A Little Bit of Everything with BIG News!

Hello there!  Thanks for popping by!  Today I'm excited to link up with Erika from A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea from Momfessionals for:

I decided to retire!

On March 1, 2024, my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 gastric/esophageal cancer.  Since then, life has been a whirlwind with scans, chemotherapy, surgery, feeding tube, medication...  The surgery was June 5th so I took the last 2 weeks of school off.  His surgery was at Mass. General in Boston.  The surgeons are very happy with the surgery (click here to read about this complex procedure).  

Matt in December in Puerto Rico. He self-diagnosed with acid reflux.

These past months have been extremely stressful and hopeful.  While in school, I found that my patience dwindled, and my focus was on my husband. Needless to say, when my district offered a $20,000 early retirement incentive, I decided this was the time to retire.  I was planning on retiring in October 2025 when I turn 65.  

Of course, the district reneged their $20,000 incentive which is now $6,750.  However, I am still retiring either way because my husband will continue to need chemotherapy, and other care.

Now that I'm retired, I can focus on my training to become a nurse!

Any day my daughter is having a baby!

My daughter's due date is July 16th which is just about here.  She's having a girl but the name is the big secret and surprise.  She's feeling BIG and ready to have a baby!  

Have you ever seen a lady slipper?

Neither had I until last month when my friend and I spotted this beauty:

Speaking of plants...

I have a small garden that gets direct sun all day all summer.  In addition, we have a large rabbit population.  Consequently, I need drought and rabbit resistant flowers.  Enter the Veronica Speedwell:

Click on the picture to read more about these plants in the Farmers' Almanac

Most importantly, the pollinators LOVE these plants, and they can remain alive with me as their caretaker.  

Last summer, we started a garden as an experiment.  We only planted rabbit resistant plants such as lavender and coreopsis.  Those plants did not come back, but the Veronicas did!  I have even bought a white and a pink Veronica.  I highly recommend these plants if you want plants that are perennials and require little attention.

It is the height of summer here in Massachusetts:  heat and humidity every day which means LOTS of air conditioning time.  That means you can catch up on reading more blogs at: