First Time I Did It

First Time I Did It

When the family gathered all its belongings and moved to Washington State from Texas I was an innocent young pre-teen.  You could say I was sheltered beyond normal. I am not embarrassed to admit that my brother and I were mama’s boys.  That used to happen a lot to young boys when they are raised by the stay at home mothers.  Add to that, the fact that you are raised strongly in the Catholic faith and don’t dare do anything out of the ordinary without considering that you will be in church on Sunday and participating in the Confession process.

All justifications aside, I loved and respected my mother and would have no consideration for being raised differently.  Our life style was very repetitious but never boring.  Mother was a wonderful cook and while we were typical of the families of the time, the dinner options were restricted to two:  Take it or Leave it! 

Being of the Mexican culture, Corn and flour tortillas were always part of the lunch and dinner meal.  Bread was not a staple that we were too familiar with.  I don’t recall ever hearing of hamburgers, or hot dogs before we moved from Texas.  I do know for a fact that McDonald’s was already in business in 1954 so for at least 5 years prior to moving to Washington State (1959) I had never even heard the word hamburger.

After that lengthy introduction, I need to get back to the subject at hand.  The first time I did was at the drive-in theater.  There were two movies playing but I still remember the main attraction: Hercules Unchained starring Steve Reeves.

I remember that my older step-brother and his wife went to the snack bar (just before intermission to avoid the crowd) to buy popcorn, soda and candy.  When they returned, they brought back something that smelled especially tempting and delicious.  I asked what it was and she told me but I had no clue what she was talking about.  So she allowed me to take a bite and I was hooked to this day.  That is the first time I heard of it and had my first ever taste of pizza (Saturday, October 1959).  Since the first time I did it, I’ve never said no to an offer of a slice of delicious pizza.  The best is yet to come……

Careful What You Wish For

Careful What You Wish For

Idiom Definitions for 'Be careful what you wish for'

• If you get things that you desire, there may be unforeseen and unpleasant consequences.
• ('Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true.' and 'Be careful what you wish for; you may receive it.' are also used.)

How many of us remember telling our parents in our growing up years: “if only I can have this one thing I want, I will never ask for anything else.”  Without exception soon after we got what we wanted something better came along that we wished for. 

One of the things that I remember wishing for was my first car, well, guess what with it came responsibility.  Buying the fuel and maintenance for it, paying for insurance.  Tires, and rims, not to mention tighter restrictions.  Even though I could go anywhere (transportation wise), I wasn’t allowed.

My personal budget got so that I had to plan what I wanted to do for the weekend, because I may not have the flexibility to catch a movie, eat out or go roller skating all on the same weekend.  My friends that didn’t have their own wheels were everywhere, just like I used to be, even if their parents had to drop them off.   I guess if you don’t mind the consequences, it was still ok, because I didn’t know it then (until Happy Days came out) but I was the Fonzi of my crowd.

The same applies to everything in life, try if you can to look ahead at all possible outcomes beyond the obvious because there are consequences to everything we do.  Consequences are also known as side effects (unplanned outcomes), and the worst part is that in some cases, once a decision is made, you cannot get a do-over.

The best is yet to come….

Losing Its Luster

Losing Its Luster

Luster

Noun                                                                    A position of exalted widely recognized importance:    distinction, eminence, eminency, fame, glory, illustriousness, mark, notability, note, preeminence, prestige, prominence, prominency, renown.

Luster is one word that I could think of to describe the level of importance to certain holidays growing up.  Consider that the holidays have remained pretty much unchanged, but in our eyes and mind (which have matured) the holidays are losing their luster.

I totally love all holidays, but number one and number two have to be Christmas and Thanksgiving.  Occupying third place would have to be Memorial Day.  Memorial Day has different relevance to a multitude of people for different reasons:  1) a day designated for remembrance of loved ones that have gone ahead of us, 2) a day to celebrate and recognize and honor our military heroes that made the ultimate sacrifice, 3) of great importance to young people in high school and college; the signal to the beginning of Summer and start of school vacation.  Secondary but also important are the wonderful family and friend get togethers for BBQ’s, and just plain ole catching up.

I still remember being young and looking forward to bed time on Christmas eve, because I knew that by Christmas morning Santa would have come by and left me some presents.  My parents always managed to surprise me and exceed my expectations. 

