What's New at Home

Whoever said 'I'm busier in retirement than I ever was at work' knew what they were talking about. Sometimes it's hard to say where the days go, but go they do, and fast. It's been a little over a year since we moved. Of course the first couple of months were spent dealing with the aftermath of moving into a new house. Boxes to sort through, things to get rid of, new things to acquire, it all takes time.

But after a year, I can say that the house is pretty much the way I want it to be and I've had some time to devote to making new friends. I'm still very hooked on Mah Jongg and play a couple of times a week. I've started teaching a new group to play as well. I'm doing some volunteer work with some ladies in the nieghborhood. Of course keep a husband and two dachshunds takes a huge chunk of my time as well.

Yes, the days are flying by, but I'm having the time of my life!

People

The move has put some distance between me and my newest friends, but close again to my dear Plano friends. I'm still close enough to that I get to see them every couple of months. Either I go to Georgetown/Austin or my friends come to visit me here. Good friends don't let miles get in the way. New friends are never replacements, so I am making some new friends.

Family is closer now and we've had a chance to be a bit more involved with the great-grand kids. It's nice to be closer, but it comes at a cost.

One of the things I've 'backed off' on is my gardening. After the initial effort to bring some color to this blank canvas, I've realized I don't have the time or energy to do as much as I was doing in Plano although I must say the yard here looks 100% better since I've been at it. It is smaller and I've made an effort to use perennials as much as possible. I am learning to deal with deer and other critters.

Activities

I already mentioned Mah Jongg as a continuing passion. I am learning some other new games as well. It helps expand the number of acquaintences and keeps the mind active. We are also doing more couples activities. Even though Christian's work is terribly time consuming, he is making time for us to do things together including activities with new friends.

There seems to be no end of opportunities to spend my time, but time itself is the limiting factor. I still love to mange the house, be 'mother' to our furry girls, spend time with the family, with friends new and old and with Christan.

I am missing my reading, but with Winter coming on, I've had more time indoors so perhaps I can catch up!