Tag: happily after retirement

Sit? Walk? Visit?

On By Margie.MercIn Coronavirus, COVID-19, social distancing3 Comments

It’s time my friends! Well, ok… it’s not really time …but internally and seasonally it’s time for me to slowly reemerge.

cup of tea and a cinnamon roll

The global pandemic that we have avoided is still alive (very much so in the US since we have no testing and it will continue to move around like a pinball) and present in our world.

I have been good. Staying home. Minding my garden. Baking. Alone (sad face) but safe.

However, I am venturing out more. In my mind, I am traveling ALL over the place. In reality, I am wearing a mask everywhere I go (as mandated.) I am going to the grocery store very early and infrequently. I am washing my hands.

AND, I am doing other things too. I donated blood yesterday. Tomorrow I will work at a food collection site. Next week I have a dentist appointment.

I am cautiously emerging. Baby steps with lots of baby wipes.

I had brunch at my house with two friends last week. Sharing food. Laughing. Communing…

Yes, this coronavirus is still alive and well in my world and I am careful in every way possible. But I also am ready to go to a library, coffee shop, concert and party again. To gather in groups and share common experiences. To laugh and cry together.

I am so ready, aren’t you?

White chair on porch in Fort Collins, CO at HappilyafterRetirement.com
Come sit with me

Ten Years Later … still blogging away!

On By Margie.MercIn Baby boomer, Blogging, No Comfort Zone-2012 Challenge, Retirement2 Comments

10 year wordpress anniversary
Happy anniversary to me! I’ve been blogging for 10 years!

Let’s put on the music and toast my accomplishment. Cheers!

Over the past 10 years, I’ve written then paused. Why? Maybe some tragedy, maybe some overarching excitement. Who knows? Then I restarted with gusto and vigor then paused. Who knows why? But, then I came back recharged and ready to bust a new one. I’ve created challenges and made friends then paused… again. I guess the PAUSING was a need to recharge and reframe me and what I wanted to share.

Consequences of pausing?

Each time I paused, I put my blogging friends and readers on hold and eventually they fell away.

Every time I returned to blogging it was with a clear reason. I was ready to write again. I was eager to share my world as a way to record my how I spend my time. I wanted a roadmap of how I spent my time over the years.

What Now Marge Katherine?

CURRENTLY, I am retired and I want to record how I spend my days. What is it I do  —  all week, all month and with the passing year? Hmm?

Some days I am really lonely and those are the days I search the internet for other people who are retired and have it figured out. OK, I haven’t found them yet but when I do, I will be sure to link to them.

Why Bother Marge Katherine?

In the meantime, by blogging I can record what’s going on  – right here and now –  for next year or a decade from now when I am yes… ten years older. Will there still be blogging in ten years? If not, what will replace it? Podcasts? Videos and youtube? I wonder…

— Other inspiring blogs —

No Comfort Zone 2012 Challenge – 

Boomer Cafe 

Life Lived Forward – 9 tips to jumpstart your retirement

 

La Vida es Bella

Retired: Try IVHQ – Volunteer Travel Organization

On By Margie.MercIn Baby boomer, Retirement1 Comment

Last week my friend told me about her plans to volunteer abroad. She has made plans to travel with IVHQ read more below) and stay in Italy to care for cats. She is beside herself with giggles and is in the mental stage of the plot  – renting out her house, giving notice at work (retirement is looming for her), storing her car, putting all her other obligations on hold. Her feet are barely touching the ground she is so excited.

Ever want to volunteer in a meaningful way abroad? If so, check out International Volunteer Head Quarters or IVHQ. This organization has over 100,000 young and old volunteers working across the globe. This volunteer abroad program might be just what you are looking for if you have the desire to expand your horizons, stretch your mind, break through your comfort zone and most important of all… leave the world a big better place.

IVHQ works with local communities with a bottom up approach. Local organizations know the people, speak the language, purchase items from local vendors and businesses and get buy-in from the population who benefits.

The desire to travel and volunteer abroad can be a great experience if the organization is willing to step in and guide the volunteer across the many steps involved. IVHQ has destinations across the globe where you can volunteer for an affordable fee. The transparency in the fees makes you want to dig deeper and learn more. The registration fees and the program fees are listed for each country with a list of what other expenses might arise.

With an organization like IVHQ, the time to step up and go where you feel most alive is right now. Right?!

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