Hi, everyone.
Two weeks; that's all it took. It's Monday morning. I'm sitting on my couch with a blanket and a pillow, hot tea, water, tissues and nursing a cold. I wonder where I got it?
Oh yes! I remember! I am working in a pediatric clinic. I can tell right now I'm going to have to do something to boost my immune system.
TIME FLIES......
And now it is Friday evening the 13th. I've officially been at the pediatric office four weeks. I've not blogged, read a book, sewn, or worked on my rag rug. I've barely knit, barely listened to my audiobook, or even cooked.
What I have done is worked, studied, listened to my Bible, gone to church on Sundays, fallen asleep during the evening, and made some new friends. I've done minimal housework, laundry, dishes, and my husband has helped with cooking. Yes, we've eaten out a few times, too.
AND......
Y'all have been so encouraging. I appreciate the supportive notes, letters, and prayers. That means so much to me. So many of you have been with me through homeschooling, my part-time jobs after the kids were grown, breast cancer, and all my frugal living writing.
In fact, through the years, writing to y'all has kept me focused on the LORD and the story that he is writing in my life.
Thank you all so much!
Now, it's another era. I'm in the getting ready for retirement era. Strange to say since I've not worked full-time in 35 years. ~smile~ But— I want to help my husband pay off our debts and to save for retirement so that when we do retire, and I'm sure we will like it or not, we'll be in a bit better shape financially.
I have one definite plan for retirement. I'm going to adopt a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel girl. The last two dogs we've had weren't very affectionate. I'm going to have one more dog in my life. I want to be sure she's a little love bucket. ~smile~ Everything I've learned of this breed leads me to believe that, if I'm willing to pay the price, I can buy love. ~grin~
So, I am going to begin a savings account just for my little one. I'll put money in it each paycheck. I've told my husband that it's a priority for me. He is supportive.
It's nice to have that joy to look forward to. I will wait until I am home again first. I don't want her to be a latch-key puppy. Gasp!
Have any of you ever owned a King Charles Spaniel? I'd love to read of your experiences either in the comments or by email in the sidebar.
OKAY........
What to expect here......
Honestly, I don't know yet. But, I'm not going to quit writing. I ask you to give me grace as I get my feet under me.
I may only write once a week for awhile. As soon as I get to a point that I'm not consumed by learning this job (I've actually dreamt about it.), I'll refine my focus and let y'all know the direction I'm heading with this blog.
In the meantime, I invite you to enjoy some of my old posts.
Sending virtual hugs to you all!
~~~~~
A FEW POSTS TO GET YOU STARTED:
Cherry Pits, Erma Bombeck, and Jehovah God
One Secret Reason It's so Hard to Declutter
Photo credits:
Cavalier ~ Photo by T.R Photography 📸 on Unsplash
Hour Glass ~
It's good to hear from you again :) You sound very busy, but happy with being busy.
ReplyDeleteMy brother-in-law had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She was a beautiful dog. All she wanted to do was sit on your lap and be petted. She was not, however, the sharpest tool in the box, in fact I don't think there were any tools in her box! Throw a ball for her and she would take two steps in the direction it went in and then look at you as if to say "Why? I just don't understand what you want me to do!"
Take your time and do what you need to do. Best of luck with it all.
ReplyDeleteI applaud and respect that you are preparing for a secure retirement. I did something similar by working an extra year after eligibility age to devote my whole salary to paying down debt. Once I do longer worked, it was like getting a raise not to have those payments. An additional thing we did was sell back our life insurance policies since we no longer needed them with no children to provide for. With prices rising on nearly everything we are still frugal but are not panicked like some elder people. Best wishes on your new job and future retirement years. - Eileen in Fla.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to begin this new chapter of your life, Laura. I wish you the very best and look forward to your blog posts when you have the time.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to Penny ? I thought you still had her.
ReplyDeleteSeveral of the doctors I worked with had cavaliers.
I do know they are extremely expensive.
Just be sure you can afford the care.
Dog ownership can be very expensive especially
In your retirement years .
Believe me I know! My American bulldog is getting
allergy shots that cost two hundred dollars a month.
In a year that's a lot of money.
It's hard to use common sense when you look
Into those sweet puppy eyes.
Working in hospitals and doctors offices
means you are going to get sick.
I worked in an ER 25 years and was always
getting sick .
My husband who never got sick came to
work in the same ER.
He immediately started getting sick.
He was in shock. Never being sick he was not
prepared for it.
His immune system did get stronger though.
Mine never did.
Paying off all your debts is a very wise decision.
Start paying extra on the principal on
your mortgage.
Check with your lender and see if that is an option
first. I did it but I here not all lenders allow it.
Make sure you write a separate check.
Specify that it is to be applied to the principal only.
I wrote it in the memo on the bottom.
Even if it's only fifty dollars a month.
When you can do a bit more go for it.
Retiring with a paid for house is the best thing
you can do for yourself.
Best wishes for your new endeavors.
Hello dear reader,
DeletePenny is alive and well and enjoying her golden years. She is ten years old this month. Our cat, Tiger, will be fifteen Mother's Day Weekend. We're all growing old together. Thank you for the advice!
Glad too hear sweet penny is doing well.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better today.
I've been reading your blog since you started it!
We are all growing old together.
Laura, so sorry you got sick, and I can truly relate to how easily those bugs get passed around! I took Quercetin when I was caregiving, and that kept me healthy and well, when everyone was sick. I hope you can pay off your debt sooner than later, and get your sweet puppy! Those eyes are so adorable! I have an Australian Shepherd, and she has anxiety if I leave the room. She is very loyal and wants to only be with me. Praying that everything goes well for you in this new position!
ReplyDeleteWe have a 7 yo female Cava-Poo and will never have any other breed again. Because she is a crossbreed of King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and a Toy Poodle we have had zero medical issues. She is also SUPER snuggly and attached to our family. The poodle traits mean that she is hypoallergenic (no shedding) and incredibly smart. Truly the best dog we have ever had! Highly encourage you to check into this “designer mutt” crossbreed. They might even be less expensive than the purebred.
ReplyDeleteWe had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix that was a wonderful little lap dog and companion for our daughter. We always said our dog had a big heart, and she learned a few tricks from her obedience class. Just make sure she is healthy, as they are prone to heart issues. Hope it works out for you!
ReplyDelete