Where Was I?

Retirement means that we can base important decisions on whims.

Senior moments crop up far too often these days! I started out on this blogging journey
with a clear and definite route  as to which way this blog was going, as it was my first ever attempt at blogging!  I had a plan ( I have planned my working day for the past 34 years!! ) and each page was going address a certain topic  (all in chronological order!) which I aimed at sharing with other early retirees in order to offer support and encouragement during this next phase of life. I had not planned on early retirement and I know many people who struggle when they step off the treadmill and wake up to a brand new life and so that, in short was my intention with this blog, but unfortunately, like my life from a very early age, I am finding it impossible to stick to said route/plan and find myself steering away in all manner of directions!! I digress!! That has been a life time complaint of mine, even on school reports – ‘Janet find’s it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand’, ‘Janet’s ability to digress is outstanding‘! All my life I have found it difficult to stay on course and have found that the route to anywhere I go is never smooth and incident free!! But that is what makes this life such fun, and long may it continue as I ride the rocky road of retirement which I hope you will continue to share with me despite the crazy twists and turns on the way.  Life is indeed different now for many reasons but different in a most wonderful and enjoyable way.

Life does NOT end when you retire – it begins!

So read on , jump aboard and let’s have some fun!! And don’t forget to share some of your journey with me!!

So, to re-cap the retirement journey to date  (you can catch up on these pages by clicking on the pictures) when I was ready to face the world again I:-

1. Joined a health club and went swimming.
2. Started a flower arranging course,
3. Lunchtime socialising 
4. Tried my hand at Network Marketing. I signed up with Forever Living and fell in love with the products. They are all aloe vera based and I drink the gel every morning and use the creams daily and I feel like a million dollars!!
   Take a look at my FB page that I named Glow With Aloe and if you would like to try something or simply have some info on the products or the business, just get in touch and I’ll help all I can!
5. Bought a Campervan and inflatable hot tub!! 
6. Became a local radio DJ!!
7. Started a Book Club 

A year into my journey of recovery as a retired 50 something I decided that I wanted to read again! When I became unwell reading went out of the window. I have always been a reader – whenever I had the time to read, that is (now a thing of the past) and there was always a book beside the bed. Sometimes it would take me weeks, even months to finish one book, others it would be just a few days, but there was always a book!  Then,  from nowhere, I could not open a book! I couldn’t concentrate, retain words or follow a story! Fast forward two year and I had to take action! It was time to do something about it! I set up a Book Club – messaged all the people I knew who like to read, invited the to my house for a chat about starting and Book Club and voila!  I haven’t looked back! We meet every 5 weeks to discuss our chosen book while sipping on a vino or something similar and picking our way through  a variety of savouries or indeed, sweets, with occasionally a loaded table of delicious platters, soups and wonderful things to eat! Recently, we have been meeting at a local hostelry, the wonderful Celtic Lodge, which is a warm and cosy place to meet and discuss our books. The members’ ages range from the 20s to the 70s and we all bring colour and our own style to the group. It is so much fun! So if you are looking for something to do with your retirement time I would suggest you set up a group of some kind to meet up every 5-6 weeks and no pressure!! Simply enjoy!  Why not try some of our chosen books. Come back and tell me what you think. You can visit out FB page here, and another Blog I have created which is listed above!  Here are 2 recently read books I would recommend. Click on the titles and read what some of the Book Club members think of these choices. Enjoy!

 review-big-little-lies

review-fishbowl

Already planning my next Blog so bye for now! Keep smiling because life can be sweet!

 

First Steps – Flower arranging

What I found very disturbing after I escaped the big black hole was that I was unable to read! After having spent years reading books and documents and papers to do with Education, and years of reading paperback and novels for enjoyment, and not as enjoyable books I was forced to read for my English course at college, now here I was unable to sustain the concentration to read more than a few words on a paper!! Ok. No worries the reading crisis would have to be dealt with at later date.

So, the first thing I did ‘Out of my Comfort Zone’ was to join a Flower Arranging course!

Everyone I know, close family and friends, split their sides at hearing this as, to be fair, I am not exactly the most visually creative person to walk this earth. My hands are not delicate and I am very messy! I have no particular interest in flowers per say and quite happy to buy a bunch and dump them in a vase of water, place them on the hearth or a windowsill and enjoy the sight. So, off I went! A complete novice! Wow! Wow! Wow!! When I got home after that first lesson, I can honestly say that I thought my head would not get in through that back door. I couldn’t believe that I had created such a thing of beauty! I had never imagined that arranging flowers could give such pleasure and boost confidence and pride!! A year on, I still attend classes, own a complete set of new tools, ravage my garden of every bit of colour that pops out of the ground ( much to my mother’s dismay, but well worth it when I see the pleasure and delight in her eyes when a beautiful arrangement is presented to her on a weekly basis! ) I have even been asked to arrange the flowers for a September wedding!! So there you go!!

My new found entrepreneurial head is now seeing pound signs! I’m not dismissing the idea of making money in phase three of my life. In fact, at the speed I am spending it I will no doubt be looking for some kind of employment over the next 5 years to supplement my income. Mmmmm on line flower arranger is beginning to sound good!

Here is a collage of some of my arrangements. I made the top left hand corner arrangement as a present for my sister’s 60th birthday. ‘Tea and Cakes’. She was delighted, I’m happy to say. The bottom middle one was made for a cousin who had no idea what to take to his auntie’s 85th birthday so we nipped into town,bought a few flowers and …. dah dah! A nice arrangement just looks so impressive and really, who doesn’t like a room with some flowers in it?

I have a great teacher. His name is Jonathan Lloyd Davies! He lives and breathes flowers and makes the art of arranging look so simple. He is so patient and simply wonderful. Check out his website here

 

I have now been asked to create a bouquet for my friend’s September wedding!! The is my first commission!! Yikes. But I’ll do it! There is no room for negativity!