5th Retirement Anniversary - Entertainment

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.      
My journey continues....

Entertainment

It looks like I broke this down into two areas:  Home Entertainment and Away Entertainment.  

Home Entertainment - Since I retired there have been many significant updates in entertainment products at home including a Kindle Reader, LG Smart TV and MacBook Pro laptop.  It was the first order of business to update the 60" Smart TV and that included a good sound bar.  It replaced an old RCA console.  In the past few years, our antenna TV has increased free channel access especially in programs we like most.  So now we enjoy 18 different channels for free!  Along with Video CD's and Netflix, our Smart TV has more entertainment available than we can imagine!  It is also 3D!  Eventually two other, smaller TV's were replaced.

When all that was paid for, I got my first laptop and printer.  I had always had computers since 1994 but had to share with family and those that were provided from my employer.  It was a good time to go Mac instead of Microsoft as I was ready to make the more creative change.   It also felt more like being retired as I spent so much of my time using Microsoft for work.  My genealogy research was now complete with a new Family Tree Maker Program and subscription to Ancestry.  Busy times!

I made the decision to stay with a flip cell phone and not get into all the changes I would need to make for a smart phone.  I am definitely technically capable but I am still in favor of keeping my life simple.  A smart phone does not compliment my lifestyle now or the foreseeable future unless I fall into being a trend-follower which is not likely!  I am regularly evaluating how a smart phone would improve my life and so far, it weighs more in favor of complicating it.   Right now it's a "maybe."

Updating music from online sources such as Amazon to a new MP3 player regularly keeps me happy.  Music is a big part of my exercises when I walk, do yoga, and use the machines at the gym.  I also include it when I work on projects at my desk.  My husband set up a whole new stereo system downstairs that is awesome!

Away Entertainment - Most of what we do away from home for entertainment includes a meal and a movie.  There are 3-4 theaters in three cities that we frequent 2-3 times a month.  We like to go to our favorite restaurants mostly but also like to try some place new occasionally.  One of the theaters is closed now and will reopen in a few months as a dinner/movie/drink place.  That will be something to look forward too; a new trend, I suppose.  Love the comfort of recliners in roomy theaters which we have seen as remodeling changes in recent years.  I especially like to go to movies alone in the middle of the day more but always welcome company when available.  Whenever possible, we like to include some shopping or practice our handgun skills at an indoor range on these outings to make it an all-day event.

There have been many fun trips away and local events we attend together or I go alone.  This blog is a good place to share experiences and photos.  I hope to be healthy and open to new experiences for fun and entertainment especially when my husband retires in a couple years.  

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5th Retirement Anniversary - Food

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.      
My journey continues....

Food

Not much change in the subject of food.  It still remains a challenge for me and I won't repeat what I covered very thoroughly in the first post August 2011.  Please go back and read that post if you want to understand more about this issue.  It has been a rocky road (ummm...rocky road!) but I can say that today I am in a very good place.  My most recent diabetes medication, Trulicity, seems to be working well with very positive blood sugar numbers.  It does decrease appetite.  I need to stimulate all my senses to work up an appetite and make the right food choices every time.  It is a lot of work and sometimes wears me down.  When it does and I make the wrong choices, I suffer.  Again, keeping things simple works best most of the time.  Eating out where there are mostly wrong choices tempting me is still a challenge.  I have to weigh whether or not it is worth the extra work I must do to counter the not-so-good choices available.  It is hard to resist sweets and baked goods when they are readily available and look so good!  It does take a toll on my socializing when food is the main reason to get together.  

I am grateful that diabetes medications have improved so that once a week injection is available.  I'm on my third brand and hoping it will be the one to stay a long time.  With a chronic progressive disease that has no cure, one can only do the best you can and hope for as many wonderful, active years ahead to enjoy life.  My biggest challenge is not letting food rule my whole life but find a happy place where I can be properly nourished and maybe enjoy the choices I make.  I have had to learn to not spend as much time considering what other people want to eat when I have to be the one who cooks or attend a social meal.  My self-discipline is weak at times.  It is easier to let people fix their own meals or pay for my own when socializing so I am not tempted to having what others are having and make better choices for myself.  Food is more complicated than fun.

I will continue to post some of the recipes I find pleasure in fixing and eating.  I will continue to enjoy food shows on TV where I can see pleasures in preparing and eating foods but is not available to me.  I did get a beautiful new stove this year and am inspired to try cooking more.  I did have fun cooking a big Thanksgiving Dinner just for me and Keith with all our favorite fixings!  It is six days later as I write this and all the leftovers are finally gone.  I did limit my portions and the meds did their job.  So maybe I am progressing to the point of knowing what to eat and how much on special occasions.  Time will tell as will my next checkup.  I am hopeful that in the next five years, I will stay motivated to stay on track and make the right food choices enough of the time to stay in a healthy range.  I would love to find and share recipes that are good for everybody!

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5th Retirement Anniversary - Financial Planning

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.      
My journey continues....

