Starting over

I started the Life inside the Fence blog many years ago, in 2008 I believe, when I had the four pack.  That's what my sister always called them, four crazy pups named Scuba, Keiko, Norman and Toby.  This blog covered the many canine adventures they had while living their life inside the fence.  And for a few years, all was good.  But it is inevitable that all dogs must cross the Rainbow Bridge and it just became more and more difficult to post.  

Keiko was the last of the four pack, crossing the Bridge on April 21, 2016.  Since then I had three more crazy pups enter my life.  Zenji, Pancho and CeeCee.  We lost Pancho in January of 2023 and although we miss him terribly, our life inside the fence continued on.

So now I am starting over with the girls and this blog will still cover our adventures only this time, I will share my own experiences of getting older, making a career change and my work as an online reading teacher.  And let's not forget the joy of being of being a 60 year old student in a class full of 18 year old's. 

We hope you can join us as we continue Our Life inside the Fence.

Take care,

Teresa, Zenji and CeeCee

  Anxiety at 60

Another sleepless night though I don't think I can blame this one on the dogs.  Just a little bit of anxiety and I wonder if anxiety worsens as we grow older.  I don't have any health issues other than stiff joints on occasion and I know financial stuff is always a concern but anxiety seems to be getting worse the older I get.

I seem to worry over everything and most recently, political issues.  Today's political culture has gotten to be so toxic and stressful and it's hard to get away from it.  I am on twitter mainly to keep up to date with NASCAR storylines.  Twitter or X is just horrible these days and filled with so much hate and anger that I've had to take a break from it.

I try to exercise every day, a 2 mile walk followed by some moderate strength training such as light weights and elevated pushups.  Exercising does help and I think when the weather cools a bit, I can start taking additional walks in the evening and maybe that will help improve my sleeping pattern.   

Thanks for letting share my feelings and if any other misfits out there have any suggestions on dealing with anxiety, please let me know.

Take care,

Teresa, still a misfit at 60

 3:00 am

Up early this morning to prepare for a 4:30 am ESL class. 4:30 am Arizona time is 7:30 pm China time.  The student was awesome and speaks English pretty well already.  She was speaking to both me and her mother, switching back and forth from Chinese to English with no hesitation.  It just amazes me at how quickly she can transition from the Chinese language to the English language.  

I am also a student, finishing up my teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education at Pima Community College.  And one thing I've learned in my classes is that kids who are bilingual show improved brain function, problem solving skills, creativity, resourcefulness and better academic performance.  I don't understand why learning a second language isn't mandatory in the U.S.  It can only have positive results.

Take care,

Teresa, still a misfit at 60

  A misfit turning 60

I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't very enthusiastic about my 60th birthday.  I happen to agree with Cher and her assessment on getting older, I think it sucks.  But here we are, a 60-year-old woman who lives in the Arizona desert with two dogs and a tortoise.

I read some blogs on growing older and most of the blogs that I read were written by women over 50.  They were blogs on 'Fashion for the older women' or Older women aging gracefully' and crap like that and I  just don't fit into either of those catagories.  I'm not a Cyndi, or an Alyson or a Lyn.  I'm just a Teresa whose idea of fashion is a pair of cutoff blue jeans, flipflops, an extra large button down long-sleeve shirt and a floppy hat.

I guess what I'm hoping to accomplish with this blog is to share with people like me.  Older women who know what it's like to go it alone and who can fire up a chainsaw while mulling over a favorite recipe.  Women who think that it's okay to get your hands dirty while putting nightcrawlers on a fishing hook.  Older gals who love to slam some beers when camping at the lake.  I know I can't be the only one.

Take care,

Teresa, still a misfit at 60.