I can only think of one Christmas when it almost ended up being a total disaster, but instead turned out to be the most memorable Christmas ever.  Check out the post:  Unexpected Best Christmas, http://www.being50.com/2013/06/unexpected-best-christmas.html

I wish I could tell you at what age I stopped believing in Santa Claus, but I honestly don’t remember.  I do know that I had my suspicions about whether he was real or not for a few years, but I didn’t dare not believe, just in case.  After that holiday lost its luster for me, it wasn’t until, I was a married young adult with children before I started to enjoy seeing the same look of amazement in the little faces of my children.

Now, once again the clock keeps ticking, and my babies are now adults with children of their own.  In recent years that same look of amazement can now be seen in the little faces of my grandchildren.  The luster of the holiday is never lost it just gets passed on from generation to generation.  It’s up to people like you and me, to continue to encourage it and keep it alive.  You could even say that as grandparents we would do well to look at Christmas through the eyes of our grandchildren and great grandchildren.  The best is yet to come……..

Top Priority

Take care of yourself first

Someone I consider a good friend was recently sent to the ER (Emergency Room).  She is being referred to a cardiologist and the outcome is yet to be determined at this time.  We should use this instance as a reminder that our personal health is and should always be a priority.  Not because we are selfish but because we are selfless.

We live to take care of family members and friends and the best way to do that is to make sure that our personal health is maintained.  I don’t know how many of my readers have noticed that part of airplane safety is to instruct adults that in the event that the oxygen masks drop the parent or guardian is to put their own mask first before helping a child or others.  The reason is that you can’t help others if you don’t take care of yourself first.

I once thought I was having a heart episode and my wife made the decision that I should go to ER immediately, I was 40 at the time.  The macho (very stupid of me at the time) in me convinced her that I knew the way and could get us there quicker so she allowed me to drive.  Fortunately, I got us there safely.

The Summer day was near 100 degrees, and I had been in the backyard digging a 24-inch-deep trench about 30 feet long for the cables leading to the house from a 10-foot parabolic satellite dish antenna. Around 4 pm I walked into the house, not feeling well.  As I got ready to take a cold shower to cool off, I went into shock so bad I was afraid to bite my tongue.  Among others, the weirdest thing I remember doing is jumping on to our master bed with my muddy work shoes on.  You need to know how much I respect (read that fear) my wife to know that I would never knowingly do that.

To make a very long story short, I was ready to make peace with the Lord, I swear that I even had most of my life pass before me in short order.  As it turned out I had managed to dislocate a couple of ribs near the sternum as I manhandled the satellite dish over a couple of fences and into my backyard.  The injury was further aggravated by digging the trench in the heat.

I still vividly remember what the attending doctor said to me with a very grave look on his face. Sir, I wish I could tell you (long pause), that my heart is as healthy as yours, but I haven’t been examined as thoroughly as you have.  Your problem is musculo-skeletal.  And with that I was released with some pain medication, and a referral to a specialist.

Ever since that incident, I take my health and prevention efforts very seriously.  I sincerely apologized to my wife for being so stubborn and promised that I would follow her guidance in the future regarding my health care needs.  Fortunately, I don’t have any health care problems, I subscribe to preventative measures.  I want to be around to provide for my family for as long as possible.  Quality of life should be the goal, so please take care of yourselves.  The best is yet to come……             

Ageing Challenges

Ageing Challenges

Facts:  We are not created equal.  Life isn’t fair.  If I’d known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of my body and mind. Arguably; it’s about quality of life.

The question remains compelling:

• What is wisdom, and how does it play out in individual lives? Most psychologists agree that if you define wisdom as maintaining positive well-being and kindness in the face of challenges, it is one of the most important qualities one can possess to age successfully~ By PHYLLIS KORKKI

For those of you not familiar with my blog; I am expressing my perspective as I have learned from experience.  My purpose for writing (first and foremost, I enjoy it) is to give my readers food for thought.  I don’t believe in making all the mistakes myself, if I can learn from other’s mistakes, I will gladly do it.  I am an expert on my own life and experience, don’t profess to know everything about anything, where others are concerned.

With the ever increasing numbers of participants in the social media, there are many people sharing advice with regard to age and health that most of us should take with a grain of salt.  Something as basic and simple as how to prepare the tastiest peanut butter and jelly sandwich, has the potential of making someone deathly ill, could even prove to be fatal.  Not everyone should eat peanuts or peanut derivatives.  For some obscure reason, I don’t recall ever hearing of such thing growing up, but today we know that allergies to peanuts are a fact.

