A Little Orlando Day Trip

 Sometimes retirement looks a lot like an ordinary Tuesday… and honestly, those are often my favorite days.

I started the day with a drive to Orlando for a haircut and one very special delivery. This beautiful vintage ceramic Christmas tree was heading to its new home. I sold it to a friend, and while I always liked it, I never really loved it. You know how some things just sit around waiting for the right person? Well, that person finally came along. It was time to let it go and let someone else enjoy it.

After that, I met my daughter for lunch at Chipotle. We ordered two kids meals, and I have to say, that’s a lot of food for the money! The total came to just over $15, and part of that was because she added a side of queso. Rice, beans, protein, tortillas, and a drink… honestly, it’s one of my favorite budget-friendly lunch options. We both left full and happy.

Since I was already in Orlando, I decided to swing by the Russell Home thrift store. Unfortunately, I learned they’re closed on Sundays and Mondays. Oops! It turned into a quick drive-by instead of a shopping trip, but that’s okay. Not every adventure needs a thrift haul.

Of course, Florida decided to do what Florida does best and threw in a little afternoon rain shower.

Back home, dinner was simple. My husband had pancakes, and I made myself scrambled eggs. Nothing fancy, just easy and satisfying.

To finish off the day, we headed to Home Depot to look at exterior paint colors for the house. If you’ve ever stood in front of an entire wall of paint samples, you know exactly how overwhelming that can be! We looked at greens, blues, neutrals, and everything in between. We haven’t made a final decision yet, but we’re getting closer. I’ll definitely keep you posted on what we choose.

Retirement isn’t always big vacations and exciting adventures. Sometimes it’s lunch with your daughter, letting go of something you’ve had for years, dodging Florida rainstorms, and dreaming about a fresh coat of paint on the house.

And honestly?

That’s a pretty good day.

What about you? What’s one small thing you did today that made you smile?

Still Figuring Out Retirement: A Life Update After a Year Away

 t’s Been A While…

A year ago, I was writing regularly here on Figuring Out Retirement. Then life happened. 

The funny thing about retirement is that you think you’ll have all the time in the world, and somehow your days still fill up.

Over the past year, some things have changed and some things have stayed exactly the same.

I’m still thrifting and treasure hunting whenever I can. There’s nothing quite like finding a hidden gem for a few dollars and turning it into a little profit. My Happy Girl Thrift adventures continue, and I still get excited every time something sells.

I’m still spending time with my family, cheering on my grandchildren, and enjoying the little moments that make life sweet.

Maggie and Booker are still keeping me company and reminding me who’s really in charge around here.

I’ve continued volunteering at the thrift store, which gets me out of the house, keeps me moving, and lets me spend time with some wonderful people. It’s hard work sometimes, but it’s good for the soul.

One of my biggest focuses this year has been my health. I’ve been working on losing weight, walking more, making better food choices, and learning that progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Slow and steady turns out to be pretty powerful.

Financially, I’m still doing what I’ve always done—budgeting, saving, cash stuffing, and finding creative ways to make retirement work without spending a fortune. Retirement isn’t about being rich. It’s about creating a life you enjoy with the resources you have.

And perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned this year is that retirement isn’t a destination. It’s an ongoing process of figuring things out.

Some days I have everything planned. Other days I’m making it up as I go.

I think that’s true for most of us.

So if you’re still here after my long blogging break, thank you.

I’m hoping to spend more time sharing the everyday moments again—the thrift finds, the budgeting wins, the weight-loss journey, the cats, the family stories, and all the little adventures that come with this season of life.

After all, I’m still figuring out retirement.

And maybe you are too.

Thank you for stopping by.

 Lisa

What Happened Wednesday

Today was a busy day.  I photographed about 20 clothing items to list on eBay, they will be in my draft section.  I tend to release about 5 a day to keep the eBay algorithm happy.  Only one item sold today.  I currently have about 111 items listed.  My eBay store is happygirlthirft if you are interested in having a look. I will put a link to my store on the sidebar. 

We continued to work on painting the bedroom.  I did the second coat of cut-in along the ceiling on two walls.  My husband finished the first coat on all the walls.   The walls were a sherbert orange.  I liked that color about 10 years ago.  It is definitely time for a change.  Now the color is a light, light aqua green.  It's pretty neutral and calming. 

Today was my grandson's 16th birthday. We went over to their home to celebrate.  The theme was Sasquatch.  My daughter does not do typical themes and decor.  We go for the less obvious.  

