One year of Retirement

Leon has been retired one year now. It seems like the time has just flown by in nothing flat.

His routine is about the same each day. He gets up early - somewhere between 5 and 6:30 - drinks his coffee and reads the Bible and the newspaper.

Then he goes to the garage or out in the yard - depending on the weather and the time of the year. He has been building different things with the landscape timber recently so he is spending alot of time in the garage. Now that warmer weather is just around the corner, he will be working in the yard or the vegetable garden.

Noon time - lunch - which is our main meal of the day.

Then most afternoons he naps for a while.

After nap time - sometimes he goes back out to piddle around. Other days, he watches television.

Night time - watch televsion - snooze in the recliner -snack. Then in bed by 10:00.

Now this schedule is not set in stone by any means. There are days he goes fishing, trips into Lowe's or what ever may take priority that particular day.

I can say with all my heart that I have enjoyed his being home very, very much. He has not got in my way of doing anything I wanted to do...if you know what I mean. There are times I drop what I am doing (never anything very important anyway) to go with him. We had spent so much time apart during the first 9 years of our marriage we certainly enjoy each others company!

I pray the Lord will grant us many more years to enjoy our retirement together!

A Perk in Life

Getting older does have it's perks. Yes, there are things that drag us down from time to time. But speaking for myself I would not trade my life with anyone's at this time.

Being retired is such a wonderful feeling.

Oh, I worked hard and enjoyed it when I was in the working force. For the most part I was in the clerical field - did a stint in customer service - but wound up as office manager. Each day was a new challenge and it was interesting to say the least. About a year before I turned 62 my husband suggested I think about retiring. I knew I was getting ready as the drive each day was getting old. I had been doing it for many, many years and was ready to hang up the car keys. Being a hour away from work made for a long day. I would leave the house at 6:00 am and return at 6:00 pm. I got to work a hour before the office opened but then I was able to sort thru e-mails, faxes, make phone call to the east coast. etc before the office started humming with people. When I told management I was quitting the owner suggested I work part time for the last 6 weeks but was paid as if I was there full time. This way everyone would get used to me being gone and they would have to go to my replacment (or for heaven's sake make a decision on their own). All this happened 5 years ago this month.

Now for the perk as mentioned in my post title: Had to have my driver's license renewed this month. I figured since I was in town yesterday might as well go ahead and get it done. I did not have to wait too long - which that in it's self is a perk. Best part I did not have to pay anything for it. The deal is once you reach 65 the cost is zero. Last time when I had it renewed (4 years ago) the cost was half...which I thought was great. I don't know if all states are that way...but Oklahoma is!

Plus, the picture is not bad - considering!

Entertainment (Retirement Style)

One of the things that Leon mentioned many times before his retirement was he wanted to go see high school ball games. He did not care if it was football, softball or baseball. Also, he did not care if it was boys or girls playing.

Well, that wish is coming true.

We have been to one football game (Tecumseh playing Lone Grove). Howard went with us and for the most part it was enjoyable. Weather was abit too cool for me...but the guys were fine. I enjoy football on TV better. I like the camera shots, the announcers explaining what has just happened, and the yellow line showing how many more yards needed for first down.

We have been to quite a few girls fast pitch softball games. Leon and Howard went to Prague for the first outing...I stayed home. After Leon got back and was telling me all about it I decided I would go the next time. In the past I have really enjoyed watching (on TV) College World Finals that is played in OKC each year.

We have been to Bethel, Meeker, Tecumseh, Little Axe, and Konawa for games. We enjoy watching Tecumseh play...but our very favorite is Bethel. At the very beginning we did not think we knew anyone on the team...but come to find out we know two of the girls. Well, at least we know their parents who are the same age as our children.


Because we are "senior age" we can get in free at the Bethel and Tecumseh home games. This "free" entertainment is quite enjoyable.

"Go Bethel!"

Retirement

So far retirement has had its ups and downs...mostly ups. The first week Leon was home we had doctor appointments. I had a spot in my mouth my dentist thought was suspicious looking and sent me to an oral surgeron. This doctor took a biopsy-but it turned out benign. Then Leon had a colonoscopy - but no problems there either. Praise God for the good results.

We both know that getting older our lives will be filled with these type of medical activities. However, we would like to wait as long as we can.

Leon has been spending much of his time working in the yard with mowing, weed-eating, fertilizing, spreading bug control granules - also tilling the garden. In the midst of these jobs he has found time to do some other projects in the garage. Since we both love to fish at the pond we use the golf cart to load up all the fishing needs in the golf cart. Leon is mounting racks on top to carry the rods and reels. The tackle boxes are stored in the back part. When the urge strikes to "go fishin" we can just jump in the cart and head to the pond.
Leon and Howard showing off their "small crappie" beauties.