So what's the verdict? How has the last year played out? Success? Failure? Am I better for it?

Well, I'm a little disappointed in myself, frankly.

I'm proud of getting my health back through exercise. I'm not too happy with my diet, of course. (Especially the last few days.) But I really feel I'm much healthier now. Of course, I wasn't suffering from any serious disorder when I retired that I know of.

I'm happy to have had the time to read books, take three trips to the Denver area where I am now to visit with my relatives. I'm glad I also had time for a few trips to Dallas (relatives again) and a trip to Berlin. I had time before and after these trips. Time before to pack and prepare. Time after to recover.

I have done more social things and enjoyed them more thoroughly. That's been nice.

But. I have only done a few things to 'give back.' I've had a few benefits and not-for-profit meetings here at the house. I volunteered for a few hours for the Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Not much to show for a year, really.

And I haven't done the writing I thought I'd do. Yeah, I wrote this journal. And it's not nothing. Especially producing a little something every day. But it isn't what I had in mind when I said I might write.

I haven't gotten the nooks and crannies of the house and yard cleaned out and organized although some parts have gotten done and done thoroughly. Many other messes and dilemmas remain. There are drawers, closets, files I haven't even looked at let alone dealt with.

I've helped FFP with his business and with our own investments, budget and household chores. But not as much as I should have. It's been good for him that I'm around more and available to assist with errands or making things work with the computer network. Of course, the four or five weeks I've been out of town without him he's still had to contend for himself. I'm probably not gone more than I used to be with vacation and business trips, however. I don't miss those business trips either. There was occasional fun but such pressure.

I thought I would cook. Ha.

I have spent time with Dad. Trips. Time going through Mom's stuff. Time just going places, helping him provide food at church. I've encouraged him to take water aerobics and taken the time to go with him. Never could have done so much with him if I wasn't retired. I feel pretty good about that. He's 87 now. I tried to spend a lot of time with both parents after they moved and I held my mom's hand for many hours last summer. You don't get a chance to do this later with old folks. For that matter, getting to visit with my great nephews at different stages is fun, too.

I guess I get A+ in personal relations (family and otherwise) and A+ for dedication to exercise and low marks for everything else.

There is always the second year of retirement!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mood is very mellow. Physically my back pain is just a memory. It's as if it slipped into my hip and leg and then disappeared. Both shin muscles are sore as if this muscle is needed in walking but not getting exercised in my normal exercises. My feet are also a little sore.