Wow. Has it really been 2 1/2 months since I last posted anything? Time flies when you're having fun, right?
Starting mid January, my 3/4 time job became full time. I've not worked full time in my 27 years of nursing ever. I've always been around a .7 or .8 and would pick up the occasional extra shift for some extra cash, but I am now 60 and will in no way want to be working past 65. So I figured I had best make the most of the last few years to maximize my pension. But I spend more time at work now than ever before! Don't really like it but it's a necessary evil.
Because healthcare seems to think we need to have a three day weekend thrown into our rotations, they make us work 6 shifts one week and 4 the next to make the 10. I'd be quite happy working 5 and 5 but working every second Saturday seems to confuse them. (I work in an in hospital outpatient clinic, so no nights and no full weekends.) How about working Monday to Friday one week, and Tuesday to Saturday the next? Nope. Monday to Saturday every other week, and the others are either Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday. So I have weekends that are one day (Sunday) and the others are either Saturday and Sunday, or Friday to Sunday. Whatever. It is what it is and it's okay.
So finding time to get this little cracker box of a house fixed up to sell (in only 2 years!) is a little tighter. And not only because I have less time, but because I don't always have the energy. But I need to find both the time and the energy if I am going to get this thing in shape to get a decent selling price. I must. I don't have the wherewithal to hire out for what needs to be done. Most of it, I have the skills to do. And I am not afraid to seek out the information and education to learn what needs to be done for most projects. Hell, I've learned how to replace a toilet, electrical work, foundation repair. Installing flooring, painting walls, installing light fixtures... that's easy stuff. If the roof needs replacing in that time (and it might), I will have to pay someone for that. I refuse to replace the fence, even though it is a bit rotten in spots. There are only so many costs I am willing to absorb.
This is my one day weekend and I have spent it grocery shopping, doing laundry, making a crockpot full of hearty soup for lunches during the week, and of course, the kitchen clean up. But I have found time to natter on a bit here, to cuddle the cats, and prop my feet up for a while. I hope you all have had restful weekends. My heartfelt condolences to LX on the loss of Nikko. I feel your pain, my friend. xoxo
