I've had several comments recently asking why I'm building another house when I'm supposedly "retired"? OK....here's the deal: I'm frankly not sure what to do with myself.
While I'm retired, K isn't. She's up at 6 AM and I'm not far behind. I like to watch the news, but after watching for an hour or so they start repeating themselves. I live in a nice apartment (by choice) because there is no....NO....maintenance. Which also means I have no yard to "putter" in or garden to grow, not that I would if I had the space anyway.
I take the dog on a long walk every day, weather permitting, and I regularly check email / internet, but neither requires that much time. And of course I read... A LOT. Maybe a volunteer opportunity will present itself one day, but it isn't here yet.
I have for 30 years done all the household grocery shopping, and I actually enjoy it. Because I have the time I've taken over the majority of laundry chores, too, which is really a non-event. (We have machines that do most of the work.) We have a housekeeper because 1. I don't clean bathrooms (this goes back to my bachelor days); and 2. Geneva has become almost like family, and she depends on us for part of her income. She stays!
Regarding work....for 30+ years Bro and I have had a good working relationship: I handled operations, and he handled the office. He really doesn't have a solid understanding of what holds the roof up. I told him that after I retire I'd still come in to take care of the early phase of construction (foundation, framing, mechanicals, etc), then he could take over more. I'm still allowed to make a few $$$ on top of my Social Security, so this works out just fine for both of us.
Over this recession I've sat around for long stretches at a time, which made me look forward to the next small job. I like having something to do, without having anything I HAVE to do. (I don't ask for much, huh?) Maybe over time I'll learn how to whittle or rock or build ships inside little bottles, but not yet. I'm still a rookie retiree.
S
