Sam Squared

        Photo by kaboompics.com at pexel       Tryin for a accountability, I'm checking in on my lack of progress. Still, awareness is a start.  Lose five pounds. Not a single pound.  Walk 10 miles per week. With working yesterday, several care days then an overnight, I did not get out for intentional walks. I think perhaps I got 6 miles in.  Strength and weight resistance exercise two hours per week. I'm giving myself yellow in this. With using my ankle weights and doing several 10 minutes options a day I may be close. Tracking is needed.  Ensure I have at least six fruit and veg servings per day with at least three being vegetables. This was a green progress. I even packed two servings for my school lunch yesterday.         *  I've been using the old template and updating. I'm at a one in terms of blog energy, but still want the connection. 

     No one's budget is the same as someone else's. How I prioritize my spending others might find ridiculous, and probably some things are. I find massive inflation in every category ridiculous. Property taxes and insurance both took big increases, particularly home owners insurance. It's nearing $5,000 a year with my umbrella and that's with two vehicles bundled. I need to look around and compare rates. I hate to do that task, but even a 5-10% savings across all insured could swing my spendy my by $400-$900 a year.       That money is really needed as basic necessities increase like groceries and the water bill, increasing July 1. Our community needs to build new and improved water treatment plant. Direct from tap is not safe to drink. We buy or use a purifier, but not sure that's enough and I worry about dishes and bathing. Oh those water purifier filters that need replacing at least every 6 months went up 50% from last year.      I a...

           Your kind words in the comments meant a lot to me. My SIL had such a beautiful way to talk to my brother when a couple of old friends stopped Saturday night. "J...K and R cane to visit you as you are on your journey."  It acknowledged the inevitable but with warmth and care. I guess that is all our lives, and none of us get to decide when it's over. I know I'm struggling on my own journey, and in witnessing the end for people I love. I don't want to be so lost and hopefully in time, my own journey will feel positive again.       April seems to want to end in volatility weather wise. I have two commitments today that I hope aren't thwarted by the weather- severe thunderstorms with potential for tornadoes. We'll watch and plan appropriately. Pup is not a fan so will hunker down and stay close. I've got more on my calendar this week than I've had for awhile, but grateful it's free enough to take a few care shifts. Stay safe ...

      My brother worked at a tree nursery. He had planted lilacs at my parents house, a massive border that became part of my childhood. I associate lilacs with my brother.       Keeping vigil, being an extra set of hands to turn and reposition my brother,  helping to keep him comfortable like rubbing anti-itch lotion when he begs for his skin to feel better, and just anything else needed is what we're all doing. This gives my SIL a few moments where she takes breaks, gets a walk, or tries to eat.       She heated up water for a cup of hot chocolate and didn't actually get a chance to drink it until more than an hour had gone by. This is why we're all trying to keep easy and healthy food ready so she'll eat when she feels she can. She's doing the heavy lifting, changing and cleaning the waste bags, giving the medication that's helping his pain be managed. She's answering calls and greeting visitors. She's coordinating with...

      I spent part of Wednesday and Thursday adding some meals and snacks to bring to my brothers and to eat here as well. I'm not a great cook or baker, but adequate. I am able to adapt recipes to work with what I have, or prefer, so never am a stickler for following a recipe. I've linked the ones I found so as not to take credit as my own.  Modified Nestle Toll House Cookies Substitute 1 stick butter with 1/2 c crunchy peanut butter reduce flour to 1 1/4 cup, add 1 Cup Quick cook oats Reduce Choclate chips on half (so the PB flavor comes through-still plenty of chocolate) Trust me...these are rich and oaty and so much more satisfying than the regular cookie. They are a bit more affordable as I use 1/2 the chocolate chips. These also easily can be made vegan by using coconut oil or vegan butter instead of the real butter, use a vegan chocolate chip like trader Joe has, and use flax seed eggs. In fact, I make them vegan over half the time. As I didn't have vegan chip...

            I've just been adding as the week goes on to this post. I'm back and forth between home, my brother's, helping with pets and trying to manage life. I hope to catch up blog reading and comments today as I'm the all day carer support, and when he sleeps, which is a lot, I can be online.      How is it already nearing the end of April? My fiscal month ends on the 26th and I'm determined to not spend anything the rest of April, other than sending the check for health and dental insurance. Here's my recap of Friday, April 18-Thursday, April 24. Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs See below, as it was not a budget week in the food department but I at least batch cooked when possible to split food for home or with others. Entertainment was streaming movies with popcorn and pizza rolls with my kids, playing a couple board games, reading, playing with the pets, and going on walk. Brunch is a shared effort so more affordable family get ...

      Photo by kaboompics.com at pexel       This might not be a weekly thing but I was motivated by The Hawaii Plan to use blog world as health and fitness accountability tool. Let's start with a few goals at least to June 1, roughly 6 weeks. That's the meteorological start of summer and then I can set some new goals. It also is timed with my first post-retirement travel trip with my sisters. I have a wedding the Friday before as well and would like to look nice in a friend group picture with the mother of the groom. We plan to put on the miles, foot wise, exploring the sites. Plus, I plan to indulge in good Memphis cooking so best to tone up a bit beforehand.  Lose five pounds. I've put weight back on since my peak of weight loss before Thanksgiving. Now I could lie to myself and say part of that is muscle weight, but the reality is I have not been taking the best care with my eating. Being intentional again about movement and what I eat has to ...

