Hubby's BIG Surprise

How about we start off with something cute? I sent a baby laptop (don't know what they are called) in this CUTE Vera Bradley Tablet Hipster along with a matching coin purse off to my Niece today. Our Niece was diagnosed with inoperable abdominal cancer a few weeks back :( She is a single Mommy of a 7 year old little boy, his twin sister passed away when she was 3 years old after MANY complications from their premature birth. Her hubby took off not long after Madison's death. Her prognosis is REALLY good but she will have to live at a hospitality house at UAB for the next 4 months while receiving treatment. Her little boy will be staying back home with my Sister (his Meme) while Mommy is away. For the first few weeks our Niece will be able to travel home on the weekends to be with her little boy but in time she will be to ill to do any traveling. After many visits on the phone regarding what we can do to help the idea of a laptop for Mommy to use while away from home came up. We have hopes that by having a laptop with her she will be able to visit her sweet boy in the evenings using skyp or whatever the heck it is that the young Mommy's know how to do. Hubby and I are soooo excited to be able to help in a small way. In the future I know she will be needing lots more help but for today, right now, she and her little man will have fun with this new toy. Please Mr. Mailman get it there safely!!!

My sweet, makes me crazy as a bat hubby laid on me this past weekend that he has decided to retire in 3 years. WHAT THE HECK????? You must be kidding right? Nope. All the travel, being away from our family, missing the big and little things of everday life has finally caught up with him. He is ready to call it quits. Needless to say I was SHOCKED. Hubby loves his job, the people he works with, and the wonderful company he works for but no amount of money is worth this lifestyle at this point in his life. It's not that I don't support his decision but...... I thought we were on the 6 year retirement plan. Big changes are going to have to happen around our place to make this early retirement happen.

As with many of you I take care of all aspects of the home life. Cooking, cleaning, yard, house, family, holiday planning, vacations and of course the budget and bill paying. I would LOVE to have hubby a part of the bill paying, financial planning part of the deal but with his travels it is impossible for him to do. He really has no idea of what comes in or goes out. At first I was in panic mode then after a cup of tea setting at the kitchen table looking out over the back yard I decided to approach this HUGE lifestyle change in a business like manner. I can't continue to be the one who run this ship alone.

For the past 2 days I have been working diligently putting together spreadsheets of our set expenses, weekly expenses, and yearly commitments. I know I am missing things but for now its in pretty good shape, I can update as we go. Another spreadsheet are things that must be done before our income DROPS! They are BIG time big ticket items. The last spreadsheet is our projected income if he retires at 62 verses 66, the total amount we have in 401K, HSA, and regular savings. Other assets such as our home and such he is already aware of.

Hubby will now be able to see in black and white where most of our money is spent. Together we can begin to decide what needs to be cut out or cut down on to achieve the BIG goals that need to be meet before he hangs up his hard hat! Ha This is an exciting scary time to say the least.

To add a little to our excitement he found out yesterday he is once again being transferred to a different project. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! Soooo next week when the Dr. releases him he and I will be taking a road trip to the "UP" of Michigan to pack up the office and the house he has been renting, settle up the rent that will need to be paid for breaking the lease then return home for unpacking and repacking to the next project that will be in AZ. Talk about a climate change. Hubby has already rented an apartment in AZ so at least he has a place to live when he arrives. Now we have to figure out what to do about furnishing the place. BTW hubby doesn't fly so it will be a very LONG road trip to AZ. Me thinks somebody better be getting over the fear of flying and FAST!!

Times they are a changing. All of this has had my head spinning. I like a schedule, list, and organization. I have never been a fly by the seat of my pants kinda gal!!  It's a crazy world some days. I wouldn't change a thing other than the roof, heating/air conditioning units, balance in the savings and 401k account...Oh never mind!!!