One Year Ago...One Month from Now

I know I’ve brought this subject up before, but it has been on my mind lately: the older one gets, the faster time flies. Apparently there’s been research, as reported in Scientific American (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-time-seem-to-speed-up-with-age/):

“This phenomenon, which (psychologist Claudia) Hammond has dubbed the holiday paradox, seems to present one of the best clues as to why, in retrospect, time seems to pass more quickly the older we get. From childhood to early adulthood, we have many fresh experiences and learn countless new skills. As adults, though, our lives become more routine, and we experience fewer unfamiliar moments. As a result, our early years tend to be relatively overrepresented in our autobiographical memory and, on reflection, seem to have lasted longer. Of course, this means we can also slow time down later in life. We can alter our perceptions by keeping our brain active, continually learning skills and ideas, and exploring new places.”

Oh yeah...we know I’m all about that “exploring new places” thingie!

One year ago today, Mr. T and I saw the sunrise at Mather Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon...not an entirely “new experience” for me, but a new experience for T...and for us together. Words alone are inadequate to describe the anticipation just before “official” sunrise...and that ooh-ahhh feeling as the sun clears the North Rim landmarks. Pictures, too, never seem to capture the incredible beauty of the moment, but they will have to do for now.

Sunrise at Grand Canyon 6/3/17

Watching the Sunrise at the Grand Canyon 6/3/17

And now...it's time to dust off the passports and get those suitcases out of the attic in anticipation for our next adventure!

Our Next Adventure!

AU & NZ money is soooo colorful...and has this see-through strip...!

One month from today, we will be getting on a jet plane, beginning that “once in a lifetime” (OIAL) trip to...drumroll please...Australia and New Zealand! This is a trip that I have dreamed about for as long as I can remember...and when better to make it happen than the year of a milestone birthday, I ask you? Yes, I will celebrate the Big 6-5 in Sydney (there’s some lovely symmetry in that homophonic, serendipitous name, don’t you agree?). But I’m getting ahead of myself...

Thirty days from now, we fly from ATL to LAX and take a break there before the (really, really) long haul...which has been the biggest obstacle to making this OIAL trip: I simply have not been able to get over the hurdle of being on a plane so (very, very) long. (Well, I must have cleared the hurdle because we have booked the tickets!) Anyway, a day and a half later (okay, so some of that is due to the 14-hour time difference...and some is due to crossing the International Dateline...but you can also give credit to the 15+ hour flight time, Lord Help Us), Qantas Airlines (finally, finally) delivers us to Melbourne, AU.

Why Melbourne, you may ask? Well, some of you may know what Brit Wits we are (addicted to British TV programming, especially the mountain of murder mysteries available)...so, it should come as no surprise that we got hooked on Aussie and Kiwi programming when they came to PBS. One of our favorites is “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries,” which is a smashing 3-season series starring the gorgeous Essie Davis as the Honorable Phryne Fisher, who is described as “(a) female sleuth (who) sashays through the back lanes and jazz clubs of Melbourne in the late 1920s, fighting injustice with her pearl-handled pistol and her dagger-sharp wit.” I cannot wait to see the city that started calling to me the first time I watched Episode 1. Heck, we are currently rewatching all of the episodes, trying to memorize the look of the buildings in the backgrounds of the scenes. Oh.....and we are booked for a tour that will take us to the Grampians Mountains through Ballarat...the setting for another of our favorites, “The Doctor Blake Mysteries.”

After five fun days there, we are back on Qantas to “cross the ditch”...AKA the Tasman Sea...to fly to the Pacific Ocean-side of the South Island of New Zealand, landing in Christchurch. Why Christchurch, you may ask? Why not the usual stops of Auckland (where my new fave “800 Words” and the “Brokenwood Mysteries” are filmed) or Hamilton (both on the North Island) or even Queensland? Well, this choice is a sentimental favorite.

You may not remember back in 2010 and 2011 when devastating earthquakes very nearly destroyed this beautiful English-styled village that has been nurtured since its founding in the late 1800’s. I remember. I saw a documentary on the recovery and rebuilding efforts, and I knew...I just knew I wanted to go there. I want to help them celebrate resiliency! Plus, I wanted to go to the wine and wool part of the country...see a Rugby* game...and ride the train through the Southern Alps, which is the setting for many of the scenes of Middle Earth for “The Lord of the Rings.” Sure enough, the Tranzalpine leaves from Christchurch. So there we will be!

Five days later, and we are winging our way back to Oz, this time landing in Sydney. I will spend my birthday day climbing to the top of the Pylon on Harbour Bridge and then having a lovely lunch over 1000’ above the City. We already have tickets for “Aida” at the Opera House, so we can see that landmark from a distance and then up close and personal.

Did I forget to mention any gardens? No worries! We will be taking in the Starry Skies of the Southern Hemisphere (which we will NEVER see at our home latitude) at the historic observatory at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne, enjoying the Aboriginal Heritage Walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, and being immersed in the beauty of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens while staying in a hotel situated on the edge of the Avon River and Hagley Park.

