41 Comments

One of these days I'll be able to retire. Wish I could now, but it will happen in God's timing. Thank you for sharing and glad you're enjoying retirement.

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Oh yes, I believe in that -- everything in God's timing. Just hard for a control freak like me. I'm getting better. I absolutely loved my teaching career, but this less stress gig of retirement allows so much time to do good. I hope your load gets lighter this week. I had to laugh when I listened to Donny Mac's Prayer Walk today about not being too busy. He & I are on the same page a lot. Thank you, God. xoxo

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I've always been an infamous "to do list" girl. Now that I'm retired, I still make the lists, but most things on them are optional. 😂

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Cathey ~ my daughter is a list maker. I admire how she gets everything done. I'm the kind that no matter how well I organize, it seems as if someone else always changes my plan. Optional is good! Ha!

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Awe, you are the sweetest! We love connecting with out clients/friends, hearing about their families and experiences 💜. Retirement. I’m not seeing it yet… it’s a dim fog ahead of me. I love what I do because of the ‘people’ connection. It’s only been 42 years, I think I have another 10 years in me! 😬🤞🏼I can’t imagine working at a desk with very little contact with people. By the way… My amaryllis bloomed beautifully this summer on my patio. It’s currently in my basement in hibernation. Thanks for the reminder, in about the second week of November I’ll get her out and start talking with her🌺😘. Thanks Jan

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I'm going to buy a new amaryllis bulb this weekend -- so look out. I'm making vegetable soup today. Can you believe it? ha ha! xoxo

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When I was working, I wished I had more time for self care, volunteering & traveling

Now, I walk daily, & work out with a personal trainer 2x/wk. Even trying to integrate meditation. I volunteer as a Bereavement Minister at my Church & sit on a couple of committees at our VA Hospital.

AND I'm on the trip of a lifetime - 3 months traveling Italy!

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I think of you often, Juliann, wishing we had gotten you set up on Substack before you left so you could blog about your amazing trip. I am really enjoying the pics, however, you are posting on THC. Obviously, retirement is good for you. xoxo

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How I wish I had more time with my children when they were growing up.I have 5 children I was alone to raise them.I needed 2 jobs to make both ends meet.Sometimes I went home 11 o’clock at night my kids were asleep then the following morning I had to go to work early my kids were still in bed.My mom helped me raise my children with a maid to do the household chores. I miss my children when they were growing up.

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You are an amazing woman, Elisa! Enjoy all the moments you get with them now. xoxo

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Yes Jan that’s what I am doing right now.My children are all grown up they all finished university and have their own lives now. I am happy and I feel I am fulfilled.

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Well let me see. I love meditation just not enough time and walking, and now writing. Coming home after work making dinner then cleaning up. It doesn’t leave much time to do anything. But I’ll try my best to make time. I wish o could retire but have a couple more years.

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Hi Shari -- enjoy your last couple of working years. They’ll go by so fast!!! Life just keeps picking up speed, doesn’t it? Xoxo

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Sometimes I feel I don't have time for anything, because I finish work very tired. I am a sociable person, I always organize meetings of my groups of friends, but honestly I need more time to rest. I would like to be retired like you.🤣

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Honestly, there's a lot to do in retirement, but the difference is you can say NO. I know how tiring it is to be a teacher. Hang in there! Sending positive vibes xoxo >>>>>>>>>>>>

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Jan, another fun writing. I’ve been retired for 13 years now, keep myself busy with quilting, card making, baking and my newest adventure is writing short verses. My problem is now I’m often running behind as I think I’ve got time to do one more thing before have to get someplace..working on that.

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Oh Linda, I have been reading your poetry. It is beautiful. Keep going on that new adventure. It's exciting to do so many fun things in life. There's so much to do in retirement don't you wonder sometimes how you ever had time to work?!? ha ha! Good Luck on trying to pull back! I keep telling myself "Moderation in all things." xoxo

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Thanks Jan, for your kind words.

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Oh my goodness! How I can relate to this. The one thing I'm trying right now is to be sure that I have time for prayer and devotional every morning! 🙏

I love your Amaryllis contest entries. Hang in there!

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Aren't my amaryllis ridiculous? I don't know what I'm doing wrong. ha ha! I talk to God all day long , but I definitely need work in reading the Bible. I do journal off & on. I am NOT a creature of habit so it's hard for me to keep a routine going -- about 3 days then I'm off to something else. Ha! Thanks for reading my blog. xoxo

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I retired twice. . . but it wasn't for me. Fortunately, I discovered a love for writing and am making that my new job. I work from home in my pajamas, any time of the day. There is no commute and no deadlines other than the ones I want to honor. It's perfect!.

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Yes, this writing gig is the best! I have edited a lot of college students' papers, two books for someone else and written a lot of newspaper articles. I don't charge a cent so it must not be a job. Ha Ha! I told a man who I helped with his doctoral thesis (he got it back because the writing & grammar was so bad) that he could help me some day. He moved out of town & I haven't seen him since. Ha Ha! Are you still in your pajamas? ha ha!

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No - had to go run errands - but later?

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Jan, loved reading part two. You do a great job and make it so fun to read. I want more time with my granddaughters. However, not much I can do about the season I am currently in. You see, I have two aging parents who demand a lot of my time. But any who, I’m looking forward to more writings from you.

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Thanks, Elise! Being a caretaker of aging parents must be the hardest job there is. Your parents are so lucky to have you! How old are your granddaughters?

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Harrison is 5 and Cecilia is 3.....AND one on the way. Out of my three girls....my baby is having all the grands for me!

Yes, care taking is so very hard. My parents are fighting my brother and I on everything.

Keep up the good work.

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I have been retired 4 years now. I am going to the gym 2 times a week, doing volunteer work for the church keeps me fairly busy. I don't miss my worklife at all.

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Oh, Donna ~ do you like the gym? Walking every day with a few dance steps now & then makes up my exercise routine. That volunteering gig can keep you busier than work sometimes. But it is really fun not having to keep a work schedule. xoxo

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Yes I attend an exercise class and surprisingly enough we are all older. The oldest lady is 85. We do dance aerobics, stretching, weights, and exercises on the mat. I do this twice a week.

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Love that you are enjoying retirement . Lots of people don't get to retire. I am 78 enjoying retirement. Sleep overs with my granddaughter. Going to volleyball games to watch her play . My other grands check in one grandson comes by with pizza , other younger ones stay with me just to play. Life is good. Meeting you new friends on internet. I just take one day at a time that is what I do. Enjoy your reading your post. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.

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Thanks, Susie! You know that old saying, "I don't know how I had enough time to work." Well, it's true. Retirement gives us some the time to do the things we really want to. Doesn't mean we're sitting around, does it? xoxo

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Love love love…the way you write. Your stories are so much fun to read . I always look forward to reading your blog. Thanks Jan 🙏💜

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Thanks, Irene! You had an exciting night at work the other night -- with the fire. Hope all is well! xoxo

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Yes all good thank goodness ,no one was hurt !

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I look forward to my retirement soon? I love reading your stories Jan.

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Thanks, Lucy! I am amazed with all you do. A break would be nice, wouldn't it?

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Love reading your stories Jan. I love being retired spending quality time with friends and family under no pressure, just love it.Hopefully next year I intend too travel more and have more adventure’s 🥵🥵

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Hi Lynn ~ it's amazing how there's reduced pressure in retirement, isn't it? Watch for my blog next week. I'm going to share about my trip to Italy with friends -- before Covid struck. Thanks for reading my blog. xoxo

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