Living The Dream in September

Remember the saying “Life is what happens to you while you make other plans?”  Many attribute the quote to John Lennon who used it in his song Beautiful Boy. Yet others claim it originated years prior to these lyrics. Either way, it seems to be resonating with me right now.  Although usually associated with an earlier time in our adulthood, I recently realized I have been living it for the past 2 years, post-retirement.  

Boredom has never been an issue in my retirement but there has been something nagging at me telling me, I should be doing something more.  Volunteering, working part-time, or otherwise being productive with my time. Yet, when I tried nothing quite fit. I have been struggling with this discontentment for too long. Because I still have a tendency to tie being busy with self-esteem I constantly have to remind myself that a slower-paced life is okay.

In an effort to create a more personalized blog and further share my retirement journey, I have decided to join the other bloggers I read who write end-of-month wrap-up posts. In reviewing September, it finally dawned on me how full my life is already. All of this that is going on while I plan what to do next is exactly where I want to be. I am finding complete fulfillment in my time with family, traveling, reading, writing, and staying active and fit.

Back in Colorado, I listened to a radio talk show on my commute home from work each evening.  At the beginning of the segment the host, when asked how he was, answered with a resounding “Living’ the dream, my friend.”  I thought it was a great reply and how very lucky he was if this was indeed how he truly felt. I remember him now as I look at my own retirement life.

Will something else come up in the future? Maybe, but I will not be looking toward it or worrying about it.  I am learning to take life a day at a time while living the dream.

Family Time & Travel

The month started off with our wedding anniversary on the 1st.  No big trip this year. Just an overnight jaunt to a small hotel and casino in Nevada.  Nothing too eventful but a nice last-minute getaway.  16 and counting…

The next weekend we embarked on a road trip to Los Angeles for a special little girl’s birthday party.  Our youngest granddaughter turned 2 and there was a backyard Hawaiian-themed bash in her honor.  We all dressed in our best island-inspired gear and enjoyed smash burgers on the grill while being entertained by a bona fide hula dancer.  The little ones joined in and learned a few moves of their own.  Happy 2nd, sweet girl. 💝

September marked the first excursion of the annual sister’s trip!  As a fun way to spend time together while living in different states, my younger sister and I have decided to enjoy a vacation together each year. 

We booked an Airbnb on the beach in Indiatlantic, Florida through a friend of hers.  This small town sits about 70 miles southeast of Orlando.  The condo was perfect with the ocean right outside the door. 

As luck would have it, there was a Space X launch from Cape Canaveral on our first night and we were able to view it from our spot on the beach.  Although 20 miles away it was amazing to watch the distant fire rise and move along the night sky.  For me, it was most likely a once-in-a-lifetime sighting and it felt exciting. 

On other days we walked around the towns of the area visiting the local shops and restaurants. I should give a shout-out to Coconuts on the Beach in Cocoa Beach. We sat along the beach on the tiki-style patio and enjoyed a delicious lunch and a couple of Dirty Banana cocktails (served in souvenir coconuts which we brought home to commemorate the occasion).  This place has a super fun, yet relaxed atmosphere.

Of course, there were lazy days at the beach.  I didn’t venture too far out into the mighty Atlantic this time.  I guess I am getting more cautious with age.

I feel this is first of many memorable sisters’ trips and I looking forward to next year already.

Our daughter (my stepdaughter) and her husband flew in from Colorado for a quick trip the last week of the month.  It’s becoming a tradition to make a trip to our favorite Italian Bakery in Surprise when out-of-town guests visit.  Here we assemble our boxes of pastries and cookies to take home and enjoy throughout the week.

There was time at the pool, great food, and drinks at the golf course at sundown.  How fortunate we are to spend time with our adult children in this way.  Doing nothing big, just being together and enjoying life. 

Blogging

Unfortunately, September was a very slow month for my blog.  Looking at all the travel and family visits it would be easy to blame it on the lack of time.  But mostly it was just a matter of rethinking my direction with it.  I will keep going with it because I still find writing and sharing satisfying. I do, however, struggle with maintaining a posting schedule which seems to be extremely important in the blogosphere.  But I wish to keep moving forward with it and hope one or two of you out there find it worthwhile as well.  

During the month I put some thoughts down on family ties but didn’t feel the time was right to publish just yet. I hope to finalize it in the coming months. 

For my one and only post in September, I shared my Bucket List ⬇️

Tuesday’s Ten: 10 Bucket List Adventures Checked Off and 10 Still to Come

My September Reads

Golf

Well, we finally got that golf cart! What fun we have had buzzing around town in this thing. So much easier to pull up to the course ready to go. We have been taking it to the closeby dining spots as well.

It has been a long and extremely hot summer in Arizona and despite taking some time off my game was pretty good in September. Unfortunately, I didn’t play as much as I would have liked with temperatures still well over 100 degrees for the majority of the month. But there is a cool down coming and as we head into what is the most beautiful time of the year here I hope to keep my play consistent at 3 days a week. There is a Nine and Wine event at the club I want to get involved in. I still feel like the women’s leagues are a bit stringent for my liking but how can you go wrong with 9 holes followed by some wine?