Thank You 2025!

 

It has been another great year in my tireless retirement life.  I think each year is better than the last.  This past year I feel like I have really settled in and embraced this new phase of my life and truly become my own person.  A person I am very comfortable with.

 

I accomplished a lot in 2025, but not too much.  Taking on projects in small increments and doing them “one bite at a time”, season by season, with no hard deadlines seemed to make a huge difference for me this year.  I went at a much slower pace and when I was tired or hot or it rained or I simply ran out of time I took a break and tackled it later, plugging away at it until it was completed.  In the process I found I enjoyed these tasks so much more and, surprisingly, they seemed to turn out better.

 

For the third time I did another whole house declutter including the garage and the yard.  In the process I took a total of three loads of stuff, one very large load, to thrift stores for donation.  I filled up the trash wheelie bin twice and the recycling wheelie bin four times.  I shared food items with friends and co-workers and took a few loads in to set on the FREE table at work.

 

A huge and very unexpected blessing was the Subaru.  I popped out a couple dents, scrubbed and scrubbed, shampooed and vacuumed to make the car shine after years of neglect by its previous owner and I gave the truck the attention it deserves after twenty eight years of loyal service.  I am hopeful to be able to enjoy these two vehicles for many years to come.

 

I was able to sit down and do some planning for my future and come up with some solid ideas and goals.  I did the hard tasks too like my end of life planning where I updated my will, got it signed, witnessed and notarized and filed away.  I filled out and registered my Advanced Medical Directive in case I’m ever incapacitated and unable to make medical decisions.  I took care of what I needed to as far as what I want done once I am no longer living and how to go about it.  I also had those conversations with the people I am closest too.

 

Even some unplanned projects last month, including a flooded bathroom, didn’t derail me. I took those projects head on and was able to complete them in a one week period of time.  Doing the cleanup and repairs myself saved me a lot of money as I headed into the holiday season and for that I was incredibly grateful.

 

This past year I have been to several live theater productions, I went on a sleigh ride to see an elk herd, whitewater rafting, mini golfing (I got two holes in one!), out to lunch and dinner quite a few times with groups, picked fruit at the orchards, danced, sang, hugged and laughed so hard I cried all thanks to my wonderful job with the city of Boise.  I often find it hard to believe they pay me money to do this!

 

Me on January 1, 2025

I am so happy with how this year went and all that I was able to do and accomplish.  With all of the hard work I put in, my home is in good working order, I am at peace and feeling content and happy.  No BAD days!  My very part time dream job continues to be a dream and I am ever so grateful for that.  I am thankful to have everything I need and most of what I want, which really isn’t all that much.  I am prepared, I am healthy, I am fulfilled, I am happy and I am truly, truly blessed.  Thank you 2025!