WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES IN RETIREMENT

Last year at this time I was winding down my job, my career, and heading into retirement. It was an emotional year prior to that July 6 deadline.
Now one year later and almost one year into retirement, my life goes on.
I have not done all the things I wanted in this first year. But I have done some.
Being with my husband has been the most demanding by making sure his needs are met. We just celebrated one year and one day since his last discharge from hospital so we are doing something right!
My writing is evolving. I am almost finished the Ball Point project that has been ongoing for too many years. Some other genealogical family lines written.
But creative writing needs to occur too.
Crafts have been made. Social events attended. New groups joined. Some day trips. Fun with the daughters on outings and movies.
It amazes me how much you are dropped from social situations. I do contact some old work colleagues but no one really reaches out to see how I am doing. So there. I guess what I felt with the ageism stuff was true the last few years of work. I was tolerated. However a couple of my real work buddy friends had already left the hospital years before I left.
I surprise myself that I have no real need to visit a lot. I drive by the building often and am grateful for the 15 years of service I provided at the end of my working life. But to go in and see everyone, no real urge. The Christmas pot luck was fun and I would go to more social events if invited.
I miss the work of counselling and being able to be there in a crisis. But the rounds and boring discussions and challenges of my knowledge I do not miss. I definitely do not miss having a boss. No boss. No manager. No worrying about saying the right thing all the time. Tolerating anger and crap from people. Nope don't miss that!!
I think it has to do with the thought that if there are more hospitalizations I will be there anyway.
I am pleased I can survive okay on the pensions. But I still have a drive to try to find ways to make some more money.
The club garage sale brought me some pocket change so I need to find ways to sell my stuff. People do buy collectibles at the price set.
Treading water with the decision of when to move. I want to stay as long as my husband can be in the house. We built it together so there is that emotional piece.
So I will write more about the retirement process. It has been a transition. But do I really like it! Not really. The life is behind rather than the work challenges of being in front of me.
Are you retired and how do you feel about it? Was the process a slow challenging one? What do you do for meaningful activities in your daily life? Did you have goals and are they met?
#oneyearlaterafterretirement#retirementnotallitiscrackeduptobe#doyouwanttodomoreinretirement#writingthegennealogicalprojects#creativewriting#joiningnewgroups#socialsituations#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#craftskeepthehandsbusy

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- BALL POINT- MRS BOLIN AND MISSISSAUGA LANGUAGE

In my research on Ball Point, it was interesting to find in our neighbours some interesting finds. On Scugog Island near the Point, an Anthropologist in the 1800s studied the Mississauga language and culture. Through the assistance of a native Mrs. Bolin he was able to complete his doctoral thesis. The following article in my Ball Point series is printed here.

Copyright 2019
Barbara Di Mambro

Early Canadiana Online has the writings of Chamberlain. Studying the culture and language of the Mississauga can be assisted by his writings.
#Mississaugalanguageandculture#Mrs.Bolin#scugogtownshiplakescugog#neighboursofParkinfamilyinMariposaTownship#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#studyingnativecultureandlanguage

GAY PRIDE IN TORONTO

The Pride parade in Toronto is one of the biggest in the world.
I do not need to go to a parade to support all the rights of all Canadians.
I can feel proud that people can marry here. Live here. Work here.
I just go along in my life and respect everyone who does no harm to others.
I don't respect criminals, pedophiles, money launderers, cheaters, people who rob old people or anyone that bullies or does harm to others.
But people going about their business in a respectful way- yes.
So to all that celebrate in the Pride events, enjoy our city, our country and your human rights to be who you are!
I can watch from the comfort of my home! Let the rainbow shine on all of us!!
#prideintoronto#rainbow#respectingothers#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#lettingpeoplebewhotheyneedtobe#prideparadetoronto#respectingothers

SUMMER SOLSTICE 2019

The Summer solstice- a day to welcome summer. Also a grandson's birthday,
It means the warmer months are also half finished. April, May should be warmer but were not this year. I love the summer coming but always feel that May and June go by too quickly.
Now June 21st is National Indigenous Day. To celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Metis. Must look up why they chose the Summer Solstice to acknowledge their traditions. 
So what plans do you have for the summer.
Cottage! Day trips! An European vacation! House guests!
For me, trying to read the 10 books, day trips if possible, time with the grandchildren so day trips and sleepovers with them, farmer's markets, activities close to home and lots of barbecues for Adolph and me.
Summer garden cleanup now that I have a new weed whacker.
Plans and no plans. Letting the lazy days of summer sink in and enjoying life. Maybe spontaneous activities with friends. Writing and crafting and having fun!
A special anniversary. 1 year since the last hospitalization so a joyful family celebration with that realization.
So how about you? What do you think of the first day of summer? Plans? Rolling with what life will bring you?
#summersolstice#firstdayofsummer#Nationalindigenousday#enjoyingthewarmerdays#livinglifetoitsfullest#daytrips#longtrips#readinginthewarmerdays#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- BALL POINT- WHO WERE THE FAREWELL BROTHERS

The Farewell Brothers from Oshawa had a part to play in the Ball Point story. They had a huge role in the murder and the story of the sinking of the Speedie.

I have tried to include the references with the Farewell brothers and Ball Point. Their comprehensive history can be found in many resources on the history of Oshawa. For the purposes of these series of articles on Ball Point only the references and connections to our little cape is referenced.

Copyright 2019
Barbara Di Mambro
#Ballpointmariposatownship#ballpoint#farewellbrothersfromOshawa#connectionwiththemurderatballpoint#usingoshawareferencestotellthefarewellbrothersstory#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#washburnisland#amurderatballpoint.

PURPLE FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN

The array of colours in the garden is wonderful. Of course my favourites come in purple.

So the garden can be a jungle but the purple pops its head everywhere!
#purpleflowers#jungleofagarden#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#irises#buttonflowers#wildflowers

NANA SAYS ARE YOU READY FOR THE SUMMER BREAK

Most parents have booked camps and events and travels eons ago. But sometimes there are gaps in planning and what to do with certain days or weeks with the kids.
As a Nana I have offered to be backup as I still want to enjoy spending some time with my grandchildren.
Not long day trips. Trying for within an hour of home for various reasons.
I did the car travel with my own children when they were little and well not always pleasant.
So want simple events like Canada Day or other celebrations.
Richmond Hill has some free events for adults and children. Like the Mill Pond events.
Picnics. Black Creek Pioneer Village. The Toronto Zoo. Even a visit to Downtown Toronto. Visiting the smaller communities in and around the GTA.
Of course would love to take them to a Farmer's Market.
I have no big travel plans so these small excursions suit me just fine.
#summeroutingswithNana#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#babaradimambro#torontozoo#blackcreekpioneervillage#canadadaycelebrations#summertrips#farmer'smarkets#picnic#gotothebeach