Wintertime

Since we haven't posted since last year (sounds, rather like eons ago, doesn't it?} we suppose it's appropriate to wish everyone, albeit a belated Happy New Year. We'v3e survived the winter, which honestly amounted to a few weeks of snow, and now we're definitely heading slowly into Spring. We are thoroughly stockpiled, so unless we need something perishable, we don't really need to leave the house. 

Figures we planned for 6 weeks or more of being stuck, and found we didn't need it this year. Master says it's good practice. Touching wood, we are passed the worst of it without losing power -- kind of amazing. In other news mouse recently did a thing, she finally cut her hair. The aforementioned hair was quite long, halfway down her back, and now...It's not. They took off a good 8 inches or so, maybe more. It's light and bouncy and really mouse loves it. Since she stopped coloring her hair years ago (with Master's blessing), she been rather just letting it go. Yes, there's a lot of gray, but it's not offensive gray, more blondish than gray (especially in sunlight). In some areas it's completely white. Not to worry, Master approved the cutting of her hair. Tho, He has said He misses grabbing her long trusses, There's still more than enough for Him to grab and make His intentions clear. 

It's strange how as the years pass, we're both more keen to let things go we used to find important. We remarked on it recently after mouse sucked Master off (ok, somethings will NEVER change). Master was never seen in public in jeans, now, he wears them almost daily. We still go out sometimes dressed nicely, most of His work clothes though were given away. He did keep two suits, but His closet is distinctly different compared to when He was a career Man. When we run into someone we know, and they ask Him about His "retirement" He doesn't make any excuses or say how busy He is anymore.  He simply says that He does whatever He wants to do. That's different. Before when He first retired, He would say things like offer a laundry list of things or projects as if He needed to justify not working. The truth is, He doesn't miss working. We didn't think He'd more than a few months, then a year came and went, then two...He's more relaxed and dare we say easier?

He's still a planner, but His plans are far more flexible and He's more Impulsive, if the weather is good He'll just say let's go downtown to that restaurant you like. He never realized how much work was weighing Him down, especially the last couple years before He'd had enough and retired. Why this is all surprising because this was a man who LOVED His job. He couldn't wait to go to work. 

Maybe we're just settling into our life now? Embracing our age and wisdom accrued that really only does come with living and surviving life .

Yet there are times, the quiet moments when Master without question seizes control of mouse, using her without regard and dismissing her just as quickly. Yes, it reduces mouse to tears, leaving her to feel so unimportant, while at the same time realizing her worth to Him. It's always far more than she can comprehend. He still organizes her days and for that she's grateful for the structure.