Other Life Updates

      As extended family and friends do after a death because we don't have all the burdensome and often messy follow- up, I'm back to my day to day routine. Well, not quite as I hadn't developed a routine. I should rather say I'm back to figuring out my retirement life. I honestly can say I do not miss my job. Sure, I miss some of the interaction I had, good people, but there's no feeling I'm missing out or boredom. Granted I was quite busy with family, but that just meant the list of things I want to tackle just got deferred and longer. Here's a bit of a catch-up and it feels like a long one. 

Health

     I'm not sure if allergies, a seasonal cold, or a bug but by Thursday night I was just feeling kind of sluggish and lousy. Saturday was the worst, but I tried to keep busy as best I could, but other than walk the dog and put something in the mail, stayed home. I'm way overdue for my RA check-up, but I did have a full physical with blood back in I think October and there was nothing at that time with significant change. I'm also overdue for the dentist so will make an appointment this week hopefully get in before July. 

Money Matters

     I met with my financial planner and feel comfortable again after my wobbles that my cash flow for retirement is fine. I'm still doing my Friday recap because I want to be a good steward of my resources, know where my money is going, and find opportunities to maximize the quality of my life. 

     I've substitute taught three times so far, all at the middle school, two full days in Resource Classrooms with children with varying special needs, and a half day math class. It's been a nice little burst of money to put towards fun this summer. In fact, so far, enough for my Memphis trip spending money since air and hotel are covered. The three experiences were different but overall, positive. I doubt I'll do more than two a week, and probably just one most weeks as I'm filling my days with other activities. It's probably helpful to my mindset that at this point I'm not relying on this income to cover living expenses and can set the days I'd accept. 

Yards and Garden

     All is a work in progress. I am in awe of Kim and Kay and their tenacity to do what they've done, moving rocks, creating paths and patios. I am fully aware I do not have a homesteader gene or even a homemaker gene. This extends to the outdoor space. I'm doing the bare minimum but seeing tiny glimpses of progress. I got free hostas planted along one side of the patio and fingers crossed in a year or two, they'll fill out for a nice sort of hedge. Vix, I found one lone fern and dug out and put in a pot and will see if it keeps living to plant in a bit. 

     I was giddy to see tiny green sprouts already from the lettuce and cucumber planters and to see the grape tomato plant grow double the height that it was when planted. I hope my smiles are not premature. I might have squash and pumpkin growth too, but I need to make sure what is the start of produce and what might be new weeds. 

Clearly I needed to get down
and weed  but there are sprouts!

House

     Ditto on the house, but not really seeing much progress as I attempt to do yet more purging, decluttering, and organization. I tackled a box window leaving just my tea cups on display but threw out the off items that just seemed to accumulate. I joined a Facebook group and a "course" on decluttering. Any mindset support is welcome. 

Travel

     I splurged on a first new backpack for myself since highschool graduation! It's as much carry-on suitcase as backpack and I already feel like I'll love it as it doesn't seem bigger than the ones my kids use, but it zips out like a suitcase, with the amenities to easily access what I need quickly. What I disliked about travelling with just a backpack in the past is that clothing or other items weren't easy to get to once at the place of stay as you had to pack bottom to top. 

Other travel updates:

• We booked tickets to the Civil Rights Museum for June 2. My sister who's hosting us in her hotel room has a June 3rd birthday so we'll plan to take her out that night somewhere fun. Graceland is our only other specific plan. 
• I finally entered my passport information to my plane ticket to the UK.
•  I got the newly required Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the UK. I was going to wait until closer because it only covers two years but just wanted another step checked off. I tried the app but it was not cooperating. However, the regular application was quick and though it said wait up to three business days, I had the message that it was being processed at 8:48 a.m. and another message saying it was approved...at 8:49. I guess this old lady is low risk. 
• I'm using a bit of my screen time to find YouTube programs on various UK National Trust properties and other sites I want to visit. Stourhead is the one so far I'm looking forward to the most but all seem incredible. 

     It's amazing that next weekend is Memorial Day. I'm bringing my daughter to the airport at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow morning for a business conference and will pick her up Friday. The girls are running another race Saturday, then they'll be at the cabin. I may go for part of a day but I plan to go up this Tuesday to clean out my MILs garden area that has the rose bushes for her daughter and FIL. Depending on my energy level, may go ahead and do the first clean on the old cabin (originally my husband's grandparents). There's changes to that this year with my kids now having a larger stake in the ownership. May has been a blur. I've still got a wedding and a graduation this month as well, then leave for my trip on June 1. But, I've no one to account to on my time so nothing to stress about.