Financial Planning

Most of the anxiety experienced in the first year or two of retirement has subsided.  My original plan worked well and any adjustments were minor.  I had the expertise of the State of Missouri Compensation Plan for at least 25 years which was helpful as I grew to understand financial choices I needed to make.  Along with Missouri State Employees Retirement (MOSER), I was actually well prepared.  This benefit which goes with being a state employee was the main reason I became a state employee instead of taking my skills to the private sector (commercial mortgage lending) where I could have made three times the amount of money.  I choose the stability and security path and that has been reflected in my investment choices as well.  My choice to become manager raised my salary for the three years that my retirement pension was based on.  It was a good plan.  It also was reassuring that my plan was approved by my husband who is a Financial Advisor for the world's largest bank.  But most of all, I had the advice and final numbers adjusted by my son who had completed his Masters Degree in accounting, investments, and statistics.  

The biggest change came when I turned age 62 and one third of my pension was stopped because I was expected to take Social Security.  I had thought I could hold out until I was older and eligible for a higher amount.  It turned out that there were some marital strategies available.  Although the apply and suspend did not benefit us as it did for most married couples where one spouse didn't work much.  For us it was good for me to take minimum amount at the earliest age and then my husband continues to work until age 70 which is the maximum amount.  At age 67, my husband applied for spousal benefits because I had signed up.  He was eligible for about half of what he would have gotten at age 67 if he had not been working.  The benefit is that we now have money to remodel the house before he retires at age 70.  My widow benefit would then increase to his amount, the higher of the two.

So my challenge in the next five years is to stay on budget.  My investments had not been increasing much but not decreasing either.  The pension and social security increase each year a little.  Hopefully, I will see more of an increase in the investments.  There's no new money going in and my expenses are manageable.  I would like to have increase from investments to do some more extensive traveling.  When my husband retires in a couple years, I expect his spending to decrease as commuting 150 miles four days a week was expensive.  I hope he makes a budget he can live with too!  Our finances have always been separate and likely will stay that way.

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5th Retirement Anniversary - Personal and Spiritual Growth

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.      
My journey continues....

Personal and Spiritual Growth

Writing this blog helps me put things in perspective especially in setting goals and seeing progress made.  I can see what areas of my life are most important to me by the level of my activity.  When I see areas that have not been active, I challenge myself to bring more variety into my life.  I'm trying to have a balanced, satisfying life in retirement.  

Letting go of the prospect of going back to work has been uplifting!  I decided earlier this year that I would not continue my real estate education to qualify in keeping my General Certification and appraisal license active which ended June 2016.  It was a big decision to let go of what I had worked so hard to get and keep for 30 years!  Instead I am finding satisfaction in many other areas of interest.  

The greatest growth I'm seeing personally and spiritually is the ability to live in the moment in all activities and especially in quiet time.  Self-awareness and spirituality are alive and well!  My intuitiveness is more acute.  I am no longer regretful when I start the day without a plan or a list of things to do which had always been an important part of who I was and what I did.  More and more I find the prospect of "nothing to do" engaging and moves me to make things happen...or not!  Those things that need to be done get done more easily and done well with no pressure.  Having the flexibility to put off whatever I don't feel like doing is refreshing as it still gets done none-the-less.  I have no guilt when I do nothing.  Napping in the middle of the afternoon is good sometimes.  Enjoying my swing and hammock on a beautiful day is relaxing.  Yoga is more meaningful and is stretched out to include more prayers.  My sleep is restful and my dreams are vivid.  Everything I do is done in its natural time.  If I have to make adjustments for other people's time, I can do it more easily and willingly.

I have more time to take care of myself which makes me a better person with more to give.  I value my time more than I did when I was working because it is all mine!  When I give my time to others, I give them my best because I want too, not because I have too or am paid too.

I would like to expand my spiritual growth and have been considering a more active role in my local Catholic Church.  The new Pope Francis has some wonderful qualities that draws me in and calls me to service.  I am slowly moving in that direction.  I want my spirituality to grow.

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5th Retirement Anniversary - Outdoor Activities

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.        
My journey continues....

Outdoor Activities

To be sure, retirement has increased all my outdoor activities!  Of course, I chose a career that allowed me to be outdoors when I collected data for generally 8-10 days then process it at my home office for four weeks.  That was my basic schedule for at least 28 of the 30 years.  At my home office, I could manage my time to get my work done early and get outside on a beautiful day!  Even when I was traveling to collect data, I had opportunities everyday to see all the outdoor areas statewide.  I absolutely took advantage of this flexibility in my workdays and developed interests in gardening, walking, running, hiking, bicycling, swimming, fly-fishing, and nature photography.  This was all part of my regular workday.

Because of great flexibility in my work schedule with a home office, I had the management and organizational skills to get the job done and be involved in Girl Scouting and Boy Scouting as well as programs put on by the Missouri Department of Conservation that all contributed in developing my outdoor skills.  These skills were developed even more when my children left home and I could go beyond being the teacher. I had reached a peak level before I had a neck injury that set me down for 3-4 years.  The determination to get back on track through therapy had given me more stamina and strength.  I got back all that I had lost and then some!  I know what is is like to not be active outdoors and I was not having any of it!  I got healthy again.  I worked three years past my eligible retirement date and decided it was enough.  I needed to gain back some of the time I lost and I valued my time outdoors more than working as long as I can for more money than I need.

No big changes at the time I retired except that all my outdoor activities can now be done more during the week when it is less crowded on trails, lakes, and other public use areas.  I have more retired people to do things outdoors with from my Master Naturalists group.  I have added kayaking as a major activity.  I have time for more festivals and outdoor events.  I have been traveling and sightseeing more.  I do less motorcycling with Keith as he commutes 150 miles a day four days a week for work and recreational motorcycling just doesn't cut it right now.  I have decreased my time fly-fishing just because I am on the water more with my kayak and fly-fishing is hard to do at the same time.

In the next five years of retirement, I hope to continue with all outdoor activities and keep myself healthy so I can!  I might like to do more fly-fishing and/or add a different kind of fishing (crappie/bass) that I can do in my kayak.  Probably not increasing recreational motorcycling with Keith unless he gets into it more when he retires in two years.  I thought about camping again as there are new opportunities with the Master Naturalist group but that would involve putting out a large expense for equipment.  Not sure I want to do that all again!

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5th Retirement Anniversary - Real Estate Issues

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.      
My journey continues....

Real Estate Issues

This is a simple subject to summarize!  After 30 years in the business of real estate valuation, my interest has completely played out.  It took awhile to let go especially when it was so much a part of my life.  It was especially exciting as I was in the highest position as manager of the State Tax Commission of Missouri in my final years.  I was making all the changes needed so the department was more transparent and in line with what the legislature and private sector found acceptable.  I left it better than I found it.  

There was nothing left to do that interested me.  My hands-on experiences were statewide and there was no higher position of authority available in this state.  I had the satisfaction of implementing all the policies and procedures of the highest standards set by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).  I was even directly involved in the development of the new Ratio Study Standards working in person with the IAAO leadership in Kansas City, Missouri.  I was in regular conference with other Ratio Managers like myself in states such as Texas, Virginia, and California who were very interested in the precedent we were setting in Missouri.  I was in charge of the largest department of the State Tax Commission with up to 30 commercial appraisers in my charge.  I had the final say in real estate valuation oversight for 114 counties and the City of St. Louis.  I testified in depositions.  My only accountability was to three commissioners who were appointed by the governor.  I was encouraged to "tell it like it is" as our department needed more transparency according to the state auditor, Clare McCaskill, in 2005.  I did all that I said I would do in making changes in just 18 months!  Then it was getting more and more political with more of a "tell me what I want to hear" attitude from the commissioners.  I got bored and wanted to get back in the field and actually do the job as it should be done and work from my home office.  I tired of living away from home in the city alone.  I was eligible for retirement.  I worked three years more doing what I loved the most - working in the field with a home office close to home just like I did when I started only with maximum pay!

Even before I retired, I began burning hard copy files of commercial appraisals and market data...thousands of appraisals!  I was required to keep copies and work files for five years; seven if in litigation.   The final years of appraisals will be burned shortly.  Burning files is very therapeutic. The act unburdens me as well as helps me let go and be free to move forward!

After I retired, I completed my required continuing education and licensing requirements just in case I wanted to get back into business on my own.  People told me I would be bored in retirement and may want to work part time.  That never happened to me.  I have been a Limited Liability Company since 2003 mostly for tax purposes and security should anything ever happen to my public employment I could work for a bank or start up my own business.  I never did need it or do any appraisals in addition to my public employment.  So as of June 2016, the time ran out on my General Certification and license as I decided my interest in real estate no longer existed.  I am truly retired.  I will be retiring the subject of Real Estate in my blog with this entry.  It has served me well!

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5th Retirement Anniversary - Home and Landscape

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.      
My journey continues....

Home and Landscape

Definitely a noticeable difference around our home and landscape since I retired!  Much of it is still ongoing but has accelerated in this past year due to my husband taking advantage of a Social Security marital strategy that adds to his full time income that is earmarked for home improvement.  He wants to do it all himself and does very good work.  There's just a lot to be done yet!

The landscape has a lot more concrete and block terraced walls completed.  The goal is to make the yard easier to get around and maintain.  We now have sidewalks all around the house.  Drainage is improved with a new rain garden.  I think we now have about 22 terraced areas.  The rough area at the edge of the yard has been cleared and a fruit orchard has been planted.  We have always loved gardening and landscape work and we are now seeing the end of projects that began 30 years ago when we moved to this house.  Of course, we like to change things too and likely will continue to enjoy playing in our yard.  I think the final structural project is complete for the most part.

