What was your biggest shock, surprise, or unexpected outcome in 2022

[petitepedal ★]

Me....spending more time with my sister..realizing where she is facing so many challenges.

[ChrisL]

Definitely getting laid off.  I knew the company was hurting and there were many lay offs but I honestly didn’t think my position would be eliminated. 

[shootingstar]

36 minutes ago, petitepedal said:

Me....spending more time with my sister..realizing where she is facing so many challenges.

Really glad this year's outcome with sister has a positive trend so far. 

I realize some of us have some very difficult siblings which have led to some toxicity. 

Then there maybe other situations we take siblings for granted because they have been around in our lives ...for ages.

I view siblings as gifted to us from parents:  parents wanted us to have a sibling or more.  We hear this often enough of a parent wanting their lst child not be alone.  

Siblings are not our chosen friends;  but they can be our friends...for life. It is through sibling relationships, we first learn of cooperation, reciprocity and forgiveness. (Forgiveness with a parent is different).  I know how I interact in the working world in groups, is based on my multiple sibling relationships:  it's given me higher tolerance.

[shootingstar]

I wish I could find the right words, to respond to your query, petite.

Surprise how long it's taken me to deal with my grief.  It didn't help when in 2022, there was alot of crap with lawyers, estate, survivor pension settlement, etc.

Surprise that my fun blog... gives visible, photographic and dated proof of my life with dearie.  

Shock of myself, deciding to give up alot of my Vancouver possessions due to cost to move it and also I lacked rm. in present place. But also surprised what I still miss, asset-wise. 

[Wilbur ★]

Completing 5 aircraft transactions wasn't expected this time last year. 

[Ralphie ★]

Experiencing with daughter #2 all the angst of potential real estate purchasing in a market that is horrendous for buyers.

[shootingstar]

9 minutes ago, Ralphie said:

Experiencing with daughter #2 all the angst of potential real estate purchasing in a market that is horrendous for buyers.

Did she buy after all?  And what was it?

[Ralphie ★]

Just now, shootingstar said:

Did she buy after all?  And what was it?

Nope, she backed off.  It was a small house in northern NJ built in 1930 with an asking price of $450k.  Things are THAT crazy up there - just no new affordable stock atoll.  It was obviously a flip job which she had asked her agent to exclude, with a dubious story to make it seem not so.  So it was beautiful inside but so so outside.  There were multiple offers according to the agent after just a few days on the market.  She was being pressured to make an offer, but she wanted to have a lawyer check the contract and she was unsure of the quality of the reno work so she opted out.  She was successful in getting a little of the seller's disclosure that there had been an oil tank, but no details on if it was properly removed which can be a huge issue.

[Airehead ★]

I knew Ryan was sick but I my heart thought he would live forever. I still miss that Airedale. 

[Ralphie ★]

1 minute ago, Airehead said:

I knew Ryan was sick but I my heart thought he would live forever. I still miss that Airedale. 

I was thinking he would make it too when it sounded like he had soldiered on pretty well for a while. 

[MoseySusan ★]

2nd Child in a serious relationship. FiL died of natural cause, but suddenly. Being diagnosed with stage 3a CKD and bringing my gFR back to 60 from 48 with dietary changes. Bathroom renovations have played out strangely. It’s going to take some getting used to the smaller sinks and glass doors. And the overall cost. 

[Further]

Bed ridden wife

[shootingstar]

1 hour ago, Ralphie said:

Nope, she backed off.  It was a small house in northern NJ built in 1930 with an asking price of $450k.  Things are THAT crazy up there - just no new affordable stock atoll.  It was obviously a flip job which she had asked her agent to exclude, with a dubious story to make it seem not so.  So it was beautiful inside but so so outside.  There were multiple offers according to the agent after just a few days on the market.  She was being pressured to make an offer, but she wanted to have a lawyer check the contract and she was unsure of the quality of the reno work so she opted out.  She was successful in getting a little of the seller's disclosure that there had been an oil tank, but no details on if it was properly removed which can be a huge issue.

Hopefully she will find something eventually.  She needed to talk to a family member to think through her decision too and you were there.  

[Square Wheels]

Getting fired before I quit.  It ended up the best thing that's happened to me in decades.  Plus I got severance. 

[BR46]

Mom is still with us and doing better than she was 3 months ago. 

[2Far]

I guess my biggest shock was when they rebooted my heart, twice. Of course, I was unconscious for it. 

[groupw]

The move had a lot of unknowns to it. Some things are working out better, some not so much. Overall we are liking the change, though. 

[shootingstar]

3 hours ago, MoseySusan said:

2nd Child in a serious relationship. FiL died of natural cause, but suddenly. Being diagnosed with stage 3a CKD and bringing my gFR back to 60 from 48 with dietary changes. Bathroom renovations have played out strangely. It’s going to take some getting used to the smaller sinks and glass doors. And the overall cost. 

What a way to dive into lst yr. of retirement.

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

My placement in the witness protection program held up for another year.

[Zephyr]

Getting to work 3 days on a project with my son.  Was not something on my radar but was easily the hilight of my year.  It was hard watching him and his crew work to not just go over and give him a hug I was so proud of the man he has become

[maddmaxx ★]

I survived the year.

