Retirement

   Putting down a few thoughts about retirement today. I took my Social Security Benefits at age 62 which is only 70% of what you are eligible for.  Which turns out is a LOT when your check barely exceeds National Poverty Standards. And there are really quite stringent limits to what you can earn additionally with a job. Medicare (health insurance) doesn't start until age 66.  I'm sure the devil had something to do with that. So now I'm categorize as a proud retiree, just an 1/8 inch above Poverty $$, with no health insurance or prescription medicine insurance.  Thank God every day for The Patient Assistance Programs provided by the drug manufacturers.  I know, right?  Whoever thought I'd be grateful to those money grubbers?  HA!
It's only been since February...with that first SS check not coming until APRIL 15!   They tell you that when you apply way far ahead of time, but somehow it slips your mind.  Until you realize you will be without a regular check for that long.  And your job has already ended.  And you have no cha-ching.  So the beginning was hard, but it could have been worse. Grateful every day for generous friends and family.
I did all those things you do when you don't work a regular job.  Clean out everything, get caught up on everything, blah,blah,blah.  Great.  Now what? I keep eyeing my jewelry studio, aka the dogs room...  I just simply stopped creating one day and walked out, leaving it pretty much like this.

Nothing was selling.  Tried on Etsy. On a"my" website, which that was really hard to figure out.  Did it on one of those free sights.  Tried sharing on Facebook.  Started my Auntie RooLoo's Cottage page. etcetcetc.  It all sold great at the beginning at that local shop until that shop owner treated me worse than dirt.  She decided to only have juried artists.  Snob. And not even the you know what to let me know!  Just stopped ordering. Creating just POOF, disappeared.
Keep thinking about all the junk jewels that are just waiting for me.  Lots of stuff from friends just sitting there.  Lots of stuff we found out on our pickin trips.  Just sitting.  Waiting.
The best thing about retirement so far is that I can stay all snuggled up in my cocoon on these cool, fall mornings with Freddy laying on his back waiting for belly rubs. Heaven.  One of the last jobs was getting up at 4a.m. and driving about 30 minutes to work. NOT missing that job!
The most challenging has been trying to budget those dollars.  Keeping the WiFi and internet.  Downsizing to the very cheapest TV package.  Not many stations available down here in smalltown USA unless you have cable or satellite. And the cellphone! ACK!  It is ridiculous! Did away with the land line, only have internet line. 
I don't travel, go to expensive restaurants or the theater, no weekend girlfriend trips. No Starbucks...well unless I get 2 gift cards for Christmas like last year.  Got addicted to their Ethiopian coffee till those ran out. No Country Living Fair.  Or Round Top Antiques Fair. Or Brimfield. ACK! 
Keeping a handle on the $3 purchases even is a must. 
But it could always be worse.  The internet keeps me grateful for what I have when witnessing such hopelessness and destitution, war, and such.
Looking forward to giving my Freddy boy and great belly hug.  Maybe even HoneyMarie will jump in bed tomorrow!