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A to Z Challenge: Day Six – “F”

Retirement Reflections

‘F’ is for ‘Friday’

And I have a question for you.

When did my life suddenly switch from this:

Friday

 

to this?

Friday
images made at: http://www.canva.com

 

Here are a few Friday superstitions — which you may not have heard. (Source)

• If you have had a good dream on a Friday evening, tell a friend about it on Saturday morning and it will come true.

• It is bad luck to get your hair cut on Fridays (or Sundays).

• Eggs laid on a Friday are said to cure stomachache.

For me, Fridays now mean the day of my favourite yoga class. What do Fridays currently mean to you?

I’d like to end this post with a few more words starting with today’s featured letter. I awoke today to some unexpected recognition (which I am still trying to wrap my mind around). It has added extra flavour and fulfillment to my motivation, and has inspired me to continue to tackle this Challenge with fervor. I’ll write more about this tomorrow. Please stay tuned!

Friday Take-Away:  Seize your adventures today. Your interest and opportunities may change tomorrow without notice.

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

47 thoughts on “A to Z Challenge: Day Six – “F””

  1. I love your “Yeah Baby, it’s Friday!” … how well I remember looking forward to Friday night and some partying on the weekend, after a long work week. Retirement certainly does change around the meanings of our days in the week, eh? I like the Friday superstitions that you posted … interesting. Enjoy your yoga today Donna!

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    1. Thanks, Pat – I had a temporary absence from yoga, so it was great to get back to the studio. It is funny how our days take on new meaning in retirement. Although Richard is still grasping firmly to defined weekends. He refuses to change his mind on this!

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  2. Wait… doesn’t F stand for Fantastic, Fabulous, and Fenomenal? Ok, maybe not that last one… but yahoo you for being nominated for a 2018 Bloggers Bash Award! I went right over and voted for your marvelous blog and I encourage your other followers to do the same!

    And, of course, I agree with your Friday v. Monday sentiments… the weekend just isn’t what it used to be!

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  3. Thank you so much, Janis. The nomination was unexpected and is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your vote (and for your encouragement for others to do the same 🙂 ). When I began blogging, I really had to ask myself “is anybody out there?”, “is anyone going to read this?”. I am immensely grateful to have connected with so many amazing people in this way. I am delighted that you and I have had the opportunity to become friends IRL. I now know what my “G” word will be!

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  4. Looking forward to ‘G” tomorrow! But I know already because I also voted! Gee whiz, what a pleasure!

    Last time I had my hair cut was on a Friday .. could even have been the 13th ..

    TGIF though a busy-ish weekend ahead. You have a great one!

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  5. I spotted your nomination when someone else directed me to another category, so I have voted already. I still look forward to Friday nights when John finishes work and we can share a bottle of wine over dinner. Unfortunately he is now giving it the big ZZZs in his armchair, but we can’t have everything! He’s had a hard week and is off to China again on Sunday, having only come back 8 days ago.

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    1. Hi, Anabel – Thank you so much for voting. Waking up to news about the nomination was very exciting….but having people whom I greatly admire tell me that they just voted, is the real honour!
      BTW – I think that you and I need to have another chat with John about retiring. Does he read your blog comments? If so, I will cast my vote there! 🙂

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  6. looking forward to Friday is always changing, as we change.
    mine was Friday night just got payed day. Now its relax, fun day, eat my fav. meal day! looking forward to your G in A-Z!

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    1. Hi, Sheila – Thank you so much for stopping by. I agree that even long held opinions can change as we change. I love that Friday is a ow a relaxed, fun day, favourite meal day for you. Although a Friday paycheck would also be nice! 🙂

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  8. Congrats, Donna, for being nominated for a 2018 Bloggers Bash Award! Interesting Friday superstitions that I haven’t heard before. For me, Fridays now mean going for a 5K walk in the morning, working out in the gym for an hour, and attending wonderful music recitals, sometimes piano, sometimes duet of piano and another instrument, by talented and very accomplished performers, not only in Canada but also international. Feeling very fortunate!