The house has many major remodeling projects in the works.  We have started this year with the kitchen and likely will be done this winter.  Other projects in the works include new flooring, bathrooms, and heating/cooling system.  On the outside, plans are being made to replace the deck, siding, and guttering.  There's talk of a sauna still.  It has all gone slower than I expected from what was planned five years ago but my expectations are not so urgent anymore.  It will get done when he wants to get it done.  If it doesn't get done in the next couple years, it likely won't get done and we will live with what we have which isn't so bad.  If it becomes intolerable, time to look around and make other choices.  Change is good.

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5th Retirement Anniversary - Health Issues and Exercise

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.      
My journey continues....

Health Issues and Exercise

I am very happy to report that my health issues have improved greatly since I retired!  I attribute this to a major decline in stress, more time to manage food choices, regular exercise, and better medications.  

I have come to realize that stress has the biggest interference with my diabetes management.  I disillusioned myself into thinking stress comes only from not getting things done and being disorganized.  Wrong!  I prided myself on my exceptional organizational skills and my multi-tasking abilities were often impressive to those around me.  I was successful in doing all that I wanted and apparently making it look easy.  It seemed easy to me too because of my commitment and expertise.  I was successful in being a wife and mother.  I had an interesting and exciting career.  I found ways to contribute my time and money to making the world a better place.  I always tried and succeeded in making everything I cared about better than I found it.  

The first few years of retirement was spent doing things on my "bucket list."  There are still many things remaining but the immediate need has diminished as I settle into a pace that is a more natural order for me.  I live each day to the fullest and in the moment.  Sometimes this means I do a lot and sometimes I do very little.  It's all good.  

The stress that negatively affects my health now has likely been there all along and is self-imposed.  It comes from multi-tasking and getting everything done just so I could do more.  Yes, there is satisfaction in this kind of lifestyle and it complements extroverted characteristics.  I am embracing my more natural introvert characteristics now.  I understand that introverts make up about one third of the population so in order to "fit in" I put forth more effort than the other two thirds to be successful in a way that society values.  I know I can do that when I need too.  I don't need to so much anymore and have let go of pushing myself to get things done so I could do more.  I value the pleasures of each task more and therefore enjoy everything I do more.  I no longer feel any pressures from society to follow the majority's idea of success.  I am already there.  

Getting to this good stress level that is more natural to me has taken the better part of the past five years and my diabetes blood sugar levels has been a measure of that path.  I have been up and down with changes in medications helping when the chronic disease progresses and it always will until a cure is found.  I am still challenged with the right balance of nutrition and exercise.  My eating habits have improved greatly with less overindulgence's that are emotionally caused.  Exercise is easy to include in my outdoor lifestyle during good weather but I am challenged to stay on track with indoor routines.  This is done with yoga and an elliptical machine in my home and my 5-month winter membership at a local Wellness Center (2017 is my 23rd year!).  I do not stay too strict on my exercise schedules but know that I need 5-8 hours each week to maintain.  I usually do 10-15 hours each week outdoors in good weather.  I got this exercise thing.  It is a lot of work finding the balance with nutrition and meds.  After my last diabetes yearly exam last month, I am different in a good way.  I have numbers similar to 10 years ago which was before I took on the manager position in my job with the state.  It was just one month into that position when I needed meds to help with my diabetes.  So I am very hopeful that the path I am on now with my health is as good as can be expected.  I never take anything for granted and know good health will always require work to manage.  But I am a good manager!

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5th Retirement Anniversary - Family Time and Genealogy

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.      
My journey continues....

Family Time and Genealogy

I value my family more than anything in my life!  I appreciate any time that family wants to give me and I am the one with the most flexible lifestyle and availability in retirement.  My husband's work schedule has been tolerable and in a couple more years he joins me in retirement.  Until then, I travel by myself to see my family mostly.  Together we travel to see his family in Iowa and he recently lost his older brother which was sad.  We are preparing for my husband's retirement in many ways which brings us closer.  We will be celebrating 43 years of marriage in a few months.  Life is good!

Our son and daughter, along with their spouses, are very busy.  Each has moved three times since I retired five years ago.  Both are in their mid-30's living their own lives, making their own choices, and keeping to themselves for the most part.  I would like to be more involved in their lives but it is their call, not mine, at this point.  I am more involved in my son's life through both our efforts and it makes me very happy!  My daughter has decreased her family involvement since I retired and that makes me sad.  I am hopeful that will change when she is ready to make more of an effort.  There are no grandchildren to help keep us all connected.

My two older brothers are close to retirement.  I am grateful for their efforts to keep our relationship active.  My Iowa brother visits me in Missouri every year for two full days.  I come to Iowa 1-2 times per year most years as my husband is from the adjacent town and most of his relatives are nearby.  I am hoping that my brother will take more time for me when he retires and we can enjoy each other more often.  My Virginia brother visits me infrequently and only for a short time.  I go to Virginia each year to see him and his daughter's family.  The past couple years, I have reduced my time to 1-2 days as he says his house is no longer available to me due to remodeling and I must pay for a motel.  We may increase our time together after his retirement and his move to a new "over 55" housing development.  It would be nice for him to visit me more as I have lots of comfortable space in my Missouri home.  

