The backspace key on my computer has come off. I guess there really is no turning back and I must retire. 😊
Seriously, though, the computer is only two years old and I have to depreciate it over three years so I absolutely refuse to buy another one when this one isn’t fully depreciated. I’m a bit irritated as you can’t just purchase a replacement key either. Nope, I have to buy an entirely new keyboard. Or, I may need a new $2,500 computer altogether.
I’m not completely sure, but I think I may have retired. Or at least to that version of retired that I always anticipated where I work between 5-10 hours a week. It’s just enough to keep my brain engaged and truly earn a little pocket money and to help support the family. Honestly, we don’t need much more and the backspace failure feels like a sign. But of course, maybe I was looking for that kind of sign?
Today, it’s supposed to be 80 degrees, partly sunny and a perfect Sunday not to have to work on Monday. The good news for me? I don’t have to work on Monday this week. In fact, I have only an hour of billable work this week. The rest of the time? I will do some business development but I also plan on being a homemaker, wife and kitty mom… all jobs that give me immense satisfaction.
Honestly, it feels like a good time to just sit back and see what unfolds with my professional career. If I get busy again, great, and I will definitely try. The extra money will help fund our lifestyle and possibly a three-stall garage. It would give me an immense amount of satisfaction to be able to do that for us. If I don’t get busy? Well, we officially don’t need the money and I can do a great job slowing down our lifestyle so that we can both enjoy our time outside of work.
Mostly, I have nothing left to prove. I genuinely think that’s part of why I am so laid back about the future. I’m proud of the work I’ve done as both a CEO and as a healthcare consultant. I’ve pushed myself, I’ve learned, I failed, I overcame, I achieved success. I have all of the t-shirts and all of the finisher medals. On that road race towards retirement, there comes a time when you have to be satisfied that enough was truly enough and I’m there. I don’t need to demonstrate anything more.
And then there’s the pivot towards home. There are still things for me to prove here. I am really invested in making this summer one of the best of our lives. I truly want us to see how we can live a better life when we are not overwhelmed by a to-do list. With little professional obligations and no renovations on tap, this is my chance to dig in, focus and make life good for us at home. And the list of what I want to achieve likely reads like something out of a 1950s housewife manual, but I don’t care.
We have a huge yard that requires quite a bit of mowing, hand-mowing and spin trimming. It takes at least 4.5-5 hours to do it right. I want to be able to do all of that so my husband – who does not enjoy mowing at all – doesn’t have to worry about it. I also want our garden to be hugely successful this year – after all of those years I resented bumper crops. That means doing all of the proper planting techniques including using the biodegradable corn plastic around the tomatoes to prevent rot, getting all of the drip line irrigation systems in to help keep everything watered and regular weeding. In the past, I’ve been ambivalent about the garden. This year, I’m enthusiastic and a good garden yield when my husband is also training to qualify for the Boston Marathon will be hugely satisfying for him and a clear indication of what we can do when I participate.
Inside, I’ve already got a great handle on cleaning, laundry, groceries and meal prep. There’s not a lot for me to do new there. Still, I can keep cleaning up things and organizing. For example, our bourbon collection has overflowed the small liquor cabinet we had. My goal is to create order from chaos when it comes to the bourbon by boxing up the unopened bourbon and taking it downstairs. Then, it’s taking some of the mundane tasks off of my husband’s plate. With daily litter box and water dish tasks, there are little things I can do to help alleviate any pressure on him.
Lastly, I really want to create the environment where we can enjoy our lives outside of work, including nearly every evening and weekend. That will be huge for both of us. Just last night, we were able to sit outside under our deck umbrella during a light sprinkle and enjoy a cocktail and some hors-d’oeuvres. Nothing fancy but relaxing. We had a fabulous time. My goal will be to create the opportunity for spontaneous evenings like last night to happen. That small campfire? It has to be built. That setup for stargazing? Someone has to get it ready. That’s me. I’m the someone.
Honestly, I’m so looking forward to this summer and the genuine opportunity we have to really see if this new life is sustainable. I’m enjoying the work as well. It feels good to do physical labor outside and the calm/quiet home is its own reward inside. It also feels good to be the kitty mom the furry ones deserve. Today, all four kitties got to go out on walkabout. Two had leashes and two used just the radio collar. But they all did so well. They are going to take a lot of mentoring – likely a whole summer’s worth – but I want to make time everyday for them to go out, get more comfortable and learn their own boundaries.
As I typed this, my backspace key fell off twice. This week, my goal is to get a replacement cord for my old laptop so that I can use that one while this one goes in for repair. I will, ultimately, replace the malfunctioning backspace key. But the symbolism it provides me? Hmmm… I’m thinking I’ll hang on to it for awhile.
The Yuppie Homesteader 