Wednesday 26 March 2014

Week 13 - The Living Well in Retirement Weekly Challenge



Do you enjoy eating out? Have you eaten out lately?

One of the challenges of retirement is living within reduced means.The great news is however that this does not mean that you cannot have the occasional meal out on the town!

Opportunities abound for eating out without blowing the budget. Many hotels and pubs run daily and weekly specials for seniors - especially for lunches. Check cafes, bistros and restaurants for meal deals.

Take advantage of coupons and offers found in your local newspapers, shop-a-docket offers found on the back of many supermarket shopping dockets, 'junk mail' promotions in your mail box or businesses that support Seniors Card holders. *Please note this is not a sponsored statement.

Alternatively you could support a local school or charity by purchasing an 'Entertainment Book'. These have dozens of excellent offers from fine dining restaurants in your city to local cafes - and you can save the cost of the book on your first couple of meals.

Don't be embarassed to use theses opportunities - businesses want your business. They would not offer these marketing tools in the first place if they did not want people like you to use them!

This week's challenge ... take your partner, a loved one or friend out to dinner - and to use a meal deal coupon. Get out your coupons and shopper dockets now, pick a restaurant and a time - and enjoy an evening out on the town on the cheap!

Do let me know where you go! Have a great time!

Enjoy!

Cheers!

Marian



Friday 21 March 2014

Retirement Lifestyle - this week

Postcards ... Memories of Santorini, Greece


Can't wait to go back!
































Some links to explore ...


Santorini - one of the most breathtakingly, beautiful places on earth. We stayed here - on the cliff overlooking the caldera - and didn't want to leave!

Ever dream of being a supermodel! Senior citizens - it's not too late!

A perfect weekend drink for sipping slowly somewhere nice! Chilli infused margaritas anyone!  

We all have memories of schools! Here's how they are changing in the 21st century!

Happiness is good for you! Check this list to see what may be making you miserable - and what to do about it!

It's almost Easter! Can you imagine the perfume of freshly baked hot cross buns wafting through your kitchen! The recipe is here!

Have a great weekend!

Cheers!

Marian




Wednesday 19 March 2014

Week 12 - The Living Well in Retirement Weekly Challenge




Who knew that since 2012 there has been an International Day of Happiness - and that it is celebrated each year on March 20th? I certainly didn't!

In a world, where via every type of media, we are inundated with bad news stories, every type of negativity and very little positive news - what a wonderful thing to celebrate!

The idea for celebrating a day of happiness apparently comes from the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. The people in this country are considered to be some of the happiest in the world. Happiness is so valued in Bhutan that national and societal posperity is measured via a Gross Happiness Index. Imagine that!

Just think for a minute about how that type of thinking and those values and conceptual understandings would benefit and change our western cultures.

I'm adding a visit to Bhutan to my retirement bucket list.

Count the ways - large and small - that you are happy, and take some time to appreciate and celebrate them! That's your challenge this week!

Be happy!

Cheers!

Marian










Thursday 13 March 2014

Retirement Lifestyle ... this week

Postcards from my Retirement Garden ... 


I cannot tell you how divine it is to now have time to smell these roses!

























Want the name of a particular rose - simply leave a request in the comments box! *NB: To leave a comment or request you will need to first sign up with Google and set up a Google account - it takes just minutes!

You can view other photos of my garden on Watching My Garden Grow!

Some links to explore ...

The judges of Italy's 'The Voice' couldn't believe their ears and eyes with this contestant! Would you!

Love your dog? Here's some great tips for photographing man's best friend!

Did you know that there is a Global Retirement Index that identifies the best places in the world to retire? It is updated each year. You might be surprised at the nominations! Here is their most recent list. Any of these places appeal?

Planning to travel soon - here are some very useful packing tips for your carry-on tote!

Fascinating reading - eight ancient beliefs now backed by medical science.

I love Pinterest! You might want to follow boards on Let's Retire - my alter ego retirement presence on social media!!! You can like Let's Retire here on Facebook, and follow here on Twitter. Thanks so much for your support! A website will be launched soon!

Here's a useful laundry cheatsheet for treating common annoying stains. Yup! I spilled coffee down the front of a new white T-shirt!

The weather is perfect right now for BBQs. Here's a spicy rub to add depth and flavour to your meats!

If you have loads of lemons on your lemon tree at any time you'll love this recipe for home-made thyme lemonade.

Finally, April Fools Day is almost upon us! Want to prank someone! Look no further - your source of inspiration is here!

Have a great weekend!

Cheers!

Marian





Retirement Lifestyle ... this week

Postcards from Gallipoli Beach and Coffin Bay, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia ...




















Some links to explore ...


We live in amazing times This clip is worth watching!