I have seen most all of my brothers' family at one time or another since I retired including my brothers' children and grandchildren.  There was my son's awesome wedding in 2012, meeting my daughter's new husband in 2014, one niece's wedding in 2016 and the birth of four of my other niece's nine children since 2010.  One brother has welcomed three great-grandchildren in recent years.  I keep up with the nieces and nephews mostly on Facebook.  My brothers do not do social media although one brother does some email.

I have completed the Zabransky/Osius/Hudak Family Tree since I retired which was a lot of work!  I had wonderful help for my maternal Hudak family from my Slovak cousin's daughter who I have had a relationship with since the mid-1990's when she contacted me after her grandmother's death (my aunt).  She has since married an American and had four children with a fifth one arriving anytime now!  They all live in Slovakia and do missionary work.  The biggest surprise came about a year ago when I was contacted by a cousin from my paternal Zabransky side from the Czech Republic!  His grandfather and my grandmother were brother and sister!  I was so grateful that he found reference to my grandmother in my blog and was curious to seek me out.  We both discovered new family members and our relationship is ongoing through email.  

I made nine copies of the family tree; three for me and my two children and for my brothers and their two children each.  I gave copies to my European cousins of their specific family.  I am hopeful that at least one of the children or their offspring will be inspired to keep it going for future generations.  

I am hopeful that family time will increase.  I understand that I am the one that adjusts to other people's work schedules and am willing to work with any relative that shows effort and desire to keep up relationships.  I understand that many of my relatives have priorities and this may not be the best time for them to include me in their lives.  It is their choice and they will have to live with the decisions they make.  I did the same with my parents who died in 1990 and 1993 during the busiest time of my life when my children were small and my career just starting to be secure.  I did find time to keep in contact with my parents by phone and written letters that I keep as memories of them. I did visit them during the first ten years of my children's lives. I miss them and the empty space they leave in my heart remains open waiting for more family to fill.  I will keep trying with the family I have that will reciprocate.  

One of my retirement plans was to digitize all the 40+ years of hard copy photo albums and make them accessible and organized in a creative way.  I have done some of this creating music albums used in my blog and sent to my children of their early childhood.  I can stay very busy with this project that is easily put down and picked up at any time.  This helps me get through lonely times when it seems nobody has time for me and I am available.  It keeps family close to my heart.  

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5th Retirement Anniversary - Community and Friends

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.        
My journey continues....

Community and Friends

I became more active in volunteer public service as a Master Gardener and Master Naturalist.  The transition from working 30 years in salaried public service from a home office and also traveling statewide affecting property values made it easy.  At first,  I was enthusiastic and put in way more hours than I do now.  I wanted to explore many projects and get to know people that are like-minded.  

Right now, I am very happy and content with one Master Gardener Service Project,  Settlers Village Gardens, in Wheatland, Missouri.  I especially like that my husband also became a Master Gardener and together this is our project.  I was too involved the first few years by spreading myself out taking over a gardening blog and spending too much time at the greenhouse/vegetable garden project.  There was no support from other members and especially the new Extension Specialist in the blog so I quit it and no one else has picked it up.  The greenhouse/vegetable garden project turned out to be a money-pit that I lost interest because members involved appeared to me to be more self-serving and interested in fund raising.  Competition with local businesses and other service groups in selling plants is not encouraged by the Missouri Master Gardener Program.  I am more interested in the community beautification and educational aspect directly.  The majority of members appear to prefer the social camaraderie aspect and we are not as like-minded as I thought.  I would rather have my hands in the dirt and talk about gardening-related issues rather than gossip.  I also am assertive and speak up on what is important to me even if it is not in line with the majority.  This has been interpreted as aggressiveness and I am mostly shunned by local members.  I have found more commonality with members in other counties which provide wonderful events and educational opportunities!  I love working with my husband on our project and attend very few meetings locally; mostly to watch for changes in attitudes.  I also put in less volunteer hours and use my time more in my own landscape and personal projects that reflect Master Gardening principles and knowledge.  I'm more of a Show-Me Missouri Master Gardener now.

Becoming a Master Naturalist with the Lake of the Ozarks Chapter has been very rewarding!  The adjacent county attracts a higher quality and variety of like-minded people.  The training requirements, continued education, and number of volunteer hours far exceed that of becoming a Master Gardener.  I have grown so much since the first day and want to give back in volunteer projects that are rewarding.  I more than double my required volunteer hours each year easily!  One of my two main projects is in Citizen Science including Lake of Missouri Volunteer Program (LMVP) which involves collecting/preparing water samples every three weeks for six months at my local Pomme de Terre Lake.  The other one is contributing to a national data base (NAAMP) by doing a Frog and Toad Survey once every three months each year at Stockton Lake area in an adjacent county.  There was extensive training with an exam to pass to qualify and keep up.  Other volunteer projects include a variety of service time for the Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance (LOWA) and regular meetings in the adjacent county.  I have learned so much from some very impressive individuals and have made some dear friends!  I can only hope for more of the same in the future as my ideas are welcomed, the leadership is wonderful, projects are varied and continue to serve the public as well as the natural world and I'm still growing!

