Category Archives: Life

2026 — Here We Go Again

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January 2nd: The Universe Sends Bills… and I Send Eye Rolls

When the Calendar Turns, So Do the Bills

January 2nd always arrives with the same energy as a cat knocking things off a counter: unbothered, unapologetic, and perfectly timed to remind me that the holidays are officially over.

The first envelopes of the year have already marched in — life insurance, car insurance, and the annual renewal for Around Dusty Roads. Nothing like a stack of bills to say, “Welcome to 2026, hope you enjoyed that week of cookies and denial.”

Dreams, Dial‑Up, and Digital Hustles

I had hoped Welcoming Haven would be covering at least one or two of these by now. Not a fortune — just enough to make me feel like the wheels were turning. But apparently the universe is still buffering. Maybe it’s on dial‑up.

And because I love a challenge, I’m also hustling to get my printable shop on Etsy up and running.

Another adventure, another learning curve, another chance to mutter “other people make this look so easy” while I drink my coffee and stare at my screen.

The Job Hunt: Now Featuring Dragons

People say, “Just get a job.”
Sure. And while I’m at it, I’ll adopt a dragon and learn to juggle flaming torches.

At my age, employers get nervous, and no one believes me when I say I’m not trying to run the place. I’m the former manager who wants the quiet corner job with no drama, no meetings, and no responsibility for anyone else’s meltdown. Is that so wrong?

Resumes, Missing Socks, and Writing Dreams

I’ve sent out more resumes than I care to admit. Most of them vanish into the digital void — probably hanging out with all my missing socks. I see ads for blog writers and think, “Well, I do write… but would I like writing for someone else?” Hard to say. I loved writing the Redfin newsletter, and now I have two blogs of my own, so clearly the writing bug is alive and well.

I once considered being a travel writer back when I was jetting around. But the Boston Globe wanted international stories, and newspapers were already starting to fade. Timing and I have always had a complicated relationship.

Jobs My Knees Would Like to Speak About

As for local jobs, Hannaford is hiring, but every position requires standing for long stretches. My knees have filed an official complaint about that. If I stand at the stove too long, they lock up like a rusty hinge — so even short shifts are out.

Still Moving Forward (With Coffee)

Which leaves me here: looking for remote work, building online projects, and hoping one of these seeds decides to sprout soon. I’m not panicking — just navigating. With coffee. And maybe a cookie.

So here’s to 2026: the year of trying, learning, adjusting, and laughing at the absurdity of it all. And if anyone has suggestions, encouragement, or a spare magic wand, I’m listening.

Excuse me now — I need to go buy my lottery ticket.

 

Magical Thinking and Affirmations ✨

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Turkey Dreams and Wishful Thinking

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving—full plates, full hearts, and maybe a nap so deep you dreamed of winning the lottery or finally mastering sourdough bread. Holidays have a funny way of stirring up gratitude and imagination. And sometimes, those dreamy thoughts feel like little sparks of possibility.

Be Careful What You Wish For

We’ve all heard the saying, “Be careful what you wish for.” It’s not just a cautionary tale—it’s practically a cosmic rulebook. Witches, for example, believe that any spell cast (good or bad) comes back threefold to the caster. So if you’re going to send energy out into the universe, make it good, make it kind, and maybe make it sparkly. After all, who wouldn’t want three times the joy instead of three times the chaos?

The Law of Attraction (With a Wink)

The law of attraction is basically the universe’s version of a mirror: what you focus on, you get more of. Think of it like ordering from a cosmic menu. If you keep saying, “I’m stressed, I’m broke, I’m unlucky,” the universe hears, “Ah yes, one extra-large serving of stress with a side of bad luck, coming right up!” But if you focus on abundance, gratitude, and possibility, suddenly the menu shifts to health, wealth, and happiness specials.

Affirmations: Your Daily Spells

Affirmations are like mini incantations. Say them often, say them with conviction, and watch how they shape your mindset. Try lines like:

  • “I attract opportunities that make me shine.”
  • “I am worthy of abundance and joy.”
  • “Good things return to me threefold.”

Pair those affirmations with visualization—picture your goals as vividly as you can. It’s like sketching out your dream life in neon colors.

Action: The Secret Ingredient

Here’s the catch: magical thinking isn’t just about daydreaming. You’ve got to stir the cauldron yourself. Take consistent action—learn the skill, chase the opportunity, send the email. The universe loves a co-creator.

Final Spark

So as we move from Thanksgiving into the season of twinkling lights and new beginnings, remember: your thoughts are spells, your affirmations are charms, and your actions are the wand that makes it all real. Cast wisely, cast joyfully, and may your blessings always return threefold.

 

 

Yabba Dabba Doo- The Flintstones turn 65

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Yabba Dabba Doo! The Flintstones Turn 65

On September 30, 1960, television audiences met Fred and Wilma Flintstone, Barney and Betty Rubble—and TV was changed forever. If you grew up in the ’60s, chances are you grew up with that modern Stone Age family. You watched their lives unfold, their families grow, and welcomed Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm into your living room.

I can still hear the theme song playing in my head as if it were yesterday. Yabba Dabba Doo!

Inspired by The Honeymooners

The Flintstones drew inspiration from The Honeymooners, the beloved sitcom starring Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden. Fred Flintstone echoed Ralph’s bluster and charm, while Barney Rubble was modeled after Ed Norton, Ralph’s quirky sidekick. The formula worked—The Flintstones ran for six seasons, from 1960 to 1966.

Prime Time Trailblazers

This wasn’t just a Saturday morning cartoon. The Flintstones was the first animated sitcom to air in prime time on a major network (ABC), and it was originally aimed at adult audiences. That didn’t last long—kids quickly took over. The show’s popularity soared, outlasting many of its live-action peers and paving the way for future animated hits.

