The trend was to travel to a bucket list location every other year. We did it in 2012, and 2014. However, 2016 was going to prove differently. This was the year for a milestone, as I turned 60 this year. A new decade, a decade that would bring many wonderful, challenging things, from surgeries, to retirement, selling the homestead, and finding a new home, a new location, becoming residents of a new location. Travel plans were thwarted by medical necessities. What should have been a routine 4-6 week recovery, changed to a 15 week milestone. The new year would bring two chipped teeth, (what's up with that?), cataract evaluation, not one, but two, mammograms, colonoscopy ( with removal of a few polyps), and not one, but two surgeries on my foot- one to remove a bunion and insert screws, and the second to remove the screws that I was rejecting- 3 rounds of antibiotics, one visit to the ER with IV antibiotics, a treatment of steroids, numerous x rays, blood tests, and waiting, and finally some recovery from this ordeal. I realize, in the grand scheme of things, that this could have been so much worse, but for someone that rarely goes to the doctors', is never sick, I have made up for it in the last 3 months. The next step is physical therapy, as I have scar tissue and swelling so badly that I can't bend the big toe. 

Ok, so 2016 wasn't exactly following the path I thought it would. Not a big deal. I am moving forward. I am planning to retire. Sooner, rather than later. I may have to scrimp and save, and be more conservative than I have been in many years, I am still ready to pursue retirement. I am ready to spend my hard earned and saved dollars for my health insurance. It's ridiculous that I have worked long hours, week after week, year after year, and still feel I am being screwed when it comes to retiring with adequate coverage for health issues. Experts say I am ready, and prepared, and OK to retire. But why do I feel so unprepared?

I have gotten many signs that if I want to retire, I should.  Even today, a customer said, if you want to, and you have prepared, you should. I have prepared. I have saved from day one, I have saved, invested, and looked forward to this day for many, many years. I think 2016 is the year to do it. Now to just convince the voice in my head that I am ready. 

Stay tuned......