Giving Up On The Bags

November 29, 2012

 

 

     I'm a quitter.  No more bags.  No more challenge.  Taking this challenge completely made me forget what this blog is about:  finding things that could hold my interest for more than an hour whan I finally retire.

 

     So, rather than punish myself with work I don't want to do anyway, I'm back to researching retirement activities I might actually enjoy.

 

     For today, I'm adding Number 11 to my list:  going to an early breakfast with my son and having a good laugh.  It starts my day in a positive mood, and I don't end up in an old lady crochety state of mind.

 

     Today we went to TooJays, about a mile from home, had a nice healthy meal, laughed a lot, and went our separate ways.  Perfect beginning to a day full of promise.

 

www.toojays.com

 

     In addition, I'm meeting a former co-worker for an early evening dinner Friday.  More laughter and positive energy to anticipate.

 

     My advice to myself:  leave the bags and concentrate on what's really important right now and in the future:  laughter with family and friends.

 

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

 

 



Thirty-seven Bags To Fill--Harder Than It Sounds

November 28, 2012

 

     The first three days of filling a bag a day with clutter, giveaways, and junk seemed painless.  But wait, there's more.

 

      This morning I thought about that fourth bag and it just didn't call to me.  So instead, I scraped all of the papers, receipts, gift cards, and other unmentionable stuff off the kitchen counter and into a bag.  That doesn't mean I want to throw or give the contents away.  That means I will have to sit down tonight and go through each and every piece in that bag and sort, sort, sort. 

 

     I see my future now in retirement:  I will be a bag lady, just sorting, sitting, and sorting.  Possibly I will have hired Merry Maids by that time, so I can be out bike riding instead. 

 

     Great idea:  "Forty Bags in Forty Days," but I think I'm going to need company to keep me motivated.  If you are trying this challenge, invite a friend over for coffee, then get the friend to cheer you on to yet another bag. 

 

     Feng Shui practitioners and other organizers recommend going quickly from room to room, choosing 27 items to get rid of.  Quick!  Don't think about it.  How did they choose the number 27?

I may do it that way tonight. 

 

     It's off to work I go, where I know my classroom doesn't need for me to fill a bag there today.    Have you started filling your fourth bag yet? 

 

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

 

      

     

Forty Bags in Forty Days Challenge

November 25, 2012

 

     I didn't come up with this idea; of course I stumbled upon it on pinterest.com.  I'm posting the link here so it will make sense to everyone.  It's a fabulous way to declutter your nest, feed your trash can, and donate to those who can resell it, like Goodwill or ReStore or the Salvation Army.  Here's the link to the blogger:

 

 

http://www.littlelucylu.com/2011/03/40-bags-in-40-days-challenge.html

 

      I'm adding this to my retirement activities list as one item:  Number 10, but it will involve 40 actual days of action. 

 

     If you want to join the challenge (it's a self-challenge, not a competition), leave a comment and report on your progress.

 

     Writing this blog causes me to feel younger by the day.  Tomorrow, back to reality and my real job, but I have certainly appreciated my 9 days of Thanksgiving vacation.

 

     So let's get going:  go buy a big old box of trash bags and make a list of 40 places in your home that you could clear out, day by day.   I know that checking off each item on the list will be satisfying to all of us each day.  And I still haven't gone bowling.

 

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

 

     

Absolutely Fabulous Thanksgiving November 24, 2012

Absolutely Fabulous Thanksgiving At Last

November 24, 2012

 

     Two days ago you were left wondering if we would ever get to our Thanksgiving dinner.  Both my friend and I decided to go home and take naps to wait on the bird to roast. 

 

     By 5:30 we got the call that all was prepared, and we were expected to arrive right away.  I'm not going to rave on and on about the fabulous decorations, the banquet-sized dining room table, laden with Martha Stewart-worthy decor and dinnerware.

I will include just a small corner of the table here in one photo.  The food had not been set on the table yet.

