Saturday, February 20, 2021

Stages of Retirement: Dealing with Reality and Researching Some Housing Options

 


As I slowly work on decluttering, with some breaks, I also need to think and plan about housing options and short term - long term options in retirement as an "elder orphan".  

My two options in my thoughts right now are move to another apartment a bit farther away from the city for lower rent (still staying in the same general area) or move to a senior apartment (if I qualify) in my area.  Keeping in mind a possible future move to a life care or continuing care community. 

To help my decision-making I've taken part and watched several senior Zoom seminars that cover these options in part.  (You can check AARP for some of these or your city or county website).  Lots of information to ponder.  I'm happy I've pursued these information seminars; I've learned a lot about the resources out there and about some preparations I need to make.  At times though I feel a bit overwhelmed by all these decisions I have to face. 

But still, even with all these helpful options, I have more concerns.  Also I can't really discuss with anyone.  I have a couple of close friends my age that I've tried to start the conversation with, but they are facing their own dilemmas.  Slightly younger friends don't really want to discuss it at all, they are not there yet, or are facing this with their parents soon and don't want an additional burden.  My limited-distant family is no help at all in a discussion. They're happy with whatever I decide as long as they don't have to deal with taking care of me at all!

Don't get me wrong,  I'm lucky to have several trusted friends I can count on when I need help. I'm very grateful to have them.  But I feel people are reluctant to go beyond the superficial discussion in fear of giving bad advice. They also have their own burdens to deal with. 

Looking for just a new apartment is something I've done before and am starting to do again now.  Of course you can't visit any property other than virtually yet, and I'm not going to make a move until I can see the place in person.  But looking at senior housing/apartments is an entirely new adventure.

Also, am I ready for some of the restrictions of senior housing?  For someone who can be awake at 1:00am watching a TV show, am I ready for a 10:00pm TV noise curfew?  

My problem is, inside my mind I'm still 25 but my body is more like 125.





So, what is the next step for me?

1.  Keep looking at rental apartments online and then make a list of  5 buildings to look at in person when that becomes possible.  

2.  Continue research of senior apartments in my area.  Look at options that I can afford and also amenities that I prefer.  Able to live independently but have some some assistance options and social options.  Make a list of those I want to visit in person.  

3.   Of course, health situations can change rapidly.  Research life-care communities in my area and beyond.  Moving to a more affordable area may be the only option.  

Because of  COVID my goal is a decision and action when things improve in terms of visits to these places. It's looking like 2022.

***************************

I thought I would revisit the Stages of Retirement list.

Researcher Robert Atchley Stages of Retirement:

Stage 1: Planning. ...


Stage 2: Excitement. ...


Stage 3: Honeymoon. ...


Stage 4: Disenchantment. ...


Stage 5: Reorientation & Stability. ...


How am I doing?   

Somehow I skipped the Excitement stage.  But maybe I'm in the Honeymoon stage. 

 Though it may not appear so from this post. But I am enjoying wonderful discoveries in "Zoom World".  Enjoy filling part of my days and nights every week exploring my own interests, even in only a virtual world for now.  





Sunday, February 14, 2021

Happy Valentine's Day 2021 Richard Armitage and Sean Bean

 RETRO VALENTINE







Happy Valentine's Day 2021 to my two 
favorite actors

Richard Armitage and Sean Bean


They both continue to challenge me and surprise me with their work and their project choices.  I admire both of them for being their own person and following their own instincts in their careers, and not following someone's idea of what a "star" should be or should do.

In a career where some actors flash a big success for a brief time and are never seen again, both men have accomplished long and steady careers in a very fickle business.  There is much to admire in that and I do admire it very much.

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with those you love, Richard and Sean.  💗





Saturday, February 13, 2021

Favorite Narrator: My Top 20 Richard Armitage Audiobooks (2006-2020)







 I was looking through my Audible library this week checking my two new Richard Armitage narrated books.  I'm just starting the new David Hewson book, happy that author and narrator (Hewson/Armitage) are collaborating again.  The new C.J. Tudor book I plan to start in March, part of my 2021 Audiobook Challenge.  But I couldn't help but notice all the Armitage Audiobooks in my Audible library, and also a few that I've read/listened to that are not there. I also have several CD's of Armitage narrated audiobooks, dating back to 2006.  

My audio library list review prompted me to start my personal top  RA audiobooks list: 


My Top 20 Audiobooks Narrated by Richard Armitage

(2006-2020)

                         

1.    Lords of the North by  Bernard Cornwell

2.    David Copperfield  by Charles Dickens

3.     Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel by A. J. Hartley and David Hewson 

4.     The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde  by Robert Louis Stevenson

5.     Venetia by Georgette Heyer

6.     *His & Hers: A Novel  by Alice Feeney

7.     *The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter 

8.     *A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson

9.      The Jackman &Evans book series by Joy Ellis (Read books in order)

10.     The Other People by C.J. Tudor

11.     *The Other Queen: A Novel  by Philippa Gregory

12.      The Chekhov Collection of Short Stories by Anton Chekhov

13.     Robin Hood: The Siege  by Simon Guerrier  (Big Finish)

14.     The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

15.     The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer

16.    The Man from St. Petersburg by Ken Follett

17.     The Hiding Place (The Taking of Annie Thorne) by C.J. Tudor

18.      Bedlam by L.J. Ross

19.      The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

20.      Romeo and Juliet: A Novel by David Hewson 


* Narrated by Richard Armitage and additional narrator(s)



I believe Richard Armitage has over 50 audiobooks (audio plays, and podcasts included) as of this moment.  And a new project announced today.  But I thought 20 was a good number to start out with.

I love Richard's voice and performance in all his audiobooks and learned from them all. I've discovered new genres I hadn't explored before. I just mean these are my top 20 favorites for various reasons at this particular moment in time. 

Richard has more audiobooks just published in 2021 and I have just started listening to the new David Hewson book he narrated (see my post on my Audiobook 2021 Challenge).  And there are also some audiobooks I haven't listened to because they are not available in the US, or not yet, and some that have just become available.  I do sometimes buy the CD's for these, but sometimes I wait to see if Audible will eventually have them.  What I'm trying to say is, this list of my top 20 favorites is ever changing with new Armitage Audiobooks.  

I also have not included the children's books and the Love Poems and Meditations because to me they belong in a separate categories.  Also the audio plays with Big Finish and podcasts (Wolverine) belong in a separate category.  

I'm looking forward to starting Gallifrey - Time War 4 (Big Finish) soon, downloaded and ready for listening.








 

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