The Update I Owe All of You

 

Hello, my dear readers. 

 

I'm BACK.

 

Did you miss your favorite retro gal? I missed you. 

 

Last week or the week before I resumed posting to the blog's Facebook page, so feel free to head over there and like/follow it to catch up with even more retro goodness. 

 

To answer the question on everyone's mind, 2020 was a hell of a year for me (although ultimately, it could have ended up much worse.) I guess that seems to have been the norm for the year in general. But although it was my most challenging year yet in my 49 (as of today) years on earth, it also proved to be my most rewarding. 

 

The short version is my mother passed away back in May. I lived with her and was her primary caretaker. I didn't know where I was going to end up living. The only source of income I was making the past few years came from freelance writing work that fluctuated like crazy. I couldn't really get a job outside of the home—even a part-time one—because the last few years were filled with numerous medical appointments and eventually surgeries. I was the only one she could depend upon to take her to these appointments, not to mention do the grocery shopping, yard work, pay bills, and everything else that goes along with taking care of an elderly family member. 

 

I had to get some kind of steady, W2 job fast. So over the summer I actually interviewed for a retail job very close by. I still have it and still enjoy it, believe it or not. My coworkers are great and the environment reminds me a lot of when I worked in the hospitality industry many moons ago. 

 

Yeah, it's minimum wage but it's a job. It helped me get pre-approved for a mortgage. I still squeeze in my freelance writing work every week for extra money. 

 

No, all of it is nowhere near what I used to make in the corporate world. But for now, it works for me, and it was exactly what I needed. It got me out of the house and interacting with people again—two things I hadn't realized I missed. 

 

I found the most perfect apartment in my town and will be moving into it next month. Renting is the best option for me right now because the housing market is extremely competitive right now, especially in my neck of the woods. My hours at the store also took a dip right after the holidays which is the norm in the business. They're supposed to pick up again later by March. 

Things were scary and lonely. But I have no doubt both my parents are up there watching out for me. Everything just started to work out and fall into place. 

I also just didn't have any time to devote to the blog or the Facebook page these past few years while my mother took priority. I'm in the middle of moving, but once I'm settled into the new digs and get back into a routine, I'm itching to update the blog more regularly. I already have a few posts in mind. 

 

2021 is going to be a much better year. I can feel it. Come along with me for the retro ride! 

 

I hope all of you are doing well.