It's hard to share how things are and a lot of people ask. Retirement is wonderful and I shouldn't complain. I am truly blessed to have worked for 26 years at a job that would continue to pay me into my old age. Everyday I have the challenge of deciding how to use my time and there is so much to choose from. Emotionally it is difficult to be away from students, from my friends and from a job that was very meaningful with so much connectivity. Most of what I do now effects only my family and I know they appreciate me and the things I do for them. On Friday I went into work to have lunch with Joe and Erika and visit the department with new signage and schedules. I got to connect with the teacher that replaced me (he was very excited to show me his new label maker and the way he had organized everything). It was so fun to see the school but emotional too. It will take time to find my new normal.
Photos above> Jim is back from Korea and we are enjoying late night fires (and early morning walks), Monika had a college friend stay with her and Erika at Madison, Jessi is in NV, and I continue to visit the condo often usually to work on things (the sink started leaking and the tub is leaking again).
Things I accomplished this week: I'm officially on Jim's medical benefits and made an appointment with a new doctor, painted my bathroom, got my nails done, set up two new raised garden beds, got the heater tuned up, power washed the deck steps, temporarily fixed a leak in my condo sink (the sink needs to be replaced), did loads of laundry (washed towels and curtains at the condo), attended several yoga classes, started on a weight regime 2x week and watched the second season of House of the Dragon.