After three weeks of our OIAL adventure, it will be time to say so long to the Southern Cross constellation and return to the land of the North Star. I do have to wonder how many pictures we will be able to take? Any guesses, guys?!?

There are a couple of wrinkles in this beautiful plan. My recent diagnosis of gout (left toe for 3 weeks, then left knee for the past 2) has been a major pain...literally and figuratively. But, at least I had that happen HERE, where my doctors are, so I have time to get treatment, rest, get started on appropriate meds, and recover. You better believe I am packin’: extra prednisone dose pack and colchicine (a med for gout, to be taken at the first sign of an episode), plus a couple of tubes of diclofinac gel (topical NSAID). Be prepared, as they say!

And yes, observant reader, it IS Winter down under. But that just means fewer tourists...and remembering to dress in layers. And I look forward to being a part of their traditional “Christmas in July” festivities. Remember, it is the height of Summer there on December 25th.

So, if you hear that I’m singing Jingle Bells on my birthday this year, you will certainly understand. Meanwhile, I'll continue to chant the following in my head:  "Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi"
(...as remembered from the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta...)

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* Have you ever heard of/seen the NZ All Blacks Rugby squad's famous pre-game haka? OMG...chills!! I learned of this at a recent UGA OLLI class called "New Zealand...The Land of the Long White Cloud," which I took in prep for this trip. Check out this YouTube video.
NZ All Blacks Rugby haka

Being Still or Still Being

"Standing calmly at the crossroads, no desire to run.....there's no hurry anymore when all is said and done." 

— “When All Is Said and Done” from Mamma Mia, lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group

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. 

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* 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.

Fun in the Sun

What a fabulous December we have had! As you are probably aware, Mr. T and I were thrilled to tag along on Missy M's recent adventure to the Popeye's Bahamas Bowl, and I wanted to post some of the pictures we took while we were there. To recap, M was given an all-expenses paid trip to stay at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, when she won a corporate award last February, and then she used her Delta points to upgrade our tickets to First Class. We have taught that child well!

And so we were off, leaving from the Atlanta airport. We were able to drop the grand-dogs off at the Pet Paradise boarding facility that is on the property with Park n' Fly Plus...what a fabulous convenience for Missy M when she travels! They valet-parked the car, and then delivered us and our luggage directly to the (new to us) International terminal. [Our pups were being boarded at the (wonderful, fabulous, super-terrific) Guilford-Jamestown Veterinary Hospital boarding facility in Greensboro...which meant Mr. T and I would have to cut our Christmas vacation short and dash back up I-85 on Boxing Day in order to ransom them. But it also meant that they were staying in close proximity to the vets that know them and their quirkinesses. Thank heaven for that, because we had hardly gotten out of town before we got a call to seek permission to treat Winston for severe diarrhea...which thankfully turned out to be 'just' a bout of colitis (which we call his "squirrelly-tummy." Whew...crisis averted!).] 

Snapshot of in-flight seat-back info screen on Delta

The flight was non-stop...and extremely comfortable. The flight attendant served us our choice of orange juice, champagne, or mimosas (my selection, of course!) pre-flight. Missy M and I played a couple of games of trivia on our seat-back video screens, and before we knew it the pilot said we were preparing for our landing!

A view from the window seat: somewhere there are islands and an airport!

Once we had safely landed (although I did hear one passenger remark that our pilot must have been a Navy pilot...and the "abrupt" stop made me think of something my pilot-of-a-Daddy used to say: "any landing you walk away from is a good one!"), we got in line for customs and enjoyed a calypso band along with the video advertisements for the bowl game...and a local Bahamian beer.

In line for Bahamas Customs

When I say that everything was arranged for us ahead of time, I mean EVERYTHING! The mini-bus driver was holding a sign with M's name (spelled correctly!) when we exited Customs, and we were treated to an interesting ride (!) through Nassau (remember, the Bahamas were once British, so they drive on the left...which is always initially shocking to the systems of those of us from the USA!), on the way to cross the bridge to Paradise Island and our resort home for the next few days.

OMG! The Atlantis was amazing! It was all decorated for Christmas, and the calypso bands played Holiday music nearly non-stop...which can bring a smile when they are playing "Let It Snow!" and it is 80° outside.

According to their website:

Atlantis features the world's largest open-air marine habitat; Aquaventure water park, including the iconic Mayan Temple's Leap of Faith slide; 11 unique pools; renowned beaches; 18-hole golf course; the largest casino in the Caribbean; over 21 restaurants, 19 bars and lounges... Atlantis also offers a multitude of unique accommodations, including the iconic Royal Towers...

The Atlantis was the host-hotel for both teams...in different towers

The Atlantis lobby was beautifully decorated for the Season: this is the giant gingerbread house

Looking from the lobby toward the Royal Towers...

