Those lyrics? Perfect way to describe my state of mind right now: "no desire to run." We are finally feeling settled here...both the "here" of retirement as well as the "here" of Loganville*. Not so sure about the "no hurry" part, but when Pierce Brosnan sings the song, heck...I can believe anything!
So what's your secret? you might ask. Well, when we entered the Red Zone of
Retirement**, I did what I usually do when faced with something new or different
entering our lives that must be managed: I researched and I read.
I discovered much of what has been written about retirement is by financial companies or purveyors, and therefore
focused on preparing your finances to face your golden years. This is the
all-important “how am I going to pay for it?” I went through the process of
creating a detailed retirement budget...without really knowing all the relevant
details yet. I learned the inviolate 4% withdrawal rule...and the many reasons
it may be wrong for the current economy. I finally came to the conclusion that
it all comes down to [(whatever funds you have managed to save for retirement
plus whatever you receive from Social Security) minus (whatever your expenses
are in retirement)]. And, if you are past the point of saving more of the first
part of that equation, then you need to get really good at managing the second
part. Period...at least for the financial aspect of retirement.
Sadly, a first-focus on the
financial aspect...while necessary...is putting the cart before the horse: “pay
for ‘it’?”...pay for WHAT exactly? It has been said that “Emotional
preparedness is just as important to a happy retirement life as financial
readiness.” I might say "more important, but that's just my opinion.
This not-as-well-documented functional aspect of retirement means going through the process of examining
the emotional and social sides to determine the answers to “who, what, where,
and when do I want to be and do in retirement?” As you can see just by
comparing the number of words, this aspect ought to be the most important focus
of retirement planning.
It isn’t. Why? Maybe
because it is harder. Maybe because there is no equation, no percentage. Maybe
because there are far more “financial advisors” who charge a lot more but know
next to nothing about the so-called soft-side that is the domain of retirement coaches? (Do NOT
get me started on that one...:-)
Anyway...
In looking back at my life
(metaphorically), I could see a long line of activities and adventures...in
other words, an awful lot of DOING. So, I initially thought that retirement might offer
me the opportunity of BEING...still...quiet...calm. Reading books, working crosswords and jigsaws, knitting, watching TV...maybe a little blogging now and then.
Nah. Being still turned out to
be too difficult and frankly too foreign for my personality. I cannot seem to simply read...or knit...and watch TV; no, I try to do them at the same time! I have said all of
my life that I have two speeds: 0 and 100 mph. I’m either going at my top
speed...or I’m asleep.
So, here I am, loving
retirement...mainly because I have decided to let go of BEING STILL and to
embrace STILL BEING me by continuing my activities and adventures.
All of that was a way of saying
why my blog has suffered my silence since the New Year. But I was (lovingly)
reminded recently that I had some catching up to do, so here we go!
Most of you who follow me on
Facebook know that Missy M gifted me with a trip to Walt Disney World on my
birthday...and that trip had been planned for last September, for the same week
that Hurricane Irma shut central Florida down, including WDW for only the 5th time in its history. Fast forward
to the end of January, and we enjoyed our first Mother-Daughter Bonding
Trip (MDBT) in several years. Really enjoyed it, as these pictures hopefully show!
First night of WDW MDBT - 2018
Selfie at our hotel, the Boardwalk
The Quiet Pool...before all the noise!
A clothesline of Candied Bacon at Edison's in Disney Springs
Maredith snapping Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios
Parade at Magic Kingdom
On the Train at Magic Kingdom
Illuminations at Epcot
Dinosoar at Animal Kingdom
Indiana Jones Stunt Show at Hollywood Studios
Epcot at night
Magic bands mean they know where you are at ALL times...even on the It's a Small World ride!
Many of you also know that in
retirement, we have made a commitment to lifelong learning through the Oscher
Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at University of Georgia, which provides us with a community in which to expand our minds as well as our waistlines. We have enjoyed
being in both the Lunch Bunch and the Supper Club SIGs (let’s eat!), and I have
taken advantage of several classes. This month already, I have learned about
how to use the GALILEO system in genealogical research, as well as taking a
photographic “trip” to New Zealand: The Land of the Long White Cloud (more on
that in an upcoming post).