 

Now, rinse and repeat.

[BR46]

[Ralphie ★]

7 hours ago, Thaddeus Kosciuszko said:

My placement in the witness protection program held up for another year.

I should sign up for the witless protection program.

 

[2Far]

10 hours ago, Thaddeus Kosciuszko said:

My placement in the witness protection program held up for another year.

I’m lucky I got in early. 

[Ralphie ★]

14 hours ago, 2Far said:

I guess my biggest shock was when they rebooted my heart, twice. Of course, I was unconscious for it. 

Someone always has to take things literally.

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

I lost a 30+ year friendship because of a stupid joke. I tried to reason with him, but to no avail. I tried to calm him down, but he was too headstrong. I decided to tell him that I would continue to pray for him and care for him, but from a distance. Within days, not only did he drop the friendship on Facebook, his wife did, too. They also unfriended my wife, who had done absolutely nothing. Looking back, I now see that it was something that was building for a while; I just hadn’t noticed it. My other friends told me that I did nothing wrong, that he had always been a jerk and that I just hadn’t realized it. I guess friendship can sometimes blind people to reality. I’m at peace with it now.

[Ralphie ★]

17 minutes ago, Ernest T. Bass said:

I lost a 30+ year friendship because of a stupid joke. I tried to reason with him, but to no avail. I tried to calm him down, but he was too headstrong. I decided to tell him that I would continue to pray for him and care for him, but from a distance. Within days, not only did he drop the friendship on Facebook, his wife did, too. They also unfriended my wife, who had done absolutely nothing. Looking back, I now see that it was something that was building for a while; I just hadn’t noticed it. My other friends told me that I did nothing wrong, that he had always been a jerk and that I just hadn’t realized it. I guess friendship can sometimes blind people to reality. I’m at peace with it now.

Sorry, Ernest T.

[2Far]

2 hours ago, Ralphie said:

Someone always has to take things literally.

 

Well, TBH, the event kinda covered all three categories. 

[Ernest T. Bass]

9 hours ago, Ralphie said:

Sorry, Ernest T.

Thanks, Ralphie. It's amazing what I can see when I decided to open my eyes. I lost a friend, but gained life experience.

[BuffJim]

I can’t really think of any shocks this year. 

[Wilbur ★]

7 minutes ago, BuffJim said:

I can’t really think of any shocks this year. 

Here then... 

 

[Airehead ★]

On 12/31/2022 at 6:44 PM, BR46 said:

Mom is still with us and doing better than she was 3 months ago. 

A great gift. 

[Airehead ★]

On 12/31/2022 at 6:47 PM, 2Far said:

I guess my biggest shock was when they rebooted my heart, twice. Of course, I was unconscious for it. 

So glad that it worked. 

[Dottleshead]

On 12/31/2022 at 12:36 PM, ChrisL said:

Definitely getting laid off.  I knew the company was hurting and there were many lay offs but I honestly didn’t think my position would be eliminated. 

Not from your new job??

[Dottleshead]

On 12/31/2022 at 12:57 PM, shootingstar said:

I wish I could find the right words, to respond to your query, petite.

Surprise how long it's taken me to deal with my grief.  It didn't help when in 2022, there was alot of crap with lawyers, estate, survivor pension settlement, etc.

Surprise that my fun blog... gives visible, photographic and dated proof of my life with dearie.  

Shock of myself, deciding to give up alot of my Vancouver possessions due to cost to move it and also I lacked rm. in present place. But also surprised what I still miss, asset-wise. 

I know it’s been a rough go. Lack of companionship, loneliness, and missing romance in one person you loved is a hard thing to replace. It takes time but you will find your way.

[ChrisL]

23 minutes ago, Dottles said:

Not from your new job??

Still employed from the new job.  It’s been about 5 months now.  I meant the previous job I was at since 2018 and hoped to ride it out into retirement. 

[MickinMD ★]

I got a big check from State Farm, almost 27 months after the housefire and 11 months after I had moved into the rebuilt house that I didn't expect until a week or so before I got it.

I had gotten a $4000 advance on loss claims for items inside the house a day after the house fire from State Farm in case I needed it to buy clothes, etc.

But then there were some arguments about the extra $105K State Farm spent on rebuilding the house that far exceeded the original qualities or code requirements and we didn't get the property claims accepted until 2 days before two years after the fire.

I expected another $21,600 after my case manager got his 10%.

I was greatly surprised by the amount: here's my 90% after my manager took his 10%, my check with key info removed.  The biggest check I'll ever see in my life and since it's for replacing destroyed items, it's not taxable!

 

[Longjohn ★]

On 1/1/2023 at 10:59 AM, Ernest T. Bass said:

I lost a 30+ year friendship because of a stupid joke.

I want to hear the joke?

[Longjohn ★]

My biggest shock was that a 72 year old widower would be in such high demand on the dating sites.

My second biggest shock was that 77% of the widows on the sight do not want to get remarried.

My third biggest shock I will not talk about on the forum but if anyone really wants to know I can tell them in private message.

