Monday Morning This and That

There are things that we never want to let go
of, people we never want to leave behind.
But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end
of the world; it’s the beginning of a new life.

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Spent Saturday doing my food shopping and cooking.  Wow, did I make a lot.  I didn't get done until after 5 pm. For me, I made black bean soup, chili, and beef stew, all low sodium and portioned in single servings.  I did make myself a few meats and put together several meals for hubby, who, by the way, was acting strangely on Sunday.  He was just sitting on the bed with his head down, and when I asked, he said he was just getting some air.  For over an hour?  He scares me when he is like that, and I wish he would talk to me.  I worry that his illness is progressing, and he knows it, but doesn't want to worry me.

Well, just as I had planned, I finished my cooking and then sat down to work on my list of what  stays and what goes. Let's face it, every year at our birthday we celebrate a new beginning, a new year of life, but, for me, this year is special. It is definitely a new beginning as I reach the age of my retirement years. I'm going to do my  best to hang on until July, and barring any medical emergency, I know that I can do it.  We didn't get a raise this year and are not eligible to negotiate until next year...and I definitely don't plan on being there until then.  But, thanks to some union haggling, the company has agreed to pay us a one-time bonus of 10 percent of our salary in July.  I want to be there to get mine.  I definitely earned it. If I leave now, I loose it. And now, for some of the decisions made this weekend (subject to change, of course).

Blogging is definitely here to stay.  I'll never give this up. Yahoo groups will  all be faded out.  But, although I'll not be posting often, and maybe not even at all, on the smoking group, right now it is too hard to let it go completely. I have a bond there. Without the loving support I found there, I probably never would have quit smoking....and who knows what medical issues I'd be going through today. I do plan to stop all the role calls and wasting my time encouraging the newbies to post.  The fact is, if they want to post, they will post.  I cannot force anyone to do something they don't want to do. So, I will definitely back off as the other 'oldsters' have done.

One thing I have decided to give up is purchasing clothing for work. Hubby and I began giving each other money for our birthdays, and to me, a shopping spree with what I consider 'found money' is far more fun than a night out. It's always fun to pick out new outfits to show off at the office, but I won't be needing them anymore. I have enough items to last me until I finally say good-bye to work, but I have absolutely no casual wear. This is because on weekends, I am usually just too darned tired to go any place despite all of my wonderful plans to take my Kindle to the park or head out to Coney Island. But, with retirement right around the corner, I'll have plenty of time to engage in fun leisure activities that I have put aside for so many years.  Heck, I may even by myself a pair of shorts.  Notice, I said 'maybe'.  I've not worn shorts in years. 

Speaking of retirement, a dear blogging friend, Pat, had posted the other day about a new senior center that she was going to go to, and it got me to thinking.  I should look into the centers around here as well. Maybe I will even be able to make some friends.  Although hubby will be a great retirement partner, I know I will be missing the companionship of my co-workers...and perhaps making a few friends at the center will help fill in the gap.  That is, if there are any senior centers left.  I heard on the news that with budget cuts, these will be the first places to go.  Just goes to show how little this country cares about its 'old ones'.  I'm not going to turn this into a rant but, my gosh, these senior centers are probably the only joy the seniors have.  How can it be so easy to take that away?  GRRRR!!!!

And so, that is basically it...for now.  My list is always subject to change, of course. The rest of my list had to do with budget, and although I'll have much less income, I won't be needing as much either. I really think I can do this. Actually, I HAVE to do it.  Can't work forever now, can I?

Well, it's about that time. Here's hoping you all have a super fantastic Monday and a fun-filled week to follow.

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned,

so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.

Joseph Campbell