As expected, this weekend did not disappoint. And the best part is we still have two full days before we have to leave. (We fly home Wednesday afternoon, but I’m not thinking about that yet.)
Coffee to cocktails… …golf cart living hits just right. Pretirement bliss.
I knew we’d have a great time here because we’ve never not had a great time with these friends. And while I knew there’d be no shortage of fun, I had no idea how much I was going to love it here.
Coffee to cocktails. There are amazing friends…like the kind that hand you a Bloody Mary at the exact moment you finish your last sip of coffee…and then there are friends who not only do that but also see that there’s a Carpenters tribute show when you’re in town and make sure to get tickets as a special treat.
While the show proved that Karen Carpenter’s voice is in fact inimitable, the performers did a great job and we had an absolute blast. We were encouraged to sing along, which I did, as many of you can imagine. I was flooded with fond memories of their music from all stages of my life…I can still picture the album covers of Close to You and Top of the World, two of my parents’ favorites. And since childhood, their music has been a part of the tight bonds I have with my closest friend. I’m skeptical of anyone unwilling or unable to karaoke “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Nothing like a song with a slow build and a big finish. 🤣🤣🤣
Golf cart living. So we’ve seen that Carpenters show, heard lots of other live music, golfed (Kerri got her first hole in one), gone out for good eats, played several rounds of Rummikub, and belly laughed through it all—without having to get in a car. The pace of life, the accessibility of enjoyable activities, a certain ease to it all, and the general vibe here, well, it’s all surprisingly well-aligned with my energy. I haven’t felt so relaxed in ages.
Pretirement bliss. Since coining the term “pretirement” for this unexpected unemployed stage of life I’m in, and since Kerri has encouraged me embrace the notion of “semi-retirement,” I have had a real mindset shift about my life circumstances. In my time here I’ve seen that mindset shift reflected in real attitudinal and behavioral change—it’s impossible not to be happy and feel fortunate to be in this place with these people. I am fully engaged in my interactions and experiences and it’s extremely energizing. That’s not an outcome I was anticipating this week but one for which I am exceedingly appreciative of and grateful for.
Having people in my life who love and support me unconditionally means the world to me—God knows I’ve needed it over the years. Toss in a double dose of perspective when I lose my way in my own life, and it never fails to help me find my way back to my bliss.
And for today, I’m going to relish every second of that.
Thanks for being here with me. Your support and attention gives me a weekly opportunity to reflect, reframe, and refocus—and I could not do any of this thing called life alone.
I best get to drinking my coffee and reading my morning paper so I’m ready when I get offered that Bloody Mary in a few hours. 🥰
Hope you have a great week.
Love you too.