Sort of an Update Post

   

    I've been trying to blog a bit more with a theme, in context with my life, but not necessarily just about my life. I don't know if it's working for me or at all readable; I'll probably change directions a dozen times this year. Periodically I do a dump of what's on my mind, a rambling update of sorts. That's what this is. 

Work

     My official last day is April 8th, but leading up to that date I'm both planning to take all Mondays and Fridays off, and depending on when the data system person starts, almost the whole week of March 31st. I must have hit hard with a reality check, as my replacement looked like a deer in a headlight when I did a calendar plan with the updated timeline that there is only 5 weeks left until I'm done. As of Friday, they hadn't even finished interviews for the system replacement. Unless the person is not currently working, realistically, March 17th is the earliest I foresee the start date, and more likely a few days past that. I have to keep reminding myself that I did more than most people would have done by delaying my retirement (not more than Anne's husband). 

     Also, it's not allowed to overlap in the same position more than 12 weeks, so I'd have to be done in April regardless. There were some navel gazing unfortunate delays on managing this timeframe, decisions getting pushed back weeks to months, and now, the workload is escalating, when we could have been through the bulk of it before I left, and back in a maintenance mode. It's hard thinking about things unravelling, but it's not my problem. I can't help feeling guilty and like it will reflect poorly on me should things go very wrong. A very casual retirement gathering is scheduled for March 27 arranged by my boss and a few others, inviting both current and past colleagues.I've no clue what to think turnout might be.

Church and Involvement

     I know many of you seem to draw on your relationships and activities in your church communities. I used to as well, but as the kids got older, and then after my husband died, I just felt disconnected-not comforted. I've tried in the last year to step into things, but either I'm or the activities are falling flat. Here's an example. Our Christian, Youth, and Education team wanted to bring together on a quarterly basis a small group to help advise options, support developing new programming, and be a support to the youth director and education coordinator. When my sister saw the note in the newsletter, she said this would be right up my alley, as it draws on both past volunteer and professional experience without being a weekly commitment. 

     A list of possible meeting dates is sent out, six options. Great-I replied, I could make all but a Tuesday morning date, because I'm still working three days a week. Guess which date and time was selected? It's like the universe is telling me to stay in my lane. I didn't keep up on findings of the last strategic planning the church council led, but apparently a consultant commissioned pre-plan described our church as "comparable to a country club." Maybe there's something to this, but it's literally the only church I've known my entire life, so to look for a different option feels odd too.       

Neighborhood in Demand

     I'm usually good at ignoring the calls, but the realtors are ramping up their outreach to get home turnover in my neighborhood. The single-family homes in my neighborhood, and my house in particular, hit a sweet spot that I'm sure they'd like to cash in on. The houses are big enough that a young and growing family would be quite comfortable while still not yet in the next level that financially pushes most younger family buyers out of the market. I had a call just Monday from a local agent wondering not only about mine, but did I know any potential leads in the neighborhood as he had several ready buyers. I'm not sure where they think we are all supposed to move to- there's nothing to down size too, and for couples that might like a bigger house in a more affluent neighborhood, the interest rates make them stay put. I'm not sure if there is a training on new tactics to use, but he literally said as I was trying to hang up, " I'm sure your home is too much for you now, so I'll check in for when you're ready to sell."  I get the small town, know your community members vibe businesses channel, but this was quite presumptuous!    

     The house next door is a bit bigger than mine, maybe another 100-150 square feet. This is the house with the family with all the kids. I'm sure they did the math on what they could sell their house for and what it would take to move up to the next size and decided to rework their lower level to have a much smaller family room, and carve out another bedroom, making it a five bedroom instead of four. Her dad made bedrooms for the two older girls-she posted pictures, and they turned out really cute even if small.

      As for my son's hunt, there's nothing appropriate in his price range right now in locations or property type within 30 miles of the central Twin Cities area. He's always watching but not going to jump if it's not right. Maybe we should look at converting the lower level into a small apartment? I'm not serious but makes me think how many people might be looking at that option with the way the housing market is going. 

     I chose not to watch whatever the latest round of lying to the American public was called last night. It's telling that the NRCC is telling Republican elected officials not to hold town hall meetings. I know a certain faction will buy the narrative that the outbursts are liberal actors, not real constituents. I guess living in a sense of delusion gets them to the next day. 

     We have wet thick mucky snow to clear. The storm was about what was predicted. Neither of us have to go anywhere so I'm tempted to just let the warmer temps coming Thursday do the job. That would just create a different problem so I'll head out to do round one before starting my work day. I dread what the plow will leave at the end of the driveway. I'll never be able to lift it.