Happy New Year

Happy New Year. This year holds so many promises that are both awesome and scary. But mostly awesome.

Yesterday was my last day at work. I've officially retired as of yesterday. I have been with the company for nine years! It really was a good fit for me. I was competent and I was a resource for others. I liked that feeling. I'm sad to let that go.

My new chapter will begin in Asheville in mid-January. This is the fourth time I've moved in January in five years! I've tried to downsize my stuff each time. But I'm always overwhelmed when it's time to pack up and move again.

We bought the house Asheville house in the Fall. I hope to be finished with moving after this one. Owning a house again is big. I had said I didn't want to own again. My last house was just too big to make sense. When I left the last house I began apartment living in earnest. Each apartment I've lived in has been new with beautiful new appliances and lovely finishes. My favorite thing in all of the apartments has been the porches. I've made sure each porch has faced east, where the sun rises and slowly heats up while providing so much light! 

I said I wouldn't own again, but things changed. This is house everything I've always wanted but thought I'd never have. Our small cottage (962 SF) was built in 1927. It's in an area of Asheville that includes older houses, most have had some updating and new infill homes. The new infill homes are larger with modern architectural detailing. The neighborhood is eclectic. 

Here's a sneak peek at the charmer.  There are many more pics to come.

Autumn Changes

This weekend was spent in Asheville. I spent time in a local brewery and also picked up a Guide to Asheville Breweries. There are a lot of breweries to visit. 

Before this year, the last time I'd been to Asheville was May 2015. Whew, time flies. I mean, it really does. I just looked back at my previous blog to see what I could remember about that last visit. I had forgotten that it was the first time I used Airbnb. I was probably late to the party, but I've had several great experiences after that one. It's sort of been my preferred type of stay. 

I'm spending more time in Asheville than I ever have before. Spoiler Alert: I'm moving there! The official move date is somewhere between January 15th and January 22nd (when my lease is up). 

This poor blog has been so quiet...if you follow my posts you probably think I've abandoned it. But, no, I've just had big life changes that have taken my energy. 

Tonight, when I sat down I ran down the list of things that I've done this year...that would explain my absence and lack of writing. I knew I'd been busy, and I'd used the "I've been busy" moniker when I wrote last time. In my last post, I ticked off what I've been "busy" with. It still feels like a lot of big things. 

After catching you up with my life in September, I preceded to make more big life changes. I found out that I can retire early in 2022. At first, I thought, "Oh...how nice, but I don't think so." It really was a surprise that I have the ability to collect SSI two years early. It only took a few days for me to decide to accept this surprising opportunity. I feel like if I don't take advantage of the early retirement that I will be missing out on a cosmic gift. So...I'm officially retiring as of December 31st. 

It feels right. This allows me to take a breath and start fresh. 

I'm leaving my career and I'm leaving where I live. I'm moving forward with "fear and trembling." 

This idea has stayed with me since I was a college freshman in Philosophy 101. 

“If anyone on the verge of action should judge himself according to the outcome, he would never begin. Even though the result may gladden the whole world, that cannot help the hero; for he knows the result only when the whole thing is over, and that is not how he became a hero, but by virtue of the fact that he began.”― Søren Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling

My life changes are not as dramatic or dire as what Kierkegaard is contemplating, but I take comfort in the grace of his words. After all, we are all heroes of our own lives; I am the hero of my own life. 

As I was writing this, I wanted to go on into my own philosophy of life planning but realized I have written this before. 

I really want to go on...telling you all about the new plans. I'm really quite excited about them. But, the truth is, my body has not adapted to the "non-daylight savings time", meaning I'm usually in bed by now. I'm fairly certain my post has been coherent until this point, so I will call it a night.

Until next time!

What I've Been Up To

I've been offline for a while. So many things have happened that I don't know where to begin. I'll just start with a list of headlines. 

KNEE SURGERY

I started the year with my knee surgery. It's not a new knee but it put synthetic cartilage in the place that was bone on bone. I'm so thankful for that surgery. It's taking a long time to rehabilitate and walk without a limp. I was starting to think that I would never be up to "par". I diligently went to physical therapy, which helped. But, it wasn't until I started having private sessions with my Yoga Teacher that I found real relief. Let me say that the sessions are hard. I sweat and I hold my breath, which is a big no-no with yoga. But, after finishing I'm always somehow better. 

200 HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING 

I completed 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. I am now a certified Yoga Teacher. I've led a few classes, and look forward to having the opportunity to teach more regularly. I am truly proud of this accomplishment. I learned so much, and I'm hungry to learn more.

STRAWBERRY PICKING

One Sunday in May was spent with friends in a strawberry patch. Many of the strawberries found themselves in strawberry margaritas at the beach. We went early before it got super hot. There was a little competition to see who could fit the most strawberries in their bucket. I am not sure there was conclusive evidence either way. 

The afternoon was spent at Maple View Ice Cream. We got our beach chairs out (which were coincidentally in our cars), and we sat in the sun. The sun felt so nice that I didn't realize I was getting a slight sunburn.

BEACH TRIP

We spent a week at the beach with friends. I can't remember the last time I spent an entire week at the beach! We had so much fun. The beach was just beautiful. And on the last night, we were treated to a double rainbow. It was magical.

We ate meals together and gathered in the same area on the beach. We watched the waves, read, or napped. We've made reservations for next year.

MOUNTAIN TRIPS 

There were two weekends in the mountains. July 4th was in Burnsville, which is quintessential Small Town America. We visited a brewery and several coffee shops. Plus I met and chatted with a Vulcan one night at dinner.

The weather was a little cooler in Burnsville for the 4th, which made being outside for the fireworks much nicer. We watched from the brewery's grassy lawn. It felt like the entire town was there. It was fun to see multi-generations enjoying time together. Even though we didn't actually know anyone, we felt a part of a community. 

WILMINGTON VISITS

We spent Easter with Danielle and Lucy. She was so cute in her little skirt with the bunny tail. She had ears, but wouldn't wear them for long.

Lucy changes so much between visits. She learns so much that it's hard to believe. And she is so independent.

We've been back to Wilmington twice to play in the pool. Lucy is a water baby. Next year she will probably get swimming lessons.