Retired

Okay it's been 4 months since I retired and I have to say I'm happy. I'm not bored …..yet; but starting to feel like I need to  decide where I want to volunteer. At first I think John felt like he had to keep me busy...but gave up on that pretty quickly. Some days I don't go anywhere...but as long as I have a good book, good music...I'm fine.
First of all...I keep stopping and thinking to myself...how glad I am that I don't have to go to work. That's a little sad....because I did enjoy what I did for a long time. Last year was hard though. I was kind of depressed...and while I sometimes have feelings of melancholy...I can usually shake them off. Last winter (if you can really call it that in Florida) I felt a couple of times like I couldn't shake it. I don't like the short days/dark days of the year...and usually am happier in general once Spring rolls around. Days when I feel like it's a seasonal thing, I just remind myself how happy I am to live in "The Sunshine State". It's not that I'm out sunbathing or lying in the sun....but I sure do like the fact that it's out there the majority of the time! So last year around this time when I was feeling a little down...I just started counting the days until I would be calling it quits. That and lots of bike rides and walks...helped.
Part of my reason for not wanting to be at the library was the fact that I was no longer doing what I really wanted to be doing. It was hard to be at work and see someone else doing my old job and enjoying it. I hated to be there when special events were going on for the kids...I tried to plan vacation days around the times I knew events would be happening. I don't think I had a bad attitude...I tried hard not to...but I didn't like the way I felt. In addition to my own struggles...we had what seemed like a constant turnover of staff. It seemed like we were always in the process of interviewing/hiring/training...etc. Some people left for better opportunities...which is understandable...but others were frustrated like me. It just seemed like morale was kind of low in general. also...the whole place was starting to look a little shabby. The carpets, etc...mostly from when the library opened in 2002..had seen better days. (somedays I'm sure people thought that about me too hahahaha). I hope they are on the County's list of projects to be done...because it could use a makeover.
I did enjoy some of the regular patrons. And I do miss talking with them and comparing notes on new books, etc.
But I was always on the verge of saying "I don't care!!!" when someone started complaining about things...myself included. A new lady got hired and was all perky and happy and said "I'm so happy to be here!" and I just sighed and said "I think I've been here too long". She didn't know what to say. Again...I tried to always be positive with co-workers and the patrons...and believe I succeeded because more than one would say to me..."Oh, I'm so glad you're working! Here's my problem/request/_______".
and I know you can handle this.Especially some of the regulars who had been coming in for years and years.
Since I quit...I think I have only been in about 3-4 times...because I just can't get motivated to go in. I don't want to fake like I'm happy to see everyone...because to be honest I'm not...but I am happy to see some of them. I try to time it to go in at times when I know who will be working. And, there are two other libraries close by. When I go to the Satellite Beach Library...it's just a different feel. The staff looks happy and they did recently get new carpet, etc...so it looks a little nicer. As far as the patrons...because of the way our schedules changed around day to day/ week to week...some of them still may not even realize that I'm not there anymore.
It's interesting. I really do catch myself some days, at certain times...thinking "I am SO glad I'm not there". And this year winter came and went without my usual "rough patch". And that always kind of surprises me ...or just makes me realize I made the right choice. It was time for me to go.
I recently got a nice note from a patron...one of my favorite moms from ST. She wished me well and told me that I was one of her favorite Librarians ever. comments like that make me feel like I did make a difference...at least for some people, and I kind of knew that...but it IS  nice to hear.
So....what have I been doing....not much.
We went on the cruise right after I quit. That was fun. Then it was the holidays and we had a lot going on this year...which I like. We've had some nice weather here...so I've had lots of long bike rides and walks...at times when I would've been at work or getting ready for work...and I'm not going to lie...I like that! I've gone to the movies a few times...and I love when no one (well hardly anyone) is in the theater. I can sit and eat my popcorn and enjoy my movie with NO ONE around me. hahah (I know I'm weird...but I do not like crowded theatres. I don't want to hear anyone rattling wrappers or crunching on popcorn or ice or those damn nuts!!!!!  hahah Seriously who thought those were a good idea for theaters!!!! (Do I sound like a grouchy old lady...hahah I'm really not)
I have been tidying up a little...getting rid of things I don't need to keep anymore. I feel like I'm making progress...but then I open a closet and I know I can keep that task up for quite a while. I can at least organize all my "stuff"...because sometimes I'll be looking for one thing...come across other things I "forgot" I had...realize...I have too much stuff. What do I really need here? I've made a dent....at least. I've given things away, thrown things away and it's all progress.
I've been to Disney a few times and I love not having to worry about when I can go/when I need to be back etc. It's just nice not to have to ask anyone for time off.
Right now the snowbirds are still in town so volunteers are abundant...once they all start heading home I will find a place I want to go help out. Next year I want to start back with the Rolling Readers program, since I will be able to commit to a weekly schedule again. We are planning to make a nice long trip to NZ next year to visit Megan and Marcus...so once they get settled we'll start making a plan. And who knows what else I'll be doing...possibilities are endless. So far- I'm good!

