No, really!

[wiseheart]

People apparently believe that I was waiting for my retirement so that I could work even more!

It started with the colleague whose son I'm now helping with his German, so that he can take his exams in two months' time.

It continued with the cleaning ladies who've just quit, claiming that now I can do my own cleaning (I've elaborated about that a few posts ago).

And now Mum's decided that the big house redecorating is overdue - which is very true, but the mere thought of it gives me the shivers. The guy who's supposed to do the work with his team is coming this evening to take a look at things. Joy. [/sarcasm]

What part of "fed up with working" people don't understand?

Not to mention that February will be spent with merry walks to the authorities to make my retirement actually happen. I'm currently still employed, just freed from actual work.

Oh and I just had a nice long phone chat with our telly and Internet provider. Apparently, the package we've had until now is running out and won't be available any longer. We get a "much better one" - which, of course, will cost more. But what can I do? I'm actually very satisfied with them, and I need reliable Internet, as much as Mum needs her telly. *sigh*

Comments

[meathiel]

Hmmmm ... told you pensioners always are busy, didn't I? ;-)

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

Wow, you are just proving what everyone tells me - you work harder after you retire...I'm starting to get concerned.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I don't mind being busy per se. I'd love to be busy with writing a lot, finishing my several dozen, decades-old WIPs, one after another. I don't mind cooking and baking and crafting. I'd just prefer to be busy with my own things.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and slave labour for others usually begins with "Now that you've got time..." Nope, ladies and gentleman, this isn't the reason why I retired!

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

You stick to your guns!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I'm trying, but I have no chance against Mum.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Oh wow.

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

Been there. In my case it was me who said, "Now I'm retired I can do this thing and that thing". It took me a while to wind down. Set your boundaries. I find that churches are the worst at assuming now you're retired you can do lots of other stuff.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

You know what they say, be careful what you wish for :)

What kind of decorating are you planning? It sounds major.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

The secondary rooms (antechamber, bath, toilet, kitchen) need to be re-painted. The two small bedrooms need new wallpaper. All doors and window frames need re-painting, and so do the wooden panels on the balcony. And that is without the living room, where Mum wants the decades-old wallpaper removed and the walls simply painted.

Yeah, it's going to be a gargantuan effort, mostly because we've got so much stuff stored away: china, books, videotapes... you name it and we have it. So the whole thing has to happen in at least three phases, packing the stuff from one room to another and even on the corridor. It is a small, modern flat and we moved into it 40 years ago with the old, large pieces of furniture, so it's a logistical nightmare. Which is why the last complete redecorating happened almost 30 years ago. *sigh*

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Well, churches are not an issue as I've secularized my relationship with Our Lord. Unfortunately, the flat really needs a complete make-over... I just wasn't prepared to go over it so soon.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

That about sums it up, yeah. :((