For the last 3 years, Larry and I have been on a quest to find our retirement home. Larry will retire next spring and as much as I love Pittsburgh, we will not remain there. We will retire in Georgia, specifically the north Georgia mountains. We will be close to Tennessee as well as North Carolina. In fact, our first focal point was Murphy, NC.
People ask us Why Georgia? The short answer is that we've traveled a lot and we've always liked the area. The longer answer gets more involved and less succinct. We've given up trying to live close to anyone. Our families are so far-flung that living near the kids was only doable if you chose one kid. But I think a lot of the answer has to do with the fact that while we've lived many places over the years, it was always dictated by where work was. This time we had a chance to choose a place just because we liked it.
Initially we were looking to see what kind of housing was available and the price range. The more we looked the more we zeroed in on what really suited us. Last fall I spent one day with our realtor. In 12 hours we drove 300 miles and looked at 10 homes, none of which worked for us. It was exhausting!
This summer we found it. It was a charming 'cabin in the woods', albeit a really nice 'cabin'! The entire house is wrapped in a large, covered porch. The house even came with a hammock, a porch swing and 4 porch rockers just beckoning us to come sit, rock, and sip a glass of iced tea. When you find what you are looking for you grab it, and we did.
While the place is lightly landscaped and has plenty of trees, I think we will be adding a couple that have a special place in our heart. There is a fenced in back yard that is just right for a little apple tree to take root. There are plenty of deer, but I think it will be well-protected. And I'm sure it will thrive once it gets out of that pot and can spread its roots.
Another tree will take root there too. When my daughter's best friend, Liz, married Tim in an outdoor ceremony in North Carolina, the wedding guests were each given a Norfolk Pine seedling as party favors. We brought our seedlings home and nurtured them. The seedlings thrived and many years later they have grown into a lovely potted tree. I think it is time to return it to the wild as it was intended.
Retirement is still several months away, but we are ready for it to arrive. When it does, this little place will be the perfect place for a pine tree, an apple tree, and us to stretch our roots, and grow.
Showing posts with label Retirement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Retirement. Show all posts
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
So Many Posts, So Little Time
The great quote about retirement is "I'm so busy now, I don't know how I had time to work!" When I first retired, that statement was not for me! I was burned out. I was ready for a break from responsibility and obligation. I spent the first year avoiding commitment. I remember one day I felt it was time to get involved somewhere. I decided to go to the local elementary school to volunteer. This was my world. I would fit in easily. I would find a niche, and a purpose. As I approached the intersection leading to the school, I reached for the turn signal. Instead, my foot hit the gas and I went through the intersection! My body said...."NO! Not yet." (It's not the first time my mind said one thing and my feet said something else. Apparently they connect to the brain on conflicting signal paths and with me...my body wins!)
I've been retired for 6 years now, and all that has changed. I became more involved but I carefully selected activities that fit my personality and would be rewarding. I tried not to get too busy.
That saying still didn't seem to pertain to me....until now. If you've noticed, my blogging has slowed up a good bit. I find it harder and harder to get to my laptop.
There are a couple of truths here. In the winter I am 1) home bound, 2) alone, as Larry is traveling 3) stuck in a house with only the threat of using the snowblower to offer outdoor adventure. I have little to write about. There is so little happening.
But summer is just the opposite! We travel a lot in spring, so there I am with much to share and little time to share it. After the spring travels, comes the yard work catch up. During the long days I'm outside, and reluctant to head up to my indoor room where the computer awaits. I love summer, but it means long hours of neglect for my computer.
The annuals have been planted and the mulching is almost over. The church flea market (a one week event that consumes a lot of time) is done. Family will be here for a couple of weeks. When all is said and done, I will probably have lots of potential blog posts.
Until then, be patient and check back. I will share stories, observations, and thoughts, even if they are weeks removed from the catalyst that started them.
I've been retired for 6 years now, and all that has changed. I became more involved but I carefully selected activities that fit my personality and would be rewarding. I tried not to get too busy.
That saying still didn't seem to pertain to me....until now. If you've noticed, my blogging has slowed up a good bit. I find it harder and harder to get to my laptop.
There are a couple of truths here. In the winter I am 1) home bound, 2) alone, as Larry is traveling 3) stuck in a house with only the threat of using the snowblower to offer outdoor adventure. I have little to write about. There is so little happening.
But summer is just the opposite! We travel a lot in spring, so there I am with much to share and little time to share it. After the spring travels, comes the yard work catch up. During the long days I'm outside, and reluctant to head up to my indoor room where the computer awaits. I love summer, but it means long hours of neglect for my computer.
