Gratitude while FIRE'd

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Another year has come and gone. Last November while watching the sumo tournament, Asanoyama said something that caught my attention. He's been gone from the very top division for sometime and I was happy to see him back. He did well and when he was interviewed after getting a winning record, he said: A lot has happened a long the way, the tournament isn't over yet. So I want to say focused, keep my gratitude in mind and continue giving my best. That is a good attitude to cultivate - an attitude of gratitude.  Last Monday, I stopped at a counter to do a pickup and I realized that people get up each day to show up to work. Later during the week, I stopped by the store to look for replacement bulbs and on my way back to the garage, I saw a worker helping a customer with loading their car and what I felt was gratitude to God. God has been good to me.  I think that sometimes, it's easy to forget the good we have but I think it is important to focus on the good we have, on the bl...
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Snow Days when FI/RE'd (Financial Independence Retire Early)

 Happy New year! 

Last night, I was on the phone with a friend who asked if I was working and I said no. And she may have said something about it being good because "you don't have to worry about the snow". I simply thought she meant this season. I didn't bother to look outside until this morning when I realized that it has snowed overnight. I'm pretty sure schools are closed because I didn't see much activity outside. 

So one of the things I was grateful for this morning was the fact that I don't have to go outside. I thought I would go out and clear the snow but I didn't feel like it. I really wasn't expecting a snow storm. We really haven't had one for a few years and I'm so glad I exited before we got one. Whew!

One of the benefits of getting FIRE'd is not having to worry about getting to work during snowstorms. I got some groceries on Thursday and I have enough food available. So what did I do today? Lived. I actually did some cooking earlier this afternoon. I was also trying to read and manage some petty things. 

That said, I hope those of you who had to work made it there safely. Nursing is one of the jobs where you have to get there regardless of snowy conditions. I didn't really worry much about that because I worked PRN for years and wouldn't really sign up much during the winter months. I used to avoid certain months simply due to the chance of snow. 

I started writing this piece 10 days ago and maybe it's good I didn't finish it to publish. Because I didn't really head out until just a couple days ago. I got some eggs, milk, bread and apples. I heard there's more snow coming. I was actually supposed to travel out of state but I canceled it. That's for another day. 

One of the things I recall now is back in 2009 or 2010 when there was a snow storm. They called us to let us know that if we didn't show up, it would count as an occurrence. Keep in mind there was an emergency and you were not allowed to be on the road driving. Oh the times one slept in the hospital back then. Sometimes I think nurses working during winter storms should get a little bit of an incentive or extra pay. Instead of the veiled threat of calling to remind people that if they don't show up, it would be an occurrence. 

The beauty of Financial Independence / Retire Early (F.I.R.E) is that you don't have to worry about getting out in the snow storm at 6:30 when the road is barely plowed. Be safe out there and aim to FIRE. Nursing is not an easy job. 

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