As October comes to a close, I am slightly panicked when I think that about only have two more weeks to get ready to move.
Speaking of October--what a weekend we had here. It was shorts and flip flops weather all weekend until the rain came. Very unseasonal. But I think that was the last hurrah of Summer 2016. Sigh.
This weekend coming up, we turn the clocks back. Oh joy, go to work in darkness and come home in darkness. I am seriously considering getting one of those SAD light boxes. Does anyone have experience with those? Do they work? I saw a desktop model I could use at work. It has great reviews on Amazon..... I am tempted. I can feel the grayness starting to settle in around me. But I digress.
Back to moving. My nephew was over yesterday and he partially filled one of those Bagster dumpster things with bricks and scrap wood and various other useless items I won't be needing. Plus we filled my truck with things and drove to our local ReStore. And today, I had my new neighbors come shopping in my house for various furniture items I won't be needing. They moved here from Hawaii and pretty much arrived with the clothes on their back.
They are super nice people and I am sorry I won't be having them as neighbors for long. But, like I told them, we may not be neighbors for long, but we can be friends forever!
And I still have more things I am donating to the ReStore. If you have one in your area, you should check them out. They are a great organization. The items you donate are sold and the proceeds benefit your local Habitat for Humanity. Plus the store itself is a wonderful place to shop for doors, window, kitchen cupboards---pretty much anything household related. I love poking around in there.
I have never considered myself a pack rat by any means, but I am amazed at how much 'stuff' I have. But still, downsizing from 2200 square feet of living space plus a workroom and laundry/storage area to a two bedroom apartment is a pretty drastic change. But I must say, much like the downsizing of so-called 'friends' in 2015, it's painful at first but eventually, you are so much the better for experiencing it.
My plan for this work week is to pack up all the non-furniture items in each room. I'm sure there will be a small amount of additional purging as I narrow down my belongings to just what I need and the things I really treasure.
I have one really important thing to do before I move, though. I must dig up my Saint that was buried in the front yard by my friends. He is upside down right now but he is going to stay that way until all the paperwork is signed and I have my check in hand! Even though I am not Catholic I am a firm believer in the saints. My denomination is often called "Catholic Light" because of the many similarities to the Catholic faith. Basically, the Episcopal religion is Catholic without confession.
I've often thought that going to confession would make you feel so 'light' afterward. You know, unburdening yourself of sins and getting official forgiveness. And I am half in love with this Pope. He may be the final reason I need to convert!
So there you have it folks. I've gone from talking about moving, weather, SAD and religion--all in one post!!!
Happy Sunday! I'm off immerse myself in another life, in another time, in another country--all without leaving the comfort of my bed! An excellent book can do that for you!
Always remember, when your 'real life' doesn't allow you to travel, you can still live like a Gypsy in your mind with a good book!
tata for now!
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Turn the Page
Sometimes we start down a road that we've never traveled on and that can make us feel all sorts of ways---excited, nervous, hopeful and even a bit afraid. Despite all these feelings we put one foot in front of the other and continue moving down that new road.
That's where I am at right now in my life. And I do feel all those emotions and a couple more I didn't mention. I'm about to start a completely new chapter in my life and that is taking me down the road of the unknown.
I am familiar with this new road--I thought about starting down it many times over the past 10 or so years, but somehow the time didn't feel right.
For years now, I've been 'threatening' to sell my house. But now, my kids are out on their own and settled into their lives and 2200 square feet of house, plus a large yard to maintain is far too much for one person. So, I did the work to get the house looking beautiful. And I must admit, that is sort of bittersweet. I mean, the place finally looks like I've wanted it to look for years and now it's up for sale. But I know the time is right.
Last year, I was forced to start down another new road and it's the one I continue to travel today. I will admit, the fear of the unknown was great but I can say with confidence that the choices I made were the right ones for me. I took a job as a contractor doing work in an area I'd never even considered.
My new team is awesome and my management has been very vocal in letting me know how impressed they are and continue to be with my performance. After only three months, I was told they wanted to hire me when my contract was up. They were as good as their word and I am happy to report I am now a Full-Time employee! (Well, as of October 31st I will be)
What a difference this new job has made in my life. While I don't skip into work every day, I've never once felt myself tense up as I walked through the doors. I no longer have to talk myself into going to work. It's a great feeling! My sister thinks this new job and happiness is the karma payback I've been wanting. Maybe she is right--is happiness the best revenge? Me, I was hoping more for a direct karma hit to a most deserving person. I am not nearly as nice as my sister. LOL
But, I have Turned the Page so to speak and put my old life behind me. The part I am having the most difficulty with is the forgiveness part. I am trying but I'd still like to take her overly botoxed, filler filled face and slam it into the concrete a few times. But I digress.........
