This Retirement Thing Is Great!

  This Retirement Thing Is Great!

Welcome Back!

April 18, 2015

July 2014 Sanibel Island, Florida

     Hadn't written on this blog since June 7, 2014, then a wonderful thing happened:  I adopted another greyhound, and my whole outlook changed drastically.  Miss Wendy, adopted on June 21, 2014, from Goldcoast Greyhound Rescue in Orlando, Florida, changed my retirement completely.

     So as soon as Miss Wendy entered my home, my attitude and actions changed for the better...I got off my chair and started living and making plans.  My friend from Alabama, Charlotte, came for a visit, and we drove to Sanibel Island, walked the gorgeous beach, 4 hours from Orlando, had lunch with old friends there at the Mucky Duck Pub , and immediately I decided to move back to Fort Myers.  Plans were made, apartment searches were done (internet searches), and by September, I was packing to leave Orlando!

     Here it is, 7 months later, and I live in my beautiful second floor apartment, overlooking a lake, and within 5 miles of the Sanibel Island bridge!  The home I left in Orlando has been rented, and I am finally living the retirement life I wrote about.

     All of the credit goes to bringing another dog into my life.  That is what it took to get me out of what others have called the retirement rut.  Thank goodness for Miss Wendy!  

Two Month Absence From Blog--What Happened?

Two Month Absence From Blog--

What Happened?
May 17, 2014

     Can't explain why I have stopped writing.  Check back later.  Retirement has aspects I had not read about.  



Realities of My Retirement--November '13 to June '14

Realities of My Retirement

Not What Research Predicted

June 7, 2014

• "I enjoy waking up and not having to go to
• work. So I do it three or four times a day."
•  - Gene Perret

    

Photo Credit:  www.funnyphotos.picphotos.net

     Let me say that for the past three months I have not written here
 and I don't know why, exactly.

     Several things have happened in retirement:

     1.  Had a lovely stent placed in my artery so my leg wouldn't fall off.

     2.  Visited my family at Christmas, where I was told I was too negative.  Really?  Yep.

     3.  Almost bought a sports car, a condo, a house, a farm, and changed my mind every time.

     4.  Didn't get a new dog or cat...might want to take a trip.

     5.  Didn't take a trip because I didn't want to leave home.

     6.  Attended my granddaughter's graduation and never saw so many photos taken of the same   people in one afternoon.

     7.  Started feeding a cute but hissing stray cat.

     8.  Watched approximately 10,000 youtube.com videos, mostly from Great Britain.

     9.  Joined a gym and go 4 times a week, so my leg won't fall off.

    10. Spent most of the past 7 months sitting at my computer. 

     So, in spite of all of the research I did during 2013, I learned that I'm not one to take my own retirement advice seriously.

     I even stopped writing this blog for 3 months.

     Why is this happening?  I really don't have any explanation. 

     Stay tuned for my next post, as I promise that I will be doing something exciting and unusual by then, fingers crossed. 

     Time for my 11 a.m. nap.  Ha-ha!



Orlando is the top tourist destination for Brazilians!

 Orlando is the top tourist destination for Brazilians!

(Did you know that?)

"You can spot Brazilian tourists in Florida by their matching T-shirts and large tour buses."

Brazilian tourists shop the bargains at a local mall.

Photo Credit:  John Couwel/CNN

     Visit Disneyworld or Universal Studios and you will see many large groups of tourists, all sporting their tourist/travel company t-shirts, and carrying the Brazilian flag. 

     Last year, especially, I noticed that the Brazilian groups were more noticeable than ever.  "They must REALLY love Orlando theme parks," I thought to myself.

     No, it was explained to me, our US exchange rate is so low, that they come here to do two things:  1) go to theme parks and 2) go shopping!   And we are very happy to welcome all Brazilian tourists for both reasons! 

      Here is how it works, and this is a direct quote from an article on the CNN Travel website from 2012:

"On a recent afternoon at the Orlando Premium Outlets near Disney World, one of the hottest-selling items among the Brazilian tourists is luggage. They buy the suitcases, then stuff them with recently purchased shoes, clothing, bags and electronics until the luggage is almost bursting at the seams."

"As a result, Disney hired 54 Portuguese-speaking "Super Greeters," most of them from Brazil, to assist Brazilian tour groups throughout Disney's parks."

"As a result, SeaWorld recently launched a website in Portuguese, and Frey says the company is looking to expand its Portuguese-speaking employees."

