Retirement

It's been 10 months since I retired and I must admit that I'm enjoying the slower pace of my days.  I haven't filled my days with "stuff" in that I don't have a lot of charity events or volunteering days - I'm simply enjoying being at home and quiet.

I was lucky to be a stay-at-home Mom before that term was ever used. But my days then were packed with kids, chores and errands - someone always needed something and there was school to prepare for, lunches to make, etc.  This time is different.  There aren't toys to pick up (except the dog's toys before I vacuum), there's no one to bathe or change or get into the car.  This is definitely a slower time and I find that it suits me perfectly.

I watch TV, hang laundry out on the line (haven't done that in ages), read and just "be".  I have found pleasure in playing Mahjong at the library (go figure) and enjoy the companionship and social interaction.  I meet friends for lunch and gossip but on an average day spend a great deal of time alone - reading, thinking, being.

It's a good time - a slower time - and a time that was due!

WOW

So much has happened since I lasted posted.

One of the biggest, I suppose, is that I retired.  After 30 years in the same agency, it was more than time to move on!  There were (are) major changes coming and I'd reached the point where I just didn't have another major change in me!  It was a great run and I thoroughly enjoyed my job but I must admit I enjoy not having to go to work every day.

The absolute biggest was, without a doubt, the birth of my grandson, Erik on October 12, 2015.  He is beautiful and wonderful.  It's such a joy having him around - who knew!!  Watching him change with each day is exciting.

I've had work done at the townhouse and, tomorrow, work is going to be scheduled for my house. Does it never end?  As soon as I think I may have a bit of respite or a bit of money left to do something I'd truly like to do, along comes another "chore" that must be done!!  I was hoping to wait for next year but this can't be put off even those few short weeks remaining.

I'm going to plan some day trips, short driving trips for the new year - maybe even a trip down to Florida - who knows.  I don't have any family down there anymore but it might be nice to get to warmer weather this winter - although so far the weather here has been wonderful.

A New Toy

I ordered a new cover for my iPad - two of the others I have are becoming a bit frayed around the edges - this one has the added advantage of a bluetooth keyboard!  It certainly is small, yet very easy to use - particularly since there is great "feel" to the keys.  I'm hoping that it will be useful - particularly for taking notes etc. during meetings.  Of course there aren't many meetings left in my library career!

  

Luckily, the keyboard will also link to my phone which might come in handy for texting especially since my fingers don't fit the phone keyboard easily - especially in portrait mode. 

Regardless - I'm enjoying the keyboard and I'm sure I'll use it often.  And thank you Amazon Prime - I was able to order it Wednesday evening and get it Friday morning!!  YAY!!

Time passing

Things are moving forward.  On Feb. 27th I met with the City's retirement person and signed the necessary papers to apply for retirement.  (YIKES)  Next week I have an appointment with Social Security to do the necessary paperwork for Medicare and find out if Harry's SS is going to be higher than mine (I think it is) and get everything ready.

We're checking out materials for March 24 - so it seems like March is almost over already!  The perils of living 3 weeks in the future!  Time is certainly passing quickly and before I know it, it will be May and my career will be coming to an end.

As I said in my email to my boss - it's never easy making large, important changes but there are times when it's necessary.  I've enjoyed every one of the 30 years I've been working but it's time to step aside and let someone else have the fun.  I'll miss the people with whom I work but I don't know that I'll miss the daily work.  I'll have to see.

Wow

It's been an interesting couple of weeks - about a week ago, I came home to find a message from a cousin whom I haven't seen or heard from in about 30 years.  I haven't had a chance to call her back due to work, etc. but I'm certainly planning on returning her call and reconnecting.  Then today a trip to the mailbox brought a card from another cousin whom I haven't seen in over 50 years.  She said that she'd sent me a Facebook message but I certainly don't remember getting one (and there is another Diane Wetterlin in the world!) so I sent her a FB message this evening.  We'll see what happens.

After all these years, to have voices from the past - two different families in the same week - mind boggling!

Words

Coulda Woulda Shoulda - how many times do these words get used by everyone (including me)? How many times do people say these words to justify something that's happened to them or what they've done (or not done).

I know I've said those things - dwelling on the past or what might have been - but it never changes anything and rarely makes me feel better.  So I've decided to do my best to avoid those words. Instead I'm going to use words like Can and Will and Do instead.  I'm going to focus on the present, dream a bit about the future and look at the past only for the good times.  I can't change what has happened but I can learn from it.  I focus on the present and what's important - my family, friends and, of course, my pets!  And I can look forward to the future, without over planning it, and new adventures.

We'll see how it goes -

Musings - again

SIGH - where to begin without sounding pompous?  I enjoy Facebook - a lot.  I like reading what my friends are doing and keeping up with relatives but lately I'm having a problem.  My problem is the extreme polarization of the country (and apparently some of the people I've friended).  This polarization and, in my opinion, the relative safety of posting inflammatory remarks from the comfort of ones home has become so extreme that it's very tempting to hide all postings from some people or to un-friend them completely. I really don't want to do that.

I've been interested in politics for a long time.  I've known, as an adult, 7 presidents.  Some I voted for, some I didn't.  Some votes I've regretted!  But I don't remember the nastiness that's currently being directed at the President - not even during Watergate with Richard Nixon.  (I am NOT a crook!) I certainly didn't approve of the job that the previous President did, nor did I like the people around him.   I was against his foreign policy and most, if not all, of his domestic policies.  I complained and criticized.  But I never called him anything except Mr. Bush, the President or President Bush (ok, sometimes just Bush).  I never questioned his parentage, his birth, his patriotism.  I was taught to respect the position - it wasn't necessary to like the occupant but I was to respect the title.

Maybe that's naive.  But I think that the political discourse would be so much more productive if we just followed some rules like no name calling, or no yelling.  If we didn't reward those who yell the loudest and how about some facts to back up the rhetoric? ( I like footnotes!)

Anyway - I like the people I've friended (and yes I know them) and don't want to lose any but I use FB as relaxation and sometimes the posts are anything but.  Decisions to be made I suppose.