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!



The Official Activities List--So Far December 11, 2012

The Official Activities List--So Far

 

December 11, 2012

 

     Thank you to everyone who has read some or all of my posts since I began this blog in early November.

 

     I just viewed each post, around 30, and now you can see the activities I believe may keep my attention after I officially retire next year.

 

     I am adding a Number 15:  writing more thank you notes to people who make my life happier and more enjoyable by the little things they do.

 

 

Official List of Retirement Activities December 11, 2012

1. Treasure hunting with a metal detector

2. Bowling

3. Bus trip with others to visit Mt. Dora, Florida

4. Take ballet classes

5. Joining in activities at my local Senior Citizens Center

6. Getting a job, part-time--Cancelled

6a. Helping the homeless, in a small way

7. Reopening my business, "Set The Table--Vintage Tableware and Linens," on eBay

8. Meet and greet the dolphins at Sea World--Cancelled

9. Bike riding in the greenway/park, having a picnic--tried it and it was wonderful!

10. Bagging and redistributing 40 bags of clutter in my home. (Tried it; too depressing)

11. Having laughter-filled meals with friends or family

11a. Go somewhere on a train

12. Visit a kennel where greyhounds are born and raised.

13. Go fishing in a river at the greenway/park

14. Accept all invitations for social events

15. Send more written thank you notes

     There you have it:  the list.

     May I be perfectly clear in saying this is not a bucket list!

     If I keep this up, let me do the math, I will have approximately 150+ additional possible retirement activities in the next 10 months. 

     Now it's time to go do some laundry before I go to work. 

Click here to get to my pinterest site. That's where I spend way too much time now.

 

 

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

 

 



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