18 Months to Retirement and Beyond

Just came off a weekend of work and it really wasn't bad (the phone didn't ring during the nights, always a bonus!) but I came home, crawled into bed and slept for like 5 hours.

Added to this I took a fall this weekend (no injury except scraped knee and bruised pride) and it brought home to me that I *really* need to get into some kind of core-strengthening routine. I mean, I've tripped over things before but always been able to catch myself. Maybe it was partly b/c I had a backpack on, but once I pitched forward, I couldn't stop myself.

On a happier note, getting ready to travel to Seattle WA to visit friends in about 10 days and looking forward to it =D
 

CinnamonSugar said:
getting ready to travel to Seattle WA to visit friends
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Good for you, I just passed through the Seattle airport on my way home from Alaska, I like Seattle.

Have you been before? What do you plan to do there?

The first, and best, Ethiopian restaurant I ever ate at was in Seattle. Its been a few years, but they may still be there.

Have fun!
 
Alligatorob said:
Good for you, I just passed through the Seattle airport on my way home from Alaska, I like Seattle.

Have you been before? What do you plan to do there?

The first, and best, Ethiopian restaurant I ever ate at was in Seattle. Its been a few years, but they may still be there.

Have fun!
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Thanks, @Alligatorob I worked in Seattle for six months 5 years ago. I’m going to visit friends, go back to some places I loved and check out new places I missed the first time I was there.
 

These next few entries will be on the musing side... not really sure

One of my goals for retirement was travel. Well, home from a week in Seattle and now (recovering from bronchitis), I'm in a pensive, analyzing mode. The first 2/3rds of the trip was great, then I started to feel punk and it was with gritted teeth I made the trip home (airports, 2 planes, etc). I felt so bad for the guy sitting next to me on that 4.5 h flight home... I wore a mask, took meds before getting on the plane and coughed as circumspectly as I could but I know I was a walking germ factory. Added to that, now home/on anti-biotics and *still* napping daily and worn out with minimal exertion. (Yes, if it persists I will see the MD again, I promise)

Anyway, being the analytical person I am (some say *over* analytical), I'm stepping back to evaluate....

1) Did I pick up this bug in the airport/plane on the way out there? I don't remember anyone overtly coughing/sneezing. Is the convenience of getting to my destination in less than 24 hrs (vs. several days by car) worth it if I come down sick? Will a mask protect me on subsequent trips? Or better to just avoid the whole crowd thing and take the car next time?

2) Perhaps trips closer to home are in order for a while to get the lay of the land. Day/long weekend jaunts or at least the eastern 1/2 of the country. I wonder if changing climate so drastically and the time change had anything to do with my slow recovery? I mean, my friend assured me it was spring temps in Seattle but "spring" in Seattle is different than "spring" in GA (by like 30 degrees some days).

3) Also in the 'con' column for long trips + coming home sick... appointments have to be rescheduled, housework (especially for me--dusting) piles up, and I just generally feel like most of June is in apple-cart-turnover mode. Blah.

So that's my sunshiny thoughts for now, lol. I would appreciate your thoughts on plane travel, staying well and long trips
 
Rushing around prepping for travel and then letting your body finally relax once on the plane, imo, makes one susceptible to germs.

When you have a specific destination, I’d rather have one long day of air travel rather than 5 or 6 exhausting ones driving across the country.
 
My 2 cents worth ...

I'm betting you did nothing wrong nor did you take any foolish chances not only while travelling on the plane going there but also at any of the airports. In fact, I don't think you picked anything up while travelling, based on the timing of when you started to feel poorly.

You visited numerous places around Seattle and a number of eateries if I recall correctly. I'm guessing you picked up something while being active in Seattle. Same thing could happen two or three States away from your home if you drove there and did a lot of nosing around & eating out. Simple fact is where ever you travel by any mode of transportation you are more active in a greater number of public places and therefore have a higher risk factor for coming into contact with a virus.

In terms of air travel, I have heard numerous times (from people in the know) that the absolute most germ infested places in any airport are in the security areas that everyone has to pass through and if applicable, the customs/immigration halls. Carry, and use liberally a small squeeze tube of hand sanitizer (make sure it's under the volume allowed through security so they don't confiscate it from you). I would also recommend wearing a proper mask through your airport time (N-95 mask). Once on the plane, I don't bother with the mask. The air filters and air circulation equipment is excellent at providing clean air but continue to use the hand sanitizer. Take some sanitized wipes as well to wipe down your arm rests and any other area you may be touching from time to time and for sure in the washroom if you use it. If you follow these tips you will be as protected as you can possibly be.

Most of all, don't let the fear of getting ill rob you of the adventures YOU deserve to enjoy now that you have the time for them ;) Take control and shift the odds in your favor then ... go after your dreams!

