AGING

 We all start aging from the very moment of conception.  Discussion about aging and feeling the effects of aging seem to come up much more often later in life...when we are 'Older', "Over the Hill" and "Well Seasoned". The words 'aging' and 'older' and, any number of terms become common place once we have reached our 'golden years'.  

Not sure what is so golden about these years...but I'm going to keep trying to find the gold at the end of this rainbow at this point in the aging process.  Fortunately, so many older, often used, negative terms are being used less and less these days.  Those that choose to  have discovered and are using much nicer ways to talk about and reference senior citizens.  We are different than our parents when they were our age...but, we are still, none the less, arrowing down quite a bit to get to our birth year.    There are things that are more difficult for us to do as we age, but we still do it but at a different level and speed.   

My generation, Baby Boomers, are a large part of the population (2nd largest generation by population share).  We have an increased longevity despite having more health issues and have a significant impact on the economy and resources.    

The commonly used term about 'Aging Gracefully" is mentioned quite a bit. This often-used term is easier for me to comprehend and live with than the "Golden Years',  I can see some positives in that 'Gracefully' vibe. 

 Here's the comparison that I can wrap my head around:  My husband has had a long career in the construction industry.  He owned and operated a construction company that became well known for his expertise in the renovation of older homes.  I was mostly in the healthcare/social services industry but had several other careers in between.  In addition to our careers, our hobby/love was buying older homes that probably not many others would have purchased...and we renovate them.  After closing the sale on these old beauties, we would live in them while we would renovate and then either sell or continue to live in and enjoy them for however long and then sell.  

We would instantly know when we would view an older home that was currently on the market...if it was going to be the next one for us to love and renovate. We have passed on a few, but not many. Our desire is to bring them back to life and use.  Initially, we would take our time getting to know the house, get a feel for its essence.  The essence was always there if one would take the time, take a seat and look past the damage done by weather, age and the neglect of people We would study the house, look deeper than the exterior wear and tear of aging and lack of care.  We could see it's still strong bones and feel it's soul.  Then, we would jump in and bring back these older beauties and make them breathe and shine again.  We believe that the old house quietly listened to us when we would discuss its many great attributes.  And, that our intention was to not drastically change it, but bring it back to it's original beauty. The renovated houses all seemed to smile back at us when we would finally paint it's exterior a new, fresh coat of paint.    

It took quite a bit of strength and endurance for these old houses to still be standing after all of the years and seasons of extreme weather conditions. We were always grateful and proud of them that they still stood strong after so many years.  So, it was always our pleasure to attend to their needs and bring them back to their former glory.   

I feel like this is similar to the way we human beings age.  We come into this world all shiny and new. Then life gives us a few bumps and bruises, but we're still young, we heal.  But then one day, we don't heal quite as quickly, and we begin to see and feel the effects of our old scars.  

So, what do we do at this stage?  We can either just give in and accept those battle wounds or try and make them not the focus of our life - gracefully. 

We have been recreating ourselves over and over our entire life.  And one shouldn't stop because of reaching a certain age.  We should stand up straight, look into the mirror and decide that this person who possibly had babies, worked many hours at our homes and/or in a career, took care of our children, spouse or partner and then our older relatives is understandably in need of a retooling. So, here we are without as much energy as we once had needing to make another adjustment. This is when 'gracefully' comes into play.  Embrace who you've been, who you've become, lift your head and add a touch of grace to it all.  Time to shine softly, graciously and gratefully for a life well lived.  We survived and should live out the rest of our years in gentle peacefulness and joy.  

Aging is inevitable, so changing and adjusting as we get older is how we survive.  And we can also thrive.  We just need to realize that the aging process is normal for all of us.  We can buck it all, a bit, but ultimately accepting and living the best lives that we can, is the key to a happy life.  So, Aging Gracefully is not a negative term, it is an absolutely lovely way to celebrate our "Golden Years".         

 

   

THE LITTLE SPIDER'S FAVORITE FLOWER

 

Ahhh...what a beautiful night.  It has cooled off nicely after a hot, humid day.  Looking up at the full moon and watching a sky full of a million twinkling stars, this little spider began to think about the chores for the day ahead.  The sun will be up in a few hours, and I have a lot of things on my 'to do' list.  After a few more hours of rest, relaxation and planning, I was ready for the new day.  After stretching each of my eight legs and yawning a big, long, satisfying yawn, I'm ready to get going.  Oh look, my breakfast is ready.  Right here on my web.  After filling my tummy with delicious treats from the bug buffet, I needed to concentrate on mending the loose silk on my web.  The air was already feeling pretty humid, I think it is going to be another hot day here in UP Michigan.  It is August.  But I must keep up with the maintenance of my home no matter the temperature or the weather.  

