Searching For Time

I have been trying to search for other blogs that may interest me. That is NOT a simple task. Is there a password to locate a list of blogs? Maybe it is a secret code. Don't think I haven't tried searching for blogs. I have done generic and name specific searches. Neither have been successful. It is at this point that I begin to feel rather dumb. Why?, you may ask. I haven't just done these searches once. I have searched on countless days, in any engine or location I can find for a total of quite a few hours. Honestly, when I think back over this effort I have put forth I can't help but thinking of a saying I have heard and used many times. "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results" Well of course it is! What have I been doing? I guess you could say  proving my insanity (laughing quietly to self).

I will discover the answer to my quest. When I give up on my ability, I turn to friends. I have a good friend that has at least one blog (can't remember) and is also a great editor, author and all around smart lady! She will have an answer I can use. At least that is the current plan until proven otherwise. I am sure that she will tell me how to find her blog (again, preferably in writing) and follow said blog. Like I said in my first post, this is a whole new avenue in the internet world for me. I have a sister that swears I can find anything and everything on the internet. I am afraid she would be sorely disappointed if she knew the truth of the matter. I guess she will find out since I sent her the link to this blog.

This whole situation has pointed out some interesting changes I am starting to notice since I retired. When I was working it was necessary to spend time daily looking for information in order to do the vast amounts of paperwork required in special education and to plan new lessons. I was quite good then about finding that information in a timely fashion. I would never have spent hours looking for something without results. After 15 to 30 minutes of searching I would have been making inquiries of others for assistance or any guidance they could offer. I didn't have time to waste on endless searching. I certainly didn't keep searching the same things over and over. Why has that changed? Is it no sense of urgency about looming deadlines or endless amounts of work to complete?   Maybe it is no fear of failure. I really don't know.

I do know that I still don't have time to waste doing the same thing countless times without results. There is too much to be done. I am not sure how I managed having a job and taking care of the things that need doing in everyday life. And unlike many people I don't have children. How those people do anything else is beyond me. They truly have my respect and admiration. The responsibilty of caring for and raising children is enormous. Add that to a full time job and running a home is unimaginable to me. Yet both of my sisters do that as do many others.

I suppose the point to all of this is it is necessary to be more vigilant in how I use my time. Since I no longer have the constaints imposed by demanding work I must put develop some steps for noting the amount of time I spend completing tasks. However, I have no idea what to do about the time spent thinking of the right word, phrase or concept when I am having a 'senior moment' as I just did on the previous sentence. (Truly laughing out loud!)

Everybody have a great day and a great week. Always remember, Kindness Counts.
Marilee

First Blog

I am starting this blog as part of the journey of defining my life after early retirement. There have to be folks out there that are starting this journey also.  I find the need for a reality check and maybe this will suffice.

Early retirement seemed like the only option last year when my blood pressure started it's own roller coaster. While the blood pressure has settled down, thankfully, I have found myself inundated with doubts, concerns and worries I never expected. It was a big surprise to realize I had been defining myself by the work I did for 25 years.  What is that about? I always thought of myself as many things, not just a special education teacher. A good special education teacher. I am also a wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, choir member and the list goes on as does everyone's list. I'm still all of those things except a teacher. So why does it feel so different now? I guess time will tell.

The scariest part of all of this so far is finding out I have some very strong opinions about things. Take politics, I don't mean just party affiliations, I have those. I mean what the different politicians and talking heads are saying about politics. Is it just me or do most of these people seem to be grabbing statements out of the air randomly? When I listen to comments from most politicians they seem to be making conflicting statements within their speeches. They don't even seem to notice or maybe they don't care. My point in bringing this up is I find myself yelling at the television more frequently than I care to admit. Like they are going to hear me and adjust what they are saying! If I heard someone else doing that I would guess they were crazy. So....I am beginning to think I have too much time on my hands.

Speaking of which, I have to stop now and prepare lunch for hubby. He will be ready shortly and I need to make the ham salad. Thanks for listening.