Community Chat

[HisElk1]

@CrazyKittyLvr2 , great post.  We are both retired, in early 60's.   A few years ago, we did enjoy going out for a nice dinner once a week, getting out and enjoying dining.  The last time we went out, we both got turned off because of everyone being on their cell phones, having it on speaker and talking loud.  Neither of us cared to hear it, so finished eating and left.  It just seems that the majority of people can't NOT have it sitting on the table and don't want to miss a call/text/email.  Unless there is an emergency, I don't see the point, but that's me.

However, lately with how things are in today's world, rarely do we do that anymore.  

We also order our food, etc. online and when it's ready to pick up, we drive to the store to pick it up.  The only thing we go into the store for is produce such as veggies, etc.

[KKJ]

I feel exactly the same as the OP. I unfortunately had to quit my job (retire earlier than I'd planned) as am going througfh a serious illness right now.  I enjoy the comfort of home and find when I do have to go out it almost sends me into an anxiety attack.

[Sooner]

My husband and I busted our butts for 50 years working, 40 in hard hard careers. He had to deal with people and travel way more than I did.

I'm just sick of dealing with people, and the Covid made me realize how much. Family, friends, work--we've done so much to keep contentious people and situations calm, put up with guff from people for the sake of family and work--and we've both said enough.  They can advertise for some new entertainment and peace makers now.

[drizzellla]

@CrazyKittyLvr2 I know what you mean.

I worked with a group of friends. In the 25+ years we have been friends, we have gone on vacations with one another, done numerous road trips, eaten together in about every restaurant in a 20 mile radius and been to one another's homes countless times. I was honored to call them my friends.

But we have not gotten together since Covid. And I suspect we never will. One woman has a disabled daughter with heath issues. So she doesn't want to go out - so we don't.

One woman unexpectedly lost her husband to a heart attack. I went to the husband's funeral and we drove another friend but that was it. No one else went.

I also was rarely home. I would leave the house at 7 AM and not get home from work until 6 or 6:30 PM. And for a time I also had a part time job plus a busy social life.

Now I rarely go out. And am getting used to it. I have had Covid 3 times. So I had to be in quarantined for 2 weeks each time. And the lockdown made me get used to not leaving the house. So I don't. 

[Trinity11]

I had 2 heart attacks and a small stroke all in an eleven month period between 2016 and 2017. Ever since, I decided to change how I lived. I used to love the gym but now I prefer to exercise only by walking. I love eating out but now only go to restaurants on special occasions and holidays. We order in now instead. I used to love shopping at the mall...now I find them exhausting. Too much stimuli and "things" aren't all that important to me.

I am more content now than I ever was because I think I learned how the simple things in life attract me. No more latest phone, fancy cars and designer handbags. Life is good.

So I understand @CrazyKittyLvr2 .

[Skyegirl21]

I'm Right there with you all at home!  I was always sort of a homebody, but now I rarely have a reason to go out and am very content at home!  Nothing wrong with that, in fact it's a blessing- 💝

[Goldengate8361]

Nothing wrong at all with wanting to stay home! It is not fun to be at a social event you would rather not be at....and talking to people you would rather not be talking to. 

[hckynutjohn]

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@CrazyKittyLvr2 wrote:

I don't go out alot.  My choice, not because of Covid or any one reason, I prefer being home. Funny for someone who was rarely home a few years ago.

I went to lunch yesterday with 3 friends, all current or former legal secretaries and co-workers. Two of the women, younger than me, are still working. All 3 live 20 miles away and we haven't seen each other in quite awhile.

I was happy to see them and had a great time.  I told  my son and he said, "Good, you need to go out more."  

Odd how you can change in such a short time.  I was always on the go, work, dinner out with friends and hubby, visiting with family, always up for fun.  Now, it is sometimes like pulling teeth to get me out and about.

@CrazyKittyLvr2 

Not sure if this is a difference from having a Profession, versus having a Punch the Clock, job. Or could it be a difference also, in gender. I don't know.

I worked around the same men over a couple decades. Many of them were co-workers and friends. We occasionally would stop after work and knock back a beer or two, even play some pool.

But meeting for lunch or for dinner?  Didn't happen. A few of us that had similar outside interests would get together at these events or hobbies. But to say "out for dinner or lunch" was never a thing.

I never lived any job that I had in my life. Spent as little time working as I was required by Union Contract. Overtime offers were pretty standard, and paid more, but I seldom worked beyond my requisite 40 hours.

As I said many times here, my focus was on living my life. My interests kept me as busy as I desired to be, working and retired. There were times my interests took me right to time to go to work, especially when working Graveyard Shifts.

For me I could always be pretty happy at home with only myself, and for prolonged periods of time. I also could be just as happy being around people, even many I had never met.

I have been retired now for over 30 years. Sure, some things have changed, but how I decide to live my life, has not. As I have, since as far back as I can remember as an adult, live pretty much the same now. That way is for the present, not the past, or tomorrow.

hckynut  🇺🇸

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[PamfromCT]

Like most people, my DH and I worked long and hard, and raised and educated our family.

We are still living in our family home, quite happily.  We enjoy our sunroom and yard.  We stayed home throughout COVID, but now go out carefully.  Our children and GC live in the area

For the most part, we are very happy at home.  We have started taking some day trips, but we have no desire to travel abroad right now,

We are very fortunate to be able to continue to live in our home at our ages.  We do hire folks to help with heavier chores.

[TwinkleBell]

I just stayed on the phone waiting for H Customer Svc, for 15 minutes...  thinking I'd placed two different A/D orders for the same $90 SKINN item.. on 4/23/22 & 6/22/22 (today)

I wanted to cancel today's before it goes in!

Customer Svc & I both put our heads together, & we couldnt find today's order for it.. DUH... (cause apparently, I didnt place today's order! )

We had a good *laugh* .. Those poor Customer Svc Reps... they often get us at our most upset, with complaints.. and here I was .. asking for her help, for something I was "too on-the-ball" about!!  (for a change!)

Some times, more times in the last few years, ..
"I dont know whether to scratch my watch, ..or wind my 8utt!"

BUT I CAN STILL *LAUGH!!!*

(added:  This above is totally emblematic of the Thread I started:  "~ME (THEN).. ME (NOW)"  

. . *some thread title like that name*

I cld go for some giggles now, like a Triple "Fuzzy Navel" ... *only* I quit all alcohol on 12/29/86..