LIFE NOW
Apparently, Retirement Isn’t What I Thought It Was Going to Be
I spent a lot of years building a career, running a business, moving around and figuring things out as I went. After twelve years in Canada, Dave and I decided it was time to come home to Oregon, and in 2025, at 62, I officially retired.
I thought I might slow down a little, enjoy having some free time and finally get around to some of the things I’d been putting off.
Then we moved back to Oregon and discovered what twelve years of poor property management had done to the house. So much for slowing down. 😂
These days, life is a pretty good mix of fixing the house, working in the garden, making things, exploring the Oregon Coast, chasing whales and keeping up with two kittens who seem to believe everything I’m doing should involve them.
I’m still figuring out exactly what this next chapter looks like, but that’s nothing new. I’ve never been particularly good at following a plan anyway.
This is life now.
HOME & GARDEN
Fixing the house, designing the yard, growing the garden, and figuring it all out as I go.
CREATE
Making things is still part of who I am—cards, designs, crafts, T-shirts and whatever else I decide to try.
EXPLORE
Discovering the Oregon Coast, chasing whales, and finding new places to explore.
BUBBLE & SQUEAK
Two tiny shelter kittens who promptly took over the house—and my schedule.
And so, this is my life
I’m still figuring out what this chapter is going to look like, and that’s actually one of the things I like about it. I spent a lot of my life following plans. These days, I’m leaving a little more room for the unexpected.
A garden that grows where I didn’t plant it. A whale that surfaces at exactly the right moment. A creative idea that turns into something I didn’t expect. Two kittens asleep on my lap when I really should be doing something else.
Life isn’t particularly predictable around here, and I’m perfectly okay with that.