Sistersunnie, I think that all the planning in the world can't actually spare you from the concerns you have. You can contribute to the world in many ways that were not possible when working full time and raising a family. Now your gifts to share are you time and talents. I think as women who "came of age" during the 70's we struggled more than most to prove our value in the workplace, and that having done that, there is a reluctance to let it go, to give it up. So many women I know were part of the movement to prove that women are capable of performing at the same level as men in the workplace. Maybe that is part of the reluctance you feel. You planned for this and are comfortable financially if you chose to retire, yet you feel guilty because your partner can't retire with you. No need to shoulder that guilt. You expressed a desire to do all of the things, including visiting grandchildren, that you never had time enough for when working. Now is the time! You are financially secure and have good health, why wait? I retired in June to join DH who retired two years ago. We both will do some contract work but absolutely do not want a weekly commitment of any sort. We are busy enough and are enjoying our time at this stage of life.

Really personal style isn't "decorated" by a designer. It is more a case of yanking disparate elements together to make a whole. One that is you, that will live and grow and change as the need arises. It can't be done with a boatload of reclaimed wood off a truck, word signs, and big clocks. It has to evolve in conjunction with a life within the home. If you don't have a "life"........and no offense here but by that I mean if you buy junk, and spend life going in and out of a big garage in a big SUV with the junk IN the SUV? You can't get to "that house" I just referenced. " That house" is a reflection of books read, music played, friends entertained, travels taken, and LIFE.It reflects time, past and present. In the beginning...... you fake "life" but you don't FILL the space. Because you must leave room for the life you will continue to live. Stuff has a way of coming in, and staying. Make sure you don't bring in "guests" you wouldn't want around for a WHILE. Many years ago I got a client, big home. We hit it off right away. I was terrified, to then the biggest thing I ever did. In fake it until you make it style, I realized a couple months in, that I had been GIFTED. She owned relatively little furniture, but art, accessories, more art....books, artifacts, were there in abundance.!!! She had been waiting for her REAL home, so that's what she bought, afraid to commit to "furniture" in a real sense. We had a ball : ) When done, another designer and friend of hers saw the house. Her remark? " Wow, it doesn't look like a decorator just left!!, that is so difficult to do" I consider it to this day, the highest of compliments. She was right btw, and usually that IS hard. In this case? Not so much : ) You just can't buy a life. It has to be lived.

Cpartist do you have a door into your closet or is it just an opening? Sara could you send me a picture? I measured the actual space since they made an error on the concrete footings measurement so I ended up with more house then garage which benefits this closet. The closet at question measures 6’3 1/2” deep and 5’8 1/2” wide. Also at this point the door is centered giving about 18” on either side of the opening. I guess I could do hanging in the back and narrow shelves on the both sides. Or maybe I should have him move the door to allow for the 2’ L shaped hanging? But then the door swing may hit my vanity or bed table.

My guess (because we have to resort to that) is the OP is on a slab and the cold is from less than great insulation on the slab side (or underneath). Code is relatively lax here and it isn't a huge energy problem but does become a comfort problem. We have hit some low temps in much of the US so it might be a relatively rare problem. To any poster mentioning insulation, HVAC or anything temperature or humidity related, it is really helpful to give location. As the desert of Oregon is very different than Miami. And Pheonix is very different than Rochester, NY. Here we need - location, foundation (type and whether conditioned), HVAC type. And, no, whole house humidification is absolutely not needed in most of the habited part of the US. Needing it is often a sign of excessive air leakage - in my area of the NC (all areas of NC).