Grandkids

Grandkids are the best gift from God. I couldn't imagine how I would feel about these little angels. I remember when my friends had grandbabies and I remember being happy for them. I was so surprised the feelings I experienced when I had my first grandchild. Joel was born in March of 2016, Joey in April of 2018 and Claire in December of 2019. They are all special in their own way. I couldn't be prouder of Bobby and what a great father he is and Christina who is an amazing mother. Parenting is one of the hardest jobs there is. It takes patience and a will, stronger than theirs. When I look at my grandchildren, I feel so much love.

We were able to spend a long weekend together. It was so great to have the grandkids all together. Unfortunately because of location, it doesn’t happen as much as we’d like it to. I often think how lucky we are to have FaceTime and videos to share. Pictures are nice, they just don’t capture their little personalities.

We missed favorite Aunt Julie this time who was on a grand vacation.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a grandma. It’s the most special job in the world.

Quote for the day: If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I’d have had them first. ~Lois Wyse

Rewirement!

I’ve been retired for almost 9 months now. I had gotten some sound advice not to commit to anything right away. I had about four job offers right out of the gate, but I was careful not to commit until I had really figured out what I wanted to do when I grew up (ha!). I had a lot of plans for the first 7 months that kept me very busy and now things have slowed down a bit. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time off but I’m starting to get the itch to do something. I’m not sure what that is yet, but I have a few ideas I’m tossing around.

So many people I have talked to are looking forward to retirement, but they are a little afraid. They love the structure in their life and think without a job that structure is out the window and they’re left to figure out what to do next. It’s frightening for them. I say, enjoy no structure! At least, for a while. You’ve worked your whole life for this.

Just this week, Peter was talking to his nephew, Bobby. He’s in his early 50s and has been retired for quite a few years. While he’s had various projects from time-to-time, his wife told him it was time to fly. Time to do something, time to go out and get a job. You should know that Bobby is a self-made man. He worked very hard, was wildly successful and financially he doesn’t need to work. But as I listened to him talk, he mentioned that he thought he needed the structure. He’s done with being the boss and just really wanted something that was fun for him. And so, a few weeks ago, he went back to work full-time, enjoying the hell out of making customers happy in retail. He goes to work, gets to interact with people and goes home with no responsibility at all. He loves it. Yes, being ambitious as he is, he does have a plan for what he’d really like to do in the company, and he plans to share that with his bosses when he learns from the ground up. But for now, he’s enjoying!

Bobby did what most people who worked hard all their lives have done after retiring. He went out to find a job that he could enjoy. No stress, no responsibility.

Last night I had dinner with some girlfriends, and they were discussing this very point. They want to do something, they just don’t want to be the boss anymore or most importantly, they don’t want the stress of working at that level. And they are dreaming of working at a boutique, or retail outlet, or somewhere that aligns with their interests. They want flexibility and fun.

So, as I try to figure out what is next for me, I’m looking for a whole lot of fun. Stay tuned!

Quote: “I found out retirement means playing golf, or I don’t know what the hell it means. But to me, retirement means doing what you have fun doing.” – Dick Van Dyke

Heroes

Today’s heroes are critical care nurses and caregivers.

I have always known that nurses are special people. Until you are in the critical care unit and have a myriad of health problems going on at the same time, you just can’t imagine how these professionals do it. I was visiting today and after I walked out of the room I stopped at a desk where two girls were sitting and said to them, “I’m not sure if anyone has told you this today but you are freaking amazing.” Seriously, that's all I said and then I walked off. Tomorrow I’m taking the entire floor cupcakes. I spent one hour there with my brother and his wife. There was always at least one nurse and sometimes three in the room while I was there. They were evaluating and problem solving everything you can imagine. I walked out with so much appreciation for what they do. It takes a special person to do that kind of work. I am not that person…

Kudos to my brother for being a committed caregiver everyday and being the most amazing advocate for her.