Back to my new job... I continue down my new road feeling confident, happy and very satisfied with life. As the next new road approaches, once again I will turn onto that new path and take the next steps into the next chapter of my life.
I am downsizing to a 2 bedroom apartment and moving to the 'other' Shore. Yes, boys and girls, I am moving to the West Shore. While I was born on that side of the River, I've not lived there since I was 17 so this feels very strange. All my 'stuff' is here--doctor, dentist, hair salon, nail place, pharmacy, my favorite sub shop, grocery store, shopping. UGH !
I do know all of those things exist on the "other shore". But, it's almost like moving a million miles away. Most people around here do not seem to be dual-shored. LOL Even if you venture to work on the opposite shore, more than likely you retreat to "your" shore right after work 95% of the time.
I'm sure it won't take me very long to acclimate but now it seems a teeny bit daunting. It will be very nice not having to worry about any maintenance, inside or out. Plus, I've worked all the costs out (you guessed it... on a spreadsheet) and this move will save me quite a bit of money each month. So that's more I can put towards my retirement--because I want to retire in style and in not that many years from now!
In addition, this move makes it quite a bit easier to pick up and move south when the time is right. Because as we all know, I loathe the winter months. Lack of sunlight and cold temperatures are quite depressing. Although this does keep me motivated to save money for retirement so I can move to warmth and sunshine all year round!
So, there you have it: New roads, pages turned, choices made. A bit scary? Of course. But staying on the same road all your life is very boring! And that is something this Gypsy hopes to never become!
That's where I am at right now in my life. And I do feel all those emotions and a couple more I didn't mention. I'm about to start a completely new chapter in my life and that is taking me down the road of the unknown.
I am familiar with this new road--I thought about starting down it many times over the past 10 or so years, but somehow the time didn't feel right.
For years now, I've been 'threatening' to sell my house. But now, my kids are out on their own and settled into their lives and 2200 square feet of house, plus a large yard to maintain is far too much for one person. So, I did the work to get the house looking beautiful. And I must admit, that is sort of bittersweet. I mean, the place finally looks like I've wanted it to look for years and now it's up for sale. But I know the time is right.
Last year, I was forced to start down another new road and it's the one I continue to travel today. I will admit, the fear of the unknown was great but I can say with confidence that the choices I made were the right ones for me. I took a job as a contractor doing work in an area I'd never even considered.
My new team is awesome and my management has been very vocal in letting me know how impressed they are and continue to be with my performance. After only three months, I was told they wanted to hire me when my contract was up. They were as good as their word and I am happy to report I am now a Full-Time employee! (Well, as of October 31st I will be)
What a difference this new job has made in my life. While I don't skip into work every day, I've never once felt myself tense up as I walked through the doors. I no longer have to talk myself into going to work. It's a great feeling! My sister thinks this new job and happiness is the karma payback I've been wanting. Maybe she is right--is happiness the best revenge? Me, I was hoping more for a direct karma hit to a most deserving person. I am not nearly as nice as my sister. LOL
But, I have Turned the Page so to speak and put my old life behind me. The part I am having the most difficulty with is the forgiveness part. I am trying but I'd still like to take her overly botoxed, filler filled face and slam it into the concrete a few times. But I digress.........
Back to my new job... I continue down my new road feeling confident, happy and very satisfied with life. As the next new road approaches, once again I will turn onto that new path and take the next steps into the next chapter of my life.
I am downsizing to a 2 bedroom apartment and moving to the 'other' Shore. Yes, boys and girls, I am moving to the West Shore. While I was born on that side of the River, I've not lived there since I was 17 so this feels very strange. All my 'stuff' is here--doctor, dentist, hair salon, nail place, pharmacy, my favorite sub shop, grocery store, shopping. UGH !
I do know all of those things exist on the "other shore". But, it's almost like moving a million miles away. Most people around here do not seem to be dual-shored. LOL Even if you venture to work on the opposite shore, more than likely you retreat to "your" shore right after work 95% of the time.
I'm sure it won't take me very long to acclimate but now it seems a teeny bit daunting. It will be very nice not having to worry about any maintenance, inside or out. Plus, I've worked all the costs out (you guessed it... on a spreadsheet) and this move will save me quite a bit of money each month. So that's more I can put towards my retirement--because I want to retire in style and in not that many years from now!
