When I was a kid and I met someone who was retired, I thought they were old. I thought they didn’t work anymore and I was pretty sure they got cranky. I was absolutely convinced they had nothing to contribute to society. Not such an alluring picture. However that picture was altered forever when I saw my parents and in-laws enjoying life in different ways when they retired. They traveled more, met new friends and had time in their lives for new hobbies. To me, that does not sound half bad. They knew about current events and both my dad and father-in-law became really good cooks. When my husband retired a year and a half ago I was concerned. Was he going to sit around eat junk food and watch TV all day? He needed a plan, a schedule and a structure to his day, or at least I thought he did. He totally surprised me by resurrecting his decades old hobby of woodworking. After he dusted off his Shopsmith he very quickly got busy making beautiful tables and accessories. I would ask him to complete some projects at home while I was at work and they usually were done. Greg started cooking, not just grilling but following recipies and grocery shopping. I had no ideas that he knew where anything was in the grocery store except beer. I was mistaken. He told his friends that he planned “to get in the best shape of his life.” We laughed, but he pulled out our old treadmill and went hiking. He cooked healthy meals and lost twenty pounds. This retired gig was working for the guy.He was relaxed, happy and formed an inexplicable bond with our dog. But the most shocking part of his retirement was that he made the bed! In nearly thirty three years of marriage he had not done this.
I have decided to start this blog because I have always loved to write and tell funny stories about our adventures. I wrote a blog last summer about our maiden RV adventure through the west and had a blast chronicling the trip. My husband and I will be traveling through Europe for fifty six days so I believe I will have something interesting to share.
We typically identify ourselves by our occupation. In another week, I will no longer be able to call myself a special education teacher. I love teaching, but there comes a time when every classroom teacher recognizes that the job is getting more difficult every day. I decided that I want to leave teaching when I still love it, so in seven days my classroom will belong to someone else.
Soon after I say goodbye to my school we go on a trip. My husband and I have planned an extended trip to Europe. We are going to stay at Airbnb homes. You know, it’s kind of like visiting with friends that you haven’t met yet. But you pay them. We just hope they do not turn out to be crazy, homocidal friends. The one thing we know for sure is they may be murders, but they have beautiful taste in furniture and own a washing machine. This is a new way to travel for us but we figure we are better to live life to the fullest with no regrets. I am the more spontaneous one, Greg, is the planner. He likes to know how much everything will cost, create a spreadsheet and lead us to wherever we are going. He even leads us in places he has never been to, he always walks around like he knows just where he is going. We refer to him as”The Line Leader”.
I have been thinking about this trip and have some great concerns. Our plan, or should I say Greg’s plan is for us to pack for fiftysix days with one carry on each and a back pack. I was not entirely sure I would make it. Our trip includes planes, trains, cars and two cruise ships. With some wardrobe editing, I am now packed.
Retired Rambling 