Have you used ChatGPT for anything?  I have found it very helpful for many things.  It helped me write my grandson's birthday card and it came up with a cover for the card.  The grandson is into auto mechanics. 

The rest of the evening was TV time after we got home from my daughter's home.  It was really a good time and my grandson loved the attention and the fun theme.  

How was your Wednesday?

Tuesday In Review : Thrifting, Sale

 I was up early this morning, about 4:30 AM.  What do I do when I get up this early? I check my email, and my bank accounts, and look at eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari to see if anything sold or if I can send offers. Then I check FaceBook, TikTok and drink coffee, and watch the news for about 30 minutes.  There was no walking this AM, we are painting a bedroom and I have to save my knees to get up and down on the ladder to paint the second coat of trim. 

I have a few shirts to list, and I am going to the thrift store to see if I can find any more items to buy.  They are having clothes marked at $1 a piece.  I look for mostly men's clothing and jeans.  It seems that they are easier customers to deal with when it comes to clothes.  Not always, but mostly. 

 

One sale on Mercari today.  It is a set of ultrasound study cards for Vascular ultrasound. My ultrasound days are way behind me and I have been selling all of my books and study guides. I am surprised that some of them are still desireable. 

I have been trying to get my rental back in shape.  We are meeting a guy about refinishing the terrazzo floors.  If that is too expensive, then we will put the carpet down.  I have feelers out for painters that are recommended by friends and family as well.  The house needs a new coat of paint inside and out. Truthfully, it needs a lot of updating.  We will do as much as we can given our time frame. 

Our grandson was over today.  He and my husband are working on a project truck.  It is about 20 years old and needs SO MUCH work.  But, my grandson is focused on becoming a mechanic when he graduates, so the hands-on training is definitely very helpful. He stayed for dinner which was spaghetti and meatballs.  Afterward, we took him home and then finished out the night watching TV. Not very exciting, but I don't mind boring at all. 

How was your Tuesday?  

Monday in Review

 Monday:  Three miles walked starting at 6:00 AM.  One mile with a weighted vest.  I've been watching too many Skinny Tok videos on TikTok and have been motivated to add a weighted vest to my walking routine for the last 6 weeks. 

 The vest weighs 11 lbs and can go up to 20 lbs. The daily goal is to get at least 10,000 steps. Most days, I get at least 10,000 and then some. The total for the day was 11,641 steps.

I have been reselling part-time since January of this year.  I closed down my eBay store in August 2023 and took a break.  As it turned out, I needed the extra free time to take care of my husband who was in and out of the hospital for most of 2024.  He was out of work since Mar 2024 and officially retired in March 2025.  Most health issues are under control now, but he really does not feel like he can work right now.  Not that he has to; it's more for something to do. 

WHAT SOLD AND SHIPPED MONDAY

Today, I will be packing up one item that sold on Poshmark and two that sold on eBay. Currently, I have about 100 items listed, some hard goods and some clothing. Reselling is my retirement hobby that keeps me busy and helps me not lose track of the day. I am goal-oriented and need structure in my daily routine.  

The afternoon was a quick power nap and a trip to Aldi where I spent $64.11.  The summer showers are already starting and I had to dodge storms.  The store was picked over a bit, as there were out of red and yellow peppers and carrots.  I typically go in the AM and don't have any problems getting everything on my list. 

Had a nice chat with the oldest son this evening. He is working out of state and moving from my rental to start his life with a really great woman.  We are working out the logistics of moving all of his stuff. It's a lot of stuff. He'll be about 90 minutes away.  I will miss having him so close. Sigh....

My new renter will be my daughter and her family. She starts a new position in Orlando and this puts her about 10 minutes from her job.  She was just 3 minutes away and now she will be 40 minutes away.  This move will be a great thing for her and her family. But, I will miss having her so close. 

Also had a nice chat with the middle son this evening.  It's so nice to hear from them kiddos weekly.  He's headed out of town for work and will be back Saturday.  He invited us to the beach for Sunday, Mother's Day. It's a possibility. 

That's a wrap for Monday.  How was your Monday?  Do anything fun? 

 

Classic Thanksgiving Crafts That Are Fun and Budget Friendly

 Here are some classic Thanksgiving crafts that are fun, budget-friendly, and perfect for adding a festive touch to any gathering!

1. DIY Pinecone Turkeys

• What You’ll Need: Pinecones, colored craft paper (or fabric scraps), glue, googly eyes (optional), scissors.
• Instructions: Use the pinecone as the turkey's body. Cut out feather shapes from colored paper and glue them onto the pinecone to create a fan of feathers at the back. Add a small paper triangle for the beak, and stick on googly eyes if you have them! This is a fun activity for kids and adults alike, and these little turkeys make adorable table decorations.