           It may not look much better in a month or two, but thought I'd share what I'm starting with in my back yard. I had to do in a few short videos, but I think you'll get the idea of the chaos I'm working with. This is just the fenced in back. I've got two sides and the front to work on as well. Baby steps, right?       Life's been challenging and I can't commit to any timeline or project completion date. I'll incorporate yard work as I can, a bit each day weather permitting, taking any help offered. I've rambled on so much, I thought visually seeing the starting place might put a picture to the mountain of work I'm taking on.  Edit: I filmed this on Friday. Over the weekend, we got two hours of rain and the bit of green that has burst through already makes me feel more positive about this. It's still going to be a beast, but any little progress will be satisfactory.  *  I've been making a few posts ahead of time. I...

       My brother made the decision he's done fighting. There's nothing more the doctors can do. He'll have hospice care in his own home as he wants, but my SIL needs 24/7 support as  nursing hours provided are minimal. There's three of us under 65 siblings retired, though we each have part time commitments. (I had just accepted two Tuesdays subbing jobs in the coming two weeks), but we'll coordinate as needed. My SIL is the youngest of her siblings at 76, so other than being there for company which is a blessing, likely not a lot of help.       My other brother has to return to Florida for his own medical care appointments, impossible to reschedule and we wouldn't want him to. He'll come back when those are done. My other three sisters are not physically able to help much either, but will do meals and errands and be there. My nephew has five children, two with significant physical disabilities, so he's not able to help his parents much. His ...

           Happy Easter to all who celebrate. I'm doing a quick post as I'm aiming for 8:00 church then coming home to get my egg bake, hash brown patties, and fruit ready to bring to my sister's for 11:00 brunch. The cats are using me as a launch pad while I type. Later all four of us will have a sort of non-traditional dinner of picky bits and cocktails. They'll bring a plant to their grandma too for Easter, after dinner time and she's home.       I'll share more, but we'll also have a family meeting to plan additional care support for my brother. That will dictate much of my week. I didn't accept any sub jobs until next week, and then just one.       Minimally staying up on housework is my goal. Things have slipped in my embracing of no schedule, no "have to's". To keep my week intentional light, he's a short list of what could be happening. Get raised garden beds assembled. Rake and clear pumpkin area  Get sm...

           Today is the last paycheck day and last deduction for health insurance and flex medical spending (not HSA). I received the first invoice for the continued insurance in retirement. It's actually $96 more than I had planned, so over the course of the 21 months my daughter will stay on mine, that's $2,016 more than I budgeted. The electric company sent out a    notice that there's a 10% increase over base rate beginning in June, and the city water increase of 20% goes up starting July 1. More reminders that I need every dollar to have a purpose. It's ok if the purpose is fun or giving to others, or even a planned want. I just need to be intentional. Grabbing a coffee through a drive through because I didn't plan to make at home, buying a good "deal" even though it's not a necessity or even a big joy, or any shopping as entertainment is done. Here's my recap of Friday, April 10-Thursday, April 17. Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs Mea...

      I know it's only been a week but I'm sort of off kilter. I have a list a mile long but seem to have a lack of motivation to tackle as much as I need to. I suppose that's normal after having decades and decades at the schedule of a job. I know I was burned out too, easing into retirement didn't happen quite like I had hoped. Essentially training two people for very different jobs was exhausting while also doing both jobs. The chaos in Washington caused stress and daily unknowns in my work life; the chaos of Washington is causing stress and daily unknowns on my retirement financial plans.       What has been happening is a lot more outside time. I'm taking the dogs on more walks, and they are happy. I'm getting a bit of yard mess cleaned up. I don't yet trust that we are truly in spring so holding off a few things like getting the nice patio furniture out. I spend time each day collecting strewn rocks- there's always more. "They" say it...

    Photo pexel.com       I'm riding up with a sister to see my brother at the hospital in St Paul later this morning. We haven't any updates yet on when he'll be able to come home. Weather pending, I'd like to get outside for more bits and starts but also would like to get the kitchen table painted.      Tomorrow I'm meeting my daughter to collect her dog early.  Shortly after, pup will be brought in the vet for elder dog checkup, sedated shave, and get his updated prescriptions. That'll be a hefty cost, but I do budget for pet care. I've got book club tomorrow night, changed multiple times due to schedules. There's another visitation to stop at for an old HS friends mother before bookclub.       Tuesday I'm getting the other offer of free bricks. My son is available to help me. I fear I'm taking on more than I can chew, but after seeing Kay's progress I want to give it a good go. Mine is way less ambitious than she's tac...

