Starting Retirement Planning at 58

                                                                   

                            Starting Where I Am: My Retirement Journey at 58

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the future. I’m 58 years old, and here’s the truth: I don’t have much saved for retirement. My 401(k) is sitting at less than $10,000, and while I do contribute a little each month, it’s not exactly the picture-perfect retirement fund you read about in financial magazines.

For a while, that thought really weighed me down. I’d catch myself thinking, “What’s the point? It’s too late.” But then I reminded myself—it’s never too late to do something. And honestly, something is always better than nothing.

So here’s where I’m at: I plan to work until at least 65, maybe longer if I feel good and enjoy it. In the meantime, I’m looking for little ways to set myself up better. For example, I’m trying to save just a little more each paycheck, even if it’s $50 or $100. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up.

I’m also being more mindful about spending. Those little extras—like streaming services I barely use, or takeout when I have food at home—add up faster than I realized. Cutting back gives me more room to save, and honestly, it feels kind of good to be intentional with money.

Another thing I’m exploring is earning a little extra on the side. Whether that’s selling things I don’t use anymore, picking up a small side hustle, or even freelancing, it feels good to think about money coming in that can go straight toward my future self.

And of course, I’m thinking about Social Security and how to get the most out of it. Waiting until full retirement age could make a difference in the monthly check, so I’m learning all I can.

Most importantly, I’m taking care of my health. Because what good is retirement if I don’t feel good enough to enjoy it? Walking more, eating better, and keeping up with doctor visits is part of my “retirement planning” too.

I don’t have it all figured out, and that’s okay. I’m starting where I am, and maybe that’s exactly what someone else needs to hear. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.

Company, picnic and Amish auction adventures

 This past Saturday was packed with fun, food, and plenty of memories. Our company picnic was held at Cornerstone Kids Ranch in Ada, Oklahoma from 10 AM to 2 PM. The ranch had so many activities for everyone to enjoy— Face painting, bouncy, houses, hay rod, petting zoo, zip lining, and even rock climbing. Inside we played bingo with lots of surprises up for grabs, and outside at the pavilion a lovely band kept the energy going all afternoon.

Sheila and I!

Mindy and I.

Brandy and I.

The highlight, of course, was the food trucks! We had five to choose from Smashed OK, Okie, Jack’s, KJ BBQ, Nacho Biznec, and Carnival Eats & Treats. I decided on a chopped brisket sandwich with real-cut french  fries from Smashed OK, and it was absolutely delicious explanation point! I also tasted the strawberry funnel cake from the Carnival Eat & Treats truck. Before leaving, I’ll grab some street tacos from Nacho Biznec To take home, and now I know that if I see any of these trucks at another event, I’ll definitely be a Repeat customer. 

⚡Shelby, Mindy, and Sheila rode with me, and our first top of the day was 7Brew in Duncan Oklahoma. They just opened up, and with the purchase of a large drink you got a free T-shirt. I ordered a chai tea with sweet cream and picked out a soft purple shirt that says Bahama Mama such a fun little stop before our drive! 

After the picnic, we headed 30 minutes down the road to Clarita Oklahoma for the annual Amish school auction. It had been at least six years since I last went, so I was excited to finally be back. The quilt exhibit was stunning— One quilt sold for $4000 and later another went for $6000. Amish quilts are truly worth of art, and I would love to own one someday.

Of course, I couldn’t leave without picking up some Amish goodies! I treated myself to pink lemonade, homemade ice cream, noodles, chicken base, apple bread, and an Apple fried pie and two brownies. amish baked goods never disappoint. We browsed the vendor booths, but since it was pretty hot outside, we didn’t stay as long as we might have liked. 

By the time we made it back to Duncan around 5 PM we were tired, but full of laughs and memories. It was a perfect Saturday filled with good company, great food, and a little adventure.

My Everything Shower Routine

These are the products I chose for my shower routine tonight. I am enjoying using summer scented products.  Finding the products at Tjmaxx,Bealls and Burlington’s at a steep discount price makes me SO happy. 
 

I’ve realized lately that my showers have turned into more than just a quick in-and-out. I’m spending more time in there, and honestly, I don’t mind one bit. What I’ve started doing is what I like to call an “everything shower”-basically, it’s when I take care of all the things at once. 

It’s not just a rinse and go. This is the kind of shower where I pull out the hair mask, do a good  exfoliation, shave, and throw in a little extra skincare. It feels less like a chore and more like a mini self-care session right in my own bathroom. 