I often see postings on Facebook by younger people that are not yet afflicted by old age, basically make fun of the elderly, and their age afflictions.  Here is where we are not created equal comes in.  We are all raised different some lacking a formal education make their living by using their bodies (backs and knees) with time the tear and wear on the joints and back will cause disabilities that a person making a living professionally (formally trained as an attorney, or medical professional) will not experience.  On the plus side those back breaking jobs are disappearing quickly as mechanical equipment takes over more and more menial jobs.

Laying pipe (for irrigation, natural gas, telephone or cable etc.) used to be labor intensive, at present most ditch diggers are being replaced by mechanical digging equipment.  Once upon a time a young man or woman just starting in life might get side tracked from a formal education because of the seeming easy money provided by labor intensive jobs.  Today’s labor market offers hamburger flipping jobs to the young, but it shouldn’t side track any one away from college or vocational training.

Choices made when young (back breaking work) affects you in later years when even leisure things like gardening or walking for exercise will be a challenge.  Taking medication for back and joint pain can eventually have worst side effects than the back problems (from serious prescription addiction to kidney problems for excessive use of some over the counter pain meds.).  Again decisions made when young will came back to haunt us later in life.

We are not all predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease, but many of us are, and by the time we find out we are well on our way to it.  I have a favorite saying:  Everything we say and do will come back to us, positive, negative or indifferent, but it will come back to us.  This is where, “if I’d known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of my mind and body,” comes in.  Such things as smoking, alcohol, drugs, not taking the time to prepare yourself for a career, not investing on your retirement, etc., etc. will get you in the end. I realize that as individuals we don’t always make a conscious choice, sometimes it’s a matter of playing the cards life has dealt us.

With regard to the social media posting, I try to be considerate, but once again consideration is in the eye of the beholder, I am sure that somewhere along the way, I have insulted or offended someone.  I promise to try even harder.  The best is yet to come…..

A Couple’s Day

Love, Trust. Appreciation, and Mutual Admiration

Imagine if you will what a normal day might be like in well-adjusted married couple’s life.  First allow me to set up some background.  We are not much different than any other couple, but how we live our partnership (married life) may well be as different as day and night from anyone else. 

As an example of love, trust and sharing, only one of us worked while the other raised the children (to middle school age).  This was a choice that included some unspoken sacrifices.  I can’t remember a time when we didn’t have our needs met (shelter, utilities, food, clothing, transportation, basic entertainment, etc.).  We even managed a getaway (budget) vacation.  While the kids were growing up we managed to treat them to a vacation in Southern California (Disney, Universal Studios, and Knott’s Berry Farm) every other year.  It wasn’t affordable, but we made it a priority because we the parents had been raised without vacations.  As a sacrifice we didn’t buy a new car as often as we might have liked.  As a couple we seldom ate out or went to a movie.  Besides the job, we operated a business that kept us busier than we wanted to be.  When we married and decided to raise a family we gave up “our life” attitude and exchanged it for the family’s life with emphasis on the children.  The children are all grown up, with children of their own.  They are all healthy and happy.

Back to the future, and a typical day.  The alarm goes off at 5:15 am.  We both start working by 7 am.  Breaks have to be purposely taken because the pace all day long is fast and furious (wouldn’t have it any other way).  My title is Grandpa, Activity Director numerous responsibilities fall under that title.  Since early retirement a few years back, I handle approximately 75 percent of the grandchildren’s oversight during the day.  Chauffeur, chef, nutritionist, wardrobe supervisor, Entertainment director, Summer school teacher, and Director of Purchasing (in charge of laundry and dish washing).  Whatever the children want, I’m the go to guy. 

Activity Center

With the time that’s left I operate the family business.  The family business pays handsomely, but the other job has a value of love and appreciation that couldn’t be matched with monetary compensation.  If I was forced to give up one of the things that I do, it wouldn’t be a contest at all.  I will assist with my grandchildren for as long as my participation adds value to their little lives.  My wife comes home from a fast paced corporate job, sometimes stressed most often not so much.  Her duties include over seeing personnel, policies, and budgets, and while she enjoys it, I know that she would trade with me in a minute.

