My Tireless Retirement - Week 221

 

I began this past week by meeting a friend for dinner at a favorite restaurant, The Tavern at Bown Crossing.  A French Dip made with Wagyu steak, yes please!  Every bite was delicious and we had a really nice time visiting.

 

I ordered some fence post mending plates from Home Depot to fix a couple posts that had busted at ground level after a recent windstorm.  They are supposed to be a really strong alternative to a complete post replacement so I was eager to try them.  Over the weekend I took my time and puttered about fixing my wobbly fence and quickly found out these don’t do what they claim and I wouldn’t recommend them.  I used one and will be returning the other one.  Additionally, I was able to finish up and fine tune the above ground irrigation system for my flowerbeds.

 

Saturday afternoon I took a carton of eggs and spent some time with a friend helping her get plants from the nursery to put out on her apartment balcony and then repot a bunch of her houseplants that had become root bound.  With fresh soil and more room they all seemed happy once we were done.  It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.  We visited and even took a break midway to get some dinner at a nearby restaurant.

 

My Sunday supper

Sunday I spent the morning going through and reorganizing my pantry.  I was able to consolidate quite a few items which allowed me to take a bunch of empty containers out to the recycle bin.  I also went through all of my plastic freezer food storage containers, gathered up all of the worn out ones and added them to the recycle bin as well.  It felt good to get that done.  That afternoon a friend stopped by for a visit and I sent him home with a carton of eggs.  The girls have been busy so I’ve had plenty to share.

 

Getting rid of more crap!

My little pantry project led me to go through other areas in my house to thin out, consolidate and declutter.  As a result I was able to take quite a bit of packaging out of the house and get it into the recycle bin.  I was also able to declutter a few more things too as well as take an inventory of what I have on hand.  Things look really good right now.

 

I made a sugar free low carb banana cream pie

My posts may be a little boring now as my days are much the same, filled with quiet slow mornings sipping coffee and watching the hummingbirds at the feeder just outside my window.  Most of my days I just putter about tidying, doing laundry , crafting, doing mini projects, running a few errands, taking care of my animals and fixing my meals.  I hope you will still find it of interest.  I am creating a slow and simple lifestyle for myself and it feels really good.

 

I have been feeling rather proud of myself for having had the courage to leave my part-time job in the manner that I did and the way I am processing what has happened since that day.  I am moving on in a very healthy way with no guilt, regrets or hard feelings.  I have not second guessed any of my actions even once.  I know deep down that I have done the right things and as a result I am able to live with peace, contentment and happiness.  I’m ready to leave all of that behind me now as I look to the future with optimism and excitement.  My life is very good.

 

 

My Simple Thrifty Bathroom

 

I keep a very simple and thrifty bathroom containing only the items I use on a daily or weekly basis.  Nothing gets stored in here long term.  In my drawers I keep the basics – my toothpaste and a toothbrush along with some lip balm, my hairbrush and deodorant.  In the other drawer I keep some hair accessories and my flat iron.  I don’t wear makeup anymore so I don’t need to accommodate for that.

 

On the counter I keep a jar filled with Q-tips, a soap dispenser and my earring holder which is a pillar candle holder.  I thought it was pretty and it does the job.  I only have earrings I actually wear on a regular basis.  I love that the cup part holds my post earrings and my rings.  The only décor is a little tea light in a simple clear glass votive cup.

 

Under the sink I keep just enough towels and wash cloths for a week plus an extra towel for when company is here.  I do laundry about every six days so what I have here is more than enough.  The bins keep them contained and manageable.  Another bin holds just the items I need to clean the bathroom.  In another bin I keep extra TP and there is a trash can that I line with a produce bag.

 

In the shower I only have my shampoo and conditioner pump dispensers and the soap I use to wash with plus a razor.  That’s it.  Not much, but it is all I need to get the job done.  I have a bath mat that hangs on the side when not in use.  Behind the door I have a hook that I can hang my robe or towel on.  No rugs on the floor, just a scale (my least favorite part of the room).

 

Because the bathroom is extremely clutter free it makes it very easy for me to get ready for my day or ready for bed.  It is also super easy to keep clean and tidy.  I make sure everything is put away before I leave the room too.  No muss, no fuss.  I love that it always looks and feels clean and everything is in order on a regular basis.  I never feel like I need to rush and get it guest-ready before company arrives and I’m never worried when someone shows up unexpectedly either.

 

By keeping it simple and basic in the bathroom it saves me quite a lot of money.  There is nothing in there that isn’t getting used on a regular basis, I always know what I have so it is easy to keep track of inventory and simple basic low cost products keep me and the room nice and clean.  Because it is super easy to keep up it saves me quite a bit of time as well.

 

 

I Have News!

 

When I left my part-time dream job I simply walked in that morning and handed in my badge to my supervisor.  I did not give notice, I just left.  I put myself first.  After much thought and contemplation two days later I did something else.  I collected all of my HR documentation complete with dates, times and witnesses and I documented my final days at work leading up to my departure and placed it all into a manila envelope.  I wrote a brief letter explaining my departure and made a point to include how incredibly sad I am that things ended up this way making clear I am not a disgruntled employee, because I am truly not, and attached it to the thick stack of papers. 