       Figuring out a new schedule aside, there been other changes to manage. I'm adjusting to the hearing aids. It feels like I have an earful of wax at all times, and there's a scratchy sound. I understand both improve in time and it takes 4-6 weeks for wearing them to feel normal. Answering my phone through my ear is kind of funny. I have a high eye lens prescription, a new knee, and now blue tooth ears. I'm a bit of a bionic woman. Kidding aside, these technologies and options to improve my life are amazing. As much as each change has taken adjustment, it truly is a gift that I have access.       Two Fridays in a row I've had alerts that there is an urgent need for substitute teachers in the district. I want to wait until the week of the 28th to pick up a session, but if I am legitimately free, I think I'll opt into the next alert request. Knowing that I likely can work as much as I want, work the day and leave it behind, gives me some peace o...

        Thank you so much for all the kind words and celebrating my retirement with me. I found that I'd have just replied thank you after each comment so didn't reply to comments. Know though it meant a lot to share with you all and to read the lovely comments. One more paycheck and things get real. In May I  start paying a huge health insurance premium, my regular bills, and am going to cash flow for as long as possible as the volatility in 401K plans have hit mine hard. I'm fortunate to have options, but doesn't mean I have anything spare to waste. Here's my recap of Friday, April 3-Thursday, April 10. Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs Meal planned for the week to keep groceries to just essentials.  I walked to the grocery store saving gas to both mail a bill and for said essentials ensuring based on weight I didn't buy impulse buys. I figured if there were truly any great deals, I could go back. I took advantage of loss leaders when I stopped for ...

           You're all probably so happy to read the end has come to my writing about my approaching retirement. It is here. It's going to take a while to sink in that after taking my first preschool teaching job in 1986, my nearly 40 year career in early childhood care and education is over. Technically, the first job was as an assistant teacher, but I finished my credentials two years later when on maternity leave with my son and came back as the lead. ( Later went back to get advanced degree in Organizational Manage and Communication and Policy). I've had many variations of roles and responsibilities, but at the core was children birth to eight and their families. I've been a direct child care provider, a traditional preschool ( part day part week classrooms), extended day/ summer child care, parent educator, advocate, policy liaison, grant writer and grant maker, program director, EC nonprofit board member and officer, and finally, program administrator....

      I'm still gearing up to do my first post retirement blog entry. It feels weird that tomorrow will be the last day I will be employed. Well, technically I'm hired by the company that the school district uses for substitute teachers, but on call, and at my discretion. I got an urgent request last Friday to take a middle school language arts class. I would have but already had a full morning booked to train new Data System person on two critical actions.       My son has to help me load the sit-stand desk topper and my office chair to take back. I'm going to miss that chair. Six years ago, we were all measured and had guidance on setting it to our needs. Very ergonomically correct for how it best supports posture and access to the computer and keyboard. Eighteen months into Covid when our building lease was ending and property was being tossed or stored, we were allowed to bring our office stuff to home offices. Both the sit-stand unit and chair wer...

      Not me but doesn't she look great! Goals. Photo by Vlada Karpovic. www.pexels.com      Sleep has still been elusive but I'm trying anything to get good sleep. Sleep is vital to feeling ready for everything thrown at me and everything I'm willingly planning to take on starting this week as a retired person. I appreciate the blogs by the wide range of you that consider yourself retired. You come from all corners of the globe, backgrounds, family differences, and resources. You vary in physical capacity and available resources, whether your own savings, work pensions, government savings plans, or options I know nothing about. Many of you still work in some capacity, maybe as hard as you did before you considered yourself retired. You've paved a way for me to try and live a good life and do the things my work life interfered with.       The biggest lesson I've been trying to absorb is accepting that yes, I'm getting older, but my minds...

       Three working day count down! Today is my second to last payday through my job. I'm truly motivated the coming week and beyond to be extra vigilant with my money, but did OK last week.  Here's my recap of Friday, March 28-Thursday, April 3. Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs My months end the 26th, but I stretched grocery and household shopping to the 30th. Treats were minimal and focused on healthy ingredients.  Timed the meat discount right and hit ground sirloin, pork chops, and chorizo for 30-50% off the regular price. Used the ground sirloin, but froze the others right away.  After a very busy last weekend, busy work week, plus the emotional roller coaster of the retirement party, I needed a home focused weekend and week. Staying put reduces impulse spending My daughter came Sunday and did three loads of laundry saving her a lot of money.  My outings were the grocery store for above items, visiting my brother, and walking the dogs. Ver...

      Found this later in the a.m.- describes today.      I tried to nap yesterday after a horrible night with very little sleep. It didn't take even though earlier when I was logged in to do some training and we were waiting for a report to load, I nearly fell asleep sitting up! I've just been scheduling training sessions an hour here, 90 minutes there, trying to get every thought dumped from my brain to others by Tuesday. I'm using up vacation hours the rest of the work day. Maybe that's part of the insomnia.      I broke down and took a 10 mg of melatonin last night. I fell asleep, but didn't stay asleep. It was probably midnight and I woke up for hours. I worked my budget in my head. I meal planned. I made mental vacation plans. Eventually the kitten crawled up and decided I should make due with 25% of the bed. I must have fallen asleep at some point. I've been awake again for an hour and it's about 5:30.       I let t...