JUST SAY NO

Since I have been home now for more than 5 hours the phone is ringing. Friends who love me ( ? ) are just full of ideas about what I can do with all my spare time now that I am retired. They don't believe me when I say I have yet to see any of that spare time around. I am staying unbelivably busy so far. Here is a sampling of some of the things that I have been offered since June 8th. Some of them this morning as we speak!

1. Be the receptionist/scheduler at a new & happening spa in the area. They offered bartering services or pay whatever I would like.

2. Start up a business with a friend. We would be doing photography, which we both love. We would also have a sideline of clothing and jewelry.

3. Go back to my job at the hospital PRN. Which means I think I work when they need someone. Like a substitute. This one may really be a choice for me LATER LATER LATER.

4. The city library called and offered me a wonderful "VOLUNTEER" job. This one, I am afraid I accepted. It was too perfect for me. Every Wednesday from 10 AM - 11 AM I am the official STORYLADY for the preschoolers that have library time. The group is usually around 20 or so. I am free to do whatever I want. They would like to incorporate some crafts and music into the hour as well as recognizing holidays and special occasions in my curricululm. Does that sound fun or what? I own my own personal children's book library. I am a sucker for a children's book. Plus, I will still have my contact with the kids/parents. It will get me out of the house right smack in the middle of week and I'll already be dressed for church that night. I've taught Sunday school since I was a teenager and I am the queen of "fly by your pants" because storytelling is one of my passions.

5. Answer the phone and schedule reservations at one of the B & B's in our beautiful little town for one day a week. This would give the poor innkeeper a day off. Of course, they said I could set my own day.

6. One of my favorite antique stores asked if I would be interested in working one day a week or so.

One of the things that I have never learned is to say NO. The words just won't come out of mouth easily. Sorry Dr. S. I am training on that, honestly. In fact, a very wise woman shared with me what she says when she needs to say no. I am going to have it tatooed on my head. The words were this:

"I'm sorry but that just won't work for me right now."

Great advice and I plan on using that so don't be offended if you ask me to head up the local auxilliary on World Peace! I am not going to do anything right now except the STORYLADY offer. I want to do that. I still feel like I am on summer vacation and not retired. Yet, I get this smug, little, almost hateful, satisfaction when I see the school supply list out and think about the fact that I typed that list that is displayed everywhere. My last official task after I vowed to stop thinking. All the little pencils/backpacks/tools of education are piled high at Walmart. People are already loading up their baskets like they have hit the lottery. I think when I hear the buses on the rural road by my house I am going to roll up in a ball of hysterical laughter. I am not answering my phones. I'm going to still be in my pj's and have the BIGGEST cup of coffee. I going to be sitting in my porch swing waving frantically in case anyone is looking.