What I Wish I Knew Before I Retired
'L' is for 'Lasting Friendships.' I previously mentioned that one of our reasons for visiting Boston was to visit our friends, Rena and Howard. I first met Rena eleven years ago when we were both administrators at The Western Academy of Beijing. On one of my first informal chats with Rena, I mentioned that a… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Twelve – “L”
'K' is for '4101 Kilometers to Travel' Today we fly 3696 kilometers from Vancouver to Montreal followed by a three-hour airport stopover. We then fly another 405 kilometers from Montreal to Boston. Trying to stretch our dollars to include as much travel as possible, we (read here "I") always choose the most economical flight possible....often… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Eleven – “K”
'J' is for 'Jaunt', 'Joviality' and 'Jubilation'. Today, Richard and I are headed to Vancouver for tomorrow's jaunt to Boston. But first, a quick get-together to honor good friend, Aliza Hutchinson's, birthday. This also makes it the perfect time to give a special shout-out to all family and friends born in April. According to my… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Ten – “J”
'I' is for 'Intentional Packing' Richard and I are currently preparing for a six-night trip to Boston. This adventure addresses three items on our bucket list. 1. Watch the Boston Marathon live (better yet, watch our youngest son compete in the Boston Marathon)! 2. Visit our friends, Rena and Howard, who when we saw them… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Nine – “I”
'H' stands for 'Hockey Sticks for Humboldt.' During the past few days, Canadians have been putting out their hockey sticks to honour the Humboldt Broncos Junior Hockey Team. This past Friday, team members (including hockey players, coaches and support staff) were involved in a bus crash near Tisdale, Saskatchewan. Tragically, 15 were killed, and 14… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Eight – “H”
'G' is for 'Gratitude'...and 'Gold Stars.' I have long-often joked about my enchantment with gold stars. I love how they symbolize our appreciation for each other. Yesterday morning, I awoke to an email (and then other social media messages) that said I had been nominated in the category of 'Best Overall Blogger' for The Annual… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Seven – “G”
'F' is for 'Friday' And I have a question for you. When did my life suddenly switch from this: to this? 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… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Six – “F”
'E' is for 'Exercise' and 'Enjoyment' In her recent A to Z post, Sue at Sizzling Toward Sixty, encourages us to explore movement-based activities that we enjoy, then schedule these activities regularly into our week. I wholeheartedly agree with Sue, as do most studies on this subject. According to researchers, enjoyment of exercise creates a… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Five – “E”
'D' is for 'Decide. Then DO It' In her recent Guest Post, Lynn (from Encore Voyage), reminds us that many ‘soon to be retirees’ fear having nothing to do once they quit working full time. I am here to say that the water is fine on the other side of the retirement bridge. There is… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Four – “D”
'C' is for 'Compassion', 'Community' and 'Cruelty Prevention' Seventeen months ago, my husband and I began to volunteer at our local SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Each Tuesday, we spend the afternoon walking dogs. As with most volunteer experiences, we gain much more than we give. Volunteering has provided us with… Continue reading A to Z Challenge: Day Three – “C”
Retirement Reflections 