The Big Busy Avoidance

I've been retired now since 2010. That's 16 years.   I'm not sure I ever worked for a single company that long.  Regardless, I hope to be retired longer than my adult working life.  I'll have to live for a long time but I'm up for it.  So now that I have 16 years under my belt, I suppose it is time to look back and ponder about whether I've learned anything about retirement.

Here it is...avoid being too busy.  One of my original goals in retirement was to live a stress-free life. Now I know that is not really possible and a little stress is good to keep the motor running. But when you stop and realize you are not doing a lot of the things you want to be doing then you obviously are doing something you maybe should do less of.  I do sleep a lot but I'd prefer not to give that up.  It is a glorious thing after all.

Although I love my new "photography" hobby I'm beginning to suspect this is the very thing that is starting to take over my time.  I've spread myself very thin in my quest to try it all.  On-line classes, in-person workshops, club activities and monthly meetings and board meetings. Yes, I joined the board. And then there's the actual taking photos and editing photos, printing photos, making books and showing (dare I say selling) photos.  Something's got to give. I just don't know what yet. But I've held off booking any photo trips for next year for the moment.

I do a three hour volunteer stint every Sunday mowing and weeding in an abandoned cemetery.  Recently I took on managing the Facebook page for the organization. Speaking of Facebook, lord I spend too much time on that. And just the phone in general..reading the news, doing puzzles, is a time sucker.  

It was a little felting class that gave me the wake up call.  I joined a community class to learn felting and made a little orange pumpkin. Next week we make a leaf followed by two more weekly classes. I am so looking forward to that class.  I'll never be a great felter just as I will never be a great photographer, but I like the challenge.  And it is different and I've learned I like different. 

And then there's the bathroom walls I've wanted to repaint for the last five years. What will give the week I take that on? They say one must first name a problem before it can be solved so I've named it...too busy.  Now I must solve it.  Think I'll sleep on it.

Another Christmas in the Books

Everyone kept saying, "Thanksgiving is late this year.  We've got one less week to get ready!" I don't know if it really mattered but have to say, I felt like I never stopped in the days leading up to the big event.  By event, I mean Christmas Eve. We were the family host this year. It is rotated between me and my two brothers so we only have it every third year.  Since I lived outside Kentucky until very recently, we've only been host two times.  And man, how my sister-in-laws did it every year seemingly flawlessly is now something I appreciate very very much.

Besides getting the house decorated and baking up lots of stuff I shouldn't eat (which I have done every year), there was the added task of getting the Christmas Eve meal ready.  I say this like it's something I do when actually my husband does most of it.  But I do a lot of fretting and worrying.   We have one dedicated vegan, 2 plant based whole food but will cheat vegans, one vegetarian who doesn't like most vegetables, one dairy free/gluten free eater, one who won't eat sugar (blaspheme!) and the rest who'll eat anything.  What a pain in the butt.  I was always questioning how and what he was making to be sure everyone was covered. But the Hubby came through. Not everything was successful (he likes to experiment) but everyone got enough to eat. I decided to get through the evening with a couple of old fashion drinks. 

Adding to the "pressure" was the 2nd Christmas visit by the Daughter's boyfriend. Last year when he came, we all got covid. It was a rough Christmas and the boyfriend insists he got it from me. This year I didn't have covid but I did have an awful cold, so I got a few sideways glances every time I coughed. But no one got sick (beyond me), so that was good. I was also instructed by the Daughter not to discuss calories or weight or anything health related.  She felt like it may put too much pressure on the BF who was already bemoaning some weight gain. So that meant every time I lifted a cookie to my lips I had to eat it joyfully. You know what that does? It makes you pick up another cookie.  When you get to remind yourself out loud of the misery that cookie is delivering, you are telling yourself don't pick up another cookie! Result: 3 lbs.  

Not too long after Christmas I went into high gear taking stuff down. I looked down the road at what was happening in January and thought, no time to enjoy this stuff. So got it all put away.   

Just in time for the worse snow Louisville has had in 15+ years.  8-10 inches. That's a lot of shoveling on our long hilly driveway. And ice. Ice is fun to shovel.  

But I'm done now. Driveway clear. Christmas decor put away. Guests all gone home. Just me and the hubby.  

Now bring on the Birthday freebies!