Enjoy the Silence
I'm trying to buy myself some quiet time by getting up before the kids and sitting in the sunroom while everyone is still asleep. Hopefully the clickety clack of my fingers on the keys of the laptop doesn't disturb the children.
So far I'm enjoying myself down here. I enjoy the slower pace of life. I enjoy taking walks after dinner through the retirement village waving to all the grey haired neighbors. I think it's about time I retire to Florida. I do have to say that I stress about the kids driving my in laws crazy (especially my father in law, he enjoys his quiet time). We plan on staying til Saturday, but we don't want to over stay our welcome. Wouldn't want them saying, "Boy are we glad they are gone!" I'd rather leave them missing us than bidding us good riddance. Heh. Hopefully I can keep their bickering to a minimum and make sure they get out all of their energy outside and not running through the house!
I think today, as long as the weather holds up, we are planning to head to a state park down the road. It has nature trails and stuff. Victoria has been bugging us to see a live alligator while we are here. I thought I saw one in the overflow pond by the mall, but I didn't care to stop and go find out. I prefer some space between myself and the reptilian creatures.
We went to the mall yesterday. I wish I had thought to take a picture with my phone of the music store. There was a salesman playing an organ. I glanced inside the store, looking to see the pianos. I do love the piano, but strangely, they only sold organs. When was the last time those of you living outside of Florida saw an all organ store? I didn't realize there was such a demand for an organ store. Guess there is down here in the land of retirees. There was also a store where all the windows had mannequins sporting clothes that looked like they could've come straight out of my Mom-Mom's old closet. There were no teeny bopper stores in this mall. The rest were all geared toward the area's demographic.
I'm going to take advantage of this quiet time and surf the net, catch up with everyone. Once Steve and the kids get up, there isn't much computer time left over for me. You know what they say, "The early bird gets the Dell!"
Comments
I remember the first time I took and extended vacation away from FL, where I grew up. My dad was living in Houston at the time, and the first question I asked him as we were walking around the grocery store was, "Dad, where are all the old people?"
Most of my family resides in the Sunshine State. I moved away two years ago. If your ready to retire, try it out, as long as you can stand horrid heat and humidity 8 months out of the year. I remember the fun things to do were: go to the mall, watch tv, go to the beach, and take a trip to Disney/Universal Studios/Sea World. But I'm telling you, all that gets old... and if you're not doing those things, be prepared to sit at home. No one goes outside much for fear of melting. ;)
Hope you're enjoying your vacation and life away from the chaos. I'll be down there next weekend to see my loved ones.
One of the greatest things about my parents house is they don't notice extra kids. You could visit them and the kids could go nuts and nobody would say a thing. I tend to push my own rules though... no throwing balls in the house and I don't care who's house it is! I went to the store and came back and my dad was cleaning up a spilled drink. I was about to yell at Nathan for horseplay in the house only to find out that my dad was the one roughhousing with Nathan and my nephew and he spilled the drink. No wonder Nathan loves going there so much!
Does Steve have to work while you guys are on vacation? If he does, does it bug the heck out of you like it does me? I mean, I always thought a vacation was to get away from work, not bring it with you!
Nope, he's actually took vacation time for his. He's settling right down into this retirement thing. He's working on an 1000 piece puzzle and begging me to go play shuffleboard!
My in laws are really good about the kids too. I'm the one that stresses! My father in law loaded up on sweets and snacks, all the stuff Mom doesn't buy. They are having a really great time and want to move here!
Oh, and to answer your question from this weekend, the kids had off on Friday, so we didn't have to pull them out of school. Then they have this entire week off too.