The annuals have been planted and the mulching is almost over. The church flea market (a one week event that consumes a lot of time) is done. Family will be here for a couple of weeks. When all is said and done, I will probably have lots of potential blog posts.
Until then, be patient and check back. I will share stories, observations, and thoughts, even if they are weeks removed from the catalyst that started them.
Friday, January 20, 2012
RV Hunting
This past weekend Larry and I went to the Pittsburgh RV show. I've discovered even after 40 years of marriage, you can learn a lot about someone when retirement nears. Talk to anyone who has experienced the life changes that come with retirement and they will have lots of tales to share with you!
We are no different. I'm not worried about retirement. One thing I think makes the transition easier is if you both make a big change. As for us, we plan on moving to North Carolina which means that we will both be developing new daily routines and making new friends. HE won't be 'invading' MY territory, which seems to happen a lot. In fact, when my brother-in-law retired, my sister, who had been a housewife most of their married life made a conscious decision to retire as well. For her, that meant throwing out the To-Do list that said, "if it's Monday, it must be laundry day". Instead, each day was a new day to plan out and some days, they planned together. Other days they did their own thing. It was a smart plan.
North Carolina appeals to us because of the mountains, the seasons, but AND the short winter! Besides buying a mountain home, Larry also would like to buy a large 'home-away-from-home' style RV. I think I would like it as well. I've always imagined this as a possibility because Larry's favorite form of travel is driving.
The RV show was interesting, but we've found we don't need to go for long. We have narrowed our interests enough that we quickly identify the pros and cons of each one we look at. He looks at the bed size, the placement of the TV, the couch, the kitchen table, the construction, the driveability, and the size of the shower. I look at the kitchen, the storage, the size of the bathroom, the floor space, and the convenience or usability of the space.
I can tell Larry is really ready for retirement. He talks about it all the time. He spends most of his spare time searching on-line for the perfect house or the best RV layout. However, it seems that the closer to retirement he gets, the bigger the RVs that we are looking at. The houses in North Carolina that he eyes on the internet, seem to be getting bigger too. As for the RV, as long as it has the specifications that I want (workable kitchen, decent storage, bathroom big enough to shut the door when I'm in there) I don't care how big it is. I will learn how to drive it, but he will do most of the driving. I'm going to have to rein him in when it comes to the house! After all, even after he retires I'm pretty sure I know WHO will be cleaning it.
All this talk about retirement means it must be just around the corner, right? Not exactly. He still has 3 years to go. Could be the hardest part about retirement just may be waiting for it to arrive.
We are no different. I'm not worried about retirement. One thing I think makes the transition easier is if you both make a big change. As for us, we plan on moving to North Carolina which means that we will both be developing new daily routines and making new friends. HE won't be 'invading' MY territory, which seems to happen a lot. In fact, when my brother-in-law retired, my sister, who had been a housewife most of their married life made a conscious decision to retire as well. For her, that meant throwing out the To-Do list that said, "if it's Monday, it must be laundry day". Instead, each day was a new day to plan out and some days, they planned together. Other days they did their own thing. It was a smart plan.
North Carolina appeals to us because of the mountains, the seasons, but AND the short winter! Besides buying a mountain home, Larry also would like to buy a large 'home-away-from-home' style RV. I think I would like it as well. I've always imagined this as a possibility because Larry's favorite form of travel is driving.
The RV show was interesting, but we've found we don't need to go for long. We have narrowed our interests enough that we quickly identify the pros and cons of each one we look at. He looks at the bed size, the placement of the TV, the couch, the kitchen table, the construction, the driveability, and the size of the shower. I look at the kitchen, the storage, the size of the bathroom, the floor space, and the convenience or usability of the space.
I can tell Larry is really ready for retirement. He talks about it all the time. He spends most of his spare time searching on-line for the perfect house or the best RV layout. However, it seems that the closer to retirement he gets, the bigger the RVs that we are looking at. The houses in North Carolina that he eyes on the internet, seem to be getting bigger too. As for the RV, as long as it has the specifications that I want (workable kitchen, decent storage, bathroom big enough to shut the door when I'm in there) I don't care how big it is. I will learn how to drive it, but he will do most of the driving. I'm going to have to rein him in when it comes to the house! After all, even after he retires I'm pretty sure I know WHO will be cleaning it.
