We haven’t always been able to vote while living in foreign countries, mainly because the ballots didn’t arrive in time to get to us while living in a foreign country and to have them returned in time for the deadline. We were finally able to vote because we were in the US now.

Our mailing service in Nevada notified us, as they always do, that new mail arrived with a photo of the outside of the arriving envelope. When we saw it was our ballots, we immediately requested they be forwarded to us at this hotel. We received them in about five days by USPS since we didn’t need to get them any sooner.

While living in the US temporarily, we could complete our ballots and mail them in the provided envelopes in plenty of time for the election. That was quite a relief.

Also, this week, I took care of some medical bills that needed to be paid by Medicare and my Plan G supplement. It’s incredible how long it takes for many Medicare bills to be paid. These bills come in my name, and I am constantly aware of protecting my credit when some medical bills can be outstanding for months. I’m sure other seniors are familiar with these issues.

A few days ago, I started working out on the hotel’s fitness center’s elliptical machine. Since I’ve spent the last year with heart rhythm issues, I have become unfit, which was unlikely for me in years past. I sometimes feel unsteady and have had to work hard to maintain my balance when walking, even from room to room in our hotel.

The wheelchair we purchased in Minnesota three months ago has had plenty of use. I cannot allow myself to become wheelchair-bound when I know that with proper exercise, I can rebuild my strength and stamina and no longer need to use the wheelchair. For most, like me,  it’s nearly impossible to work out with frequent heart rhythm issues. When my heart feels as if it’s pounding out of my chest, it’s hard to be motivated to increase my heart rate further by exercising. That’s been me over the past year.

Sure, I’ve attempted to walk the corridors and outdoors around the hotel buildings back in Minnesota, but I haven’t made the progress I hoped for. A few days ago, as mentioned above, I started working out in the health club, building muscle instead of just walking.

The first day, I barely got myself up and on the elliptical. My legs are so weak, even with the walking I have been doing. The nice thing about the elliptical is it uses arms and legs, building strength in both. The first time I tried it, I carefully watched my heart rate to ensure it didn’t get too high. I was shocked I could only do a few minutes the first few times. My legs were willing to continue. My heart was not.

Knowing this, I will take it slow and gradually build up the pace and number of minutes, using my heart rate as a guide. Since we’ll be here much longer, I have plenty of time to work on this. I’ll lift some light weights once I get up to about 10 minutes on the elliptical. By then, I’ll have enough strength to avoid injuring myself.

Tonight, we’re repeating last night’s dinner, making everything fresh again. When we have the same meats for three days, we cook them fresh each day, including side dishes and salad.

That’s it for today, dear readers. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Just think.—In four months, we’ll be on the move. That’s so exciting for both of us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 22, 2014:

This receipt from Safeway in Maui, Hawaii, ten years ago is interesting to read in today’s market conditions. For more, please click here.