In addition, this move makes it quite a bit easier to pick up and move south when the time is right. Because as we all know, I loathe the winter months. Lack of sunlight and cold temperatures are quite depressing. Although this does keep me motivated to save money for retirement so I can move to warmth and sunshine all year round!
So, there you have it: New roads, pages turned, choices made. A bit scary? Of course. But staying on the same road all your life is very boring! And that is something this Gypsy hopes to never become!
Monday, October 10, 2016
The Planning Never Stops
As I've just reported in the previous post, the Hawaiian Adventure ended very recently! And as thrilled as I was with that experience, I've already started to research my next Adventure! No, I am not crazy.
There are many reasons why I plan way ahead of time for these trips. Money is one thing, normally the prices are at the lowest level and you have a better selection of cabins to choose from. And believe me when I tell you, not all cabins are created equal! Trust me on this.
Budgeting for a trip is the way I do things. And I've actually known for months where I would like to go and when. (That is not to say I won't take a few shorter trips in 2017, I most likely will and those are much more easily budgeted for) As things stand now, I will be going to Australia in 2018. I plan on touring Sydney for a few days prior to the cruise, and hopefully be able to meet up with some new friends I met last year on the Cruise around the Tahitian Islands. Then I will board a ship for a 10 or 12-night cruise to the islands somewhat near Austrailia. They have very intriguing names like Mystery Island, Mare and Vanuatu (which you may remember from Survivor!)
I haven't figured out how I am getting to and from Australia yet. I've been hoarding AA points though and I'm sure they will figure into this somehow. But, until I've researched every possibility, I can't say for sure!
Also, my new job does not come with quite as many vacation days, so in 2017 I will need to be careful and make sure I carry over some days until 2018.
Although not created yet, the 'spreadsheet' will be in use for this trip too. I've said it before but it is a great organizational tool and also works well for tracking your budget.
Right now, the Australian Dollar is quick weak again the US Dollar so I plan on depositing the cruise in the next month or so to take advantage of that if I decide to book Carnival. Booking an Austrailian Cruise through Carnival you must use the AU website. And it's really different from the US one. Princess is the other line I am looking at and their prices for the Austrailian cruises are in dollars.
UPDATE: The spreadsheet for this trip has been created! Only one tab so far! And I've nailed down a time of year and the ship. It's going to be late summer or early fall of 2018, God willing! The cruise line has not yet released those dates, so I've been looking at Hotels in Sydney. I need to know which hotel loyalty points I need to start amassing!
Honestly, I am not happy unless I am planning at least one trip!
Good Day!
Jilly
There are many reasons why I plan way ahead of time for these trips. Money is one thing, normally the prices are at the lowest level and you have a better selection of cabins to choose from. And believe me when I tell you, not all cabins are created equal! Trust me on this.
Budgeting for a trip is the way I do things. And I've actually known for months where I would like to go and when. (That is not to say I won't take a few shorter trips in 2017, I most likely will and those are much more easily budgeted for) As things stand now, I will be going to Australia in 2018. I plan on touring Sydney for a few days prior to the cruise, and hopefully be able to meet up with some new friends I met last year on the Cruise around the Tahitian Islands. Then I will board a ship for a 10 or 12-night cruise to the islands somewhat near Austrailia. They have very intriguing names like Mystery Island, Mare and Vanuatu (which you may remember from Survivor!)
I haven't figured out how I am getting to and from Australia yet. I've been hoarding AA points though and I'm sure they will figure into this somehow. But, until I've researched every possibility, I can't say for sure!
Also, my new job does not come with quite as many vacation days, so in 2017 I will need to be careful and make sure I carry over some days until 2018.
Although not created yet, the 'spreadsheet' will be in use for this trip too. I've said it before but it is a great organizational tool and also works well for tracking your budget.
Right now, the Australian Dollar is quick weak again the US Dollar so I plan on depositing the cruise in the next month or so to take advantage of that if I decide to book Carnival. Booking an Austrailian Cruise through Carnival you must use the AU website. And it's really different from the US one. Princess is the other line I am looking at and their prices for the Austrailian cruises are in dollars.
UPDATE: The spreadsheet for this trip has been created! Only one tab so far! And I've nailed down a time of year and the ship. It's going to be late summer or early fall of 2018, God willing! The cruise line has not yet released those dates, so I've been looking at Hotels in Sydney. I need to know which hotel loyalty points I need to start amassing!
Honestly, I am not happy unless I am planning at least one trip!
Good Day!
Jilly
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)