Retirement Really

Is This for Me

Sitting in the house day after day. Retirement, is it all it’s cracked up to be? I get bored. The winter was long, and now it doesn’t want to let go. The weather is not good so once again we are stuck in the house. There is only so much we can do. Gary and I sit around looking at one another. He gets bored also. He doesn’t feel the best sometimes, so he sleeps a lot. The recliner, his go-to place to sleep. 

Writing is Therapeutic

 My blog keeps me busy for part of the day. Writing takes up my time. Stories pop into my head and I feel the need to write them down. Take notes, organize, and piece together a story that is readable. 

The Weather Outside Is Frightful

With the weather outside I cannot run. It’s raining today, before that we had 24” of snow dumped on us. Not the best weather for running outside. Plus, I’ve been sick, so I haven’t run for two weeks now. I’m having withdrawals. Wishing and hoping for sunny days and an unclouded healthy head.

Part-Timers

Gary and I discussed getting part time jobs-mulling it over. Gary does mow lawns during the summer so really, he already has one. But the winters are long and the need to do something is strong. Working our entire lives, then suddenly not working is a weird and strange thing. On the one hand it’s nice because of our grandkids and ballgames. We get to go to all games. We enjoy watching them play and we are bleacher buddies. 

Extra Income

Being at home has its advantages, but then again so does working. Extra income is always nice. Feeling needed somewhere other than our home is also nice. So, what do we do? I’ve been looking through our local newspaper at jobs in the area. The paper comes out once a week on Mondays and has jobs available in our area. If the decision is made and we do go back to work somewhere part time, then the pressure of having to be somewhere at a certain time is back in our lives. It’s nice at times not to have to go out in awful weather, drive slippery roads, and pray we make it to our destination. Not missing that at all. I’ve driven my share of bad roads-don’t miss it one bit.

Chatting has its Perks

 I do miss the back and forth with the public. Chatting about this and that. Interaction is needed in our lives otherwise we grow stagnant and listless. The experts say conversation is a sure-fire way to ward off dementia. One thing I always worry about because it runs in my mother's family. Closing oneself off with no outside stimulation with other people does none of us any good. As people we are social creatures, at least most of us are. We crave that release of a conversation. Coming from a Law Enforcement background I didn’t think I’d enjoy customer service, but I did. It is one of the things I miss about working. 

Libraries

Now, I just have Gary to talk to. Not that that is a bad thing but my trips to the library are important to me. It gives me other people to talk to, plus I get a great book to read. The library, the grocery store, anywhere there are other people around is a good thing. Conversations pop up and before long an hour has passed, and we wonder where the time has gone.  

Bumps on Logs

Sitting like a bump on a log at home isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The days bleed into one another until we forget what day of the week it is. This is truth and it has happened. 

Give of Yourself

Volunteering is another option we have. The local hospital always welcomes people who want to visit with patients or read to them. Pass the time. Volunteering could also lead into something else entirely. Maybe a part time job. Life is full of surprises. If there was an animal shelter in town I'd volunteer. But the closest is a half an hour's drive from here. Besides the noise, fear, and terror from shelters break open my heart.

Easy Breezy Summer

Summer is close around the corner, we would like to enjoy it without working. As Fall closes in, the thought of work will once again cross our minds. But for now, sunshine and fresh air sounds heavenly. Gary and I wait for warm weather, he mows lawns and I plant flowers. Spending time outdoors, sitting on the patio soaking up the sun. The days stretch on forever into the evening. It’s still daylight at 9 pm. Wisconsin summers are the best. They could last forever, and they’d still be gone too soon. 

Roasting marshmallows over a fire pit. Sitting in the dark on a warm summer night, a slight breeze. Which means no bugs is perfectionism. It beats sitting in the house with crappy weather, while we look at each other and wonder what to do with ourselves. Good grief. 

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So, bring on breezy sunny summer days Gary and I are ready.

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Retirement blah, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. The need to feel useful is strong.

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