A Day in the Life

      

      I'm trying to use this gift of early retirement better than I feel I have been since my days became my own last April. Now granted, I have substitute taught a few days, took a 12 week part time contract, travelled  a total of 6 weeks (two short and a long) and then got into the holiday season which seems to have calendar of its own. My days vary depending on it the big dog is here and if he's being particularly clingy, antsy and we need to get outside more. But typically, while my days vary, typically each day is a  mix of life admin, housework, errands, meal preparation, personal care/exercise, and free time. Here was a glimpse from yesterday.

     My daughter had stayed over the night before, so I didn't even get up with the big dog, but lazed in bed until after 7:00 when I then started coffee. I got showered and dressed and by then, could guzzle down cup number one before brushing my teeth and taking him to doggie daycare, his typical Tuesday scheduled day.

     I needed a few grocery items, but I didn't want to go home and then back out for an eye appointment later in the morning. (I have to go back in 4 weeks as there was some early signs of developing glaucoma in my right eye he'd like to do further tests about. My prescription remained the same.) I had the forethought to bring a cooler bag with a large ice pack for milk, frozen vegetables and the what has become a regular buy, a $2.00 precooked rotisserie chicken. I stopped by the Vet for pups prescription and filled up the gas tank as gas had dropped to $2.53 and I had a few more cents off in rewards. 

     Once home I put groceries away and had another cup of coffee with the last two slices of an Italian loaf.  That fueled me to get the chicken deboned, get stock made and then cooled to make supper later. I froze most of the stock for tortellini soup later in the week. The kitchen was really a sight as with the girls here Monday and an extra cat, there were more dishes than fit in the dishwasher the night before and we left them. Plus my son had made himself breakfast after I left and before his day started, though he worked from home. 

     I spent several hours cleaning the kitchen getting rugs shook then washed, swept, mopped, dusted and vacuumed. Because I had toast almost at 12:00, I didn't need lunch but was a bit hungry so ate two clementines and a string cheese stick for fuel. I had the Olympics on while snacking, television watching in the day not being typical. I also had a chat conversation with a couple sisters, both getting updated on her surgery time on Friday and other tidbits. Both pup and the kitty were looking for a little attention, and who was I to deny them? Satisfied, they both took naps and I got caught up on blog reading, a bit of travel research, quick look to see if any houses were added for my son's spring search, and the friends tab on Facebook. I try not to look at the regular part and only get friend highlights and limit to a 10-minute check not more than 2X a day (but I slip.) I got a start on this post and will finish in the morning before publishing. 

     The warm, though cloudy, weather is continuing at least for today, so I got a walk in and then read for an hour. I took my phone and grabbed a bit of the gray if quite warm day for February 17th. Rain and snow and cold starts again tonight. 

     By then, it was getting closer to when I'd pick the dog up. However, I stopped at the Dollar Tree to get scrubby sponges, disinfectant wipes, and cleanser as after cleaning, I saw we were low on all. I popped a block over and took a look at the Salvation Army store too, just in case there were any basic T's for Greece ( none worth buying). Mine are quite stretched and though I said no more clothes, Anne convinced me a good buy could be part of my travel budget like the skirt I found a couple weeks back. Once home with him, both dogs ran around outside, and I threw the ball a bit until their supper time. I fed them, then put together a chicken and pasta hotdish for our supper. My son was home, so we ate together while more Olympics were on. I saved the women's figure skating to watch in the evening instead of live. 

     He cleaned up from dinner, and I just watched sports until getting the boys out again. As it's garbage day on Wednesday, I did a quick pass of all the cans in the house and took out anything lingering and my son pulled the cans down to the end of the driveway. That pretty much signals to the dogs that the day is over. I did my evening routine and read a bit in bed before my eyes were too heavy. I wanted to be up early and get my Wednesday started. 

     That's about it. When it gets to real spring, I'd like to get more social time but this week, so many family and friends are on vacation, getting ready for vacation, or getting caught up from vacation. When the Olympics are done, I'll have the TV off during the day (though admittedly, a YouTube binge or two might happen) and eventually I'll add outside jobs.

The dead and hibernating raspberry
bushes. I'll clean this out and try and put
a bit of order but not sure of the method.

I already had a thought to start cutting back the raspberry bushes but will wait until I can see better what died on their own and what can be trimmed for nicer growth and fruit development.  My life is small and ordinary, but I'll take that to drama. I'm trying folks to live a good life even if it's mostly alone.