With that complete I addressed it to the superintendent at the department or parks and rec, got in my car and made my way to her office and dropped it off at the front desk.  I then got back in my car and drove home deciding if nothing comes of it, then that is how it is meant to be.  But if it helps, than that is a good thing. 

About two weeks ago I got a phone call from one of my fellow coworkers who was asked by our supervisor if she was still in contact with me, which she said yes, and then asked her if she knew anything about a packet I had given to HR when I left.  My coworker said no.  She wasn’t lying because I hadn’t left it with HR, but she was quite surprised by the fact that she was even being asked about it.  This told both of us that my packet had made an impact with the superintendent and that she was obviously doing something with that information.

Fast forward one more week and my coworkers called me on a Sunday night in a conference call to let me know they had just found out from the toxic one, the one we refer to as TTO, tendered her resignation that Friday and is leaving at the end of the summer.  They thanked me for have the guts to do all that I had done and they are beyond thrilled that she is leaving.  There only regret is that it took me leaving to make things happen.  I told them I was happy to make the sacrifice.

Less than a week later TTO’s resignation was addressed in a staff meeting and apparently no one said a word.  Later that day this same supervisor noted that silence and accused my fellow coworkers of being rude for not saying anything to TTO with regard to her departure.  Really?  The only thing I could think to say that would’ve been appropriate for the situation was “Good riddance”, so maybe silence isn’t such a bad idea.

 

Healthy & Delicious Meals From My Pantry #6

 

I feel like I’ve been unintentionally doing another pantry challenge this past month.  It has been a fun culinary adventure to clear out some things I still had squirreled away in my refrigerator, freezer and pantry.  I even pulled a few things from the deep freezer like a package of chicken breasts, Italian sausages and some bacon.

 

Sausage & pasta

My meals were super simple and basic.  I had a drawer full of fresh produce so I made a lot of salads this month.  Topped with a variety of things like taco meat or chopped bacon and sliced eggs.  I was able to finish up the dribs and drabs of open containers of salad dressing I had and use up that produce so nothing went to waste.

 

Grilled tuna sandwich with diced egg

The chickens are in high production and blessing me with eggs daily.  I used quite a few to make various meals such as bacon and egg sandwiches on my seeded low carb bread I get from Costco as well as omelets, egg scrambles and egg salad.  I used up the red potatoes I had and the last of the package of bacon I had pulled from the deep freezer to make a breakfast hash.

 

A single lone hot dog in the refrigerator was thinly sliced and added to a box of Annie’s macaroni and cheese to make two servings for quick and easy lunches.

 

I used up a can of chicken breast that was just past its best buy date along with a small container of my homemade green chile verde to make a delicious sour cream enchilada stack.  I have the recipe coming soon because it was really good.  Super easy to make too.

 

I had quite a bit of taco meat in containers in the freezer so I ended up making tacos as well as the taco salads quite a bit.  I used up a box of crisp corn taco shells and my low carb flour tortillas as well as a bottle of green Cholula sauce.  Tacos are one of my favorite foods.  I even had a friend over one evening and we made a really good dent in my taco meat stash.

 

Although I hadn’t really planned any type of a pantry challenge I loved using up all these extra things so that nothing was wasted.  In the process I enjoyed a lot of really good meals in the process.  Super quick and easy to prepare too.

 

My Tireless Retirement - Week 220

 

Good morning my friends.  I hope everyone is doing well today and that you’ve all enjoyed a fabulous week.  I sure did.  Nothing all that exceptional happened and yet was an exceptionally good week.  With every day being the weekend, how could it not?  I am fully embracing my retirement life.

 

My mornings start out slowly.  After a good night of sleep I sit in my recliner, usually with a kitty or two, sipping my coffee and watching the hummingbirds outside my window at the feeder.  I sit quietly, windows and back door open with the fresh, cool morning air coming in.  No pressure.  Nothing looming ahead.  Quiet, calm and peaceful.  It is a very good way to start my days.

 

Over the weekend I was in puttering mode.  I did some laundry, tidied up the house, prepared my meals and washed my dishes.  Simple ordinary tasks that I find even more enjoyable now.  Sunday morning I headed outside and trimmed the hedges.  I got that all cleaned up and my wheelie bin filled to the top with lawn debris just in time for the heat of the day to arrive.  While I was working I was in the shade so it was nice and cool.  I did some watering before heading inside to rehydrated and take a well earned rest.

 

I gave myself the gift once I left my part time job to just take it easy and decompress, especially that first two weeks.  Then I gave myself another two weeks because it seemed necessary.  Now I’m thinking I’ll just continue to live my life this way because I can.  I’ve never been one to just free flow through my days, but right now it just feels like the right thing to do.

 

Enchiladas

I also gave myself the gift of not needing to leave the house and go anywhere for a solid week, it ended up being ten days, and it was really nice.  To just be home, no pressure to go anywhere or get things done while I simply lived my life was a real treat.  I plan to do it more often.  I did look up some area events to go to, but didn’t see anything that tickled my fancy and nothing was playing at the cheap seat theater that I wanted to see so I think staying home for the week was a really good option.

