Today really IS the first day of the rest of my life.
No, I won't be spending 8 hours a day in my sewing room but I do have a plan for my new life.
- I retired from my job, not my career. I'll continue the part-time independent contracting I've done for several years.
- My DD is treating me to my first cruise ever. In the Fall, when my former colleagues are settling in to another school year, I'll be settling into a deck chair on a cruise ship.
- I plan to take advantage of a local university program for Lifelong Learning which offers a variety of courses such as Introduction to Adobe Photoshop, Myth in Human History, and Quantum Mechanics for the "Spiritually Inclined" (huh?). This program also entitles members to audit one undergraduate course per semester, if there is space.
- I no longer need a large work wardrobe so I plan to do more quilting. Or I may tackle that coat or tailored jacket I've wanted to sew for years.
- My first BIG project will be to move my sewing room into the larger bedroom that was once occupied by my DD. Finally, I'll have more room for more fabric and Burda Magazines.
Stress often comes with change; even a change for the better. I'm a little nervous, but I'm looking forward to this new phase in my life. For a number of reasons, it's the right time for me to retire. Once I make the necessary mental adjustments, I'll be able to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.
Congratulations!!! It truly is the best part of your life! Your plan sounds wonderful, enjoy every minute of it. You've earned it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Elaray. I am only substitute teaching now, so this is my first summer off in years. I am loving it, you can get so many things done, things you never had time for before.
ReplyDeleteI like your to-do list, especially the cruise. That is your first sewing to-do, a cruise wardrobe. Enjoy, you deserve it.
Congratulations! Enjoy a summer filled with whatever you want to do.
ReplyDeletecongratulations! I retired 5.5 years ago and haven't looked back. Retirement is the best job I've ever been paid for! And I'm not sure where the time goes, but I'm busy, busy. I HIGHLY recommend it. Do enjoy........
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, it's going to be a great time for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you can slow some and enjoy some of the perks of retirement. I guess people without a sewing/quilting hobby wonder what to do with the extra time. I have found in partial retirement that the biggest challenge is not what to do to stay busy but to preserve time for my own to do lists. Everyone wants to fill up your time with their own wantsies so be really careful and slow about jumping into other's activities. My June is filled with underpriveleged camp volunteer stuff and grands out for the summer and the garden and little sewing. I could be like this every month if not very careful to think before opening my mouth with the Y word. Sometimes I get resentful that I let everyone fill my days with non sewing activities. One thing I have finally figured out is I buy too many dressy clothes and the sewing I need to focus on is casual and durable pieces to wear at home that wash well repeatedly also some lounge wear pieces I never had time or need for when I would hop out of the bed early in the morning. These pieces are also nice after getting a second shower at night in our hot summers and yet be still able to answer the door or lounge around without getting totally dressed. For some reason it was hard for me to realize I needed more at home, sleepwear, and cover up type things and less dress up stuff which I still like to over buy. It is really nice that you will celebrate with a cruise. Congratulations. mssewcrazy
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Elaray. Your plan sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and yeah for more fabric and magazines!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! This is my first time posting to your blog. All I can say is I wish it was me. Enjoy your life and do the things you always wanted to do; only reflect on the past in order for it to propel you forward into a brighter future. Enjoy that cruise!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Lee. The cruise sounds wonderful. Maybe I will be seeing you more often in Joann's. By the way, where are you taking your classes?
ReplyDeleteThey sound pretty interesting.
Ernestine
Temple University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
DeleteCongrats! Sounds like a great plan.. K
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Your plans sound lovely and interesting. Enjoy!
ReplyDeletewoot!! here's to lots of great sewing coming up after the move to more space :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! I am looking forward to my retirement day. Enjoy your time.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm sure you will enjoy this new phase of life and all that it has to offer.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great plan to me! Enjoy everything and congratulations tii!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Enjoy your retirement!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is big news! Ah, enjoy this phase of your life (and the cruise too--jealous!).
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Elaray. I'm sure you will be just as busy as you were before you retired. Enjoy your cruise, enjoy your studies and enjoy whatever you feel like doing on any given day. I look forward to seeing your quilting; I've been thinking of starting one myself!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You sound like you're ready to enjoy the rest of your life!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! well earned! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats Lee!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, and best wishes to continue to fulfill your dreams!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I know that you've been waiting for this day to come and I'm glad that you have a plan. I'm sure that will make the readjustment easier and good luck with the sewing room move!
ReplyDeleteLate to the party (as usual!), but please let me add my congratulations! It'll be an adjustment, but you'll find so much to do. I can't see you sitting around wondering "what's next?" If nothing else, there's always something new to sew!
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