One of the perks of being 49andcounting is that life slows down. The house isn’t full of hungry bodies asking “what’s for dinner?” The stacks of folded laundry aren’t a permanent fixture on the couch anymore, no more finger prints on the refrigerator door. No pile of shoes near the front door! The wall calendar has blanks, that at one time were filled with ball games, practices, church meetings, and more. The nest is empty!
And that feeling I dreamed of so many times… that feeling I wished for as I locked myself in the bathroom for just a moment of peace…well, it’s a double-edged sword. I’m not so busy anymore, and, guess what? I don’t always like it! And to top it off, I feel guilty! Guilty for not being busy! Who’da thought it?
And so at fifty-something, I make my list. Of all the things I can do or could do. All the things I’ve wanted to do or should do. And I fill my calendar…with helping others, adventures with friends, visits with children, a nap here and there. At 49andcounting I’m not frantically rushing through each day with very little time to stop and enjoy the small things.
I am so blessed to be growing older and not so busy anymore.
49andcounting 
I am loving the Empty Nest, but having trouble with the retirement part. I have worked as a babysitter from age 12-16, then full time n summers, weekends, and after school through college, and teaching for 31 years. Now, when I have a day with nothing schedules, I feel guilty…as though I should be making money or doing something. John says to enjoy it, but I still make lists too…maybe it lets us realize we have accomplished something. I feel blessed too and know I will get into this less busy lifestyle with glee…as a matter of fact, have to leave for Nebraska to visit sisters for a week! Miss you M! Dara
Okay I must be doing something wrong…or rather my husband is. As long as Steve was at the Bank I had a part-time job and then he retired from that and went back into the car business and so I had another part-time job…two parts make a whole. Granted I don’t have stacks of laundry or finger prints or big meals to prepare (unless all six of our grandboys are visiting, Gavin and Brant are 14 and 16 and they eat a lot!)…but I think I would like a little more free time. But life is good and we must enjoy being busy because we are at work most days. We can sit on the porch a little longer in the mornings.
I always enjoy your blog.