That is indeed what I often wonder or at least I'm sure some have thought since I was at one time gung-ho about this blog. And then I let it go or rather dwindle.I've tried, or have I? There are so many times when I've thought, now is the time, write it down. And I haven't. Why not start 2012 with a goal to keep this up-to-date and yet here it is, Feb.1st and finally I'm at it.Life is not about excuses is it? It's just about getting it started, working on and completing.
Looking back on my first full year of retirement I must admit that I struggled. I struggled with the what do I do now? Do I have to do anything now? What about my friends, they are still working, I have no connection. Do I really matter? I know, it was a real "pity party" wasn't it. Not always spoken but that's what it was like inside. I struggled with me, I struggled with my partner, I struggled with the change in income.Man I really could go on and on about me,me,me!
I came out of it thank goodness. I am comfortable with where I'm at and really, where we're at. I may have said this in previous posts, what few there are, that the biggest change for me was the change in income. While our finances allowed for an early retirement, it did not mean that the money saved and avaiable could nor should be used right away. It has to last for a long time. I'm not going to belabor this point but it did give me a slap in the face and make me look at what is important now and what I/we want to do in the future. So while I thought we'd go on all these great trips and see things....the house still has to be paid for, cared for. We still have to eat and we have a number of animals to care for. We support our church, our town, our habits. Well, you get the picture.
So then, where am I at? I enrolled in the U of Minn. Master Gardner class and am in the process of taking classes now. Talk about venturing into something different. Kind of I suppose, but not really, since we do live in the woods and I do have plants about. I thought this would be an opportunity to learn more and then teach others. Well let me tell you. I may be learning but it is a slooooooow process. I am at this point completely overwhelmed. I'm hoping to meet my mentor and learn how it all works in about a week. We'll learn more as time goes on.
The pastors at my church asked me about Parish Nursing. I had often thought about this so it's not like it scared me. It's just been one of those things that I've thought of and then let it go til the next time it runs through my mind. Now I've been asked to consider it. I am doing that and will likely take a course the end of March to help me further develop the plan. Now that again, that would be an area out of my comfort zone, but then again, an opportunity for growth.
So you see, I am on the road to recovery if you will. Updates on the family. Bob, the cat died in Dec. We added a one-eyed cat named Jack. Baby Prince has been accepted into the local branch of Americorps and will be starting that job in Feb. He will be doing outside work in parks and woods and whatever here in SE Mn and possibly neighboring states. It runs for 10mo. He is very excited, and so are we, for him. He is still dating Ms A. We love her dearly and we have seen so much growth in both of them. I/we are very proud of BP. A young man with still no life career plans but lots of ideas and skills and he is so funny and well...what can I say? We'll see how it plays out.
Wow, once back, it all pours out. I really, really hope to stay at it. Hang in there my friends or whoever you may be. We shall see! WL
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