By Chuck Lamb
Do you remember back when we were working that retirees would sometimes say that they didn’t know how they ever found time to work? I always thought that was a pretty silly thing to say before I retired. Now I agree with the assertion and furthermore, I know why it is true, at least in my case.
I rarely set an alarm clock anymore. I set the alarm if I want to be sure that I am awake by 8:30, usually for a doctor’s appointment that I couldn’t schedule for later in the day. That shortens my day by about 1 1⁄2 hours.
Back in the old days, I skimmed the Star-Telegram headlines in the morning. Sometimes I would read a column about the Frogs or the Cowboys or the lead story on the front page. Now I read two newspapers pretty thoroughly every morning (except Sunday). This takes at least an hour of my day and sometimes more.
I spend more time in doctors’ offices than I did in years past. I have so many doctors that I even called one by the name of another one of my docs. My cardiologist is my pulmonologist’s son. I also spend time in my therapist’s office (physical therapist).
We have three Pomeranians that want a couple of hours of my time daily, except when they need to go to the vet or to the groomer in which case they need more time.
I am not very skilled when it comes to technology and I sometimes spend seemingly endless time doing the same operation over and over again expecting a different outcome. Oh, how I miss Fran and Diane who handled my typing and data entry chores for over 25 years. I am paying the price now for not learning and practicing these skills as I went along. I also am charged with handling more honey-dos now than when I was working. The reason is that I have more free time.
I will admit that I have a pretty relaxed-some might say lazy-lifestyle now that I have been retired for 4 years. I don’t miss the stress and the pressures that we all faced in our jobs. I loved working at TCU for 33 years and I am proud of what my colleagues and I in the Marketing Department, Neeley School and in the University accomplished. But now I am happy in my retirement and not surprised when someone says, “I don’t know how I ever found time to work.” They’ll figure it out.
If you are interested in writing a column for the newsletter, contact Nancy Madsen at n.madsen@tcu. edu.