Thanks to a couple of friends I met on the web - I have found a little Casita to rent in Ajijic - hope to post some pics soon. It is on the gounds of a large home owned by a woman - recently divorced - it is one bedroom - gated parking for the car, large grounds for my little CK to run around in, completely furnished, it sounds perfect. It is about 5 minutes drive to the village and has a HEATED POOL - sounds like a winner to me. The owner has agreeded to hold it until I arrive in October. OMG I love the internet.
I am taking a total leap of faith here - I don't know this woman - she would be a serial killer for all I know, she could take my deposit money and fund some drug cartel - but.......hold nose and JUMP.
Leaving in exactly 1 month....let the countdown begin
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Friends and other Things We Leave Behind
I have never been a very social animal - I don't have a wide range of friends; I'm sort of a recluse. I don't 'cultivate' friends; I'm terrible about remembering birthdays, going to class reunions, attending weddings, cooing over baby pictures, showing up for showers, volunteering to feed the neighbors dogs, or watering their plants. It's not that I don't have the time or energy - I just don't make the effort. Consequently, my circle of friends has become very small.
When I move to Mexico I want to turn over a new leaf. I want to isolate less, socialize more, walk neighbors dogs and water their plants. I want to be the person they can depend on to bring a killer casserole to a pot-luck diner or help them with jump the dead battery on their car. I want to be the neighborhood gossip and the go-to person for picking out new drapes.
Retirement Isolation is a very seductive state - you can take naps, listen to books on your MP3 player, mentally balance your checking account, and day-dream. Socializing requries you to actually be present, not something I'm comfortable with.
I want to work at finding a balance.
When I move to Mexico I want to turn over a new leaf. I want to isolate less, socialize more, walk neighbors dogs and water their plants. I want to be the person they can depend on to bring a killer casserole to a pot-luck diner or help them with jump the dead battery on their car. I want to be the neighborhood gossip and the go-to person for picking out new drapes.
Retirement Isolation is a very seductive state - you can take naps, listen to books on your MP3 player, mentally balance your checking account, and day-dream. Socializing requries you to actually be present, not something I'm comfortable with.
I want to work at finding a balance.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Head Packing
I'm counting the days until I leave - September 25th - I'm starting to pack in my head - sheets, medication, fan, dog food...where is his leash? I've read countless blogs about what to bring and what to leave...I keep forgetting it will probably be a lot cooler there especially in the evenings. I need a jacket - don't really own one - time to do some thrift store shopping.
I have this obsession with my sheets - everyone in Mexico says to bring them from the States - I've already bought a new set to take along. The person I'm staying with until I find my own place is asking me to bring down some new linens for her new house - seems Mexican sheets are all polyester....makes me itch and sweat just thinking about it.
I have this obsession with my sheets - everyone in Mexico says to bring them from the States - I've already bought a new set to take along. The person I'm staying with until I find my own place is asking me to bring down some new linens for her new house - seems Mexican sheets are all polyester....makes me itch and sweat just thinking about it.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Officially
I am officially retiring on 8/31 - which is a Saturday. I have spent my entire working life planning in 4-day intervals. Take off Friday and Monday so I can go to the lake house for a couple of days - take off Friday and Monday so I can go see my kid in Chicago, have day surgery, go to Dallas and buy a new car...everything in 4-days.
For the first time in my life - I'm thinking in terms of MONTHS - not days. Going to Mexico for 2 MONTHS, going to help my kid out when she moves for a MONTH, going to the lake for a MONTH...OMG - 30 days in a row.
I could work for another 14 Months and increase my retirement check/social security check/savings accounts - but having more than 4 days off in a row - is so intoxicating.
For the first time in my life - I'm thinking in terms of MONTHS - not days. Going to Mexico for 2 MONTHS, going to help my kid out when she moves for a MONTH, going to the lake for a MONTH...OMG - 30 days in a row.
I could work for another 14 Months and increase my retirement check/social security check/savings accounts - but having more than 4 days off in a row - is so intoxicating.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Letting It Go
I sold my favorite toy this weekend - my 1996 Honda Elite Scooter. I bought it a year ago to haul on the back of my RV so I could have some kind of transportation when I camp. She was a beauty - kinda beat up - a little worse for wear - but never failed to start. But I got a fair price for her - so here's to Letting Go of Stuff and paying off debt.