She has done both jobs, the first, while raising our children, and now she is enjoying her career.  I have done the corporate gig most of my life, and now I do what she did only with the grandchildren.  I never for a minute thought she had the easier job back then, and now I know that to do it right requires many skills, and lots of patience.  Having shared the experiences gives us a better understanding and appreciation for each other.

Peace and quiet at last

I don’t mind being a kept man.  We both contribute on the financial front, but for now she is the designated bread winner, and I appreciate her and miss her during the day.  She often will text me during the day to tell me that I am the greatest grandpa in the world,  At the end of her day she will come home and invite me to go out for dinner, entertainment or just a drive.  She knows what a day is like at home with all those super energetic little granddaughters.

I’ve had numerous job offers to return to the workforce, but money won’t buy me away from my present position.  Besides, I’ve been as high as CEO of a corporation, how could they possibly top Grandpa, Activity Director?  The best is yet to come…………

May - December Romance

May - December Romance

I was recently reading some articles on romances where the couples, whether married or not are at least separated by 10 years in age.  I did get the logic of calling any romance separated by 10 years or more “May –December.”  However, since we are using months to show the age of the individuals in the relationship and life expectancy in Washington State for males is 77.77, and 82 years for females, for the sake of easy calculation lets average the two to 80 years of age.

Having setup the formula first, now we can say that if the male is the older in the relationship and 80 is the life expectancy that would make December 31st, equal to 80 years of age. So the young female at the May month would be somewhere approximately in her mid-30’s, that would take the romance out of the May – December Romance moniker. A couple where the bride is 36 and the groom is between 73 and 80 sounds more like a nurse – patient relationship.  I hate to say it because I grew up reading Playboy for the articles (of course), but it sounds like a marriage that could only take place (regularly) at the Playboy Mansion.

Pinky Promise

• May-December relationships have at least an 11-year age span between the parties. The vast majority of May-December marriages take place between older men and younger women. According to the most recent U.S. census, 7.4 percent of husbands are 10 or more years older than their wives.
• But that trend is starting to change. A 2003 AARP report, “Lifestyles, Dating and Romance,” found that 8 percent of women older than 39 were dating men at least 10 years younger.
• Hollywood has long been a breeding ground for May-December romances. Charlie Chaplin famously wed Oona O’Neill when she was 18 and he was 54. Warren Beatty is 21 years older than his wife, Annette Bening. Harrison Ford, 70, is married to Calista Flockhart, 48. Clint Eastwood is 82; wife Dina Ruiz-Eastwood is 35 years younger (they’re getting a divorce).
• Why choose a partner from a vastly different age group? Research conducted at University of Gothenburg and Oxford University and published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology found that women wanted older men because of their solid financial resources and high social status. Men have always sought younger female partners.The study also found that the majority of women older than 60 were looking for younger men.
• While many May-December couples report they’ve found the love of their life, they’re likely to encounter certain challenges. They may grapple with an imbalance of power. When one party has more life experience, money and prestige, he or she may exert more authority over the other.
• Partners age at different rates. No matter how youthful the older person feels or acts, the calendar inevitably catches up. ~ BY LINDA LEWIS GRIFFITH 

I can tell you from my fairy tale romance (life), that the first time I saw my wife I was struck by her physical beauty, the fact that she was in college said volumes about her intelligence, and the minute she spoke I was amazed at her maturity beyond her obvious youth.  The chance meeting took place at my office where I was a college counselor (not the same college where she was enrolled).  She had dropped by to take her brother to lunch, and her brother was in a meeting with me in my office, he was a co-worker and also a counselor (to this day we are related and great friends).

To make a very long and loving story short, that beautiful woman that walked into my life unexpectedly on her 18^th birthday, and I married two weeks later.  We just celebrated our most recent anniversary last month (our youngest daughter is 30 years old and we have 3 other children together).  Today I am retired (early retirement), and she enjoys her career she plans to keep working a little longer.  Little did I know that I would go from being the more experience partner in the relationship to being a “kept man.”  I love my life and my present status and for the record I consider our romance a March – May Romance!  The best is yet to come……..

Graduation – Bittersweet Outcome

Graduation – Bittersweet Outcome

 

On May 9^th 2015 I attended my grandson’s graduation from Washington State University.  I drove approximately 16 hours roundtrip from my home, and sat through two plus hours of Commencement Ceremony.  I enjoyed every moment of it, and like a good (make that great) supporter of the educational system, happily sat through until all the graduates had their moment in the spotlight.