 

 

 

 

     I will tell you that the center tray, loaded with lit candles, lit the entire dining room.  The dishes full of food and condiments covered every other square inch of this table.  At the other end of the table was yet another huge glass vase full of more Christmas ornaments!  The theme was red and white, with simple red snowflake graphics on the placemats and runner.  The linen napkins were tastefully embossed with a deer, rustic style, and wrapped with silver bells napkin holders.  Totally Southern Living magazine quality. 

 

     The turkey was done to perfection and the few dishes of food we brought were squeezed onto the table somehow.  The chef was our guest's good friend, and outdid the finest restaurant chef.  Our host was impeccable in his catering to our every need. 

 

     All in all (until I get more photos to prove it) this was the most beautiful and delicious Thanksgiving meal I've ever had.  But wait, there's more.

 

     The four of us spent hours at the table having the best time just enjoying funny conversations and appreciating our blessings.  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, too. 

 

      As for Black Friday, had to mention that, I used part of the day to remove my fall wreath and replace it with the Christmas wreath.  Then my neighbor and friend supervised me while I made a pinterest-inspired Christmas tree for the front porch.  However, I had to go borrow my neighbor across the street to plug in the extension cord which is at the peak of the roof of my 1950s porch.  It all happened within 30 minutes. 

 

       How did I do that?  With a very well-used tomato cage and a string of Christmas lights wrapped around it.  Of course the cage was upside down and the four wires that would normally go in the ground were wrapped with clear tape to make the pointed top to the tree.  So last night, Christmas officially started to crank up at my house.   It was beautiful to see just the lights shining last night.

 

     Here is the photo from pinterest.com.  It is so beautiful at night because the cage seems to disappear and you only see the lights.

 



 

     So, as the video says, "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"  (I'll try to post more photos tonight, when I edit this.)  Now go bake some sugar cookies. 

 

      www.pinterest.com/mimihylton



Will Have To Wait For Turkey, But Not The Nap

November 22, 2012

 

 

      We were invited to Thanksgiving dinner at noon, but the harried host informed us that the friend had not cooked the turkey yet.  Not a problem for two senior citizens who are just as happy with a cup of coffee and a cheese sandwich.

 

       Plan B took us to look for a suitable place to sit and nibble until the turkey "got cooked."  Boston Market ripped everyone off with only one menu choice of a turkey dinner complete with pie, overpriced, so we left in search of alternative places to wait.  But hold everything, all restaurants closed for the holiday. 

 

      This is why America is great:  Burger King was still churning out "Have it your way" meals.  We used a coupon and got two whoppers and fries for $5.  That satisfied us completely and now both of us have gone our separate ways.  "I'm going to nap," grinned my friend.  "Me too," I giggled.

 

     Ahhh, there is nothing like a great nap after a hearty Thanksgiving meal.  Our host will call us later today when the real feast is prepared.  We are both grateful for our host's invitation, the table decorations and settings were outstandingly beautiful, and we are both grateful for Burger King.

 

     Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  We are blessed.

 

 

www.pinterest.blogspot.com/mimihylton

No Bowling Yet--Too Busy November 21, 2012

No Bowling Yet--Too Busy

November 21, 2012

 

 

     My trip to the bowling alley never happened, but I spent the day in a flurry of activities, nonetheless.  I believe that this is what retirement will actually look like.

 

     My neighbor helped me fill  two shopping carts with canned vegetables and canned fruit.  Winn Dixie donated a $10 gift card toward my purchases.  Thank you, Winn Dixie and its manager.   https://www.winndixie.com/Pages/Home.aspx

 

     Troy, the young man at Winn Dixie, boxed all of the canned goods and loaded my car, then we headed to the Coalition for the Homeless.  There we delivered the food to be added to tomorrow's Thanksgiving meal for the hundreds of people who will be waiting. 

 

      Both my friend and I were tired and happy at the same time.  It was a small part of many donations to those in need here in Orlando. 

