Too Too Cold!!!

It’s Too Too Way Cold!!

What does one do when the weather is too cold for one! Mostly, hibernate unless it becomes necessary to leave the warmth of the home, in my case, I must go out to my part time job.

I’m sure there are folks who are rolling their eyes around in their head - “is it really that cold”? A big, resounding YESSSSS ! ! ! No matter the temp inside, if I have to go outdoors, takes forever to warm up again and, I need to go out periodically to let the pups out.

I have determined that I am going out tomorrow, my day off from my part time job, and do something, anything.  Hibernating is no way to spend retirement! I was looking at the map thinking I would head south for a day trip with Olive, Feebee and Cooper (south means warmer temps, right?) Well, guess what, for some reason I am heading north (colder temps because north means closer to the mountains-am already at the foothills). So, I’m loading up my pups, their sweaters and their stroller and we are heading to Flat Rock, North Carolina and spend the day playing tourists.

Flat Rock is home to Carl Sandburg’s home and the Flat Rock Playhouse. We may even venture a little further north into Hendersonville, NC. If I heard correctly, the weekend is going to be warmer - we’ll see.

This is a short blog today, but promise to write more about my adventures when I return, that is, if I don’t turn into an icicle up there first. You can bet your booties I'll be dressed warm!

As I am journeying through a new phase in my life, I hope you enjoy tagging along.

Retirement is all I had hoped it would be, even more.

If you are not retired, please feel free to pretend and journey along with me.



Blessings,

Kathryn

Introduction

Hi, my name is Kathryn and I am currently in an exciting time of life - retirement! After approximately one and a half years of retirement and getting the corporate America out of my system, I started working part-time at a high-end department store in one of the women‘s departments (loving all the pretty clothes and the employee discount affording me the opportunity to make purchases). It’s been a long, long time since I worked in retail and there have been a lot of changes (and challenges), but, I feel after a few months, I have finally settled in and am enjoying this part of my journey.

I live in South Carolina, it’s beautiful in the Upstate, but, for me, the cold weather is too cold. If temps dip below 70*, I’m freezing; and, if it’s also raining, I cannot get warm, no matter how many times I bump the thermostat upwards.

My brother, sister and I lost our mother in September of 2014 and our baby brother in November of 2014, both to Stage 4 lung cancer. Once diagnosed, they did not live much longer. This was sudden and quite a shock to us. As we suffer losses in our lives, I hope we come to realize life’s values and to enjoy who and what we have left, additional time is not guaranteed, and it’s our responsibility to share.

I have many interests - bicycle riding for one. I have a friend who rides a couple days a week with me in warm weather and we average between 20-30 miles a ride. My dream is to move back to Florida and do lots of riding there (pulling a trailer with my 3 little pups) on the flat paths instead of tackling the hills here in the Upstate (although is good exercise for the thighs). I follow a couple sites of cyclists in Florida, looking forward to joining them one day.

Another one of my favorite activities is shopping in THRIFT STORES! I have a wardrobe of thrifted clothes. Some, I re-work, this is a new hobby. Periodically, I do purge my closets, donating to the church closet. I like to see what the new seasonal colors are and then go thru my clothes and be current. Classic clothes are always in vogue, you can never go wrong with them.

Decorating my home with second hands and antiques is another hobby. I think it’s more of a challenge to not buy everything I see. Living in small quarters does make one think twice; or, decide what goes out the back door for something to come in the front.

Selling on Pinterest is intriguing me, am thinking what I could market there. No matter where one lives, one could have a cottage business through the internet. Gotta love it!

As I am journeying through a new phase in my life, I hope you enjoy tagging along.

Retirement is all I had hoped it would be, even more!

If you are not retired, please feel free to pretend and journey along with me.

Blessings,

Kathryn