Retirement

Today was the first day of retirement for our now "former" Superintendent. I have worked for this district since 2007 - the year she became Superintendent. She was high energy, detail oriented and always ready to help children and adults learn. It has me thinking about retirement and what it might be like.

I have worked for so many years, on the farm, in a restaurant, radio station, bank, french fry factory, school districts. What would it be like to wake up and know that you didn't have to be at work at 7 a.m. You didn't have to answer the phone a certain way. Didn't have to dress a certain way. I'm years away from knowing this and that's probably ok. Although I'd like a week or two to test it out maybe!

B and I have talked about retirement, what we want to do, where we want to go. We agree on some things. I think it's probably good that we won't be having to decide on anything any too soon.

What I do know is that as a couple without kids, we probably live more of a retirement lifestyle while working full time, then most of our family and friends with kids. We can take off and go somewhere on the weekends...if we want too. We can clean our house and it stays that way for days...unless my sister is visiting (love you, T!) So, when the time comes to hand in my ID badge I will probably be able to blend in with the other retirees pretty easy - except I'll be the cool one, not the polyester, stretch waistband one!

Toilets and Curtains

Well, you know you are married when you go shopping for curtains and toilet parts and it doesn't seem strange. Our upstairs toilet had a major malfunction and required all new "innards". B is on the day shift and headed to the big city last night after work. Got all the parts he supposedly needed, got home and went to work. I'm confused - am I suppose to clean the inside of the tank of the toilet? This is not something I was taught by my mom...but man, I've got to tell you it is a disgusting place! Anyway, after a very late Subway dinner, I went up to help and at 11:00 p.m. when we realized that the handle had nothing to connect to and that we basically were not going to be able to go any further, we quit.

B went back to work today. I cleaned, then decided to go get the other curtain I wanted for our redone living room. Then I headed to our local Lowes and met up with a super duper staff person who really knew HER stuff! I now have the chain we needed , plus the correct parts that the guy from the night before didn't sell my husband.

So...I've put up the curtains (they look fab) and tonight, hopefully we'll finish the toilet repair. It's been a full weekend already!

It's been awhile

Well, I just checked my blog and can't believe how much time has passed and how much has happened since my last post.

First and foremost, my mom passed away on Feb. 24th. One of the saddest days I've ever experienced, and I miss her every day. I still grab my cell on the way home from work to give her a call. Still feel lonely when I get home and I'm not gabbing on the phone to her. Miss telling her about my day and hearing about hers. Just miss her. But - I know she is in heaven and I will see her again someday.

My dad is doing ok, even pretty good somedays. This year of firsts - first anniversary, first of the holidays, etc., is rough on him and us. But, together, we will all get through it.

B and I have been working on living healthier - watching our calories, exercising. It's definitly working for him - he looks great! Me..well the jury is still out. How come I can gain 5 pounds in a weekend - but it takes me 2 months to lose it? Just don't understand.

Work is work. It pays the bills. I work with some terrific people and have some great friends because of it...so I'm gonna try to turn a new leaf and stop complaining about it, ha ha!

This weekend we are celebrating the wedding of 2 good friends. B is in the wedding and can't wait to see him all handsome in his tux!

Well...let's see if we can keep this blog going! Not gonna promise anything, but I'm gonna try!

One More Up

We are staying home this weekend, no 4 hour trip to my parents. While I am glad to be here at our home with our extended family here, a huge piece of my heart is still there with my mom and dad. Mom has had a rough week and I worry about my dad. The time that we spend with them is tiring, difficult and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Since mom started this latest journey with ovarian cancer - B and I have had the motto "no regrets". We want to spend as much time with her and dad as we can and we have done that over this past year the best that we can. I am married to a wonderful man and he has been so supportive during this time.

So B has been working 4 day weeks for the past month or so, with Friday, Saturday and Sundays off. Most mornings when he gets up (at the horrifying hour of 4:30ish a.m.) he will tell me how many more "ups" he has for the week. Well this morning was his final day this week of work...so he has NO MORE UPS this week...but I do! So, I got to say one more up this morning. And I'm not so sure that I didn't hear him snicker as he went downstairs.

Weight Watchers & Treadmills

I am trying (for the kabillioneth time) Weight Watchers online again. In 3 weeks, I've lost 5 lbs. OK, so during that time period I was at my parents stressed to the max...but, hey at least I didn't overeat! This week I have been concentrating on actually keeping my food diary, staying within my points the best I can and I've walked on the treadmill twice. Only twice, you scoff? Well, considering that in the past 4 days, I have broken (or badly bruised) a toe and worked til 8:30 p.m. one night - 2 x's on the treadmill is pretty darn good!

So, the goal is to get healthy. I'm not thinking I'm going to be in a bikini by summer. I haven't worn a bikini since I was 10...and chubby...and should have been wearing a one-piece. Nope, I just want to get healthy, stay healthy, and look healthy. After all...I'm closer to 50 then I am to 40 and just writing that makes me want to cry, or go get some ice cream!

Where have I been?

So the holidays came and went and were. I had a bittersweet, lovely, wonderful, memory filled Christmas. Mom has had her ups and downs during this time since I've written. She entered hospice about 3 weeks ago and life has leveled off. I cannot say enough good things about hospice...except that I wish she had started it a couple of months ago.

I spent 2 weeks with mom and dad after hospice was started. She wasn't doing well, I didn't want to miss time with her - so I went and stayed with them. B was wonderful, supportive, sweet. During those 2 weeks, mom's pain become tolerable through the pain management medication, she began eating a bit again, and she remained her funny, sweet self.

I'm back home with my hubby for a bit. Back to work, trying to catch up on 2 weeks of being away there and at home.

So, the answer to the title of this post...I've been here all along and I will try to be better about writing.

December? Already?

I haven't turned my calendar at work. In my head I know that it's December, but in my heart I want it to still be November. I've just got too much to do and it can't already be the month that all that stuff needs to be done!

This weekend B is working nights, so I'm planning to do some heavy duty combat style shopping and get some names knocked off the list. That is the plan. I don't want anyone to mess with the plan. Please.

And here's a random thought for you - I put nail polish on my finger nails today. It's probably the first time in 4 or 5 years I've done it. I'm not sure why, but it felt like the thing to do and now I can't stop watching my fingers type. Weird, huh?

Anyway...it's December, time has officially flown and now I must commence the panic!