Breaking Through, Travelling On

Karmacat

I really liked greent's review of 2017, so I nicked the headings, altered them as necessary, and applied to my own life:


Make memories.
I felt strongly about this even at the beginning of the year, having retired in August 2016 and being submerged in illness and probate resolution. I didn't feel well enough to do much, but I tried to go out once or hopefully twice a week – even something local was better than nothing. National Trust properties, exhibitions at the British Museum, another trip to Norfolk, the Antiques Roadshow, catsitting in London, meeting up with a few old friends one by one.
Much more to be done next year (see “holidays” below!).
Carrying on reconnecting with old friends.
Make new friends, especially locally.
Our little board games group - we're all retired now!
Rejoin the local writing group?

Creativity
I wanted to do lots of writing around one blog, and lots of design work around another, and I haven't done either of those things. I've missed it. A second edition of my original kindle book is needed, a new kindle is nearly ready, I can do a novel. There are a couple of options for another factual one.

Holidays
We need to go to Norfolk again, and maybe to Sheffield, which is where the other “Norfolk” rellie lives.
A UK holiday for all three of us might be to Hadrian's Wall, which my sister has a yen to see.
I'm getting great feedback about cruises, not just from Goldie Girl on here and sharing a cabin with my sister would cut costs significantly. It's much more mainstream than holidays I'd have chosen, but to not get stuck in one place, and have lots of facilities on our doorstep, is really important. A nice re-introduction, and hopefully I'd have other types of holiday as well.

Jobs which need doing around the house
Everyone has this list, don't they? I've just finished with the builders, and those jobs were quite big, actually. Successful, though.
I succeeded in rejigging the house from a therapist's, to one that belongs to a retired lady! Got rid of a load of stuff, not just work stuff, so there's more space, and more ability to integrate things that belonged to my mum, including quite a few pieces from her craft stash.
Next year: replastering in the hall, repairs to the hard standing outside, some electrical work on the ground floor. Lots of other bits that are really little.

Garden
I wanted to have all the branches from the hedges burned and decomposing gently on the empty ground over the winter, to ready for next year, but it just wasn't a priority. I'll try to get that done though, on good winter days.
I want, I want, I want, to have lots of perennial edible plants in the garden. I have some – a dozen or so, actually, but I want lots more. My kale seeds, which I planted late, started growing but were eaten by slugs I need to get the garden clearer, give slugs etc less shelter, and get growing. Might even have a financial effect
Frences need weatherproofing.


Health
Slowly getting better – I've recently had the sense that my current issue isn't chronic fatigue, it's about getting enough sleep. I don't so there's a balance I'm continually tinkering with between fresh air, nutrition, exercise, being tired enough to sleep properly, getting social needs met (I don't, not yet). Getting better at it, though, and I'm using this time to get the basics in place, so I can spread my wings next year.
I need stamina and strength – just enough to have a day out in London for instance. But when I do manage to do something, I blank out for a few days afterwards.
Healthy walks run by the local council. Dance classes, by the end of next year?


Finances.
Pensions
I haven't done anything – luckily, the Stock Market hasn't collapsed, but I really do need to safeguard it, simply because I don't earn money any more.
Online Sales
I meant to do lots. I haven't done anything. I've kept some items back from the charity shop, things that will probably net £5 or more. We'll see.
Change current account
HSBC have irritated me with their crazy fraud software for the last time. When my Regular Saver terminates, I'm moving – it's a lot easier without clients to explain to.
Insurance
I just renewed last year, it was less than a month after the funeral, and I just wasn't up for anything too taxing. But I really need to find a cheaper alternative, and I need to get quotes for insurance of all this jewellery I now have
Accounts
Well, I got last year's accounts out, but I'm still left with the subsequent year's accounts to do: 2016/17 in the UK, and 2017 in France. I don't know if I'll need to do UK accounts after this year – I might have to, even though I've no UK earnings, because of the French apartment.
French accountant
I have the possibility of shifting accountant, people have got a computer programme going for leaseback properties like mine. Do I take the risk of moving? I'll have to decide really soon.
Tackle French mortgage.
I can't overpay, but the monthly repayments are huge, so I accepted it long ago. The mortgage ends in September next year! About 630 euros a month goes to capital repayment, and the interest rate is 0.95% p.a.
Ability to sell the French apartment?
If I could sell it without penalty (huge VAT payment) I'd love to get rid of it now. I don't care too much what I'd get for it, even. It would just be wonderful to not worry about that any more.


“Counting Blessings”, says greent.
I used to do that all the time. This year has felt short on blessings, to be honest – dealing with my mum's death, Norfolk rellie's terminal diagnosis, my own chronic illness. But there've been good things too: the catsitting was great, a new baby arrived, the two recent marriages are going well.
Next year will be more settled in the basics, so that everyday events feel more fun, and there'll be lots more opportunity for fun one-offs.

beanielou

Thank you for sharing

SuperSecretSquirrel

Great review and planning for the near future KC

smallholdingsister

A great review and real progress made. X

themadvix

Great plans for next year! And I like your review of this year - I might have to borrow that.

Wise move on the paint - we've recently learnt that quality means a lot when it comes to painting and fewer coats needed can only be a good thing.