By John Couwels, CNN

updated 9:51 AM EST, Tue January 24, 2012

Here is the link to the entire article by John Couwels. 

Now is the time to learn Portuguese, if you want to meet and greet our Brazilian tourists!  Welcome to Orlando, friends!

Brazilian Carnival Going On Now...See Pictures and Article

Happy Mardi Gras today, Fat Tuesday! Click link to today's parades in New Orleans!

Need help getting your "stuff" organized and simplified? Click this link!

Click this link to see my latest pinterest interests, and you'll get some great ideas...

 



My Horoscope, Scorpio, Says "Get Out Of Town Soon"

My Horoscope, Scorpio, Says "Get Out Of Town Soon"

Photo Credit:  www.abovetopsecret.com

"You may be drawn to a romantic notion of getting away from it all, yet this kind of escape might sound better than it really is. Nevertheless, a well-planned trip makes sense now. There's no need to be impulsive about it, but the sooner you get out of town for some rest and relaxation, the better. If possible, invite someone else along on your adventure, since the energy you receive from others on your upcoming excursion can fuel your enthusiasm."

Horoscope by Rick Levine, Tarot.com, on www.HuffingtonPost.com February 10, 2014

     Although I am proud to have Scorpio as my birth sign, I rarely check my horoscope these days.  However, today I took a peek and realized that I must get out of town very soon!

     Sooooooooooo, tomorrow I will make the effort to decide just when I will actually make travel plans and purchase that plane ticket to London. 

     According to the Orlando Sentinel, our local newspaper, either crime or a traffic accident will mow me down before I get my suitcase packed. 

     I've had my new passport for many, many months, so what am I waiting for?  Nothing.  I seem to be permanently in a state of suspended animation since I retired.  Even my horoscope is tired of me sitting around, so I guess I will definitely get out of town soon!

Photo Credit:  www.uscis.gov

     Although I hate cold weather, I love London, so I'll just have to pack clothes suitable for the frigid and damp English winter weather.  Wish me luck.  But wait...aren't all the Brits spending their winter holidays in Orlando? 

Why don't you check out my organizational blog here? You might get some ideas for downsizing your "stuff."

Click this link to see my latest pinterest interests. 

If you can believe this, I'm even on Facebook now. No. Really. Click here.

Surprise! Click here to see my twitter madness.

 







Been Retired 3 Months Now---What's New?

Been Retired 3 Months Now--

What's New?

This book may be of some help...

Photo Credit:  www.gettingpersonal.co.uk

     Nothing new has miraculously changed about my life after retirement.  In fact, I find myself sitting absolutely still, in front of my computer, for most of the day.  What?  That's not supposed to happen!

     I wrote faithfully about all of the opportunities and activities that would await me upon retirement, if I chose.  I retired on a Thursday, stayed home that Friday, and haven't really explored much since November 1.

     Here are the three activities I did pursue:

     1.  Purchased the business name for my Professional Organizing business:  Simplify Your Lifestyle.  Signed up with www.findyourorganizer.com .  Had lovely business cards printed.

     2.  Drove 1000 miles round-trip to Alabama to visit a dear friend at Thanksgiving, stayed one night, and came back the next day. 

     3.  Went to visit my family (all of us, including 5 grandchildren) at Christmas.  Experienced some family drama, and couldn't wait to get back home.

     Spent all of January looking at my empty calendar for the month, and rarely got dressed.  Something about retirement isn't going as planned. 

Get the idea?

Photo Credit:  www.singlemindedwomen.com

     Saw an interesting website on "Ellen" about dating sites, and one caught my interest:  www.farmersonly.com  so I joined.  I dropped out after one day, because it caused me to miss my horse and ranch in Fort Myers...Here's the clip from Ellen's segment.

Ellen DeGeneres talks dating sites.

     Watched the Southwest Eagle Cam videos as two eggs were laid, chicks hatched, then one suddenly died last week for no apparent reason.  Here's a tribute video to little E3.  E4 is still thriving.  Tribute to E3 Eaglet--Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, by urdognu



  And during all of these three months, I wouldn't and couldn't think of anything positive or uplifting to write about my newfound "retirement life."

Yep.  This is what I look like every day now, except I'm usually wearing pajamas.

Photo Credit: www.dailymail.co.uk

Photo Credit:  www.pramshow.blogspot.com

     To get this day, now half over, off to a better start, here is one of my newest favorite videos, by Pharrell Williams, called "Happy."  So I plan on doing some dancing and singing today to chase away that black dog for a bit. 

