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January Reset

January 19th, 2020 at 03:00 pm

Knock on wood, but the year is going well so far. More peace and quiet than I remember in *forever*.

I can't tell you what I am doing with this latest reset. Crossing my fingers that the tornado around me loses some steam? I'm trying to be more assertive with work hours? But... this only works when everyone isn't out with some emergency or other.

{I can't imagine what else I could possibly do within my realm of control. Which is why I am just at the point of crossing my fingers}.

MH has the month off, so I expect this is contributing to the peace.

I did "fire" one of my side clients. The feeling is mutual and it is all good. This leaves me with one remaining client. I am more than ready to move on and will be rid of them soon. But the workload is just about an hour a month, so I can give it a little more time. 12/31 is my hard deadline, not wanting to drag any more red tape into 2021.

Of course, *the* most exciting thing is that I am enjoying my first tax season off in 20 years. 🎈🎉🎈 I always worked several jobs in my teen/college years. Post college I have always had a busy/OT season. So... I have started semi-semi-retirement? Was a step down that I wasn't particularly planning or expecting.

A couple of weekends ago MH went to the Bay Area to help his parents with some things. I was not up to it whatsoever.

Last weekend we hosted a game night. In the spirit of trying to get out of "reactive" mode (just reacting to everything that is going on), this was our attempt to do something more proactive. When talking about it, we were pretty set on just setting a time every month with "no excuses". So when it turned out that MH already had a commitment on our first game night, I told him not to worry about it. & then I remembered why I never invite any adults anywhere, because they have to plan 90 days in advance or whatever. 🙄 Then MM(16) wasn't feeling well. But DL(14) pulled it through. He's definitely the most social and has always had a big group of friends. The played a lively game of Diplomacy. (I really didn't think anyone would play that with him. But the art school kids seem to embrace some of this stuff from a more theatrical standpoint). All I did was cook and clean all day Saturday (so behind on the house, and MH wasn't here to even run to the grocery store for me). But it was most definitely worth it. I enjoyed taking all that "work" energy of decades past (usually working Saturdays) and channeling it into my family and friends.

This weekend has been more of the same. I had an opportunity to do some unique charity work, so that was my big commitment this weekend. It was exhausting, but very rewarding. We also hosted all of our parents Friday night; DL(14) had another band concert. I am enjoying having the time for different things.

MH and I are going to Napa on another weekend. It sounds absolutely divine. It's such a short drive and we usually keep it very low key. Will probably do one nice dinner out and a hike. But MH's birthday is this month and I usually take off a weekend for that. So that will be more in the realm of our normal. I suppose it will be nice not having to cram and worry if I can really manage a Saturday off.

I do have a mountain of bad news, but it's sad to say that it doesn't feel like much because the pace has slowed considerably. Phew! I even made some comment a couple of days ago that 2020 was off to a much better start and MH looked at me like I was crazy. Fair enough, but these things are relative. His Grandma is very sick and we are worried about her. My Dad is going in for a biopsy next month. Etc., etc.

Edited to add: Things took a turn, back to emergency mode. We are rushing off to the Bay Area today because MH is so concerned about his Grandma. I am horrified by the idea of bothering her or bringing more germs, but it's what he needs to do so I will support him. (The kids and I will let her rest). I am still very grateful we had two weeks of calm and peace, before diving into the latest emergency. I think she will probably be fine. Her attitude has always been, "My arm is falling off? It's just a flesh wound." After hearing from "always completely hysterical in a medical situation" MIL we did skype GMIL and we both felt immensely better. She is clearly fine and shrugging it off. But we are being cautious because she is a 95yo with pneumonia.

6 Responses to “January Reset”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1579446755

    I hope you have a safe trip and can focus on her healing and spending time with her. Life is precious. Sorry life feels hectic!

  2. Dido Says:
    1579463066

    Sorry things tipped into emergency mode so soon after you posted, and I hope Grandma gets well.

    Enjoy busy season off!!!

  3. rob62521 Says:
    1579465770

    Glad you are getting to have some time off, even if the sudden emergency with the grandmother popped up. Hope the trip was a safe one and that she gets to feeling better. Your whole outlook sounds so positive as you enter "semi-semi retirement."

  4. CB in the City Says:
    1579532709

    Hoping Grandma gets better! And I'm glad that you are enjoying your first vacation from tax season in a while.

  5. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1579565474

    Let me know if you'd like me to connect you with my brother for your Napa trip.

  6. MonkeyMama Says:
    1579573321

    Thanks everyone!

    Wanted to update that GMIL seems to be fine. We decided that MIL is too hysterical to properly communicate. MH is going to call his sister tonight to get some more real info. His Grandma clearly doesn't have pneumonia (unless just caught very early and she has a highly evolved immune system, both of which are possibly true). Anyway, MH was pretty irritated yesterday. As soon as we left yesterday it was a 180 and everything was hysterical again. Having been there most the day, MH knew they were exaggerating. & so we aren't getting any useful information, 100 miles away.

    We are still concerned because of her age and this nasty flu season, etc. But other than that, she is clearly more than fine.

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