Retirement Realities...

Here we are, Jon and I, retired from the workforce since February 2002. You plan your best because you know your life style will change, i.e., fixed income. We were hopeful to use some of our 401K money for various investments, but with the market as it is, we have found just how c o n s e r v a t i v e we really are! We have found surprises, i.e., our property taxes have doubled, etc. The first full year was full of remodeling projects, resettling projects and a few travel trips. We were busy with many projects.

Now, life is taking a change ... we are noticing a few signs of boredom. I have been practicing and learning Tai Chi twice a week since January which helps, but I want something else. I looked into Art classes and painted some bar stool tops, but just can't find another class that is the right one for me. I've made two basic mandala patterns from instructions and that interests me, but I can seem to get anywhere on my own. Next I tried some embroidery which I hadn't done since my childhood and made a small pillow for my sister.

First, I have decided to try volunteering at our local and very beautiful library. After completing a two page application, this past week I had an interview with the volunteer coordinator. But then, also just this week Jon and I decided to take off for South Carolina, Iowa, and Minnesota for about three weeks. Can you imagine? But, no problem with the volunteer schedule ... they are accustomed to retirement needs and I will begin volunteering when I return in July. I'll be scheduling people for internet use, perhaps shelving books and hopefully, I may move into an internet user trainer if there is an opening.

Second I am taking a proactive stance in getting back to golf. Golf ... we hadn't hit a golf ball in six years so we first went to a driving range to check out our "swing." Much improvement was needed so we next went to another driving range which has group lessons each week. Our "swing" was much improved by this exercise ... thank goodness! So, we have a goal and that is to improve enough to play on a course again with our local friends! Then, too, we'll be able to play with my brother-in-law and sister when they visit. Just hitting the ball again was a good feeling and I do love to be outside on the course. Bad news though, my left back is really hurting ... how could I have swung the club that hard or maybe I was just wild and uncontrolled????

This is sounding like a rant (whine) so I think I just have to accept realities always do change!

I can't believe I'm doing this ...

I'm actually using a Blog, and it's all mine set up by my son, Greggman. He just sent me an email (he lives in Japan-I live in Florida) telling me he would set it up and then another email saying I would probably say I wasn't interested and that he had already set it up. Well ... in between the two emails, I asked myself, do I have anything to say and do I really want to do this ... thinking maybe. So, here I am beginning.

Actually, my relationship with my best friend since high school just recently changed. She emailed me saying she needed to be quiet asking me to discontinue our emails on the current basis (we usually correspond several times a week, sometimes much, much more). She told me we could always talk to each other if we wanted each other's opinion on important things. Then she told me she had been thinking about how our lives were so much different, i.e., we now live coast to coast (she lives in Washington State) and I am married (nearly 15 years) and she is single. So ... I wrote back saying I would honor her request and I haven't heard from her since the end of May.

Of course, this poses questions that I can't answer. I actually had called her upon my return from a month's vacation wanting to "chat" and hear her voice. She did not answer the phone, so I left a message and she returned the above message in an email. I have a slight concern that she is okay, but I will wait awhile before contact again. I certainly would appreciate her contact first ... perhaps it isn't going to happen.

At any rate, the real reason I decided to use this Blog is becasue I am thinking I probably used email conversations to my friend as a sort of a Blog and she got tired of it. This might be a good way to write down my thoughts now that she has opted out.

Two years ago I went through an 8-day personal growth training seminar that changed the way I view life and I continue on a quest for basically "why am I here and how do I want to live my life." I have been reading many, many books on psychology, spirituality, philosophy, religion, etc. I find all of this information fascinating and wish I had found this knowledge much earlier in life. Now at 61 though I just have to go where I can with what time I have left.

Practicing yoga and tai chi has brought a new "light" in my life, along with meditation. I am continually astounded how my "old" thoughts on religion and philosophy have easily changed to a new view and understanding that encompasses all, rather than the few. I have read about Buddhism and like the "middle path" they follow and currently I am researching Taoism. The Eastern view seems to encompass ideas that are more meaningful for living your life.

So ... here I am ... now a blogger