From Bedrock to the Big Screen

The Flintstones didn’t stop at television. In 1966, they hit theaters with The Man Called Flintstone, an animated spy spoof. Then came the live-action era: The Flintstones (1994) and Viva Rock Vegas (2000). And now, in December 2025, they return to their animated roots with Meet the Flintstones—a fresh take for a new generation.

It’s safe to say that another wave of kids will soon be shouting “Yabba Dabba Doo!” And of course, we’ll always have their vitamins.

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Again

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Hello Again

I know its been too long since I’ve posted but it seems time just gets away from me. That’s a weak excuse since I’m retired and should have lots of time on my hands but it just seems like there’s never enough.  Lets see if I can catch you up.

February

Hello February! For a short month February always seems like the longest even if it is my birthday month. Winter has been rainy but not much snow until the week of my birthday. As is tradition we got a snow storm that week. Still nothing major but then it got real cold so what snow we got froze into icy lumps. All in all a miserable month.

Add to that it was a leap year and on the 29th of February I got a call from the Chevy dealership. They wanted me to turn in the Equinox. I agreed to talk to them as long as the new car was 4 wheel drive and the payment was less than what I was currently paying. I went in at 2 pm and didn’t leave until 7 pm but when I drove off the lot it was in a 2024 trailblazer and a lower monthly payment. 

 

TrailBlazer

March

And Then It was March. Hello again March.

When I left the dealership it was too late to call the bank about my next payment for the Equinox. I was told not to make that so I tried to cancel it online. According to my bill pay the payment was already in progress. On March 1 I called the bank to see if they could manually cancel the payment but they said no. I immediately called the dealership thinking I’d need to do new paperwork to reflect a lower payoff but I was assured that GM would send me a refund. Thus began a month long battle back and forth between the dealership. GM and me with everyone telling me I was wrong. Hey people this isn’t calculus. Any 5th grader should be able to understand.  I made an extra payment. Give it back.

Anyway, without dragging the story out too much, I finally got someone who took the extra step and found where the mistake was made. They stopped looking at the paperwork and looked up the actual amount the dealership sent to GM. Guess what, the dealership had called for a new payoff before they sent any money which was why GM didn’t have my extra payment.  2 days after that I had my refund. Yay!

The other thing I did in March was start looking for a part time job. Nothing was coming along that seemed to suit so I finally applied to be a Door Dash delivery person. I was attracted to this because I can make my own hours. I am more interested in flexibility than in the amount of money.  By April the background check was done and I was on board. Now I just needed to do a “Dash”.

April

Home warranty

 

In April I started “dashing”. So far opportunities have been limited as Taunton seems to be a quiet area. I’m hoping things pick up with nicer weather. We also had the HVAC inspections to do in the condo before May 1.  My news wasn’t good. The heat exchanger was cracked and the whole unit needed to be replaced.

I have a Home Warranty but when I submitted my claim it was turned down flat. So much for the promises the Home Warranty companies make.  I was back and forth on that for the rest of April.

May

And that brings us to May. I finally got the new furnace/ AC installed yesterday. So nice to have heat when I get out of the shower! It only cost me $7000.  The installers were nice guys too. Both are cat lovers so tolerated Banner & Balboa and made sure neither got locked in the utility closet. So as you can see I haven’t been terribly busy but the things I have been dealing with could be called “Big Ticket”. It feels like its been a lot but fingers crossed , things will be back to my dull normal now

 

 

 

Happy Anniversary to me

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Happy Anniversary

Today is the 1 year anniversary of the day that turned my life upside down. Yup I was laid off from Redfin 1 year ago today. It’s not as if I’d never been laid off before but I’d never been laid off when I was 70+ years old. I just didn’t have it in me to start over again. so I’m trying out retirement. Evan after  a year I’m not sure it suits me. I still wake up in the morning feeling guilty because I’m not rushing around to get ready for work.  I worry about paying the bills.  Social Security doesn’t go that far and my Redfin investments are still in the tank.  I got a nice severance package and I’ve been using that to make up any shortfalls but it can’t go on forever.

 

Medtronic, Halyard Health's Corpak to lay off 266 in Illinois - MassDevice

 

Typical Day since Layoff

I’m trying to live the frugal life since the layoff. No spontaneous shopping trips. Minimal take out or restaurant meals. I stopped taking road trips to save on gas.  One  big thing I did was restrict my time ordering kindle books. Since I like series I made it a rule that I had to re-read all the books in a series before I could add a new one.  I’m working on the Stephanie Plumb series now. I’m currently on book 12 but the new book is #30 so I have a way to go. 

I also dropped cable and just have streaming now. That saved me $100/ mo. I’m debating if I want to downgrade the streaming service. I have “Live TV” but the price just went up and I only watch a couple of channels. If I’m patient eventually the new programing will be added to my streaming service.

 

The Frugal Lifestyle - Blog

 

Entertainment

My cats are a constant source of entertainment.  Just last night Banner was trying to stuff his fluffy body into a paper grocery bag, The whole side ripped out. Balboa was quite interested in watching this and when Banner got out of the remains of the bag Balboa was there to try to get in.  Banner immediately lifted his paw and bopped Balboa on the head- no claws, no rough housing just  “BOP!” It was such a surprise and so deliberate. It just cracked me up. Surprised Balboa too. 

 

 

Banner Photo credit Deb Neumann

 

 

Balboa photo credit Deb Neumann

Conclusion

If I could just shake the feeling that I should be working I think I’d like retirement.  I don’t mind relaxing and reading or playing on the computer. I’m not bored yet. I guess as long as the money holds out I’ll keep up the routine. I wish I could think of something to do on my own time to make money. A side hustle so to speak.  If I get bored or get itchy feet and want to travel again I can look for a part time job to support my habit.