Wow - life has been busy. I always said that when I retired I will never say "I'm so busy". Having worked more than full time - I know what 'busy' is and this is not it. I need a new way to describe 'busy' but in a different context. Regardless, a lot has filled up my time since Thanksgiving including a dance competition in Las Vegas, a great day trip to Red Rock Canyon with Bill, Gary and April, lot's of days at the health club trying to keep myself healthy and practice dancing, several wonderful social outings with friends, some community work, fantastic Christmas concerts and events, and - not trivial - getting all the gifts for Christmas bought, wrapped, boxed and sent. We ended up sending 8 big boxes all over the country. I have been adamant over the years about avoiding gift cards but I'm starting to change my mind!

Tonight is a girls cookie exchange.  Hmmm, Bill asked me how it works and I had to admit that at 56 years of age - I can't remember ever attending one. I remember many times being invited but I was always 'too busy' to attend. So the last few days included some intense baking and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with friends and probably meeting some new ones.

 

This week will be fantastic! As of today, all the gifts are bought, wrapped and sent or under the tree, the baking is done, decorations are up, etc. That means that all there is left to do is read books, watch Christmas movies, eat cookies, biscotti and fruitcake, get some exercise (I'm getting to love doing that!) and wait for Christmas to arrive. We will enjoy having some of our family here this year - and visiting the rest of them after Christmas.

 

Once again I am filled with gratitude. Our second grandchild was born yesterday. Thomas Patrick was born to Mike and Heather - a healthy 9lb 5oz boy who of course is adorable! I am incredibly lucky for so many reasons the biggest of which is my family. I remind myself every day not to ever forget that.

That doubley extends to my best friend Bill. He joined me for the Turkey Day 5K Minneapolis run this morning with literally thousands of other people. He told me he'd never be out there on Thanksgiving day by himself :-). 

I am grateful for all of you who are in my life. Thank you! Have a wonderful, safe and very Happy Thanksgiving.

When I first decided to write this blog my 'vision' was that I'd write everyday. That this would be a 'place' for me to kind of hang-out, share my experiences and feelings and just kind of be an online journal of my experiences - good or bad. 

Hmmm, it's turned into more of a 'here's all the cool stuff I've done'. The problem is that I never seem to acknowledge the in-between aspects of life. So maybe I'll try. It will be more real.

Let's take perfection. Perfection is something that tends to be the bane of my existence. It certainly was when I was working and now here it is again. For example, it's killing me right now in dancing. I have a terrific teacher who does a fabulous job of teaching me EXACTLY how my body is supposed to work to get it right - whether that be the staccato of a Tango, the beautiful smooth movements of a waltz, slow sensual flow of a Rumba, 'swing' of a swing dance or the sharp quick moves of a Cha-Cha-Cha. So, I know what I'm supposed to do, but my body doesn't seem to want to do it that way. Every single day that I practice I realize why they call it "Dancesport". And now I look at all other sports (which I didn't do much of as a kid) with an entirely different perspective. It's really hard to be good at a sport. And I think that I may have to give up on trying to make it perfect or my frustration will just grow bigger than it is today. Maybe giving up on perfection will allow me to advance. Maybe it's worth a try.

Even with my blog - as I started out I wanted to capture the 'perfect' moments and forget the rest. Maybe this post is a bit of progress...

When I first decided to retire (hard to imagine now - it was just the first of this year!) Bill and I decided to book a long dreamed of trip on the Queen Mary 2. She is the largest and most beautiful Ocean Liner (vs. cruise ship) on the seas today. We were drawn by the ship herself as well as our 'romatic' dreams of a Transatlantic voyage. Bill and I stayed in London for a few days before heading to Southampton (by way of Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral). In both places we were able to visit with friends including another IBM retiree that I'd worked with for many years and his wife. The net is - this was a fantastic vacation. I only wish that when we arrived in New York we could have gotten back on the QM2, sailed back to Europe and done the entire trip in reverse!  Here's some pictures...

Where in the world are Bill and Elaine?

What a great couple of weeks we've had! Fantastic October weather and ... quite exciting for me ... I've heard from so many friends. Yipee! When I left IBM I experienced a real transition when it came to 'friends'. I really considered all my IBM colleagues as close family and friends. After I retired there was a time when it felt like everyone disappeared. I knew very well of course that they were insanely busy with not only their careers but their own lives. It was still a bit of a jolt. I realized that I was going to have to work hard to keep in touch with them - they really just don't have time!

The past two weeks has been wonderful - so many people sending emails and I even got a letter from a colleague in India! What a treat that was. This past weekend we got to spend more time with some very good friends in Rochester. We all love to cook, to share our children and grandchildren stories, listen to different kinds of music and travel. This weekend was so lovely that we were able to take a long hike and enjoy a fantastic picnic lunch. What a joy!