Other Community and Friends changes include a big change in my immediate neighborhood.  We have lived in this same house 30 years now and raised two children with my husband working a mile away and me in my home office.  I have seen up to 6 families come and go in several of the houses during that period.  It has gone from a place full of active children to the sadness of losses due to sickness and old age.  It has come full circle now and is filling up with young families and active children again!  I am so happy especially since I have no grandchildren and miss the energy and joy they bring.  

I have been the stable, available friend who seems to put more of the effort in keeping friendships alive.  I am always optimistic and not afraid to end or limit time with people who do not put forth similar effort.  I have fewer friends these days that I want to call or drop by for a visit.  It is a work in progress as I do get lonely but I have found that alone time is also good time.  I have embraced my introvert qualities and realize that most people are busy with their own lives and struggles and are full of drama.  I love humanity and I love nature.  I'm not so fond of human nature these days.  I am highly empathetic and have found through experiences that I am much more highly sensitive.  Feeling the pain of others and the sorrow of what people do to each other has taken a toll on me all these years.  The stress of not letting go affects my diabetes health.  It causes me to disconnect from people and events until I can get strong enough again.  Most people may see this as a weakness and an opportunity to take advantage.  The walls people may perceive or my limited involvement sure doesn't increase my number of friends!  I really like who I am and feel free in my retirement to be more of my true self.  Facebook came into my life a year before I retired.  That social network seems to work well for me.  I have increased contacts and feel good about expressing myself to others and can unfollow those that bring in too much drama.  I can empathize with others in ways that does not overwhelm me emotionally and therefore I can be healthier and supportive at the same time.

I will continue being involved in the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs as I have a lot to offer in volunteer service and can continue to grow.  I may expand in my Church Community.  I will enjoy my immediate neighborhood more and be thankful for young people in and around my life.  I will continue to put forth the effort to make and cultivate new and old friendships.  I will fight the urge to isolate and be cynical by encouraging my optimistic attitude and look for the positive side in people.  I will try to be satisfied with just one cat!  REALLY love that cat!

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Get in Hot Water at Hot Springs National Park

October 2016 was our 7th year staying at the Arlington Hotel to experience the "taking of the waters." I have wrote about these regular health and spa trips before in this blog - the local events, gardens,  attractions and things to do in the area just a six hours drive south from our home.  Use the key word "Hot Springs" in the Search tool to the right if you want to see more.  

Traveling by car takes about six hours on Scenic 7 through some winding and mountainous areas.  There are some nice places to stop and enjoy.  To save time, especially on the way home, we take US 65 most of the way. 

This year was a national election year full of dirty politics, foul language, character flaws and overall nastiness.  It seemed appropriate to write about the main attraction to Hot Springs...the healing waters.  It's about a national park where everyone can come together equally to enjoy a great natural resource.  It's about the history of how early Native Americans rival tribes came here in peace together, people of color had access to the same flow of hot water to drink and bath as whites, competitive gangsters gathered cautiously together to heal from wounds from each other relating to the bootlegging business.

In more recent years, people still come for rest and relaxation.  Many anecdotes attribute healing and good health to the special hot spring water. Yes, it is a very positive, almost magical area!  Yes, it is protected!  The National Park Service sends thermal water from Hot Springs Mountain to five bathing facilities:  the Buckstaff and Quapaw on Bathhouse Row and three hotels, the Arlington, the Austin, and the Springs.  The average temp is 143 degrees which is cooled down for use in bathing.  

History:  Documents show that American Indians knew about and bathed in the hot springs during the late 1700s and early 1800s and that their ancestors may have know about the healing qualities.  Some say that waring tribes would even come together in peace to share this special place.  It wasn't long before word spread to French trappers, hunters, and traders who became familiar and interest was stirred up.

In 1803, this area joined the United States of America with the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France.  President Thomas Jefferson wrote to William Dunbar of Natchez, Mississippi about leading a scientific and exploratory expedition along with Dr. George Hunter, a Philadelphia chemist.  They set out on October 16, 1804.   With 12 inches of snow on the ground in December, it was unfavorable for widespread botanical research.  The party camped at the hot springs and wrote extensively about their analysis.  Dunbar reported to President Jefferson that "...the hot springs themselves are indeed a great curiosity..." and studied the animal and plant life that live in and close to the hot spring pools.   One of the most important discoveries was a source of rock suitable for whetstones for knife sharpening.  It was a marketable resource in the area and justified return trips.

In 1832, the federal government took the unprecedented step of setting aside four sections of land here and it became the first U.S. reservation created to protect a natural resource.  By 1877, when land boundary disputes were settled, the federal government took active control for the first time approving blueprints for private bathhouses ranging from simple to luxurious.  Because minorities did not have equal access, African Americans opened their own facilities beginning in 1905.  The government even operated a free bathhouse and public health facility for those unable to pay for baths recommended by their physician.  Seeking health and luxury was available to all people.

