What is retirement?

Retirement, is what you make it.  

I recently had a person ask me if I enjoyed watching all the TV programs during the day like they do.  I had another recently retired individual tell me that they hate it because "There's nothing to do".  

These answers amaze us.  The fact is that we are having the times of our lives.  There's no time to watch TV because there is so much to do.  Having additional time to spend with family and friends is an absolute blessing.   

Dave with Amber and Annabelle, who's always ready for a belly rub ( Annabelle the dog, not Amber, that is)

Although we've spent time traveling, and plan to leave again in a few days  to travel to the northeast, the fact is that there are plenty of things to do nearby. 

(Dave and Annabelle at St. George Island)

Here's something that is an added bonus.  Having the time to read the newspaper in the morning while having breakfast.

Volunteer work is one thing that is high on the list.  You can do things for others that mean so much.

Dave is designing a putting green in the back yard.  Judy, meanwhile, has an herb garden growing out there too, and is adding them to different recipes.  We found out that homemade salsa with cilantro from the garden was pretty good.  

Of course Dave can always be found doing interesting things, like using the leaf blower to get pine straw off of the roof.




We spent one afternoon listening to French music, and cooking a French cuisine dinner, changing the kitchen into a bistro for just the two of us.  

 Rainy days this past week? No problem- Judy actually did what she always said at work she wanted to do on rainy days: she made homemade soup and bread- without the bread machine.  Ten minutes of kneading bread dough is actually a long time when you are doing it.

And you can see what Dave and Annabelle did during one of the rainy afternoons.

And so, the rule on retirement is that there is no rule.  It is what you make it.  It's a time to enjoy yourself and do things that are fun for you.  You have reached a time in your life where if you decide you want to do something fun and unusual, you should go and do it.  Notice how Judy has made her vehicle into a zombie response vehicle.  Dave's reply?  "Well Judy, it's your car."  

Judy figures the signs on the doors and the windows should be conversation starters on the trip.  Dave is hopeful that no one will notice them.

We're now preparing for the open road.....

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