 

Amongst the many presentations and speeches (every one inspiring) there were so many words of wisdom being shared, that I started taking notes.  In my life I have attended many social events because of a sense of duty or respect for a group or individual.  This was a participation for love plain and simple.  I held that little boy in my arms soon after he was born, and watched him grow, keeping close tabs on his progress as he worked his way through the educational system.  I attended football games, wrestling matches, even graduation from Kindergarten and high school.

So when the time came, nothing short of divine intervention was going to keep me away.  Here are a couple of facts as they relate to the graduating student class of 2015.

• How many students will graduate this year?  The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) projects 1,855,000 students at the bachelor's degree level will graduate as the Class of 2015.

• What are the top personal qualities employers look for in college graduates?  The top 5 personal qualities/skills employers seek, according to NACE's Job Outlook survey, are:
1. Ability to make decisions and solve problems
2. Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the organization
3. Ability to obtain and process information
4. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work
5. Ability to analyze quantitative data ~ National Association of Colleges and Employers

As I mentioned above, much wisdom was shared with the graduating class about going into the real word, but something was lacking.  I just couldn’t figure it out right off the top of my head.  Of the wisdom shared two things stood out foremost:

 

·        If you ever find yourself lost and in need of regaining your bearings, please return to this campus, this will forever, going forward be your home.  You belong here, this will always be your home.  It gave me a special feeling inside, kind of like having your parents tell you once you are ready to move out, that you can always return home.

·        If you ever find that all your objectives and aspiration are being accomplished, please stop and re-analyze your goals and objective, because you are not challenging yourself enough.

 

On Monday May 11^th I woke up with the answer that I was looking for at the Commencement Ceremony (that something that was lacking).  The first thing on my mind was my grandson and what must be going through his mind. I never heard anyone at the graduation address this subject.  I messaged him the following though Facebook Messenger (privately):   Good morning son! Welcome to the first week of the rest of your life. I remember when I got done with school, I had a well-deserved feeling of accomplishment, but I also felt a sense of loss. Something so familiar for so long, was now a thing of the past! Enjoy the summer break, and reset your mind for the challenges ahead! We love you and are very proud of all your accomplishments. Hope to see you next weekend.

 

Medical School is next; the best is yet to come……

Meaning of Life

Meaning of Life

I will start this post by stating once again that I have a very blessed life.  I can’t say that my life is perfect, because no one’s life is perfect.  I am grateful that I don’t get to plot every day in my life because I wouldn’t know how to plot the perfect day every day of my life.  I enjoy the variety that comes my way every day.  What makes my life blessed is how I respond to and deal with the multitude of things that come at me every day. 

With todays advanced technology many things are getting predictable.  I remember when I was a teenager working on the farm during the vacations from school, I loved going to bed at night and not knowing exactly what kind of weather I was going to be working in the next day.  Sometimes the smell of wet ground in the morning, and seeing the rain clouds moving away gave me a special sense of energy to start my day.  Today, I can look at the weather report and know what area of my town the rain or snow is going to be falling in.  I can see how fast the wind is going to be blowing, when it will pick up and when it will subside.  I realize that being able to predict the good and bad weather is a good thing, but a small piece of mystery and adventure is removed from everyday life.

Today is my birthday and that also is a good thing, I don’t like the alternative.  My youngest daughter woke up my 7 year old granddaughter and mention that today was grandpa’s birthday.  My granddaughters response was an incredulous response, “really, it’s never grandpa’s birthday!”  My idea of celebrating my birthday is a family dinner at home, or out to dinner with family members, minimally and every bit as good is dinner at one of our favorite restaurants with just my wife.  I am often asked what I want for my birthday, and I am sure you have heard the most common dilemma, what do you give the person that has everything.

 

I am fortunate to get whatever I want or need whenever I feel like it.  It sounds like I am bragging, but you would have to know me to understand what that means.  Within reason and within my means.  My seven year old granddaughter asked me today what I wanted for my birthday, and I told her that I was just glad to spend time with her, and her cousins (and family in general).  As I dropped my granddaughter off at her school she told me that she couldn’t wait to get home so we could play a game of Angry Birds, and some Mario Brothers.

