Inspiration

2016 bathroom remodel

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Vanity area before (Photo by slc)
Shower area before (Photo by slc)

Reasons for bathroom remodel: tub reglazed by previous owner made it too slick to stand in safely, cracked tile floor grout, granite tile counter, short toilet, old/moldy tub/shower, outdated shower fixtures, short shower head, one unnecessary doorway and hallway, popcorn ceiling, poorly patched walls

Initial Budget:  $7,000        Actual:  $10,500

I started this six-week remodel by removing the popcorn ceiling texture and the shower door enclosure. I used a small garden sprayer to apply water to the ceiling and then scraped the popcorn off.  It was messy but easy. Taking off the shower door was also an easy process.  I saved all the parts and put it up for sale on Craigslist after the Habitat for Humanity Restore turned down the donation.  No takers on Craigslist so I ended up putting it in the landfill. Bummer!

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Single, retired and thriving?

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single retirees
Getty Images

How to Thrive as a Single Person in Retirement

You can enjoy an active and fulfilling retirement with the right attitude and thoughtful preparation.

By Dave Hughes | Contributor to U.S. News & World Report Feb. 9, 2017

“If you are single, you probably have some concerns about your retirement that people with partners are less likely to experience. Married retirees may someday encounter these same issues if one spouse passes before the other. With awareness and proper planning, you can be better situated to enjoy a happy and secure retirement. Here are four ways you can thrive as a single person in retirement:

  • Cultivate a support network
  • Build your social network
  • Consider alternative living arrangements
  • Be willing to travel solo

…While being retired as a single person does present some challenges, you can still enjoy an active, happy and fulfilling retirement with the right attitude and thoughtful preparation.”

For more specifics on thriving as single retirees

Dave Hughes is the founder of Retire Fabulously.

Find peace, strength, guidance and forgiveness in prayer

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“Our Foolishness, His Faithfulness”prayer

An Excerpt from #84-22
Presented on The Lutheran Hour on January 29, 2017
By Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Copyright 2017 Lutheran Hour Ministries

“…When you look back at your life, are you haunted by wrong and shameful things you have done or said or thought? Have you committed acts which you struggle to keep hidden from everyone else; acts which twist your stomach into knots, which bring a blush to your cheeks and rob you of sleep? Now let me ask, ‘What has the world done to bring you lasting and permanent peace?’ If you are like most, you will have to admit the world has no medication, no program, no philosophical plan which can remove those sins and soothe your conscience. Let me continue. When you think of your own mortality and the moment you will breathe your last, do you ever wonder what will happen next? Are you absolutely convinced that death is the end of everything or do you, every so often, get a fleeting feeling that there is something more and you aren’t prepared for what’s going to happen? Have you ever longed to have something, someone in whom you can place your trust… someone who is absolutely reliable and will always be there for you?

If so, I encourage you, abandon any attitude which has labeled the cross as being foolish. The crucified and risen Christ came to erase those sins which trouble your days and upset your nights. He has come to give you a peace which the world cannot give. Look to the cross and empty grave of Jesus and know that, right now, a living Lord extends His nail-pierced hands to you in welcome. Jesus says, ‘Come to me and I will listen, I will carry your concerns; I will hear your prayers; I will comfort your soul and my love for you will never end.‘”

Katherine Johnson–retired NASA mathematician finds fame

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Katherine Johnson
nasa.gov

If you’ve seen the movie “Hidden Figures,” you know about Katherine Johnson. Below is a recent article written about Katherine’s new found fame.

Katherine Johnson, a black NASA pioneer, finds acclaim at 98

by Victoria St. Martin, The Washington Post

January 29, 2017

“Fame has finally found Katherine Johnson — and it only took 98 years, six manned moon landings, a best-selling book and an Oscar-nominated movie.

For more than 30 years, Johnson worked as a NASA mathematician at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, where she played an unseen but pivotal role in the country’s space missions. That she was an African-American woman in an almost all-male and white workforce made her career even more remarkable.

Now, three decades after retiring from the agency, Johnson is portrayed by actress Taraji Henson in ‘Hidden Figures,’ a film based on a book of the same name. The movie tells how a group of black women — world-class mathematicians all — helped provide NASA with data crucial to the success of the agency’s early spaceflights. ‘Hidden Figures’ was nominated Tuesday for an Academy Award for best picture.

Suddenly Johnson, who will turn 99 in August, finds herself inundated with interview requests, award banquet invitations and people who just want to stop by and shake her hand.

…For many people, especially African-Americans, her tale of overcoming racism and sexism is inspirational.”

Read more about Katherine Johnson

Help “keep the music that shaped America alive”

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Music Maker Relief Foundation: Our Mission

Music Maker Relief Foundation

Published on Sep 5, 2012

“The Music Maker Relief Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, was founded to preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it, ensuring their voices will not be silenced by poverty and time. Music Maker will give future generations access to their heritage through documentation and performance programs that build knowledge and appreciation of America’s musical traditions.”

Music Maker
Age Don’t Mean a Thing by Robert Finley, age 62, album released September 2016

I have always loved the Blues and today I purchased the album on the right. The reviews on Amazon say it is great!  I can’t wait to get it!

Please visit their website and check out what the Foundation does for these talented elderly musicians.  It’s an awesome mission and you can see the difference they are making on the musicians’ faces.

“You can support the artists and the music by making a donation, purchasing a CD,  or attending an event!”

Looking for a free daily devotional?

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I came across this free downloadable daily devotional today and thought I would share it with you.  It is from Hope-Full Living, Daily Devotions for Christian Seniors.  I think would be great for those seniors who can not attend church.

daily devotional

Guest profile–Micheal

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Micheal – Living and working internationally in retirement

Micheal
Micheal hunting near his home in Colorado with his former companion, Lady.      (Photo by SLC)

BECOMING A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD

History, teaching, exercise, and hunting are my passions.  I retired from teaching history full-time and coaching at the high school level in 2012 because I felt I was beginning to just do a job instead of passionately working at my craft.  I was ready for a new challenge and I have always enjoyed the international experience.

While in college, I studied in Italy for a quarter and after graduation I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines for four years.  Living and working internationally was exciting, difficult and different from the norm.  That uniqueness is the reason I decided to teach internationally during my retirement as well as create a second income to supplement my pension from teaching in the U.S.

Read more about Micheal’s experience of living and working internationally during retirement