This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

What Is The Meaning Of Semi Retirement?

I think John thinks it means walk from the bed to the table and back again. Today while I'm taking a nap he sits down on the bed and says I've already done everything and I don't know what to do now. Well Buddy I can find something for you to do. How 'bout washing a vehicle or cleaning out a garage? He ignored me and repeated the same sentence. You work a good part of your life looking forward to retirement and when it gets here you don't know what to do? John doesn't drink coffee so the morning coffee chat is out for him. He doesn't bowl, going to movies cost too much, after all he has cable and a recliner. He could join Silver Sneakers, heaven knows his hair is silver enough. Oh no he isn't going anywhere near a gym. When we go out to eat he wolfs his food down and I'm still chewing as we go out the door. Its as if he thinks someone is going to come in and remove his recliner and tv. Relax I tell him, enjoy your life while you can. He just came in here and told me he has to go to bed to preserve his beauty so that he doesn't get old and wrinkled.

25 comments:

Kay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kay said...

I feel sorry for people who don't have interests and/or hobbies. They should NOT retire. A friend of mine (Judy) is married to Chuck. They both worked at Lockheed. Judy retired and is loving it. She's been retired for 10 years. Chuck tried retirement and was so bored. He has no hobbies or interests. He was driving Judy crazy always whinning that he didn't have anything to do. Finally, he decided to go back to his job at Lockheed and now he's happy again. I'm afraid if my husband ever retires it will be the same way for him. He only works 3 days now but he also has no hobbies. I think he'd be bored if he retired.

Sage Ravenwood said...

How about bird watching or fishing? One of them is bound to be relaxing for him. Maybe he can take up a hobby of making his own flies for fishing. (Hugs)Indigo

jack69 said...

Yeah retirement is strange. My daddy should never have retired, he had no outside interests. He should have taken a long vacation. Me? I also must have something to do. I get a good bit just keeping the Motor home up. I have learned how to sleep in until nine or ten. I have friends who must get up at daybreak, something might happen that they don't know about.
AND YES, we do line up just like cattle and load down a plate. It is funny, I will go intent on eating one plate, but then I just want one more thing, but I don't get just one more thing, I fill the plate again, then there is dessertt.... Yep we graze.
Very good entry,
Jack

J said...

LOL> I have got to admit that part of me wishes I was retired! Leave him alone he doesnt have to do anything anymore! lol just playing.
buy him a nintendo wii, that might get him moving, lol. fishing or hunting could be good alternatives to hanging out at home.

Jimmy's Journal said...

I think you should do what you please, but not having something to do is not a good idea. I make it a point to check the obits early in the morning and if my name's not in them, then I go do something.

Jimmy

Heli gunner Tom said...

Sorry about John. I feel deficient because I don't also know plumbing and electricity..Ha! But I make sure that I have friends who DO know that stuff. I trade and barter my skills and services and know many combat Vets like myself so as to "net work" to survive. So.. I am a carpenter, welder, and well read serious Bible student-- for life. But I am always willing to learn more.

POOR OLD TOMMY BOY.
tschuckman@aol.com

Sheila Y said...

You should have said 'come on then, let's go riding around'. He probably would have thought of something he had to do instead...ha. Take care, Sheila

garnett109 said...

After my legs left me in 99 I was the same way after the first year being disabled there was nothing to do but drink beer and watch tv until 2003 when I got my first pc.
Now it is pc , tv, drinking beer!

Kath said...

I think it is so hard for men when they retire Paula.Not many men do have interests outside work.Lets face it interests can only pass so many hours of the day too.Having said that if he doesn't find new interests then you are going to find him very hard work yourself,trying to keep him happy.It is one thing I hate is to see men lounging about saying they are bored when us women have so much to do in a day and not enough hours to do things in LOL!!DON'T let him on YOUR pooter though, or you might never get on it yourself again.(Addictive or what) ? Heeeeeeeee.I hope you can solve the problem.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

Helen said...