By 1921, the Hot Springs Reservation became the 18th national park.  It is different from all other national parks because it's the oldest area in the National Park System and was declared to be an area set aside for all the people in the United States back in 1832.  Hot Springs was the first protected land 40 years before Yellowstone was named a national park.  Hot Springs National Park is the 1st Commemorative Quarter in the series that began in 2010 to celebrate 100 years of the national parks system.

Health Benefits:  Springs, hot or cold, were important to people long ago because they were used like medicine back then.  Doctors would recommend different spas for illnesses just like they write prescriptions for bottled pills today.  "Taking the Waters" in the "Valley of Vapors" was said to help people with rheumatism (today's arthritis).  There are many anecdotes and the reputation to cure anything and everything grew but scientific evidence comes up short other than hot water feels good and 4,000 year old pure rainwater that travels deep into the unique rock structures has lots of minerals we may need.  It is a great atmosphere for any detoxification process and the hot mineral waters promote the cleansing.

Today, Hot Springs National Park has nearly 5000 acres and is the smallest national park.  Exercise as a natural, regular activity is promoted as the park has a wonderful promenade along with a variety of walking/hiking trails in the area.  Appetite can be minimal so food choices can be thoughtful and healthy.  The bathing process promotes a "detoxification" especially if one does it at least three days in a row as I have found.  Of course, drinking the water so fresh out of the ground all day, every day, is optimum!  There's plenty of information sources available for more detail but I try not to over-think it.  My experiences tell me all I need to know.  Those citizens that live nearby are very fortunate to experience it all on a regular basis.

Fresh hot spring water is available to the public for free all hours every day on Bathhouse Row located on Central Avenue.  There is a parking lot available where one can fill a carload of personal containers, if wanted!  Parking for tourists is available across the street; some for free in a parking garage and some to pay on ground level street front.

Green boxes cover most of the 47 springs to prevent contamination behind Bathhouse Row which fronts Central Avenue; all located in the National Park.  

Bathhouse Row fronting Central Avenue has eight restored buildings of which the Buckstaff is the only one that provides the traditional therapeutic bathing experience.  The Quapaw offers modern-day spa with coed pools and spa services.  Both are privately operated businesses regulated and inspected by the National Park Service.  The Ozark has been the Cultural Center since 2014 closing its doors as a bathhouse in 1977.  The Lamar closed in 1988 and reopened as the Bathhouse Row Emporium, the official bookstore in the park in 2011.  The Maurice, Hale, and Superior have had various businesses such as a brewery, ice cream parlor, and still under remodeling.  The Fordyce is the main Visitor's Center. 

Various open springs and the Arlington Cascade above Arlington Lawn show how the area looked 200 years ago before anyone built a bathhouse.  All the steam gave rise to the vicinity's nickname, "Valley of Vapors."

During the Golden Age of Bathing over a million visitors a year immersed themselves in the park's hot waters.  Then they strolled Bathhouse Row with cups to "quaff the elixir" at decorative fountains.

At the end of Bathhouse Row is the Park Administration building.  The streets are lined with wonderfully fragrant magnolia trees and the magnolia emblem can be seem in many ways as a symbol for Bathhouse row.  The beautiful landscapes and rock structures inspired us for ideas in our own yard.  

Directly behind the Park administration building is the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center; formally the Army/Navy Hospital.  Its use of the hot spring water for treatments contributed to a boost in the bathing business during and immediately after WWII.  By the 1950's changes in medicine led to a rapid decline in the use of water therapies.  The isolated location of Hot Springs, Arkansas, had been traveled to by train as a single destination.  As more people began taking driving vacations, the businesses declined, one by one, then closed in the 1960s except for the Buckstaff which was continuous until 1985.  The National Park Service began a revitalization of the bathhouses and in the 1980s.  In 2004, the park received the first of several appropriations to make the bathhouses leasable.
They are available for lease under the Historic Property Leasing Program.  This is an example of merging the needs of the future with the preservation of the past, essential to the revitalization of the Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark District and downtown Hot Springs.

The Fordyce Bathhouse was the largest and most luxurious bathhouse that was in operation 1915-1962.  Since 1989, it has served as the park visitor center.  The interior features marble walls and stairs, terracotta fountains, stained glass skylights and windows, a wood-paneled coed gymnasium, and private staterooms.  23 rooms have been restored as they appeared in the heyday of the spa and the public can self-tour or be guided through several floors here.  This would be the best place to start when you come to visit!  

Coed Gymnasium on top floor of the Fordyce Bathhouse (display only)

On the other side of Central Avenue parallel to Bathhouse Row are many wonderfully unique shops to visit.  Here is one of the many rock shops.  There are many attractions to be found including area "duck" tours, art galleries, gangster museums, wax museums, restaurants and specialty food shops, variety of clothing and jewelry shops.  Check the Visitor's Center for current schedules of events and businesses.  

Behind the Arlington Hotel is a trail going uphill that allows some peace and quiet close to our room so Bobi Kitty can relax and be in a more natural environment for pets.

