I got laid off!
No, really! I was toying around with retirement this past spring but put it off, why stop working when it’s all from home and we can’t go anywhere anyway?
Last month I happened into an arrangement where I’d get “laid off” with a heckuva severance package… My last day is 12/11 - Merry Christmas to me!
^^^That’s excellent news!! I love those kind of layoffs!
I agree. We were in that situation last December -my husband got laid off which meant early retirement. Despite this being a crazy year (none of our retirement plans have been doable) - no regrets at all. Enjoy!
That happened to my H, too. He did a voluntary separation with amazing terms when his company cut back two years ago. He was considering retiring in the coming months, so it worked out perfectly. Congratulations, and enjoy your new life.
When H retired his boss realized how much he needed H and pleaded with H to return for 6 months with salary plus pension. Because H still liked the folks he had worked with, he did go back for those 6 months — it was great fo4 our household income to get salary and pension.
SIL sent a beautiful flower arrangement to me with a note of thanks for all I do for him, D, GS, and GD.
@HImom , they’ve already asked me to come back asap as a “casual employee” to help out during busy periods. I told them, as long as it’s on my terms and it doesn’t mess with my severance, fine with me!
Bought a gift for a friend from small local company. It happened to be on sale, plus included free postage to her in CA, so for what I usually pay for postage on her gift, I’m all done with purchasing her present! She already received it today and seems happy.
Sent handmade cotton face masks to all our speakers for our webinar. They all seemed very pleased and one thanked me saying it’s so rare to get “good” mail these days.
this was fun. Friend’s college daughter is home and working at local grocery store. Had a guy checking out and buying Whiskey today; she’s mandated to check IDs. Guy was born in 1917. 103 yrs old, out buying whiskey! Guess he was a WW2 vet too. She really enjoyed meeting him. Reminds me of the song “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!”
I found this thread!
It was on my bookmarks but as bookmarks have not been added to the new format - not going to rant here - it has taken me ages to find it again.
I was totally going to stop coming on to CC for what was the point if I couldn’t get my ‘tell me something good’ fix especially in these times.
So wishing everyone a Covid safe Christmas 
I cannot sing the praises of my in laws’ assisted living community enough. My FIL is in his final days, and he needs more care than an AL facility should be expected to provide. We were going to move him to a nursing home, but the AL won’t hear of it. The level of support they are providing to my FIL and to my MIL is phenomenal. What a huge blessing.
Some good news—special holiday edition.
@HImom: Can you summarize? I don’t want to watch a 22-minute video. Thanks.
It had a guy who is a widower who was trying to sell some valuable collectibles so he could give his two kids a nice Christmas. The host of SGN tried to buy several but was flagged as suspicious and transactions were rejected. On the show, he had THE ROCK come on and help grant the kids wishes and more, plus announced $5 million donation by FedEx
This is a wonderful story:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/20/us/austin-storm-delivery-driver-trnd/index.html
Very heartwarming!
Enjoying life as an “Empty Nester” now that D2 has moved to NY for college and has already stated, “I’m never coming home”. Of course we miss the kids and plan on visiting both three or four times each yr regardless of where they settle. However, it’s peaceful in our house without all the commotion of must haves and must dos. We never fell prey to that but the begging never stopped 
at least form our youngest.
Meals are easier, shopping is easier, cleaning up is easier. Everything is just easier. I write this as I watch my wife of 30 yrs contently read a book on the family room sofa with no TV on. That look of contentment brings me joy. Our kids also bring me tremendous joy, but I’ll take this right now.
Time to go hit some golf balls and plan for a simple, easy, yet delicious dinner.
<<<…has already stated, “I’m never coming home”.>>>
This made me chuckle because our son said the same thing in 2016. “Just so you know, I’m never stepping foot in Maine again.”
Let’s just say he has since spent enough time at our house that we charged him rent. 
Now that’s funny! We’ll see what happens but we live in FL and she’s in NY. D is a performing artist and shooting for Broadway or Off Broadway and really loves it up there. As much as we love her and she us, I hope she’s right. Time will tell.