OLLI class on GALILEO for Genealogy
No doubt by now you’ve picked up
on my Master Gardener transfer from Guilford County, NC to Walton County, GA. Being an active MG volunteer is
very important to my plan for a happy retirement, both because I love to garden
and because I love to teach people about gardening. And 2018 has been in high
gear since early January when I began to fulfill my commitment to
class-managing the Tuesday and Thursday morning training classes (9:00-12:00),
along with doing my part on other projects (writing a bi-weekly gardening
column for the local paper, helping with restorative pruning at the historic
McDaniel-Tichenor House in Monroe, working on the bylaws committee, developing
a Mentor program and a Help Desk, and delivering a workshop presentation
on Seed Starting in conjunction with the inauguration of our Seed Library...which I did yesterday).
MGs - Restorative Pruning at the McDaniel-Tichenor House
New Class begins MG training - January, 2018
Walton County MGs at McDaniel Tichenor House
Mr. T and the MGs at work on Raised Beds for the Monroe Senior Center Community Garden
And we are only 7 weeks into
the new year!
Any areas that you haven't put your retirement plan into action? you ask. Well, yes. That trip to Disney reminded me that I had put "walking for regular exercise" on my plan for a happy retirement. While I was able to have three great step-count days then, I still struggle to carve out the time (and left-over energy) for the same here at Casa 303. Sigh. Ah well...a goal!
Screen capture of my Apple Watch for Day 3 at Disney
So, if I am not being still and
writing my blog posts, you can rest assured I am still being active and
involved in my adventures.
====================
* For inquiring minds who know about M's imminent departure from Popeye's (which is beign moved to Miami by the "new" parent company RBI), rest easy: she was offered and has accepted a job in ATL...they are completing her background check. As soon as she gives me the high sign, I'll write some more about that. Bottom line: she's staying here...so we get to stay here, too!
**Retirement Red Zone has several definitions, depending on who is speaking or writing. I choose to use the 5 years before retirement and the first 5 years after retiring. So, we are 7 years in at this point.
Long-time readers know that MDBT = Mother-Daughter Bonding Trip. And that I haven't had the luxury of going on one with my sweet daughter for a couple of years now. So, this past week was just ab-fab perfect in my book.
Missy M was scheduled to attend the annual American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) International Conference in Orlando. When she offered to buy my plane ticket (!) and let me share her room at the Peabody/Orlando (!!), I couldn't say YES fast enough. Of course, between the time she made this offer and the time I actually stepped onto my Southwest flight out of Raleigh, an awful lot happened here at home. Mom's health took a steep nose-dive (as you know by now), so we weren't sure this year's MDBT would even happen.
Way to go Mr. T! He stepped up to the plate and hit a huge home-run when he said "you need to go...and I can stay with your Mom." And, then Mom had a fairly good week after several really bad days. So, it appeared the sun, the moon, and the stars were actually in alignment for me to go.
And go to Orlando I did!
I loved staying at the Peabody, especially because I'm from the city of the original. When the bellman said "our ducks are better," I begged to differ. Still, I couldn't get enough photos of the five of them and their fountain (photos, below). Heck, I even killed the batteries in my camera by videoing the little waddlers, headed down to the lobby from their third floor palace. I had to make a swift switch just to capture a video of them making their dash from the elevator, down the red carpet, to the fountain (above, left), all to the tune of Sousa's King Cotton March. Loved it! [Travel Tip: Best place to view the ducks' march? Head up to the third floor, called the Recreational Level. You'll get to see the ducks before anyone else, since their "home" is on this floor, and they begin/end their daily journeys here. And, you can get a great view from the balcony of the proceedings in Mallard Lobby below.]
Ducks in the fountain -
Lobby of the Peabody/Orlando
Don (real name!) the Duck Master -
Peabody/Orlando
Trisha's Toes in the Peabody Pool
Then, I spent several sunny hours out by the pool (photo, left). I had downloaded The Red Queen (all 19 or so hours...:), so the time flew by as I listened to one of my fav authors (Phillippa Gregory) being read to me. I dearly love how she writes in a narrative voice...it makes you feel as if you are reading a present-day account or diary of 15th century England!
After M. finished her conference activities on Day One, we had an evening to enjoy margaritas at Don Pablos followed by a movie: Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides...or, Pirates 4, as it has been dubbed. Arrrghhh, Pirates! I just love these movies!! Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush are as wonderful in their roles as ever.
M. had connnected me with a vendor who provided a free pass to the ASTD expo (where the bazillion vendors were), and when I checked in on Monday, I was given a "Full Conference" badge...so I got to attend the morning general sessions and several break-out workshops. I took advantage of my good fortune and learned a lot. It was wonderful! Just like "old times" when I was a trainer. And, I noticed something special while I was there, too. I sensed a more welcoming acceptance of consultants (as a whole) and coaches (in the specific). So, when I introduced myself as a leadership development coach, I felt included in the group...and it felt goooood.