2. Gratitude Trees

• What You’ll Need: A few bare branches (from the yard or craft store), a vase or jar, small pieces of paper (cut into leaf shapes if possible), string or ribbon, and markers.
• Instructions: Place the branches in a vase, securing them so they stay upright. Guests can write something they’re thankful for on a paper "leaf" and tie it to a branch. By the end of the gathering, the tree will be full of heartfelt notes. This doubles as a lovely centerpiece that reminds everyone of the season’s true spirit.

3. Corn Husk Wreaths

• What You’ll Need: A foam wreath base, dried corn husks (from the grocery store or craft section), a hot glue gun, and optional ribbon.
• Instructions: Glue layers of corn husks onto the foam base, overlapping them to create a natural, layered look. Add a ribbon for hanging or a bow for an extra touch. This wreath brings a warm, rustic feel to any front door or table.

4. Painted Pumpkin Place Cards

• What You’ll Need: Mini pumpkins, acrylic paint, small brushes, and cardstock or name tag paper.
• Instructions: Paint fun designs or just the stems of mini pumpkins to match your table decor. Write each guest’s name on a small card and place it in front of or beside the pumpkin. These double as festive decor and personalized place cards!

5. Thanksgiving Candle Holders with Leaves

photo credit Lily Childers

• What You’ll Need: Small glass jars, Mod Podge, fall leaves (real or faux), and tea lights or LED candles.
• Instructions: Brush Mod Podge onto the outside of a jar, place a leaf on it, and coat it with another layer of Mod Podge. Once dry, place a tea light inside for a cozy, autumnal glow. These look lovely clustered on a mantel or as table decor.

Our grandkids are getting older, but what I have found is that even the silliest of crafting activities during the holidays can grow special memories. 

Wednesday What Not

 I returned to the dentist yesterday to get the molds done for the new night guard. I dreaded getting the molds done.  But I did it for the first time for both top and bottom and survived. 

Yesterday, I did go to the gym and walked two miles.  The temps are not too bad in the morning, it is the humidity that will get you.  Today was a no-gym day, and I will return on Thursday and Friday.  There will also be walking. 

Today, I hit up a couple of grocery stores. First was Publix.  They had BOGO cake mixes, and for our indulge day on Saturday, I am going to make a chocolate cake with vanilla icing.  Then I went to Aldi and picked up more than I thought I would.  Mostly vegetables, and assorted meats.  I did get a couple of rib-eye steaks for later this month.  We have good luck with the rib eye steaks from Aldi. 

I have a few things to do in my former eBay workspace.  Things have kinda gotten a little crazy in there. I am trying to find a hobby of sorts to occupy my mind and time.  I can't really go too far from the house because of hubs health.  We just never know how he will feel from day to day. I have looked into junk journaling.  Cutting and gluing seems like it might be okay.  Just like back in kindergarten lol. 

What fun hobbies do you have ?  I need ideas!

Six Month Car Check Up

Can you see the hidden Mickeys? It a Disney electric car. Not for me lol

 The weekend was uneventful.  We went to the fish place, and we decided to eat there.  That cost a bit
more as we enjoyed a couple of draft beers.  It was worth every penny. We also went to feed the community cats at a friend's house.  She is away for the summer and we help her and her cats out while she is gone. 

Sunday, I did get my 4-mile walk in yesterday.  We live in a hilly area of Florida and I did a couple of long hills in the walk.  On Sundays, traffic is very light and it is a pleasure to get out and walk.  There is low noise and hardly any gas fumes.  What did we have for dinner?  Hmm... Oh yes, it was frozen hamburger patties from Aldi on the grill and yellow squash, zucchini, and cabbage in the air fryer. We don't use hamburger buns, but we do use Dave's Killer bread in place of the buns. 

Today, I had an appointment at the dealership for a parts recall on my car. While there, I also had the tires rotated and my oil changed.  I really like going to this dealership, they are respectful and when something has to be done to the car they make me feel like it's necessary and not just an add on.  I usually run it by my husband it is a costly item.  He remembers more of what they have done in the past than I do. 

I did get to the gym this morning but I did not get my walk completed because of the car appointment. If it cools down, I will try to get in a couple of miles completed this evening.  I may try to add on an extra gym day this week. I usually use free weights and a couple of the machines that the gym has.  Most of the machine exercises are the same I did when I had my knees replaced. Never want to do that again. 

