Snowed in equals Savings

We have made up for not having any snow yet this winter by getting a huge wallop!  Since Thursday last week I haven't left the house.  Today we are going out and will find a live christmas tree.  The tree lots have been pretty empty as the big snow dump that we had has slowed down the trucks delivering.  Going nowhere is a savings.  I’m not buying any new Christmas decor with the exception of a new scented candle as I used up the old one.  I would also like a Christmas mug for coffee, but I haven’t come across any. I don’t want to order one as I like to feel them out! Maybe some pyjamas. Mine are always in the wash because of my night sweats.

This last month has been the first time that I had to fill a prescription since retirement.  The pharmacy I go to is only because I get "points" it isn't because the staff is on the ball, or good in any way with what they do!  I'm covered with dh's plan now.  They couldn't comprehend that and charged me full price.  Now the receipt needs to be submitted to insurance for a refund.  That could have all be done easily by a competent person at the counter.  The person working that day I have come across before and they are very ignorant, I didn't have time to explain it 17 times, so it will be submitted online.  There are no local drugstores anymore it seems.  Old Galen has bought them all.  My old Shoppers Drug mart used to have wonderful pharmacists that knew people when they came in, spoke to them about their prescription, asked questions, did some education.  It closed, so I moved to another. Now it is handed to me by a "tech" that is rushed and in a huff about god knows what.  They barely check that I'm the right person.  The "Pharmacy Supervisor" (That's on his name badge) isn't a pharmacist.  He's supposed to oversee something - I don't know what exactly.  The billing maybe. What I do know is that he has very smelly BO and he's difficult to understand. I need to ask some neighbours maybe if they go anywhere else and if its good.

It looks like I am having christmas here.  I'm happy to have the kids and grandkid, but the prep isn't exciting me at all.  The in-laws will land here too.  There are so many food restrictions that it makes ordering in for the 24th impossible.  That also translates to a difficult menu to plan for the 24th and 25th.  No gluten, no dairy, no carrots.  My family doesn't whine about food but the dh, his dad and the bil/sil do. I'm in no mood this year.  They better not test me.

For Shrek fans there is a line in the movie that has always made me laugh (many did) but it was "I'm a donkey on the edge!" I will unleash the dragon.  I'm there.

My savings continue to grow and I'm still adding monthly to a high interest savings account, then I will max out my RRSP and TFSA for this year in Feb 2025.  I moved into some GIC's in the summer, only choosing the 1 year option as they had the highest rate, and I still don't know how long we will live in this house.  Being retired, I won't qualify for a mortgage so cash is available.  But that is the backburner.  I look at houses daily and there isn't any market here for buyers.  I am looking to downsize and want a fantastic kitchen and entertaining area.  No such thing so far!  There is also the option to build.  But finding a lot in nice quiet area like I am now with parks so close comes at a ridiculous premium.  The good thing is I'm not in a rush, so when the time is right I can do it.

Meanwhile I need to continue to purge out closets and cupboards and storage rooms.

The good things:

Smell of a fresh tree

Afternoon naps

Babies that are learning to walk and give kisses

Bags and bags of donations and recycling and garbage are finding their way out!!

Things that suck:

rude people

A Pause and Reset

Retirement hasn't felt like retirement.  Or what I think that it should feel like.  It feels like time off.  That I should still be packing a lunch and getting up with an alarm when Monday comes around.

I wrapped up my final work shift with a long and boring day. I wasn't around the dingbat manager, it fact had zero interaction.  I was back to my previous area and didn't recognize more than a couple of people.  There has been major staff turnover.  Its very different now.  The staffroom is very quiet at lunch with everyone staring at their phones or they have headphones in.  Years ago it was always lively fun conversations.  I enjoyed the lunchroom and looked forward to it. Learning about what everyone was doing, their kids, hobbies, travel, latest recipes, new restaurants etc.  My last day it was cold and quiet.  Those that spoke, did so in tagalog.  Not somewhere that I want to stay or that I miss now gone.  The comradery was gone, the friendliness was gone. It was awful. 

I would like to be out for daily walks.  Nope.  I was waiting for a foot MRI, but have declined. At least I'm not limping as bad as I was!  I don't want to have surgery, so I'm hoping that I will get better on my own.  It is improving daily.

I've had 4 medical appointments this month. (None have been for me!  haha) I am fortunate or maybe they are fortunate that I have the ability/time to get them where they need to go! 3 family members so far and hopefully everyone will be on the mend.

After this last appointment accompaniment for elderly family I needed to extend my care for them to three days. I went back to my parental units. It was something.

I told my DH that I will not return until there is a significant adverse event. It was torturous. Wildly out of touch with the realities of the mothers memory impairment. Mean, vile and hateful towards everyone. EXCEPT still able to put on a fake show of being pleasant when a person stopped by to canvass. Good to see that hasn’t changed since I was a child. I was relieved to come home. 

Me being at home has helped the grocery budget.  The last 2 weeks I have been very diligent about menu/leftovers and we have eaten very well.  I have dietary changes to manage an auto immune rash, it limits eating out for the past year and makes it a necessity to cook at home. 

I've decided that I'm in a time of reset or pause.  I'm going to allow myself to rest, to zone out, or to be involved as much or as little as I want.  The kids are all doing their own thing and I need to find my thing.  I have some stuff planned for next week that could be a major change.  

Today was my first pension payment.  It is just what I thought it would be.  But I also have more No Spend days than other days.  This month so far are 18 no spend days.  Not being able to walk well, certainly curtails the shopping!  Plus I don't need or want anything other than food.  I do plan to purchase a little something for halloween for the grandbaby, but that will be a little toy (maybe).

I prepared for about 75 trick or treaters last night. It was a nice mild day here. The neighbourhood, like me has gotten old! Nice to see the kids and costumes but there were only about 50 kids. Even with quite a few new families that have moved in over the last year. Oh well, lots of treats for dh’s office. None for me as chocolate seems to be a bad food.  

Kid 3 is home for a few days, it changes the quiet house. I will have the whole crew here for food and visit before he leaves. Makes my heart happy to have everyone around the table, also to have the laughter and joy that the baby brings. It’s restorative.  I’m already looking forward to Christmas!

I have a feature on my banking app that tracks money in vs out.  I’m still doing very well.  Saving diligently.  My investments are fluctuating, and the market is unpredictable right now. Just going to ride it out.

The good things:

Babies 

Mild fall 

Things that suck:

The parental units 

US election is clogging the airwaves here 

Feeling in flux 

But here is my tree that provides the best yellow in my yard. Then when the leaves drop, the bark is very pretty.  Year round display!