Go ahead: Sing and dance to "Happy," by Pharrell Williams. 

Follow my recent pinterest interests here. Enjoy!

(For some reason, half of this blog is underlined and most of the links aren't working...I've been gone from here too long.)

    



I'm Retired--And Not Working Is Exhausting!

I'm Retired--And Not Working Is Exhausting!

November 8, 2013

 

This is what I thought I would look like after being retired for a whole week!

Photo Credit:  www.alzsmiles.com

 

This is what I actually look like now, after being retired for a whole week!

Photo Credit:  Unknown, Google Images

 

     Yes, it's been 7 whole days of no work, no alarm clock, no driving to work, no stress, and no problems.  This blog is titled, "Idle At Last," but I haven't been idle yet!

 

     Here is the list of my retirement activities, some fun, some not:

1.      Finished loading my car on my last day of work last Thursday.
2.      Unpacked my car after getting home on my last day of work, then put everything away.
3.      Spent my first day of retirement, last Friday, going through all of my unwanted possessions, cleaning them, pricing them, making signs, putting out the signs, and preparing for a neighborhood yard sale.
4.      Saturday, 7am, put all of the stuff in my carport for the 8am yard sale.  Enjoyed 4 hours of meeting people and selling some stuff.  Fun!
5.      Put all of the yard sale stuff that didn't sell back in the house.
6.      Drove around and took down all the signs, then returned the sign holders to the owner.
7.      Hauled home 4 heavy antique dining chairs, unloading them, and cleaning/polishing them.
8.      Put all of the yard sale stuff back in various rooms, but there are still boxes of stuff to put away in the den.
9.      Spent lots of time online searching for the perfect pedestal table to go with the 4 antique chairs.  Found one at Pier 1 site.
10.      Drove to Pier 1 Imports to purchase/order the new table.
11.      Organized my kitchen drawers and shelves Saturday evening since I had no room for all the stuff that needed to be put away.
12.      Sunday enjoyed (yay!) a lovely day at Disney World's EPCOT with all of my family to celebrate my retirement.  Lunch at the Rose and Crown Pub and lovely gifts!  Wonderful!
13.      Monday, went to work at my son's office, 9:30am, to be a kind of Personal Assistant, which included 4 hours of intense thinking.
14.      Continued to organize my kitchen, which involved 3 hours of cleaning and problem-solving (and decluttering).  Watch the video at the end of my post on how to organize your kitchen drawers easily.
15.      Tuesday went to work as a Personal Assistant for 4 more hours.
16.      Waited for the Air Conditioner technician to give my AC it's tune up on Tuesday.
17.      Wednesday, 7am, went for a root canal.
18.      Wednesday, 9:30, went for a crown fitting at my other dentist.  (And on my birthday, too!)
19.      Worked 2 more hours as a Personal Assistant, mind numbing and amazing at the same time.
20.      Thursday, took trip to the Dollar Tree store to get organizing supplies for my neighbor's kitchen makeover.
21.       5 hours organizing/clearing/cleaning my neighbor's kitchen, and hauling out heavy bags of trash.  (I love the organizing part, though.)  Watch the video at the end of my post on how to organize your kitchen drawers easily.
22.      Friday, went grocery shopping for myself and my neighbor, clearing out her refrigerator, and stocking it with her new food supply, including more garbage hauling...Bless her as she waits to come home from the hospital.

     So there you have the real deal on what a retiree does during the first week of not going to work.  Who knew, after all of my research on fun retirement activities, that I would be working harder than when I had a full-time job?

 

Watch this great video on how to simply and economically organize your kitchen drawers.

 

Click this link to my other website on organizing your lifestyle.

(It's called www.simplifyyourlifestyle.wordpress.com)

 

Click this link to see my pinterest interests. Check out my "Thanksgiving" and "Christmas" boards for great ideas.

    

 

 



The Night Before Retirement Day--Broadway Play!

The Night Before Retirement Day--

Broadway Play!

October 30, 2013

 

Photo Credit:  https://www.facebook.com/TheBookOfMormonOnBroadway

 

Photo Credit:  https://www.facebook.com/TheBookOfMormonOnBroadway

 

 

 

 

Here's how I felt after seeing "The Book of Mormon" tonight in Orlando!