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    1. Hi, Natalie – Having close access to music recitals and concerts is one disadvantage of living in a small town. When we were recently in Singapore we loved dropping into the lunch hour string concerts. They were amazing (and free)! Thank you for your vote for the Bloggers Bash. I greatly appreciate it!

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    1. Hi, Lynn – That’s true that I often no longer know what day of the week it is. I absolutely love that….unless I miss an important event or appointment!
      Thank you for your vote and support. It means a lot to me!

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  11. Hi Donna,
    I’m full of feverish anticipation for tomorrow’s post since the comments are telling me what is happening but not where I can go to vote for you.

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  13. Hi
    I’m loving these posts. Such a big undertaking to post every day.

    Friday’s for me are now, Fabulous Friday’s. I go out and do something I have always wanted to do. Today, I went to a Farmer’s Market I was never able to attend when I was working.
    Next week, I may go see a movie. My choice.
    Laura

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  15. Retirement Fridays just don’t have the same pzazz! Every day is a weekend. I’m not complaining, for me Friday means an afternoon bridge.

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    1. Hi, Karen – Although my husband strongly disagrees with me on this point, I also believe that everyday in retirement is ‘Saturday’ (and I love it)! Do your Fridays now mean an afternoon bridge game or a hiking bridge? Both sound lovely!

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  16. Congrats on your nomination – I voted for you!! And your Friday was a lot different to mine. Mine was my FIL’s funeral – bitter/sweet time of the joy of having my kids + spouses down for the day, and the sadness of saying goodbye to a lovely man.

    Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
    G for Give More

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  17. Congrats on the nomination, Donna. I have voted.

    Friday, to me, is a good day for skiing. The hill closes this weekend, which means I might have to go up there tomorrow, or Sunday.

    Jude

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    1. Hi, Jude – Thank you for the vote, I greatly appreciate it. Richard and I are going to the Earthquake Talk in Nanoose tomorrow and have another commitment for Sunday. We will need to book cross-country skiing/snowshoeing in for early next Winter!

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  18. I’ve not heard those superstitions before, and now wonder if all of my bad luck is a result of usually getting my hair cut on Fridays. That’s when my stylist has the most open appointments, so I go then because I can get to see her quickly. Something to ponder…

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  19. I adore the Monday quote! I am finding that my weekends are at-home days more and more to avoid the crowds! And my fav yoga class in also on Friday!

    I’m impressed you’re getting out one (really good) on-alphabet post everyday! Keep it up!!

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    1. Hi, Pat – Your positive feedback is greatly appreciated. As I have been jamming out a new post each day (with minimal review or editing time), I worry about what I’ve missed. So far, the challenge has been very invigorating. If I join in next year…I will definitely write my posts in advance! 🙂

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  20. Love the photos and messages in the beginning, Donna. It is exactly how we thought when we traveled full-time. The weekends were just too crowded everywhere. And, it is also the reason we try to do our grocery shopping during the week. Luckily, we have the flexibility to do so.

    Leaving port on a Friday with your boat is asking for bad luck as well. Many sailors are still superstitious and refuse to leave on a sail trip or passage on a Friday!

    Congrats on the reason for your flavor and fulfillment. 🙂

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  21. Hi Donna, I love the pictures indicating the change in Fridays!! I feel like that too 🙂 I hadn’t heard of any of those Friday superstitions, I always wonder how these sorts of things start? I think I know what the big news is!!! Congrats to you 🙂

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  22. I often ask myself what a ‘weekend’ is, Donna. 😀 I never shop on a Saturday or Sunday anymore. It’s a little like never visiting and queuing in the Post Office or bank at lunchtime during the week. Avoid at all cost.
    I was born on a Friday and still get that Friday feeling from 4 pm, but now it hits every day of the week (except Sat and Sun).

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    1. Great points, Hugh. For me, weekends now are when the ‘crowds’ come in (Vancouver Island is a great get-away for many from the mainland). I believe there is also a saying about Friday being an awesome day to be born. You have just proven that to be true! 🙂

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