An Almost True Week in the Life of a Retiree

Several months ago, I sent around an email to all my retired friends and family and asked them to be a guest contributor to my blog.  I encouraged them to share their stories about retirement, the challenges, the rewards, how they spend their time, what they look forward to.  My father-in-law contributed a great post about retiring when it wasn't really his choice.

Since all of the others on my list are too busy (or too shy) to contribute, I decided to just begin doing their guest posts for them.  The first guest post by me for the guest is "from" my mother-in-law.  It would go something like this:

Dear Sydney:

I would love to be a contributor to your blog, but unfortunately, I simply do not have the time.  My life in retirement, as it happens, is just much more busy than it was when I was working; I barely have the time to send you this email!

Tomorrow, after I go to the gym, I have my bridge club (no, not the couples bridge club, that is not until Saturday night), this is the one I go to by myself.  On Wednesday, we are having lunch with some friends and then going to the Hollywood Bowl to watch the open rehearsal of the LA Philharmonic.  Then Thursday we pick up the grandkids from school and take them to their tennis lesson and then out for dinner.  On Friday morning, I go to the gym and then Friday night we're going out to dinner with our couples group (no, this is not the one that likes the fancy restaurants, that group is next Thursday night).  Saturday is the couples bridge group--it's a pot-luck so I will spend Saturday afternoon making our contribution (after the gym, of course).

On Sunday, we were invited to see the sneak preview of "The Kite Runner" so we'll go to a late lunch with those friends first.  On Monday we have guests coming from New Jersey, so we'll be busy with them until Wednesday (I'll have to skip the gym for a few days).  The day after they leave is the dinner club that likes the nice restaurants.  Luckily, we have no plans on Friday because we need to pack for our cruise that leaves on Saturday.  This one should be much better than the one we went on last month--more interesting ports than just beaches.

We had to exchange our tickets for the ballet since we will be gone, but we will go the Friday after we get back from the cruise.

Anyway, maybe next month I'll get to your blog . . .

Love,

Mom-in-law

(Note from editor:  I already know I'll get in trouble for leaving out at least half of the things they really did, frankly, I couldn't keep track!  Note to mom-in-law:  I know I got it all mixed up, but wouldn't you say I captured the spirit?)

Comments

[Retired Syd]

Oops! And I just remembered that I forgot the classes at the local community college and the subscription to the lecture series!

[Wicked in San Jose]

Loved your post about your Mother-in-law! Sounds very accurate from here. What a good retired life.

AND ... for the record, I am not too busy or shy to write on your blog. I'm still just trying to figure out something that would be interesting to others about my fantastic life. IS that enough...just that it is the most perfect and wonderful life?

Sara

[Mom-in-law]

Hi Sydney,

That was hysterical. It really captures the feel of my life in retirement. I am impressed at how much you have remembered about what I do. OK, OK, you caught me when I have a few minutes, so I'll add to your list I just got back from a discussion group about the California propositions, which we vote on next week. That was after my usual five-day-a week gym class. I did however, have 40 minutes to grab lunch in between. And, I have an evening off. Here is a typical week:

Monday: Gym, bridge with the ladies, book club

Tuesday: Gym, Class at the local community college, bridge with my husband

Wednesday: Gym, pick up the grandkids from school, take them to after-school sports and dinner, then nag them to do their homework

Thursday: Gym, another class at the community college

Friday: Gym, a whole afternoon to catch up on all the tasks I didn't have time to do during the week (unless it's Scrabble week), dinner with our couples' group

Saturday: Laundry, maybe have my hair done, evening event such as a play, a concert, couples' bridge, or other social engagements with friends

Sunday: This is more varied. We may have a couples' activity, or another play, or I get a chance to read the L A Times.

Of course, this routine may be interrupted by our travels around the world, or planning for same. I also spend a lot of time on my computer.

Please feel free to edit this. I only am sending it because your blog left out a few things.

Mom-in-law

[Cheryl]

Oh, I can't wait!!! And here I've been thinking I'll have more time to write.

[Frank Damon]

I'm almost about to retire and am facing the reality that I'm off to another phase of my life. It's great to know that life after retirement can also be busy. That's just the kind of life I want after I retire. :)