...but first, a stop for (free!) snacks, beverages, and our credentials

We picked up our badges, T-shirts, and tote bags...then headed to our rooms (7-523 and 525)

We stayed in the Royal Towers (they had surprised M by giving her 2 connecting rooms!), overlooking the harbor. This place is HUGE...I don't think you could see and do everything if you had a month (and you'd need to have won the lottery to be able to afford a stay of that length!). Oh, and we had a bowl game to go to, too. Still, we stuffed as much as we could into the five days we were there.

Let the picture-taking begin!

The view from our balcony, looking back toward Nassau and the cruise ship harbor

Sunset over the Nassau harbor, taken from our balcony

Day 2...and we were off to the beach...Atlantis Beach, to be more precise! OK, I was so excited about FINALLY getting to dip my toes into the ocean this year (after having to miss two separate opportunities...one for health reasons, the other for a hurricane) that I completely ignored this flag as we slipped off our flip-flops.

One really should pay attention to signs

I really should have paid more attention. We got on the beach and found a spot for our towels. The sun was so warm that it took a while to get used to the cold Atlantic water, but two of us eventually took the plunge. Missy M and I had been dog-paddling around and chatting, just a few feet away from shore when a tremendous wave, preceded by a strong undertow, completely swamped me. As M said "Momma went ass-over-teakettle," to quote the Brits, who usually shorten the saying to "a-over-t." Just prior to that experience, we had been discussing why Mr. T was still sitting on the beach instead of coming into the water, and I said "well, he's not particularly fond of the sand, and remember the last time he was at the beach, he got swamped by a wave and lost his glasses." Two minutes later...I, too, lost my glasses to a monster wave. Thank heaven, no pictures or YouTube videos exist of the pirouette I executed when the wave drove my head into the shore...I'm here to tell you, it wasn't pretty. Other than being shaky for a few minutes and having to shampoo my hair 3 times to get all the sand out off my scalp, I was none the worse for wear. And thank heaven, I had a spare pair of specs with me.

Here are a few of the photos we took at the beaches while we were there...

Got my feet in the ocean in 2016...finally!

Lifeguard hut on Atlantis Beach

Atlantis Beach

Paradise Beach

And here are a few taken on the property...

The Family Photo, in front of the Royal Towers

The Mayan Temple Water-slide (NO, I did not go on this!)

The Paradise Lagoon Beach

I'm at the Baths Colonnade pool...while Mr. T and M play on the River Ride

My toes in the Baths Colonnade Pool

One of the truly interesting elements of the Atlantis resort was the aquarium and marine rehabilitation center on the property. I got up early one day to see one of the staff make his feeding rounds, and I thoroughly enjoyed that experience. Here are a few shots I snapped...

Eric feeding the giant sea turtles in rehab

Looking through the aquarium "tunnel" to the Royal Towers

Giant groupers!

Eric feeding the Eels (his hand is in upper left of glass)

Eels

Yep, those last two shots are of eels...OMG. Thought I might have nightmares after seeing them. But, as Eric (the fellow pictured above, and whose hand is barely visible, upper left of the first eel picture) said: "don't worry, there's 6" of glass between us and them." Right!

One of those pictures above is of the ginormous groupers that are native to this area of the Atlantic and are a staple of the Bahamian diet. I had it twice while there (blackened and in fish tacos) and can say I thoroughly enjoyed both dishes. We tried several of the restaurants while there, including SeaFire Steakhouse and ChopStix as well as Village Burger Shack and the Marina Pizzeria. I snapped a shot of the most famous on-site restaurant, Cafe Martinique, which was seen in the James Bond film, Thunderball, although we didn't dine there.

While we were there, we were treated to a "welcome party" by the bowl host, Popeye's. Good food (including the aforementioned fish tacos!), an open bar, and lively entertainment made it a special time.

The party was held at Fathoms, a nightspot with the aquarium as a backdrop.

The band was playing "Under the Sea" at the time...:-)

The major reason for our trip, of course, was to attend the Bahamas Bowl, sponsored by Popeye's. What a fun time that was! And one of the teams (Old Dominion University) ended up winning their first bowl game EVER...how exciting is that?!?

The National Stadium was a gift to the Bahamas from the Chinese

Bet we were the ONLY bowl spectators to have a Junkanoo Parade at halftime!

Too soon, it was time to begin our journey back to the States. We had a wonderful time, and will forever be grateful for the experience. Here are a few parting photos...

Last meal...salad with grilled shrimp at the Dive In

Looking from the front of the hotel toward the Marina Village (home of the pizza and hamburger places...and dock to some of the biggest yachts I've ever seen!)

Those last three shots were taken while we were awaiting our transportation to the airport. We had another beautiful day in paradise, which made for smooth flying back to Atlanta. We landed early (not always a good thing...:-), collected our luggage, then got the car and the grand-pups before heading back to Abby Grace Drive.

It was, after all, Christmas Eve...and we wanted to make sure we were where we were supposed to be when Santa Claus arrived!