I spy, with one of my eyes, the lady of the house heading my way.  I built my house in one of her plant boxes under the front windows of her home.  She is dragging a garden hose...good news to cool off, bad news that she might use a higher power setting and just blow me and my web right out of here.  But, good news, she lays the hose on the ground under the low evergreens that are below the plant box, to give them a good soak.  Then, she reaches up and starts picking around the flowers in my plant box.  From my closer than I like, viewing position, she appears to be deadheading the flowers that are now dried and swiveled and are past their beautiful glory days.  This plant box is planted with Nasturtiums, Marigolds, Alyssum, a tall spike, some flowing Vinca Vines, a few Begonias and some Yellow Gerber Daisies.  The Marigolds have a strong smell, but the rest of the plants only have a faint lovely aroma, which I prefer.   I am particularly fond of the Nasturtiums.  They come in so many beautiful fall colors.  Light and dark oranges, yellows, reds and combinations of all of those colors.  They are edible, have fun shaped leaves and produce an attractive round ball that is their seed. 

I do wander off of my web occasionally to take a break from my web design, to check out all of the beautiful plants.  I also wander about to check and make sure that any other spiders or bugs that are present, are just traveling through...not thinking that they can stay for longer than a visit.    If they are courteous and respect my presence, which I immediately make known, I don't mind that they are stopping off for a while to enjoy the beautiful plants.  But, if they happen to be a spider and they are thinking about taking up residency in my plant box, I will hide in the flowers and allow them to start weaving a web and then I will go in and cut all of their threads and they will sail off into the wild blue yonder.  Other bugs, I allow to stay for a while and then I go over and shoo them away.  

One day, as a game, I started counting the developing seeds that the lovely Nasturtiums were producing.  I began to count them each day just to make sure that they were all there.  Also, I add to the count any new seeds that had developed.  And, for a long time, each time I would count, they would all be present and accounted for.  

One morning, after breakfast and before starting my mending chores, I counted and recounted my precious seeds and discovered that there were a few missing.  Looking down to the ground, I realized that when the seeds become large enough, their weight would put strain on the stem, and they would fall to the ground.  

I decided that my new job was to wind my silky threads around each of the precious seeds to keep them securely in my plant box.  It did take me quite a while to find each seed and create the silk and wrap each one with its own safety line.   It was kind of fun discovering a new purpose for my weaving and my tying skills.  

After doing that, I was happy knowing that all of the remaining seeds would be with me for the season...UNTIL...the lady of the house discovered the seeds.  The Nasturtiums seeds look like wrinkly little bee bees.  They are so fun to discover, touch and hold for further examination.   While the hose was running down below, she decided to start not only deadheading the flowers that were past their glory days...but also started picking my precious seeds.  She would find one and pick it with her right hand and then place it in her left hand to collect.  I obviously did not tie my silk line on all of the seeds.  She was able to just reach in and pick them.  Oh well...

I wandered off to the side of the plant box so as to not to alert her to the fact that I was living there.  The next seed that she went after looked like it was a goner...right hand picked the seed...transferred it to her left hand...and then to my peeking pleasure, BOING...it recoiled right back into place.  My silk threads had worked...I was so proud of my work.  But she did not give up. Plucked the same seed...right hand to left hand and it flew out of her hand again.  But this time, it landed on a tall evergreen that is planted right next to the plant box.  I can swing over and retrieve the seed later...no problem   But, she must have thought that a third time would be the charm and went in again for the seed.  With renewed effort, she plucked the seed, and it went from her right hand to the left hand and did not recoil this time.  My thread was broken.  It broke my little heart.  Even though this is her house, these are her plant boxes and these are her plants, I just wanted to live here and collect those special seeds.   After plucking a few more seeds, she looked pleased and wandered off to another part of her gardens.  

