So many new changes!  It has been so long!  This blog is so helpful to me, but I have found that there are times when I am just so overwhelmed by everything else, it is the last thing on my mind- though it is one of the outlets that help the most.  I am off work right now, and am going through the early retirement process.  It is lengthy, and there is a lot of paperwork involved, but it is the best decision for me right now.  For those of you who have faced big changes like this before, you will understand the additional stress that is involved.  Change of income, lifestyle, and most of all, mindset.  It is difficult to know that the best way to manage is to make such changes, but the long-term effect will be worth it.  Since I have been on leave from work, I am sleeping better (though I still battle insomnia about 3-4 days per week), my headaches are more delayed (they used to arrive by lunch time, but now wait until early evening), and I do not feel as much random anxiety as I did.   On the contrary, there has been a lot more time for me to be able to learn about myself, and become more aware of the changes between my former self and now; however, I have also been able to more clearly see some of the similarities, and where I want to go.  I no longer feel that I am just floating through time- I feel that I have more of a purpose now; I am just trying to narrow down the field. :)  There are still so many things I want to do, but I am highly aware of the hurdles ahead to get there.  I am considering them "speed bumps" (I found a perfect picture/quote on Google for this- see below).  There are many mornings, afternoons, evenings, etc., when I wake-up, and have every intent to get something done, but when I start it (if I even start it), I do not finish it.  The time is coming though, when I will be living the life I am planning to create.  Write you in a few... Rocky.