I am newly retired. After 25 years of owning my own business and 2 years of managing another I have retired. I am not a fan of the word or the concept. My full time job currently is attempting to determine what I want to be when I grow up.
It is my understanding that most individuals these days actually have 3 professions. I have completed two and am looking at possibilities for the third.
You can come along for the ride as I explore the opportunities.
On June 30th, 2014, I closed A L’Amour, a bridal shop in suburban Illinois. A mere three weeks later (allowing no time to organize all of the left-overs of 24+ years in business), I found myself in Norfolk, Virginia assisting my son and his family in the relocation of their family to his current assignment in the Navy.
We spent nearly a month assisting with his move and our temporary move. We were relocating to the small carriage house apartment over the garage of his home. It would be a trial period to determine if we would be able to assist with the 3rd and 5th grader while mom worked and dad was often away.
I will discuss that endless transition as well as adapting to a smaller space in future blogs.
After a trip back to Illinois and nearly a month of organizing the disorganization at home, we returned to Norfolk. We agreed to give this “arrangement” until April. We would take care of the girls after school 3 days per week, live in the carriage house and assist with activity transportation, as well as be on call for additional events.
We were in need of a winter away from the Chicago area, and wanted to give a transition ample time.
The biggest problem…me. I had worked full time (overtime) for 24 years. Now I was in a small space with someone else’s furniture and a husband underfoot 24/7. Talk about a transition!!
In future blogs I will discuss a multitude of things having to do with the transition. My biggest obstacle was keeping busy and relevant. I did not want to be a “babysitter”. I wanted to be a Granma. I didn’t want to play bridge or shop.
What did I want to do? I decided the most important thing was to set some goals.
I contemplated getting a job, but that would be difficult from 9-2:30 3 days per week. Plus I did not want to get tied down right away. We continue to want to travel.
After many weeks of thought I set 3 initial goals.
1. To influence the lives of my grand girls. To impact their young lives in a positive and consistent way without interfering in their parents’ control.
2. To write…to blog.
3. To cook. Since I LOVE to cook, I set a goal to fix at least one new recipe several times per week. Since I would be cooking for the entire family on Mondays and Wednesdays, I would definitely plan new creations on those days.
Sooo…how is it going?
I am learning ways of being a Granma on more of a full time basis. It is not easy combining discipline and spoiling. Room here for a multitude of insights.
I am writing 2 blogs…Letters From Granma, and Three Forks in the Road as well as preparing to write still another.
I have tried and tested more recipes than I ever dreamed. I think I have averaged about 1 per day believe it or not. Some are worth repeating, many are not. But some have become amazing additions to my collection. I plan to post only the favorites.
So, as I continue to define retirement, I will ask you to join the journey. Insights are always welcome.
