What's Been On Your Calendar?

#WBOYC – February 2024 – Part B

Retirement Reflections

In my last post, I used a question-and-answer format and invited readers to ask specifics about my February. The queries ranged from my recent trip to Mexico (and how many fellow Canadians I met there), Muttley Crew Dog Walks, what’s the big deal with the Superbowl and how in the heck my calendar is so neat. Some local history and community buildings were explored while cooking adventures included Chickpea and Eggplant Tagine and Portobello Pot Roast were shared.

A significant portion of the Q&As revolved around my parents’ recent decision to move to senior housing, detailing the communication and decision-making processes involved and looking ahead at their potential future needs. I believe that this is a very relevant topic for those in my age group fortunate enough to still have their parents.

Other questions touched on diverse aspects, including the full moon, President’s Day in the US, my husband’s return to golf after his broken arm, our current local weather, leap day, calendar blanks and recommendations for first-time visitors to Kelowna. The month also featured a variety of activities from Coldest Night of the Year, Home Exchange, Movie Night Out and striving to maintain a commitment to regular exercise despite the busyness.

Shout out to Margaret, who asked what Report Card rating I would give to this past Feburary. And Natalie, who tag-teamed with this question, asking which features of this month received an A rating. Despite its many ups and downs, upon reflection, I gave the month of February a B. Overall, not bad at all!

I greatly appreciate all who participated in this interactive post. I encourage you to check out some of their blogs below. I believe that you will enjoy them as much as I do.

Sue @ Women Living Well Over 50
Barbara @ Thistles and Kiwis
Debbie @ Deb’s World (Au)
Debbie @ Deb’s World (UK)
Anabel @ The Glassgow Galavanter
Bernie @ Equipose Life
Terri @ Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Leanne @ Cresting the Hill
Neil @ Yeah Another Blogger
Tracey @ Artistic Pension
Jacqui @ Worddreams
Deb @ The Widow Badass
Miriam @ The Showers of Blessings
Jennifer @ Tracking Down the Family
Robbie @ Robbieinspiration
Derrick @ DerrickKnight
Laurie @ Notes from the Hinterland
Suzanne @ Picture Retirement
Bernadette @ New Classic Recipe
Ally @ The Spectacled Bean
Margaret @ Stargazer: A View Into My Universe
Lydia @ Where the Wild Things Were
Janis @ Retirementally Challenged
Natalie @ Natalie the Explorer
Christi @ So What? Now What?
Jo @ And Anyways
Denyse @ substack.com/@denysewhelan
Antoinette @ Stories Served Around the Table
Liesbet @ Roaming About
Annonymous (I would love to know who you are so I can credit you here)
Mona (who doesn’t blog but definitely should)

As I recently mentioned to a cohost, I came to the blogging world for the writing but stayed for the friendships!

I didn’t realize until writing this second post that I had so few pictures on my camera roll from this past February. Snaps above are from Valentine’s Day Breakfast. One of my A+ days this past month. Ah, MUSH, I know!

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

48 thoughts on “#WBOYC – February 2024 – Part B”

  6. Considering the time of year, a B is an excellent grade for February! When I look back on my month, I didn’t do much but sometimes predictable (boring?) days rate higher than anything else.

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    1. Thanks, Tracey – We had a freak snowfall yesterday, rain today and there was sunshine between the two. I’ve just been out for my walk and am now cuddled by the fireplace ready to relax and enjoy this corner of the blogosphere which I have come to cherish! <3

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    1. Hi, Sue – Thank you for kicking off the questions. I love how so many people were willing to jump in and participate. I never know what to write for my monthly wrap-up posts. People’s questions touched on areas that I never would have thought of on my own! <3

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  11. What a great idea, Donna. I enjoyed reading Part A and your replies to reader questions. I’m not surprised that a lot of the questions were about moving to senior living. Although my parents stayed in the house where we all grew up, there were many challenges with that decision, and many discussions about assisted living for my mother after my father died. I hope your parents are doing well and I’m glad to hear your husband is back playing golf.

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    1. Thanks, Barbara – Senior living needs are always so unique to the individual or the couple. I’m glad that your parents were able to stay in their own home. My parents will be moving to Independent Living which may not meet all of their needs all of the time, but hopefully will provide them with some ease and enjoyment for now.

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  13. Well, I got my weather question answered in your last FB post – so I’m happpy – and thanks for the mention and link – I love the friendships in blogging the most too…. (plus now I’m figuring out Substack for a change of pace – always something new!) Onwards and into March – with some sunshine 🙂

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    1. HI, Leanne – Good for you for figuring out Substack. That platform totally has me baffled. Ditto Disqus. You know what they say about old dogs and new tricks?! That totally applies to me and new technologies! Oh, and our current weather — it still cannot make up its mind what it wants to do. It’s a bit like Groucho Marx. If you don’t like its values – it has others!

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne – It was fun! Ally from The Spectacled Bean had done a Q & A post earlier last year but on a much larger scale — an ask her anything post. Focussing my Q & A’s to this past February was wide enough for me. You guys were all incredibly creative with your questions and kept me thinking. I greatly appreciated all of the interaction. :D

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  15. Lots of great questions Donna, were you surprised by any of them I wonder? A great Part B to your original post and such a clever and creative idea!

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  16. Pingback: This week’s small pleasures #377 – Thistles and Kiwis

  19. Donna, sorry, I came late to your previous post! What a terrific idea and I love the reversal of a typical post and what a creative set of questions. I’ve enjoyed reading some of these and love the sound of your meals and travel. I hope your parents are settling in well and it must be such a hard move but good they have family already there. A ‘B’ in February is very good, I reckon! A lovely community spirit here, Donna and I feel the same: ‘I came to the blogging world for the writing but stayed for the friendships!’ Well said. Wishing you a great start to the week! Annika xx

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  21. I just checked out Part A now and can see what a lot of fun it was responding to questions!
    Hope your parents are settling in well to new ‘senior housing’ Donna.

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  23. Hi Donna – thanks I’m slowly reading through part B – so will note as I go … salient things, and odd nods to food, etc …

    Re Anonymous – pity they didn’t leave their name … but trust became my word with my Mother and Uncle – I’m sure they knew the other members of the family would be there, but they knew I was always there for them. Interesting to know Richard’s brother and SIL are in the facility … must have helped.

    Climate – it’s always been variable … winter in 1940, 47/48, 62/63, 87 … were awful … but from frost fairs on the Thames from I see as late as the7th C to early 19th C – most in the Little Ice Age (early 17thC – early 19 th C)

    Blogging is for friends and learning … oh yes Richard and his golf – spotted that improvement …

    Ah – April move … good luck – at least the weather will be kinder then …

    I thought I was on A – but will now go back there! Hopeless … C or lower for me … but that’s just my switch off mode at the moment … getting ahead – very snail like – maybe an ‘S’ … ! Cheers Hilary

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  24. Hi, HIlary – Thank you again for your very thoughtful comment. I too wish that commenters would leave their name instead of ‘annonymous’ but I think that this is partly due to a new setting on WordPress.

    My parents move April 1. I will keep you posted on how that goes. Hopefully as smooth as possible!

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