 

     Afterwards, I spent the day with my son at an upscale mall, just wandering, and we ended up at IKEA.  He purchased decorations for his table for Thanksgiving.  We were both very grateful that we have homes, family, friends, and security at this holiday season.

 

      I'm hoping that you and  your friends and family share a wonderful meal together tomorrow.  Happy Thanksgiving.

 

     This feels better than bowling.  Maybe bowling can wait.

 

www.idleatlast.blogspot.com

 

     

Plans Changed Since 11/17/12 November 20, 2012

Plans Changed Since 11/17/12



November 20, 2012

 

 

     The plan was to go bowling on Sunday morning.  That was changed by being invited to watch the giant Christmas star being erected in downtown Orlando.  So by 7:15 I traveled to watch the star hanging which turned into an almost 2 hour process.  In any event, the gigantic star now floats majestically, and Christmas has begun, even though Thanksgiving hasn't.

 

      Had a pleasant breakfast with family and friends where I made a complete fool of myself by complaining about anything and everything.  We went to a nice restaurant around the corner from the dangling star.  For some reason, I turned into a rather spoiled child, so that everyone could hear my every complaint. 

 

      Returning home, knowing my next activity was bowling, I spent 3 hours on  pinterest.com instead, after sending an apologetic email to all involved with breakfast.  Obviously, I was contrite.

 

      Soooooo, Sunday afternoon, I felt so guilty, I felt I should do work instead of enjoying myself.  I edged my sidewalk and driveway, swept all the trimmings into piles, and vowed to bag them the next morning.   I really felt guilty about breakfast.

 

     Instead of choosing another fun activity to enjoy during my holidays, I did indeed bag all of the grass trimmings.  Then I looked at the piles of mail and other paper staring at me when I came inside.   I have a slight aversion to mail of any kind.

 

     So my fun activity for Monday was spending over 7 hours going through piles of mail, junk mail, political mail, and receipts.  Someone from the show "Hoarders" should have been filming, because I can't through mail away. 

 

      Lo and behold, I can see the surfaces of my little loveseat, my dining room table, my buffet, and the top of my stove.  And I hauled out a bag of the mess of trash that must have weighed over 30 pounds, if not more.  You really should have seen my assembly line.  But wait, there's more.

 

      In all of that paper left from the clearing, I then had piles of important records to be put in date order and filed.  So Tuesday, today, that is how I have spent my day.  The reward is that my paperwork for my taxes for 2012 are at least in one large manila envelope, and all of my important financial statements are neatly filed.  

 

       Tomorrow, Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, I am heading to the bowling alley  at ll:00 for a few games, then I'm driving to our Universal Studios theme park to spend the afternoon in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, enjoying some butterbeer and Harry Potter memories.  My guilt has been cured by hard work.

 

      My job for tonight is going to the grocery store to fill a cart with canned vegetables and canned fruit.  All of this will be taken to the Coalition for the Homeless, which is what the head kitchen manager said they need for the big meal on Thursday.   It's a small step, but it will help.

 

      Blessings on everyone and Happy Thanksgiving.  Planning on enjoying fun activities wore me out! 

 

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

 

     To read about the hanging of the giant star, and see photos, and other fabulous Orlando events, go to this pinterest site:

 

www.pinterest.com/thedailycity

 

     

Nine Days of Thanksgiving Holidays To Practice

Nine Days of Thanksgiving Holidays To Try My Retirement Activities

November 17,2012

 

     With my school holidays starting, I am heading out with my beautiful new bike to ride to my heart's content.  But wait, there's more.

 

     When I was forced to take a detour on my way to work a week ago, it sent all traffic through a beautiful greenway/park I didn't know existed.  So for the past week I have taken that detour to and from work.  Immediately upon turning into the park, I become one with nature.

