My Retirement Journey

This morning I went to my Weight Watchers workshop with my adopted older ladies.  Then we go to Trader Joe's to shop.  Each week, Deb my coach, leaves us with a quote of encouragement. We thought about what causes us to emotionally eat.  Usually stress or anxiety, for me.  More of that feeling comes for me in the mid afternoon through the evening.  3pm.  I usually stay busy before then.  I like chocolate.  My go to to solve this is Lilys Semi Chocolate Chips.... 30 for 2 points.  Not bad.

Yesterday, in Kent, not far from the hair salon I go to, is Value Village.  I had to stop in.  I don't plan on going back today for senior day.  I am trying to discover what's the best days.  Monday, it seemed picked over from the weekend.  I walked around for a good long time before putting into my cart.  I know I am now more picky but not that picky.  

Today I have an appointment for 9:30 am to have my hair done.  It involves dyeing, washing, drying, trimming, and curling my hair.  Hayley did the job today.   We've gone there since the boys were in a booster seat.  We love those ladies.

This week on Tuesday, senior day, I found this Asian vase.  It is Japanese and was made at the end of the 19th century.  Usually I don't feel drawn to Asian art for some reason. But this vase I was one I couldn't put back on the shelf.  Probably due to historical significance.  I have some preferences.  I don't like art with fish or cherubs (which be very Victorian, go figure).  I pass on clowns, and tribal masks, for sure.  Usually I pass on figurines of animals, except cats.  I like bird figurines, and I bought a decoy duck.  It's interesting to discover what your own personal taste is when thrifting.  It can be surprising.

Riley started something with giving flowers.  Today Brady and I (Brady drove) to Trader Joe's and he bought his friend Angel some flowers.  It was all him.  He thought Riley was a good roll model.  He'll give them to her tomorrow at a BBQ at her family's house.

Of course, the photo is sideways.  Anyway, Riley tried to put a bouquet together for Brittany.  He got Daniel's help, but the two boys didn't do too well.  So, Riley called his friend Lexy for help. Levy saw his picture and she said she would be right there.  She fixed it, and all was better.   It is so cute that he's giving her flowers as they step into the next level of their relationship.

We're back to sideways photos. With Riley being so busy, I have to make a time to spend with him.  He'll be 22 at the end of this month and his time is limited.  I will become worse but for today I plan to enjoy what I have today. We went to Enumclaw for lunch.  We went to the Griffin Brewery.  It was nice.  Kind of pricey.  Next time we'll try to go to the other brewery there.   We also stopped by Pennies From Heaven thrift store.  They have great prices.  I found a hurricane lamp, a birthday angel, and basket. I have to go back. Karis off the 19th, we might go then. We had a great time and one to remember.

This morning we woke up to rain.  We're use to rain in Seattle, however, it's been a while.  As I looked around, people had smiles and a pep to their step.  Much like when the sun comes out in the spring.  Fickled people. 

Lydia's Ladies is a ministry for older single women at my church at Grace Community Church.  We have 3 luncheon a year.  I am the chair... leader.   The summer luncheon is set for August 26th.  We got our invites and we're getting the word about our "Celebration of Summer".  I've been working on buying paper plates and centerpieces. My choice for the plates are below. I will show you our progress.

The top two sideways photos is a piece of furniture that I bought after I took out my work station.  I beads an after 40+ years I have too many beads from projects.  My friend Kim is going on a mission trip on August 4th.  She will be working with a lot of kids that make things for money with beads.  So, I went through my beads and put together a big bag of beads from my collection.  I weighted it and it easily was over ten pounds.  Then I went through again and collected more for her to take.   The piece of furniture I bought at the Auburn's Habitat for Humanity for $50 plus senior discount.  It holds all my beads. The desk I bought at Auburn's Habitat for Humanity too for $50.  I need a desk to work at, so that replaced the other.  It was nice to replace and add new items to erase the Covid years and move forward.   I need to get back to being creative.  I will write on that subje...

I thought I would post a photo of Loki because he's so cute.   Shopping is one thing I do to get out of the house.  Thrifting is a hobby.  I had to "go to school" for thrifting.  One can think everything is fun and cute... and then I began to refine my tastes and preferences in what I buy. I like history, so I focus on pieces from the late 1800s through the 1940s.  I was born in the 1950s, so although many items are interesting, I seem to not be as interest in the time I've personally lived.  Mid century furniture, dishware, glassware etc isn't as exciting to me as a piece that is 100 yrs old.   It takes a lot of studying.  I watch YouTube on certain subjects and collect collectors book that help one determine what, who, or when a piece was created.  Google Lens and Ebay helps too.

I am still working on turning my photos.  Hmmmm....  Annoying Anyway, this is Brady with me.  Brady is my younger grandson.  He is now 20 yes old.  He'll be 21 in February. He has he's Associates degree... actually 2 of them.  And earning his Bachelors degree in Software Development. Brady was in high school when Covid disrupted our lives.  Not until now is he learning to drive.  He has waited patiently.  When I have errands like to pick up groceries etc, then he drives to practice.  I try to think up an outing everyday if possible.  We hope at the end of August, he'll take his driving test.  If not, then September.   Well, it's August.  Happy August!

Ok, the picture is sideways.  I am trying to relearn posting photos. Any, this is Deb.  She's my Weight Watcher coach.  After I retired, I knew I had to lose weight.  My blood pressure was high etc.  No Bueno.  I lost 40 lbs., then gained 15 lbs back, and now at WW I have lost 10 lbs.  Little by little I am working on losing it to be healthier in my 70s.  It is a lifestyle now.  I will always need to work on my weight.  I will be writing about this a lot. Our discussion was about what Fuels "you" or causes Friction?  What keeps me doing this?  Positive results, trying to recipes, finding out what works for me.  Friction has always been stress, planning not to eat what's not helpful when challenged.  I have help with Breyers Carb Smart ice cream on warmer days.