Our nest has been empty for about 5 years or so. It was really hard for me at first. Even though my youngest daughter wasn't home much toward the last years she was there. I went from cooking for more than two to just two of us. That was an adjustment as well. I really miss my kids but enjoy my freedom now. I had kids with me at home since I was 16 so its my time to enjoy myself.. supposedly but now I'm dealing with my husband not working..etc.It never ends....

Saw a T-shirt the other night that read:

Someone help me, my husband is retiring without a hobby!

I totally get that!! Mine didn't work for a whole year and had no hobbies. I'm really a pacifist but oh, did I want to kill him!!

My Husband's hobby is HIS JOB!!!...seriously...all the man likes to do is work...I am beginning to REALLY worry about what will happen when he retires...how do you force someone to find a hobby?

AvlonBlondi, you never FORCE anyone to do anything. That is the beginning of a disaster. You cajoll, you suggest, you explore, you teasomgly taunt him and hopefully he may find something he enjoys doing. My problem was my ex when looking for a hobby always wanted something we could do together....I just was hoping to get him out from under foot once in awhile....Guess I finally did.

[ February 09, 2006, 07:20 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

Mine took a year off and got weird. Wasn't the same man. And, he wanted me to fix him lunch every day. I don't even fix myself lunch!

Dianne that's what happened to mine! He was off for a year and I was really beginning to think he was the nutty one (all these years I though it was me). I felt like he was watching my every move. AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

Trust me Chatty...I've had 30 years of trying to suggest and entice etc etc...the man is just all work and no play unless he's on vacation...and even then ...it's a stretch...trying to get him to relax...I figure we're about 10 or 12 years away from retirement...so I have a little time...but the whole idea of having him around all the time scares me a little...I remember how difficult it was for my Mother when Daddy retired...and he at least played golf...when my husband is home ...he starts everything with.."What are WE going to do today...what shall WE have for breakfast .."I love him with all of my heart...still...I enjoy doing my own thing during the day..with my girlfriends, my daughters...does all of that come to a grinding halt when he retires?...I have heard so many ladies say exactly what Dianne said...they get
"weird"...OMG...something new to worry about now...

Maybe I should take the Scarlett O'Hara approach..you know..."I can't think about that today...I shal think about it tomorrow..."

When I try teasing, enticing and cajoling, he gets interested all right, but not in a hobby. Well, not the usual kind of hobby anyway.

smile