Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Let’s link up with Joyce for Hodgepodge!
1. What do you make more complicated than it needs to be?
The better question is what don’t I make more complicated? I am really working on this. I think some of it stems from anxiety and some from perfectionism. You know those memes about the type A, high achieving, first born daughter? Yeah, that’s me. I wouldn’t say I was a high achiever after high school, but I held my own before I was 18.
I overthink things as little as when I should go to the grocery store. I overcomplicate what we are having for dinner. Argh. I second guess the smallest decisions.
In the words of Michael Scott, “why am I the way that I am?”
2. What impresses you?
I am not really impressed by material things. I am impressed by people who have done a lot with a little, who have traveled, who have lived life experiences, that kind of thing.
3. On a scale of 1-10 how picky of an eater are you? (1=extremely and 10=not at all) If you had to eat a meal made entirely of one color what color would you choose?
I would say I’m a 7. I don’t like nuts. I don’t like peas or lima beans. I don’t want to eat weird meats and seafood like rabbit, oysters, clams, chicken livers.
I can, however, go to any restaurant and find something to eat. I would never say if I didn’t like something at someone’s home.
WHITE – bread, potatoes, eggs, frosting, creamer, lol.
4. What does balance in life mean to you? Does your life currently feel ‘balanced’?
Balance in life means margin. I didn’t overschedule myself when I was working. I had time at home, took days off when needed, and made sure to have open space in my calendar for spontaneity. Balance means a good mix of alone time, spouse time, family time, too.
My life currently is probably lopsided on the side of time at home and unscheduled time, but I made myself a promise to take this first year of retirement slowly and not overcommit or commit to anything before I was ready.
I have always made time for hobbies, though. How sad would it be if one didn’t have time to sit on the patio with a glass of wine and a book? I think everyone should do a “time audit” and see where their time is taken up on a normal day.
5. If you could travel the world for a year what would be your first destination?
What a good question! I would probably start in Scandinavia and work my way down through Europe? I would linger and spend time in the smaller towns and not just visit the big cities. Also, can Tom and Eddie Otis go?
6. Insert your own random thought here.
The story of the wedding dresses being saved made national news! Well, People.com news, at least. , so maybe it was more of national pop culture news.
What would you say to one or more of these questions?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I second guess small decisions as well! It would be terrible to have no hobbies AND to have no or little time to devote to them. I thought the “balance” question was thought provoking and also a bit hard to answer because I’d never thought about it before. I doubt anyone’s life is perfectly balanced- we all do the best we can with what we’ve got! Here’s a post idea for you: how your life looks now in retirement versus what you thought it may look like or compared to a school day. I love that the wedding dress story made national news!
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I agree! As a child I wrote stories, poems, songs, read a ton, but still had time to play with neighbor kids. I’m so glad I had that childhood that really looks like how I am now. I have thought about balance my whole career because my mom didn’t balance it well.
I love that idea and had thought about that – wasn’t sure if people would like my one year of retirement thoughts!
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I can overthink small things too. One of the benefits of retirement is having the time to look at the ways our life needs or lacks balance and then course correcting. It’s never perfect but is good to assess now and then. Hope you have a great day!
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I hate that about myself.
So true. I feel so lucky to have the time to craft the life I want. I started looking at job listings! What am I thinking?
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Oh girl I am so with you with the overachiever-type A- first born daughter etc etc- totally get it! Same girl same 😉 Love that the wedding dress story hit the national news 🙂
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Right? It’s hard being us!
Isn’t that cool?
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I’m seeing a pattern in our answers about overcomplicating things. Maybe this is a menopausal woman thing?? Or just a woman thing in general? I overcomplicate EVERYTHING. It’s so dumb! And yet I can’t seem to stop it or change…
Moving on…how lovely to sit outside with a book and a glass of wine. I love that you took your time with this first year of retirement and discovered things you love doing. You will never regret doing that; I’ve also taken notes from you with working and plan on using the days that I have off that are paid instead of collecting them. Thanks for always inspring me in some way! I love that the picture and story made the People magazine.
I hope you have a great day, my friend!
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You inspire me, too! I don’t know why we over complicate things but part of it is people pleasing! I even want to please my dog! I don’t want to leave him too long.
I think I’m going to write a post about this first year. I think it will be good for me.
Don’t overlook those half days. Those can fill your cup sometimes!
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Yes! I said the same for question #1. I overthink everything, things that are not a big deal which I make a big deal! I am not a fan of weird meats either. The thought of chicken livers turns my stomach.
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