So What Are You Going To Do In Retirement?

New Beginnings....Retirement

So, for awhile now, I've been mentioning that my retirement was happening soon. And, in my last post, I said that I would be talking about it in the next post. So today, I will be talking about what these "first days" of retirement have been like. And, you'll get to see some of the party pictures, also.

This is a pic of Mr.thisandthat and I at my retirement party. It's not a great pic of either one of us, but it is one of the few of just the two of us together, so I'm using it. I was going for an "edgy" style look wearing the blue jean jacket with black plush slacks and black booties. But in the dark of the restaurant, I didn't photograph well. The restaurant is called, "Twisted Laurel," and it was decorated very lovely for Christmas, plus my colleagues had added balloons and other festive touches for my party.

My friend, Sharon, had tipped off the group that I love butterflies, so there was a definite "Butterfly Theme" going on with butterflies on the cake, the tables.....

and even, on the gift bags!

It was a magical evening from start to finish.....

And I tried to express to the group the joy that I felt that night being honored by them.

There was a yummy buffet of Greek food.....

And, believe me, I enjoyed it!!

There were many kind words spoken that touched my heart...

And lots of hugs....

And visiting with dear friends and colleagues....

And laughter and smiles.....

In short, it was everything I wanted and needed the evening to be. 

And now....the parties and packing and farewells have ended......the hoopla is over....and now "retirement" begins. So, you may well ask....what now?

                                                     

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To be honest, these first days of retirement don't feel that different from the usual Winter break that we have at Christmas. I think the real feeling of retirement will hit this week when Mr.thisandthat returns to school and I don't. Will it feel strange?  Yes, I think it will. After all, I've been "going to school" almost my whole life! But, I am ready for the "differentness" (is that even a word?!) and I am up to the challenge of retirement. And I believe it is a challenge....but one that I will embrace wholeheartedly. 

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To be honest, I'm not thinking of retirement as a time to stop doing....but as a time to begin......and I have many plans. And they include many things that I love and enjoy doing. It's hard to put it all into words right now. The plans are still "in the making."

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If I had a nickel for every time someone came up to me the past year and said, "So what are you going to do when you retire?" I would have some pretty good money by now!  It's a question that gets asked a lot when you say you are going to retire...and one that I've asked myself a few times of others. But, now that I'm on the receiving end, I find that it's not all that easy to come up with one pat answer. One acquaintance expressed her shock and dismay when I said I was retiring with this statement; "Why, I don't know what I would do if I retired. I mean, there are only so many closets you can clean!"

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I did my best to laugh and go on.....and gritted my teeth later.....

It's not that I need to keep my plans such a secret. But, I have found that when you tell people your plans, they seem to expect instant results. And every time they see you, they ask how "such and such" is coming along. And you feel like you have to come up with an answer. And on and on it goes. I don't want to have to be "responsible" for coming up with answers. And like I said, the plans are unfolding....they are under construction....and, like any good plans....they aren't complete under someone else's timeline. I'll know when they are ready to be shared. 

So, I finally settled on a pat answer that I would give to people when I was asked the question. It is an answer that pretty much sums up what I am thinking. 

         "I'm going to do small things in great ways....."

And only for you, dear readers, I'll even add a little extra scoop. I know my plans will involve reading.....and writing......and arithmetic.....and also throw in some music......and yes, friends....

                       "I'll be cleaning some closets......"

And you better believe, I'll be meeting you right here on the blog!

In fact on Tuesday, January 3rd, I will be featured on Nancys Fashion Style in a series called:

"Styled By" so I hope you will stop by Nancy's blog and see the feature!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

*Party images property of Debbiethisandthat.com; other images courtesy Public Domain Images.