Being retired...

Being retired is good, and bad.

THE GOOD: I can stay up as late as I want, sleep late, and take unlimited naps! I have learned to live on a tight budget and be successful! I can help others on how to retire (the process as I dealt with it). I can catch up on old movies, soaps, online activities (Facebook, Farmville (and other farm games), Island Paradise (and other island games), Cafe' World, Fish World (and other aquarium games), Yoville, Egg Buddies, and Zoo World. (More will come, I just know it!) There are beading projects galore and relaxation doing it! Living out in the country brings fresh air!

THE BAD: Cows don't always stay on their side of the fence! Skunks can really stink things up around the house outside! People don't like to lock their doors; MizMac always locks her doors! People will just walk inside your home mistaking it for the new gunshop down at the end of the road. Not good! The nearest grocery store is 12 miles away, in either direction and they don't have everything one needs!

There are taxes on food here! Car registration was close to $300 (property tax they call it) as opposed to under $90 back home. Speaking of taxation, Kansas has a state tax! I will let you know if I have to pay taxes on my annuity income I earned in TX and is deposited in my TX checking account...its a sore subject for me right now :/ and I wont know for sure until 2010 taxes are done.

My cell phone doesnt work out here in the country. It will if I buy a new cell phone that allows wi-fi internet use. There is a catch! I learned I have to buy the phone at the regular price $450 and keep our no-contract status, or pay $199 with a 2-yr contract! What a racket! With a wi-fi phone, I can get phone calls/texts and internet usage w/o paying the extra web fee. (Of course, this phone will not be out until Oct. 24th and I have time to decide if its worth it.)

THE RESULT: A dear friend of mine teaches in the Dallas, TX area and asked me about how I spend my time now that I am retired. She had stayed home a few days due to illness and said that time went by so slowly and what did I do to fill my time? I told her this:

"Well, I sleep late after staying up late with Daryl...I read, bead, shop as needed and take my time during the day when few are out shopping and find great deals, TV, Facebook (I have over 700 ppl on my friends list, most are former students that I can still nurture), Facebook games, chatting, soaps, cook, nap, now I have to excercise to help me lose weight cause of my back, walk outside and enjoy the fresh air, watch the cattle and horses in the back field, bake whenever, I hope to do an at home job...I take care of bills, banking, any problems that arise that need to be taken care of...I can do anything I want to do...no more grades, school deadlines...if I had stayed in Corpus, I would have worked part time and done some volunteer work...but really, it just seems the day is already gone, then its time to get to bed.

It took me time to "slow down" from my hectic lifestyle as a teacher. My blood pressure is so much better too! I dont have bags under my eyes any more, I am not grouchy, I am happy to wake up to a new day every day. There are always little projects to do or finish up. I just dont have to be a slave to any thing any more. I do not watch the clock much any more either. I have a freedom that I never knew...no worrying about being late to work, or doing this and that. The life of leisure took time to learn, just think of it as being off for the summer, and not having to go back. Remember how we always said, I wish I didnt have to go back to work so soon, cause the summer went too fast? It gets like that. I mean, you are wound down...no more having to give up your time. Take care of YOU for once!"

WHAT I MISS MOST: My daughters!!! I miss being there with them in case they need me. I know, I know...they are adults and can take care of themselves. I'm a mother, so shoot me! LOL I miss being in the classroom with students I already know or will get to know and love. I miss former students coming back to visit. (Facebook is great for me though as I get to read about them and their families. I can offer them advice still, and no, they dont have to take it just like in real life!) I miss stores being so close for shopping! I miss great internet service! I miss being home in TX. I miss my family back in TX...my brothers and their families, cousins, nieces, nephews. And my friends! I miss my beading buddies! My neighbors! My clubbing buddies! I miss being their designated driver!

WHAT I FEEL TODAY: I feel peaceful and very happy to be here with the man I love. My cats are happy and love running up and down the stairs. They also love to come up and sit by my bed watching me...watching me until I wake up and they can meow for food, water, love, or attention. I wish my neighbors, town folks, and others were more friendly. I miss the TX ppl and their hospitality. Kansas folks are very cautious. They don't extend their hand in friendship like we do in SoTX...I got spoiled back home! Well, I guess they will just need to learn some TX ways here in KS...I'll just have to kill them with TX kindness! :) "Laterz!"