Happy holidays, everyone! I hope you are enjoying the holidays the RB40Jr way. He likes winter break because he doesn’t have to go to school. Life is very easy for a child. This year, we are flying to California to visit family for a week. Normally, I don’t like to travel on Christmas because the airport is very busy. But we all grow up and want to spend holidays with families. It should be big.
Recently, I heard on the radio that practicing gratitude can increase happiness. That makes sense. 2024 has been full of ups and downs, but we should focus on the positive this holiday season. Most of us are very lucky. We must admit it often.
Peak Portlandia!
First, I want to announce that I have reached the top of Portlandia! Check it out.
I foraged these ginkgo seeds from a roadside tree, roasted them, and served them on a plate I made. Boom! I’m done. There is nothing left to gain in Portlandia. Hahaha.
Me and Mrs. RB40 we were walking around the area when we saw fruit on a ginkgo tree. I’ve never looked closely at fruit before, but I saw ground seeds on the ground this time. I cracked these nuts with my grandmother when I was young. Wow, these nuts are delicious. I didn’t know they came from ginkgo. We collected the fruits and took them home to examine them. The ginkgo fruits were very smelly and inedible, but the nuts tasted delicious. I haven’t had these nuts since I was a kid. Hmmm…
Coincidentally, I made a ginkgo plate last month in my ceramics class. Serendipity.
I went back to get more nuts from the ground the next day. This time, I boiled them and added a little sugar. They were big. FYI, you can only eat 10 nuts a day. (5 for children.) Contains ginkgotoxin and can cause severe poisoning if consumed in large quantities. There are many benefits as well. Ginkgo is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Thank the internet because I was going to eat this whole bowl.
I just checked Amazon and 10 seeds cost $12. That’s not cheap.
Life is good
2024 was not a good year in terms of health. Mrs. RB40 and I are getting old and facing many health problems. However, we are still healthy enough to do whatever we want. We are thankful that we have great doctors who care about us. Unfortunately, my primary care physician is retiring early next year.
RB40Jr underwent surgery to implant a Cochlear in his ear to improve his hearing. The surgery went well and her hearing is starting to improve. Thanks for that. However, the insurance denied our claim because they say the implant is experimental. We will argue the denial, but that can wait until next year. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. They probably deny most of the claims anyway. The US health care system is a mess.
Money is good
2024 was a good year for investors. The stock market soared and our value reached new dizzying heights. My working income continues to decrease, but I don’t really mind. I see it as a step toward full retirement. In a few years, I will probably have no income at all. That’s right. Our investments will be enough to provide us with a very comfortable retirement. We are very lucky because many people in our generation are still struggling with debt. Money isn’t everything, but it sure makes life easier.
Hobbies new and old
I took pottery classes this year and really enjoyed them. My bowls and plates are wonky, but wonderful and unique. Creating a piece of clay feels so much fun. You are doing something original and it feels good to be better at something. Giving away my creations to friends and families is great. Everyone appreciates a unique dish that looks funny. My motto is – embrace imperfection. Pottery is my hobby.
I also took a ukulele class. I used to play in my younger days, but I haven’t touched my ukes lately. It was great to be back at it. The ukulele is a very fun instrument. Mrs RB40 said it was nice to hear the bells in the house again.
Family life is key
Finally, I am very grateful to have a good family life. Mrs RB40 and I have been married for 25 years. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re good together now. We rarely fight and we laugh together almost every day. I feel like 2024 was our best year yet. Life is good.
Thanks again for the RB40Jr. He’s a teenager now, but he doesn’t cause any problems at all. That’s a miracle! He is a follower of the law, just like his mother. Good.
Okay, that’s it for today. I will be back in 2 weeks. Happy holidays!
What are you thankful for this year? Please share. It will help everyone feel happy.
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A minimum wage is the key to early retirement. This year, Joe is investing in real estate with CrowdStreet. They have many projects all over the USA so check them out!
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