How do we get so busy???

I use to have a very full diary but find I am slowly reducing my programme and enjoying it. I like being at home.

You're so right lovebeigecardigans!
I adore my grand babies and love spending time with them, but it's absolutely marvellous to have a day off!
At 69 I no longer have the energy I once had, and I'm usually very glad when pick-up time arrives.

I retired 7 years ago. It was great to think I wasn't going to have the same old stresses and pressures, but since then I have been big chief childminder for DGS One week down of the school holiday and 2 more to go before other grandma takes over till they all go away on holiday. At that point I will sleep till I wake and try not to let myself feel guilty if I do nothing all day. However, I will be trying to catch up with friends and activities that have to take a back seat when I have DGS!

I'm just so glad I didn't have to do it all without our present day 'mod cons'

I really, really relish having days that stretch out before me, with no plans. I could laze around for England. It's such a treat to be free of a former life which was extremely hectic and fraught with worry night and day.

Time I enjoy wasting is not wasted time. Some days I get slightly resentful that I have appointments! I love choosing exactly what I will and will not do.

Some days I am extremely self indulgent and they involve catching up with TV programmes, catching up with reading - usually the papers or a book I can't put down. I may take myself off for a stroll around the park. The washing up waits, the housework doesn't get done and if I can catch the last evening rays of sun in the garden I am out there on the lounger with a nice long cold drink.

We are a long time dead. This is my time. Other days may be busy and I'll have commitments, but I actively plan switching off now, several days a week if I can, and it's bliss.

Day6, I so embrace and agree with pretty much everything you have said here. I do feel that it takes time to calm down and do very little though. It seems we are wired to the 'must be doing something' syndrome. Some people need to be on every committee under the sun to enhance their status whilst others actually feel guilty for doing 'nothing'. I think a bit of both gives the perfect lifestyle and I do believe I've pretty much cracked it for me. Happy days indeed. However I always have to add the awareness that I am somewhat blessed with reasonable health and this makes a huge difference at this stage of the game as I observe others who have not been so lucky.