Hectic holidays

Here it is the end of February and I am still thinking about all the holiday happenings last year.
We had a fun December. The festivities started at the end of November and seemed to keep on going.
Once Thanksgiving was over, we were getting ready my "retirement" and  for our cruise with a group of friends leaving from Port Canaveral on December 9th.
My last day of work was December 6th. I didn't really say much to anybody in advance....because I didn't tell my boss until just a little over two weeks before I left.The thing with working at MBPL is that we had schedules that changed day to day, week to week. Sometimes I wouldn't see patrons for a few weeks just because of the day and/or time they happened to come in. It was not uncommon for people to comment "Oh I haven't seen you for a while. I was wondering if you were still working here." That along with our many part-time residents means there may be some folks who still have no clue that I'm no longer working there! (unless they happen to ask...and they very well may...because there are a lot of new faces). I can say that  I DO NOT miss it and more than once at a certain day or time I will catch myself thinking "Oh I'm so glad I'm not there!".
 I liked my job for the most part. I wasn't crazy about the boss and some of the "rules" …. but it wasn't terrible. I am happy not to be there for now and have heard through the "grapevine" that 3 of the people hired since I gave my notice in late November...have already left. I think it would be safe to say morale is not very high at this point. (One other person left...but she had another  better job opportunity.)So.....I'll leave it at that.
The staff had a nice little celebration for me on my last day and I appreciated that very much. I enjoyed most of the people I worked with and hope they enjoyed working with me. My last day was a Thursday and I had fun with no obligations for a couple of days before we left on our cruise.
as I mentioned in my last blog I was a little unsure about the size of the ship and the itinerary. However...as usual, it was all for nothing, because we had a good time and the ship was pretty nice. Even though it's BIG...it never felt too crowded.

 One thing I liked was the fact that it kind of got the Holiday season started.

The ship was decorated and everyone was in a festive mood. On the "formal" nights everyone was dressed up in their holiday clothes ...because if you've ever been on a cruise you know they are always snapping photos. It's a good way to get a (with any luck) good family photo...and since it was so close to Hanukkah and Christmas...I'm thinking lots of photos ended up on Holiday cards. Another plus was watching the football games on the big screen. There were some great games at the end of the season and watching in the stands with other fans was kind of fun.

we also had a great group of 12 people. There was always someone around to do things with. Sometimes days at sea can be kind of boring...but we had fun playing board games,

one of the games Jeanette brought

 hanging out by the pool, trying the zipline, etc. There were plenty of bars and shows to choose from at night...and always someone who was willing to join you.

 hahahah we had one dinner with the WHOLE group on my birthday (and one of the others, who had a birthday 2 days before me).

The other meals there might be 4-6-8-10 of us...lots of options and no pressure.
John, Sean ,Nancy and I tried the Rock Climbing wall. John made it to the top. Nancy and I got up to the first bell.