 

     There appears a flowing river,  a wide bike/running/walking/dog walking/stroller-pushing concrete pathway along the entire bank of the river.  Hundreds of migrating birds circle overhead.  Egrets are busying themselves along the river bank across the river.   People are strolling with babies, dogs, walkers, bikers, and I should be there.  Oh, and don't forget the people quietly fishing the river.

 

     Professional size soccer fields, two playgrounds, and one gigantic exercise center are also on the property, safely fenced from pathway traffic and the winding road for car traffic.  Who forgot to tell me about this treasure in Orlando?

 

     So, to add to my retirement activities list, a year ahead of when I'll need it, I'm loading up my bike and heading to that park for some peaceful riding.  I will not have to look for cracks in the road or traffic that might squash me.

 

     Number 9 (or is it 10) on my list is now to head to the park and ride my bike for awhile.  I might even pack a little snack in my bike basket.  Pictures later today.   This practice run will confirm its place on my list.

 

     Have a bountiful Thanksgiving meal, and please help those who need one.

 

 

 

 www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

Totally Forgot The Dolphin Swim November 15, 2012

Totally Forgot The Dolphin Swim   Nov. 15. 2012

     While adding to my new board on pinterest.com, which is called Retirement Plans, I saw the dolphins. That is Number 8 on my list of activities after retirement.

      I live in the hometown of an aquatic theme park, so all I have to do is sign up and pay a small fortune to have the opportunity to have a dolphin meet and greet.

 



     Enjoy your evening.  I'll have to find my bathing suit, which should occupy the rest of my evening.

www.pinterest.toncom/mimihylton

356 Days And The List Is Growing November 15, 2012

356 Days And The List Is Growing      November 15, 2012

     Had a really great offer to work part-time in the mornings.  That is something that will become number 6 on my list of things to do when I retire.   But wait; there's more.

     I have considered going back to my  business called "Set The Table--Vintage Tableware and Linens."  That was a wonderful exercise in running a tiny business from home while I worked full-time. 

     I stopped selling a few years ago, maybe 2 or 3, and I donated most of my remaining vintage treasures to charity.  I do have quite a few sets of tableware, silverplate flatware, etc., that would be loved by new collectors of vintage home decorations.

     All things considered, I'm adding as Number 7 on my list as  registering my business again with the state then re-starting  my selling and shipping operation.  After all, I have an empty bedroom I can convert back to the office space it used to be. 

     In addition, that small business will give me back more mental stimulation that is needed during the hours I'm not working part-time somewhere.  It could also give me a way to help the homeless by helping to stock a homeless shelter's food pantry in a small way.

 

 

     If you are able, please consider helping someone during the upcoming holidays and I'll do the same. 

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

    

     www.pinterest.toncom/mimihylton

Buy a Homeless Person A Meal November 14, 2012

Step One--Buy A Homeless Person A Meal   November 14, 2012

     So I was back in IHOP, sitting not 20 feet from a homeless person, who was guarding all of his baggage and worldly possessions.  IHOP, in downtown Orlando, is very kind to the homeless, and allows them to sit and rest and drink free coffee.

     So during my meal with my friend, I asked the waitress to order a full meal for the man.  That is one way I can help, even though it's very temporary. 

     I have also been searching on pinterest.com for homeless helping pins.  There are ideas I can follow.  Wish me luck.  I am taking baby steps here.

     When you go to buy your 20 pound Thanksgiving turkey in the frozen food aisle this week, pick up several more and take them to a shelter.  That will add to the food they can serve next week for all of those who depend on us for their Thanksgiving meals.

     Please leave comments/suggestions for how I can improve the lives of even a few homeless families in the future. 

     I'm going to enjoy my Thanksgiving Day meal at a local Chinese buffet.  I'm very fortunate. 

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

360 Days to Go--To Help The Homeless November 12, 2012

360 Days to Go To Help The Homeless         November 12, 2012

      Sunday was another flurry of activities, including another 7am breakfast, shopping at a drug store, putting out signs for a food truck event, attending the Food Truck Bazaar, and shopping at a sale at Sears, where I bought a new winter coat, gorgeous.  But wait, there's more.