This quote pretty much sums up this entire post: “Care for one…that’s love. Care for hundreds…that’s nursing.” Not sure who to attribute the quote to as it wasn’t included.

Go out and make it a great day!

Just do it!

You know, if you’re going to blog, you should just do it. I know that there are old posts here but I’m going to try to be a more regular poster. I promise to try not to be political (although it might be challenging) and from time-to-time talk about relevant things.

I did retire about nearly nine months ago. I’ve really enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve learned that I need to be more disciplined with my time. When I would get up and go to work, I would naturally get things done. I loved that. Now, I’m committed to getting up and going to work out with my friend. This should help me to get up and moving in the morning.

Right now I’m in Florida for hubby’s birthday. We’re loving the weather and spending time with good friends.

I’ll be back!

Quote for today: If you can dream it, you can achieve it! Zig Ziglar

Happy New Year 2018

Hi there! Gosh, it's been a long time and a lot has happened since my last post.

I'm looking forward to the new year! I have one grandson and will have another grandson at the beginning of April. Also, I'm retiring in 6 months. I can't wait.

I've learned so much in the past 3 years. That's a good thing. I hope to keep learning as I look to the next chapter of my life.

Much love to you in the new year! XOX

Quote for this year:
May the New Year bring you an abundance of amazing opportunities, beautiful moments, and joyful experiences. May your positive actions & attitude inspire others. May you be brave enough to take on and overcome rewarding challenges. May you find yourself in high spirits & excellent health. May you love with all your heart and find peace in even the most turbulent of times. May the love you give always find its way back to you multiplied. And may you forever be filled with the hope & strength necessary to make your dreams a reality. –Zero Dean-

grrrrr

The last post was written during the summer. :P I'm just not that good at posting. I saved the post but didn't publish it.

Anyway, not much else is new here. Just working a lot. I thought that my part time fundraising job would pan out but I can see now that it's not going to. I'm okay with it. I have different ideas and I know that something will come up. I would like to say though that today I secured a 7 figure gift (seriously I've only been in the job 7 weeks)and I'm damn proud of that. I also know that someday very soon, something good will happen and I'll be able to fundraise again. It's just who I am. Having said that, if something else comes up, I'll be fine with that too. :)

I also want to say that I got a hole in one this summer and I'm looking forward to playing much more golf next summer.

That's all for now. My favorite words for today are.... "Don't look back you're not going that way." :)

Summary of my summer!

My husband reminded me that I have not posted in a long time. He's right but please don't tell him. He's right a lot of the time but seriously, he doesn't need to hear it too much.

My Summer - So much has happened. I settled into my job. I think that I have opened some doors and have certainly brought in new business. It's been fun to be marketing again. I really, really love marketing. I'm trying to get my mojo back. :)

So in spite of my desire to play more golf I didn't get as much golf in as I would have liked. I did however get a tan this summer. I know, it's not what my dermatologist would like but hey...YOLO. And I didn't get burned, so there.

The fact is...I don't like to relax too much. It's just not my thing. I do so much better when I'm busy, have a lot to do and I'm up against a deadline. But really I have had the most wonderful summer. I thank my husband for not only my summer but for the opportunity to work with him. I didn't know how it would go but it has been very good.

I have taken a part time job with Parkland College Foundation as their Major Gifts Officer. I think it's perfect for me at this time. Truth is I love helping people and especially people who cannot achieve their goals without others help. I have been lucky to have great job opportunities in my life but I believe that Parkland College offers the best of all things. I look forward to this and I can't wait to see the wonderful ways to help students and our community.

I was able to spend more time with my kids this summer as well. Now that things have gotten busier for all of us I'm missing them more. Right now my son is sick and I wish I could be there even though I know he has the most loving wife who is taking care of him. I'm missing my girls too and I know we have a future date to get together but it won't be soon enough. Oh did I say that me and all my (favorite) girls went to Vegas this summer? If I could figure out how to input a photo, I would.

Anyway, it's been a great summer and I thank my husband, my children and my friends for all of it. :) Love you all!