Monthly Archives: September 2015

First Sept. 11th–remembering how terror hit home that day

Posted on September 11, 2015 by bakrawiec

It’s another September 11th. Seems like a miracle thinking back to how bleak the future looked on the first September 11th, in the wake of the unfathomable terrorist attacks. That first memorable September 11th morning, I was at work in … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Dying, September 11, Terrorism | Leave a comment

“first day of no school” –one heart revels; another heart breaks

Posted on September 10, 2015 by bakrawiec

“first day of no school” How those words made me smile when I read them yesterday, mid-morning. They were messaged to me, thanks to Twitter, from a new Outer Circle friend, reflecting on her retirement. As was true for me, … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Parents, Retirement, School | 2 Comments

your head in the clouds?

Posted on September 9, 2015 by bakrawiec

Used to be that having your head in the clouds was a sign of adolescent romanticism. Not any longer. One week ago, on my quiet reflective retirement celebration day, I was sitting alone at a Senior hangout (Seniors, as in … Continue reading →

Posted in Retirement, Seniors, Technology | Leave a comment

judge not—‘case I forget to flush

Posted on September 8, 2015 by bakrawiec

Every time I use a certain public bathroom, I am reminded of something I need to share to prepare my family and friends for when I grow older. Hard as I try, I have a difficult time pressing the handles … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Retirement, Seniors | 2 Comments

Un-DINKed

Posted on September 7, 2015 by bakrawiec

Okay. I admit I’m not necessarily up on all the latest PC terminology. Please help me. Last I knew, my husband and I were “Dink-ers” (Double income, no kids). As of September 1, the “nk” still fits, but the “Di,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment, Income, Retirement | 6 Comments

Gratifyingly: no escape

Posted on September 6, 2015 by bakrawiec

It was the first day of my retirement, and there I was in a religious goods shop, drawn to the book section. Because the section was, in part, behind the counter, I asked permission to peruse there. The clerk apologized … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment, LIbrarians, Library, Retirement | Leave a comment

Labor Day Celebration–still in?

Posted on September 5, 2015 by bakrawiec

It’s my first Labor Day weekend since the big Retirement day, just four days ago, and I’m wondering…Am I still entitled to celebrate it?…Is the idea, once a worker, always a worker? Or it this day just for current workforce … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment, Retirement, Work | Leave a comment

former commute start time–early or late?

Posted on September 4, 2015 by bakrawiec

Liberated from the daily commute, I now have time to indulge myself in looking back at my work life vis a vis my retirement life—e.g. time and energy gained – through the lens of what working folks without such time … Continue reading →

Posted in Commute, Retirement, Transitions, Travel Time to Work | Leave a comment

If “a penny saved is a penny earned,” how much is saved time worth?

Posted on September 3, 2015 by bakrawiec

One way I’ve gained time in Retirement is by eliminating (Yes!) my daily commute. How much time? Morning commute: about 30 minutes. Afternoon commute: 40 minutes. That’s 70 minutes per day/round trip; 350 minutes per week. That’s nearly 6 hours—almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Commute, Retirement, Time, Transitions, Travel Time to Work | 2 Comments

Here’s to the start of the “er” years

Posted on September 2, 2015 by bakrawiec

Struck me yesterday on the first day of retirement. I’ve entered the “er” years. You know: sleep late(r), move slow(er), take long(er). Okay, so maybe the move slower and take longer are nothing to brag about… Ah! but consider, too, … Continue reading →

Posted in Retirement, Transitions | 1 Comment