I must say retirement is even better than I expected. Easing into my second week, I didn’t know life could be so sweet.
Staying up late and sleeping in are now a luxurious norm. Sundays are twice as enjoyable without the dread of Monday. And everyday is like a Saturday.
I’m actually working harder now . . . at least my back tells me so. Every day I find myself thinking, “How did I ever get all of this yard work done before?” And of course, the answer is, “I didn’t.” Now, no matter how much there is to do, I can take my time, go at a pace my back can tolerate, and most importantly, enjoy every minute of it.
To think some people have enjoyed this kind of leisurely pace all of their lives is hard for me to comprehend. After working for 52 years, I think no one could possibly be enjoying this sweet life more. Now there is time to arrange flowers. Time to light candles and read a book. No more rushing. A simpler life . . . as it was meant to be.
Mary says
I’m so happy for you!
Cindy says
Thank you Mary! I highly recommend retirement and wish I had done it back in January when I first intended to. I was initially nervous when I knew I had to leave OSU, but every day after that I became happier and happier. Don’t waste to many more days working, life is to short for that. Retiring is really not as complicated as I thought, and if you need help, I’d be glad to help you walk through it..
Kris P says
Congratulations, Cindy! Your entry into retirement sounds blissful. Mine (years ago now) wasn’t as smooth as elder care issues (involving my stepfather, my mother and, unexpectedly, my mother-in-law) escalated dramatically at the same time my husband and I were also in the process of buying our current house and prepping our former house for sale (while he was still working). I did eventually reach the kind of nirvana stage you have, though, and I count myself very lucky. In addition to your work in the garden, I’m sure you’ve got plenty of crafty activities going too. However, I have to wonder how your former coworkers feel about losing all those treats you regularly brought them! Best wishes.
Cindy says
Thank you Kris. November is a busy month here for me. Probably the most demanding as far as the yard is concerned. When you live on a tree-lined street with 75 year old oak trees, most of the time is spent raking leaves. We had such a warm fall, that the leaves are behind schedule, so I’ll probably be raking well into mid December, which is never fun.
I haven’t had any time yet for crafts. I have a customer who wants some pillows made, but other than that, I was going to save any other projects for after the holidays when it’s too cold for anything else.
I’ve been working from home since Covid started, so I have only seen my coworkers at my retirement party in all that time. Not going to the office cut a lot of baking out of my life. I don’t really bake much anymore since it would just be me eating it and I certainly don’t need all those calories. I was hoping all this yard work would lead to losing some weight, but so far it has only produced a lot of sore muscles. I hope with more time now to do a little more blogging, but just in case I don’t,I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Cathy says
That is wonderful news Cindy! Once the gardening/leaf-raking season finishes I hope you can truly relax and I am sure you have some holiday decorating etc planned. 😉 I have missed your blog posts and do hope we will hear more from you now. Have a great week!
Cindy says
Thank you Cathy. That is so sweet. I haven’t been blogging because of time constraints, but also because I don’t feel like I have anything to say that hasn’t already been said by someone else. I do enjoy taking photos and documenting my life on the blog, but mostly for my own benefit. I find it fun to look back, see the changes in the garden, and remember things I’ve done.
I did a lot of gardening last week when it was in the 60’s, but today it’s below freezing, and it’s been snowing all day. That is about a month too early, and definitely not allowed until the leaves are off the trees and raked up. But we take it as it comes, make the most of it, and somehow it all gets done in the end. If it’s going to snow, then we might as well bring on Christmas.