I reapplied to Target.  Again.  We will see.  I am always hopeful and persistent.  Have not heard back from Starbucks yet.  You never know!

How was your weekend?

Saturday Stuff and Random Thoughts

 Happy Saturday!  The week was pretty quiet.  A couple of dental appointments and that's about it.  That is a good thing.  I did get to the gym on my regular days, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I could also walk about two miles most of the days this week. I skipped Wednesday because I had to go to the dentist. This morning I walked four miles.  Not too bad. 

We will be going out to eat lunch today.  We only go out once a week, and typically at a local Fish place.  They have great Fish and Chips.  Some days we bring it home to eat some days we stay there.  When we take it home, we save about 30 bucks because we don't have any beer.  The rest of the week we
eat portioned controlled, whole foods.  We don't eat any processed foods.  That is a Saturday thing. 

The diet change was necessary for both of us.  My husband is having health issues and I was and still am fat.  But we are doing much better with all the things.  My weight is slowly coming off. Slow is the keyword.  I count myself very lucky as I do not have to take any prescription medications. My husband is slowly coming off of most of his meds.  

I am a bit bored in retirement, so I have applied to a few local places for a part-time job.  Target has rejected me 3 times and Chic Fil A has rejected me twice lol.  I will keep trying.  I just submitted an application to Starbucks. We will see how that goes.  I may try Disney again.  But I really don't want to drive that far lol.  I do have employment gaps so maybe they can determine my age by the info and maybe they don't want the liability of an older employee. I will keep trying and let you know!

There is also a home for sale in the neighborhood behind us.  We have been eyeballing it to buy as a rental.  Again, do we need to do that as a couple in their 60s? It is on a side street, with a level driveway, and yard.  Around here, there are lots of little hills and valleys, and finding a level driveway is kinda rare. Maybe since I actually put it out there, the desire will go away.  But then again, I may have to call my realtor next week. Again, I will keep you posted. 

Would you add a rental to your investment portfolio in your 60s?

Enjoy your weekend! 

Dental Drama But It Could Be Worse

  Yesterday I went to the dentist for my semi annual cleaning. I am friends with my hygienist, and she isan absolute dear.  I think as we age, and are in the workforce (her not me currently) it is hard to start up new friendships when you are a little more mature. We are building our friendship and meet up outside the office at least once every 6 months.  We are going to do better with that in the future. 

My cleaning went okay, I don't have any cavities, but I was experiencing some discomfort on my left upper side.  I had a root canal two years ago and my dentist said I may have an abscess in this tooth.  The endodontist that did this tooth did an excellent job.  I thought what could really be going on, but they gave me a referral to my endodontist and I went there today. 

My semi feral cat, Maggie

Now, dentists give me ANXIETY. I did not sleep at all and I was on full alert this morning for the appointment, but I was trying to act like all was well.  I am sure they could see right through it. They did the  x-rays and the the 360 scan of my mouth.

My tooth is fine. The endodontist says I am grinding my teeth in my sleep.  Good gravy!  I relate it to the stress I have been experiencing with my husband and his health problems. Now, I have to go back to the dentist and get a guard of some sort.  This is my month to be an adult and do all the adult things. 

Beyond that, the day was uneventful.  I am helping a friend out by feeding her community cats while she is in Michigan. I go every evening and visit the crew. The colony has at the most about 8-9 cats.  All are fixed.  We did all the trapping last summer. 

Tomorrow I will finish paying bills and moving money around.  I am playing the credit card game with points and it is like a part time job keeping track of the purchases and the cards. It does pay off in the end.  So far this year, we have saved up enough points to get a set of tires for my husband's truck. 

Do you use your credit cards for rewards?

What's New? Lots Of Changes Going On.

 This has been a busy year.  My husband has been dealing with what was finally diagnosed as AFib. The diagnosis was provided in March of this year.  He started with multiple hospitalizations beginning in January. Once diagnosed with AFib, he struggled with the multitude of medications they gave him to control the AFib. 

He finally had an ablation, a procedure to regulate the electrical charges in his heart. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not.  We are in the 3-month window waiting for the healing of the heart from the abalation. Meanwhile, He has had two more overnight hospital stays.  He is back on one of the heart meds to regulate his heartbeat. 

On the last visit he had a loop monitor placed in his chest wall.  This will provide 24 hour readings to the cardiologist.  He has days where he feels good and then days where he feels not so good.  He has been out on medical leave since March 11. 

Meanwhile, I have been regulating my stress with frequent gym visits every week and LOTS of walking.  Miles and miles of walking.  This has been a lifesaver for me.  It is hot, but I do get out early when the sun comes out.  

