The Retirement Game: Six Month Check-In

I looked at the calendar on Friday and realized that it is six months since I retired! Boy, does time fly! I thought I might be due for a check-in to see if I was really making the most of things!

Well, I think the report is pretty good. First up, my new "job." Since the first of the year I've made a commitment to go to the gym and sweat every weekday. I've been doing spinning, eliptical, a weights and abs class for old people called Silver Sneakers. (So far, all the old(er) people have been in Florida, so it's like having a personal trainer who periodically kills me and I love her for it!). Today I did Zumba.

I've lost a little weight. Not so much as I'd like, given that I have to get a dress for Kevin and Molly's wedding in June and I've been so regular at the gym. But things fit better than they did before so I think it's shifting around. And the weight part is somewhat dependent on the cooking. Which I've been into!

This week it was pound cake and crackers (and cookies my art sale, but I don't plan on eating many of those!) The cake was for a dinner with our Japanese friends so they ate most of it. Crackers are practice for our next wine tasting. I'm also doing well with pot pie and pot roast! The goal for April is macaron making with Kate.

I'd probably do better on the food end if that Fabulous Baker Boy Rick wasn't making such terrific bread. He makes a lot and being the good soul he is, he shares!

On the art front, I have taken several classes. I learned gelli-printing and made a fun angel placque with Kari McKnight Holbrook.

Jacqueline Sullivan taught us amazing techniques for journal-making.

And, at the end of the month, I'll take fellow blogger Joanne Huffman's writing with art class. I also did two sales with another this weekend. (If you're in the area and are interested, let me know -- It's March 15 -- Beware the Ides of March!)

I made some Christmas cards and valentines and canvases, painted some papers and just have had fun playing.

And, I've been plugging away on the art room, trying to get things better organized, purging magazines and such. That's an ongoing project, as is the basement. But I'm pleased to say the Christmas corner looks better than last year, but no photo for that one! Just art supplies!

As for travel, not as much as I expected. But then, it's winter once the cottage closes, I tend to stick close to home. I did enjoy Cleveland with the cousins in October, celebrating my cousin's birthday...

...Nashville...

 

... and then on to Laurel, Mississippi to see Kevin in December...

...and Massachusetts with a stop in London, Ontario this month. (The Shaker post is still in draft form but coming soon!)

I've had time to read -- 10 books, so far in 2014, but a few more before that. Maybe I'll even get Chopsticks and String going again! And I've had time to volunteer for the MSU Friends of Theatre board and work on the upcoming fundraising gala. And of course, there is often a Cork Poppers gig in the offing!

Christmas came and went with a big power failure in our city. I didn't lose power and was pleased to be there for those who did. And somehow I've managed to survive our longest, snowiest and coldest winter in my memory.

But here's the good news. I haven't been sick. I spent all of last year pretty darned sick and pretty scared of the implications of all that. But since I retired, I have only had one incident -- and that was a sinus infection -- nothing to do with my other problems. It's the kind of thing that in the past would have developed into pneumonia, but I kept it at bay and in a week was back at my "job," spinning. And I've been indescribably happy.

What haven't I done? Well, not too many movies, and the house could use more work. And I still haven't redesigned the blog, though I think that'll happen soon. I can't seem to make enough time in every day to do all I want and still putter and loaf! But theoretically, summer will return and I'll be back at the lake where puttering, loafing and relaxing are required activities.

But every single day I wake up and I'm grateful. I haven't for even a half-second said "Why did I do that?" I haven't worried. I've said farewell to dear friends who have left this world and I've shed tears. I've been worried about people who are sick and those I love who struggle at times. But I've never once shed tears about leaving or had anxiety about not working.

Because you see, really, I am working. It's just called retirement! So, a toast -- to all the retirees -- I'm following in your footsteps and I'm loving it!