Countdown to Freedom

gallygirl

I experienced the same with my friend who died last year - a real appreciation if what mattered. However old habits died hard and she still enjoyed bringing out a handful of coupons when we went shopping .

Her illness and subsequent death affected so many people (and still does). Some thought 'stuff it, spend now, life's too short', others like myself (and I know the Tilly household feel the same) thought 'stuff it, life's too short to keep working so get out of the rat race asap'.

Hope your friend continues to get enjoyment from life for a long time to come.
GG x

Karmacat

Very powerful! It hit me for the first time *personally* when my brother in law died, at age 51. And again two years ago, when Taxi on here died - I'd only met her in person once, but been with her every step of the way for a long time.

I'm re-assessing my life big time - I never really stepped back and thought things through until about 5 years ago, when I *needed* to downsize because of the arthritis and the financial problems. Partly because I always felt like a big kid ... I was a bit late reassessing, and its taking a long time, but better late than never.

So now, as I make plans for the future, I ask myself about the basics. What is important to me? Who is important to me? What do I really want my life to be like? What do I love doing? Will this help me or hinder me? Will it affect my health? Will it be positive for me?

And one of the most liberating things is very odd. Its liberating because I've always felt "dutiful" (though I'm sure I didn't look very dutiful at all, a lot of the time!) Its this: in 100 years, it won't matter! I love that To me, it means exactly what you ended your post with, Tilly: this isn't a dress rehearsal!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Afternoon, looks more like early evening from where I'm sitting. We are just about to wrap up warm and take the dogs out.

Really good day so far - any PMs re menu plans have been actioned

Mr T is pizza making and I'm going to make some lime rice pudding - my mum gave me a bag of pudding rice and I'm working my way through it.

Payday next week :j - I am keeping enough for a Go Pro and sending the rest of Future.

The hounds have had a good brush today - they stand so beautifully and then try to turn round to get me to start again when I'm finished. Beautiful hounds.

Right, I'd better get my trainers and coat on.

Garden is mostly put to bed for winter - a very sad time

However, nearly Christmas and then it will be Spring in no time.

Best wishes, Tilly x x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Karmacat, we had a truly lovely time and have made tons of plans for the next few weeks. It is so sad to think that there's only one way this will end - but really, that is the same for us all, just a different timescale *hopefully*

Hope you are having a good weekend with quality time to tackle the financial stuff.

Best wishes, Tilly x x

HelenDaveKids

Must admit to having a similar epiphany in January when I first had my heart virus, literally going from running 10 mile to struggling with the stairs overnight and the huge fear that this was it. Makes you change your view point.

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Did anyone else read the interview with Helen Mirren? She said she wished she had told more people to F off if they tried to steal her time when she was younger. I don't like to swear but a polite refusal will be much more forthcoming from me in the future.

smallholdingsister

Ugh! Time thieves. We had a presentation at work from a new, temporary SMT member who said at the end
"And I've only gone one minute over time" as though she expected a round of applause.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning Squirrel, I read the HM interview and completely agree. This growing up malarkey has so many phases and I must admit, I love the phase I'm in now.

Helen, it must have been really frightening - the way you have pushed through it and started running again is inspirational.

Best wishes Tilly x x

Karmacat

I've definitely had to think much more about what's right for me ... growing up malarkey indeed, thats exactly right!

greent

Sorry to hear about your friend, Tilly xx