As I reported a couple weeks ago, full retirement started with both Scott and I having COVID. For us, COVID was body aches and a total exhaustion. God’s way of changing my pace for the coming years. I’ve done almost nothing for weeks and I’m ok with it. I might even be able to get used to it. Week four and I am recovered but Scott is still having some nasal congestion. The doctor gave him an anti-biotic Monday just for good measure. Never wanting to share our germs, I don’t think we’ve kissed in almost a month. I know most of you don’t want to hear about it, but even at our age, I think we all need that kiss from our partners to keep that little pep in our step. Maybe tomorrow!
All this down time led to some observations. First let me say that I’ve been trying to tell you. It’s no surprise to me that the first Golden Bachelor is such a hit. I’m disappointed that they seem to have found him 22 aged swim suit models. Well, actually I think there were 21 – I remember one lady wore a jogging suit and she was gone on night one. But reality is that as a society we are so vain that they had to have eliminated thousands of applicants that were “fluffy”. I don’t see anyone in my daily travels in my small town that look like any of those mature yet beautiful ladies. Keep in mind, Gerry lives in what I think is rural Indiana so access to Botox maintenance might be tricky to find. Yet who knows, the Amish might have an herbal therapy for that for all I know. I wish him the best with whomever he chooses. It was pretty funny when at least a couple of them admitted to having gas at least; and one actually was pretty proud of herself. She’s got my vote for the 1st Golden Bachelorette.
I love how host Jessie seems to be so amazed to see and learn all about mature love. While I don’t feel like the women are a fair sampling of the aging ladies out here in the real world, I do love that they were mostly kind to each other. Even the resident “mean girl/lady” was fairly diplomatic about her complaints. The feelings that they all expressed are so much like I felt when I was able to find the love of my life in my “advanced” years. While I tried to get that information out via my blog, I’m glad that they were willing to do that show and spread the word that there is hope for love and happiness later in life.
Secondly, retirement has inforced what I already knew. That social media is a total waste of time and truly an addiction. I don’t even want to know the number of hours that I’ve spent the last month on Facebook, YouTube and games on my computer. I know that my Facebook feed will be nothing but advertisements and repeatedly-shared quotes but yet I can’t stop myself from going back to see what’s new. Scott is actually no better and who would have guessed that he would end up addicted to Facebook. We may eventually need to hold a YouTube intervention for him. Luckily, so far, he has been able to learn a lot of useful skills that have expanded his woodworking abilities and he’s turning into quite the mechanic. I’ll keep you posted if I end up needing help on that one.
Thirdly, I feel like it’s been months since either of us have had a good night’s sleep. I’m beginning to wonder if aging makes this an impossible feat. Between congestion, snoring and Scott’s secret desire to be a Kung Fu fighter, sleeping is near impossible. My mild manner husband seems to find himself always in the middle of a confrontation including shouting and fighting – all in the middle of the night in his sleep. So, after trying every trick in the book, I might finally fall asleep around 2 a.m. Only to be suddenly awakened by a smack in the head, or a swift kick to the shins. Try relaxing and falling asleep after that happens! Funny – but not funny; scared to death to end up with a broken nose in the middle of the night I hug the edge of the bed, with my back to him. Ugh! We are hoping it’s medication related but who knows. All this leaving us in a dilemma; I can’t sleep with him and he claims he can’t sleep without me. What to do!
This week we are reminded that life has a way of calling the shots – ready or not. Last weekend our neighbor fell, hit his head, had a heart attack and died. He and his wife were living the second time around dream when it came crashing down; literally. So sad. Then Monday, we went to Scott’s appointments at Ann Arbor and were able to spend some time with a former customer and friend from Sunfield. He and his bride are yet another example of finding love later in life when you didn’t see it coming. Once they found each other, it was seemed so obvious and we all wondered – why didn’t someone see this a long time ago? In the same way that they were able to find love together, she was taken from him Tuesday night after a rather short illness. Continued evidence that we just need to live life to its fullest each day. Not that we should throw financially responsibility to the wind, but there’s a lot of times you just need to take the plunge and book that bucket list vacation or make that phone call to the friend or family member you always mean to reach out to.
Conversely, retirement has its perks. I’ve already gotten my turkey and stuffing purchased so I’m way ahead of the game. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday and I love cooking all the staples that go with the celebration. I’m looking forward to taking a picture of Scott carving the turkey and seeing how much better he looks than last year at this time. We booked a spur of the moment trip to the Bahamas.
We’re working on a date for Christmas with the kids which is a process. When you have a blended family consisting of four married adult children with in-laws and company parties to work around. I’m excited to be able to focus on our meal for ten adults now that catering is out of the picture. No more planning Christmas meals for hundreds of people and all the shopping, planning and stress that goes with that. Five years of that was enough. I’m enjoying using my culinary skills on Scott and the family. Today my house smells like garlic and onions as I made everything bagels with the help of my bread machine.
Tonight, we’re heading to Shipsie for country/rock concert. Friday night we are hopefully FINALLY attending Silver Bells in Lansing. A Christmas parade and the lighting of the tree at the State capital; something I have been wanting to attend for a few years now but we were always working. Going into the holidays with more fun things on the calendar than doctors’ appointments is a pleasant change. Now that we are feeling better, we will have to pace ourselves on eating out by coming up with a reasonable weekly budget for our meals out. With us no longer eating most our meals out of take-out containers from the store, it’s a constant battle. It seems like the dishwasher is always full; are they clean or dirty? I can’t help but think of that corny advertisement where the old couple talks about doing it every night and groan. Still as I load the dishwasher and hit the time delay button again, I can’t help but think it is seeing a lot more action than I am. Sorry – as Kathy would say, I just need to ZIP IT! Have a blessed week!
WhatDoesn'tKillYouGirlMakesYouStronger. 