Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Three days in

So far, I've learned that time has no shape. I thought it did when I was working. I left home at 7:30 a.m. and returned at 6:00 p.m. My time was defined during those hours. Now it isn't, except by the decisions I make.

I can't remember ever having time look like this, and it is very cool.

On Monday I started a new exercise class. One of my goals for the next year is to help build one Habitat for Humanity House in my community and one in the Gulf. I need to be fit, especially in my upper body, to do that. Plus, I believe it's "use it or lose it" with my body, and I intend to use it for as long as possible.

On Monday I also finished up a writing assignment I'd been putting off for a month. I needed two hours of time, and on Monday I had it.

On Tuesday I finished up the first module of my online ESL course. Again, it was a writing assignment that required a couple of hours.

Tomorrow we leave for a convention in San Antonio, where it will be hot and humid. I'm not nuts about humid, but I could use some warm. Here in the Pacific Northwest it's in the 60s most days so far, and the sun is out maybe an hour or two a day.

Today I paid the bills from my husband Art's checking account, for the first time in the nearly 20 years we have been together. It was simpler than breaking everything out and reconciling who owed who what, but it felt decidedly weird. When we got together I was adamant about being self-sufficient. Now we've made the decision together to live off his pensions for three years so I can collect a larger one when I'm 65. I guess I can make that change.

A couple of weeks ago I aggravated an old SI joint injury, and my back still hurts; I'm compensating with my how I walk so my right hip is bothering me too. It's like the universe is telling me to enjoy myself regardless of my physical circumstances. I can do that, too, though with a good deal of impatience to have the healing process hurry up!

And I am reading a lot. Books, mostly about community and social networks and how to live richly after retirement. On my Kindle I'm reading Voluntary Simplicity. Still waiting for later this afternoon are an issue of Budget Traveler and an issue of Sierra, both from last winter. I'm reading the new magazines as they come in, and the old ones in between. It is a feast!


8 comments:

Teresa Evangeline said...

Linda, I think it is so cool that you are preparing for Habit for Humanity building projects. Your life sounds like that line from Calvin and Hobbes, "The Days are Just Packed."

#1Nana said...

Funny how our lives have such parallels. We too are living on one income. We bank my pension every month. Before my husband retires, we wanted to make sure it was possible to live on only one income. His pension will not be as generous as mine is.

I was retired all last year and I still have copies of Budget Travel in my reading basket that I haven't read. I think I'm spending more time on-line rather than reading my magazines. This year I decided not to renew most subscriptions that came due.

Linda Reeder said...

Well, I love it that you have taken to the new time order so well, so fast! Good for you!

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Wow, you have really been focused and productive from Day One. Seems to me that you'll have no trouble at all keeping life interesting and fun.

Ruth L.~ said...

You sound like you hit the ground running. I should take lessons! Sometimes I feel like I waste an awful lot of time now that I've retired. Good luck with your plans.

septembermom said...

I think it's wonderful that you are so organized and determined. Good luck with everything.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Sounds like a great start to your retirement!!! Love it! Have a wonderful 4th of July, too! ~Janine XO

Tabitha Bird said...

Go girl! I love it when time has no shape. I make it my business to have days like this even now :)