It Was Fun While It Lasted

[Bailey Guns]

Lots of huge changes in my life over the past 6 months. Some good, some not so good.

My divorce was final 30 years and 1 day after the marriage. None of the usual suspects in regards to divorce...we'd just grown too far apart and from my perspective she was more married to her job than me. It was as amicable as a divorce can be, I think. As a matter of fact we've been living together, divorced, since late October. She's keeping this house for the time being and the re-fi is closing Thursday.

As much as I like it here, I'm leaving. After four shoulder surgeries and worsening back problems I'm not going to be able to go back to work. At least not at anything that requires a lot of standing, walking or lifting any substantial weight. Without working, I can't afford to live here. Breaks my heart to leave but that's how it goes sometimes.

So, I'm in the midst of packing for a move to southwestern Oklahoma near Altus. With the money I'll get from my share of the house I'm paying off what little debt I have and buying a place. Should close the end of this month. I spent a week in that area early last October hunting for a home. It's nothing special...smaller mfg'd home on about 1/2 acre, very nice shop, small guest quarters and a big fenced Corgi pasture and it's in just immaculate condition. Owned by another little, old retired guy with nothing to do but tinker in his shop and take care of his place. Absolutely tailor made for me. With the low cost of living there I'll easily be able to live on my VA pension. I'll work part time at something mindless if I get too bored. Napa parts driver or something like that.

This is really nothing like I pictured my life going as I head into my 60s but it's the reality I'm facing. On the upside I'm really looking forward to downsizing my life and enjoying retirement. And I'll be just a few hours from most of my family in TX.

Pro: only a few miles to a What-a-Burger! Woo-hoo! Con: I have to sell my tractor. I'm really gonna miss that thing.

An overhead view of Casa de Corgis:

[Mercula]

Sure sounds nice to me !

[Zundfolge]

Congrats and condolences all rolled into one.

We're in a similar situation with moving back to Wichita at the end of this month. Going to be nice living 100% debt free but we're also leaving a part of the country we love to move to the hot and sticky plains. But truth is we're probably going to end up buying a nicer home for only about half of what we're going to make off our house so even if I don't find a job within two years we'll still be fine (and I'm only 50 so I expect I'll find a job by summer).

I suspect we'll find out the same thing you'll find out and that's that living free of worry will bring more joy than any mountain range or beach or whatever other bit of topography you enjoy.

[rondog]

My condolences, and congratulations - whichever you need bro.....

And there's a few tractors in OK, bound to be one for sale just for you.....

[Zundfolge]

And there's a few tractors in OK, bound to be one for sale just for you.....

Yeah, that looks like enough grass to warrant a bush-hog.

[rondog]

Congrats and condolences all rolled into one.

We're in a similar situation with moving back to Wichita at the end of this month. Going to be nice living 100% debt free but we're also leaving a part of the country we love to move to the hot and sticky plains. But truth is we're probably going to end up buying a nicer home for only about half of what we're going to make off our house so even if I don't find a job within two years we'll still be fine (and I'm only 50 so I expect I'll find a job by summer).

I suspect we'll find out the same thing you'll find out and that's that living free of worry will bring more joy than any mountain range or beach or whatever other bit of topography you enjoy.

LIKE!!!

[rondog]

Yeah, that looks like enough grass to warrant a bush-hog.

Well, the man loved his tractor - they good for more than mowing. I've never owned one, but have driven/used a few. I could dig having one.

[ray1970]

Condolences and congratulations from me as well.

As I was reading along I thought you were going to tell us you were moving back to Colorado.

You know.... because you missed IKEA.

[Bailey Guns]

We'll just nip this IKEA thing in the bud. From one state without IKEA to another state without IKEA. My standards may be low but they're still standards:

[brutal]

Sometimes life gives us lemons. Glad you're making lemonade.