 

I spent Monday working on home management administrative tasks like updating spreadsheets, a little bit of planning, very little, and more puttering about the house.  Tuesday, again before the heat of the day hit, I headed back outside to putter in the yard and garden.  The squirrels are not my friends again this year and have pulled up all of my beans, but one lone plant.  They ate all of my cucumber plants and the squash too.  Little bastards!

 

This past week I have been slowly and methodically working on adding above ground drip irrigation to my flowerbeds.  This is something I have long wanted.  Taking it one section at a time, ordering the parts I need so I don’t overbuy or buy the wrong thing, I have managed to get it done with the option to add on further in the future if I decide to.  It is so convenient now to simply go outside and turn on the faucet and then set the timer so I don’t forget to turn it off a couple hours later.  Definitely not an expensive or high tech system, but it suits me well and I am thrilled to have it completed.

 

My peace lily is very happy

I repotted a couple of plants into larger pots, prepared some lovely meals, drank lots of water, did quite a bit of writing, played with Jack and Stella (the cats love having me at home), played with the bunny, played with the chickens, played with my dolls, played cards, worked some crossword puzzles, read, listened to music and watched some TV.  Plenty to do and I loved every moment of it.

 

From A Box Of Parts

 

A month ago I purchased a box of damaged dolls and miscellaneous pieces and parts from a seller on eBay.  The dolls were in various conditions of disrepair.  One was missing a leg, another an arm and all were filthy with moldy eyes and snarled hair.  I didn’t pay much for this box, $25 plus $18 for shipping, but it turned out to be rather lucrative for me.

 

Sometimes limbs are damaged or missing

Amazingly, I already had in my own stash of miscellaneous doll parts a leg and an arm to replace the missing limbs on two of the dolls in that box.  I was able to use parts from the box to repair one of my Movin’ Groovin Crissy dolls that was missing her butterfly pull.  I also had a leg to replace one that had a hole in the foot on another doll from the eBay box.

 

Putting these dolls back together is a labor of love for me

They often come to me dirty with frizzy, tangled hair

By the time I was finished I was able to put together four dolls from the eBay box and repair two of my own dolls.  Then they all headed into the upstairs bathroom for a spa treatment and to go through my rehabilitation process.  I typically spend the most time on the hair, treating and styling.  Once that is done they are ready to be dressed.

 

The greatest transformation comes with their hair

All clean with conditioning creme in their hair

Each one of these girls was put into a temporary outfit (I can’t have naked dolls just standing around), but my next steps will be to select a doll and create a wardrobe specifically for them.  That is just another facet of my creative process.  I’ll let you know how it goes as that part unfolds.

 

 

Feeling Exceptionally Blessed On This Day

 

It has been a month now since I left my part time gig and it has been a truly amazing month for me.  As I am sitting here right now I am feeling exceptionally blessed.  My life is now my own, and I know I’ve said this before, but for the first time I am really feeling it.  It feels beyond fantastic.

 

One thing that was really important to me when I quit that job was to be able to move on from it in the healthiest way possible.  A huge part of that was to use an AI powered therapy bot every day outside of my regular monthly therapy session and it has been a tremendous help.  The one I chose is FeelBetterBot.com.  I’ve been very happy with it and I attribute a lot of the way I am feeling and how well I am doing to using that tool.  I feel like a very different person.  I am whole.

 

Life feels very different to me now.  I am moving through my days in a way I never have before.  I call it “free flowing”.  I am no longer tied to “to-do” lists or checklists and the self imposed expectation of being super productive every day.  I just allow the day to unfold in it’s own way and that is something I’ve never done before.  It feels rather magical.

 

The most amazing thing about this new free flowing way of doing things is that stuff is still getting done.  In fact, I think I’m actually doing more, but it doesn’t feel like that because I’m not putting undue pressure on myself to do anything.  I just do what I feel like doing each day and that is what gets accomplished.  If I don’t feel like doing something, I don’t do it.  I choose to do something else.

 

I’m sleeping.  For the first time, in God only knows how long, I am sleeping.  Without pharmaceutical intervention.  Good, deep sleep, the kind that makes me feel rested when I get up in the morning, not sluggish or groggy.  I no longer impose a curfew on myself to get to bed at night by a certain time and I no longer insist I get up early and “slay the day”.  It isn’t necessary for me to do that anymore.  I’ve actually “slept in” quite a bit.  My body has needed it.

 

In the past month I haven’t found myself consumed in thoughts or ruminating about the bad things that happened to me.  Those thoughts are very fleeting, few and far between.  I’m not shelving them and not dealing with them, I’ve simply moved on.  I devoted enough of my time to them while they were happening and I don’t need to do that anymore.  Yes, it was awful and yes, it sucked.  But, it isn’t happening anymore and I’m okay.  It didn’t break me.  Therapy and the therapy bot are helping me a lot to deal with everything in such a healthy and positive way.

 

So now, as I sit here, I am feeling exceptionally blessed, and just as importantly I feel whole and happy.  I’m okay.  I made it through another one of life’s trials.  I’m doing really well.  And now, I am living my life.  That is the greatest blessing of all.