Now retired, I can relax most mornings while sipping my decaf and sitting on the couch with my laptop. Admittedly, too much time is being spent on the internet, but it keeps me connected to people and the world. I've never been much of a newspaper junkie. I only watch TV news when the channel wasn't changed. However, should something major arise in the world, I'm glued to CNN or the weather channel. Of course, I don't really know when something happens unless the TV show I'm viewing is interrupted or I read it on the internet. But hey, at least I voted yesterday...before 7:00 p.m. too!
As I see it, my work hours have changed. No more shocking my body every morning at 6:00 a.m. in a cold shower and taking it out into broad daylight by 7:30 or earlier. I'm often out of bed by 7:30 anyway due to the fact that I don't sleep hard. Then, armed with decaf, I can check email, get the latest news, read blogs, and do some writing all in the privacy of my own living room while still in my gown. Less you begin to think that I'm becoming a slug, allow me to explain that most of my computer work is done before lunch. If I'm out of bed by 7:30, I am usually finished sitting with my laptop by 10:00...or so. After a much friendlier wake up, I'm ready to move, shower and get the day going. Now I can be the homemaker I've really wanted to be all of my married life. The laundry is done, the dishes out of the sink and dinners actually are cooked more evenings than before. Another plus is that I believe my husband is enjoying my retirement also. Now, he notices I'm more agreeable to going places with him and working on his theater productions.
One thing is for sure, I love being retired. Not only can I devote more time to activities I enjoy, my availability to my family has increased. Whether it's my husband calling on me to help him or my son and daughter in law suddenly in need of a baby sitter at the last minute; I'm usually here. It's a pleasure to be able to help my family. It feels so good to know I have the time to be there for them. Going on a weekend trip is so much better without book bags filled with work. Now my book bag is only packed with my iPod, magazines, a good book and my laptop.
Sometimes I feel guilty about indulging my new lifestyle with so much unscheduled activity. Then, I think about the last 33 years and all of the work that was crammed into each and every single day. I have come to the conclusion that I'm just making up for all the overtime put in as a mom, wife and public school teacher. There was no such thing as an 8 hour day. The days never ended except for the 6 to 7 hours that I slept. So, retirement is turning out to be "my passion" if I can call it that.
One of these days, I'll need to get out to earn some money. Of course, it'll only be part time after 10:00 in the morning, my cup of decaf and checking the internet for news. After all, I don't ever want to go back to "the daily grind."
1 comment:
Mary Lou,
Your post reminds me of what I've been reading in Ecclesiastes. Too many of us work too hard. Ecclesiastes tells us to work, but also to enjoy life. I think you've worked hard enough over the years and are finally at a place of balance that sounds like is bringing much contentment.
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