The Piano Diary

glass_half_full

Dear diary and all,

I like to have a yearly wall planner in my home office. With just a couple of weeks of the year left I ordered the new one for 2026 and put it up. Its quite a nice feeling seeing next year completely empty like there is a world of possibility, a blank page to write on. If all goes to plan it will be a significant year and I have put a big star on 31st of August which is when I plan to go on sabbatical (as I am calling it) and another star at the end of May which is when I will hand in my notice. I have done the last few face to face sessions this week and next week is much quieter and then we break up with last day being 19th December. We are going away tomorrow to see some friends who are parents of DS’s friends who we have got to know quite well so looking forward to that.

Sunshine_girl2

Love the idea of the wall planner with the big star on it . It will be here before you know it . Glad to hear DS is having such a great time on board . 

Have you and your wife any plans for your retirements yet ? Big holiday , taking up a new hobby etc . 

glass_half_full

Sunshine_girl2 said:

Love the idea of the wall planner with the big star on it . It will be here before you know it . Glad to hear DS is having such a great time on board . 

Have you and your wife any plans for your retirements yet ? Big holiday , taking up a new hobby etc . 

Hi @Sunshine_girl2, yes we have a few plans. If DS continues with his cruise life then we will see if we can join him on one of them. His first one finishes in around July next year, so perhaps in the Autumn of next year we will book on his next one. He did mention that there may be a staff discount , I guess it depends where it is going. Hobbies wise I am quite into a few things including piano and I have a weekly lesson. I may increase the practice and who knows maybe get a new upright piano at some point. OH and I are discussing various ideas. She is really committed to animal welfare and will probably get more involved in volunteering in that area. To be honest, for the first year I will be happy to step back for a bit. 

Today we both had a day off to do some of the Christmas shopping and preparation. We also went shopping for a new gas fire to replace the one in the living room. We have ordered one and it will be delivered some time early in the new year.

debtfreewannabe321

How exciting is that, that you can see your retirement date on the new wall planner without having to turn many pages to get there. So many possibilities and soon to be, so much time to do them 😃.

AgathaSquirrel

Piano lessons… that’s on my wish list. I bought myself a digital piano a few years ago but haven’t really progressed. One day…

glass_half_full

debtfreewannabe321 said:

How exciting is that, that you can see your retirement date on the new wall planner without having to turn many pages to get there. So many possibilities and soon to be, so much time to do them 😃.

Thanks @debtfreewannabe321, yes, its starting to feel real!

AgathaSquirrel said:

Piano lessons… that’s on my wish list. I bought myself a digital piano a few years ago but haven’t really progressed. One day…

@AgathaSquirrel why not give it a go? You could get a trial lesson . I found I couldn't knuckle down to it until I started to get lessons, they provide me with some structure and motivation. 

AgathaSquirrel

Money… I can’t really justify the expense at the moment but I think you’re right, it’s a plan for the future.

savingholmes

Sounds like you are juggling things well. Love the idea of a 'blank page to write on' in terms of next year. So much adventure and possibility around the corner.

glass_half_full

Dear diary and all,

We are almost ready. A large grocery shop delivery yesterday evening which was over £200 which will see us to the New Year. Then today I went to get drinks both soft and alcoholic and spent another £80 which included £15 of savings which was good. Everywhere is a bit frenetic today.

We are only a small family which will be myself, OH and DS and FIL on Christmas Day. Hopefully we have everything in and can relax for a few days. We are not sure exactly when DS is arriving. We think he mentioned Christmas Eve some time ago. Flights from the US seem to arrive in the morning so perhaps it will be the morning of Christmas Eve. Presents have been bought. We haven’t gone too crazy and we have kept things to a reasonable level. Looking forward to unplugging for a few days.

debtfreewannabe321

Have a good Christmas break @glass_half_full I'm eagerly awaiting my DS arrival too..he's coming from a German Christmas market and will arrive here Christmas eve too! 😃♥️🎄🎁