While it Snows

The current state of my living room. Since retiring in September I've been trying to work on a list of projects that need to be done in the house that I can do. Used to love painting. Maybe it's not as fun to do ceilings. It's been about 20 years since my ceilings have been painted and it was time. I've done all the painting inside my house since I've lived here.  There are some small plaster repairs to do before I finish and apply the final coat of paint. It may take a while because I can't seem to find the motivation/energy. I now have all the time I want but don't know if it's age or my health, probably both contributing to wanting to just sit and relax. After working 45 years what should I expect. Maybe I haven't given myself time to just rest? 

It's time to start seeds but I can't do it until I finish the living room because the area in my dining room where I start seeds is clutter with items moved there while I paint. This should motivate me to keep going on my project. I still have all the trim around the doors, book case, fire place mantel, and stairs to do. I've done most of the crow molding in the ceiling. The molding around baseboards can be done with things put back in place. Maybe I'll feel better then when my living room is back in order. The kitchen ceiling is next to be done but it's a much smaller area. Finally I'll do the dining room ceiling which should take some time. I hope to finish painting the living area so by spring I can return to decluttering and going through things to give to the thrift store. I did well with one room right after retirement and want to start the second room. 

People asked what I'm going to do now that I'm retired? I have a huge list of things mainly in the house. I think they're different types of people. Those like me who feel their home is a important place to them and like it a certain way, and those that like a home just to rest their head and prefer to travel. I do plan to take a trip in the future but that's not my priority. I also don't feel safe traveling at this time with all the conflict going on in the world. Hopefully I can get my painting done before spring because gardening will be my priority and enjoying the outdoors and beautiful weather. The Philadelphia Flower Show opens February 28th and I'm looking forward to it. Going to buy a pass so I can go back as many times as I want to until it closes. Also looking forward to Mothers Day at Longwood Gardens. I have to get off the sofa below and get started. We are having our second snow storm in 2 days. I shoved this morning and put down salt. Hopefully I won't need to go back and shovel again. The snow is supposed to stop and it'll rain. The rain should wash the snow away. Maybe tomorrow I can get out of the house to enjoy the flowers at the plant nursery. Hope you're enjoying your weekend.

Hyacinth smells wonderful. Going to bring up more from the basement.

A bad decision made on a cold night sitting in bed. My car was in the shop being repair. It was hit while parked on my street. I couldn't get to the garden center so I ordered on line. My daughter would have taken me. She takes me any where I don't want to drive. Not having my car was my excuse. Two plants delivered with damage from the cold although a heat pack was in the box. I hoped the company would wait to ship it until a little better weather but they came. Notified the company and sent these pictures of the damage. Hopefully the plants will be replaced or I'll be reimbursed. I've ordered from this company before without problems. They have beautiful plants.

Completed last night. Puzzles that a gardener would choose. Before breaking it apart and putting it back in the box, I took time to look at all the small details in the greenhouse. I'll do this puzzle again maybe next year and look for how it can be glued down and framed. Going to order more puzzles hopefully I can find a sale because puzzles can be pricey.

New Years Eve

Forced paper whites today.

The ground was frozen today in the yard so this was my next option. I bought this pot for a hydrangea. When they finish blooming in the spring I'll move the container to the yard for it. I still have a few bulbs to plant but will wait mid week when temperatures are expected to be in the 40's and I can plant the rest in my window box.

Just have to give them a good watering.

First puzzle for 2026. It's harder than the last one and taking longer than I expected. Enjoying the challenge.

Seedlings will soon be on the plant shelf.

I've had many Chinese Evergreens. Supposedly low light plants but in my house this is the first one I've managed to keep alive. Plant light daily.

Will put these in a jar and save until next Christmas. Will also work on getting better looking dried orange slices. I have a whole year.

Not fully emerged, but it already smells wonderful.

Have a blessed, safe, healthy, and prosperous new year,

  

Christmas

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Spent the day at my nieces' house with family. Time to take down the decorations. I haven’t been motivated but soon. I still have bulbs to plant and seeds to start. Begonia seeds take a long time to germinate and get to good size plants. I think they will be started first. 

We had another weather event, ice storm. I’ve been inside for 5 days although the ice has melted. Got to get those bulbs planted cold and all. Not today though. I still haven't started forcing my paper whites. I'm really late but we still have over 2 months of winter.

Look at that. I thought the small blooms were mushrooms but on inspection saw that they are coming from the bulb and probably tiny amaryllis seedlings. I've never had that happen.

Until next year God willing.

First hyacinths from the basement. Love the roots but awaiting the fragrant blooms to emerge.

For the squirrels, possums, and raccoons on Christmas Eve. The bird feeder was also filled. Carrots, apples, cherries, oranges, cucumbers, unsalted peanuts, and hazel nuts.

This amaryllis was beautiful but not as pink as pictured. It had huge multiple blooming head that weighed down the amaryllis which I eventually cut off and place in water.

Retirement and Life

Retirement is one of the best things that has happened to me. Salvation, having my daughter, and having had wonderful parents come first. Working forty five years is a long time. But keeping a job is something that we all have to do to support ourselves and meet our basic needs. While I was working and before that going to school, I didn't think about retirement or growing older. There was a time when I was the youngest person on my jobs and then before retirement, I was one of the oldest at 62. Every year coworkers retired and then it was my time. It's a humbling experience to know your career is coming to an end. It was time. I was physically, mentally, and emotionally tired. The quick, savvy, and wanting to help everyone person changes with age. Add on health issues and taking medications. I loved my nursing career but it's a hard occupation. Also physically, mentally, and emotionally. It impacts  the mind and body. A lot of medical conditions started when I became a nurse and I think they were related to the stress of the job. After I retired my hair which had thinned and loss length, started to grow again. I didn't do anything different in the way of medication, eating, or hair products. I believe that the years of stress impacted my hair. Always thought age and menopause was the case. Maybe not.

I have a friend I met at work over 35 years ago, also a nurse. She has been a faithful supportive friend when we worked together, not worked at the same job, and now. Through raising my daughter, getting married, divorce, and death of my parents, she's been there. True friends are very few and hard to find. I think I won't be searching for more. Some turn out to not be committed to the friendship. That can be seen over time. Some friends are only for a season and reason, and I had to learn this. 

I miss my coworkers and the camaraderie. I realize that work relationships don't always transition to friendships outside of work. That's okay with me. It was nice to have had supportive coworkers every day and to also be there to support them. I don't miss all the job required. My sister told me to take time to decompress. I retired in September and thought that I had, but know that I haven't. I've started having nightmares about work and all the situations that can happen being a nurse. I wake up sometimes screaming, talking, as if I'm still in the dream. I realize that I probably have post traumatic stress disorder form years of working in a demanding, legally responsible, job. Nurses aren't always supported by employers patients, or clients. My motto, follow the laws for my practice, and never do anything to be sued or result in loosing my license and I've done that. 

People ask me, are you going to work part time? No! I don't think I will. Thank God for pensions, savings, and social security. I've never lived above my means so I knew the transition into decreased income with retirement wouldn't be difficult. Of course I'd love to live in a different neighborhood. Some place in a woodland setting where I can walk on my own property among the trees and nature. That was always my goal. I'm not disappointed that it didn't make it happen. I  could still make that happen, but it's not important now. I have less years left than I've lived. I can't imagine having to pay mortgage again or worse rent that rises every year. For now, I'll continue to Bloom where I'm planted.

Relaxing by a fire.

Completed in 24 hours. The next one is more challenging and taking a while.