     Here is my horoscope for Sunday:

     "You're wasting your energy, Scorpio, and you know it. You go out to dinner, attend parties and shows, but you're never really present. You listen to people but what they're saying doesn't interest you in any fundamental way. Yes, you're bored, and you're afraid to admit it to yourself. The depth of your inner search requires that you use a lot of energy to reexamine your life."
So I guess I'll have to go back to reexamining my life again.

     Besides that, my blog stats told me you don't really want to read about my social butterfly status.  I get that.

     I have told several friends that I would like to do something to help the enormous population of homeless in Orlando.  This is the exact opposite of how I really feel.  We have thousands of decent humans living/existing in homeless camps in the woods, shelters, and extended stay motels.  I can't give money, but I will contact several organizations to see what small start I can make to ease their need for food, shelter, and safety. 

     Thanksgiving is nearing and I am able to do something.  But what exactly?

     Would you be willing to send comments/suggestions for how I can be a part of the solution to homelessness in some small way?

     I think the first small step would be to return my new winter coat. 




     www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

Practicing Retirement Activities November 10, 2012

Practicing Retirement Activities         November 10, 2012

     Using this writing to reflect on and to plan for upcoming retirement has somehow restarted my social life.  Friday after work, a group of my friends gathered at a restaurant to nibble, and snack, and use up over two hours of the evening.  I don't recall the details of our conversations, but it was such a pleasant way to end the work week.  It made me think that this would be on my list of future activities.

      In the same way, I had breakfast with my son at the crack of dawn.  When I returned home I planned a grocery shopping trip with my neighbor.  By the time that was accomplished, I headed to my former school to their fall carnival, where I saw former teacher friends, students, and parents.

     Now, my weekends are never that busy with fun.  So it makes me think that searching for activities to occupy my time has put me in a frame of mind to be doing activities that occupy my time.  Very ironic.

     Tomorrow morning, Sunday, I'm having an early breakfast at IHOP with a friend, just to finish up this lovely weekend.  My mind was not occupied with all the "what ifs" of my future; it was occupied with enjoying the company of others right now.  This blog caused that. 

      You don't have to send me checks; I don't have to get a part-time job at Home Depot, and I don't have to call a plumber because I fixed my plumbing myself today also.  Writing certainly brings out the best in me.

     For now, I'm going to watch a few episodes of my favorite British show from the 1970s, "Upstairs, Downstairs," then go to bed.  Have a wonderful Sunday everyone. 

     Don't forget to drop in and enjoy my pinterest creations.

 

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

363 Days From Now November 8, 2012

363 Days from Today    November 8, 2012

      Bad news on the long-awaited check:  I received notice from the Social Security Administration that my check will arrive forever on the second Wednesday of every month.  However, it won't magically appear in my checking account until the second Wednesday of this coming December.  I had been naively counting on November 30.

       Today I saw what might become number 6 on my retirement list:  getting a job somewhere.  I was there to get some much-needed cleaning supplies and the lady who checked me out was definitely retired from some other career. 

        I think I could get a job there if all I had to do was walk up and down aisles avoiding answering questions from frightened-looking do-it-yourselfers.  Look at this link. 

       I may have to get that job right away, a night job.   It would tide me over until I get that SS payment in December.  Applying will be on the to-do list for the weekend.  I hope the application isn't too long.  I'd hate to have to list 40 years of jobs I've had teaching in various states and schools. 

        Happy Weekend!

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

364 Days From Today November 7, 2012

364 Days From Today               November 7, 2012

      My birthday has come and gone.  My thoughts are all mixed up now.  Today I have not yet found a number 5 activity for my retirement list, but several have come to mind.  My lovely pink bike, complete with basket and bell, called to me this morning, "Ride me.  Ride me."

