I had a flash of insight yesterday and realized “Improve” really fits as the word of the year given my thoughts about target areas for 2026 goals.
Despite my regular comments about needing to make friends you will notice that is not a target area. I decided to simply get out doing more things and inviting people I have met to do things and see what happens. So far I’ve signed up for a Chinese New Year focused calligraphy class at the library in January and in February will take a weekly Feldenkrais class at the rec center.
Initial target areas for the year are to
- strengthen some habits that will improve my health & fitness,
- continue to find ways to make day to day life easier and more enjoyable,
- return to working on last year’s personal curriculum plus complete the 52 book club challenge for 2026,
- take a real vacation (Hawaii maybe?) and do some staycation activities too,
- work on four categories of projects (replace and upgrade things likely to break soon, fix small things, continue to cozy up our home, and tap into my desire to learn/be creative).
The key is going to not be too ambitious each month. Slow and steady like the tortoise will be my mantra 🐢
First up in “replace and upgrade” projects for the year is figuring out the sequencing for replacing the dishwasher that is making scary noises and is not worth repairing according to our repair guy. It appears to have the plug behind it instead of under the sink which is not to code. It may be hardwired instead but who knows. Regardless, we have to bring the wiring up to code as part of the process. We may add two additional outlets in the garage at the same time as we only have one.
Once that is done we will tackle replacing the water heater and ensuring all remaining old pipes are changed to copper. Then replace some plants that have died or are not doing well. Lastly will be getting a new stove unless the dryer breaks first! At least the washer, frig and furnace are pretty new and doing well.
We may also get a newer car as a back up camera, etc. would be very helpful when driving and parking around here. We’d keep the 2011 car with less than 100,000 miles on it so neither of us would ever be without a car since we live in wildfire and earthquake country. We will see how far we get with these major improvement projects as the year goes on.
I'm with you on the newer car with back up camera. We have a 2019 Subaru that has a back up camera and adaptive cruise control. Both of which I miss when driving my 2013 Tacoma truck. I'm not ready to spend the money on a new truck yet but I sure would like those two extra features.
ReplyDeletehttps://retirementcoffeeshop.blogspot.com/
It seems like such an important safety feature especially in a congested traffic area like ours.
DeleteWell, I am excited to hear about your travel plan, even as I recognize it's likely not been a priority for you two, which is so totally fine even if a bit different from DH and I. Interesting to me is that we are increasingly so content in our new location, that traveling for long or frequent periods is considerably less appealing than in years past.
ReplyDeleteWe got a puppy at the end of the pandemic and moved so travel has been low on the list for various reasons. Our older son and DIL have offered to pet sit for a week so we can take a trip assuming my foot ever gets completely better! Staycation adventures are very feasible no matter what.
DeleteI really like the backup camera on our vehicle. It is wonderful. It is really a great safety feature.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
it is! hard to buy a car just for that though
DeleteImprove is a good one; progress not perfection. It is harder to travel when you have to plan for pet care. We try to keep to early spring or fall for travel, so it's not too hot or too cold for him to be outside all day till his 'siblings' get off work to take care of him.
ReplyDeleteHope you can reward yourself with a wonderful vacation once you get your replace and upgrade projects finished up. It's always something, isn't it, when you own a home?
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