It's Been 8 Weeks

It's hard to believe it's been 8 weeks since my retirement began. The first four weeks weree occupied with final preparations for our daughter, Kerri's wedding to Patrick Julian on January 26th. (see link http://kpjwedding.googlepages.com/home ) for some of the pictures of the event. And click here to see some of the showers and gatherings before the event http://www.kerriandpatrick.com/ . It was a glorious day! One we'll never forget. I was especially pleased to see everyone so happy and having a good time.

Since then Dee and I have been settling in to our new home in Mars, PA. Each day seems to present new opportunities to do things together and to learn something new. I find I'm on several "learning curves" at the same time. I'm learning to do crossword puzzles and to read the daily newspaper every morning. I'm learning to do the daily JUMBLES puzzle online where you are timed as you unscramble the words. I'm learning to read biographies (My first one is Benjamin Franklin by Isaacson.)

I've started practicing with the Q-chord again. I'm trying to develop a little repetoire of songs I can play with out relying on the sheet music too much. I think I have "Give me That Old Time Religion" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain" down pretty well. I find it relaxing and enjoyable. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to use this some day. Right now it's for my own amazement and amusement.

We're doing jigsaw puzzles again after a long long break from doing them many years ago. We completed the one of Pittsburgh that we received at the Goofy Gift party at Seaview. It had interlocking pieces and held together nicely. It only took 1 month to complete the 750 pieces. Now we're working on one called "The Global Puzzle" which is a map of the earth that identifies all 193 countries and the pieces are cut to the shapes of the countries and states. I've learned a lot about geography by working on it. Interestingly it's not "interlocking pieces" and so tends to be much more fragile and when you bump or touch a piece you have in place, it gets outa wack and messes up the piece next to it. The pieces are inter-related but not interlocking. Much like life on the real planet earth.

On Thursday we went to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Carnegie Museum of Art. (The buildings are connected.) We took their daily tour led by a docent who explained some of the architecture from around the world in the Hall of Arcitecture and many of the pieces of art. Dee and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We hadn't done anything like that in decades. And now that we became members we can go back again and again for free. (Their little cafe served great lunches too.)

Weve been taking ballroom dancing lessons at the Butler County Community College on Wednesday nights. It's a group lesson and we've been learning the East Coast Swing (or triple step as it's known). Great fun! We're finding out that we have to practice between lessons so the steps and moves become second nature. Went to a couple of Saturday night dances at the dance studio of the instructor in Butler - nice events and great for meeting new people.

Each Sunday we attend a different church. We've been Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists for a day. We thought we'd found a church we would attend, but after being there 5 times over several months and not receiving any contact (note, phone call, anything) we decided to continue our search. We have been enjoying the Lenten Luncheons at the local Presbyterian church. They have area pastors speaking after the luncheon in the fellowship hall. We're getting to know some of the people there by sight and name although we haven't been there to worship on a Sunday.

We've never had to search for a church before, so this is something new - another learning curve, I guess. It's interesting the things you notice and what stands out in your mind after you leave a church you've just been to for the first time. You notice the types of and quality of music, the songs that are sung, the instruments that are used, the sermon and whether it's practical, theological, denominational, and the way the members interact with each other. You hear things that people say to each other and about their church off-handedly. You notice the building's state of repair or the parking lot's grit and gravel. You notice the programs they seem to be offering and the ages of the people there. You listen for what they say about Jesus (if they mention Him at all) and wonder how you'd fit in there and how God would or could use you insrvice to the Kingdom there. And how God would nurture your spirit there. You think too about how far away it is, the time of the service... and how involved you think you might become... lots to consider.

As I say, I'm involved in lots of learning curves - what an adventure!

From a book I've been reading on retirement, the author says that while transitioning into retirement, one should consider the 7 Ps. They are: Purpose - it gives focus Planning - It gives direction and goals Place - Have a destination each day Positive Attitude - this influences your actions Preparation - Try things before any long term committment Practice - for motivation and persistence Patience - for the long haul

He says it's important above all to BE FLEXIBLE!