Too many people miss out by worrying & procrastinating then wake up one day to find they can no longer physically do it. In my opinion that's just sad ☹️
 
MrPants said:
that the absolute most germ infested places in any airport are in the security areas that everyone has to pass through and if applicable, the customs/immigration halls. Carry, and use liberally a small squeeze tube of hand sanitizer (make sure it's under the volume allowed through security so they don't confiscate it from you). I would also recommend wearing a proper mask through your airport time (N-95 mask). Once on the plane,
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That makes sense. We haven’t travelled much since the end of 2019. I’d only thought about masks on the plane.
 
CinnamonSugar said:
Just came off a weekend of work and it really wasn't bad (the phone didn't ring during the nights, always a bonus!) but I came home, crawled into bed and slept for like 5 hours.

Added to this I took a fall this weekend (no injury except scraped knee and bruised pride) and it brought home to me that I *really* need to get into some kind of core-strengthening routine. I mean, I've tripped over things before but always been able to catch myself. Maybe it was partly b/c I had a backpack on, but once I pitched forward, I couldn't stop myself.

On a happier note, getting ready to travel to Seattle WA to visit friends in about 10 days and looking forward to it =D
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I'm so sorry...just seeing this! Is you knee better now? I thought you had retired already or do you mean another kind of work?
 
"Autumn" get-away plans in the works... Want to find some pretty fall colors/vistas. Ozarks seemed the best option.

Finally buckled down and reserved a hotel in Hot Springs, AR in late October (this is south of little Rock, on the Southern end of the Ozarks). It will take me (best estimate) three days of driving to get there. I can't drive for 8-10 hrs a day, nor do I want to rush it. I will travel north through Birmingham, AL; then to Oxford MS (or slightly beyond) and the third day arrive in Hot Springs.

There are parks with gentle hikes and water falls/ autumn vistas, shops, museums, and historical sites to see.

Then I will come back by a more Southern route (to be determined)
 
I've been retired a year...

Some things have gone as planned/ hoped for... replaced appliances that needed it, yard looks good, I made two planned trips and have another in the works in a couple weeks. Idk about next year, may just be two main trips vs. three. Volunteering at library as planned and found a knitting group (bonus), active with church as schedule allows. Working part time so I don't drain retirement fund too fast

Some things went pear-shaped... Struggles of grown children and the emotional burden that goes along with that... Ups and downs with grandgirls.... Ed's health...

Mixed bag--my own health While overall it is good, I have struggled with new-onset curvatures to my back in three places (most of my female relatives had scoliosis bad from young adulthood, so really I've dodged a bunch of bullets) the gradual therapy to correct that as much as possible and the resulting inability to walk any distance over 1/4 mile or dance anymore =( I'm trying to get back to walking but I don't know if the dancing will ever be a possibility.

Overall I've enjoyed my first year of retirement. Hopefully things will only improve =)
 
Yikes, it's been months since I wrote here... A little "ketchup" time =P

So in October I'll have been retired two years. Some things have gone well. After consistent chiropractor visits, I'm back up to being able to walk 2+ miles (even with a few mild hills) and I can line/freestyle dance again. So that's a plus

I started a new job (local) and opened a separate checking account so all the wages from that will go in there, like a "rainy-day" fund... If I play my cards right, I should be able in another year or so to get a new AC unit and maybe have more for travel.

Enjoying our monthly book club at the library and the mental stimulation that brings.

LOVE sitting in my garden... my house is great but my garden is my Sanctuary!

Things that went not-so-well....

Late afternoon/evenings pose a problem. Not sure what to do with myself and end up YouTube binging. While this would be ok in moderation, I feel like I should be doing something else. I need to give this more thought.

Expensive transmission repair and over-the-top cost of yearly wellness labs pretty much put the quietus on any extensive travel plans. I hope to visit Augusta GA sometime soon to 'do' the fine art museum there. Maybe in the fall I will go back to North Georgia. We visited a small town there 10+ years ago in the mountains that was beautiful... It's called Rising Fawn (is that a lyrical name, or what??)

Anyway, that's all for now
 
CinnamonSugar said:
Yikes, it's been months since I wrote here... A little "ketchup" time =P

So in October I'll have been retired two years. Some things have gone well. After consistent chiropractor visits, I'm back up to being able to walk 2+ miles (even with a few mild hills) and I can line/freestyle dance again. So that's a plus

I started a new job (local) and opened a separate checking account so all the wages from that will go in there, like a "rainy-day" fund... If I play my cards right, I should be able in another year or so to get a new AC unit and maybe have more for travel.

Enjoying our monthly book club at the library and the mental stimulation that brings.

LOVE sitting in my garden... my house is great but my garden is my Sanctuary!

Things that went not-so-well....

Late afternoon/evenings pose a problem. Not sure what to do with myself and end up YouTube binging. While this would be ok in moderation, I feel like I should be doing something else. I need to give this more thought.