          However, my day was committed to an all-day training for school.  When I returned home, I was committed to going to a community meeting with my neighbor at a Senior Citizens Center.   It was concerning the new recycling dinosaur-sized bins we are about to receive in downtown Orlando.  I was seething, because my tiny 1950s carport was not built to hold such a monstrosity.  It all turned out fine.  The speaker said I could request a smaller version later. 

          When I finally returned home around 8pm, I obsessively started checking email, pinterest, the news, and my blog for statistics.  All good.  All in order.  Two and a half hours later I am finally writing this post.  Has another retirement activity occurred to me yet?  Well, in a way.

         Number 5 on my list shall be this:  community anti-recycling activist

         Just kidding.  But I am very interested in visiting several local Senior Citizens Centers.  Those places are really full of active and vibrant folks.  So number 5 on my list will be to go to the Senior Citizens Center at least once a week to join a group of people who are busy dancing and laughing the night away.  Just look here:

         Oh and my friend who just retired reports that her first Monday of retirement life was wonderful:  no lesson plans, no kids, no asking for sick leave to visit that ailing relative in  another state.  She says all she has to do now is anything she feels like doing.  Then she is going to buy a plane ticket to go help that ailing relative in a few days.  She's also been riding her bike all around the local parks and even went grocery shopping by bicycle. 

 

www.pinterest.toncom/mimihylton

This Is The Day--Happy Birthday To Me--I Made It!                                November 6, 2012



     Instead of celebrating the official 66th year of my life, I spent the evening standing in line waiting to vote.  One and a half hours of standing and 7 seconds of voting.  Next election I'm coming in a wheel chair.  The important thing is that everyone one else was sacrificing their time and comfort to do the same:  voice their American right to choose a president.  I was lucky; some people had to stand in line over 5 hours to exercise this valuable freedom:

     Update on my retirement list:  A very close relative sent me some inspirational videos and a few inspirational words about doing what it is that I never did but wanted to do at some time in my life.  "It's possible!" is now my mantra.  So on my list at number 4 is now ballet.  Yes, they take untrained adults.  Look here:

     My thoughts this morning when I woke up were focused on getting to my polling place early, which did no good.  I went there four different times during the day.  Finally, at 6:30, down to the wire, I became fixated on standing in that long line no matter what. 

     Several friends shared happy birthday wishes with me, thanks very much.  Some students made me cute cards wishing me "Happy Sweet 16."  And overall, it was a lovely day, so now I am ready to go to bed.

  

www.pinterest.toncom/mimihylton

     

One Day and Counting November 5, 2012

     One Day and Counting                         November 5, 2012

     As I drove home from work, soon after merging into the three lanes of traffic speeding along at 50 miles per hour, a phrase popped into my thoughts:  Every Day Will Be A Holiday.
It made me smile.  It made me sort of feel cozy and comfortable.

     Tomorrow is the big 66th birthday, the one where I qualify for Social Security legally.  I wonder how I will feel when I wake up as an official SS recipient.   Happy Birthday to me.

     Last week, at the doctor's office, I spied the one magazine that wasn't about fashion, finance, Oprah, men's health, or medicine, so I put it in my purse and took it home to read.  Just like that.  It is titled, "50 plus FYI, Central Florida's 50+ Lifestyle Guide." 

     First impressions are the most important, so I will share what impressed me.  The central article was about a mother-daughter team who had spent their lives bouncing from community service job to community service job.  It went on and on and on.  The impression I got was that these ladies didn't actually NEED a paycheck.  Again, my prejudice is showing.

     Second impressions are also important.  I read a great article about voting and about why it is important to be well-versed in the political issues before voting.  They gave their brief descriptions of the upcoming amendments before the people.  Good writing.  League of Women Voters, you can always count on this group of highly educated and informed voters.

     Third impressions were ones I wanted to avoid:  ads for hearing aids, nursing homes, Parkinson's Disease research,  and retirement living communities (this one showing a woman who just came down a waterslide and blowing me a kiss).

