My Retirement Journey

It's hard to believe, yet in some ways it isn't.  Do I think I did the right thing?  Yes.  Has it been as easy as it seems?  No.  It's another identity change.  One is faced without the relationships one had for years, and you're faced with (once again) craving out a new routine and life.  You're faced with old age and all that physically or emotionally comes with it... or you try to combat it.  But I like the challenge.  It keeps me busy.  On to the next six months.

Later in the afternoon, they all went to the lake.  Not my thing, so I stayed at the hotel with the AC.  They had fun and made memories. The new roof is going on today.  Can't wait to have these projects done, but I will feel so much better about things.  Who wants a roof to cave in?  Not me.

I love Farmer's Markets ❤️  Plants were an item on Kari's list.  I bought shower fizzles from the Rainbow Bros.  My latte was too pretty to drink... but I did.  It helps me with my walking and balance to go to these.  

One person we don't get to see often is Great Grandma Karen.  Right now she lives in Arizona.  Here she is with her great grandkids... and includes Brady and Savanna as well.  

Saturday when we reached Vancouver where Riley's younger sister and dad lives.  I know it's confusing, but what brought us all together was Riley, Bella,  Elaina, and Darian.  All of them have the same dad.  However, there are 3 baby mamas (as they call themselves).  They actually get along.  Basically because they don't have any feelings for Chris, the father.  They find they have more in common besides the love they have for their kids.  I've always have promoted this... my joke is "you never know if you'll need a kidney" (so it's best to be close to your siblings).  They love each other.  After Elaina committed suicide in 2021, they depended on each other.  

We have just returned from our visit with family which I will share over the next few days in more detail.  Above is featured Riley and Darian.  They are brothers.  Same dad, different moms.  In this picture we were at a BBQ.  So stay tuned.

Kari is off this week.  She has 12 consecutive days.  So I am "off" with her.  I will only make this post this week.  Yesterday we went to West Seattle to the West Seattle Fish Company for lunch, the West Seattle Nursery, and Alki.  It was a wonderful sunny day with a sea breeze.  One day you remember in the cold of winter.  So fun.

I have now lost 30 lbs and my dimples are being to return.  Weight loss is a strange journey.  

One of my interests I began to revisit is vintage glassware that led me to vintage costume jewelry. My interest is not only for rings, or necklaces but for broothes as well. I love the history to these items.  This pictured is a Coro piece.  It is midcentury, probably the 40s or 50s.  I studying right now Victorian brooches from the 1880s to 1910 before WWI.  Also, it's morbid, but I am also studying mourning brooches.  It's hard when there's a picture of the person who died, or their hair.  Mostly they are black.  I have requested birthday money for my birthday to shop on ebay.  

It's been over 5 months... almost a half of a year, that I have been retired.  As I was approaching that date, this is an image I would see.  Only it was cold on this side before entering the threshold or the gate.  It was sunny on the other side.  I have been losing my identity of being a GRC staff member these past months.  Strange, but true.  However, I believe I am doing better now.  I've been busy.  Brady's graduation and the fixing things at the house, has helped.  Am I glad I made that decision... yes.

Kari is needing to empty the storage unit and release it, now that we are not moving into Debra's old house.  She moved the table she took and chairs we got to replace the old oak one we were using.  We are decorating the dining area in a garden/ patio theme and using blues as the main color.  Little by little it changing to a very pretty area.   Yesterday, I went to Young at Heart to the July potluck.  I am trying to still bring in new people into my life.  I enjoy Lori a lot. Today is grocery day, gasoline, return Amazon, work on notes, and purge more.   Riley returns on Sunday.  We are trying to plan when Brady would go down to visit.  Always something to do.  Until Monday, it's a deal.

Happy 4th of July!  I know you're busy enjoying this day, so I will see you again tomorrow.  It's a deal.

Last week was a doozy.  Calling for estimates, installations, and such.  All worth it.  But it was tiring.  Today I have an inspector coming, and we have fireworks tonight at Emerald Downs.  Riley has been in CA visiting his grandfather since Brady graduated.  I think he's missing us now that it will be 3 weeks.  It's important for him to do something other than college work.  You know my motto... Balance