If it weren’t for my grandchildren, I would simply be growing older, but because of them I was able to cheer us up on the way to school by playing Moves like Jagger, through the Bluetooth from my iPhone to the vehicle stereo system.  It’s funny how things change: when my children were young they had no choice but to listen to the oldies but goodies radio station whenever we traveled. Today you can find the likes of Justin Timberlake, Sy (Gangnam Style), Katy Perry, Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Train, and Christina Aguilera, on my iPhone.  Do you have any idea how awesome that makes me in the eyes of youth?  I can also move like Jagger if occasion calls for it!

Once again, my life is not perfect but it is awesome, when you have a happy and healthy family you are definitely blessed, and that is what I am.  Waking up every day of my life to my wonderful wife gives me the edge I need to start my day with a grateful heart.  I forgot to mention that I also have longevity going in my family line, many of my relatives lived into their 90’s, I guess that makes me almost middle aged.  The best is yet to come….

Early Influence (50th Anniversary)

Early Influence (50^th Anniversary)

Is it possible this was the first exposure to what would later become known as global community influence?  Up until now everything about our music culture was pretty much home grown, hillbilly, bluegrass, Rock-A-Billy, country, folk jazz, you name it, pretty much all had its roots here in America.

Up until now most recording artists were getting one or two hits on the charts per year, and all of a sudden with the arrival of the Beatles, you could turn on the radio and listen to two or three even four of their new hits at the same time.  On their first full year of exposure to the USA audience (1964) they had 8 songs in the top 55 songs of the year on the Billboard Chart. 

The eight songs were:

• # 1. I want to hold your hand
• # 2. She loves you 
• # 13. A hard day’s night 
• # 14. Love me do
•  # 16. Please, please me 
• # 40. Twist and Shout
• # 52. Can’t buy me love 
• # 55. Do you want to know a secret

During their career they went on to release 13 Albums, more than 200 songs, and they charted 21 # One Singles, and they became the most influential music group ever.

A special factory had to be built in order to keep up with the millions of records being sold by the Beatles.  Soon after their arrival in US Market a radio station in Los Angeles California started playing nothing but Beatles music.

The Beatles led the British Invasion, some of the groups that followed were:  The Dave Clark Five, the Animals, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Herman’s Hermits, the Hollies, Tom Jones and many others.  The best is yet to come…..

A Gaggle of Girls

A favorite Hangout

• A gaggle is a term for a flock of geese that is not in flight.
• In terms of geese, a gaggle is equal to at least five geese.
• In certain regions of The Netherlands, a gaggle can also refer to a group of adolescent females.

I was working in my office (home office), while keeping an eye on three of my granddaughters for a couple of hours.  As usual I have part of my mind concentration on the work I am doing and the other half tracking my granddaughters. The only time I worry is if they are not in the line of sight or when the house gets too quiet. 

On this occasion I was working and blocking out sounds until I couldn’t help but listen to the noise coming from the family room.  The sounds reminded me of a few times in spring and summer when I am out at the golf course chipping or putting on to or on the green and a bunch of geese grazing nearby interrupt my concentration. Each one of my three youngest granddaughters are very assertive, and each one will raise her voice to be heard over the others. You honestly can’t tell what the discussion is about or who is making the most sense.  Their ages are three, five, and seven.  Two are sisters, and the oldest one is their cousin.

They are a joy to look after, and I love each one equally.  Never a dull moment when I have them in my care.  Through the years I have re-acquainted myself with cartoons and children’s programing in general.  From Disney Jr., to Nickelodeon, and from Lazy Town to Sheriff Callie and everything else in-between, including the Mutant Ninja Turtles.  We spend time at the park playing foot races, and play equipment (swings, teeter totter, monkey bars, and slides), and can’t forget riding bicycles.  Sometimes the highlights of a day are the trips to Children’s Hands On Museum, Chuck E. Cheese, Charlie Safari, or Jumping Jacks.

I also transport them around, I am their care provider (not full time), chauffer, nutritionist, cook, activity director, homework helper, first aid attendant (EMT – Band-Aids only), and favorite grandpa; in no particular order.  I suppose that the one outstanding qualification for my present position is that I am retired, the second is that I love them more than life itself.

When I get a time for reflection, I think of how great it would be to see them off to college, and perhaps to be at their weddings.  Either way it is very reassuring to know that my DNA will go forth even long after I am gone, and the best part is that it will be in very capable hands.  The best is yet to come……

Sports Influence 2

Sports Influence 2

I’ve said it many times before, as long as you put forth your best effort, you can always be proud of your accomplishments.  It doesn’t matter if you walk away with the ultimate prize or end up second best.  Someone has to win and someone has to lose.

