I was lucky enough to work for a great company before I retired. Loved the people I worked with and miss them terribly, but I was always juggling my time. When COVID hit and we began to work from home it was even more difficult because mornings ran into lunchtime, afternoons ran into evenings and before I knew it the day was over.
Weekends came and went in a flurry of paying bills, cooking, shopping and before I had time to rest it was Monday again. Of course it was even more frantic for me towards the end of my working career because we were selling our home too.
Now I’m finally retired, and living in Italy. My time is my own. A few chores, maybe a little laundry…then I can go for a walk, read, write (I will get that book finished eventually).
The other amazing thing is, I really don’t have many bills to pay. I lived in the US for 25 years and seemed to be constantly shelling out money. Property tax, gas bills, electric bills, homeowners insurance, car insurance, umbrella insurance, the list seemed endless. I hadn’t realized how expensive it was to live in America until I left. Of course I still have bills to pay, but not many.
Now I spend more time in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes. I walk daily, sometimes twice. My joy of photography has been reawakened.
At the moment, I’m restricted because of COVID, but next year at some point, road trips will be possible. Short breaks visiting different areas. Hopefully I’ve got ten good years in me before I’m decrepit, so I’ll make the most of them, retirement is a good thing. If anyone reading this is contemplating retiring early, do it!
Now I just need my daughter to visit and things will be good! Go away COVID and let us live again!!!
More Time to Walk!
08 Dec 2020 2 Comments
in retirement Tags: Abruzzo, aging, America, Colledimezzo, COVID, exercise, Family, happiness, Italy, relaxation, USA, walking
New Home – New Life – Retirement
05 Sep 2020 3 Comments
in retirement Tags: Abruzzo, Chieti, Colledimezzo, COVID, Early retirement, Friends, Italy, Lifestyles, Retirement abroad, Southern Italy, USA

I’m RETIRED!
In my head I thought I’d leave the US in a blaze of glory. I’d planned on hosting a leaving party at my local bar for a few close friends, but COVID came along and stopped that!
The two wonderful folks I supported at Western Union, hosted a small, safe, socially distancing party, which was absolutely wonderful. I was able to say goodbye to a few close friends who’d made a difference in my life. I had to fight back the tears as they said lovely things about me…were they really talking about me? I almost stood up and said STOP, I’ve changed my mind…I’m staying, but here I am, thousands of miles away in Southern Italy.
I miss my daughter, and I miss my friends, but I know they understand I needed a quieter, more relaxed life. I’m very lucky to be able to follow my dreams.
More stories to come.
It’s been a while!
19 Jan 2020 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Chieti, Colledimezzo, Cooking, Food, Fresh food, Italian Food, Italy, retirement, USA
It’s been a while since I blogged. I’ve been back from Abruzzo for one week now, but my heart is still there. I didn’t leave the way of life behind, but brought it with me, in the cooking especially. I miss the simple, flavorful food so, I make it here in the US.
It doesn’t taste quite as good because the produce isn’t as fresh, but it will get me by until I return.
Retirement is on my mind!
Trump and his love affair with HIMSELF!
16 Feb 2019 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: America, Dishonesty, Ego, Egotistical, Fraud, Politics, Racism, The Wall, Trump, USA
This man is in love with HIMSELF!
Not sure what happened to the lower tax promise. My middle class taxes are much higher. He promised to make America great again! It already was great! This egotistical lunatic is washing it down into the sewer.
I’m sure his own pockets are being filled to overflowing with all the secret deals he’s making, and he’ll be paid well for the rest of his life. Disgusting! I wish he could see himself from the eyes of the rest of the world, as the bad joke that he is.
Can anyone do anything to stop this manipulating moron or will he be allowed continue to spread he racism and hatred? How can this be allowed to happen?
OK, had to get that out, it was festering inside me. Sorry, but I do feel better now.
Friday Glow
28 Oct 2017 Leave a comment
in Photography, Uncategorized Tags: Colorado, Denver, Foothills, Franktown, Rocky Mountains, Sunsets, USA
Beautiful way to end the week!
Colorado, my home
26 Jun 2016 Leave a comment
in Photography Tags: cappuccino, Colorado, Franktown, Home, Photography, Rocky Mountains, Sunday, Travel, USA
I love to travel! So many places to see, people to meet, wines to taste and things to do, but starting the day with a cappuccino on my own deck is pretty special too! Colorado, my home.
Color me Colorado Sunset
06 Jun 2016 Leave a comment
in Colorado, Photography Tags: Colorado, Franktown, Photography, Rocky Mountains, Sunsets, USA
The Big Adventure!
14 May 2016 Leave a comment
in adventure, Travel Tags: Adventures, Banff, Colorado, Denver, England, Judith Chalmers, Moving, Rocky Mountains, Trains, USA, Wish You Were Here

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It all started in March of 1994! My daughter watched a show on TV called “Wish You Were Here.” It was presented by Judith Chalmers and was all about a train ride through the Rocky Mountains from Banff to Denver. “Oh mum, what a great place to have and adventure,” she said. She was eight years old at the time.
As a family we loved to travel, but we’d never been to the US. “Looks like fun,” I said, “Lets talk to dad when he gets home from work.
We moved to Denver in January of 1995, less that a year later. My husband left a great career with the Bank of England and started work as a consultant with a company in Golden. He travelled with work so through him, my daughter and I travelled too!
The first six months were rough. We were living on one salary instead of two. I had to make new friends and the culture in Denver was much different from what I was used to. So was the language (believe it or not) and the food. Now people knock the food in England, but I missed the Indian, French and Italian Restaurants, which weren’t so good when we arrived in Denver. Denver has come a long way since then and the restaurants are great here now, but back in 1995, that wasn’t really the case.
I couldn’t work for the first couple of years because my visa wouldn’t permit me to. I couldn’t even do Charity work. How ridiculous is that!
Here we are in 2017. I live in Franktown, a beautiful rural area, with a view of Devil’s Head Mountain and Pike’s Peak. My daughter is happily married and lives in Dallas, she’ll most likely have a family of her own soon.
I still strive for adventure and love finding new places to explore, but I guess moving to the US was my big adventure, and I’m still enjoying it. Maybe one day soon we’ll actually take a ride on that train, after all, it’s what brought us here.