Initially, I was mad, then sad and then I generally go into my best phase...strategizing.  I think I have a new plan to save my seeds.  I will pluck them when they are ready to detach and bury them in the dirt of the plant box.  This way, I get to keep them, know where they are and quite possibly...they will grow into more colorful Nasturtiums for all to enjoy.  

This plan allows me to reclaim my time to devote to my main responsibility...tending to my web.  The seeds are kind of tricky to lasso and then tie up securely enough to not allow them to fall to the ground.  Now that I know that the determined lady of the house will just keep plucking the seeds until she is satisfied - I realize that my initial plan was futile.  So, after untying all of the remaining seeds I decide to bury them in the dirt.  This should work. Now I can finally feel like I can begin mending my web home without fretting about losing my seeds.

This all works...I get to hold and play with my favorite seeds, bury them in the warm, moist soil and watch them grow into more beautiful flowers that produce more seeds.  And she won't be as keen coming over to look for them...when she can't find any.  Finally...they are all mine.  All warm and snug  right here in my plant box, right under my web...the way it should be.  On with today's work.  OH NO, here she comes with the hose again...it's shower time...hang on...Ahhhh..that actually felt pretty good on this hot day.  Thanks lady of the house.  Now, go away and let this little spider get on with its daily work.  

OUR LITTLE TIPO...AND HIS BIG PERSONALITY...

 

Tipo is our sweet, older gentleman...Chihuahua.  He came into our lives as a surrendered little guy of 5 years old.  He and his sister were at the Humane Society where we were living in WI.  When I called to see if this cute little guy and girl were still available, I was told that the little girl had already been adopted.  I was a bit disappointed as my plan was to keep them together, but it was not to be. 

  We hurried over to meet this little guy.  I'll never forget the first time he was introduced to us.  A member of the Humane Society staff brought him out to us on a leash.  He was wearing a plaid bow tie.  He walked through the door and sat down right in front of us as though he was inspecting us.  At that moment, I knew that he would become a wonderful member of our animal crew.  He was small in stature, but large in the attitude department.  A typical Chihuahua I've since learned.  The bold colored bow tie was perfect for this little (big) guy.  It is his signature look.  He wears one of his many bowties when we go for a walk or for rides on my three-wheel bike.  He loves viewing the neighborhood from the basket on my bike.  If he could jump up in there by himself, he would.  When I tell him that we're going for a ride, he jumps around until I lift him up into his basket.  He takes on his whole Chihuahua personality as soon as we take.  He stands with his front feet on the front of the basket and often times barks at 'whatever'.    

  In the Meet & Greet Room at the Humane Society, while initially sitting in front of us, he continued to really check us out for a few minutes. He looked from me to my husband, up and down.    I thought I would slowly reach down and let him smell me.  He smelled my hand and my arm and then allowed me to pick him up.  I placed him between my husband and I, so that he could check us both out.  He seemed to be relaxed, sniffed us both and he let us both pet him. 

 He had brought a little stuffed bunny out with him to meet us.  After sitting between us for a while, he jumped down and retrieved his little bunny.  He jumped back up between us on the couch with his beloved bunny.  The staff member told us that he was surrendered with his sister and this stuffed bunny.  I felt that it was his touch with his dear sister and to the first five years of his life.  He still has that stuffed bunny.  But after 8 years, and many washings, it is now just a small square piece of fabric. This precious piece of cotton stays in his bed, and he checks on it daily.  He sleeps with us but keeps his toys and bones/treats in his little bed, right next to our bed.  We purchased a little stairway for him to use to get up on our bed so that there was less chance of him hurting himself going up and down.   

We have had many fluffy family members and most of them were larger breeds.  Tipo was our first small dog. We have loved them all, but as we age, a little one is much more in line with what we can handle.  He is smaller and lighter to lift and is easier to walk on a leash.  We also have an older dog, Sadie, that we have had since birth.  We had raised goldendoodles and kept one of the pups, Sadie.  She was now in her 'golden years'.  But now having little Tipo in all of our lives, it really seemed to pep Sadie up...like a playful puppy again in many ways.  

We have moved from our hobby farm in WI to UP Michigan.  He has been our good boy for about 8 years now...so, he is 13 years old and is doing well.  I believe that he and his sister were taken very good care of but had to be surrendered for hopefully, a loving reason - owners possibly aging and/or entering a nursing facility...I like to think that...because he is very healthy, well-mannered and just a love...no signs of abuse or neglect thankfully. He does use the house as his bathroom occasionally...but not enough to be a real problem. 

