Whatcha Eating Today VSGers? Friday, June 22, 2018

QOTD: My mom is 75 and still works full time. She enjoys her job and her co-workers, it keeps her mentally engaged and stimulated. She also likes the support network and schedule it provides her - especially after my dad's death. Thankfully she does still make time for vacations and travel. She uses all of her vacation days every year. She's also a fan of the income. :)

I used to ask her when she was going to retire but now I've stopped. Studies show that if you can still work, and find your work stimulating, that you should continue to for best quality of life outcomes. Of course, being able to work into your 70s is definitely a privileged position. It requires a job that can still be performed at that age, so probably not a physical one. It also requires good health and lack of caregiver duties. So it's definitely not something that everyone can do. (And those same studies show that if your job isn't stimulating, and retirement will provide greater stimulation, that retirement is positive.) So.. yeah. My research for my classes has definitely given me a different perspective on retirement. I now encourage my mom to work as long as she wants to!

As for my own retirement? Haha. I'll think about that once I actually have a job to retire from. I'm hoping to be employed in my field by the end of 2020. I figure I'll never be able to retire because retirement is expensive. I would be happy to move to a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) as soon as Lance, the oldest of u****s 55, though. :D Assuming we can find one that works with our three-adult family. But.. my dream of moving to a CCRC is also one of the factors that decreases likelihood of retirement, because they're stupidly expensive. Sigh.

1: protein shake
2: another protein shake maybe
3: Chicken in Creamed Horseradish (chicken thighs), Lemon Butter Green Beans (if the green beans are still good, I got them last week)

liquid and vites: good on liquids, no vites since I'm having (hopefully) a leg vein procedure today. Assuming my asinine insurance approves it...
exercise: zenga class

It makes sense that what we enjoy and is stimulating is best for us. When my MIL retired at 65, she said she just didn't have time for work anymore - she had too many other things to do. I always thought that was great.

But the financial part is definitely sobering. We are just going to take it one year at a time right now.

Yes. :) That's one of the things I love about where my mom lives now (she moved to a CCRC two years ago). Her friends get to do all this stuff during the day that she misses out on because she's still working. Eventually she'll get to the point where she decides she'd rather do those things with her friends than work, and I think that'll be what convinces her to retire. In the meantime, I'm really grateful that she has things she's looking forward to with retirement, because I'd imagine that, initially, the thought of retiring without my dad was really disheartening to contemplate.

I'm grateful that my parents were able to prepare financially for retirement, another aspect of privilege. While my family has been saving for retirement for 20 years now, who knows if we'll have enough, and who knows how things will be in 30 years.

I assume we probably couldn't go into a CCRC since DH has already been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. And I'm too young to consider it now anyway. MIL (dementia from age 90-97) was able to manage in the assisted living area of her CCR****il the end with the help of family and paid companions (using the assisted living support for personal care, food, and housekeeping). It would be ideal if I could ultimately do that with DH. But again, one year at a time.

Every CCRC I know has slightly different policies, so I have no idea. I know that someone moved into the CCRC where my mom is after her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She moved directly into independent living and her husband moved directly into the memory care area. But every place is different!

Hi everyone! Love the pictures Liz, what a beautiful place! I am thrilled it's Friday. We are going to stay with my sister in Charleston this weekend. She's going to watch the kids Saturday so Nick and I can have a date day.

QOTD: I doubt I will ever totally retire. I work two jobs now that I love, and I am having trouble convincing myself to go back to working just one even though I am often overwhelmed. My work is a huge part of who I am and I would deeply miss it if I left it all together. That said, I do plan on cutting way back on hours once Nick and I get older. We have a lot more traveling we hope to do! (Also, I'm only 36 so in 30 years I could feel VERY differently about retiring haha!)

B - coffee & protein

L - yogurt & almonds

S - 5 tortilla chips with a few tablespoons of watermelon salsa

D - Mahi Mahi and roasted zucchini

E - planks

Work was a big part of who I was for a long time too. Age changes perspectives sometimes.

Enjoy Charleston. I loved visiting there last year!

Good morning! Gorgeous pictures Liz, sorry I got the date wrong on your return to the U.S. yesterday!

Today is the day I take my mom to the casino she loves so much. It seems to be every Friday anymore. The casino staff has become part of my family lately:-) That's okay, it's a social environment for her and she can afford to do it. There are all kind of hikes I can do if I don't want to spend the time or money there.

QOTD-I retired early due to a progressive form of osteoarthritis and to care for my mother. During the summer I work weekends at our Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center and on call during the off season. I absolutely love helping people find their way around Glacier Park and our valley. There is so much to do here and I enjoy telling people what to do and where to go!

B-Greek yogurt w/coconut and walnuts

L-hb egg, string cheese

S-Chai tea w/vanilla premier protein

D-Leftover insides of lasagna, steamed green beans

E-Hike with Emmy

I hope everyone has a lovely Friday!

That sounds like a great job!