AHA! So that's where they all go.....

   It was late morning. The sun was shining brightly and although it was chilly, we decided to take the opportunity to do a bit of shopping. It was a quick stop at a local fast food restaurant for a late breakfast and then off to the store. There's a new store in the area, opening just before Christmas, that we had yet to visit and today would be the perfect opportunity. The name scared me a bit...Hobby Lobby...because I wasn't sure what they sold, although I could guess based upon the name. But, there would be room to move around for exercise, it would be warm  and there should be plenty of parking,  being the middle of the day and the middle of the week and all. I mean, who goes to a 'hobby store' during the middle of the day in the middle of the week?

   I can remember telling many of my clients as they were approaching retirement...”we work now so that some day we don't have to”. But when the day arrives, I am not sure we are ever really ready. 
   The first couple of weeks are great. Eight to ten hours a day of extra time to do whatever you want! All those projects and activities that never got done while you were working... now completed, and it's only day four into retirement. For sure, there are many advantages to being retired, but I will add there are some things I had not anticipated.

   For the most part, being retired allows you to go where you want, when you want and not have to fight the crowds. Many of the fast food restaurants offer free coffee to seniors along with the purchase of one of their breakfast sandwiches. Some stores offer senior discounts while other may even help load your purchases into the car. "Do you need some help, sir?" (Do I look that old? ) 

   When it snows, I don't have to go out in the middle of the night to clear out the driveway. There is no need to rush out. I am not going anywhere in the morning.

   In the summer, I can mow my lawn on a Thursday instead of Saturday like everyone else and it helps keep the air clearer from all the pollution  coming from the lawn mowers running at the same time.

   I can stay up as late as I want... to watch the Late Show with Jack Paar. (Who?) I didn't really have any interest in watching the show when I was working, so why do it now. But    I'll just DVR it if I change my mind.

   Those are some of the good things.

   I am not sure what I had expected a life of retirement to look like, having watched only my parents and a few of the neighbors navigate the retirement years. I didn't think my parents' experience was the norm. And for some reason, I have noticed the retired neighbors are still out of the house by 9:00am most mornings. I wonder where they all go?

   Growing up, I remember the 'great American dream' was to retire at 62, collect social security and live a life of leisure. But today, that dream has changed just a bit. People are living longer, they are healthier and it is not uncommon to find retirees living well into their 90's. And living off social security these days.....

   From my observation, the new dream is to retire a bit later, maybe 63, take a few years off to unwind, get all those odd jobs done around the house, and then maybe pick up a part time job for a bit of extra spending money or do some volunteer work, putting  some structure back into the day, not every day mind you, but a couple of days each week. The reality is  you can only hang out at Tim Horton's each morning for so long. It's nice to see your friends on a regular basis, drink plenty of coffee and eat a couple of donuts each day, but every day? And after awhile, it can get to be a bit expensive.

   As I turned into the parking lot...AHA! I may have discovered the answer to why and where the neighbors might be going each day. Look at all the cars!

   The new store in the area that opened just before Christmas is huge. Not only is it packed with almost every imaginable craft and hobby items, but furniture, home decorating items and alike. Its one stop shopping for just about anything for the house. And filling the air ...soothing music, almost 'sing along' type. Isn't that a Mitch Miller song?
   Although the parking lot was full and well cleared of snow, there were still plenty of spaces to park. The aisles where easy to navigate with shopping carts and baskets. And most of the the people walking up and down the aisles, aside from a few maybe under the age of 40...the majority looked just like me: retired couples, of similar age and older, in similar retirement dress (LL Bean flannel, I assume), filling their shopping carts and baskets with projects for the next stormy day.. and the days beyond!

   So this is where the neighbors go!!!!