All this talk about retirement means it must be just around the corner, right? Not exactly. He still has 3 years to go. Could be the hardest part about retirement just may be waiting for it to arrive.
Monday, June 6, 2011
When Did I Get So Busy????
I can't believe it has been over 3 weeks since I last posted an entry on here! Where did the time go?
It's June. Mother's Day is long past. Memorial Day was a week ago and today I finally got around to buying flowers to plant outside. How did it get so late?
Before I retired I was pretty busy. OK. To be honest, I was very busy! I didn't consider myself to be a workaholic, but then I don't think most workaholics recognize the trait in themselves. One of the things I loved about my job was the variety of tasks associated with it. One of my biggest flaws was an inability to focus on one area. Instead I became a Jack of All Trades, but Master of None. Outside of work I was also busy, mostly through church activities. Two trains of thought characterized how I chose things to get involved in. The first one was that if I read of an opportunity or a need for help, I would often think to myself "I could do that". The second step was to check my calendar. If that particular time block was free I would say "Sure! I can do that." It wasn't a very stringent selection process.
When we moved I was ready to completely revamp my way of thinking! I guarded my time fanatically. For a year I was involved only in our church choir and handbell choir. But our neighborhood is a friendly one and after a year two groups had formed; a book club and a Bunco group. I was in! Anything to do with a Ladies Night Out and a glass of wine seemed to be a good fit! Over the next few years I added 2 church groups; the Mission Committee and the Flea Market Committee. In both areas, my tasks are fairly limited and a requirement for me to commit to anything was that it had to be something I can do from almost anywhere I have access to a computer. The Flea Market committee is a short term task and I handle publicity (ads emailed to the newspaper) while the Missions Committee has honed our tasks to a few meetings through the year to tweak plans. I handle most of the web site information. I felt I was controlling things pretty well.
However, I guess if I'm being forth coming I have to add in here that through the missions committee I have begun helping at a food pantry one day a month and my husband got me involved in his corvette club..... as Secretary. Hmmm.... how did that one sneak in? Uh-oh, I do believe an old thought pattern resurfaced. I distinctly remember thinking when I was asked if I would do it, "I could do that, and the meetings are already on our schedule, so ok."
I guess that's how it happened. Suddenly I find myself with a house layered in dog hair (yes, she is STILL shedding!), no summer flowers planted, and no time to sit down to blog. I can (and will) rationalize that this past 6 weeks have been a perfect storm of activity. Sandwiched between 2 trips was the need to finalize the plans for the Flea Market, maintain my commitment to the corvette club and the food pantry, keep the yard mowed during a very active growing season, and maintain some sort of house cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping. Suddenly I knew what people meant when they said now that they are retired they don't have any time!
But it's all past! There will be a few summer trips which is the best part of life, but not so much activity. I think life is going to return to a more normal pace. You'll know for sure if you start seeing more views from this empty, but no longer quiet, nest!
It's June. Mother's Day is long past. Memorial Day was a week ago and today I finally got around to buying flowers to plant outside. How did it get so late?
Before I retired I was pretty busy. OK. To be honest, I was very busy! I didn't consider myself to be a workaholic, but then I don't think most workaholics recognize the trait in themselves. One of the things I loved about my job was the variety of tasks associated with it. One of my biggest flaws was an inability to focus on one area. Instead I became a Jack of All Trades, but Master of None. Outside of work I was also busy, mostly through church activities. Two trains of thought characterized how I chose things to get involved in. The first one was that if I read of an opportunity or a need for help, I would often think to myself "I could do that". The second step was to check my calendar. If that particular time block was free I would say "Sure! I can do that." It wasn't a very stringent selection process.
When we moved I was ready to completely revamp my way of thinking! I guarded my time fanatically. For a year I was involved only in our church choir and handbell choir. But our neighborhood is a friendly one and after a year two groups had formed; a book club and a Bunco group. I was in! Anything to do with a Ladies Night Out and a glass of wine seemed to be a good fit! Over the next few years I added 2 church groups; the Mission Committee and the Flea Market Committee. In both areas, my tasks are fairly limited and a requirement for me to commit to anything was that it had to be something I can do from almost anywhere I have access to a computer. The Flea Market committee is a short term task and I handle publicity (ads emailed to the newspaper) while the Missions Committee has honed our tasks to a few meetings through the year to tweak plans. I handle most of the web site information. I felt I was controlling things pretty well.