I am trying to become 'debt free' - except for the house - before the end of the year. I will be living on about 75% of my salary so I need to get rid of as many monthly obligations as I can. So far, I have eliminated all my credit card debt - but my car and my house payment still remain a worry.
Next toy up for elimnation is my 1992 29' Class C RV...bye bye toy - hello freedom.
I am trying to become 'debt free' - except for the house - before the end of the year. I will be living on about 75% of my salary so I need to get rid of as many monthly obligations as I can. So far, I have eliminated all my credit card debt - but my car and my house payment still remain a worry.
Next toy up for elimnation is my 1992 29' Class C RV...bye bye toy - hello freedom.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Selling Stuff
As I progress thru this 'winding down' process - I'm beginning to look at all my possessions and put a price tag on them. $700 for my scooter, $3000 for my RV, all of which translates into time I don’t have to work.
I have a real love/hate relationship with STUFF. I love shopping for it, researching it, comparing it, experimenting with it, negotiating the price, and then possessing it - for a brief time. There are very few of my possessions that I maintain any kind of loyalty to over the long-haul. My STUFF is a brief distraction. Had I not owned half of my distraction STUFF – I would be a whole lot better off financially.
As I sell STUFF, family members and friends often say "I thought you loved that _________!" "How can you sell it?" The truth is, I did love it, but once I own it, I'm over it. So now, I’m trying a new way of possessing STUFF – second-hand only. If I can find it at a garage sale or thrift store – I can buy it – if not…..too bad.
What a strange society we live in. You are judged by two things: physical appearance and how much STUFF you own. When I talk to people who already live in Mexico, they always comment on how much further their money goes because there are fewer opportunities to buy STUFF. I hope that is true – but how am I going to fill my time?
I have a real love/hate relationship with STUFF. I love shopping for it, researching it, comparing it, experimenting with it, negotiating the price, and then possessing it - for a brief time. There are very few of my possessions that I maintain any kind of loyalty to over the long-haul. My STUFF is a brief distraction. Had I not owned half of my distraction STUFF – I would be a whole lot better off financially.
As I sell STUFF, family members and friends often say "I thought you loved that _________!" "How can you sell it?" The truth is, I did love it, but once I own it, I'm over it. So now, I’m trying a new way of possessing STUFF – second-hand only. If I can find it at a garage sale or thrift store – I can buy it – if not…..too bad.
What a strange society we live in. You are judged by two things: physical appearance and how much STUFF you own. When I talk to people who already live in Mexico, they always comment on how much further their money goes because there are fewer opportunities to buy STUFF. I hope that is true – but how am I going to fill my time?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
It's Official
I will turn 63 in October - "if I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd taken better care of myself" - whatever.
I have officially signed up for SOCIAL SECURITY - what a hoot - who'da thunk it. And starting in October, they (SSA) are going to send me money every month - what a concept! I am also meeting with my retirement specialist to complete all the paper work and THEY will start sending me money. This is so foreign to me - THEY are going to actually PAY me for doing NOTHING. This Retirement thing is sweet; now if I can just learn to live of 1/2 of my salary for the rest of my life - I'll have it made.
I heard from a friend who is also driving to Ajijic in September - we are going to try and match up our departure dates so we can caravan. I'm looking forward to getting on the road....I have already started plotting out the route and what I'm taking. One thing for sure - I'm loading up my MP3 player with books and NPR interviews I've missed. I love audio books - I've spent a fortune on Audible - but I have enjoyed every single book I've purchased.
I have officially signed up for SOCIAL SECURITY - what a hoot - who'da thunk it. And starting in October, they (SSA) are going to send me money every month - what a concept! I am also meeting with my retirement specialist to complete all the paper work and THEY will start sending me money. This is so foreign to me - THEY are going to actually PAY me for doing NOTHING. This Retirement thing is sweet; now if I can just learn to live of 1/2 of my salary for the rest of my life - I'll have it made.
I heard from a friend who is also driving to Ajijic in September - we are going to try and match up our departure dates so we can caravan. I'm looking forward to getting on the road....I have already started plotting out the route and what I'm taking. One thing for sure - I'm loading up my MP3 player with books and NPR interviews I've missed. I love audio books - I've spent a fortune on Audible - but I have enjoyed every single book I've purchased.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)