News: I have some. And here it is.
Work: I have work. Not a job, unfortunately, but at least a six-month contract. Not at my usual rate, either, but it's more important at this point just to get something to keep the gap in my résumé from metastasizing into a black hole of nothingness. I may be mixing metaphors at this point, and also being a bit dramatic. Still: giant gaps make prospective employers twitch, we all know it's true. The challenges? Learning the new software, getting used to working again, not annoying anyone. I'm working from home at least until I'm fully vaccinated, so that should help.
Money: A few good things here. One, our tenant renewed for another year. Two, we didn't owe any taxes, which was my great fear -- we actually have a large-ish return coming. And three, I'm re-refinancing our mortgage to take advantage of the low, low, Covid rates -- the new rate will be 1.5% lower, and even with the mortgage costs, we should still save over $50,000 over the life of the loan. We had to fold in those mortgage costs to the new loan, however, so the actual debt, when I finally post numbers, will be up. Ah, me. Swings and roundabouts, is it? Snakes and ladders.
News: Well, actually that was mostly it. Although one of the cats is pretty much in love with Spouse and me now, finally. Sleeps on the bed, on me, often wants to be wherever we are during the day: it's love. One down, two to go.
I'll endeavor to get some numbers together. These last few years -- hell, these last half-dozen -- have not been good, financially or otherwise, I must say. My dreams of living in the UK after retirement are pretty much demolished, and I am sad about it. Often. And very. But I'm trying to be grateful that we will likely be able to retire, and with some degree of comfort. Especially when so many people I know don't have that chance, it feels... churlish, selfish even, not to be grateful. Here's hoping I can change my perspective, and find another, affordable dream.
So happy for you, although it is hard to give up your dream. I have had many dreams slip away over the years, and i too feel guilty sometimes as I feel ungrateful when I have so much more than others.
ReplyDelete