That it would be harder to meet and make new friends as a grown-up than as a kid or teen. Even harder as an empty nester. Another problem I was not prepared for is a parenting issue that is a little more specific to homeschooling. I was not at all prepared for how hard it would be for ME as a homeschool mom when my youngest student graduated. I wound up writing about Empty Nesting a bit on Homeschool Coffee Break.
I pay attention but not a lot of attention, if that makes sense. I was very happy that food dyes were finally going away. We aren't terribly fussy about eating healthy and avoiding additives, but we've been preferring "real" foods over "synthetic" and homemade over highly processed for a long time. That's not to say we don't have junk food or convenience foods - we enjoy quite a few of these less healthy options - but we try to tip the scales in favor of more natural choices. I solved the scratched cookware issue a long time ago by switching to stainless steel and cast iron for almost all of my cooking, and I prefer stoneware for baking and roasting. A habit I need to adopt and be consistent with is using fresh produce more, preferably locally grown.
3. What's getting worse and worse as you get older? How about better and better?
My joints. There are good days and bad days but I guess the thing about arthritis is that it's pretty much always there so overall I'd say there's a general sense that my joints are getting worse. On the positive side, I believe my understanding of Scripture is getting better, and that means I'm growing in spiritual wisdom. There's always more to learn and I know I won't actually "arrive" until I get to heaven, but the goal is to continually be growing.
We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints' inheritance in the light. ~Colossians 1:9-12
I'm actually more of an indoor person. I don't participate in outdoor sports and I don't have any interest in gardening, so there isn't as much to draw me outdoors. I definitely enjoy sitting out on a porch or deck and watching birds or a sunset; and I love going for walks and hikes; but I don't crave the time outside the way true outdoor people do. Also I'm a very itchy person so grass and sand and bugs just add to that itchy and crawly sensation.
Have them organize my desk and help me set up a workable filing system that I could maintain. I've been needing to tackle this job for a long time and I keep putting it off because I don't feel like I have time, and it's getting overwhelming.
I'm late to the Hodgepodge today because we went to the ball game as soon as I got home from work. It was a fun evening out, although our home team didn't win.
Even though I'm often late to link-ups and it takes me awhile to visit other participants, I'd have to say that blogging is one of my favorite hobbies. The current theme for the Wednesday Quotes link-up is hobbies and I'd love to hear what yours are and your thoughts on the subject. Read the posts and join in here: WQ - Hobbies
What part of adulting were you unprepared for? Leave a comment and let me know!
Ugh, yes my joints are getting to much worse as I age and it is definitely much harder to make friends nowadays too. We like our stainless steel cookware too and I pretty much only cook and bake in stainless steel or glass pyrex dishes.
ReplyDeleteYes I also have glass dishes for the oven. Makes me wonder why I ever owned "non-stick" ccokware back in the day when the other options are all so good. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI enjoyed your answers. There's no way I would have ever homeschooled my daughters. Mainly because we live in a top notch public school system (North Colonie NY) and also beause I myself was a special ed preK teacher so.....a working mom for most of my life! I can see how hard it would be emotionally though to be done once your youngest was through.
ReplyDeleteI love your answer to the "getting better as you age" I feel pretty much the same way!
I have the greatest respect for good teachers, especially those who worked in special ed like you did.
DeleteI guess it's true that wisdom comes with age, and I'm glad you agreed with my answer to that question.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I have not had an easy time making friends at most ages!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it was EASY when I was a kid or a teen, but it was certainly EASIER. I think it's harder as an empty nester, or as a non-parent, because the connection point of children just isn't there.
Deletethanks for stopping by and commenting!
I find it so hard to make new friends now, when my girls were at school I would meet other mums at the school gates but now it's much harder that I don't get out as much.
ReplyDeleteWe have processed food now and again but even it back out with freshly cooked food.
It sounds like a great evening out at the ball game.
Yes, meeting other parents as we do stuff with our kids is a great way to connect.
DeleteWe kind of do the same things with processed and fresh foods and hope it balances out!
thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
I'd agree it's harder to make new friends as you get older. We moved to a new area nearly 5 years ago and I'm still finding it hard to make friends. I took a totally different approach to #3 but agree that joints don't like ageing!
ReplyDeleteI think I feel better knowing that I'm not the only one finding it harder to make new friends as the years go by.
DeleteI'll be interested to see how you answered #3!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Blogging is my favorite hobby too. It is harder to make friends as we get older. And if you move to a place filled with 'locals' they often have as many friends as they can make time for. We're on a lake filled with people from all over looking for friends and that helps. Also, my hubs never met a stranger so there's that. I always tell people you have to become a joiner even if that's not part of your personality. Young moms are always looking for friends and connect easily over their children's lives and interests. Older women not so much. Glad you had a fun evening at the ballpark!
ReplyDeleteYes - the friend circles are already completed and it's much harder to find your way into a circle when you're an older "new kid in town". It takes a lot more patience, I find.
DeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting!
I have to agree with all of your answers except I use an Always pan these days. It’s kinda scary what we used to use, right?
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
I wasn't too sure what an Always pan was until I looked it up. They look so nice! I know, I can't believe I ever used T-Fal back in the day. :shudder:
DeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting!
I love using fresh produce from the farmer's markets. I live in New England so we only get it for a short season. How fun to go to a local baseball game. You have inspired me to go watch a game in the park.
ReplyDelete