[Ken 03/16/2015] If all goes as planned, I have only 30 more Mondays until retirement. After a tough day (or week) at the office, it is easy for me to calm down by reflecting on how quickly this time will pass. While my office friends are encouraging and excited for me, Deb, and our adventure, many don't think I will do very well with the transition.
"You are too much of a busy-body...," and "You don't know how to sit still..." and "Slow down!..." are comments I have heard. They DO know me pretty well; in 35 years with the same company I was often eager to take on more than I could get done just to keep "things" forward moving.
"You are too much of a busy-body...," and "You don't know how to sit still..." and "Slow down!..." are comments I have heard. They DO know me pretty well; in 35 years with the same company I was often eager to take on more than I could get done just to keep "things" forward moving.
Well ... all I can say is that we'll never know until I give it a try! I've always liked change, and keeping things "fresh," and challenges framed by words like, "I bet you can't..." invigorate me. A slower lifestyle might be EXACTLY what I need to re-charge my batteries. It will certainly help me with my out-of-balance unbalanced life imbalance/balance struggle. On the other hand, I can't stand sitting still and letting time pass. That's just bad stewardship, in my opinion. Ugh!
So, what do you think? Can I do it?
So, what do you think? Can I do it?
getting rid of
36(!) years of "stuff"
[Ken 03/28/2015] Craig is my new Best Friend. And I really like his List, too!
Getting rid of stuff has turned out to be a lot of fun! So far, we have donated and sold quite a few things. And the kids have emancipated a lot of stuff to their homes, too. They don't know this yet, but they are getting their inheritance early! LOL!
At first it was hard. This is the plaque I got when I retired from Scouting. This is the rock that we picked up at Plimoth (I hand wrote "1620" on it so it would appear authentic!). Here are some Ansel Adams photos. This box is full of trombone music from brass caroling and countless cantatas and concerts. This is the doll house that Mallory and I made together. Homeschool materials. Awards from work. Tinker toys. Legos. Shovels and rakes. Souvenirs from trips and more trips. The SkyScaper kit that was mine when I was in first grade. Duplos. Playmobil. Beanie Babies. Books. Games. And trains. All of it is just "stuff" now.
And then it became easy. What is important are the memories. And I carry all of those with me wherever I roam. There is a really good feeling that accompanies this "downsizing" thing. It's called serendipity.
Getting rid of stuff has turned out to be a lot of fun! So far, we have donated and sold quite a few things. And the kids have emancipated a lot of stuff to their homes, too. They don't know this yet, but they are getting their inheritance early! LOL!
At first it was hard. This is the plaque I got when I retired from Scouting. This is the rock that we picked up at Plimoth (I hand wrote "1620" on it so it would appear authentic!). Here are some Ansel Adams photos. This box is full of trombone music from brass caroling and countless cantatas and concerts. This is the doll house that Mallory and I made together. Homeschool materials. Awards from work. Tinker toys. Legos. Shovels and rakes. Souvenirs from trips and more trips. The SkyScaper kit that was mine when I was in first grade. Duplos. Playmobil. Beanie Babies. Books. Games. And trains. All of it is just "stuff" now.
And then it became easy. What is important are the memories. And I carry all of those with me wherever I roam. There is a really good feeling that accompanies this "downsizing" thing. It's called serendipity.
which rock is the homemade souvenir...?
(...which rock is the national treasure?)
Plymouth Rock, a tour of Plimoth Colony, a visit to the Mayflower... and all we got was this lousy, home-made souvenir!
HINT: The rock on the left is actually much, MUCH smaller than the rock on the right...