 Sean watched. hahahah

Most of us tried the on board zipline.

 A friend of mine who went ton the same ship a year or so ago told me she had tried it...I figured if she could do it...so could I. hahahah John was tempted to try the wave "pool" but it looked a little fast and he wasn't sure he wanted to have to deal with falling! It was fun to watch other people try. There was a contest one night...and an older guy, who works with the cruise line, won. He's 70?

Crowd watching the "Surf Contest"

 I think and has mastered the wave machine. He made it look easy. The night of the contest he dressed in red and wore a Santa hat and had flashing rings that he tossed to the spectators. John ,Charlie,Gayle and I got a kick out of watching that.

 Everyone was cheering.
At our first stop a group of us did the zip line. A bus takes the group up the hill to the starting point and then you ride the zipline down over the water to the beach. Click on this link to see what it was like
https://www.facebook.com/royalcaribbean/videos/1224322507721070/UzpfSTEwMDAwNTg4NTUwMzcxOTozMDYwNjExMjk0OTk0MTQ6MTA6MTUxNDc5MzYwMDoxNTQ2MzI5NTk5Oi02MjY2MDE0MDQ0NDQ3Nzg2ODA0/?lst=100005885503719%3A100005885503719%3A1551147659
It was fun. We "sat" but Charlie and Gayle opted for the  more
advanced" lay down position.

In Jamaica people went off on different tours. we walked around the town...but didn't venture too far from the ship...because it wasn't the "safest" place to go on your own. Charlie, Sean,Gayle and Nancy climbed the falls and had a good time. It was a 6 hour tour, and I wasn't sure I wanted to be gone all day long...soI opted out. Jeanette and Joe went to a plantation home tour that they really enjoyed. Art and Gayle went on a raft tour and really enjoyed it.
In Cozumel

4 of the group spent the day at the beach relaxing. The rest of us found a taxi that took us all to a beach "resort" where we spent the afternoon.

 It was an old hotel (abandoned next to a nice restaurant, club house and pool .

You could snorkel, sunbathe, take a dip in the ocean or the pool. The cab drivers all hung out together while the tourists di out thing. We had a great lunch...LOTS of FOOD.... We ordered too much...but had fun sampling many different things.

 It was a pleasant relaxing day. Originally we had thought we might head to a popular beach Gayle and Nancy remembered from trips to Cozumel years earlier...but the cab driver convinced us to avoid the crowds and let him take us to the spot where we ended up. On the way there he also dropped us off "downtown" so we could walk around a bit, check out some of the shops, etc. He was great. We liked him and I think he had fun with our crazy crew....because What's not to like...hahaha plus we're good tippers!
When we got home we went to a friend's party (described in my last post).
Then we celebrated Christmas...kind of a low key celebration...just John, Brenna, Josh, Mark  and I.

Generally New Year's Eve is pretty quiet for us. I am not in to large drunken groups..especially when they are all trying to kiss you at midnight!!!! We were invited to an old friend's (she's not old...she's younger than me hahaha I mean a friend we don't see as often as we used to) 60th birthday party. Her birthday is New Year's eve...so that was fun.

Birthday girl

 We saw some familiar faces there and enjoyed celebrating with that group for the first part of the night. Later we started heading back to the beachside...and to another party. (can't remember the last time we got invited to A party New Year's eve...let alone two!!!). We knew more of the guest at the second party. It was at a house on the river and it was a beautiful night. Cool fresh air, clear skies and a view of fireworks going off here and there along the river.

 Enjoyed listening to some music and having some treats...and then after midnight we headed home.
The next day we were invited to yet another party! I think it was a record this year....hahaha
There was a UCF football game on and many of the guests were alumni, had kids there, etc. I didn't watch much of the game...I enjoyed sitting and talking with a group of others also not watching the game. It was a fun entertaining afternoon, and a great way to start off the new year.
With all the festivities going on it was easy to forget that I was newly retired.  It was great to be able to say YES to everything though...without having to worry about whether or not I would be off and/or have to work the next day. My "Life of Leisure" was off to a fine start. hahahah

September 8th

When the actual day of the wedding rolled around...we were in luck!

