A Day in the Life of Bob

The most common question we have gotten since Bob retired is “how do you spend your time?”  It’s a reasonable question.  I think we are both surprised at how busy we have been.  If you have been following the blog you know we have done a lot of travel since May, and that has consumed many weeks’ time.  But in between trips we aren’t sitting around twiddling our thumbs.

I’ve always suspected Bob would love retirement.  He has lots of interests and now he has time for them.  Bob is also a pretty disciplined guy so no real surprise here but he makes time for the activities he enjoys as well as the tasks or chores on his list.  Yes, sometimes it’s a “honey-do” list from me!

The one concession to not having a schedule is that Bob lets himself sleep until he awakens instead of jumping out of bed when the alarm goes off; it doesn’t go off anymore!  He spent the last many years getting up at 4:30am and being at his office by 6:00am but even at that early rising hour Bob found time to do some exercise before leaving the house.  He still does start every morning with stretching and tai chi exercises.  Then he heads out for a morning walk.  He’s dedicated!  We live in a good neighborhood for walking and he enjoys it.

Stretching

Tai Chi

 

Foggy morning walk

During breakfast Bob’s glued to the iPad reading the news, watching the stock market and getting caught up on email.  What did we ever do before we had email or social media? 

Breakfast & the stock market

Then time for some chores . . . he claims he actually enjoys them.  Generally he is out gardening or cleaning out the filter to the koi pond and changing the water. 

Gardening

Koi Pond

Like anyone, there’s always something that needs to be done around the house.  We have a pretty traditional split of chores, always have had, and it works for us.  However, I’m very pleased to disclose that Bob has taken over vacuuming inside the house.  I hated doing it; he does a much better job and I appreciate it.

Vacuuming

Generally, I’m more “the errand runner” so often I’m out and about while Bob putts around outside.  One lesson quickly learned after he retired is that we don’t have to spend all our time together.  At first, I felt I should invite him to go to Target or the grocery store and he felt he had to say “sure dear.”  That got old pretty fast and now “I’m going to Target” is sort of code for I need some time to myself.  His code is “I’m going to Home Depot.”  I’m sure many of you readers, retired or otherwise, can relate.

One of the things Bob loves to do but hasn’t had much time for in many years is painting.  He has dabbled in many mediums but seems to enjoy watercolors most.  Now he has the time and we just need to find a designated space for him to indulge.  Our house is fairly small so he seems to rotate between the dining room, the kitchen or the office.  I think Bob is quite talented and I’m happy to have several of his pieces decorating our home.  We often joke that we may hit the road displaying at regional “art in the park” events.  Who knows what the future will bring?

Acrylic

Watercolor Petroglyph

 

Almost a "Monet"

 

Lately we have been brushing up on our Spanish, spending a few minutes after lunch every day practicing.  Our next big trip is to Costa Rica (snowbirds for two months!) and we won’t be fluent but hopefully we can make an effort to speak the pleasantries and understand what’s being said to us. I studied Spanish for six years in school and am not fluent; it’s a skill I wish I had kept up with.  Language needs to be used, or you do lose it! 

Como se dece?

 

 Who knew Bob was harboring a desire to be a rock star?  I didn’t, and we’ve been married nearly 35 years!  One morning he came out of the office after spending time at the computer and announced he just bought a guitar.  I’m envisioning an acoustic guitar but a few days later a beautiful electric guitar arrives.  Then an amplifier arrives.  I ask if he is going to take lessons and I’m informed he is taking an online course.  I guess you can learn to do anything online these days . . . and actually, each day I can hear improvement and am beginning to recognize a tune.  Bob, the rock star!

Bob, the Rock Star

Practice, practice!

 

We recently ran into Bob’s boss who immediately asked if he was ready to come back to work.  Without hesitation Bob replied “no.” Then his boss asked if I was ready for Bob to go back to work.  Again, “no.”  We are enjoying this time and each other.  I guess the point about Bob’s retired life is that he is disciplined, dedicated, and never idle.  There’s always something that needs to be done or he wants to do.  He approaches every day as an opportunity and blessing.  I’m not worried about him filling his time; his dance card is full.

We rather spontaneously headed out to the OR coast for a couple days “ocean fix.”  We love the community of Gearhart and always enjoy a walk on the beach.  The weather was quite stormy and the ocean angry but you just have to appreciate the dynamics of nature. 

Gearhart beach

Tillamook Head, south of Gearhart

After the storm passed we happened to come across an unlikely site . . . a large herd of elk grazing at the city park on the edge of Seaside, the neighboring community.  Who knew elk like to go to the beach also?  It was a very special treat!

Just a few of the cows

Who's looking at who?

Our insight into retirement for now is that it has been helpful to have a plan, have some interests you want to do, and let yourself enjoy!  Also, be open to trying something new . . . you just may become a rock star!