"Please Respect the Spell Limits" - Hogsmeade Village Universal Studios, Orlando
Of course, if one is in Orlando...and one is a BIG FAN of the Harry Potter books and movies, one needs to go to Universal Studios "Islands of Adventure" park to see how they have transformed a palm-studded backlot off International Drive into Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts School. OMG! The snow on the roof-tops even looks real...no matter that it was 95 degrees that Sunday.
The "ride" that is inside the Hogwarts Castle is just fantastic. As you walk through the Castle and approach the actual ride, you are treated to videos of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore...and others from the movies...giving you a little hint of things to come. Then, you are IN an IMAX theatre-like production, while being secured to your padded seat, and it really feels like you are flying. We played in a game of Quidditch, for goodness' sakes!
Dr. Seuss Land - A favorite at Universal Studios
To be truthful, it was challenging for me because the gondola that your seats are attached to turns way over, making it feel like you are standing on your head...and that is never good for someone with positional vertigo. No matter, I settled soon enough, and we were off to ride the Jurassic Park Jungle River ride (you will get wet...:).
It was a perfect professional development opportunity...a perfect bonding trip...and a perfect break in my routine that came at just the right time. Thank you, my sweet husband and our thoughtful daughter. {Hugs!}
P.S. Guess what today is? It's the second anniversary of our signing the papers to buy this house in HPNC! Yep, we've been back in NC for two years now. Amazing! Of course, we have another anniversary coming up this weekend, but I'll write more about that in my next post.
P.P.S. Most of you know how I feel about Basset Hounds ["heck, Gibbs, equatorial pygmies know how you feel about..."; love that quote from Abby on NCIS...:)]. Anyway, my friend Lucille sent me this link to a story of a recent rescue of Bonnie and Clyde Basset and their babies. You'll love it as much as I: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/may/23/basset-hounds-flooding-knoxville-rescue/
So, now you know. Last Tuesday, I vacuumed the house (yet again), put fresh flowers in the vases (yet again), and refreshed the cookies in the cookie canister (yet again). Yes, everything looked spic and span...all ready for that potential buyer to walk in the door and fall madly in love with the place. My work here was done.
After letting our Realtor know I'd be MIA for about a week, I packed my bag, locked all the doors, and headed off to Orlando to join Missy M for a week in the sun. It was time for our annual Mother-Daughter Bonding Trip (MDBT)!
She was attending an e-Learning conference held in Lake Buena Vista Tuesday-Friday, so I just lounged around the pool (where, even with SPF #30, my blindingly white skin turned bright pink), worked the crosswords and the sudokus, and read my latest book (a bio of Andrew Jackson by Jon Meacham called American Lion). You know, acted like I was on vacation.
Remarkably, I didn't knit a stitch (except in the airport and on the plane)...and we didn't make it to a single yarn store. Not one. Gasp!
Then, it was time to see the World...Walt Disney World, that is! We started off at the Magic Kingdom on Saturday...then to a Braves Spring Training game at Disney's Wide World of Sports and shopping in Downtown Disney on Sunday...and finished up at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Monday. Lots of changes there.
I wore my Step Counter (aka my Clicker) and registered over 25,000 steps in the 3 days we spent on the properties! [2000 steps, more or less, equal 1 mile] Wow!!
In addition to playing around with Mickey and Friends, we reacquainted ourselves with the area we left over 7 years ago (can it really be that long ago?!) by driving by the butterscotch-colored house on Jessica Lane, where there have been remarkably few (if any) changes. And, on Sunday, from a parking lot in Downtown Disney, we got to see one of the most exciting moments in the life of a central Floridian: watching the launch of the Space Shuttle (photo to right, below)!
As you can imagine, I took loads of photos on the trip. I whittled them down to a manageable amount and uploaded to my Share Pageat Photoworks.com. You can see the slideshow of this album over there in the left column <<<<<<<. I also created a Photo Book...currently a work-in-progress. Feel free to enjoy at your leisure.
I have been home in MO just long enough to toss out the old flowers and replace them with fresh ones...which I've actually augmented with some from the yard. The daffodils are coming in fast & furious in this unusually warm weather we've had this week. Now, I've just got time to re-pack my bags and head back to the airport.
