Yes, I am starting my fifth week on hiatus from work … but week 1 was 4th of July week.

And the last 2 weeks, I was asked to do some tasks: small-medium but I really enjoyed them and it is keeping my “head in the game”!

I am VERY much enjoying this time of not working and thinking “what do I want to do” if the normal work does not come back. While it is a strain on the budget, I’ve done all of my “what ifs” so have remained (mostly … I AM human :) ) focused on several new work ideas.

Without going into specifics, I started down a path of … I don’t think I want to pursue the same type of programming. This is mostly because I don’t think, that at my age of nearly 64, I would be comfortable as part of a new team, i.e. do I want to work with a group of young hot shots?? … ummm, probably not. Generalization, pre-judging probably … still, it’s a funny mix of experience (coding plus business operations) that makes me loath to try to do what I’ve been doing with a new group.

So, then I started thinking about non-programming things I like and could do. Many of those would require me to conform to a schedule and/or be gone from the house … If I need to, yes I will, but in thinking about some of those options and then with the little tasks of the past 2 weeks, I came back to what I would really like (prefer) is some sort of programming/computer work that allows me a certain amount of flexibility.

So, full circle. But not a new group.

But, in the last 2-3 weeks it occurred to me how much fun and joy there was in thinking these things through and really knowing what I’d like my days to look like. I feel incredibly fortunate that I have had this opportunity to explore my options. In the day to day work of the past years, I *thought*, I’d thought about things, but the reality was that as the work was paying the bills and I enjoyed it and my work group … I did not think about things as I have now that I might need to actually change … adapt…

Change!!

As noted in the previous post, I continue with my list of house (RV) and property chores, ideas for income … including meeting with some local folks as well as some online research.

I’ve stepped up off leash training with Emmett and he is doing VERY well! It is so much fun to be out with him and Auggie and just doing bits of stuff in the yard. I only need to yell “Sprinkler!” to get Emmett running for the well head pump handle which he KNOWS I need to pull to start the fun.

To date (I hate to even write this and alert the weather gods…), we are having a very pleasant summer … I know … you did not expect me to put pleasant and summer in the same sentence!! I keep waiting for the “heat” as last winter did not arrive until late January and now it is late July so …

Thursday is August 1 and the start of BIRTHDAY MONTH. Whatever the next days bring, heat, work, no work … we are ready.

Five weeks: full circle … Happy Days!

Any long time reader of this blog knows that I am NOT a fan of July and early August… 4th of July stupidity of fireworks, followed by heat and wildfire and local influx of visitors (good for economy, kind of a pain for me :) but I bow to sharing the beauty of this area!)

The 4th stuff is not too bad with Emmett and Auggie as I worked with both to teach not to be concerned. Whether my teaching or their personalities … they are good. I am horrified that I did so badly with Karl on this. Karl was not good with loud/surprise noises from a little pup and I did not know then how to help him. So the 4th brings up that guilt and sorrow as well as concern for combat veterans who suffer with the sounds and sights of war that many equate with “patriotism” … this makes me livid!

But. Almighty $$. Etc.

Onward.

I am now on hiatus from work. As of the last post, things have improved from being “we won’t know for 3 months” about next contract to “we’ll know in 30 days”. 30 days … piffle compared to 3 months :)

But, I had thoughts and contingency plans/ideas and what ifs. Per the last post, I was confident (97% of the time!) that something would work to keep my house and stay guardian of the woods. It feels even better at the moment and while I am still thinking and kind of planning, I am mostly enjoying a month “off”.

I have a list(s): things to do, things to bake, things to cook, books to read, videos to watch, training/teaching things with Emmett.

I am not sure one month will be enough. I think I could do retired. But I also love the programming work so I really do hope that continues.

Meanwhile:

I have been exploring heirloom flours: Spelt and Einkorn I really LOVE and this bagel – YUM

Einkorn … what a great grain:

I also made Rye Chocolate Chip Cookies topped with flaked salt. They are on my Instagram along with a link to the recipe. Fortunately, the dough freezes wonderfully and I baked 4 to start and will exercise some willpower on baking the rest 2 at a time!

My list of things to do included some yard work and one of the fun projects was some new pretty things for the front porch:

The succulents on the shelf have been doing well, so I bought more as well as some ground cover plants and am experimenting with how those do by the front porch with the idea that I might do some planting all along the porch.

So, every morning after walks and breakfasts and a bit of sitting and enjoying my last cup of coffee … I select some things from my list: one outside chore to do before it gets hot, one inside chore or task**, and one idea for income to explore or think about.

**one task is a blog update that involves some underlying infrastructure WordPress changes and might result in the blog being down for a bit.

The ideas for income … I’m trying not to think $$$ so much as what would I like to do and then … is there a way that might generate income. I have a number of things rolling around in various stages of thinking about and researching. Even if the work contract resolves and I continue with that, I hope to keep working on the other ideas.

So, my days are full, despite it being my least favorite time of the year, I am enjoying as much time as possible outside with Emmett and Auggie and continuing on training and teaching with Emmett although hopefully he sees all of that as play since we have fun! I keep the training energetic, intersperse it with a game and stop when we get hot and tired!

On with July!