Last weekend Super Bowl Sunday had special meaning for me.  For the second time in 38 years the one team that has maintained my interest in the National Football League, the Seattle Seahawks were competing.  During the last two weeks of hype leading up to the Super Bowl, I was so strong in my support of the team that I knew we could walk away champions.  Just the same I told myself that there was a chance that we could end up second best, and I could live with it.

I invited family over to our home so that we could collectively lend our energy to our favorite team.  The family gathering alone made this event a winning situation.  This special day at our home was one of momentous jubilation even before the game started.  Our family gathering in itself was reason to be happy.  Plenty of food variety for everyone’s taste; definitely the best indoor tailgate party we have ever had. 

The fan base known as the 12 Man understand that our team is young and strong with only a handful of players entering and testing free agency next season and likely to move on.  Even the experts who have managed to ignore our team over the years are now comparing the Seahawks to the young Dallas Cowboys of the early 1990’s that went on to win 3 championships is short order.

Like many negative events in history where you will always know where you were when they happened, so will this championship.  Our family unit will always remember the time when our first championship was won and how we were all together enjoying our family unity in victory.

While there is a requirement to exercise good sportsmanship in victory as well as in defeat, there is no comparison to the feeling of being World Champions.  I hold a very strong respect for Peyton Manning and all his accomplishments, and very classy demeanor.  Go out and support your team because they depend on the fan base, besides, at least to date no one team is champion forever.  The best is yet to come…..

Contemplating Retirement

Contemplating Retirement

The very first day I contemplated retirement was when I completed my very first day of work (my first full 12 hour day).  Farm work doesn’t punch a clock from 8 to 5.  Back when I started at 12 years of age and the time clock was solar (sun-up to sun-down).  We would get a 30 minute lunch break, not paid for, and no breaks before or after lunch.  The only breaks we got were of the forced type (forced by the call of nature).  I went home from work at the end of the day, I had driven a Ford Ferguson Tractor all day long, pulling a flatbed trailer while three college young men loaded bales of hay on it. After the trailer was filled to capacity plus I would drive them over to where the bales of hay were stacked for year round use.  The farm had so much cattle that all the hay was strictly for in house use.  Sometimes the rancher would even purchase additional hay to make it through the year.  I remember getting done at the end of the day and I was so tired, that I would often go to sleep without eating dinner.  Enough reminiscing about the good old days (and they truly were).

At some point I started loving work so much that I had difficulty stopping at the end of a day to go home.  Back in the day 100% effort was expected from everyone, but to add a 10% extra made you shine very bright and opportunities for advancement almost always followed.  Many of my friends complained that management required more than a 40 hour week.  They were right, but with my work ethic, once I reached mid-management level in the corporate world, the long hours coupled with appropriate wage was like a fine tuned V-8 engine hitting on all cylinders.

I didn’t realize it growing up but learning about life and the struggles that often come along for the ride, made my life much easier.  I learned how to work hard and stand out amongst my co-workers.  Thanks to lessons learned growing up, I’ve lived within my means or below all my life, never cared to keep up with the neighbors, and home has always been the basis of my comfort.

Many workers spend their lives dreaming about the retirement, but the reality does not always meet the fantasy. There are pros and cons to retirement, both in terms of finances and in terms of lifestyle. Understanding the possible negative consequences of calling it a career can help you make a better transition from the role of worker to the role of new retiree.  Keeping busy for the sake of sanity can be as important as adjusting to your new finances.

Time is a precious commodity, and one that retirees have in abundance. Without the responsibilities and stresses of a job, retirees are free to visit their children and grandchildren whenever they want. Retirees can also travel as much as their hearts desire or their budgets allow.  Making the right choices for you and your new lifestyle is where it’s at.  You may have to experiment until you get used to the idea that you no longer have to punch a clock,

I was lucky to retire early thanks to advice from my best friend, and I tried different things before settling to what feels good and fulfills me.  I’ll just say that my new lifestyle has a little bit of everything in it.  This post was prompted by the fact that my best friend’s wife just retired, and I got to thinking of how I was affected, and how I wish them the best in their new found freedom!  The best is yet to come…..