So what does one do with their time?

What do I do with my time? Oh, you know? Work part time, scuba class/study and underwater maneuvers, drive residents to destination, computer, care for my very independent wife, Dad, social interaction, read, watch tv & movies on Samsung Big-Screen, try to stay cool in hot weather. Swimming, snorkeling, open water, dive practicing, imaginary associations
 
Ruth n Jersey said:
Sometimes it seems there aren't enough hours in the day for all my projects. In the summer I have my garden and yard work, sewing, embroidering, new recipes to try,even some woodworking projects and painting with my sons help during the winter. Looking at old photos, reading and I still enjoy the adult coloring books that were all the rage a few years ago.
And the one my hubby hates is arranging and rearranging everything in my home. I'm thinking about painting our bathroom this fall but haven't told him yet.
Visits from my grand kids.
I'm kind of a loner and have no desire to join groups or clubs. This forum is as social as I get.
I'm not much of a traveler but do like short trips.
I join the hubby for a little TV watching in the evening but never during the day. To much fun stuff to do.
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Ruth....don't mean to steal your " What you like to do " You're almost like a twin.....not enough hours in a day either, all my likes, except haven't got into any kind of woodwork, are same as yours, sewing, handwork, recipes, colouring and painting.....have lots of adult coloring books as well....then i found coloring online.....love it.....jigsaw puzzles online.....love them too. Lots of hours in my yard as well. I am too, a bit of a loner, don't do clubs or groups. Tv is minimal, pretty much on just for noise. Thank you for your post.
 
Mr. Ed said:
What do I do with my time? Oh, you know? Work part time, scuba class/study and underwater maneuvers, drive residents to destination, computer, care for my very independent wife, Dad, social interaction, read, watch tv & movies on Samsung Big-Screen, try to stay cool in hot weather. Swimming, snorkeling, open water, dive practicing, imaginary associations
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imaginary associations? lol!
 
MarciKS said:
i doubt i'd feel guilty if i had to quit working altogether. i've done my time.
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Same here...I had a great career, but I wouldn't want to go back to work for twice what I was making. Retirement is Great...IF you find something you enjoy doing, and keep at it. The secret, IMO, is to find some activities that exercise both your mind and body. Laying around watching TV and snacking all day is a Sure way to destroy your health and lead to a miserable existence that does little other than fill your calendar with doctor visits.
 
Don M. said:
Same here...I had a great career, but I wouldn't want to go back to work for twice what I was making. Retirement is Great...IF you find something you enjoy doing, and keep at it. The secret, IMO, is to find some activities that exercise both your mind and body. Laying around watching TV and snacking all day is a Sure way to destroy your health and lead to a miserable existence that does little other than fill your calendar with doctor visits.
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I'm already having health issues that may not allow for exercise. So we'll see.
 
MarciKS said:
I'm already having health issues that may not allow for exercise. So we'll see.
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There are some good simple, non-stressful exercises that can be done with things like Yoga and Tia Chi....if things like engaging in gym type activities are too much to handle. Even taking a nice walk around the neighborhood is far better than sitting or laying around all day.

I've lost a few old friends over the past decade....and they all seem to have given up and let the TV and excessive weight gain take over their lives.
 
When I first retired 22 years ago I was busy with things for and with my mother. I was also baby sitter, taxi driver for my grandchildren who were young at the time. My mother and husband joked that I was busier during retirement than when I worked. The year I retired, I got a digital piano which opened up the world of composing for me. Eventually I worked on music that became songs for my album. My husband had projects and causes that also kept me busy. Once I "discovered" the computer, internet and social networking....I spent a lot of time online....too much.

It seems that there was never enough time. When we could we took trips. Both of us loved to shop so we'd be out looking around different stores. After he passed I traveled alone. I went to Planet Fitness a couple of times a week then joined a senior center which I attended twice a week on exercise days. I got a good work out there (exercises plus dancing). COVID caused it to shut down. I've been catching up with some things around here; I'm back doing music. I watch T.V., sometimes at meal times or once I settle down. Being on 3 social networking sites and keeping up with all my family and online friends takes time.

@Keesha and @Gaer You ladies ROCK! I love that you are both so creative. I think it's major cool that you're musical and play the sax Keesha!
 
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I worried - before we took the plunge - that we wouldn't be active enough. But, OH MY! Until the Covid-19 "Stay at Home" order, we had hit the ground running when we retired and moved. I reached out ahead of time through the EGA (Embroidery Guild of Amer.) so had one group to attend when we arrived in Maine.

Once I started talking to people here, I found all kinds of other groups! Besides embroidery, there is Wed. stitch, Thurs. lace makers, and Friday knitters. I would also love to join a spinning, weaving or quilting group but... no time now. I handle our finances and keep an eye on our investments. Our yard had loads of flowers and after adding 10' to the living room, a deck and patio, I have been moving plants around, sowing seeds for herbs and harvesting rhubarb. DH mows the lawn, has joined the church and taken a place on their board plus a Bible Study group. He volunteers at the nearby city soup kitchen once a month and attended gym classes for Parkinsons. Turns out, our town has an incredibly active Recreation Dept. and Seniors Group. There are exercise classes, enrichment classes and trips! It has been overwhelming!! I also read alot of history and am researching, with a friend, for a book we want to write. (who knows if we'll ever finish it but it has been a fun project and interesting to work on!)

We had also been visiting area Retirement Communities - looking for the ultimate CCRC since our kids are spread out "away." Since some of the waiting lists are up to 8 years long, it also gives us an excuse to drive around the state and meet new people too! We've tried new restaurants and had was just getting to know another couple who moved here about the time we did. You just need to reach out - on line and in person - there is probably more to do than you realize! ENJOY yourself!! We look forward to getting back to it!
 
8 years is the longest we've come across but, most of them are 4-6 years. Each community is set up a little differently from the next so it pays to get the tour and talk to the Sales Mgr. We have our names on one list so far and had planned to visit 2 or 3 this spring but... that hasn't happened yet. The one list we're on, has kept us informed. They have had no Virus cases and only 3 in that county. So far, so good!
 
Sorry - CCRC = Continuing Care Retirement Community. You usually buy in - as a condominium or co-op. It generally has all levels of care from occassional assistance to bedridden nursing care. My father was in an Erickson Community - which was AMAZING! There isn't one in Maine - but there are a lot of things to chose from.
 
I loved my job in a school....I was a Secretary for the front desk with 2 other ladies....I did that for 25 years....
Before that I stayed home with my 2 children....We only had 1 car and Hubby was working....After the kids
getting older I started taking some odd jobs....I wasn't happy, I wanted something else to do...So I took
the job at the High School....Only 1 mile away from home....

I still have friend's that I worked with....We see each other for Lunch as often as we can.....
My husband also retired.....We are both getting our rewards.....Sometimes it was hard, Hubby went to work
in NYC 2 hours away for five days a week....Sometimes he had work at home on 9/11....He had to still work...
He was a lucky one in the city...Thank God....He lost some he knew....

A few years after retiring he had a Open Heart Surgery...Then had Cancer....It doesn't go away....It lingers...
So we take one day at a time....

Be Well, everyone....We lived a life, but don't take advantage of anything that comes along....It does!!!!
 

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