March 24, 2026 Ch-ch-ch-Changes

How I wished for a day when I could post an entry full of energy, hope, and some raw humor. Instead I find myself trying to process so many life adjustments.

My tolerance for the Facebook feed has reached its peak. I'm not running and hiding this time, rather adjusting to simply checking on the Friends feed to acknowledge birthdays, followed by a quick perusal of recent events. The political climate is so bizarre, it's almost impossible to remain honestly informed, plus the vitriol is rankling.  So, we watch just enough news to stay in the loop of current developments, then focus on sports or movies...or, my favorite, shutting off the TV, or reading a book in lieu of doom scrolling.

The shop shut-down is still progressing, with a lot of editing.. The panic jobs are still coming, which does not bode well for a clean break. As I've shared before, the biggest frustration has been those who feel they are, and always will be, an exception. I'm giving up my unofficial role as shop bouncer; Randy is going to have to toughen up and mean no when he says no. It's more his nature to capitulate. There will, I'm sure, be those little things that still trickle in and that's okay. We have hired contractors to reside the building and replace a couple of windows, so it will be a busy place for a while.

I renewed my CPhT license for the last time when it came due, but have not done any continuing education.  At Randy's request, I won't renew it again when it comes up in February. I kept It this long as a "just in case" reassurance that if I needed a job, I could get one. My wheelhouse was compounding, a narrow skill that isn't likely to come in as useful anymore. There are no labs close enough, and now my age is not in my favor.

The most recent event is my status as a respite care provider. As I was hired as a client-specific provider, it's been decided that I'm no longer needed. I'm trying to look at it in a positive way, but it's always been a flaw of mine that it's hard to be found irrelevant. You would think I'd be used to that by now.

I hate the idea of begging for my kids' attention, but it's come to the point where that's how I feel at times. I've decided to revel in the fact that they are all independent adults with lives of their own. The last thing either of us wants is to be a burden.

So, here we are; navigating what has turned out to be a real challenge, instead of a peaceful, joyful transition into full retirement.  No worries, though. We know how to adjust the sails. 

Continued prayers for our country, and all the resulting victims, domestic and foreign. ☘





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