My Tireless Retirement - Week 210

 

Spring is my favorite season and I am enjoying it so much right now.  The temperatures are on the rise, trees are leafing out, things are blooming and my yard is filled with colorful tulips and daffodils.  I absolutely love this time of year as the earth is waking up and filled with life.  My walks to and from the bus are keeping me feeling light and invigorated as every day there is something new to see and admire.

 

This past week I spent a great deal of time outdoors in the yard and making preparations for my gardening projects.  I am only a month away from the bulk of my planting and I am starting to get a little bit excited about it.  As I’ve mentioned before I am not much of a gardener, but I want to keep trying.  I have raised garden beds that have been amended and turned once already and I’m hoping the earthworms have been busy doing their job as well.

 

I worked all day Friday, Monday (the TTO took the day off) and then again on Tuesday taking a large group of seniors on a picnic and to a hot springs.  Now I am in the midst of a long five day weekend and thoroughly enjoying the time off.  Taking more time off, now that spring is here, and with summer up ahead, is a big priority for me so I can enjoy my retired life and do more of the things I dreamed about doing in retirement.

 

Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous, sunny day with temperatures reaching the high sixties.  In preparation of Easter Sunday I baked a Hot Milk Cake that day, made some deviled eggs and a macaroni salad to go with the London broil I marinated and grilled the next day.  It was nice to have a few things made up ahead of time so Easter was more relaxed and enjoyable.  I love to use this cake any time I make shortcake.  I used last year’s rhubarb and some frozen strawberries to make a compote to top the cake and then some whipped cream.  Strawberry shortcake is truly the taste of spring, in my opinion.

 

In the afternoon I walk to the bus stop and rode down to Albertson’s just to pick up two jars of my favorite blue cheese salad dressing.  It was on a special offer as part of my rewards card so I didn’t want to pass that up.  Right now this is the only salad dressing I purchase at the store as I make my own from scratch most of the time.  I also picked up five packages of Knorr pasta sides and five of the Knorr rice sides on sale for 10/$10.  When I got home I added them to my emergency/camp/donation shelf.

 

Easter was a wonderful day spent alone and relaxing.  The only task to tick off my list was to wash all of my bedding and give my bedroom a bit of a spring clean.  I prepared my holiday dinner and it was so good.  I watched TV later on and reflected as I wrote in my journal.  Life is very good, for the most part, and I am incredibly grateful.  Despite life’s challenges I will continue to thrive.

 

Wednesday I walked down to the bank to take care of some financial business and then walked back home.  The weather was perfect for a morning walk with plenty of sunshine.  I propped the back door open later that day opened the windows to let in the fresh air while I puttered about the house and yard.  Thursday was much the same.

 

To save money last week I did not turn on the heat at all, not even the fireplace was needed.  I didn’t need to drive anywhere and took advantage of public transportation and walked to get where I needed to go as gas prices rose yet again another 20¢ per gallon.  I kept my spending to a minimum and did a lot to secure my financial future.  It was a very good week!