 At times I wish that rescued animals could tell you about their past so that you could do your best to help them figure it all out.  Help them to deal with their past and let them know that they are now in a safe and loving place.  

Probably the best thing to do is to start fresh with good food, exercise, lots of play time, a loving, comfortable home.  Lots of pets, smiles, snuggling and love all day long.    He does not like when someone raises their voice, but I don't think anyone does.  He does not run or hide so, I still believe that he was in a normal loving home before he came to us.  He is not afraid of fireworks. Does not even flinch...the only reactions I see are, when a dog or animal comes on the television, his ears perk up and he runs to the edge of the bed (where I many times watch television before going to sleep) and barks...And, when I let him out in the morning, he runs out, thinking that there are squirrels to chase away...which there are most of the time.  

UPDATE: Some years later (sometimes I write a blog over a number of years...happens)...Our Sadie dog passed away...Tipo's friend of many years.  After a while, we thought a nice way to honor Sadie, our dog, was to go to the local Humane Society in Menominee MI and look at the cats that we previewed on-line.  Not really knowing what age or type we were looking for...we just kind of let the cat pick us.  I walked around thinking that possibly an older one would be perfect for us and a furever home for the elder cat.  My husband was walking around talking to each cat.  One of them really talked back to him and he fell in love with her.  She was named Sadie and she was 1 yr. 2 months old and she was quite the gabber.  Perfect. Giving a loving home to a cat already named Sadie, after losing our dear Sadie dog. 

Sadie, the cat, now lives with us...and Tipo.  Tipo is now 15 years old and quite gray and kind of grumpy.  Sadie is helping to keep him young by just generally teasing him...but is also adding to his grumpiness.  She has a habit of following him...if he runs, she runs along next to him...like when we let him in, give him his treat and he runs to his bed.  She is right there at the door when he scratches to come in, watches closely as we give him a treat and then runs with him to his little bed...which is mostly hers now.  

We came home one day and Tipo was up on one of our chairs and to get closer to us, he jumped to another chair - basically staying off of the ground.  We thought it was odd.  He is usually on the floor jumping up on the backs of our legs and wagging his tail when we come home.  Soon we realized that he was avoiding the little fuzzy alligator on the floor...Sadie cat.  We joked about setting up a monitor to see what actually goes on when we are not at home.  I think that generally they both nap quite a bit ..but Sadie does get into her 'zoomie' moods and I think she would like Tipo to play with her...but, he is not up for that kind of play.  So, she may play around him in hopes that he will play with her...and he just wants to finish his nap.  They work it out though.  Tipo does seem glad to see us and, I'm sure hopes that we will keep Sadie busy so that he does not have to deal with her alone.  

Life goes on...both of them nap quite a bit.  Sadie follows Tipo around a lot...he just ignores her and then she eventually runs off and finds something else to mess with besides Tipo.  She does keep him on his toes which I think helps to keep him active and in better health.  

She has turned out to be a perfect fit to our home and really to our lives.  She rubs up against Tipo every chance that he allows her to...and runs along next to him every time he goes anywhere in the house.   I still take him for rides in the basket of my bike.  He mostly sits and occasionally barks but mostly just seems to love being with me, outside and getting a good look at the neighborhood.  His little eyes look a little cloudy these days, but he never misses a dog or a squirrel when we are riding our usual route.  He lets out a bark or two and the settles back down in his basket with his blanket and the little remaining piece of his dear bunny.  

We pet him and snuggle with him as much as possible and give him a full body scratch every day.  He is aging in every way...but still has the big dog attitude wrapped in a cute little guy body.  

I'VE DECIDED....I DEFINITELY WANT TO COME BACK AS A CAT...

 

My husband and I have had the pleasure of sharing our space with many cats and kittens over the years.  First on our hobby farms and now in our in-town home.  

On our hobby farms, any cat passing through was offered daily food and water and a place to sleep.  In our big barn, we would put out dry and canned food and water every morning.  And there was a big, dry hay loft full of straw (and blankets) in which to cuddle up and sleep. During especially cold snaps in the winter months, we would hang heat lights in various (safe) spots - not in the hay loft - so that they could stay warm during the coldest of nights. I don't remember seeing any cats under the heat lights...but, I do remember seeing our peacocks under them rather than roosting as they usually did.  

