Keeping on, Keeping On

Yesterday I accidentally spilled a large amount of liquid into my file box that I never keep covered. Today I have a new file box, pretty file folders,  and hanging folders. I also have lots of wet paper spread out to dry (as many folders as I can empty at one time). I think close to half (maybe only a third?) of the stuff will go or be shredded eventually anyway. Do I need my taxes from 2000? And what about all the giant file folder of papers I have from every single family medical visit from that time (in Europe we were "pay patients" who got reimbursed).

The good news is that this is forcing me to downsize the paper elephant, the bad news is that I may not get to my sewing table this week!

Other than that I have mainly been enjoying my break. I wanted to see how much of the social media tiger and online presence I could (or wanted to) elminate. The short answer is that I don't really need Facebook itself or Twitter or even Next Door as that platform has turned every discussion into an "All lives matter" or "Mask yes, mask no" discussion platform. On the other hand, I stepped into a few "interest groups" on the other side of Facebook that have kept me involved with and chatting about knitting, frugality, quilting, minimlaism and travel. I have even met some locals, although I obviously can't meet them in person. I've avoided the news except for a quick am or pm perusal, while concentrating and being vocal on certain current issues. In other words, I've eliminated stuff that was useless or stressful-but online communication is also helping my sanity a tad these days.

I have spent some time on future plans and the budget side of life. I finally got my "packet" to officially reserve my apartment since offices are open again (I'm not concerned that this is just happening now as I realize that every part of life is go with the flow for the next year and dependent on so many things), so I'm tentatively working on three to six months out. And I've redone the budget to include moving and expenses (deserving of more than one post) as well as the new, at home life.

The big reason I took  break was that I also needed some time to "unstagnate" myself. Looking at what is happening round the Covid sphere, I am pretty much staying where I am in the near future, and even further along. While Colorado is not Arizona, Texas (what a mess, and this is my future) or Florida, our rates are rising.  I'm not yet comfortable eating in a restaurant, walking in the therapy pool, church will not be in person any time soon, and none of my groups are meeting, even social distance wise. I doubt that I will be driving to Texas for just a trip, especially now.  While I am not one who is easily bored, I am usually used to conversing with folks outside of home on a fairly regular basis-and in person.

My brother is the happiest person at home I have known in my entire life, and I've thought about writing how he stays that way more than once on this blog (he has worked at home for years). He can stay home (granted they also have a large yard) for weeks with the exception of a quick grocery store run for a special ingredient or  Saturday concert with my sister in law who still works outside of the house. They stopped by the other day and while we were socially distancing, we both agreed.  It's the knowledge that we can't go anywhere that bothers us more than anything else.  Not the lack of things to do, as such. And the lack of people outside of the house to have a conversation with (like me, he zooms on occasion but it's not his favorite way to communicate and it ain't the same)

So it was/is time to change things up. Within my bubble. Which I've started on, and I'll write more about later. I do expect to be back blogging sooner rather than later, maybe as soon as this week-but with one short blog and one longer one. And maybe some weeks none, depending. With more about frugality and life as it is these days.

As part of my revamping, my sister suggested I make a bucket list. One that had at least as many things on it as days between now and Labor Day (not that a specific day necessrily changes things for us retirees, mind you). Little things, big things, something to do every day. I had barely started on that when the topic of Camp Quarantine came up, a band wagon which I will probably jump on and join in.

So far my list in progress includes the things below. Note: I spent ten years as a family day care provider and many more years than that as a coordinator for kids and teens programs at a health club consortium-summer camp, kids parties, youth karate, school break programs and all that. So I tend to start off with all kind of theme ideas that then need to hit reality, ya know? I'm not as obsessive as the working list may sound as it grows.

• Paint Rocks and then hide them in plain sight and share them on our community page
• Go to a car concert (we have summer concerts where you drive into a large parking lot or field and the grouos perform and you sit in your car)
• Maybe go to a drive in if the move isn't totally cheesy (about a half an hour drive)
• Have a real at home movie night with one of the new releases you pay for and have popcorn and candy and beer
• try and do a virtual escape game
• Once a week drive to a nice park (it's Colorado, there are big parks everywhere), take my food and a book and walk if it is not crowded.

to be continued.........on the tab above