 It was going to be a perfect day weather wise. Not too hot, not cold at all...partly cloudy but plenty of sun.

Several of the  plans for the day involved people being outside....so this was great news! The wedding wasn't until 5pm...but when you're getting ready and getting organized...that's not as late as it sounds. 😉 We went downstairs for breakfast. (I know I mentioned this before, but the breakfast provided was really good. There were several choices and while certainly not gourmet...it was better than average. ) After breakfast it was time to head up to Brenna and Josh's suite for hair and makeup, and last minute details.

We fired up the steamer and got the dresses wrinkle free. We had some music, some stickers and coloring sheets for the two little girls to keep them happy and busy if needed. I was just happy to have someone else in charge of doing my make-up. It was more than I'd normally wear, but it needed to last all day...and it made me feel good. as for the hair...no one really needed to do anything to my hair...I just fluffed it up a little more than usual and then used some good hairspray to keep it in place. I also enjoyed watching the girls work on the bridal party and Brenna. It was nice to see everything coming together.
The flowers were delivered and they were beautiful.

They incorporated all the colors that the bridal party would be wearing and they had a kind of vintage, natural look. Very nice. we met the photographers who both went right to work. They were snapping away and both very pleasant. If you're going to have people following around all day it's nice when they are people you actually like.
My day was pretty relaxing. As for the father of the bride...he wasn't so lucky. He was in charge of delivering the tent for the patio area and all the ice and alcohol. He rounded up a few volunteers and they got everything where it needed to be...and got a workout in the process. Fortunately the tent was very easy to put up. (The tables and chairs were a bit of a pain to unload...but also great to have on hand. Too bad we didn't have a troop of boy scouts needing a fundraiser! hahaha )For the price and the size the tent  was remarkably easy to "pop-up" without looking cheap. It was nice to have at least some shade out on the patio for the cocktail hour. I know the bartender appreciated it! The tent had been a debated item back when I first suggested it. We all went back and forth on whether or not we "needed" it...but Brenna decided she was going to take a chance and order the "deal" I had found...and once again...it turned out to be a good decision. (and much less of a chore then we feared)
I'm not sure what the rest of the family was up to all day. I know my brother enjoyed checking out a few local shops,etc. So did some of the other family members. A few people went down to the pool or the poolside.
Meanwhile up in Brenna's room -Josh had been banished the night before. He was down in his dad's room. We had some Publix sandwiches and snacks. I wanted to make sure everyone...especially Brenna ate during the day. It's easy to get distracted and caught up in all the goings on and "forget" to stop and eat. Nobody wanted to end up with a headache before the wedding even started!
Finally it was close to time. There were some photos before the ceremony...but most of the bridal party were going to be right after the ceremony.
We all piled up into the car and John drove us down to the museum. The room was set up and it looked perfect. It had been transformed.

before

after

 All the key players were in place...Photo booth was getting set up, bartender, caterers, DJ, and officiant all following coordinators directions. So far...so good!
Guests started arriving . I chatted with a few of them while they checked out the dog display and then headed back to the storage area aka the  "bridal party headquarters".
The guys were safely out of sight...Josh had not seen Brenna in her dress...so we wanted to make sure he didn't!

Pretty much right on schedule...the guys and girls were all assembled and ready to go.
The music was just right and the officiant did a good job and I hope everyone could hear. There was a poem read and  Brenna and Josh read their "sweet vows" (as my nephew described them). I hope everyone was able to hear; I was in the front of course and I heard just fine...but I know sometimes if you're in the back, it's a little harder.

 Once the Ceremony was over  Brenna and Josh made their  way down the aisle and then everyone else made their way out to the patio for some appetizers and some beverages and pictures...of course

 

We got in line to have a bubble "send-off"

and the bridal party and other key people were transported down the street to the park for some pictures. The photographer and coordinator made sure we were all in place and doing what we were supposed to be doing...which was good because I was concerned that doing the picture after the ceremony might make it hard to get the party started...if you know what I mean. The "girls" were first, then the guys...then both.

