Among Friends

[Ibby114]

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@tashy wrote:

Oooooo this is so much fun reading the responses,thanks to all of you.  I am still doing childcare,have six kids. I had 5 of them since they were 8 was old,now they are 1,2,3,9 mths. This will be my last batch,some are leaving over the summer. I'LL decide what I'm going to do then,thanks again guys, keep them coming

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@tashy I'm pre-retirement, just turned 60. And I'm also enjoying these responses!!

[tashy]

That is exactly what I'm saying to myself,what's next. I think I'll find something like volunteering at a school or something. I just want to get out of the house and meet some people,workout when I want ect.  Great response,thanks

[this is my nic]

It's amazing just how many things there are to occupy time after retiring.  I wonder how I was able to get everything done when I worked outside the home. 

[Vivian]

I retired 10 years ago. I’ve always been active and now I can go to my favorite aerobic dance classes every weekday morning. I wake up early, just as I did when I went to work, but instead of the office, I go to the Y. Afterwards I do my errands, go out to lunch with friends, or just go home so that I can make my beagle happy. I enjoy reading my newspapers and my mysteries, do some cooking when I’m in the mood, and stay in touch with friends who live far away. Retirement is great. It’s like being a kid on permanent summer vacation.

[software]

Get a cat!    LOL

My cats keep me on a schedule!

But seriously, I have immediate family all around and own my own home so there is always a little project to do.    Even if it's just changing a light bulb.

There is always something to do.

I don't watch TV, I do my own food prep.    I like to try to prepare something different at least once a week.   I knit.

For those friends & family who live a distance away, we keep up on the internet with emails & pictures.

When you do retire, don't force it.    Enjoy your time and you will get back into some satisfying routine soon enough

[ALRATIBA]

Other than the usual standard stuff like cooking, eating, housework ...

I have genealogy research projects that I've been working on for years.  It's very time consumng.  Most documents are handwritten in foreign languages and it takes me forever to translate.  I can read a little genealogical terminology in a few languages.

General background reading on history of area where ancestors lived - time consuming.  I've been writing a family history for about 15 years.

I read a lot of non-fiction just because I want to know stuff.  I read sci-fi/fantasy and mysteries for amusement.  

I knit and crochet

I have commitments at Church; lunch with friends, exercise necessary for a physical condition.

I sometimes wonder how I ever had time to work before.  

[AnikaBrodie]

@tashy

Six months after retirement I was diagnosed with a serious health problem, had subsequent surgeries & treatments, resulting in a successful recovery for which I am extremely grateful.

As soon as I recovered DH and I joined a dog training club, had our dogs certified (keeshond and cairn terrier), and did pet therapy for the next 12 years.  That kept us very busy visiting hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, day care centers, and so much more, on a weekly basis.  Pet therapy is so rewarding not only for the people we visited but for us.  We also volunteered a lot for church activities and were "on call" as needs arose.  That included an after school program for students three days a week.

It took me awhile to get away from keeping a daily schedule to just do whatever I wanted in any given day.  Sometimes it was staying home and baking (I love to bake), sometimes it was visiting a friend, shut-in, etc., sometimes it was going for lunch, sometimes it was doing "whatever" at the drop of a hat.

I hope you enjoy your retirement and do what makes you happy and fulfilled.  Retirement is not the end of the road; it's just a new and different journey in life.  Since you already work with children you may want to do that, or may decide to do something totally different with a new challenge.  It's all up to you so whatever it is, enjoy...  

[DearPrudence]

Wow. I was so ashamed of myself after reading the responses from so many go-getters that I got dressed.  Even though I'm not going anywhere AND it's freezing cold here and I was much cozier in my robe and pj's.

[missy1]

If you can afford it.

I assume you are paying into SS?

[Azcowgirl]

Between maintaining our rural property,DH’s hobbies and mine,( sewing, knitting, crocheting) gardening, and playing in the pool, church work, rv ing trips, catching up with grand kids,.....retirement is busy and fun ! 😊enjoy !