Counting Down

10 days remaining before we leave for Mexico....so many conflicting emotions - love the thought of an adventure - hate long car trips; love the idea of immersing myself in another culture - hate not being able to speak the language; love the idea of moving to a new community with lots of interesting people - hate meeting new people.

I am reading entirely too much about violence in Mexico - it can be terrifying; but most blogs talk about how safe it is down there for Americans - very conflicting. My living arrangements are ideal for a single woman - but there is always that element of fear. I am not taking much of value with me - nothing flashy - but I also worry about leaving my own house empty for 2 months - I probably have a greater chance of getting broken into in my own neighborhood.

Here are some pics of a recent visit to my lake house in Louisiana - beautiful but HOT!!

Home sweet - Casita

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?