Photo Credit:  www.facebook.com/thebookofmormononbroadway

 

 

     I got a surprise invitation to attend the opening night of "The Book of Mormon" in Orlando tonight, the last night before I retire on Thursday.   It is playing at the Bob Carr Theatre.   I was so surprised and pleased that I accepted immediately. 

 

     There was no way to prepare myself for such a raucous, rocking, fun-filled, off-color, brilliant Broadway musical.  It was fabulous, and yes, I did buy the t-shirt to wear on Friday, the first day of being retired.  I can't tell you what is on the t-shirt, because it is in a foreign language and means something totally inappropriate.

 

     But on Friday, the official day of no working ever again, I will wear that shirt with a big grin on my face.  I made it!!!

 

     If you get a chance to see "The Book of Mormon," and if you are not easily offended or shocked, you will absolutely love this show.

 

     Tomorrow, Thursday, is my last day of work as a teacher, my last day of being a role model for so many others, and my last day of my former life.  I am absolutely thrilled to bits. 

 

     I will continue to write posts for this blog, because I want to share the reality of retirement life with everyone...the good, the better, and the best part of being retired.  Thank you for reading my posts for so long.  My year of anticipation is officially over in just a few hours.  Retirement, here I come!!!

 

Click here to watch one of the fabulous songs from "The Book of Mormon."

 

Click here to see my latest pinterest interests.

 

 

 

     

 

 



Nine Days and Counting Down To Retirement Day--October 31!

Nine School Days and Counting Down To

Retirement Day--October 31!

 

 

 

 

Yes, I'm retiring on October 31, Halloween!

Photo Credit:  www.cafepress.com

 

     On Monday, October 21, there will be only 9 days until I retire.  That means that, of all the days I could retire, my retirement day will fall on Halloween.  That is scary and wonderful, both at the same time. 

 

     Seven of my last nine days will be with students, and two of the last nine days will be teacher work days for preparing report cards.

So, what thoughts are floating around in my brain now? 

 

 

Photo Credit:  www.bebrainfit.com



 

     For starters, I feel very peaceful, because I have spent the last year researching and preparing for these moments.  Additionally, my emotions are changing by the minute, because I really don't want to leave such an excellent group of teachers and staff members at my school.   I feel extremely responsible for making my final days the very best I can for my students. 

 

     Bittersweet is the word to describe the feeling:  Sad to be leaving and happy to be starting on a new path in my life.

 



Photo Credit:  www.fineartamerica.com

 

     After writing about retirement all year, I feel I may know less than I did when I began...but I now realize that everything will be fine.  Thank you for reading this blog and for staying with me on this journey.  I hope my retirement becomes like that of "The Golden Girls."

 

 

 

Click here to watch an episode of "The Golden Girls." Enjoy!

 

 

     Click here to see my latest pinterest interests, especially my "Retirement Is Approaching" board. 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 



Getting Rid of Clutter

Getting Rid of Clutter

September 26, 2013

Does this pile of "clutter" look familiar?
Photo Credit:  www.better.tv
 

 

     Here's a great video for getting rid of clutter.  Youtube.com is a super resource for helping anyone start to declutter any room or office.

 

Click this link to see how to get rid of clutter.

25 School Days To Go To Retirement Day!

25 School Days To Go Until Retirement Day!

September 25, 2013

 

This is how I think I look when I am teaching my gifted classes!

Photo Credit:  Unknown, from www.Pinterest.com

 

     Only 25 more days of school for this teacher!  I have to say that I am vacillating between leaping for joy and trips down memory lane each morning.  Am I sad?  Definitely not.  Am I worn out and used up with so many years of teaching?  Definitely not.

 

Do you see a sad teacher here?  Nope!  Not me!

Photo Credit:  www.teachermum.com



 

     What I have become is reflective and contemplative.  The days are flying by, and I am busying myself each evening by filling boxes with school supplies to take to my school.  Those supplies may be used by the teacher who will soon replace me.  I hope to have a clean house, cleared of all traces of school supplies and equipment.    I will always have my memories of school, of course.

 

This is what I'm doing in the evening now:  boxing up extra school supplies to take to school.

Photo Credit:  www.livingwaterborger.blogspot.com



 

      My days following retirement are already scheduled with dental appointments (root canal and new crown), clearing the overgrown butterfly garden in my front yard, and having the air conditioner repaired in my very old car.  These activities are in no way enjoyable, but I will finally have the time and motivation for getting them done. 

Hope I get all those butterfly bushes and weeds under control soon after retirement!

