Retire In Style Blog Too

This is so funny...I made this list and then went out to see if I could find a "how-to" for each one. Here are the ideas AND a link to the information on what to do if you want to take up that hobby! WOW! Dubai at Sunset. Travel could be on this list but that would be way to easy You know...back when the world was young...10 years ago. Blogging was just getting attention and we were not carrying iPhones or probably even an iPad. We did have a laptop and it traveled around the world with us. Back then, retirement was very much in jeopardy. The economy was struggling. So, those people who retiring did not necessarily think of going to a desert island or to the South Pole. They were trying to figure out what they could do with what disposable cash they had. The talk was all about "Hobbies" or turning a hobby into "A Second Job". That was when I came across a list of hobbies...100 of them. ( 100 Cheap Hobbies ) That list made me laugh over and over because I k...

Who knows who is listening in the next booth. Today Facebook reminded me of a story I wrote 1 year ago today. In the Next Booth  was a story about a little boy we met at Sunday brunch at the Congress Hotel here in Tucson...and about eavesdropping.  Eavesdropping may not be good manners but sometimes getting to know those people in the next booth can be so much fun. This year we live in a townhouse with a large back deck enclosed by a high fence which is situated next to the street. The street is a buffer against neighbors that may be eavesdroppers (like me). It was one of the things that drew us to this property in a community that is small. But it turns out that more people are listening than we could even imagine! Here in our townhouse, the street is just on the other side of the fence. In Oregon, the neighbors are just over the fence! The thing is, my husband and I "disagree" sometimes...and we disagree outside, inside and sideways. It is not a pretty thing to hear I am su...

So here we are in a new location...moved from a park model in a winter RV resort for 55+...summer camp in the winter if you will...now living in a townhome with real everyday people, going to work, taking care of aging parents and families of children. Some are just generally retired and living out life. Real life, no planned activities save a beautiful swimming pool that is closed in the winter. The Office I like it a lot. I happen to love change. But each bit of "new" has its challenges. The real issue here is getting to know people, neighbors with children or grandchildren and dogs or cats. How does one go about that? It can be hard. The Living/Dining room I have been know to trip people and then lean over them as they lay on the ground with my hand out introducing myself, "Hi, my name is Barbara." I will say. "What's yours?" Something like that! My most successful introductions are made because I love animals and children. That is how George the Do...

I know it all and if you don't believe it just ask me! I alway have a piece of important advice to give. It can be a big problem but that is the way I am...God had a plan but I am still not sure what it was. From my kitchen window. The best piece of advice I ever gave was to the weatherman on a particularly beautiful day. The windows were open and the sun was shining and the TV news was on the screen. The weatherman (yes it was a man) stood there talking about rain and cold and miserable. That was when I heard myself say, "Oh for goodness sakes, don't you ever look out the wind?" In this day and age, where life is passing before our eyes on the TV screen, I think that a lot of us have totally forgot to simply go outside or open the blinds and look out the window. I am taking my own advice for the first time ever. I spend very little time on my computer. I have put my iphone away when I drive/ride in the car. The warning I get that tells me that I will not be receiving...