tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post8743072043756995789..comments2024-03-19T08:35:01.699+00:00Comments on Love my life: What are you waiting for........Meanqueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-27248467087828565352015-05-02T15:47:30.954+01:002015-05-02T15:47:30.954+01:00Today is Sunday here in NZ... I have had a very bu...Today is Sunday here in NZ... I have had a very busy couple of days, I work as a Support worker... mostly supporting the elderly in their own homes. I love my job if it means I can make someones life worth living. Today, being my day off, I will pull some weeds in my garden, boy there are more than a few, I might make a huge pot of chicken stock for the freezer for soups and gravies during the weeks to come, I expect I will be doing some washing .... my washing machine at the moment is outside in the garden plumbed into the cold tap for the hose... covered in a tarp when not in use....we are doing the laundry up. I have finished the painting for that room just waiting for the tiles to go down. And I will spend an inordinate amount of time petting my darling cats...all four of them... all strays and all beautiful, gentle loving boys. I love your posts Ilona, I read all the time, very thoughtful and always interesting. Why wish your life away.... it flies by fast enough at the best of times!!JOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01654932887735045108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-59670023143390937362015-05-02T14:16:44.015+01:002015-05-02T14:16:44.015+01:00Thank you so much for your encouragement. Strange...Thank you so much for your encouragement. Strangely enough there are quite a few of us who are or have been in this boat. I paid ALL of HIS lawyer's bills, notary's bills etc. (and his rent for 11 months) just to get rid of him. Added it to my mortgage but as I said it was worth it just to be shot of him, even though he has more money than me. I think if I can just get round the tiredness I can stick it out for a few more years and retire comfortably at 62. But darn it, like I said, I wish I wasn't a Libran weighing up everything over and over again! Still it's good to know others have made it through. And thanks again for your encouragement. AnnaTreadershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613671137557939083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-34390582145234571342015-05-01T19:50:32.373+01:002015-05-01T19:50:32.373+01:00Hi, Ilona and thank you for saying so.I am amazed ...Hi, Ilona and thank you for saying so.I am amazed that with all that you accomplish you still make time to write and photograph and share and inspire.That's a rare gift.Regards,D.Destemonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-70681828445616825382015-05-01T12:10:04.062+01:002015-05-01T12:10:04.062+01:00A brilliant thought provoking post and yes don'...A brilliant thought provoking post and yes don't ever wish your life away. Have spent the last two days visiting my lovely husband in hospital after he was rushed in with cellulitis. This was a total shock as we are both fit and healthy people. Its all been very stressful but hopefully he'll be home later today. Kristel Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-39112900216772970602015-05-01T10:43:40.155+01:002015-05-01T10:43:40.155+01:00Anna, I have been where you were. It's still ...Anna, I have been where you were. It's still difficult but you will get there in the end. I was more than fair to my ex who handing over half when he had contributed little financially or practically but I didn't want to fight or prolong the agony. I just wanted to move on with life for my children and I and I did. I won't be able to retire until I am well into my 60s but I work less hours these days. I wish you luck making the right decision for you! VChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12326477975870777023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-52724278675132724422015-05-01T10:30:11.009+01:002015-05-01T10:30:11.009+01:00Thanks Ilona and thanks for taking the time to rep...Thanks Ilona and thanks for taking the time to reply! Hope you have sunshine today like us xVChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12326477975870777023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-20493214835273973262015-05-01T09:35:31.059+01:002015-05-01T09:35:31.059+01:00My next 24 hours - well I am late reading so next ...My next 24 hours - well I am late reading so next 12 hours will finishing off my LAST assignment of the year (Open University). This is 50% of my overall marks so it is important and want it to be the best I can do. Once its done it will be a weight off my shoulders and can concentrate on other things I have neglected. Debbie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-66159230622617526242015-05-01T08:08:24.848+01:002015-05-01T08:08:24.848+01:00Great post! Made me thinking... how many things I ...Great post! Made me thinking... how many things I take for granted... <br />Have a beautiful, colourful May 1st!HelenDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345843141187637525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-11857486863536480942015-05-01T00:35:00.025+01:002015-05-01T00:35:00.025+01:00I will spend most of the day with my 90-year-old m...I will spend most of the day with my 90-year-old mom who has very poor eyesight but is otherwise healthy and still lives in her own home. We will do mundane things like grocery shopping, the home improvement store and the drugstore, but we will just enjoy being together. I'll help her around the house and she'll probably make lunch.<br /><br />At home I'll do some reading of a library book (a memoir) and practice my French using an online app.<br /><br />And of course I'll cuddle my sweet cat.Barbara M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06438114347870523265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-48487526437077827362015-04-30T23:40:19.791+01:002015-04-30T23:40:19.791+01:00You always write a lot of sense, Destemona, I like...You always write a lot of sense, Destemona, I like reading your comments.Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-50080083978262791232015-04-30T23:39:11.626+01:002015-04-30T23:39:11.626+01:00Hi Sarina. Sounds like you have a busy weekend ahe...Hi Sarina. Sounds like you have a busy weekend ahead with your friends and family. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-77725495655615474112015-04-30T23:36:40.854+01:002015-04-30T23:36:40.854+01:00Hello Anna. Your comment made me smile. It sounds...Hello Anna. Your comment made me smile. It sounds like you are working things out. My mortgage was supposed to run till I was 73, but I managed to save up and pay it off early, even on a pension. I didn't have to take a leap, it was like me jumping for joy, YAY, I'M FREE. