"Achievement" in retirement (weather, federal, state, relatives)

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I'm with you. Every morning I awaken with pulse and respiration is a day that begins with an achievement.

Let's define achievement for the purpose of my original question in Post #1:

Achieving a professional-related goal
or
Achieving an artistic goal

Golf, bridge and other leisure activities OK maybe. Alright, OK.

"Staying alive" does not qualify.

(why did I create this thread )

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by AJBarney

Each morning I can make it out of bed is an achievement. Does that count?

OK all you smart alecks, read my above post.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

OK all you smart alecks, read my above post.

Too late. Damage is already done. Besides, your definition is too narrow.

a·chieve·ment/əˈCHēvmənt/Noun:

1.A thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill.
2.The process or fact of achieving something.


Jump-starting your heart and lungs and getting out of bed can be something done successfully and for some, may be an effort.

It's also a skill some of us are proud of; especially when accomplished unaided.

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Where do you get whiskey barrels? Do you put compost in?

(I bought a small compost maker from the town dump and have started using it)

I buy my "whiskey barrels" at Home Depot/Lowe's. They are made out of fiberglass/plastic/similar. They will last longer than the planet (real ones made out of wood - the termites here destroy them in less than a year). Don't forget to drill a couple of holes in the bottom for drainage if they don't have holes. Robyn

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Too late. Damage is already done. Besides, your definition is too narrow.

a·chieve·ment/əˈCHēvmənt/Noun:

1.A thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill.
2.The process or fact of achieving something.


Jump-starting your heart and lungs and getting out of bed can be something done successfully and for some, may be an effort.

It's also a skill some of us are proud of; especially when accomplished unaided.

Good grief. Okay. Getting out of bed with a pulse: an achievement.
I think you'll do better in the gardening category.

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by Caladium

My new achievement will be to pursue interests for just as long as I find them entertaining, without feeling any need to accomplish a goal. My current passion is tai chi. Right now I think I'd like to master the entire set of forms, however if tai chi becomes boring to me my bigger goal is to NOT achieve the entire set of forms just for the sake of meeting some goal. I want to let go of that kind of thinking.

Getting away from hobbies, my serious goals have to do with learning how to invest well, health-oriented activities, and finding a social group that we'' want to "hang out" with.

That last one is apparently not east to do. It's breaking my heart, but we really really don't want to move to a city if it doesn't turn out to be the sort of place where we can easily find new friends. And the more I research cities, the more I realize there are a lot of towns like that. I hate to say it, but we're just about ready to give up on NE Florida (and I thought for sure we had finally found a good fit). Pretty place, lots of nice amenities, but it sounds like people keep to themselves and we might get lonely.

How on "G-d's earth" do you know whether or not you will make friends in a place that's hundreds if not thousands of miles away from you? One of our best friends has little in common with us except she and my husband are big beer fans - and we all like to play golf. Still - she has a new boyfriend (I think) since her husband died - and maybe she will move away from us one day. Life is a cabaret my friend - not an insurance policy. Robyn

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Good grief. Okay. Getting out of bed with a pulse: an achievement.
I think you'll do better in the gardening category.

And averaging 2 putts on every green you play? If you're a golfer - that's a great achievement.

Definition of professional (from Wikipedia):

A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee.

Some of us might have worked as professionals. But I don't think most of us are "professionals" after we retire. And why is being "artistic" better than putting well?

In any event. Forgot to mention. With those fiberglass whiskey barrels - buy some lava rocks for drainage - they're light (I use the red ones) to fill the bottom of the barrel (rinse them off well when you put them in the pot - until they don't "bleed red"). Then add some regular potting soil. Plant your plants. Fertilize. Then put a little mulch on top. Water as necessary. Robyn

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by Robyn55

[/i]But I don't think most of us are "professionals" after we retire. And why is being "artistic" better than putting well? Robyn

I wasn't thinking so much about activities per se in my OP--but specifically, achievement. So if one wants to achieve something special in golf or other leisure activity, that counts. But getting out of bed in the morning, that would only count if achieved after NOT being able to get out of bed unassisted. So, my OP suggests challenge. Sorry I wasn't clearer!

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

I wasn't thinking so much about activities per se in my OP--but specifically, achievement. So if one wants to achieve something special in golf or other leisure activity, that counts. But getting out of bed in the morning, that would only count if achieved after NOT being able to get out of bed unassisted. So, my OP suggests challenge. Sorry I wasn't clearer!

Perhaps the achievement lies in finding a good reason to get out of bed in the first place.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Perhaps the achievement lies in finding a good reason to get out of bed in the first place.

Only if you never had a good reason before.