My heart went out to these homeless, helpless animals and we did all that we could to feed them, love them and keep them alive.  Our hearts also took in sheep, goats, horses and whatever other animal or bird that needed a home...It's all been so worth it.  We received much more love and joy from them, than we could ever give.  Often times, obviously pregnant cats would wander into our farm, and we would take extra care of these mama's and their kittens.  

Usually, a few would stick around, but generally, they would move on.  Even though I felt like it,  I wasn't going to trap them in somewhere...only offer them food, water and a safe place to stay, medical treatment if they needed it, until they felt that they needed to leave.  

Fast forward to the selling of our last hobby farm in Wisconsin..and our move into a big old Victorian house...in the Michigan UP, in town.  We still have several chickens in a coop, a parrot and a rescued dog.  And now, after visiting our local Humane Society...a cat.  Everyone gets along famously, and we are entertained by our little girl Sadie Cat every day.  

She is perfect for our home and for us.  She is very vocal and enjoys playing/teasing our dog - Tipo.  She has not bothered our parrot, and she is an inside cat - ask promised...so, no messing with the chickens.   

When I take the time to watch her...she just comes and goes...naps, eats...gets a case of the zoomies once in a while and will rub up against any part of us to receive snuggles and pets.  She always purrs like a little happy motor.  I've put together a cardboard box with all of her 'stuff'...which she jumps into and then proceeds to empty out every day.  I gather it all up once she leaves for another adventure and always add something new that she might like...crinkled up paper, a bag, a bell, a feather...I craft a lot...so my supply of fun stuff is endless.

She will come when we call her.  When we're not sure where she is, we call her and soon we can hear here sweet 'conversations' coming down the stairs, from upstairs or coming upstairs from downstairs.   And, she continues telling us...whatever...once she is on our lap or rubbing up against us.  I like to think that she is telling us about everything that is going on in our neighborhood.  She has several windows, with pillows, that she sits at upstairs and watches the world go by.  

No stress...no problems...just food, naps and love.  

As I get older, that's all I that I want also...so, I hope that when the day comes...I return as a cat that lives in a big, lovely home with a loving, fun family.

But, in my always busy head and big imagination (I'm a writer of whimsical stories) I think that I might actually come back as a cat that lives in a big city, kind of the God Mother of the streets of the neighborhood.    Often getting into arguments and sometimes fights...but always surviving and helping others less fortunate. Making deals with local shop owners for food and protecting others when they need protecting.  Just kind of strolling around like I own the neighborhood. Always helping others find food and warm, dry places to sleep.  

The big loving home sounds wonderful, but the street smart, city dwelling crusader sounds pretty perfect also. Whichever will be fine with me...as long as I am a cat....  

   

OUR NEWEST ADDITION....A KITTY FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY

We currently have a Chihuahua that we rescued about eight years ago, three chickens and an African Grey Parrot.  The smallest group of pets we've ever had at one time.  And now, we have added Miss Sadie Cat to the group.   

We currently live in town in a big old Victorian house.  But for most of our marriage...we have lived on hobby farms.  So, always lots of animals...many rescues...

We decided to adopt a cat.  My husband loves cats, and we haven't had one in a while.  We always seemed to attract many of them when we lived on our various farms.  They would show up one day, many times pregnant and we would feed them every day in the barn...and they would sleep up in the hay loft.  But, now that we no longer live on a farm, but in town, we decided to view the available cats on-line and then made a trip over to the local Humane Society.  

This little girl...named Sadie...spoke to us at the Humane Society...literally, and has not stopped.  Every time we call her...(she has our large home...several stories and a basement to roam...and she does)...but she always comes when we call her.  She seems to enjoy our rather annoying screechy cat call/voice that we use when we want to know where she is.  She must like that call and pretty quickly comes from wherever she is.  On her way to us...she is talking the entire way and then continues as if she is telling us a long story about what she saw in the neighborhood as she sat in one of her upper floor window seats.  Or, she might be telling us what might be going on in other parts of the house.  Nothing at all...we hope, but we do live in a big old Victorian home that has had many owners and has a history...so, maybe she sees or feels things...that we might not...you never know... 