Not much else going on.  Hopefully, his heart will settle down and he will feel better.  He wants very much to go back to work. That would be lovely.  If not, we are looking at an early retirement for him. 

We did watch the Olympics and I think we both really enjoyed Ping Pong of all things.  It is crazy how serious they are about Ping Pong.  I'd like to try it for the senior Olympics lol. 

Chat soon!  

Had to Shop for Auto Insurance

 We recently received our 6-month auto insurance bill from GEICO.  Surprise!  It was a 20% increase in

the bill.  After that shock, I shopped around locally for auto insurance based on what I researched from the Word Of Mouth pages (local to me) on FaceBook. 

A call to a local State Farm office saved us $800 a year. Shocker.  The policy is the same as the one at GEICO and we were able to bundle our homeowners insurance in the package too.  Unfortunately, we could not get a policy from them for the rental ( my deceased parents' home).  That home still has insurance just through another agent.  It is difficult to get coverage for a home in Florida built in the late 1960's.  The insurance companies want the houses up to the current code ( related to hurricanes) and those strict building codes did not start until 2002. 

We are enjoying fantastic weather. The temps are in the 40s in the AM but quickly warm up to about 60 degrees.  I have been able to open up the house and air it out which does not happen very often at all.  We are expecting it to warm up to the 80s again at the end of the week. Crazy weather.  

There are a couple of things I still need to get looked at regarding the house.  The garage door opener is glitchy and has been for at least a year and the pool light works intermittently.  I am hoping to get both of those looked at before the end of the year.  I have YouTubed how to fix the garage door, but have yet to find a solution.  Regarding the pool light, I am hoping my electrician sons can help me to get that fixed. They are both soooo busy with their jobs and lives that it is hard to work that in. 

Menu Plan Monday - How Went Last Week Plans for This Week

Here is what we were supposed to have last week. Most days were successful.  Friday and Sunday were days we ate carry-out food.  I typically budget $50 a paycheck for eating out and we pretty much spent it all.  I was dealing with an upset tummy on  Friday and on Sunday we were finishing up projects on our to-do list.  I just got lazy lol. 

One of our projects was replacing a panel on the oven door.  The adhesive had somehow worn out along the bottom of the outer cover and when you would open the door, it would wobble.  Annoying.  

I ordered the replacement with the help of a local appliance repair business.  With the help of YouTube, we were able to remove the door and my husband was able to replace the panel and we were back in business.  There was a glitch in getting the door back on the oven, but more YouTube research helped that process.  

 Since the oven door was off, I went ahead and did a quick cleaning of the oven.  I removed the racks and
started them soaking with vinegar and Dawn.  Then I wiped the oven down and sprayed it with GooGone oven cleaner.  The GooGone was basically odor-free and did a fairly decent job of cleaning and removing most of the gunk on the inside of the oven.  I am putting a reminder in my phone to clean out the oven next year about this time with the link to the YT video that we found most helpful for removing and putting the oven door back on. 

Oh, and let's not forget how junky and crumb-filled the bottom drawer was. Disgusting! 

HERE IS LAST WEEK'S MENU

• Monday - Roast in the crockpot.  I have had this roast in the freezer for a LONG time.  Will add potatoes and carrots 
• Tuesday - Leftovers. Maybe.  If not, then Sliced Ham and air fryer potatoes with broccoli
• Wednesday - Pulled pork sandwiches with sauce.  Coleslaw
• Thursday - Thanksgiving at family.  We will probably eat sandwiches or hot dogs in the evening. Depends on how hungry we are..
• Friday - Pizza    Chick Fil A ( stomach was still upset)
• Saturday - Frozen fish triangles with Mac and Cheese ( Kraft blue box)
• Sunday -  Crockpot Taco Hashbrown Casserole     Take Out Pizza

HERE IS THIS WEEK'S MENU

• Monday - Sliced Ham and sweet potatoes.
• Tuesday - Spaghetti Casserole 
• Wednesday - Breakfast for dinner
• Thursday - Hamburgers
• Friday -      Grilled Cheese and Soup
• Saturday - Air Fryer Chicken Breast and Large Chef Salad
• Sunday -  Crockpot Taco Hashbrown casserole   Going to try to actually make it this
•  time.

As I was walking this morning I already thought of a few different things we can eat this week. If I change anything I will post it. I did get 1.3 miles in this morning.  It is dreary but the weather is nice and cool.  Can't complain. 

Did you stay on track with your menu plans last week?  Are you eating any Thanksgiving leftovers this week?