Everyday Life

When someone hears that we’re retiring to Ecuador, one of the first questions that we’re asked is what will you do all day? Won’t you get bored? Our reply is always multi-faceted. The plan is to enjoy ourselves and enjoy the company of each other. In the process of taking care of the first part of the plan, we will encounter new faces and develop new friendships. (We’ve already met some wonderful people during are brief time in Cuenca.) Also we are expecting further exploration of Ecuador and beyond. We also tell those who ask that we will continue with everyday life; that is essential in a normal existence.

This week amidst an array of lists, everyday life has continued. There have been appointments to keep. Nick has been to daycare, felt poorly yesterday, and returned to daycare today. Mick has already had to make two trips to Lexington. We’ve had every day, ordinary tasks and we expect ordinary tasks to be a part of our lives in Cuenca.

One of the appointments this week was for a haircut. It’s always a treat to go to the salon. I know it’s a woman thing, but there’s just something special about getting your hair done. I have known Dean Wike for probably 17 years. He has a top notch salon in Concord called “It’s All About You”. Dean and his partner usually travel to Europe, but we would not be surprised to see them visiting Cuenca in the future.



One of the items on our “to do list” for today was to pick up boxes. Denis and I are going to pack non-breakables to give more of a semblance of order. The shipping office is in Rock Hill, SC, we drove over and met with our shippers and received the revised quotes. Joan Dratch handles everything about setting up the shipment. Michael Wright is the representative who has been to our house revising this and that, making suggestions. They work as a team and we feel confident that our personal items will make it safely to Cuenca.

The boxes and packing material fit nicely in the back of the truck.

One of the major issues with disposing of our household has been the books. I began selling books on Amazon more than a year ago; however, they have a way of replenishing the supply. This week another load went to Goodwill. Included in the box that went were a couple of my old handbooks, Lange’s Handbook of Chemistry and the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, the Bibles of science. This is the first time in more than 35 years that I’ve been without a handbook. It may seem ridiculous, but it’s just something that you have. I will not relinquish my scientific calculator.

Today we had lunch with Dale and Joan Lance; that was delicious and fun. They’re good company; we’re still expecting them in February or March. Joan is having some fun at the dentist tomorrow and we wish her luck with that.

There is so much to do; however, even though we are not yet in Cuenca, we are taking care of the first part of our plan. We are enjoying just being with each other. Mick has always been my north star, giving me direction and keeping me focused. Without his direction, the move would not come together in the midst of everyday life.

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy