The joy of “chickens”!

Oh yes!
And I am never keen on going out on cold wet winter evenings either.

A sales person asked us today what we do now my dh is retired. What do we do???? I think we've had a whole three days to ourselves since late August!

My mouth doesn't know me as well as it thinks it does, and constantly agrees to social events or even arranges them, and actually I'm okay with that, until about two days before the event and then I really wish I hadn't got to go through with it. Invariably I enjoy the event once it's underway but I often still wish I was just chilling at home.

Daytime trips only for me these days. Hate getting public transport on my own at night. How much I have changed!

Yesterday I was so looking to a slob-day after several tiring days, when I was told 'Oh I forgot to say X is arriving at 4pm!'
What? I burst into tears!
So Maw the answer is yes I understand

Now that the evenings are dark, cold, and often wet. I love it when my plans are cancelled!

I usually go to Zumba on Monday evening, with a friend. I drive, which I don't much like when it's dark out - but for the past 3 weeks, she's cancelled - either she's late home from work, she's not feeling well, she's on holiday, or her mum's not well. These things can't be helped, but I'm glad that SHE cancels and not me.

It's an evening in, with the husband and cat, all cosy in my dressing gown. Lovely.

I soooo agree, an unexpected cancellation is never a problem, and it also removes any guilt on my part about cancelling!

Yes! Such a relief to know it’s just not me ?

I think when you get to be as old as some of us are its great to be able to please ourselves. for some of us for the first time in our adult lives we can come and go when we like. Its great.

I started out a few years ago with 6 baby chicks. Three were roosters, and ended up in the stew pot. I only have one left. She provided lots of fresh eggs, but sadly doesn't lay anymore.
I haven't found too much "joy" in having chickens.

I too relish staying home and doing nothing (if I feel like it). Glad I'm retired, especially as it is -10F this morning and 4 inches of snow!
There, I've covered the "joy of chickens" for everyone?

After being limited by pain, then a hip replacement (blessed relief!) I really missed being able to freely get out and about. Relying on other people to drive me around really got on my nerves.
Now I never complain about having too many trips out. I am committed to two trips to Australia within seven months, which is a bit traumatic - not to mention expensive, but I'm just glad to be fit enough, at 80, to be able to enjoy my outings. Time enough to enjoy the stack of unread books when my legs give out on me!

I thought it was just me who thought this way! Phew feel so much better about it now!

Enjoy your day of freedom @Mawb. I’ve recently moved up to Scotland (from MK funnily enough) and in an attempt to expand my circle of friends I joined everything that came my way. The result? Complete overwhelm. In the end I severely culled the activities down to one or two and even still I would be happier to stay home at times. The weather may have something to do with it of course!!

I was going to meet a friend for lunch but she has cried off so I can have my afternoon nap after Countdown.

Oh yes. A blank day in the diary is such a treat. I had one last Tuesday and I loved it.
Just this morning as I waited for the aquafit class to start we were saying how lovely it would be if the class was cancelled at the last minute and I'd have to just sit in the cafe with a coffee, bacon roll and the papers! Guilt free bliss. Nae luck today though! ♒ ?

Oh yes - it's just blissful to see the diary blank for the whole week. It does fill up but when there are no specific arrangements to be here and there at a certain time the stress melts away, and I get on with so much because I feel free to do it in my own time and at my own pace.

Oh yes, MawB. I have a wonderful social life with lots of friends. I also work part-time. However, there are times when I just want a few hours to myself - then I feel guilty because there are so many people who are constantly lonely.

Maw I so agree. I seem to constantly be going here there and everywhere. Having AC at either end of the country and in demand for school holiday cover; cover when the AC go on exotic holidays during term time; special occasion cover eg weddings away and if I just want to go visit I seem never to be at home. When invited to nights out usually in the nearest city 35 miles away and where good shows, galleries etc are on offer I am keen to go but then nearer the time the old thought of travelling, eating out and then getting home late creep in and I just want to stay at home. If I could just pop on a bus for a 20 - 30 min trip that would be marvellous but not to be. Oh the comforts of home!

I wish I had lots of friends, o.k. just a few that invited me out..

what invitations I do get, usually, I fear refusing I won`t be invited again.... silly me!

I’m a bit like that Urmstongran! I find if I have two or three busy gadding about days on the trot I’m positively begging for a nesting day at home - with no visitors!

Haha, yes, "the relief of not having to carry it through" - like when there are engineering works on the train line and travel becomes impossible. A guilty joy!

(Although - it's more often than not the things I'm least looking forward to that end up being the most enjoyable).

We run away to Spain and recharge our batteries!
Norty but very nice.
?

Bet it is merlot. I have had a mad couple of weeks - we even went out twice in the evening- that I was very pleased to see a fairly empty diary this week. Then.... a co-grandparent invited herself for a tomorrow and I'm booked for a school run on Wednesday!!

Really shouldn't complain, but.......

Seeing as DH has come home from hospital with a C diff infection I've been able to 'chicken out' of everything other than trailing back to the hospital pharmacy for yet another course of antibiotics.

I love being at home but cabin fever is beginning to set in.

Social invitations are like buses - none around then two or three arrive together!

A rare, late cancellation does sometimes feel like being let off the hook though and can be quite liberating!