     There were a few very very tired jokes and a very senior man sitting on his motorcycle.  There was a ridiculous one page self-promoting article by a singer, written in the form of a letter and signed Mother Jones.  Very off-putting, as the English like to say.

     There were two very interesting lists:  one for volunteering opportunities and one for all of the Senior Centers in the central Florida outlying areas.  Very helpful.  But the best list was one called, "Hotlines and Helplines."  I'm going to copy that one and post it on the fridge.

      The best articles were two about gardening, something I am fond of, even if I mostly look at my garden instead of working in it.  And down one side of one page there were finally some activities that I might participate in:  Day Trip to Mt. Dora with a group on November 17 which included a show, lunch, theater ticket and driver tip.  

      So I would have to add item number 3 to my list as that bus trip to Mt. Dora next weekend.

      My plant seems happy, my bathroom shelves look great with their new folded towels, creams and lotions, and my hair curling iron is happy to have a permanent home. 



www.pinterest.toncom/mimihylton

Two Days and Counting        November 4, 2012

      As my friend and I traveled  to buy a plant for my newly constructed bathroom storage shelf unit, I began to realize how much time I will have on my hands a year from now.  When I returned home and repotted the plant in its mint green ceramic pot and saucer, I realized that this time next year I had better have similar activities to occupy my days.

      I'm an automatic early riser, 5:15 a.m., so that gives me way too much time to sit at the computer, morning and evening, before and after work.  How will I possibly drag myself away from the keyboard to mingle with other retirees, wandering Orlando like zombies, all looking for busy work to fill their waking hours?  I see gangs of them hanging out at a fast food restaurant daily.  How much time does it take to drink coffee and eat hash browns?  Not much. 

     I do the same time-wasting when I have dinners with my friends at local restaurants, where we can stretch fried rice and noodle soup into two-hour discussions.  As I see it now, the only difference is I am a working person, and the morning coffee groups are all done with lifelong careers.  Prejudiced?  I believe I just might be.  That surprises me.

     This drove me to google "Senior Retirement Activities" on the internet, naturally.  Know what I found?  Not much.  The most intriguing activity on a list was treasure hunting.  Wow, that is absolutely something I have always wanted to do with a metal detector, for many years.  That explains why you see old codgers roaming beaches with those machines, staring at the sand instead of the beautiful water and sea birds.  They have been doing this way before google gave us this site.

     My small income will take a big hit if I have to go purchase expensive devices to find a few civil war bullets on the beach once a week.  Or worse yet, I will also have to simply move to the beach. 

      When I bought this house, I dug in the backyard, thinking I would plant beautiful flowers.  What I found were two gigantic railroad rails, nine or ten feet long, put there by the lifelong owner, probably as a flower bed border 40 years ago.  But they were eventually buried 6 inches below the ground! 

      Thank you , because I listed these ancient railroad rails for free and they were snapped up very quickly.  So I did like finding "treasure," but I would prefer diamonds, precious stones, and lost rings.  Oh, and bags of money, of course.

      The other activity suggested by the site was to hook up with senior dating services.  That would be the last activity on any list I ever made.  I know there are some very fine people who need to get out of their homes like I will, but I'd rather hang out with people who just want to hang out together.  Oh.  That must be what they do at the fast food place every morning. 

     For now, I will begin a kinder and gentler list, maybe adding three or four activities I discover each day.  Within a year, I should be able to find at least ten things that will hold my interest at least for an hour or two.  I'll report on the most interesting, but not dangerous, activities that make the list.  Hey, wait a minute!  Didn't I used to be a really good bowler?  Add that to my list as number 2.

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

Three Days and Counting     November 3, 2012

     When I awoke today, I had a feeling of power and confidence.  Where did that come from?  I had a breakfast meeting with a friend.  Afterwards I was drawn mysteriously toward a WalMart.  Let me say that I had not been inside a Walmart in about 7 years, so this was unusual.

