Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Retirement Options?

We didn't have plans for Labor Day, so I suggested to my husband that we wash windows.  Finally, at about 11:30 in the morning, we got started on the project.  After all, we had our morning routine to follow: drink coffee, read the paper, check e-mail, etc.  I had hoped we might not take all morning doing "our morning thing."  I didn't say anything to my hubby about needing to step on it so we could get the windows done.  After all, I am a smart woman.  I wanted his help.  

When he finally presented himself to where I had assembled all the window washing equipment, he said, "I was taking this morning as an end of vacation day.  Tomorrow I figure I'll go back to retirement."  

That's what is so great about retirement; now we have options.  Sometimes, I get confused on the difference between a vacation day, and a retirement day, but my husband seems to have figured out that there is a difference.

I felt a little bad asking him to help me work on a vacation day, Labor Day at that.  At least he has retirement to look forward during the rest of this week and next before we actually go on vacation. 


Cleaning windows is not an easy job.  We had to move furniture, vacuum, clean screens, dust out and wash window sills.  My helper was no slacker when he got down to business.

By the way, we only got half the windows done.  We had to stop because we were so tired, and our backs, hips, shoulders, and wrists were killing us.  Hopefully, the bottom half of the house will get clean windows soon.

P.S.  Dove, if you read this, we do windows.  If you really need us to help you with windows while we are visiting you on vacation, we will.  

24 comments:

  1. Holy Cow---come south to TN.. We need some help with our windows also.... Thanks!!!! ha

    Looks like you two labored on Labor Day!!!! BUT---that is a job-well-done for sure!!! Congrats!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  2. That is really a chore, aren't you glad you got a good start on it?

    Enjoy your vacation!

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  3. Good for you! What a project, huh?

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  4. Oh my, now I do feel guilty. Tom set today as window washing day and he is finally finishing up the last of the 27 windows as we approach 3:00 in the afternoon. And I didn't help. I don't do windows, well not unless I have to. And I don't do anything when it's hot, and the temp just hit 84, which in my book is hot.
    I'm on vacation. :-)

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  5. Oh gee, I hope I feel motivated to wash the windows when I retire! Good for you, getting in there and working as a team. My grandma & grandpa always did that. She did the inside; he did the outside. Knowing her, they probably did it about four times a year (or more!). I usually manage when I'm having a party!

    Sounds like you and your hubby did a thorough job of what you completed.

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  6. You had a real Labor Day.You are blessed with a great helper there. Hope the window washing soreness disappears in time for a great vacation!

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  7. wow you do window i have a few u can clean..hehe

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  8. You and your husband have really given me something to think about: What is the difference between a holiday and a vacation day and a retired day?

    I think I need to study this for a while and being retired I can do just that! For a while and then awhile and then another while!

    Thank you for sharing your Labor Day with us.

    Peace.

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  9. I got so exhausted reading about washing windows, Sally, that I'm taking tomorrow (and tomorrow and tomorrow) as retirement days! Yes, I'm interested, too, in the difference between a vacation day and a regular retirement day. I guess with a vacation day, you're not at home and your routine may be a bit different. My husband and I will test the theory when we go on vacation later this month!

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  10. Well, I hope I get to where I have to figure out the difference between a vacation day and a retirement day some day before too long. I'm actually looking at going to part time soon, so I'm getting closer. I'm not sure window washing would be my first choice on a vacation day or a retirement day.

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  11. Glad you decided to stop in the middle! It will give you a chance to recover and then finish it when it's the right time for both of you. I have a bit of a problem with holidays since I've retired because it throws my self imposed schedule off! But I'm managing... :-)

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  12. Dear Sally....I hate washing windows but love the results. Good luck with the first floor. I'm sure it will be worth all the work and effort to look through sparkling clean glass.

    Loved your posts on the kids' visit. Had to chuckle over your hub's comment about headlights and tailights. ha ha ha Will have to remember that one.

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog today and for commenting, too. Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com

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  13. Dear Sally....I hate washing windows but love the results. Good luck with the first floor. I'm sure it will be worth all the work and effort to look through sparkling clean glass.

    Loved your posts on the kids' visit. Had to chuckle over your hub's comment about headlights and tailights. ha ha ha Will have to remember that one.

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog today and for commenting, too. Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com

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  14. I'd say you owe your dear husband a vacation day. Have a great trip.

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  15. Sally, Now that I know you do windows, you can visit me anytime. Happy retirement week (and soon to be enjoyed vacation).

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  16. Wow, you certainly do a thorough job, don't you?! Bet you felt good after all the top windows had been done though! Poor hubby, you eating into his vacation day. Still, he was good to help out. I loved it when you said that you didn't say anything to hubby about needing to step on it because, after all, you did want his help!! We women are cunning creatures, aren't we?!

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  17. I haven't done windows in a while. Soon though, the rains will do the washing for us.

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  18. "After all, we had our morning routine to follow"


    Hahahaha! I have that same routine.

    How lovely that you have the retirement going on. I envy. I'm still trying to get every kid out of the house - and all their crap!

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  19. I was feeling quite pleased with myself for washing the glass patio doors both inside and out, but then the next morning the sunlight streamed through the window and all I could see were all the streaks. I'll probably get around to rewashing sometime if the weather stays good and we continue to get a lot of sun!

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  20. I hate window washing. I get a man with ladders and long hoses to do the outside. He's worth every penny.

    Inside? Well, sometimes, maybe. Cleaning is not my favourite occupation. If I can shirk it or pay somebody to do it, I will. Any day. I'd rather go without something than spend my old age cleaning.

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  21. I have to laugh at this -- Rick and I were talking and he said "What would you do if you retired?" and I said, "Everything I haven't had time to do before!" (And that includes windows -- mine are abysmal. So three cheers to you both! Back to retirement!

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  22. Interesting. I've been working on developing ways to reduce all this kind of "labor" to an acceptable level of strain and still get them done reasonably well. This is the creative part. The labor part... not so keen about.

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  23. I love how we have choices on how we spend our time!

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  24. We did them last spring. Is it time to do them again?

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