Go you with the fridge!!

Karmacat

Thank you all (and madvix, thanks for the feedback of your own experience with paint, that's helpful). It was organic to do the review right now, I hadn't planned it, it just felt right. And really, really useful.

Today, I've focussed on two things so far: taking down the voile that I had up on the porch windows (more complicated than it sounds!) and getting the Asda order into the house, and the mucky bits properly cleaned. I'm going to try to iron the stored curtains and get them up before the light goes.

Still no Christmas presents bought for the people I'm seeing on The Day ... I'm supposed to wait a little longer to see whether the classic "what would you like" query is going to ever yield any results. I'm not shopping on Saturday! So not long to go

Suffolk_lass

Just had a bit of a catch up on your diary and I'm loving the year in review, and plans for next year. I might copy that between now and New Year!

gallygirl

Karmacat wrote: »

Instead ordered more sponges and washing up dishes

Swapping paint for cake can only be a good thing in my opinion

Karmacat wrote: »

I'm getting great feedback about cruises, not just from Goldie Girl on here and sharing a cabin with my sister would cut costs significantly. It's much more mainstream than holidays I'd have chosen, but to not get stuck in one place, and have lots of facilities on our doorstep, is really important.
Health
Slowly getting better – I've recently had the sense that my current issue isn't chronic fatigue, it's about getting enough sleep. I don't so there's a balance I'm continually tinkering with between fresh air, nutrition, exercise, being tired enough to sleep properly, getting social needs met (I don't, not yet). Getting better at it, though, and I'm using this time to get the basics in place, so I can spread my wings next year.
I need stamina and strength – just enough to have a day out in London for instance. But when I do manage to do something, I blank out for a few days afterwards.
Healthy walks run by the local council. Dance classes, by the end of next year?

A great review KC, I may copy it as well, even if I don't post it .

A cruise sounds good for you - lots of diversion without you having to make the effort to actually travel from place to place :rotfl:. Having had the privilege to meet you, I can see you really enjoying something like a Rhine cruise or one on French waterways. Always something to look at as you're travelling and more conducive for meeting new people than the large anonymous ships. The Baltic cruises look lovely as well, I've been looking at Pullmanturs - a Spanish company who do the same as the big companies but on slightly smaller boats.

I've also highlighted the exercise as it occurred to me that Pilates or maybe yoga might suit you? One of my Pilates teachers does Chair Pilates which is ideal for people with less stamina - you can do most exercises seated or standing so select which is best. Have just found this video on the NHS website which you can do at home so a win win :T. Although I have a feeling I might have mentioned this before?

Have a wonderful end of the year and here's to 2018 :beer:.

themadvix

I'm with Gally - I'm not sure about a big swanky boat but the Viking River Cruise ads always look SO appealing!

Re presents, if they've not got back to you yet, I'd just get something and be done with it! The shops will be chaos now and it's too late for online!

Karmacat

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

Just had a bit of a catch up on your diary and I'm loving the year in review, and plans for next year. I might copy that between now and New Year!

Thanks for that It does seem really positive to take a bit of time to think about the immediate past and the immediate future, and see how they fit into long term aims.

gallygirl wrote: »

Swapping paint for cake can only be a good thing in my opinion

:j

A great review KC, I may copy it as well, even if I don't post it .

Go for it, Gally, you *know* it makes sense

A cruise sounds good for you - lots of diversion without you having to make the effort to actually travel from place to place :rotfl:. Having had the privilege to meet you, I can see you really enjoying something like a Rhine cruise or one on French waterways. Always something to look at as you're travelling and more conducive for meeting new people than the large anonymous ships. The Baltic cruises look lovely as well, I've been looking at Pullmanturs - a Spanish company who do the same as the big companies but on slightly smaller boats.

Aww, thank you! And yep, the thing about travelling while not moving really suits the level of my energy right now.

I've also highlighted the exercise as it occurred to me that Pilates or maybe yoga might suit you? One of my Pilates teachers does Chair Pilates which is ideal for people with less stamina - you can do most exercises seated or standing so select which is best. Have just found this video on the NHS website which you can do at home so a win win :T. Although I have a feeling I might have mentioned this before?

Not sure if I'd even take any classes, not at my current level of health, anyway, but maybe by next year, it would be okay. And oh god, chair exercises, really? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Chairobics? I can get down to the floor, I promise :cool: Ah, but you're referencing the stamina? Yep, that's true I'd need it for that

Have a wonderful end of the year and here's to 2018 :beer:.

Thank you! And the same to you: Health, Wealth and Happiness

themadvix wrote: »

I'm with Gally - I'm not sure about a big swanky boat but the Viking River Cruise ads always look SO appealing!

Re presents, if they've not got back to you yet, I'd just get something and be done with it! The shops will be chaos now and it's too late for online!

The weirdness of those huuuuge ships would be appealing to me in terms of being an anthropologst and watching the madness that may ensue though I'd want to know about quiet spaces if I did agree. My sister has the same tastes as me, more or less, so there won't be a problem between us, whatever we do

I'm with you on the presents! They'll get what they're given, and be happy about it. To be fair, that's what they're like. And I've always been Cool Auntie, to all of them