[shootingstar]

1 hour ago, Longjohn said:

My biggest shock was that a 72 year old widower would be in such high demand on the dating sites.

My second biggest shock was that 77% of the widows on the sight do not want to get remarried.

My third biggest shock I will not talk about on the forum but if anyone really wants to know I can tell them in private message.

LJ, excuse me, it wouldn't be surprising that many widows don't want to remarry.  If I can be honest and truthful:  it's enough to have cared one's lst husband if he (or she was sick) near end of his/her life, so the woman may want a break for the reminder of her life.

Also some widows wish to protect their own finances....so don't marry 2nd time. It reduces conflict and allows them to look after themselves financially.  So the opposite can happen of what Mick complains of being a financially stable single and therefore "eligible" guy.

[Road Runner]

When Cheese passed away.  I knew he was pretty sick, but I was totally blown away when SW told us he had died.   

[Square Wheels]

On 1/3/2023 at 10:25 PM, Road Runner said:

When Cheese passed away.  I knew he was pretty sick, but I was totally blown away when SW told us he had died.   

I was shocked when his wife text me back.  First because, well, his "wife", then mostly because the world shone a little less brightly once she delivered her news.

I will never hear Wild Horses by the Stones and not think of @Chopped Liver, and never listen to Badfinger or open my lone casement window without thinking of @AirwickWithCheese.

[Airehead ★]

On 1/3/2023 at 10:38 PM, shootingstar said:

LJ, excuse me, it wouldn't be surprising that many widows don't want to remarry.  If I can be honest and truthful:  it's enough to have cared one's lst husband if he (or she was sick) near end of his/her life, so the woman may want a break for the reminder of her life.

Also some widows wish to protect their own finances....so don't marry 2nd time. It reduces conflict and allows them to look after themselves financially.  So the opposite can happen of what Mick complains of being a financially stable single and therefore "eligible" guy.

I can see your points Shooty, but after my first husband passed and time passed, I wanted to be married again or at least in a solely committed relationship. I connect on a different level like that. I would date with that goal. 

[Longjohn ★]

13 minutes ago, Airehead said:

I can see your points Shooty, but after my first husband passed and time passed, I wanted to be married again or at least in a solely committed relationship. I connect on a different level like that. I would date with that goal. 

The good ones are already taken.

[shootingstar]

1 hour ago, Airehead said:

I can see your points Shooty, but after my first husband passed and time passed, I wanted to be married again or at least in a solely committed relationship. I connect on a different level like that. I would date with that goal. 

You were probably much younger than I, when your lst hubby died.

I'm at a different stage/age range in life. I'm happy to have great, healthy relationships going forward.  

Yes, the world is unfair where alot of hetero men probably prefer younger looking, more nubile women. I still don't feel I've missed out or my life has fallen forever into dark hole.  For sure, life has taken a different sudden, sharp turn.

At this time, I'm actually abit wondering how to spend tons of retirement time. Seems like this big expansive road ahead of me,  There times it feels as if I'm living in the wrong city/part of Canada. 

 

[petitepedal ★]

1 hour ago, Airehead said:

I can see your points Shooty, but after my first husband passed and time passed, I wanted to be married again or at least in a solely committed relationship. I connect on a different level like that. I would date with that goal. 

Just asking...

Would you want the same if Einstein  died? 

Just curious..I think age plays a roll for some in making that decision.

[Ralphie ★]

6 minutes ago, shootingstar said:

You were probably much younger than I, when your lst hubby died.

I'm at a different stage/age range in life. I'm happy to have great, healthy relationships going forward.  

Yes, the world is unfair where alot of hetero men probably prefer younger looking, more nubile women. I still don't feel I've missed out or my life has fallen forever into dark hole.  For sure, life has taken a different sudden, sharp turn.

At this time, I'm actually abit wondering how to spend tons of retirement time. Seems like this big expansive road ahead of me,  There times it feels as if I'm living in the wrong city/part of Canada. 

 

It seemed like you enjoyed Vancouver a lot more, but ahspose for one thing the cost of living is crazy there, plus moving is no fun. 

[Airehead ★]

13 minutes ago, petitepedal said:

Just asking...

Would you want the same if Einstein  died? 

Just curious..I think age plays a roll for some in making that decision.

Yes, I would want a committed life partner to share my life and home.  Marriage optional. 

[shootingstar]

14 minutes ago, Ralphie said:

It seemed like you enjoyed Vancouver a lot more, but ahspose for one thing the cost of living is crazy there, plus moving is no fun. 

I did enjoy Vancouver alot more. Yup, it's not cheap there, even though enough people still move to there annually. 

[shootingstar]

48 minutes ago, Airehead said:

Yes, I would want a committed life partner to share my life and home.  Marriage optional. 

While love can be the same --glowing and fired up, the game is abit different as the decades march along.  Or one is already smart enough. Kudos to folks like that too.

It is also possible because I didn't meet dearie until I was 31 yrs. Before it was just dating ...very lightly. So I was accustomed to doing alot of stuff on my own. He has been the first and only guy I've lived with and shared a life. And luckily, for many years.  I doubt that I'm totally unique here.

Maybe that's why I'm stuck in my own bubble.  I am grateful.