Three years ago when I retired a friend said "now every day is a Saturday for you". At the time, I thought yes indeed, every day from now on will be just like a Saturday! Lazing around with my multiple cups of coffee. Doing whatever I feel like. But in reality once the novelty of not having to wake up before the birds settle into their daily routines, the days just run together like a never ending string. One Saturday after another Saturday, after another. I really however, do not need this many Saturdays. Ray wakes up between 6:30 and 7:00, but I don't rise until 7:30 or 8:00. If Ray has not done so, I put the coffee on and then reach for my iPad. I check our emails answering any that need to be answered. Then I catch up on Scrabble games and Trivia Crack (what an addictive weird game). It is my right after all, having worked for so many years, to just take it easy and relax in the mornings. That is what I tell myself each morning. I have never been a morning person who might bound out of bed, throw on some sneakers and head off for a morning walk. I see other people doing just that and think, why don't I do that? If it hasn't happened yet, it is not likely going to start. Mind you, that sounds like something that I seriously should consider doing, as it might kick start my day in a different way. Well perhaps I will do just that,,, next Saturday.
Perhaps I need a dog? That would certainly get me out of the house a couple of times a day. But do I want the commitment? We do after all have our wonderful cat, Martha Jean. She is 17 years old and I don't think she would take to kindly to having a dog in her space. Chasing her, licking her and really just wanting to be her friend. No,,,, I can't see that happening. Animals are a huge commitment. If you want to travel, which we do, then you either have to hire a pet sitter, farm the animal out or take them along with you. Martha would not travel well at this stage of her life. We have farmed her out to my sister in-law's house when we go on our bigger camping trips, but it is very stressful for her. A pet/house sitter would be great but finding the right person has been a bit difficult to do. I do love the dogs that we know. Georgia, Cooper, Tia, Jake to name a few. All are family dogs and are treated just like family by their owners. And all of them are taken on various family vacations (okay, maybe not Tia) I just do not want to be one of those people who have to take my pooch with me where ever I go. Like this pooch who we saw sitting on the back of a Harley Davidson waiting for his "master" to take him for a ride!
So at this stage of our lives, a dog is not the way to go. Would just not be fair to the dog.
Over the past three years I have done a bit of volunteering. The first and the best so far has been joining the Hospital Auxiliary where I volunteered 4 hours a week. Four hours in the Gift Shop and then four hours the following week at the Reception Desk. I loved the Gift Shop shifts. It was social being able to interact with all the customers, and "selling" them things they really don't need or want. The social aspect is really what I wanted. Unfortunately due to health reasons, I had to let this "job" go. Too many germs in the hospital. I tried a couple of months volunteering at the Canadian Cancer Society. Most of the time I was by myself in the office. Waiting for people to come in for information or waiting for the phone to ring. I would sweep and mop the floors and wipe down the counters and cupboards. Then it struck me that I could be doing all of this cleaning at home, rather then volunteering to do it elsewhere. But mostly for me, it was the lack of interaction with people that caused me to hand in my name tag. It has been about a year now that I have not volunteered anywhere. I did work the Federal election this past month.
I have not been totally idle. On one of my Saturday's I decided that I should take up crocheting. Not wanting to start out making dish clothes or something that small, I wanted to jump in and make something like those infinity scarves everyone is wearing. My sister gave me the name of a Website which had some easy scarf patterns. the website worked great and even had some "simple" hats. Unfortunately for all my friends and female family members, they all received handmade hats or scarves for Christmas. They graciously accepted the gifts, but to this day I have not seen anyone wearing them. My feelings truly are not hurt at all! Tanya took a photo of her wearing the one I made her, which happened to be my 2nd project.
Anyone who knows me really well, knows that I am not a cook. I don't like to cook, never have and probably never will. Nothing I ever makes turns out very well. So one Saturday I decided that it was time to take meal preparation seriously. I have made some interesting meals, soups and even some homemade granola. I have stayed away from baking, as I do not need that in the house. I have found that my cooking skills are improving but saying that, I think I will let Ray make Christmas dinner!
Weather permitting, we are either camping or we are riding our bikes. We have been across Canada twice (previous Blogs tell those stories), but mostly we camp locally at Derby's Reach on the Fraser River. It is a beautiful peaceful spot, with tug boats pulling their loads up and down the river.
Ray's bike is a Harley Dyna Custom Glide, while I ride a Harley Trike which my friend Nancy had the joy of riding on the back when she was visiting us last Fall.
This year we did two rides up to Whistler. That has to be the most beautiful highway in our Province! Riding along the ocean is breathtaking for sure! In the past three years on a few of those many Saturdays we have had two daughters get married and the birth of one of our grand daughters (who is now 2 years old). We have another one on the way next summer. That will bring joy to our lives again!!
I am now in my comfort zone of NOT doing any volunteering, and am happy within my space. If you can't find me at home, you can always catch me down at the local Starbucks partaking in one of my favourite beverages!
Finally after three years, I am happy with all my Saturday's! .
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