     I strolled the aisles, feeling a bit giddy and lightheaded; I believe I was actually practicing for the time when I would have no obligation to be anywhere at any time.  So I took advantage of the momentary emotion:  I bought stuff.

     The stuff I bought was just a few household items, but ones that I had put off buying for years.  The primary item was one of those tall shelving units to go over the toilet to hold towels, decorative items, and the usual necessary items for the bath. 

     I rushed home and dragged my neighbor into semi-consciousness to help me assemble the unit, and after about an hour and cups of tea with cookies, we had completed the job.  My bathroom unit looks and fits perfectly.  Does the anticipation of retirement cause unfinished tasks to be priorities?

     It almost felt as though I had only a few days to get my life in order, so to speak.

    So, that is one of my first observations of impending retirement: happy anticipation.

    Wonder what emotions will emerge on day 2 and counting?
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Four Days and Counting November 2, 2012

Four Days and Counting

      In only 4 days, I will reach my official, government-sanctioned, long awaited 66th birthday.  It falls on Tuesday, Election Day, so I will celebrate by going to vote for one of two candidates, neither of whom I want to elect with my vote.  For posterity's sake I will identify our candidates:  Barack Obama and Mitt Romney (who named these people?)

     For about 59 years, I pretented that I would marry a prince, win the lottery, discover gold in my backyard while planting flowers, or inherit several million dollars from an anonymous relative.  As unbelievable as it sounds, none of these events occurred.  It was on that 59th birthday that I becan to actually plan for my retirement.

     To shorten this first blog, I will say that I am now about to be one of the millions who will receive the beneficent gift of a monthly pay check from the government:  a Social Security check. 

     What makes me just a bit different from others is that I am still rising each morning and going to my teaching job, something I have been doing for almost 40 years.

      The anticipation of the official first check has put me in a state of fear and frenzy.  Fear?  Just fear that there will be so many deductions that my check will be just enough to take a friend to Panera Bread Restaurant for lunch.  Frenzy?  Just frenzied that I am receiving money that I worked so hard to deserve. 

      My neighbor has been retired for years, but I don't see her running off to a different cruise every week, spending time at a spa, or taking other fabulous vacations.  Apparently "retired" doesn't mean relaxed in any way whatsoever.

     I have another friend who retired from work and who will also receive that golden SS ticket now.  The day after she retired this week, one of her very close relatives has some kind of horrible medical event.  That means she will now be rushing somewhere out of state to give the relative all of her free time and help.  Retired?  No, now she has another job to do.

     Advice given to me over the years is to not do anything for the first few months after retirement, to give myself time to decompress, live in my pjs all day, and try to get over the almost 40 years of emotional ups and downs involved in working.

     Previously, my dream was to move to a tiny cottage in rural England and live like Miss Marple and be the darling of the village, where everyone gathered to drink tea and solve mysteries.  Reality set in when I researched the weather in rural England.  Nine months of freezing, dismal, rainy, and gloomy weather cannot be a replacement for this sunny Florida resident.  I have now resolved myself to paying a little visit there during summer each year...if it's sunny of course.

     Another dream was to work a little job at a famous theme park, which is about 20 miles from my present home.  However, it appears that they want their employees to show up at work every day, just like before retirement.  That dream will have to be researched a bit more.

     For now, I am content to collect my teacher's paycheck and anticipate that magical Social Security check that will soon appear in my mailbox, no matter what the amount.

     Here's hoping that our new president doesn't eliminate my dream retirement in any way.  Let's keep that little check coming to my home for many years to come. 

     For the time being, Pinterest has grabbed my attention, so I am including the link to all of my boards.  Enjoy learning something about what I like, what I wish for, and what I stand for in my real life.

     Happy Birthday to me in 4 days, and Happy Election Day.  Now don't forget to vote!

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