Why I Like Retirement

Here are some reasons why retirement after being a schoolteacher for 27 years is so fabulous:

1.  I can go grocery shopping on any school morning.

2.  I can go to the restroom any time I want; no more waiting for the bell to ring or lunch to start.

3.  I can sleep in; no alarm clock needed anymore.

4.  I can go on a long vacation any time; no more waiting for those summer months to roll around.

5.  I can do the wash whenever I feel like it; no more planning ahead for clean clothes on Monday morning.

6.  I can go out to lunch with a friend or grandchild (good suggestion, Kyra) any day and any time of the week.

7.  I can use my eyes to read a good book or watch a favorite TV show; no more straining my eyes to grade papers.

8.  I can go to the doctor or dentist on any school morning; no more waiting for afternoon appointments.

9.  I can get a cold glass of water any time; no more drinking room temperature water from a bottle off my desk.

10. I can stay in my pajamas all day if I am working on a project at home.

I HAVE CERTAINLY DISCOVERED THAT RETIREMENT HAS ITS BENEFITS!  

Our Week in San Antonio

When we left Corpus Christi, we headed to San Antonio where we met Melanie and Ryan.  They drove down from Ardmore, Oklahoma.  We shared a very nice condo located ten or so miles from the center of the city.  We did quite a bit of sightseeing which included visiting The Alamo, the San Antonio River Walk, a cave tour, and animal safari.  We went to a German town called New Braunfels and there discovered nearby the Guadalupe River and Canyon Lake Dam.  We had numerous fun days of exploration.  

On one occasion we drove into Austin which is the state capitol.  We toured the LBJ Presidential Library and the capitol building.  On our last day we went to Sea World.  We had read online before leaving Las Vegas that while in Texas we should enjoy some BBQ and Mexican food.  That's exactly what we did on numerous occasions.  We enjoyed eating out at several smokehouses as well as eating a traditional Mexican meal on the river walk.  We also fixed quite a few meals at the condo.  It was so nice to be in Texas enjoying a great vacation with Melanie and Ryan.  Of course, a trip would never be complete without shopping which was extra fun since Melanie needed to buy maternity clothes!

Melanie and Steve
The Alamo

Steve and Melanie,
The Alamo

Ryan
San Antonio Riverwalk

Steve and Melanie
San Antonio Riverwalk

Steve, Ryan, and Melanie
San Antonio Riverwalk

Ryan and Melanie
Natural Bridge Caverns

Melanie and Ryan
Panning for Gold

Ryan
Animal Safari

Steve and Melanie
Guadalupe River, Texas

Canyon Gate Lake
Near Guadalupe River, Texas

Ryan and Melanie
Austin, Texas

Melanie and Steve
Austin, Texas

Ryan and Melanie
Texas Capitol
Austin, Texas

Steve and Melanie
Capitol Grounds
Austin, Texas

Gayle and Steve
San Antonio, Texas
Seaworld

Melanie and Ryan
San Antonio, Texas
Seaworld

Melanie and Ryan
Condo Rental in San Antonio

Ryan and Melanie
The Alamo in San Antonio

Ryan and Melanie
San Antonio

Four Days by the Gulf

Steve and I flew to San Antonio, Texas and then drove a rental car to Corpus Christi for a four-day vacation before meeting Melanie and Ryan back where we started in San Antonio.  It was hot and humid even though our vacation was at the end of September.  Although we had some hot temperatures, we also enjoyed rain and wind as we went sightseeing on the Gulf of Mexico.  The ocean water was 80 degrees.  It felt very warm even though the sky was often gray and cloudy.  It's nothing like the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. 

We rented a condo on Padre Island that had a nice clubhouse and pool.   To get back to the main part of the city, we had to cross over several bridges.  It seemed to me that Corpus Christi was surrounded by water no matter where you drove.  I was interested to see quite a few people that had stopped to fish by exiting off the main road and parking on dry spots surrounded by shallow pools of ocean water. Steve and I both noticed how many people drove big trucks in San Antonio and Corpus Christi.  I think Texans, or at least what we saw on this trip, are very interested in fishing, water sports, camping, etc.  I guess a family would need a large truck to fit in with the Texan outdoor life style.

We toured the USS Lexington which was an aircraft carrier used in many military actions in days gone by.  We drove out to the National Seashore on Padre Island which was fun.  Since it was a school day no one was there.  It was fun watching the birds and the waves.  One day near our condo we spent the afternoon driving on the beach and then walking out on the paved jetty.  It was very windy that day, so it was fun when the waves sprayed the pavement where we walked. Later we drove on the beach for several miles from the jetty to a pier where we stopped, walked, and enjoyed lunch.

Harbor Bridge
Corpus Christi, Texas

Our condo on Padre Island

Steve at USS Lexington
Corpus Christi

Steve at Padre Island

Gayle at the southern most end of Padre Island

Jetty near our condo on Padre Island

Pier near our condo on Padre Island

Gayle, aboard the USS Lexington

Gayle, swimming at our condo on Padre Island

The Best Summer Vacation Ever!

This last week almost everyone in the family has been in Las Vegas specifically for Julie and Jon's wedding reception which was held on Saturday, August 3rd, 2013.  We managed to have a ton of fun not only with wedding events but just plain, pure family time participating in a variety of activities.  I am so grateful for my entire family and can hardly wait for the next occasion that will undoubtedly bring us back altogether again.  

Julie's condo was a great place for Heather and her family to stay.  Not only was it great so that everyone had a place to sleep, but the pool was fantastic and so inviting on many hot, summer days.  We swam many different times and no one seemed to mind going back on multiple occasions.  On Thursday early evening we celebrated Kylie's fourth birthday.  Jon and Julie provided pizza and cake.  It was sweet to see the cousins enjoying time together.

On Friday night Heather Jones and I hosted a bridal shower for Julie at Heather's home.  Heather has a big house with a huge back yard.  We invited all of the younger girls in the family to the shower as well as the moms.  Earlier in the week I woke up one morning thinking what we might do at the shower that would include the younger girls.  I came up with the idea of having each young girl dressed up to look like a bride using items such as toilet paper, tissue paper, crepe paper, netting, etc.  After we ate  dinner at the shower consisting of salads, fruit, and roll-ups, we proceeded to the creative part of the evening.  It was a huge success!

Saturday night was the wedding reception at the Spanish Trails Country Club.  We had to be there at 4:30 for pictures.  Appetizers were served from 5:30 to 6:30 and then we moved into another room for a formal sit-down dinner.  We had green salad, chicken marsala, potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and cake. Grandpa Steve gave the toast before dinner.  Julie and Jon make a great couple, and we are thrilled they found each other.  

Sunday we didn't go to church.  We went to Burger King, the movies to see Smurfs, and swimming at Julie's condo.  It was a fun day, but not exactly what we usually do on Sunday.  I'm sure we'll try harder next week to get ourselves to church!

Monday was the best day ever!  We celebrated my birthday at Green Valley Resort like we did last year. This time though we didn't get hotel rooms.  Instead we rented two cabanas and spent the entire day poolside.  We enjoyed some great food, and everyone had a great time.  It was perfect for me to see all of my family together enjoying my birthday.  I couldn't have asked for a better day!  Tuesday night the girls made dinner and spoiled me with gifts, dessert, and games.  It was definitely a great two-day birthday celebration.