Apply for your Australian Seniors Card here! It takes two minutes! Conditions apply.

A beautifully photographed blog I love reading 'Local is Lovely'. Great recipes as well!

Do you agree with these reasons for why getting older is the best thing that ever happens to you!

Shopping online - do you buy from any of these Australian sites?

I like this site for collaging photos. Have you tried it?

As the weather cools down I'm planning to try this recipe! Yum!



Have a great weekend!

Cheers!

Marian





Week 11 - The Living Well in Retirement Weekly Challenge



This week is about a little bit of pampering and a little bit of fun!

Those feet of yours do a mighty job carrying you around all day. They deserve a little TLC!

When was the last time you pampered them? Can't remember! Then organise yourself a professional or home pedicure. You will walk on air afterwards! Promise!

Ladies - your challenge for this week is to choose an amazing colour to paint those toenails!  Then show them off in your prettiest sandals!

Blokes - I dare you to do the same!!! Perhaps show them off in your best thongs (Aussie for flipflops)!




Have fun!

Cheers!

Marian



Thursday 6 March 2014

Retirement Lifestyle ... this week

Postcards from Coffin Bay .... 






















Some links to explore ....


Why a Coffin Bay vacation is perfect for you and your family!

I can't wait to try these from one of my favourite blogs Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things.

Shoe fetish! Can you imagine wearing these!

Life is too short to be boring! Inspiring fashionistas for the wild child in eavch of us!

The Greeks really do have that lifestyle thing right! Do you agree!

Why we should keep moving!

Like me are you addicted to Pinterest? Find my boards and follow me here!


Have a great weekend!



Tuesday 4 March 2014

In My Retirement ... in March

It's Festival Season!

February/March is madness in Adelaide!!! Our beautiful city comes alive hosting multiple events and festivals - the Adelaide Fringe - not to be confused with the Adelaide Festival, the Clipsal motor race, WOMADelaide and the list goes on!  Find the complete list here!

I loved the atmosphere of the 'Adelaide Croquet Club' in the newly rejuvenated Victoria Square!



On the Road Again!

John and I have been on the road again! We travelled along the Great Ocean Road and enjoyed a short stay at historic and picturesque Port Campbell. We visited the breathtakingly beautiful Twelve Apostles, and climbed down to the beach at nearby Gibsons Steps. It was a fabulous break between the heatwaves that have been a feature of our weather this summer!



We've Found the Best Fish and Chips Ever!

On the way to Port Campbell we pulled in for fuel at Kingston SE - home of the Giant Lobster - and couldn't leave without trying a Lobster sandwich even if they were $14.95 each!!! We weren't disappointed!




It was dinner time and we still had a drive ahead of us as we were headed for Mount Gambier to stay the night. We ventured down the main street of this pretty town of Kinston SE looking for something to eat. There we found a fish and chip shop that served the absolute best fish and chips we have ever had! I am going to be forever disappointed now when fish and chips don't meet the heady standard of these! You must visit Kingston SE - and you must try these!



A Trip Down Memory Lane

The next day we spent a morning taking a trip down memory lane in Mount Gambier. We lived for two years in this beautiful rural city. It was my first teaching appointment and our wonderful daughter was born there - so it holds a special place in our hearts!

We couldn't go past a walk around the amazing Blue Lake. As a Physical Education teacher I used to take Year 10 students bike riding around this spectacular place!



Pinterest

I love the Pinterest platform and am an avid pinner. I was thrilled to reach 6,000 followers a few days ago! Do you follow me? I would love you to! My user name on Pinterest is marianep. Find me here at http://www.pinterest.com/marianep/ .





Enjoying the Serenity

John and I have also been enjoying the serenity of Coffin Bay - where there is nothing to do but relax and enjoy ourselves!



Keep busy!

Cheers!

Marian





Monday 3 March 2014

Week 10 - The Living Well in Retirement Weekly Challenge



The Week 10 Challenge


There is nothing like a change of scenery and a slower pace of life to recharge your batteries and clear your thinking - important for our physical and mental wellbeing.

The next challenge in this series is to..... treat yourself to a break in the country. Go to the mountains, hills, plains, river, lake or sea. Breathe the fresh air. Release the tensions you've been carrying. Enjoy simple things. Allow serenity to seep into your soul.

Ease into and enjoy the friendlier, more relaxed pace of life. Take the time to say G'day, yarn a little with the people you meet.

How do I know this! Well.... I'm a country girl! I grew up knowing that you needed to allow twenty minutes talking time every time you went to the shops in our country town!  I love that it is still like that!

Enjoy your break - you've earned it!

Cheers!

Marian


PS: I was inspired to write this because John and I are currently enjoying a break at our beach house in beautiful Coffin Bay! I feel renewed and re-energised every time I visit this place.