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-57198919145653707222015-04-30T23:31:46.386+01:002015-04-30T23:31:46.386+01:00Hey, don't shower me with pips, ha ha. Good lu...Hey, don't shower me with pips, ha ha. Good luck with the chemo. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-88788693427079689122015-04-30T23:29:00.658+01:002015-04-30T23:29:00.658+01:00Hi Linda, It's good to have a plan, but good t...Hi Linda, It's good to have a plan, but good to get on with other things as well. My sister writes, so I know how long it takes to get a book to the publishing stage. I hope your move goes well. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-4085941878012931532015-04-30T23:26:05.728+01:002015-04-30T23:26:05.728+01:00Sounds like you have it all sorted VC, good on you...Sounds like you have it all sorted VC, good on you. Enjoy your lunch tomorrow. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-63939541911809460282015-04-30T23:23:50.566+01:002015-04-30T23:23:50.566+01:00I imagine Grandma duties could be very hectic. I imagine Grandma duties could be very hectic. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-53680382973678595912015-04-30T23:22:44.985+01:002015-04-30T23:22:44.985+01:00Hi Sue, I know you are busy by reading your excell...Hi Sue, I know you are busy by reading your excellent blog, Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-49728539906585464722015-04-30T23:21:08.127+01:002015-04-30T23:21:08.127+01:00Blimey, there's not much time left for you to ...Blimey, there's not much time left for you to slob about after your busy schedule. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-7484567712129684792015-04-30T23:19:42.146+01:002015-04-30T23:19:42.146+01:00So true Pam. There's plenty of fun to be had, ...So true Pam. There's plenty of fun to be had, it's easy to find if you look. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-49690012021804611492015-04-30T23:18:19.570+01:002015-04-30T23:18:19.570+01:00Your husband is gorgeous, I'm not surprised th...Your husband is gorgeous, I'm not surprised that you look forward to the weekends. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-89110384003539485532015-04-30T22:54:45.786+01:002015-04-30T22:54:45.786+01:00With the bankholiday coming up I will be busy hous...With the bankholiday coming up I will be busy house cleaning as we`re going to have visitors. Then I shall give my friend and neighbour a hand in running her lawnmower across her garden (as she has ill health and isn`t physically up to this). Then I shall prepare a nice soup for Saturday lunch (to share with our visitor) and DB is going to make his famous Lamb and cabbage Curry for Saturday dinner (prepared a day in advance to enhance the flavours). Not sure how I spend the rest of tomorrow yet, but there is always a spot of plant potting on I have to catch up on as well. Our visitor is with us until Sunday eve. And then we shall have little Alyssa with us on Monday. Hoping for some much needed warm weather as we had a BBQ planned for that day. If it`s a wet day we shall grill food indoors and still enjoy ourselves. Back to work on Tuesday, when DB is travelling to Cambridgeshire to see his other granddaughter. He`ll be gone then for a week and I shall have plenty to occupy my time until his return. I have my time mapped out but will also take a minute or two to reflect now and again, enjoying a cuppa and some<br />me-time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09114653674812242486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-40612882284615022652015-04-30T22:44:36.479+01:002015-04-30T22:44:36.479+01:00Hello,such a thoughtful post today.As you do,I cho...Hello,such a thoughtful post today.As you do,I choose to live in the moment and not project too far ahead.I totally agree that time moves far too quickly as we are older.I'm like other commenters, grateful for every day,even the mundane in life.It's very important to me to live consciously and not get caught up in the madness.Some of my days are a whirlwind, some are very peaceful and contemplative,some busy busy busy,some balanced and content, some moody and off,all of it embraced by me;whatever turn they might take. Life is beautiful and I love living.It's very simple for me when I remember that every day.As for future dreams and plans and somedays, they may or may not come, but I will never ever blank out the in between.Bye for now, D.Destemonanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-54428876907472900792015-04-30T21:55:44.600+01:002015-04-30T21:55:44.600+01:00No, you shouldn't be wishing your life away as...No, you shouldn't be wishing your life away as you never know what's around the corner.<br /><br />Joan (Wales)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-42553021063997499612015-04-30T20:58:11.877+01:002015-04-30T20:58:11.877+01:00today is my last day of working before the long we...today is my last day of working before the long weekend. we are packed ready to drive over to Clitheroe for a cycle touring festival. Not the Tour of Yorkshire - we will be in Lanchashire. Really looking forward to it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-32297462384555395442015-04-30T19:19:31.165+01:002015-04-30T19:19:31.165+01:00Goodness Ilona, what a timely post this is. I wil...Goodness Ilona, what a timely post this is. I will be 57 in September and technically can take early retirement. However, I got divorced after my husband left me after 26 years of marriage. I am not at all sad about that as I couldn't stand him at the end and was glad he left, BUT buying him out of the house to keep my kids in their home meant a new mortgage for me at age 53. I love my home and its location and am happy in my little village so there is no question of my moving. However, I spend 90 minutes morning AND night getting to and from work and while I read on the bus both ways I have to admit I am tired. SOOOOO I have been doing my sums and could comfortably work 80%. I have looked at my pension between the ages of 57 and 65, both at 100% and 80%, and looking at what it would do to my pension to take a lump sum to pay off my mortgage and you know what, it is doable! If I stay at 100% I can have it paid off at 62. If I go 80% I could still go at 62 but with a much reduced pension. However, since losing my other half I have complete control of my own money (he spent us into terrible debt and in France I was responsible for it as his spouse), BUT I know I can do this. My big thing is taking the leap. If I do it will be from October this year but ..... oh man, I wish I wasn't a Libran!! AnnaTreadershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613671137557939083noreply@blogger.com