A lot of people have asked me if we'd ever move (I think they are even more curious since we live in Minnesota - not necessarily the first destination for retirees). For someone that originally was not very enamored with Rochester, Minnesota my firm answer now is "NO WAY". Why? Friends and family is #1 on the list. We have one daughter still here and one nearby in St. Paul. But we have so many friends - why would I ever give them up? Reason #2: healthcare. Who could be fortunate enough to get their regular healthcare from the Mayo Clinic? And as we get older it will be even better to be here. Reason #3: affordability and community. This place is amazing when it comes to value for money as well as importance of community. I think that links back to a strong social structure, hence "friends".

Well, Bill and I are off on a fantastic adventure - think of it as our 'joint retirement adventure' for now. I'll share more soon...

I just spent 4 wonderful days with Bill's and my family members in Michigan most of whom are retired. It's so fascinating to hear of other people's journey to retirement. Some were planned for 35 years very consciously. Others came unexpectedly and still others ate 'partial" retirements as some call themselves retired but are - for instance - teaching one night class.

Without a doubt everyone highly values freedom. The gift of deciding when to wake up, how to spend the day, where to put personal energy and maybe most inspiring, how to give back.

Once again I am grateful.

Wow - it's amazing how fast 2 (almost 3!) months has flown by since I retired. Since I blogged about our time with Christopher a lot has happened. My niece Taylor joined us for a week in Minnesota, we flew back to Boston with her and stayed with my brother and family for a week where we watched a lot of hockey practice, consumed some fantastic food and got reconnected with family including my sister Susan. We also got to visit some of Bill's cousins which is always such a treat for us!

We returned to attend a wedding, host a dinner party for 24 people with our friends Jody and Dave, and get a few days of 'real' retirement. What a joy it was to get up when I wanted and actually exercise every day!  I'm learning that it's hard to maintain that discipline while traveling no matter how resolute my intentions - suggestions welcome please!

Next we hosted an IBM colleague from NY that retired the same day that I did and another colleague who retired the end of August. We all now have a 'retired ladies of IBM online community' which is a fun way to keep up and celebrate our new found freedom's. 

Phil, Meredith and new grand-daughter Sophia visited over Labor day and Bill's family drove in from Michigan to meet her. We had a wonderful time with the family and as usual with us - ate lot's of great food. In between this visit we squeezed in a couple of lovely weddings where we got to reconnect with lot's of friends. Wendy and Bob's was doubly fun since both Laura and Gabe were in the wedding!

We're now coming back from California having just visited Mike and Heather - where their first baby will arrive in November. Hard to imagine that the next time we see them they will be parents. Santa Cruz is really a lovely location where we enjoyed whale watching, boating and coastal walking.

Time now for the Fall and I'm fully ready to experience it in a way that I haven't been able to do in 40 years! Well, maybe since we have a lot of fully plans the next few months :-).

P.S. For those of you who gave me book and movie lists - I have not forgotten! Can't wait until I have time to read lot's of books and watch some movies. I'll get there!

Back in January I had committed to lead a session on 'Women in Technology' at a major conference sponsored by one of my Business Partners. So here we are In Santa Barbara.

I found myself back in the work world for this brief period although I admit that I've spent significant time over the summer preparing for my topic. I enjoyed seeing many of my work and Business Partner colleagues this week. Bill came with me and was thrilled to get to meet Jerry West.

Here's a picture of me, Jerry and my host and good friend Pete Elliot. Wow - he put on a terrific conference.

Net: I had a great time but I realized through this experience that I am thrilled and fortunate to be retired.

Now on to a visit with Mike and Heather!

Having my nephew here the last week was like learning how to be a kid again. It was also about discovering how much diversity there is in Rochester and the surrounding community. I worry about several things in retirement (mostly about getting bored and sinking into a non-productive life). But for now, just one month after I've retired I'll try to take it daily and appreciate all the opportunities just to explore my local world that are in front of me.

A small taste of the past week:  Honker's Baseball (the antics between innings are hysterical), swimming, seeing a lecture from a U of MN teacher and friend, visiting the Arboretum (and spending time in the bog and getting lost in a maze!), watching movies, picking raspberries and making homemade jam, seeing "King Henry IV Part One" at the Great River Shakespeare Festival, "The Music Man" by the Studio Academy Theatre students, "Little Shop of Horrors" at the Commonweal, canoeing with Mike and Heather, a picnic in the IBM park with the Dahl Dance center crew and students, seeing a facinating lecture at the Rotary meeting from a Mayo Clinic physician and finally a new experience for my nephew - golfing to which he seems wonderfully suited.

I think the idea of 'playing' is a good one to have in retirement but we have to be willing to do research, venture out and just do it. I hope I can figure this out in January and it's as fun as it was in July!