Hi
@hertamaniac - Hope it was a nice, enjoyable trip to NOLa. Have always wanted to go there. I actually had a whole trip planned there with a friend the April Katrina hit. But my friend backed out of the trip for financial reasons, I didn't feel like going alone, and never planned another one.
A lot of the problem is I don't drive, so anything and everything around here is MUCH further apart than up in NE NJ where I was. So taking a Lyft somewhere/back is MUCH more expensive, (even though I tried not to do a lot of that before either). I do have access to disabled traans, but you have to know where you're going ahead of time, and when you want to go there, and be picked up, and of of course that's also only during limited daytime hours. I will eventually be doing that for medical appointments, etc., but it's not like going out in a private vehicle, looking around yourself. I also had only been down to this area very briefly twice before, so I'm very unfamiliar with what's even around. All research is done on Google (maps) pretty much - hard to even figure out what bank's even closest when you have no reference points, you know? There is also a minibus thing that comes around on Mon and Fri and takes you to local shopping, but when I called the office to ask questions (can I bring my Rollator vs. my cane, how long do they stay out, etc?) they didn't seem to know much, I guess since it's an outside contracted vendor, paid for my HOA dues. And I know one of the local "shopping centers" they go to I've been to a couple of times, it's all outside, and a lot of hte stores looked closed down, so not great in cold weather either. There is a decent Italian place there that I've been to a couple of times - so I "treated" myself the other night, and ordered a pizza - took TWO AND HALF HOURS to get it.
The club house is about a 4 bock walk from where my house is. So again - not really doable in this weather (I have some physical problems related to the cold , and also now have the bronchitis, besides just being uncomfortable, otherwise I' might brave it). I might eventually join a singing group, they have a some "senior" exercise things I might get into, they have bingo on Sundays (those bingo groupies an be NUTS though!!!!!!), and they used to have a travel club that would VERY much have interested me, although haven't seen it on the calendar in a long time. They have a movie night once a month too, with some pretty current movies that already happened this month. Be interesting to see what kind of wildlife I might encounter coming home after dark in this area too.
I think this is just a case of not being able to access activities right now due to the cold, this being a HUGE change of lifestyle for me, not knowing a single soul, neighbors not being "out and about" to yell hello to due to time of year, wanting everything to be "in its place" with unpacking right away, and just being alone. A lot of it too is still dealing with losing most of my social connections when I had to retire, the mental consequences of having to retire at such a young age, and trying to feel "useful" in some capacity. I am also still struggling with a pretty intense and draining personal issue.
I apologize - I don't want to feel like "poor me". I am very hopeful this will all change for the better with time, familiarity, and better weather. It's just tough right now. And I am SO grateful for the opportunity to try this out (that's why I felt I HAD to do it when offered), and also grateful for modern technology - cell phones to reach out for friends, getting groceries and
Amazon Prime deliveries, and great cable and Disney Plus to watch tons of content. And - like i said - all of you guys here. Thank you for your concern and support. Always means a LOT!!!