When I was a stay at home mama, I got asked that question a lot. With six kids hanging onto my hands, clinging to my legs, and chattering all at once as I stood there with two very full grocery carts, I was often tempted to respond with an incredulous, "Are you serious? What do you think I do??" (Trust me, stay at home moms work every bit as hard as those who have a full time job, and sometimes ever harder. I have done both, and I
know.)
I was a bit surprised to be asked the same question once I retired, though. "Gee, Lynn, now that you're retired, what do you DO all day?" Well, as a new retiree of just a few months, here's what I am doing with my time:
1) I work on sewing projects. I just made our most recent grandchild, Susan, a blessing gown.
I especially like the scalloped lace where the bodice and the skirt meet and then where the scalloping overlaps at the hem.
2) I shop for fun, horsey clothing for my grandchildren. Like this onesie I found for Susan.
(Okay, I admit that I buy them non-horsey things, too. )
3) We visit with our adult children. Cole works in the Nashville music industry and meets a lot of celebrities in his line of work. Rarely does he send me photos, but once in a while he meets a celebrity who is so exciting, he takes a selfie and sends it to me.
Like this one he took at the end of September with CHUBBY CHECKER!! (I had a fan girl swoon when I got that text!)
4) I spend time with the dogs.
Molly and Millie spend the day with us a couple of times a week while Lisa is at school teaching. A puppy mill mama who we rescued last December, Molly has terrible anxiety and fears, and never could quite get over her nervousness around us, especially Craig. (I suspect she was hurt by a man. More than once.) She fell in love with our daughter Lisa, so Lisa and Millie took her to their home a month ago.
As you can see, Molly is incredibly happy living with Lisa. I miss her, but am glad we still see her several times a week. And, she is much more relaxed around us, too, which helps heal my heart.
5) Retirement gives me more time with my out-of-town children when they come through for a visit.
This is Sarah, our oldest daughter, who lives in Aurora, Colorado and is a Health Education administrator for the Aurora Public Schools. She came into Indianapolis for a conference two weeks ago, and we went to a high school football game where a fundraiser was being held via a game called "Cow Plop Bingo." (Only in Indiana do they put a cow on the football field during the second half and wait for her to plop!)
6) Now I have time to relax and enjoy my yard, including this early October afternoon when it snowed big heavy snowflakes for over a half an hour and I could stand at the window and watch.
(Normally in my classroom I would be sympathetic to the kids' excitement and let them watch for a few minutes, but then we'd have to get back to business. No more of that for me!)
7) Speaking of former students, many of them have remained in touch over the years, and sometimes those who were horsey come join me at the barn for a visit with Abby.
(Yes, that is drool coming out of Abby's mouth. It was red clover season when this photo was taken.)
8) I spend time with the in-town grandchildren, sometimes babysitting, other times just getting together for some fun.
Craig and Lukas are very special buddies.
Marshmallow shooting with Ian and Mila at our home this past summer.
9. I drive my dear friend, Kathy Nimmer, to her speaking engagements around the state.
I get to hear her remarks and help Nacho get her where she needs to go. (He is an amazing guide dog and does far better than me in helping her. I am definitely second fiddle to that good boy!)
10) I spend a lot of time in Abbyland.
(I tried to get Tim to change the name of his facility to Abbyland - just look at all the free advertising going down the Hoosier highways, but he wasn't too excited about that.)
Abbs and me.
11) And I spend time in hobby land, both at home, at shows, and at hobby gatherings.
Nancy Falzone's Hagen Renaker collectors' get together, November, 2017.
12) Lucky me, I spend a lot of time with Craig. We've been married almost forty-two years.
He retired four years before me and is an old hand at it by now.
We serve together in the Indianapolis Temple of our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and travel down weekly to assist those who come to the temple to worship.
We love serving together there.
13) Relaxing with a good book in my new comfy retirement chair happens almost every evening.
And sometimes during the day, too. I absolutely love to read.
So, what DO I do now that I am retired?
Well, I think I may be busier now than I was when I taught full time. While I miss teaching terribly, even achingly at times to the point of tears, I am learning to embrace this new stage of life.
I am discovering that the real trick is to find joy where you are, whatever stage in life it might be.
