I’m going back to work on Monday. It’s a nuisance because Julia has some time off over the next two weeks and I would like to have been off with her. However, I’m better and I don’t like letting them down at work.
The last two weeks has revealed to me just how much I want to retire (the money is now the only thing that keeps me at work, other factors have taken away my enthusiasm). However, I still have twelve months to go before my planned date and though it will fly by, it seems like a long time as I look at it now.
It’s sad that it has come to this, but I suppose that’s how life is. You make plans, you change them, you make more . . .
More pressing than my motivation is the need to clear the house within the next twelve months and organise the move. I really need to get on with that. I am going to have to teach myself to throw things away. It seems easy enough but after years of being a dealer I always feel like I should be getting paid for stuff. If I throw it away I feel guilty about not recycling. If I give it to a charity shop I feel bad about not getting paid. I know this is bad, but that’s the result of years of conditioning.
Meanwhile, I still have to do something for the Numismatic Society meeting, and have eleven days to do it. It always seems to get to this stage before I actually do anything, so I’m now blaming my lack of application rather than my infection.
The paper flag below is, as you can see, of Scottish origin. This is appropriate because the Scots were the originators of paper flags and were enthusiastic sellers of them. When I have done my research I will let you know more.
1917 – Soldier and Sailor
1917 – reverse
I hope your first day back was a good one. I always love the paper flags.
I’m finally getting my mini-display together for the meeting next week. I tried while I was off work but was struggling with concentration.
I am contemplating the possibility of us having to move as old age creeps on. It is not a happy prospect so I hope that you manage the paring down successfully.
It would be even harder if we had spent as much effort on the garden as you and Mrs T. But, let’s face it, we haven’t. 🙂
Wishing you the best as you prepare to pare down, retire and move to a smaller place. None of that is easy. I learned last year that things can happen before we think they might, and I am slowing paring down my own things and trying to think ahead on how to set up house and gardens so they will be easier to maintain. I agree with Derrick, and have thought the same myself about books. Don’t let go of those!
The best thing about moving is that we will have a more manageable garden. I must keep that in mind and concentrate on the positives. 🙂
When we made what will probably be our last move, I was ready to relinquish my book collection. Jackie wouldn’t hear of it. As I grow less physically able I realise how right she was.
Unfortunately, I have also accumulated a lot of junk and crossed the line i9nto hoarding. I need to sort out the house and I need to sort myself out too.
I will take note of your (and Jackie’s) example, as there are things I do want to retain to savour in retirement.
The need to clear the house at your stage is an inconvenience. In my case as a solinary older bloke I know that one day I will not wake up and some else will have to deal with it all and in a very short space of time.
The thought of my varied collections being sold for next to nothing after my death (as I have seen happen to other people) is a major motivation apart from the move. It’s either that or tell Julia how much I have spent on it. There is a chance that this information may be used against me. 🙂
Well I haven’t hung on to my “Julia” so she has no reason to complain.