Friday, drying out

[ksmith]

Vacay day day. IT STOPPED RAINING! Took Gaby for a walk, which consisted of her sniffing and marking and sniffing some more because the ground has released All The Smells thanks to the rain and the thaw. Saturday errands–groceries, etc–will be run today. Soon. In the next few minutes, in fact.

2.3 inches of rain over the last 2-3 days, according to the hummingbird gauge. To my amazement, the ground is taking it up rather quickly. The backyard is still sodden, but the lake is gone. Seems to be gone. Not inclined to walk out there and check lest I get sucked into the mire.

The mesclun is finally popping up in the raised bed, almost two weeks after seeding. Yes, it has been cold, but I thought lettuces liked that. In any case, I will probably plant another row this weekend, keep the crop going.

In web news, spam is showing up in the filter again. So spammers have started registering? I will shorten the comment time, and see if that helps. It’s not a lot of spam–nothing like before. It’s just the principle of the thing. Don’t like giving them a toehold, not even a little one.

In life news…barring global financial meltdown, I will be retiring from the day job in September. Going to give the writing life a good shot. Going to give life in general a better shot.

Something about King’s illness triggered it. Not getting any younger. It’s time.

Mirrored from Kristine Smith.

Comments

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow, congratulations on the day job retirement, and best of luck with the full time writing and living! <3

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I have wanted to do it for quite some time. Since 2008, as a matter of fact. Started running the numbers just as the bottom fell out of the stock market. So much for that.

I made this decision a couple of months ago, but have been delaying broadcasting it because I fear a jinx.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

I totally don't blame you. *hugs* We got your back!

[affreca.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the retirement. I hope it means I get to read more books from you.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And that is the goal. Whether it's self-pub, trad pub, however pub. There are a lot of opportunities out there these days for writers, and I want to take advantage of as many as possible.

[e-moon60.livejournal.com]

Cheering you on!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Had the consult with the financial guy. I expected some sort of reality check, but it looks like things are okay...or as okay as they can be given that we're trying to predict the future.

I have never followed financial news so closely.

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

Retirement: You. Will. LOVE. It!!!! Congrats!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I'm chafing at the bit now. The next 5 and half months are going to be...challenging.

I attended the day job's retirement seminar last month. The woman who ran it said that she never met anyone who regretted retiring.

Money-wise, I would be better off if I waited a few years, but I just can't. I want to make this move while I still have good health, energy, and the drive.

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

That's exactly why I did it at 61. After calculating all the numbers, and looking at my monetary needs with a cold, objective eye, I realized it would NOT be worth it to slog on for another 5 years. Also, my poor hubby only lived 16 months after he retired. It was so f***ing unfair.

I'm lucky that I was able to completely pay off my house. I live in a relatively-low cost-of-living city. I'm disgustingly healthy (though too fat and sedentary, which I'm working on). Globally speaking, though my monthly income would make most USA people turn a little pale, I'm in the 0.0001%.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

One of my touchstones in this was a co-worker who recently retired. He said that as he and his wife were hiking during vacation, he told her that they needed to retire while they were still young and fit enough to do things like that.

But the thing that really triggered it for him was, unfortunately, something like what happened to your husband. Hearing about yet another retiree who passed within a year or so after retirement. I am sorry.

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

Yes. I truly believe the "financial advisory" industry employs base scare tactics trying to keep us all working into our 70s so they have more money to get their grubby mitts on. Someone needs to stand up and shout "There IS more to life than money!"

Also, I re-read my last post and realized it *might* have been construed to say that I'm Mommy Warbucks - lol, quite the opposite.

[equesgal.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad for you! You've often spoken of moving East. You going now or staying put for a bit? '-)

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Actually, the goal is West now, hopefully the Portland Oregon area. That won't be for a couple of years, though, unless I really luck out. I need to get my place in shape to sell, and I would like to see the market around here rebound a bit.