Preserve his beauty LOL. Flipping tv cnannels is a nice thing for men to do. LOL. Tv the computer back and forth. I will say Ken has helped me a lot but is grumbling some now about so much to do that he can't do it all. Who does he think has been doing it all this time through these years with a bad back at that? Plus keeping the company books for him when he worked. I have got to where I can do a little more lately but this back and leg still gives me fits. Wish I were a man sometimes then I could sit and flip TV channels and whine. Helen

salemslot9 said...

act like you're in the mood
for a lil lovin'
see what happens...

Anonymous said...

Between Heart surgery and then retiring..my hubby is the pits...his first love is his recliner...then tv...and he is on his laptop from time to time...but doesn't have to leave recliner for that...I always thought when he retired we would travel a bit here and there...not always...but from time to time ... noooooooooooooooooo....not gonna happen...and after all these years...seems I cannot run washer/dryer properly...or gather the mail properly...or get paper off front porch properly...sheesh...like Helen said...who does he think has been doing it all these years LOLOL...oh well...I have adjusted...maybe I should have insisted he "adjust"...but as long as I have my compter and a good book...I am a happy camper...along with a trip to Walmart from time to time LOLOL...men give a whole new meaning to "retirement"....LOLOL...thanks for letting me vent LOLOL...hugs...Ora

Alice said...

I say "if it makes you happy" then do it. That would include John's routine if it makes him happy. Don't tell him I said that.LOL.....

Joyce said...

I love, love being retired. I don't have a problem with having time on my hands. I can always find something to do (or do nothing). Don't spend too much time trying to entertain John. It could become a full time job. lol.
Hugs, Joyce

sober white women said...

whe my husband retired for the service he about drove me nuts! I finally said you need to go get a job! LOL
Kelli

Gerry said...

Well, that last comment of his must have given you a little laugh. I lke a companion who cracks jokes, which makes up for a lot of aggravation as far as I am concerned. Doc offered to pay for my bus ticket to LA since he is not in shape to go, so I sweetly accepted. But he was grumpy at first I think from feeling rejected. Companionship in old age!

Unknown said...

Hi Paula,

I think I would be bored if I retired even though I complain about work there is only so much tv you can watch. If john is happy with doing nothing then I guess that is good for him, I wish though he can maybe find a hobby you can both enjoy doing together. Take care!

Amelia said...

I wish I was semi retired!! ENJOY IT JOHN!!!!

shirl72 said...

I love retirement and have to many hobbies.
I have gotten myself into so many things I never say I have nothing to do. Just enjoy
doing nothing if that is what he wants to do.

barb said...

MEN ARE STRANGE, AREN'T THEY?? MY HUBBY SAY RETIREMENT IS THE BEST JOB HE EVER HAD! HE GOOFS AROUND TIL ABOUT 3PM--THEN GETS GOING WITH HIS "WORK" SUCH AS DUSTING THE TRUCK, WATERING THE FLOWERS ETC., A LATE DINNER AND EARLY TO BED!! WE DO TRAVEL THO AND TAKE A RIDE ALMOST EVERY DAY----WE DO HAVE FUN TOO!!

Missie said...

I don't think men understand what retirement really is. They always have to be doing something.

Enjoy your weekend.

Fernan said...

Putting your truck up on blocks?

Kelly said...

Ian and I have thought this out, and when he retires at 60, hopefully, we will move to the Atlantic coast of Florida and we will be warm and we will walk the beach in the morning, and we will fish, and we will go crabbing. You know what he needs? He needs to plant a garden. Gardens keep you busy for sure! Hugs, Kelly

Janie said...

hahaha I swear Gary and John are twins. 10 p.m. every night!! Even when we have company... his family.. not mine! Crazy!! lol That TV and recliner! Ugh The minute Gary walks out the door the TV is TURNED OFF!! lol Hope things got better, it usually doesn't for me. Blessings, Janie