Bread, Chinking and a Shower – Retired Life

February 18, 2021

For those that may not know, I retired early from the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office in March 2019. It was by far the best job I ever had. I loved that place and the people even more. But, Al and I knew that we would be moving in a year or so. We figured I would need all the time I could get for packing and preparing for our big migration to Tennessee. A few days after my retirement, my mother became deathly ill so, I spent the first month of my retirement helping care for her. I am so grateful I had that time with her. God could not have planned it any better. I wish I could say that since my retirement I’ve spent my days relaxing and doing absolutely nothing. But, alas, the first year most of my time was spent organizing a huge move and traveling back and forth to Tennessee preparing the cabin. But, who am I kidding, I couldn’t sit and relax if someone paid me to do it. I am a type A person. I never stop thinking. Ever. I sleep very little which drives Al insane. We moved in March 2020, way sooner than we had planned, because at that time, no one knew where this pandemic was headed. Well, life here at the farm goes hand in hand with my Type A personality. There is always something to do.

We spent August and September dealing with the unexpected kittens and keeping the labs fed and giving them their necessary attention.

All that loofah finally dried out so, I was able to skin and bleach them. I harvested a ton more seeds as well. So, if you would like to grow loofah, let me know and I will gladly send you some seeds! Suffice it to say, I will not be growing them again this year. As you can see, I have plenty!!

We finally received our ceiling fan and dining room table. We had so many items there were purchased in the Spring but, never made it here until mid to late summer.

We made two big purchases over the summer. We bought a much needed deep freezer back in July. As predicted, it took over two months to receive it!

Then, of all things, we bought a bidet! With the shortage of toilet paper we thought it would be a nice investment. And, yes, we both think it was a good investment. Matter of fact, we are going to install another one in the basement once that bathroom is completed.

Al still works fulltime. Although he is just down in the basement, I spend a portion of my day alone upstairs. Most larger projects obviously requires him so, I usually find small projects that I am able to handle alone or I come up with something creative to do. Whether it’s learning guitar, decorating or coming up with new things I have always wanted to try but, never had the time to do.

I did learn how to create my own sour dough starter. I baked many loaves of sour dough bread in the late summer and early Fall. It was quite interesting, fun and delicious.

I also worked on chinking the outside of the cabin. I completed both sides then, the weather became too cold for the paint. In the Spring, I hope to finish the front and back of the cabin. Al will finish the higher areas. Oh what a difference it made to the look of the cabin! I can’t wait to see this project completed.

My daughter was expecting in December so, I planned an October baby shower for her from afar. I refinished the bassinet that she had as a baby as a gift to her. It turned out beautiful! I was so happy I kept it all these years.

For the shower, I painted some pumpkins for ‘our little pumpkin’, made a cute sign, attempted my first diaper cake and made candles as a thank you gift for attending.