We could not have selected a more perfect cat for us.  She is the right amount of everything for us.  She does a little bit of everything...and, that works. She zooms around, for a while, sleeps a lot, comes over to play and then leaves for parts unknown...in the house. She retrieves things and steals pens.  I tossed a wool dryer ball down the stairs where the washer and dryer are located.  It had gotten wrapped up in a blanket that I had washed, dried and carried upstairs.  So, when I found it in the blanket, I tossed it down the stairs so that I wouldn't forget it upstairs.  I went on to do other things and when I entered the kitchen, there in the middle of the rug was the wool ball. She went down the stairs and somehow carried it upstairs.  She is so funny.  Also, I was upstairs in one of my craft rooms writing with a green marker.  I set it down for a moment and she walked right over, took it in her mouth and ran away.  She then batted it around on the floor and like all games...she is totally interested for about 1 minute and then walks away. She wouldn't retrieve that for me though, I had to get up and fetch it myself.  

She loves her food and especially her little treats.  Uses her litter box, drinks her water and our dogs.  She loves to be loved, purrrs a lot and is definitely perfect for us.  No matter how we play with her, she has never taken a bite out of us or even scratched us...we talk daily about how perfect she is for us.  She kind of scratches the furniture...for just a small scratch or two...but nothing worth mentioning...can't even she where she scratched the fabric.  

She loves all of her window seats...loves to watch the water go down when a toilet is flushed and also loves to just run along with our dog.  When Tipo, our pup, comes in and runs to his favorite spot...she runs with him...doesn't really do anything other than just join in the jog.  We let Tipo out of a clear glass door that is in the kitchen, out onto a deck and then out into the yard.  Sadie will keep watch for Tipo and let us know when he is back at the door and wants to come in.  After he enjoys his outdoor 'walk about'.  Sadie watches as we give Tipo a treat when he comes in and then, as I said, runs with him to his bed to enjoy his snack.

Sadie is probably the first cat we have ever had that refuses anything other than her hard food...which really is pretty nice.  Other cats would jump up on wherever and finish off your food if left where she could get to it....She does not pay any attention to anything other than her bowl of food.  And, she will tell us when she wants us to put more in her bowl, even when there still quite a bit of food in there...but, apparently not enough for her to begin eating...Once we put another handful or two in there, she will supervise the event and then will crouch down and begin eating.  

We adore her and are so glad that we found her and have her as a member of our family....

CREATING COLLAGES...A VERY SATISFYING HOBBY

 

I've always been a avid crafter...of a large variety of crafts...from sewing to painting and any other project that I see on Facebook. If I see it and like it...chances are, I can make it.  I have a talent for recreating most any craft that I see...usually with no pattern or direction.  I just have a knack for studying the craft, dissecting it in my mind...and then making a prototype before making the final item. I have created some original items...but I'm much better at seeing the finished item and then breaking it down and recreating.  My finished craft item is similar to the one that I saw, but I always add my own touches/changes. 

Currently my craft of choice is creating collages.  I make them predominantly out of paper, but I am also starting to gather all of my fabric scrapes to begin creating a fabric collage. 

Anyone can collage.  You can use magazines, old books, greeting cards, really anything.  Because I have a really nice printer, I tend to copy pictures I like off of the internet.  I also created a lot of junk journals for many years that are currently all sitting in a big wooden box.  So, I thought I could take some of the parts and pieces out of those journals...to repurpose for the 2nd time. The junk journals were created out of used materials...bags, ripped paper, damaged books, bits of lace, fabric, buttons...really anything that appealed to me...to use in my favorite kind of junk journals to make. Which was always a nature theme.... ones that I made look old - tea stained...made to look like they had been up in an attic in an old dusty chest for many years...

I have made a variety of collages.   I tend to create based on my color mood...and I also love the Fairie Realm...so, lots of woodland, magical type collages...but they really can be anything. Something kicks off a theme in my mind...and then, I develop around that feeling.  It can be a theme of characters or colors or mood.  It can be funny, serious or anything that you want to put together in one picture.  

So, basically there isn't much more to say about collages...except show a few that I have made... 

  

  

Start collaging...it's a great winter or anytime, hobby....So fun to create your own picture out of beautiful artwork...

TIME TO MAKE PLANS FOR 2025

 Now that I am retired...my 'what to do' during the winter months and New Year's Resolutions, tend to be about finishing unfinished projects first, before I start new ones...sometimes it happens...most of the time it does not...

