Greetings to all! Hard to believe that the holidays are just about behind us now, and 2026 is coming in hot. I've had many friends who have asked how it feels to be retired, and I've honestly had to answer that it's hard to say - it is, after all, still winter break. Ask me on Monday, January 5th.
Darling Hubby (DH) and I are doing the dance - I'm trying to stay out of his way, as he has an already established routine. And, by routine, I mean whatever he feels like doing that moment/day/week - you get my drift. Like, shopping for food for the holiday - I said I would go with him, but I wanted to go early (before noon). He acquiesced, but I don't think he was too happy about it!
Other things that occupy my time (besides the cooking -which I was more than happy to do this year) is reading (3 David Baldacci books -the Amos Decker series - and counting!); cleaning some of those hard -to- get -to spots (has anyone else looked at tips from Southern Living or The Spruce? Highly recommend it!), and reorganizing the studio. One of the things I'm doing in there is making up a Kids Kart - the place where the grandkids know that those are the supplies meant for them. I'll post a picture when I get it all done.
But yes, there will be things I miss about work, like my colleagues; but more importantly - the IT department. One of the things you must remember, is that I "Art" - which does not include technology! It was always comforting to know that Mitch was only an email away, and technology would be fixed in a jiffy!
I went to print something out from my new laptop (an Apple MacAir - love it, but we're still getting used to each other!) which I was able to do this last week, so no problem, right?
Wrong.
Printer out of paper. No biggie - this is within my abilities to remedy.
So I go downstairs to the printer. It isn't out of paper - it claims to have a paper jam. Now I'm sweating.
I take the thing apart (according to directions) and there does not seem to be a jam. So, I try again, and to no avail - my things are not printing.
I went back upstairs, and looking at DH, I said, "I would like to register a complaint with the tech department." I told him what happened, and he said the same thing had happened to him the other day! After a little while, he hauled himself down to his computer to try to correct the issue.
He came back later with several printed things in hand. "I got that message once before, so I asked my friend AI (more on that another time!), and it told me to turn it off, unplug it, remove the paper, turn it upside down, put it right side up, replace the paper, and turn it back on." He handed me the things I had tried to print out. "However, these were in the tray when I went down."
I frowned. "These were the things that wouldn't print for me. I guess the printer was just taking its good old sweet time."
"Oh, so maybe I didn't have to do all those things."
"Probably not. It just doesn't like me."
He nodded in agreement. "It told me it doesn't like you."
A joke we've shared forever about my family talking to inanimate objects made me laugh, "Oh, so you talk to inanimate objects now?"
Scoffing, he started to walk away. "No, but I listen."
Is it any wonder I've started talking to myself?!
So, don't look the IT department (gift horse) in the mouth - that is something I will truly miss!
And, if nothing else, I guess doing calisthenics with the printer might be a change of pace! So, nothing changes at the Stress Pool - but then, I guess we really wouldn't want it to change too much.
Happy New Year from all of us to all of you - and when you're ready to share a cup of peppermint hot chocolate and hear me muttering things under my breath, come on over - there's always an extra pool towel at the Stress Pool!
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