Life is a combination of adjustments and compromises.

“You adjust when someone wants to be with you and compromise when you want to be with someone!”

Who authored this quote – a fictional online character with a goofy pseudonym?!

Regardless of its origin – I thought it drew an excellent parallel to how my life has changed (adjustments) for the way, way better in Kelowna and how I’ve gone about negotiating (compromises) the new realities transforming my life.

Here’s a USA/Canada gander at my Adjustments/Compromises paradigm:

1.  Adjustment – not being able to officiate basketball or volleyball.

Yeah, yeah, yeah – cry me a river! No Open Work Permit means that JP and income are not crossing paths anytime soon. For the past 21 years I had been a basketball referee and 16 years a volleyball official. Those gigs are currently on hold – much like the Keystone XL Pipeline. Facing a long winter of zero sweat-equity on the court. Also gonna miss the partners, administrators, and coaches (most of the time) that forged lasting relationships and built camaraderie.

Compromise – it’s hard to replace all that profitable court time. But I believe I’ve set the table. I’ve met with local assignors and told them I’m benched until the Bat signal in the Kelowna sky permits me to don the gear and whistle.

2.  Adjustment –not having a two-car, attached garage 

Talk about spoiled?! For many moons my ride spent all its nights indoors and out of all the Midwest elements. Besides the comfort and storage, bringing home groceries was a breeze. No extra lugging or melting disasters. Here in Kelowna, we have a one-car garage that’s a tricky 50-foot putt from the front door.

Compromise – Elaine and I rotate weeks as to who gets to park inside. Gonna be a less-than-thrilling experience to scrape morning ice and snow off my silver Kia. Don’t believe I’ve ever done it before?! Brrrr – praying for a mild winter.

3.  Adjustment – not having a swimming pool next door

Thanks to former neighbors Janice + Michelle, I was privileged to float and flounder in their in-ground, aqua-blue cement pond. Took me 20 seconds to walk out my patio door and be poolside. Sweet perk. Lunch-time dips and weekend laps were the best.

Compromise – Okanagan Lake. Enough said. This 84-mile-long beauty cuts a majestic swath thru the Okanagan Valley. Takes me and Elaine 20 minutes to walk from our front door to the City Park beach. The sand and scenery is gorgeous.

4.  Adjustment – not getting my fingers dirty

I may be in the minority here, but I loved working in my yard. Mowing, pruning, and planting became a passion. Raking was good for the core. Nothing more rewarding than digging like a fool and watching flora blossom. I could spend hours and weekends landscaping. The results were my pride and joy.

Compromise – by the time I arrived Elaine had planted and created a colorful panorama around our deck. I took over as the water boy and dead-header. Nothing else was needed. All my fave chores were handled by others. I got off easy. Darn it!

5.  Adjustment – not having an Aldi grocery store for dizzying discounts.

Certain American friends understand. Aldi is a regional chain that puts the thrift in thrifty. Very few name brands, no coupons or credit cards at the register. Get in and get out with extremely reasonable prices down every aisle. Go online and check out Aldi’s weekly ads for documented proof.

Compromise – local prices were eye-popping at first. Bargains seemed as rare as Haley’s Comet. Then I started paying attention to the weekly flyers and found ways to navigate the system. Gotta pounce at the right time. Honorable Mention goes to Quality Greens – a boutique shop that has become my go-to grocer for produce deals and steals. Double Honorable mention goes to Value Village (non-food store). Recently made our maiden visit and came home with two big bags of wearables and knickknacks for the price of two prime rib dinners.

6.  Adjustment – not reading a daily newspaper.

No cash flow precipitated budget cuts. Until July I was a subscriber to the Kansas City Star. Yeah, that’s right, I’m old-fashioned enough to like a paper in my hands. Not these days. Elaine and I have agreed to go cold turkey on inky fingers.

Compromise – twice weekly we get the Kelowna Capital News dropped off in our mailbox. It covers the local beat and contains a blizzard of retail flyers. Once in a while we get manufacturer’s coupons. I used several this week and saved a chunk!

7.  Adjustment – not doing daily crossword puzzles.

Without a daily gazette, I’ve lost that “lovin’ feeling” with crossword puzzles. Totally my undoing. Frugal doesn’t put puzzles on the table. The KC Star used to contain two mind-benders per diem. The weekend versions were super-challenging. Getting back to making letters and words fit into small boxes is high priority.

Compromise – Elaine and others have suggested online puzzles. They’re right. But I’m old school and stubborn. That day will come. Another option would be to buy puzzle books. I’ll ask Santa.

8.  Adjustment – not exercising three times per week.

During my last nine months in KC, I worked a barter deal with Title Boxing Club. The gym was close to home and workout regimen was cardio and core centric. Really maximized my time on the battle ropes – did wonders for my arms and middle. Felt like I could wrestle bears after a session.

Compromise – Elaine and I have been hiking and talking about using weights and crunching sit-ups while watching the tube. So far, all talk and no grunting. There are plenty of local gyms. I smell January specials coming up?!

9.  Adjustment – not listening to Q104’s The Morning Drive radio show.

Since Garth Brooks ruled – I listened to Mike, Zeke, and Jillian every weekday morning on KBEQ-FM Young Country Q104. They were my morning latte, weather reporters, and entertainment ambassadors. Miss the hilarity. Guess I could live-stream their show?! Congrats to Mike (Kennedy) for recently being inducted into the Kansas Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

Compromise – the morning team (Karly and Jo2) at 103.9 Juice FM has earned my ears. They bring wit and oodles of tunes. Wanna meet them someday and let them know “An American Kelowna” has their number.