Among Friends

[Elom]

I understand you completely. I suddenly lost my husband a few years ago and we were very active as a couple. That all ended after awhile, friends fell away. If you are alone you can only be busy so much of the week without it becoming monotonous. You will get a lot of suggestions but everyone's situation is different especially if you are older and thrown into this. Animals are nice companions. Actually to rescue one is rewarding to both. I am in a new area which compounds things but I have learned to accept this life and you never know what is right around the corner. I wish you well.

[Mom2Dogs]

@crawford5153   I am sorry you have trouble getting around... I do not have mobility issues like you do but being home 24/7 is also a concern for me.   My husband and I (self employed) are still working.  He goes in to the office daily - I work 3 days a week.

Right now staying busy is not a problem for me, but when we do finally close our business, (possibly one more year) we are both concerned about how to fill our time.

I think my husband will have a harder time...he is older than me and most of his friends have passed away...he has no hobbies.  There is a large age gap between the two of us.

Two of my good friends retired and moved away, so the lunches and shopping trips are gone and really missed.

From reading the replies, I always thought most people had more things to do daily than what I have to do, ha...I see that I do many of the same things...read, take a walk, household chorse.  Now I don't feel so bad - or lazy.  I guess it's OK to do nothing as well.  I always thought I 'should' be more busy.

I do find winter to be long and rather depressing, cold, snowy days and it gets dark so early.

I hope you get advice that can help you fill your days.

[Oznell]

I haven't had a chance to read all the posts yet, but there have been some great ideas from thoughtful posters.

@ThinkingOutLoud ,  I especially like the way you immediately and pragmatically list, in easy bullet-point form, your suggestions.  Boom, boom boom.   I think that is empathetic and very helpful to someone looking for answers.

[CelticCrafter]

It doesn't bother me one bit being home.  If I go out 3 times a month by myself, that's a lot.

I don't like driving anymore, people are menaces on the road and I don't like shopping.

Last week my husband had an appointment with the opthamologist and I was minutes away from having an anxiety attack sitting in the waiting room hoping that I wasn't going to have to drive home on the Garden State Parkway.

[Shelbelle]

My Mom used to say, there is always something that needs to be done in the house if you want to do it, and you should never be bored at home. 

[haddon9]

I'm sorry to hear that you are bored & confined to your scooter since you can't walk.  I hope that this is not a permanent condition for you.

This morning I went to my 3 hour handmade felting techniques class and started a felted bowl in autumn colors.  I came home had lunch & then went to get my nails done.  I have been going to the same nail tech for 30 years.  She's always full of information on what is going on in town.

Next, I gathered some items that I will bring to the consignment shop tomorrow.

Tomorrow after dropping items off at the consignment shop I will go to the farmer's market that I stop by every week. I like to buy meat & produce there.

Friday, I will get together with my brother who moved from the Midwest this summer to a retirement community 10 minutes away from me.  I will go shopping with him to look for a few things for his new home.

Next week I'll get together with a friend for lunch, do some gardening, take DH to his therapy in NJ which I do every Tuesday, go to my handmade felting class on Wednesday & visit with DD and my baby grandson later in the week.

There are always things that need to be done around the house.  I believe one should find a hobby that one can become passionate and find satisfaction in something to do that is worthwhile.  There are so many things that one could take up.  Lots of people enjoy volunteering too.

[Mom2Dogs]

@haddon9   off topic...I have purchased several felted animals/rabbits from Etsy...I just love them and what a talent that vendor has..

I envy your ability to make those lovely things.  My mom was good at doing things like that as well.  I have a tiny bear she made me as well as when I was a child, we had beautiful Barbie and Ken doll clothes..she knited, did crochet and sewed garments, all with tiny buttons, etc.  My sister ended up with the clothes, most were ruined by her kids.

[judianne]

l have been retired for nearly 10 years ! Still can't get anything done !  l have been working on organizing my basement stuff ever since !  My hubby calls it the "warehouse "  due to all the stuff that l have stocked and stored down there .  l still work on it , a little bit every week . l have found many treasures that l forgot about .  l have many beautiful crystal dishes and other nice items , trying to give my kids but they are not interested . l hate to donate that stuff , selling it is such a pain . l do plan to give all of my scrap book stuff to a nursing home , my grandsons girlfriend works in the activities department so it would be put to good use . So worried that l won't get everything done before l die , l am 77 . 

[haddon9]

@Mom2Dogs It's a class that is offered in a local art center that I decided to take in the winter of 2022.  I was afraid of it being another long boring winter being stuck inside with the pandemic.  The class runs continuously except for the summer.

I knew nothing about what was involved with felt making.  There are two versions.....dry needle felting that is an example of the cute animals that you see at craft shows or on Etsy and wet felting which involves adding various layers of roving wool then rolling it to make the fibers mesh into a solid piece. 

I discovered that you can add different colors almost like a painting.  As an example for the project that I worked on today, I used various shades of orange, yellow, amber, brown & some olive green.  The colors all blend beautifully! 

You can also needle felt a design onto a piece of wet felting.  Some designs can become very complex.  I am still just a novice but it is a fun class with really nice women!

[haddon9]

@judianne I have also been working on my basement.  Thirty two years of stuff!  About 15 years ago I was really into scrapbooking & card making.  I ended up reorganizing my craft supplies and gave away a lot.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am now into felt making (I have to be making something!) and have reorganized my space for my new hobby. 

I also have a lot of china & crystal that the kids don't want.  I will have to get rid of it eventually but I'm not quite ready to do that.

Cleaning out the basement is a long term project.  I got a lot done over the summer and hope to finish maybe this winter.