneroyal for the April 10^th Pops Concert.

New Ways to Enjoy Favorite Pastimes

“That’s a new experience for us, and I’m looking forward to riding the Seattle Light Rail,” said Fred, it will make going to concerts so much easier.”

They’re finding other residents who hold season tickets to the same events and look forward to having the choice to travel as a group by Wesley Homes Van.

In addition to special resident-scheduled outings, the van makes trips on a regular schedule to accommodate residents running errands, making doctors appointments, going to the swimming pool or into town for the ladies lunches and men’s’ breakfast.

“It’s all in the residents’ handbook,”says Alice VanHouten with Wesley Homes Environmental Services, “there are really a lot of activities and we are happy to accommodate them.”  She named trips to Intiman Theater, Seattle Symphony and Issaquah Village Theater as popular destinations.

“The residents call me and I arrange a driver,” said VanHouten, “some of our drivers have been with us for 17 years.  They’re all Wesley approved drivers with training which includes being certified in CPR and first aid.

Designing a Lifestyle

Fred has already contacted Alice VanHouten to discuss volunteering as a driver.  “Fred said he wouldn’t mind driving the van,” said Hazel, “and we’ve always volunteered at something.”

So, there’s a lot to discover and having lived in their new home less than a month, Hazel and Fred have already begun adding in activities that will define their new lifestyle.  “I went to the crafters a couple of times, so we’re beginning to make headway and feeling like part of the community,” said Hazel.

– ilene little for Wesley Homes

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 at 7:01 am and is filed under Active Retirement Communities, Time to Retire?. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.