How does one stay organized after Retirement? I really wanna know!
I admit, I have been very undisciplined and disorganized for some time now. Last year's frequent, monthly or bi-monthly trips to California really took a toll on pretty much everything in our lives....especially our household, yard work, de-cluttering, production and keeping in touch with friends.
Before that, I had strained my right forearm/elbow and then twisted my ankle, so long periods at the computer came to a quick halt. I could not stay on the computer as long as I had in the past. My ankle was so sore I had to elevate it and ice it and despite trying to balance my laptop upon my lap, I was not successful...
Since the beginning of the year I decided to dive into my painting and see if I can make some extra money. I have going back and forth between my writing (blogging) and my art and my writing has always been the priority, until my girls started having so many kids...
I went from three grand sons to four and now my youngest daughter is having my first grand daughter this April, which will make my fifth grand child! My husband has six grand kids, so together, we will have ELEVEN! He has six grown children and I have my two daughters, so again, together, we have EIGHT kids.
I would LOVE to move back to California...but I would have to drag my husband kicking and screaming. Each trip, he is a non-stop complainer with the traffic getting from one home to the next. I am grateful it is only a three and a half hour drive; and I am also grateful for Face Time and Skype to visit with the kids when we are here in Nevada...but it is not how I envisioned my life to be with our close family...
I have also promised myself this year to lose weight and I am happy to report I have lost ten pounds. I am also volunteering one day a week at St. Jude's Thrift Store and joined the Women's Auxiliary. Getting myself back on a schedule is the key...but it has been so very challenging. Much more so than I figured.
My Mom's back has really been bothering her and I am very concerned. I have been doing my best to convince her to come stay with us for awhile, but she insists she has too much to do.
She makes counted cross stitch Christmas stockings for all the great grand kids and her poor arthritic hands are moving as fast as she can to keep up. Not only my two girls had children, but my brother's daughter and son in Ohio are each having one too. If she did consent to come stay with us, I would have to bring her big magnifying mirror and all her cross stitch stuff too!
I have so many projects on my list and it seems the list keeps growing rather than getting shorter.
My long range goal is to find a way to incorporate my art, my blogging, my yard work, housework, and visits to California to see our children and grand children and still have time to have a life and spend time with my neighbors and friends. It's not easy...
Is there anybody else out there having the same challenges? Anyone have any suggestions?
3 comments:
It's a bit over ten years before I hit retirement. I'll let you know then.
Really sorry you don't live closer to your children. Between the two, I admit I'd rather live in Nevada than California though.
And congratulations on your first granddaughter.
Hooray for you for the weight loss. I need to get going on that. I wish I had more advice - I'm crazy busy too and haven't figured out how to fit it all in.
First, congrats on the weight loss, I speak from experience when I say it's not easy.
On grandchildren, I only have one and I'm blessed that they live in the same town as us.
On retirement, I've been at it now for 13 years and this is the first year I have been able to keep my desk somewhat clear of clutter for a whole 8 months. I never was organized who woulda thought it could be worse but it was -- once I retired. However, I did learn not to beat myself up about it.
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