One of the bridesmaids took this picture and I'm so glad she did! It has Brenna and Megan and also the "Welcome to Huntsville" sign in the background

 We took a few family pictures and then we went back up to join the fun. From the look of things, the group was having no problem enjoying themselves. Once the room was rearranged we all went back in to get the party officially started. Everyone found their tables. The bar was open and the photo booth was ready to go.

 DJ was playing some good tunes and after the first dance(s). It was time to eat. Brenna and Josh did a great job of picking out a variety of things to eat. I believe everyone was able to find a few things to eat...there was plenty! Hardest thing was being patient...waiting for your table number to be called. We ate, had a toast or two and they cut the cake. The Sword of Zelda (that had made the wedding coordinator very nervous) was a BIG hit.

ready for the reception

Anyone who was a video game aficionado appreciated that!😀
More and more people were checking out the photo booth and others (like me) were waiting to dance.........John too. However I must say once the dancing "started"...people were ready to go. **Brenna and Josh had given the DJ their list of songs they liked/wanted and he stuck to it. He also had said "I love this music".....that's when Brenna knew she had found the right guy! --Unlike the other highly recommended DJ that had told her ...9 months in advance mind you..."I might be able to get those songs" Okay...you're out!

Dancing started and it never really stopped. If you were on the dance floor I probably talked to you...if not I might not have. I did go in the photo booth a few times, and I did talk to a few people here and there...but not as much as I could have. We had fun and I think everyone else did. It seemed like mostly everyone got out on the floor at one time or another...all ages. Brenna and Josh have a wide variety of friends.

Sorority friends

We had to tease Brenna's Uncle with a special request for "Walk Like An Egyptian" (an inside joke :) )

not sure what song was playing here - but it  looks like we all knew it :)

Many made it...lots from Florida, some from Alabama or elsewhere and all the family members from Josh's and our family...everyone got to hear something they liked I think. The DJ kept the party going. We were having such a good time we almost forgot to put the snacks out! We had bought a variety of cookies,crackers, chips, granola bars, etc for people to snack on as the night wore on. We figured once the dinner  food is put away...sometimes later on  you just want a small snack.....and they snacks turned out to be a BIG hit! People liked the variety and the idea. (kudos to Brenna for the suggestion. If you liked what you ate...that was thanks to me hahahahah I bought a little bit of everything!"
When the night wrapped up....we weren't quite done. we had to clear the tables and load any leftover food and drinks into the truck and back to the hotel. Uncle Tony said he saw Brenna with a broom and thought she looked like Cinderella...so he had to help hahaha. We (especially John) were certainly glad he did!  We had some much appreciated help from some family members cleaning up the tables  and then Martha, Tony, Megan and Marcus all helped us load up the truck. We got a workout...but we got it done.  I think John was thinking" next time I'm getting a clean-up crew." We knew we were going to have to do it...but it's always more than you think .
But all in all, the whole thing was a huge success! Brenna and Josh did a great job planning everything.
Sunday we all met up down at breakfast and laughed and talked about the reception.

 Some family members were heading out that day...so we enjoyed visiting with them until it was time for them to depart. I got to catch up with some of the cousins, nieces and nephews that had arrived during the day Saturday, so we hadn't seen them Friday night. We definitely livened up the lobby on that Sunday morning!  We got to do a little more sight seeing and visiting  that afternoon. Sunday night we got together up in Brenna and Josh's room for some leftovers

 and cake and more visiting. Each get together I got to get to know a little more about  different friends and family members, it was great. I was glad we had planned on the extra day in town...it was nice to relax for another day or two before heading home.
Everyone was relieved and happy and pretty content...at least I think so.
I am.   
We haven't gotten all the photos back yet...and when we do watch out hahahaha it's fun to see them and share them and reminisce about that wonderful time with family and friends.