Coming Up on One Year Since DH Retired

I say DH retired, because I retired for 8 months then went back to work.  But I am coming up on the period of time I committed 4 - 6 months, is nearly 6 months.  Then, I will take 2-3 months off and figure out my next step.

I saw this post this morning and it really made my chuckle to myself.  I am back to eating better and really trying to watch my sugar intake, and I already feel much better.  I can tell that it is going to take me a while to really get my gut health back and stop having gastro issues, body aches and skin issues. 

Other improvements I have tried to make is to be more comfortable just being still/non productive and be ok with myself.  This is probably my biggest challenge to retirement - ME!  My mother always told me I was too hard on myself, my worse critic, etc.  She was right.  Mom's are so smart.  I used to be able to call my mom and in the 1st 5 seconds, she could tell where I was emotionally and what I was doing, what I needed...like working too hard, not eating right, not getting enough rest, not enjoying nature, etc.  So amazing.  I miss her every day.

Well, this past weekend was hot as mid summer, DH and I did little except we mowed Saturday and it just wore us out!  So, other than doing a gym workout and couple yoga sessions - we did very little.  I piddled around the house a bit, cleaned, laundry, put together my new coffeetable (and we sold the other one!).  We did downsize an entire Encyclopedia set (my dear husband finally agreed to part with it).  We just don't need - books...they are the weakness of us both!

I gained tons of space on my 4 bookcase set, rearranged our knick knacks so we can really see and enjoy them more.  It was a great feeling - a whole truck load taken to sister in law's store.  Seems like we should not have more stuff to downsize...I wish that were true.  Anyone married to a motorcycle lover seems to have various parts, along with extra boots, helmets, coats...DH also former active camper/hunter/outdoorsman - we have many tents, sleeping bags and various camping equipment we really don't need - I will cull these next spring! 

We did get out our bikes and ride them to Lowe's Saturday after mowing.  I picked out the insulation we will be blowing into the attic in October and the bricks I will be buying for newer, tidier border in my back yard.  While we have decided to stay at our 1 acre yard house for a while, my immediate goal is to make mowing easier, while getting to enjoy my landscaping I have worked so hard on, while I can.

Have a great hump day!

Tough Tuesday

Well, last night was my last hot yoga with my yoga instructor that I like so much.  She is moving to another location where she will have mostly day classes and possibly be able to work into something  where she can use her nutrition training.  Today I am really sore.  It was such a good class.  I am really going to miss it and miss her.  She is really sweet.  I know my GF (T) who recently had neck sx is sad she was not there to take one last class. 

So, I returned a classic white dress shirt I ordered online today.  I decided that if I ever do need a classic white button down shirt, I will find one but I don't need it now.  DH and I were talking to his brother and my SIL Friday when we met the new puppy and we were all talking about getting to be in our 50's and making career changes.  BIL is selling his beautiful new truck that he loves because he is making a career change and they are even considering downsizing their house.  DH is 63 and he thinks even finding a PT gig when we retire will be challenging.  I thought about it more and decided that I did not want to work 50-60 hours a week PLUS commute 45 min each way while DH sits at home.  He is 13 years older than I am and I don't ever want to look back and have regrets.  Our budget might be slim, but we think we can manage.  So, I feel comfortable and excited to sell me car in the spring.  I do not want to work to pay for a car.  It is crazy the switch DH and I are having as we think about this new possibility.  I am kicking my downsizing wardrobe into high gear now and even more so when winter is over.  So, about March we will be entering super-purge phase, prep'g house for sale and we will list my car.  WOW.

This past week I did some more spot deep cleaning, packed up another load to take to RH 12/22.  Listed 7 suits and a tuxedo DH owns, gave SIL a raised/covered cake plate, may have found a home for my cat (2 people who really want a cat are considering) and donated 2 large boxes of Christmas decorations/ornaments/gift bags/bows.  I also threw away a bunch of used bows and gift bags/confetti stuffing for gift bags that I have collected since late 80's.  I felt ashamed that i have wasted time/space/energy with such useless and stupid stuff.

Feel great.  I have not had dairy (again) for over a week and I think that was what was making me sick again.  Before an "experiment" trying it a little bit, i had not had it for over 2 years.  At least I am more convinced that it really is a problem for me.  Oh, well. I will deal with avoiding it.  I hope you have a great rest of your Tuesday!  It is getting really cold here, but DH took a brisk 4 mile walk with me Sunday and i loved the Vitamin D!