<p>I lost a reasonable amount of weight and am now wearing clingier stuff, so took the plunge and bought… spanx!</p>
<p>We also live on 5 acres, but I think the zero turn mower that seems to go 50mpg is dh’s stress relief. It was my biggest hesitancy buying this property as I’m highly allergic to grass, but between the partial woods and landscaping and strategic tree trimming, it’s not overwhelming yet to hubby. If it is we’d hire landscapers - I guess the money will have to come from the savings of the geo-thermal :)</p>
<p>When I mentioned not coloring my hair any more, my DH said Why not? So thats not happening! Lost the landline a year ago, cut down on cable channels, bought our retirement home in Florida, made a list of household items to sell on Craigslist, took a 2-week vacation with no kids, plan to do it again next summer, turned my retirement accounts over to a financial planner, counting down 18 months of work! Woo-hoo! DH will be retirement age, Im along for the ride!</p>
<p>Let some of your five acres go to meadow or prairie. Very drought tolerant and no mowing. We let one of our acres go wild and planted prairie plants. So our mowing is cut in half. We do mow some trails in it. The bonus is that the dog and grandkid love to play in the long grass.</p>
<p>Musicamusica, H did a Habitat for Humanity to Mongolia in 2007 (I am looking at his certificate on the wall) and it was seriously life changing. He went with D1 who was 21 at the time and it was at her insistence. The cost is reasonable. Some did before or after trips also.</p>
<p>Moved from Wisconsin to Florida 2 months ago- found the retirement home with many more big city amenities. A major change in so many areas of life. So many things are different- learning curve. Forced son to choose what to take and what we would save with no basement and downsizing.</p>
<p>Had dropped the horrible Gannett newspaper but started a nonGannett one in new city- getting the local flavor. Did continue home phone service (internet based with the TV and internet package as before). Even though great cell phone reception here it is nice for either of us to answer the phone instead of only the phone of one of us getting the call.</p>
<p>I look around with my 20 something D’s and rarely see them wear a watch (they use their phone and maybe laptop to check time). Perhaps watches will become a thing of the past.</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat as HImom, I’m going to retire when my husband does, which hopefully in 3 years. Originally I was going to wait until youngest daughter is done with college but I don’t think I can wait that long. Looking forward to be a farmer in my retirement years.
Found houses in the area that I want to retire in and the prices look reasonably. Now just hoping the realtors going to return my call. Why don’t realtors work on Sunday?</p>
<p>"Perhaps watches will become a thing of the past. "- I have not had a watch on me for about 25 years. Everything has clocks. In addition, I developed strange skill to be able to tell time. When we go for a walk with my H. he is always amazed, does not have to look at his watch especially in a dark. I also quit wearing glasses, and my eyes also got better, but they were not very bad anyway. I quess, we forgot that our body is able to adjust. Working to psyching myslef up for rollerblading. I love it, miss it a lot. Stopped after very bad fall that somehow miraculously did not break any of my bones. This is one of very few enterteiments in my life, there are not many left anymore, everyhting became very boring all of the sudden, I do not know what happened…and I am not able to pull myself to do what is boring…This is probably the most noticeble change. I have enough things to keep myself entertained, I hope that they will stay exciting in my future, I hope not to get bored with them…</p>
<p>I’m enjoying reading this. For me:</p>
<p>Braces a few years ago.
Ditched the newspaper subscription.
Sold the pop-up tent trailer (sad day)
Downsizing from 5200 sf to 3200 (still sounds huge, but it isn’t)
Xeriscape plus a vegetable garden.
Solar panels
Looking at plug in hybrids.</p>
<p>Other than the tent trailer it all feels right.</p>
<p>I think real estate agents are busy sitting houses and drumming up sales and clients on Sundays so do not answer calls for MORE business then. Am surprised NONE would answer your call on a Sunday though, but perhaps you chose an especially busy Sunday?</p>
<p>Gee, no one yet has mentioned buying a motorcycle and doing the Easy<em>Rider/Wild</em>Hogs thing.</p>
<p>Regarding Real Estate Agents, I wonder if sales are just so slow that they’re all spending a little time away from the office. I left messages with two Realtors yesterday … by email, asking for information on houses they listed … and neither has responded (yet). Good thing the requests weren’t time critical!</p>
<p>Went back to my college sport (DI, national champ team) after 20 years of not playing and with 20 pounds more weight. It is thoroughly humbling (I stink!), but FUN. I am so happy I finally realized it’s okay to play recreationally. </p>
<p>Planning to go smaller with the car fairly soon.<br>
Starting to think about downsizing (probably 5 years or so). Slowly decluttering, but having issues with pat rack spouse. I will have insist on my very own closet and bathroom in the next house!
Hoping for a couple of years of “me time” after younger child gets license (in 10 months) and before mom/in-laws need more and more help. This one seems unlikely, 
</p>
<p>Great thread!</p>
<p>I left a call for a realtor (in HI) on Sunday with the hope that she would call back Monday am. Imagine my surprise when she called back Sunday early evening. Some realtors are looking for business, it seems.</p>
<p>Great–where in our wonderful state are you looking to buy? There are a lot of multi-family dwellings available on most islands. Hope the realty who returned your call will work out well for you or you find another who does. Some realtors are really searching for business while others are quite busy.</p>
<ol>
<li>Started walking daily. DH and DD often join in. Up to 30 miles weekly year round &doing third half marathon next month.</li>
<li>Sold family home last year after 1 year on the market. Still live in same neighborhood in smaller home. Painful to leave 25 years of family memories in that house.</li>
<li>Just returned from trip with DH to celebrate 30 years together!</li>
<li>Savoring freedom after raising 5 kids.</li>
<li>DH and I are still working in our jobs. We both work with kids and laugh every day.</li>
<li>Younger sis &I laugh at the aging process & celebrate her being a breast cancer survivor.
Great Thread!</li>
</ol>