Expensive transmission repair and over-the-top cost of yearly wellness labs pretty much put the quietus on any extensive travel plans. I hope to visit Augusta GA sometime soon to 'do' the fine art museum there. Maybe in the fall I will go back to North Georgia. We visited a small town there 10+ years ago in the mountains that was beautiful... It's called Rising Fawn (is that a lyrical name, or what??)

Anyway, that's all for now
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Wow...can't believe it's been two years Sugar! I'm glad that you have what I call an FEB (financial empowerment plan). I'm very glad that you are able to walk and dance again; that's wonderful. It's unfortunate that certain things come along unexpectedly that take our money but you have a plan in place for next time. Hope you get to save a long time before you need to tap into it.

I think my honorary granddaughter is in Augusta. She moved from Jersey about two years ago and has lived in a couple of places, including one of the Carolinas. I hope you get to travel, you deserve it. Yes Rising Fawn sounds like a song , book or even movie title to me. 😃
 
You retired from one job, but have had a few others since then, correct? Are you now working part-time?

DH & I moved from retired to semi-retired in 2016 by restructuring and reducing our small business, so I understand working in retirement is quite different from working before retirement.
 
StarSong said:
You retired from one job, but have had a few others since then, correct? Are you now working part-time?

DH & I moved from retired to semi-retired in 2016 by restructuring and reducing our small business, so I understand working in retirement is quite different from working before retirement.
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Yes @StarSong, I just work 5-6 days a month. I was working in Americus but the 2.5 h drive was getting to me. So now I’m with a local hospice
 
CinnamonSugar said:
Late afternoon/evenings pose a problem. Not sure what to do with myself and end up YouTube binging. While this would be ok in moderation, I feel like I should be doing something else. I need to give this more thought.
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I'm gonna use part of the money I'm getting back from those labs to have a mid-week short trip to a city north of here that has a fine arts museum, parks and a lovely church where I can spend some time contemplating the above concerns. I may be taking a break from the internet for a while; I'll let y'all know final plans when I get back.
 
CinnamonSugar said:
I'm gonna use part of the money I'm getting back from those labs to have a mid-week short trip to a city north of here that has a fine arts museum, parks and a lovely church where I can spend some time contemplating the above concerns. I may be taking a break from the internet for a while; I'll let y'all know final plans when I get back.
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Sounds lovely. Enjoy!
 
Post Helene update:

There sure is a lot changed since the hurricane went through... and not just power out + trees down/blocking roads + all the other stressors.

For one thing, Ed is now in North Carolina with his daughter; I'm not sure how permanent this is. This was one of my daily ministries, to visit him every day that I could, so there's that hole.

Also, my older daughter went to North Georgia to stay with friends... initially temporarily but it *might* turn into a permanent relocation. (She's the one that lost her nursing job right before the storm hit, so she's not tied down to any location) And she's a jam-up nurse, it won't be hard for her to find a new job. So if she settles there, I have a 3.5-hour+ drive to see her instead of 30 min. in the car. I can do that once a month probably but still...

I need to think through how I spend my time and what I have to offer in the way of ministering to people. Plenty of needs out there... just have to find the right fit.
 
Advent is here... I hoped to have friends over each Sunday (or at least one day a week) for lunch, light the appropriate # of candles on the advent wreath, and generally have a relaxed, pleasant visit.

Two weeks ago I put written invitations in two of my immediate neighbors mailboxes, inviting them to come over Dec. 1st and asking for an RSVP. Never heard anything back from either of them. Also (in person) invited a lady from church, who doesn't have any local family that I know of. I tried calling her yesterday to verify whether she could make it; left a voice mail. No response.

The reason I'm writing this here is not to have a pity party but to say my response to all this has been very different than it would have been 5-10 years ago. I'd have been anxious, wondered what I'd done wrong to be snubbed, fixated on "I'll never be good at The Social Thing." All I feel is wish they could have made it but I'm not decimated.

Nice to be able to report some progress =)
 
CinnamonSugar said:
Advent is here... I hoped to have friends over each Sunday (or at least one day a week) for lunch, light the appropriate # of candles on the advent wreath, and generally have a relaxed, pleasant visit.

Two weeks ago I put written invitations in two of my immediate neighbors mailboxes, inviting them to come over Dec. 1st and asking for an RSVP. Never heard anything back from either of them. Also (in person) invited a lady from church, who doesn't have any local family that I know of. I tried calling her yesterday to verify whether she could make it; left a voice mail. No response.

The reason I'm writing this here is not to have a pity party but to say my response to all this has been very different than it would have been 5-10 years ago. I'd have been anxious, wondered what I'd done wrong to be snubbed, fixated on "I'll never be good at The Social Thing." All I feel is wish they could have made it but I'm not decimated.

Nice to be able to report some progress =)
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There's no excuse for their behavior IMO, Cinna! It cannot be your fault. Glad you're okay about it.
🌹
 

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