Hello 2015

Well, 2014 was one of the most frustrating years I have ever had.  So many things have happened and so many things did not happen.  Some good things.  Some very sad things.

Medically I had many problems this year and for some reason there is not a reason for the problems.  I had to go to the hospital for heart issues.  I spent the night there.  I had to get some heart activities and they thought I had some blocked arteries.  I had to get an angiogram done.  And all the pain and problem I had with my heart and lungs.... all the tests showed that nothing was wrong!  Really good?  Really bad?  I wish they would say...here is what is wrong.. now we have to do this.  But we are just trying to find out what is wrong. 

The strangest thing about it was when I was having my angiogram done, my brother Randall David Telford died of a heart attack.  That was really strange as he was one of the few family members that was in good shape, was not fat like most of us, was not a big drinker, did not do drugs, he did lots of exercise and yet he had a heart attack and died.  So strange.   For some reason I had the worst physical year ever and I am still living.  Oh well.. all I can say, is my brother Randall is enjoying his heaven holiday with my Dad, Pepere, Memere and Nanny!  :)

Other problems I have had this year included very bad hip pain.  X-rays showed no problem  Very bad back pain.  X-Rays showed no problem. Very bad lung and throat problems.  X-Rays showed no problems.  I had brain scan.. No problem.

I guess that is good.  But I need to fix them.

My memory has been going down this past year.  It is very hard to remember names, numbers and things that I am doing.  It is tough to read as well.  When I read, my mind starts thinking about something and it takes away from the reading.   I have been to a few doctors in 2014 about that and nothing has been determined.  In 2015 I will be seeing two specialists.  I want them to say my life is about Stress.  That is what I want to work on.  If they can say that.. I will be able to help myself. 

But that is enough of the negative crap I have gone through.  In 2015, I will try to make sure that my mind is like it was 10 years ago.  I enjoyed social life, running, entertainment.  I need to do that again. 

So here is what happened in my 2014 goals.  I have put completion on the ones I have "done"  If there is no comment after it, it means it was not done.  I will see about doing it in 2015.

Health Goals

 I have to lose weight.

• It did not happen.  I actually gained weight instead of losing weight

Running

• I will need to run at least 4 races this year
• Run for Dad
• Toronto Run
• Edmonton 10K Run
• Melissa’s Run
• I only ran ONE race this year.  My hips and back were too sore to run.

Walk a mile in her shoes

• I loved it.  I walked a mile in her shoes and played guitar..

 Renovation/House Goals

•  Paint the House  Trim Done
• Have the Sewer line fixed Done
• Fix the sidewalks
• Paint orange doors  Done
• Buy a good BBQ  Done
• Plan House renovations of what we want
• Paint table and chairs  Done
• Chop wood  Done
• Get rid of stuff we don’t need or use   Done

Vacation

• 2 week vacation   Done in December
• 1 week vacation    Done in July
• Go to Toronto for Mens event  Done in June
• Go to Vancouver  Done in September
• Go to Banff for camping
• Look for a U.S. Vacation for 2014
• Take my mom on a weekend vacation
• Kelowna  Done in September

Music/Culture/Entertainment

• Re do my Top 100 songs
• Play some music with local people  Done
• Learn some songs to do a 40 minute set.  (memorize music)
• Go to Calgary and spend $ at the used CD Store  Done
• Get more choral music  Done
• Get more ethnic music  Done
• Go to Jazz Festival
• Go to a symphony
• Join Choir  Done
• Do a solo with Choir
• Go to Home Routes Concerts   Done
• Go to concerts  Done

 Social Life

• Flamingo Party
• See high school friends  Done  I saw Sharon in Kelowna, Lisa , and regular ones
• Have two scotch clubs  Done
• Do some social events at work  Done
• Go to the Greeks  Done
• Spend some time in Edmonton Whyte Avenue  Done

Financial

• Make sure debt is getting paid
• Do a budget for what I need
• Put 10% in savings each month

Family

• See Melissa, Raymond , Calla and Nicole  Done
• Take Kim out for dinners Done
• Take Kim out for a vacation  Done
• Spend time with Jaedyn  Done
• Spend time with Spencer  Done
• Take the kids to Klondike Days  Done

Read Books

• Starbuck Book
• Jack Nicholson
• Paul Quarrington
• Rich for the right reasons
• Finish my Dad Books that I have to fill out

Generic

• Buy a new vehicle for 2014  Done
• Learn to do some cooking
• Try to Blog
• Take a university Course  Done
• Be a better dresser  Done
• Write a page of what stresses me out
• Get a new computer  Done
• Get a new ipod

Appreciate the present

Well, I am finally moved in to my new place in Camrose.  Years ago it was easy for me to move.  While in Radio we would move every couple of years.  It was quick. It was easy.  Now at this age, it is hard, it is tough and it is very nerve wracking.  I hope I don't have to move again. 

The purpose of the blog is to help me in my aging process. I just need to voice my thoughts and try to make aging an easier process.    I am finding it very hard to be older.  There was so much in my life that I did not get to do. And now I think.. I wish I could re-live my life.  THAT IS THE DUMBEST THING TO THINK OF.

On Friday night I went to a hockey game that the U of A Augustana Vikings were playing in.  The crowd was amazing.  Young folk, having fun.  Their faces were painted.  They were cheering, chanting and really making a mark.  I thought.. I wish I could be back at NAIT and re-live my life.  What a DUMB thought.  I realized that in 20 years when I am 75, I will be thinking... "Damn I wish I was 55 again... working, running, entertaining, flirting, and being loved"  It really hit home with me...that I have to really appreciate what is going on right now.  Yes.. I wish I was 35 again.  I wish I was 25 again.  I wish I was 40 again.  But that is a dumb thought. 

I have been doing a lot of research for my goals for 2012.  The list is  done.  One of the research was an article about "Bucket Lists".  They had 300 or so items on their bucket list.  I looked at it and realized.. I have done over 80 things that they wanted to do!   I should be happy with that as there are many people who would be happy doing what I have done in my life....

So onward I go.  Appreciate today.. and in 20 years... I will know... I that I lived my life to the fullest.

Getting Set for 2012

Well my friends, earlier this year I decided to put BLOG on my bucketlist.  I have thought about it for years, but I have never gotten around to it.  In early November I thought I would try my blogging talent.  In the month of December I was posting a Christmas Song a day and I was at times impressed that I could actually come up with some wonderful thoughts, stories, and memories!

My Blog as RayTel Oldie will talk about the aging process. I am 55 years old.  As I get older, I need and want to accomplish more. I want to accomplish goals I had when i was 20.  I want to accomplish goals I had when I turned 40!   I want to make the next 10 years the BEST 10 Years of my Life!  I want to accomplish more in the next 10 years than I did in my first 55 years.  I have accomplished a lot in 55 years, however I compare it to climbing Mount Everest.  I am 3/4 of the way there. Once I am on TOP.. I will be the happiest person in the world.  So in 2012...the climb starts!

So after Christmas I will provide some of the highlights of the RayTel Oldie and will come up with the best journey for the future.