What a Difference a Year Makes

A year ago I never would have thought that Case would decide to retire in July.  A year ago I wasn't thinking of getting ready to put our house on the market.  A year ago I thought that everything was in the hazy future.  It wasn't in the distant future.  It was this year.  This year has made the most changes our lives than any other single year. 


I need to correct myself.  The year 2010 was the second most changes in a year.  The number one year of change was without a doubt Father's Day 1986 and the year following.   When Father's Day 1987 dawned, we had 2 babies under 10 months old.  Last Father's Day -  zero babies.  This year - 2 babies.  At the time we did comment to one another about last year's Father's Day and how different and how wonderful Father's Day was this year.  Now that was a year of change. 

Don't Know What to Label This

I have been a bit under the weather so inside, quiet projects are on my agenda.  I ended up labeling all the chargers in the house and garage.  We must have been good this year because Santa was generous.  That means more chargers.  I certainly can't keep them straight as to which one goes to what.  We probably could read the company name on the charger and match it to the object.  However, when we are looking for a charger, we are out of juice for the needed device laying stone cold in our hands.  We are not of "sound mind" as the saying goes.  Lots of waving of arms and frantic searching goes on.  I don't know if this is an age-related problem, technology-related problem (didn't grow up with chargers), or some other problem.  The result of my efforts are correctly-labeled chargers.  This is a good thing.  I have also marked right-side-up for the cords for electrical appliances that get plugged in and out - not left on the counter.  This has not been a problem.  It is merely  laziness of not wanting to try a plug two times before getting it right. 

Back Home - Retirement Style

We are back home after enjoying Christmas with some family and friends.  Lots of activity.  Lots of traveling.  Post-holiday time in retirement is sleeping in, leisurely unpacking, and playing with our new toys.  This is a good thing.  Yea for retirement! 

New Schedule for Christmas

Retirement in the Northwoods has been a good thing for us except for holidays.  Since we are the ones that moved away, we are going back for Christmas.  Lots of preparations today - putting together some traditional foods to take and packing presents, clothes and the usual stuff.  We are leaving before daylight tomorrow.  That sounds monumental, but it doesn't get light here until about 8 am.  (Hayward is much farther west in the time zone than Chicago.)

Merry Christmas to you and wishing you all of His blessings this season and all year.

Tracking Animals in the Snow

I have been tracking animal prints in the snow.  Many of the larger critters use the road like we do.  I find that very amusing.  They are doing the smart thing to conserve energy.  Up to now I can identify deer, fox, coyote, vole, and squirrel.  Because I am a novice in the Northwoods, I have a particular way of doing it.  I identify the track and then decide to follow it or track the prints where the animal came from - depending on what it is...

Blissfull Afternoon

Yesterday I put on my favorite Christmas CDs.  (Wouldn't be Christmas for me without Karen Carpenter. Christmas Portrait: Special Edition   You youngsters ask someone who she was.  In my opinion one of the clearest voices I ever heard.)  Case had the wood stove going.  Outside the snow was gently falling.  We wrapped presents all afternoon and finished before dinner. 

Retirement Cashes In

We have reaped a financial benefit of retirement!  To obtain an annual sticker to park in the National Forest trail heads for skiing, snow shoeing, fishing, hiking - you get the idea - you need to stop in at one of their offices.  Fortunately there is one in Hayward.  Laura, the ranger behind the counter, said that we didn't need to pay the usual fee of $80 per year.  Case is now a senior citizen so we only pay $10.  Not $10 a year but for life!  Is this a great country or what? 

I remember when my Dad became a senior citizen.  He loved getting these types of deals.  We love it, too!