Comfortable Holidays, everybody! I hope you’re having fun with the vacations as a lot as RB40Jr. He loves winter break as a result of he doesn’t should go to high school. Life is so easy for a child. This yr, we’re flying to California to go to households for every week. Usually, I don’t wish to journey throughout Christmas as a result of the airport is so busy. However we’re all getting older and we wish to spend the vacations with households. It needs to be nice.
Lately, I heard on the radio that training gratitude can improve happiness. That is smart. 2024 was stuffed with ups and downs, however we must always deal with the positives this vacation season. Most of us are very fortunate. We should always acknowledge it extra typically.
Peak Portlandia!
First off, I wish to announce that I’ve reached peak Portlandia! Test it out.
I foraged these ginkgo seeds from a avenue tree, roasted them, and served them on a plate I made. Growth! I’m achieved. There may be nothing left to realize in Portlandia. Hahaha.
Mrs. RB40 and I have been strolling across the neighborhood once we noticed some fruits on a ginkgo tree. I by no means regarded on the fruits carefully earlier than, however I acknowledged the squished seeds on the bottom this time. I used to crack these nuts with my grandmother once I was little. Whoa, these nuts are a delicacy. I didn’t know they got here from ginkgo. We collected some fruits and took them residence to experiment with. The ginkgo fruits have been tremendous pungent and never edible, however the nuts tasted implausible. I haven’t had these nuts since I used to be a child. Mmmm…
Coincidently, I made a ginkgo plate final month in my ceramic class. Serendipity.
I went again to get the remainder of the nuts on the bottom the following day. This time, I boiled and put somewhat sugar on them. They have been nice. FYI, you possibly can solely eat about 10 of those nuts per day. (5 for youths.) They comprise ginkgotoxin and may trigger extreme poisoning when you eat too many. There are numerous advantages too. Ginkgo is utilized in conventional Chinese language medication. Thank goodness for the web as a result of I might have eaten this entire bowl.
I simply checked Amazon and 10 seeds value $12. That isn’t low cost.
Well being is okay
2024 wasn’t an ideal yr concerning well being. Mrs. RB40 and I are getting older and we face extra well being points. Nonetheless, we’re nonetheless wholesome sufficient to do every little thing we would like. We’re grateful we now have nice docs who care about us. Sadly, my major care doctor is retiring early subsequent yr.
RB40Jr had surgical procedure to place a Cochlear implant in his ear to enhance his listening to. The surgical procedure went properly and his listening to is beginning to enhance. We’re grateful for that. Nonetheless, the insurance coverage denied our declare as a result of they mentioned the implant was experimental. We’ll contest the denial, however that may wait till subsequent yr. I’m not going to fret about it an excessive amount of. They in all probability deny most claims anyway. The U.S. healthcare system is a large number.
Cash is nice
2024 was an superior yr for traders. The inventory market went up considerably and our internet price reached a dizzying new top. My lively earnings continues to lower, however I don’t actually thoughts. I see it as a step towards full retirement. In a number of years, I in all probability received’t have any lively earnings in any respect. That’s alright. Our funding can be sufficient to offer a really snug retirement for us. We’re very fortunate as a result of many individuals in our era are nonetheless scuffling with payments. Cash isn’t every little thing, nevertheless it certain makes life simpler.
New and outdated hobbies
I took some pottery lessons this yr and I loved them immensely. My bowls and plates are wonky, however they’re superior and distinctive. Creating a bit of pottery feels so good. You make one thing actual and it feels nice to get higher at one thing. Gifting my creations to associates and households is grand. Everybody appreciates a singular funny-looking bowl. My motto is – embrace the imperfection. Pottery is the proper interest for me.
I additionally took a ukulele class. I used to play typically in my youthful days, however I haven’t touched my ukes just lately. It was nice to get again into it. The ukulele is such a cheerful instrument. Mrs. RB40 mentioned it’s good to listen to devices in the home once more.
Household life is vital
Lastly, I’m very grateful to have an ideal household life. Mrs. RB40 and I’ve been married for 25 years. We had our ups and downs, however we’re nice collectively now. We not often combat and we snicker collectively nearly day-after-day. I really feel 2024 was our greatest yr but. Life is nice.
I’m additionally grateful for RB40Jr. He’s a young person now, however he doesn’t trigger any bother in any respect. That’s a miracle! He’s a rule follower, like his mother. It’s nice.
Alright, that’s it for at the moment. I’ll be again in 2 weeks. Comfortable holidays!
What are you grateful for this yr? Please share. It’ll assist everybody really feel good.
Please observe and like us:
Passive earnings is the important thing to early retirement. This yr, Joe is investing in industrial actual property with CrowdStreet. They’ve many initiatives throughout the USA so verify them out!
Joe additionally extremely recommends Private Capital for DIY traders. They’ve many helpful instruments that may aid you attain monetary independence.