HELP ME HELP YOU!

Why take the time to read my Blog?
Because it's for you!

I started this Blog for retirees because I’d like to share my story with you and help you make your retirement years the best chapter in the “Story of Your Life”. I don’t have kids, so I can’t begin to tell you what it feels like to be pregnant or have a baby; but having been retired now for 4 years I can tell you from my heart what retirement feels like for real (not what the professionals tell you it will feel like). I know firsthand what it feels like to go from being a successful Type A professional businesswoman for more than 37 years, to waking up one day and thinking “If you are what you do, and I do nothing, then am I nothing”?
What goes on my business card when I no longer have a title?

Most articles, and even company sponsored retirement workshops, concentrate primarily on the financial aspects of retirement, which while a critical element of your retirement plan, won't even begin to cover what you'll experience when making the transition. I want to share with you some of the things I went through – the emotional, mental, physical, financial, medical and family issues that you too might face; I want to write about “all things retirement “ because it’s definitely different than what you may have imagined.

While I might not have all the answers, I’d love to help you make a smooth, satisfying transition from a full time work life to retirement; to keep you informed about relevant retirement issues; to write about my adventures; and most importantly, to answer your questions and discuss your concerns about retirement life. I’d like to help you creatively plan for your retirement so you can look forward to a fun-filled, rewarding retirement life. I just started this Blog in September and need your help. If you’re reading my Blog and find it amusing, interesting, helpful, funny or just like me, then please email the Blog link to your family and friends who are either retired or looking forward to it. http://www.myretirementadventures.blogspot.com/

Please put your comments on the Blog or if you have a question, write to me at retired.rosie@gmail.com

P.S. My Retired Rosie card now says "Celebrate Life!" and my job title: Skier/Dancer/Golfer/Traveler

Thanks and Happy Halloween!!

Holiday Giving

What's your favorite charity? We all have something that tugs at our heart. It might be the homeless; child abuse or stray animals. As a retiree, you may not have a lot of money to donate, but consider giving your time especially around the holiday season. There are so many ways that we retirees can help out during the holidays -- knitting a blanket for a poor newborn; serving food at a Rescue Mission; inviting a needy family into our homes for a holiday dinner; contacting your local Ronald McDonald Home and hosting a family; or volunteering at your local VA Hospital and comforting soldiers who might be far away from their families during the holidays.

Let's face it, with the way our economy has suffered this year, it's going to be a very tough holiday season for many families who are facing unexpected major medical bills; have lost their jobs; or their homes in foreclosure. If you have the time or a little extra money to help out during this holiday season, but don't have a favorite charity, then I'd love for you to consider your local chapter of the Make A Wish Foundation which fulfills the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions; the Adoption Exchange which provides Christmas Stockings to teenagers in foster homes; or a homeless shelter for families. Do what you can -- it's so rewarding and will bring newfound joy to your holiday season. Curious about the ribbon colors? You all know the Pink Ribbon above represents Breast Cancer. Check out the others at http://www.craftsnscraps.com/jewelry/ribbons.html

HAVE YOU VOTED?

I DID!! After waiting in line for over an hour in the 2004 Presidential Election, I decided to use the mail in ballot option and sent it in on Saturday.

I loved it! I didn't have to wait in line and could leisurely read through the amendents/bills on the Colorado Ballot. BUT I have a major complaint that we discussed at the dinner party last night and everyone felt just like I did. Why can't they write the ballots in plain English? You know what I'm talking about --- where a person of average intelligence can be certain that if I check "YES" then I am voting for the Bill and "NO" means NO. It's so frustrating, because the wording is meant to confuse us. The language on the Colorado ballot for some of the amendments took so many

S-curve turns in the wording that I wasn't sure if my "YES" vote meant I was for it or not.

PLEASE VOTE!!

At this crucial juncture in our history and economy many senior citizens are not going to vote --- I know because I've talked to them. I volunteered for my candidate and spoke to several older voters. They are so confused about who would be the best President for our Country that for the first time in their life many of them won't vote. One of my best friends, Gloria, is in her late 70s. When I was in St. Louis, we had a long discussion about the presidential candidates after she told me that she has seriously thought about not voting. I was shocked and suggested that if she was so undecided about the Presidential candidates, then look at the VPs and give serious thought to which one of them she'd like to see take over the White House. I felt like I talked her into voting. Regardless of your choice for our next President -- it's going to be a history making event! You have 150 hours left before the polls close on Tuesday evening, so get out and cast your vote. It's your duty!

GET OUT!!

It doesn't matter whether you live in a mansion or a tree house when you retire -- GET OUT!! Depression is one of those topics that people don't like to talk about, but many senior citizens suffer from it once they retire, especially if they stay home too much. What happens at retirement is that you abrutly end a routine that you followed for years: get up, go to work, do this 5 days in a row, take 2 days off, and then repeat. That routine controlled both your work and social life. You just don't realize the number of social encounters you have in one working day --- perhaps you talk with 20 or 30 people, in person or on the phone. It might just be a "Hi, how ya doing" or a 5 minute conversation about your favorite TV show. Then another co-worker might ask you about your family. But you're interacting with people and socializing.
If you're single and live alone in retirement, one day you'll wake up and realize that if you don't leave your home during the day, then you don't see anyone and frankly, that's not healthy. Many senior citizens become nesters when they retire --- they tend to stay home more, get up late in the morning, watch a lot of TV, sometimes staying in the PJs til 1, redecorate, garden, read, stay on the computer and do crafts. While some of those activities are good, you need to get out and see people. I love to go out as well as entertain. In the past few days, I met friends at the clubhouse for Happy Hour, went to church, played Poker on Saturday night, had brunch on Sunday morning with some other friends, attended a dinner party last night, and tonight I'm hosting a group of ladies for Poker.

GET OUT and JUST DO IT - do what you enjoy. If you like to read, start a book club. Like to entertain, start a monthly dining group and take turns hosting. Also, check out the website http://www.meetup.com/ It's a great website where you can type in your city, what you like to to and find a group doing what you enjoy. It can be anything from Speaking Italian to a Boomer's Social Group in your area. If you can't find what you want, then start a group. It's just so important for your mental health to GET OUT, do the fun things you enjoy and socialize.