There is always a special excitement about starting something new...planning, shopping and then arriving home with all of the new stuff.  So, you begin but maybe don't finish because of many factors/excuses...and so, it becomes another item added to the list of unfinished projects.   

I do wake up each day with new energy, vowing to finish an ongoing project...and, I usually make some progress on the decided unfinished project, before wandering off to do something else.  

If I have deadlines...I will finish.  When I worked, owned businesses and after retiring, sold crafts that I made to sell at several stores and on Etsy...I got it done.  But now that I have no real deadlines...I just kind of work at it. Not sure yet which way I enjoy the most.  Working on a project 'under fire' and then receiving a paycheck or money...does have its rewards.  I'm kind of waiting for the 'good feelings' of finishing a project with no big paycheck or cash coming my way...just praise from my hubby or friends or family members.  I love that. But it's different...going to have to take some getting used to. Not the same feeling of accomplishment....yet. 

It is all probably a part of retiring...and it's not bad...just different...I've got all day. So, what's the big hurry.  

New Incentive....One day I was looking around our big old Victorian house thinking...what are our kids going to think when they find all of these unfinished projects?  It won't be a complete surprise to them...we've always been collectors and project people and, we have always been able to get the necessities at our various homes, 'up and running'...maybe not totally completed.  But, enough to serve their purpose, but promising to get back to them...one day...In our defense, we have purchased and remodeled about 20 homes/buildings, while also working our full-time jobs for the last 30+ years.   Some minor remodels...but mostly crazy major (large) renovations that probably 'no one else would do' type renovations.  One of our largest was an old lumberyard from the 1800's in Mineral Point, WI...with 11 buildings...big old lumber sheds and various other buildings.  We loved working on the buildings - they were structurally sound..but just big and open. We opened several businesses in them, rented some of them out...added more buildings (restaurant/bakery/storage units) and then sold when we decided to move out to 40 acres in the country...to renovate an old four square farmhouse that had not been lived in for years.  We gathered many (anyone that needed a home) animals to love and enjoy. 

We have successfully fully renovated and successfully sold all of the homes/buildings that we have purchased...we've lived in them while renovating...when finished, we would sell and move onto the next.   Some of them were never homes and we made them into apts. or a large home...many were in Historic districts.  I believe (but, you never know with us) we are currently living in our 'forever'...not going to sell - house...and so, the motivation is different. Not a constant every morning check list rolling through our heads.  ...yeah...that sounds like a good excuse for not getting at those projects everyday...I'm going with that... 

Usually having friends or family over will motivate me to finish up (or hide) some projects...BUT, my new motivation will be...how I want my kids to remember us. Their final walk through of their parents' house....They know us, but when the day comes that they have to go through all of our stuff...and, we have a lot, we are definitely collectors...what will they think?

I mentioned to my son the other day that he really should look through our stuff before disposing or donating...we have quite a few older collections from our childhoods that are worth something these days...that, he could make some money by selling on Ebay or somewhere online.  He said, why don't you sell it and make the money now.  I guess I could...But, I've been saving some of these things...from my childhood, from my mom, grandma, etc. for so long...I forgot and/or haven't really thought about selling them...but, maybe I should...Definitely keep the really personal items that have real meaning to me, that hopefully our children will cherish and keep...but a lot of the collectable items...they really could go to an interested collector, and I wouldn't mind.  Afterall...most of this stuff is sitting in storage containers...I know it's there...but I'm not doing anything with it...storing...  

I wonder, if now, as retirees and, we are not so under the gun...so to speak, to constantly hit deadlines and finish every project...to get paid and to keep our career reputation in great standing we start relaxing the whole 'stuff to get done' program. My husband was a contractor for his entire career. And I worked in various Social Service fields and also worked in Human Resources for many years.  Always, other people/customers counting on you to do their job and successfully complete. But now that we can relax the whole project with no real negative feedback - cause we're the only ones that know that it's not finished...we just take it at a different pace...

Whatever the reason...I'm going with...I want to make my home as organized and finished as possible...for my kids...I would do anything for them...so...my plan for 2025...and probably 2026....etc. We have a lot of stuff...good stuff. But a lot less with every move (wish I still had some of the stuff...I just threw out, but anyway) ...we definitely have more than the average collector....

So, I'm going with...for the kids...to hopefully leave them with the last, best impression of their parents...and to do them a favor and have our things in order so that it's not such a big job for them...