RETIREMENT...how sweet it is

...or will be.....still about two years away from it...but have been celebrating a friend's retirement this week....and I must admit, I am a little jealous.  The fact that she doesn't have to get up at the crack of dawn, get dressed and commute into work.........ahh...sounds good to me.

But the question remains, "What does one do when you no longer work?"  I dont know about my friend...but then again she is a grandma too....so those grandkids keep you busy.....but down the road when I retire.....well, here is a list of only 10 things I want to do........

1. Not get up at 5 AM
2. Have a long breakfast, a second cup of coffee and actually read the morning newspaper.
3. Then go for a long walk
4. Plan my day to do whatever I want.....go to a show, have lunch with a friend, go shopping,
5. Work on my crafts
6. Take in a book reading or a book signing in the city
7. Maybe join a class in?? whatever
8. Read, read, and then read some more
9. Take a moonlight walk with my hubby
and finally #10..take a long long bath......

WHAT ARE 10 THINGS YOU WOULD DO IF YOU RETIRED TOMORROW?

Stay At Home Moms....

Where are you?  Do you exist?  I have been reading some great blogs from stay at home moms.  I am amazed that they still exist.....I was one back in the 70s because this is what I chose to do.  I didnt have my first child until 29....and wanted several.....had five....and of course even though I chose to stay at home with them (something I have never regretted) I often wonder what would have happened if I worked instead.  First of all, I am sure I would not have had a babysitter...who would have watched 5 children.....and family was not around to help....so I guess it was a good choice to stay home.


I did finally start to work when my youngest entered the 4th grade.....I chose to work in a public school so that I was home on the days they were off....Hubby had a flexible schedule and of course my father-in-law lived with us at that time....so they were never latchkey children.

It also helped that the school I worked in was 4 blocks away.  I know today it is hard raising a family on one salary....but we did do it.....granted we did not take elaborate vacations...having settled for the beach, aquariums, parks, and zoos....there was even a time we didnt have a car and resorted to public transportation to get around....but I still do not regret staying home with my children and feel very blessed to have been part of their lives through it.  You see, I ended up being the "go-to" house......all the kids went to my house.....those were the days......now it is too quiet sometimes.....

So, before this blog never ends....my question is...."Are you a stay at home Mom?"  and how do you feel about it?

FAMILY....how do you define it?

What does family mean to you?  How often do you get together with family?  This is such a broad topic to discuss but tonight made me think about it.  I come from a large family where grandma had 8 children...so I grew up with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins....there was always parties, dinners, holidays together and of course fights....but through it all we were family and the good times outweighed the bad.  But one of the most important thing I remember was that grandma held it all together.....and when she passed, it all fell apart.

As a mother of five and grandma of six (soon to be seven) I am trying to hold it all together.  But I am not having much luck.  While I grew up with everyone not only living in the same neighborhood, but also the same block.....today's children move away.  I am not complaining....away for me just means the next neighborhood....a short drive away....I am lucky.  The furthest is about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic.  So I am blessed that way.....


My problem is getting everyone together.....young people these days have their own agenda and I respect that.....but we used to drop everything when a family gathering came up.  And it just ain't so anymore.  I know I should go with the flow and I know these are changing times....but when I think about how much longer I may have....I just want to keep the family close to me.....

I am happy they all have their own lives, they are doing so well, that they dont need me every minute....but there is a bit of empty nest syndrome somewhere in there.  I love the freedom i have now to pick up and go whereever with hubby......but there is a part of me that needs them to want to be with me....I know there are grandmas out there...How are you coping?

CAMERA, and pictures and smiles

The upcoming cruise has finally got me hyped.....been shopping, planning, making lists, finally got passport, school is almost over and now I can devote all my time to getting ready....about 20 days from now....

I took a look at what camera I am bringing...you see, I have two....one huge and heavy SLR and Olympus E520 which I love but it is bulky and I have so many add ons to bring with me. but it takes great pictures.   Or I have the Casio Exilim....but its only 8 megapixils.....so........

thinking of a new camera for the trip.....have seen alot written up about the Nikon coolpix S6100....has anyone seen it....do you own it?  can anyone tell me a bit about it?   Really want to take great pictures and carry something light.....

If you have another camera you use and like, please advise me....at a loss because there are so many to choose from......