Photo Credit:  www.gardeningtipsforall.wordpress.com



 

      There is a trip in my near future, to my friend in another state, where I may take an extended vacation while I remap my future life.  In addition, I hope to finish redoing my guest bath, my kitchen floor, and painting the entire inside of my home. 

 

Well, my little vacation may look like this...or not!

Photo Credit:  www.thedigeratilife.com

 

     Very soon, but not soon enough for me, I will be launching my professional home organizing business, Simplify Your Lifestyle, and that business will be a big part of the future I have been seeking.



Photo Credit:  www.busybeeorganizingplus.com

 





     While none of these activities sound like the "fun" I have been researching all year, they are the things that must be done BEFORE I can take off for parts unknown.  Thank you very much for sticking with my blog all year while I worked through the "scariest year of my life." 

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests.

 

     

 

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Miss America 2014 Is Indian! Congratulations!

Miss America 2014 is Indian!  Congratulations!

September 16, 2013

 



Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri

( LUCAS JACKSON, REUTERS / September 16, 2013 )

"Miss America contestant, Miss New York Nina Davuluri performs a traditional Indian dance during the 2014 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, September 15, 2013. Davuluri, 24, won the 2014 Miss America pageant on Sunday, giving the prize to Miss New York for the second year in a row. "

 

Congratulations to our new Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri, from New York.  She is the first Indian-American to win the national pageant and will represent all of us for the next year as the reigning Miss America. 

 

Her performance was a traditional Indian dance.

 

 

Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri

( instagram.com/missnewyorkmao / September 15, 2013 )                       

"Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri competes as Miss New York during the preliminary rounds of competition."

 

  Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri

( LUCAS JACKSON, REUTERS / September 16, 2013 )

"Miss America contestant, Miss New York Nina Davuluri reacts as she is chosen as winner of the 2014 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, September 15, 2013. Davuluri, 24, won the 2014 Miss America Pageant on Sunday, giving the prize to Miss New York for the second year in a row."

 

Congratulations, Nina Davuluri!

 

SW Florida Eagles_Ozzie And Harriet Are Home 9-9-13

SW Florida Eagles_Ozzie And Harriet Are Home September 14, 2013

 

Harriet, the female eagle, is on the left and Ozzie, the male eagle, is on the right.

Taken by Vicki, wskrsnwings, today at dusk in Fort Myers, Florida

Photo Credit:  screen shot from wskrsnwings' video

 

 

       "Nesting Season will begin soon and Ozzie and Harriet have returned to check their home. They both look and sound healthy. Thank you Dick Pritchett Real Estate for maintaining such a suitable tree and environment for our Bald Eagle Family."

 

Southwest Florida Eagle Cam Foundation: http://www.southwestfloridaeaglecam.com/

 

    Click here to see the first video of Ozzie and Harriet, back in their nesting home.

 

 

 

Welcome home, Mom and Dad!



 

 



Here You Go: Another Huge Gator Caught in Florida!

Here You Go:  Another Huge Gator Caught In Florida!

September 14, 2013

 

      I don't know if PETA defends the rights of alligators in Florida, but I totally support gator hunters!  Thank you for all you do for us.

 

Click here to see the photo and news story of the newest gator caught in Florida.

Thirty-three More School Days Until Retirement!

Thirty-three More School Days Until Retirement!

September 14, 2013

 

This is how all the birds will line up in my front yard to get their seed when I retire, ha-ha!

"No cutting in line!"

Photo Credit:  www.speedbump.com

 

This machine, called "the purple monster," is what made our copies, way back in 1973.

Photo Credit:  www.cafepress.com

 

This is what I want when I retire:  A big loving dog, a farm, and a smile every day!

Photo Credit: http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1922110.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Hilary-Lewis-from-Dolgellau-near-Bala-in-Wales-with-her-heroic-hound-Gallant-1922110.jpg

 

You are all invited to my retirement party on November 1, 2013, in Orlando, Florida!

Photo Credit:  http://rlv.zcache.ca/teachers_retirement_party_invitations-rbace0f07e13e4f6281a485fde4096933_8dnm8_8byvr_512.jpg

 

 

Yes, all of these will be true...but I will miss teaching forever.

Photo Credit:  www.zazzle.com

 

      Am I counting down the days?  Absolutely.  Am I becoming sad about leaving the children and all of the staff at my school, Arbor Ridge K-8 School?  Absolutely. 

 

Click here to see my latest pinterest interests. 

 

Click here to learn about my new business called Simplify Your Lifestyle.