However, I guess if I'm being forth coming I have to add in here that through the missions committee I have begun helping at a food pantry one day a month and my husband got me involved in his corvette club..... as Secretary. Hmmm.... how did that one sneak in? Uh-oh, I do believe an old thought pattern resurfaced. I distinctly remember thinking when I was asked if I would do it, "I could do that, and the meetings are already on our schedule, so ok."
I guess that's how it happened. Suddenly I find myself with a house layered in dog hair (yes, she is STILL shedding!), no summer flowers planted, and no time to sit down to blog. I can (and will) rationalize that this past 6 weeks have been a perfect storm of activity. Sandwiched between 2 trips was the need to finalize the plans for the Flea Market, maintain my commitment to the corvette club and the food pantry, keep the yard mowed during a very active growing season, and maintain some sort of house cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping. Suddenly I knew what people meant when they said now that they are retired they don't have any time!
But it's all past! There will be a few summer trips which is the best part of life, but not so much activity. I think life is going to return to a more normal pace. You'll know for sure if you start seeing more views from this empty, but no longer quiet, nest!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Retirement
A few friends of mine have just retired. One is retiring-AGAIN! She tried this once before about ten years ago. She thought she was ready, but discovered there is a difference between being ready to leave your job, and being ready to not work. At the time she said she wanted to spend more time with her family. Within a few months she was trying out different jobs. This time she says she is ready, and I think she is!
Retirement is not easy! Most of us find that much of our feeling of self-worth comes from work. We may not be aware of the depth of that connection until the day we don't have a job to go to. The lucky ones find great satisfaction in work, but for those that don't just collecting a paycheck impacts their self-esteem.
The trick in retirement is re-discovering that sense of value. Vacation is wonderful, but it is meant to be short lived. What happens after that initial freedom of responsibility? How do you spend your days? What makes you want to get up in the morning? At the end of the day, what do you wish you had done?
When I retired, I felt awkward. The change was greater than not working. We had moved so I had no friends. My social life had to be rebuilt. I needed to redevelop a support system. When my husband went to work, I was very aware I wasn't contributing anymore. Fortunately, I really was ready to retire and getting settled in a new community helped me pass the time while I decided what was next.
I took a lot of time deciding what was going to make me feel good about me. 3 years later I have discovered the best part of retirement is the rediscovery of who I am. I enjoy volunteer work, but I don't want to be in charge of anything. 'Commitment' is a big word to me. Too often it becomes 'obligation' and that is a word I avoid now that I'm retired. I'll do anything as long as I can do it on my time and when I want to. My priorities now are my family. When Larry wants to go, I don't want to say "I can't". My kids live very far away and weekend visits are not possible. When I want to go see them, I want to be free to go. I love the life I have now. I made it through the awkward phase and today my days are filled with the things I enjoy from reading, to gardening, to writing.
To my friends, Bev, Barb and Shirley, This is the time to look back and feel good about what you've done, and look ahead at what you can do. Here's to your rediscovery! Enjoy! It's a great time.
Retirement is not easy! Most of us find that much of our feeling of self-worth comes from work. We may not be aware of the depth of that connection until the day we don't have a job to go to. The lucky ones find great satisfaction in work, but for those that don't just collecting a paycheck impacts their self-esteem.
The trick in retirement is re-discovering that sense of value. Vacation is wonderful, but it is meant to be short lived. What happens after that initial freedom of responsibility? How do you spend your days? What makes you want to get up in the morning? At the end of the day, what do you wish you had done?
When I retired, I felt awkward. The change was greater than not working. We had moved so I had no friends. My social life had to be rebuilt. I needed to redevelop a support system. When my husband went to work, I was very aware I wasn't contributing anymore. Fortunately, I really was ready to retire and getting settled in a new community helped me pass the time while I decided what was next.
I took a lot of time deciding what was going to make me feel good about me. 3 years later I have discovered the best part of retirement is the rediscovery of who I am. I enjoy volunteer work, but I don't want to be in charge of anything. 'Commitment' is a big word to me. Too often it becomes 'obligation' and that is a word I avoid now that I'm retired. I'll do anything as long as I can do it on my time and when I want to. My priorities now are my family. When Larry wants to go, I don't want to say "I can't". My kids live very far away and weekend visits are not possible. When I want to go see them, I want to be free to go. I love the life I have now. I made it through the awkward phase and today my days are filled with the things I enjoy from reading, to gardening, to writing.
To my friends, Bev, Barb and Shirley, This is the time to look back and feel good about what you've done, and look ahead at what you can do. Here's to your rediscovery! Enjoy! It's a great time.
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