The Arlington Hotel on Central Avenue across the street from Hot Springs National Park

The Arlington Hotel front steps

The Arlington Hotel porch facing southwest viewing the street

The Arlington Hotel porch facing southeast viewing the Arlington Lawn

Bobi Kitty facing his reflection in the revolving door!

Arlington Hotel front lobby

Arlington Hotel view of front lobby from 2nd story balcony

Arlington Hotel Dining Room

Arlington Hotel stairway (on either side of lobby) going to the lower level shopping mall

Bobi Kitty in our room where he was most comfortable!

Basic Bathing Process:  We like to stay at the Arlington Hotel where we can also have the water in our room for baths in between the daily trips to the 3rd floor bathhouse.  It is good to be able to return to your room shorty after the experience and lay down to rest quietly or sit on the beautiful large porch outside in front facing the street observing the world as it goes by with a glass of wine.  So many choices!  It all begins through this door....




1.  Make an appointment.  Typically the bath experience alone is $35 and a massage afterward adds another $35.

2.  Check in at the front desk; you can pay here or bill to room. 

3.  You will be given a new loofah mitt, receipt, and a card with the name of your attendant.

4.  Depending on how busy it is, you will be escorted to sit inside the gender-specific section until your attendant is available in a few minutes or you may go directly to the dressing/locker room.

5.  Disrobe completely and wrap a large sheet around you toga-style or use a terry towel wrap that snaps in front.  Lock up your things and wear the key on your wrist.  You are escorted to a private bathing area.

6.  Your attendant will have your hot bath almost full and will help you get in safely.  There's a large and powerful motorized whirlpool machine on the foot end to move the water around you.

7.  Your attendant will make sure you are comfortable and give you a couple cups of hot water to drink.  She will check-in on you at least once during the 10-15 minutes you are soaking.  At the end of the time she will come in and scrub the tops of your legs, arms, and back with your soaped-up loofah mitt.  You will get out with her help and wrap back up before leaving this tub room with your toga or terry wrap.

8.  Next is a sauna to continue the detox process.  Drink ice water in the sauna.  Stay in the sauna about 5 minutes; ask that your attendant come get you as you do not want to get out and start cooling down waiting for her to do the next step.  If you get too hot, get out and call for her.  I have done that a time or two then jump back in the sauna until she comes.  You are still wearing your toga or terry wrap.

9.  The attendant guides you to a hot pack table which is in an open room with many others.  Here you will lay on your back (body still hot) where the attendant wraps each arm and leg in hot wet towels. Hot towels are placed on your belly and your whole body is covered with a hot dry sheet or blanket.  There is a cool towel wrapped around your face but open enough for you to breath.  This cool towel may be changed 1-2 times during your 10-15 minutes here.  Good time to relax or nap.

10.  The attendant comes and unwraps you except for your toga or terry wrap.  You are guided to the needle shower individual stall.  Here you take off everything in this private area and allow a cool down with tiny streams of cool water from head to toe.  The attendant comes back and helps you dry off and gives you a towel for you to do your private areas.  

11.  Your attendant will now take you to a cooling off lounge with comfortable chairs that likely has other ladies around doing the same thing.  You can read magazines or visit and continue to drink cool water until you are ready to leave or get a massage which is extra.  If you leave you will go back to the dressing/locker room and get your things.  There is usually a grooming area with hair dryers and products.  It is customary to tip your attendant as you leave.  This whole experience takes about an hour.

12.  I like massage and have been getting them regularly since the late 1990s.   It is an added benefit to the detox process as well as many other health benefits.  A basic 20-minute Swedish massage is an extra $35 and a new attendant will come to the cooling off lounge when she is ready for you.  You will still be in your toga or terry wrap at this point and lay on the massage table nude in a darkened room with a sheet over you.  Lotion is used and it is up to you to mention the degree of pressure you want and also to let them know of any surgeries or areas of concern before they start.  You will be told when it is over and escorted back to the dressing/locker area.  It is customary to tip again as you leave.  Drink some hot tea or water often afterward.

I can usually tell that the detox process is working when after about the third day, there is an overall lightness in my body, a clarity of mind, lots of urine elimination that gets lighter in color every day.  Appetite decreases and the desire to walk in the fresh air is overwhelming!  The calm and peace of mind stays longer.  The quality of sleep is improved.  The way I feel is something I want to keep as long as possible and I don't want to do any of the things that make it go away such as excesses in food, drink, sugar, or any behaviors that stress me out.  I especially find that I repel negative thoughts and people.  

This couldn't have come at a more needed time to detox from all the negativity of the 2016 national elections the week before I was to be the Democratic Supervisor of the Hermitage Election Polls where I had to deal with all the people of my precinct and help them to get their vote cast.  Amazingly, when it turned out that most of the people and issues I voted for lost, I still had most of the calm and positive attitude that I had when I left Arkansas the week before!  I think that is a very good testament to the benefits of the "taking of the waters!"