There are a few reasons I love doing this: 

* Self-care. Taking the extra time makes me feel calm and relaxed, like I’m giving myself a reset button. Add in a nice-smelling body wash or scrub, and suddenly it feels like a spa day. 

* Hydration. My skin and hair feel so much better after. Exfoliating, moisturizing, conditioning-it all makes a difference when I do it throughly instead of rushing. 

* Mental well-being. There’s something about the whole routine that just clears my head. The steam, the scents, the little rituals—they always leave me in a better mood. 

By the time I’m done, I feel squeaky clean, super refreshed, and honesty a little pampered. I’ll wrap up in a fluffy towel, slather on body oil along with lotion, and it’s like the cherry on top.

A September day in my life

There’s something about September that feels like a gentle reset. The mornings are cooler, the days a little shorter, and I find myself slipping into routine routines that feel both familiar and comforting. Today, I thought I’d share what a typical day looks like in my mind~the SimpleJoys, everyday moments that bring me joy. 

I usually start my mornings early. With a warm cup of tea in hand, I take a few minutes to check emails and catch up on the news. There’s something cozy about being wrapped in a sweater while the sun slowly makes its way up Mr. C and I share breakfast together. ~ nothing fancy, but always filling and made with love.

The heart of my day often revolves around small projects. This weekend I’m working on rotating out my clothes.~from summer to fall season. I also will go through and donate clothes. I’m no longer wearing..

I will also continue to work on my journal for Swap~Bot. This always helps me embrace my creativity. Taking pen of paper, Phils grounding, especially when paired with the rhythm of fall slowly settling in around me. 

Afternoons are a mix of chores and rest. Some days is kitchen, cleanup, or tackling a corner of the house; other days i’ll sit down and write letters to my penpals. I love staying connected that way putting thoughts on paper feel so much more personal than a quick message.

Evenings are slow and cozy, often a favorite show on TV and something warm for dinner. September nights carry their own kind of magic.~ The air crisp, the sky darker a little earlier, and the reminder that fall is truly here.

It may not be a glamorous day, but it’s mine~filled with little rituals, gratitude and the quiet beauty of September. 

 

Good Girl Gone Badd ( Badd Brothers Series #4)

By Jasinda Wilder

Fantasy Romance

Published August 3, 2017

I recently finished good girl gone bad, the fourth book and Jacinda Wilder’s BADD BROTHERS series, and it was an absolute whirlwind of passion, fnami  ily drama, and opposites-attract-chemistry.

The story follows Evangeline Du Maurier, the very definition of a “good girl.” She’s polished, comes from money, and is grown for a life of privilege-including becoming the perfect wife to a future senator. But sometimes, even the most well-behaved women need to break free. Evangeline decided to step away from her carefully laid-out path. That’s when she collides with none other than Baxter Badd.

Baxter is everything her world warns her against-rough around the edges, hard-drinking, unapologetic bad, and part of the infamous Badd brothers. He’s magnetic, raw, and completely irresistible to Evangeline. Their worlds couldn’t be more different- high society good girl versus rugged, rebellious bad boy-but the sparks, between them? Absolutely undeniable. 

This book is a fun, fast paced, and oh-so-steamy read. Wilder blends together, sizzling romance with past pain, family, expectations, and the possibility of love that defies the odds. What makes this serious stand out is that each of the Badd brothers has his own story, personality, and baggage, Which keeps the readers hooked book after book.

Good girl gone bad was particularly fun because of the intense chemistry between Eva and Baxter. It’s filled with popular romance tropes-good girl meets bad boy, opposites attract, and a touch of forbidden passion-all wrapped up in Wilders signature storytelling style.

If you love, romance with heat, drama, and unforgettable characters, then this book (and the series as whole) deserves a spot on your TBR list. Just be-it’s going to be hot in here. 🔥🔥

Perfectly Posh order has arrived!

 

Today felt a little extra special because Heather delivered my latest order from Perfectly Posh, and I couldn’t wait to open it up! There’s just something about treating yourself to a few pampering products that makes the day brighter. 

Here’s what I picked up:

BEEAUTIFUL hand crème has a honey scent.

FOAM-O Foaming face wash in Blueberries and yogurt scented. 

Two lip balms: one in BERRY BASH (a fruity pick-me-up) and the other one is called YOU STOLE MY TART (fun name, fun flavor!) 

Heather also tucked in a few extra samples, which made me smile. I received the DAILY GREENS face wash, and the SALTY DOG body wash in a pink grapefruit scent- both sound amazing and I can’t wait to use them. 

For anyone new to Posh, their company that makes a wide range of pampering products from mask and moisturizer to body washes and scrubs. Many other items featured nourishing ingredients like Shea, butter, aloe vera and essential oils. The benefits? Hydrated skin, a refreshed complexion, and that little moment of self-care we all need. 

I’ve really enjoyed using different Posh face washes and mask in the past, and this new batch is just adding to my favorites. If you’re curious to try them too, I definitely recommend checking out Heather‘s Facebook page, POSH QUEEN PAMPERING. She’s wonderful at helping you find products that fit your skincare needs. 

I’m so grateful that Heather has returned to selling Posh-It’s been one of my favorite brands for years, And it’s always exciting to discover new scents and products. 

Sometimes, its the little luxuries that make life feel extra sweet 💕💕

Charlie Kirk Tribute

                      

                                 Charlie Kirk

 Today, we gather with heavy hearts to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk — a bold advocate, devoted husband and father, and a fiercely passionate voice for faith, freedom, and the future.

Early Life & Rise

Charlie James Kirk was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois in 1993. From the very beginning, he showed an early hunger for civic engagement, organizing, debating, and speaking out on issues that stirred him. He briefly attended Harper College, but found his calling in activism — believing that change comes not from classrooms alone, but from bold engagement in the public square.

In 2012, at just eighteen years old, Charlie co-founded Turning Point USA, a student movement devoted to promoting free markets, limited government, and individual liberty on high school and college campuses across the country. Under his leadership, this organization grew from a few passionate young people into a major force in youth politics and cultural conversation.

Charlie also authored multiple books, was often seen on national media, and built a platform that allowed him to reach millions — always returning, throughout all his work, to what he once said: that younger generations deserve to be heard, to be empowered, and to own a hand in the future.

Core Beliefs & Impact

What made Charlie stand apart was his willingness to say what others hesitated. He took part in heated culture war debates. He challenged prevailing narratives about education, public policy, and the role of government. He believed that faith and civic responsibility were deeply intertwined — that his Christian convictions compelled him not just to worship, but to serve, to organize, to mobilize.

Through Turning Point USA, he initiated programs like Turning Point Faith and Turning Point Academy, reaching religious communities, collaborating with congregations, and developing curricula and civic education that emphasized his vision of what he saw as “biblical citizenship.” He often talked about “Prove Me Wrong” style events — setting up a chair, inviting questions, engaging in open debate with students. He saw those moments not as political theater, but as vital sparks for dialogue.  

Family & Heart

Behind every public speech, every rally, every book, was Charlie the husband and the father. He married Erica (Erika Frantzve in real life) in 2021 — a woman of faith and service, herself engaged in her own work in philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Together they were blessed with two young children, a daughter born in 2022 and a son born in 2024.

To Erica, Charlie was more than a partner in public life — he was a confidante, someone who shared dreams, burdens, laughter and faith. To his children, he was a dad who loved fiercely, who wanted them to learn truth and kindness, courage and compassion. He often spoke of his children in public, saying that fatherhood had taught him more than anything else: which values truly matter, and how legacy is not built in speeches alone, but in small everyday acts of  love.  

In His Final Moments & Legacy

On September 10, 2025, Charlie was speaking at a Turning Point event on a college campus when tragedy struck. He was taken from us much too soon. His passing has shaken many — not only those who agreed with him, but many who disagreed. Because regardless of politics, anyone who knew his love for his country, his family, his faith, and his sense of mission knows that a life lived with conviction is a life not wasted.

Charlie’s legacy will endure in many ways:

• In the students he inspired to speak up rather than sit silent.
• In the networks he built, that will continue to organize, train, and empower.
• In the ideals he staked his life on: liberty, responsibility, faith under pressure.
• In the weekly routines, the family dinners, the bedtime stories with Erica and the kids — for those who met him personally, that was where his real strength came through.  

A Closing Reflection

We honor Charlie Kirk today not just by remembering what he said, but by reflecting on what his life challenged us to become: more courageous, more rooted, more humane. We mourn what is lost — the speeches not yet spoken, the books not yet written, the children’s first steps he wished to see — but we also commit: that his voice will not be silent.

Rest in peace, Charlie. Your work, your vision, your love — they remain with us.