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What We Are UP To: The Old School Edition

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old school Reykjavík Iceland city street

I’m a big fan of technology and have lots of it. I love technology gadgets and test-driving new tech toys. But loving technology doesn’t mean that I have to give up some old school activities or items. This month, I find myself gravitating towards things that are a bit more classic or old school. 

Watching | Bad Boys for Life

> I’ll admit it. I loved the first two movies. It’s a classic cop buddies action flick. And every once in a while, that’s really okay. I don’t subscribe to the theory that every movie needs to be Academy Award winning material. In fact, lately I’ve been gravitating toward fun, entertaining movies over serious, somber ones. 

Reading | Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore

> Full disclosure, I’m not finished with this one yet, but I’m loving the juxtaposition between old books and new technology. The book is about a marketing executive who loses his job during the Great Recession and ends up working third shift at a bookstore. Then strange things start happening. So far, it’s a nice example of how old school and new school can work together nicely.

Remembering | MAD Magazine

> Talk about old school! I remember reading MAD Magazine when I was much younger. It was my introduction to satirical content. Last year, the publisher announced that MAD was basically shutting down, except for the occasional special collection. Well, I ran across a special collection in the grocery store this month and couldn’t resist. I haven’t opened a MAD Magazine in years. I hope I’m not disappointed. 

Working On | Car Research

> We’re a research family. We do spreadsheets to plan our vacation. LOL! You can imagine what it’s like trying to figure out what car to buy. Keith and I downsized to one vehicle a few years ago, so having a reliable mode of transportation is important. It will take us a while to sort this out. Our current vehicle is almost 15 years old and many of the fancy new items we added back then are now considered to be very old school. GPS? Pfft. Just use your phone.

Feeling | Settled

> We’ve managed to unpack all of the boxes inside the house. Can’t say the same for the garage, but we’re declaring it a win. We’re in phase two of moving – rearranging where everything goes around the house. The nice part is that we’re settled. All of our stuff is in one place and we don’t have to wonder where we’re going to live every month. That was a terrible feeling and one that I hope no one ever has to experience.

Planning | WordCamp Miami

> Unretirement Project runs on a WordPress blog. WordPress is considered to be the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world and used by about 75 million websites. WordPress users hold regular events, called WordCamps, where users help other users learn more about the system. Old school sharing and networking. We’ve been going to the one in Miami for years and even though we live in Gainesville, we’re still going to it. 

Loving | Coconut Water Cold Brew

> I’m a big fan of cold brew coffee. I make my own at home after finding this recipe via Jaime Oliver. It’s very easy to do. My latest experiment is using coconut water. It does make a subtle difference. Not overpowering but very mellow. If you like cold brew, it might be worth a try. 

Geeking | Light Box

> Light boxes are basically plastic boxes with a translucent surface that you can place shapes/letters/etc. on so the messaging is seen via contrast. Growing up (and still today), many businesses use very large light boxes to let customers know the latest specials or advertise help wanted. Today, companies are making smaller versions of light boxes for personal use. I have one in my office so I can post my own motivational messages. It’s fun!

What’s UP with you? Got a favorite old school item or activity? 

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the old school streets of Reykjavík, Iceland

What We Are UP To – The Grateful Edition

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sign saying this is a good day next to a graffiti heart being grateful

Thank you so much for being an Unretirement Project reader. We’re grateful for your support. We’ve been UP to lots of exciting things in November. 

Feeling | Excited (and Exhausted!)

> Five years ago, we decided to move from Fort Lauderdale to Gainesville. Three years ago, we put a deposit on a house. Last week, we finally started moving into our forever home. To say it’s been a rollercoaster is an understatement. But we’re grateful to be spending our first Thanksgiving in our mess of a new home. 

Working On | Unpacking

> Needless to say, it’s all about the unpacking right now. And we’re tackling a few boxes a day. After having most of our belongings in storage for the past few months, it’s quite a treat to open a box and say, “Yea! I found it.” And “OMGosh, I forgot we owned this!” When we put our things into storage, we were wearing shorts. Today, we’re grateful to find our sweaters. Ha.ha.

Watching | Football

> Thanksgiving is a day for being grateful. But it’s also a day of celebration. We like to spend ours watching parades, football, and the Turkeys Away episode of WKRP in Cincinnati. We lived in Cinci years ago and always loved how the city embraced this wacky show and episode. 

Reading | Warranties and Manuals

> It’s not the most exciting reading. But it’s essential. While appliances are usually very intuitive, they also have more features. The hardest part is figuring out how to store all of these documents. In our last home, we created a file for each room and stored the manual for the item in the room’s folder. Very efficient and easy to locate the manual when necessary.

Remembering | Past Thanksgivings

> I don’t know why but holidays are always a time for remembering past holidays. This one will be particularly special since we’re in our new home. But last year, we took a cruise and it was fun. I guess what makes a holiday special is who you spend it with not where you spend it. 

Planning | Alton Brown’s Aged Eggnog

> I read an article recently on the Serious Eats blog about Alton Brown’s aged eggnog. We like eggnog. It’s a once a year treat. So now that we have a home and a new refrigerator, I thought that I would break it in by making fresh eggnog and aging it for one year. Ask me this time next year if I’m grateful for it. LOL!

Loving | Versed

> I’ve mentioned before that taking care of my skin is important. Especially as I’m aging. But I will admit that I’m not interested in having a 20+ step skin care regimen. Thankfully, I recently discovered Versed. It’s a Target-exclusive skin care collection that’s free of toxins, added colors, and fragrances. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free. Lastly, each item is under $20. 

Geeking | MOTILE Backpack

> I love traveling with a backpack and recently found one with a charger. Walmart’s MOTILE brand includes a laptop backpack with a wireless powerbank and a wallet with a Qi wireless charger. I decided to give them a workout on a recent trip and loved the storage. It’s great when form and function come together. 

We are truly grateful that you join us in this project. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And let us know, what’s UP with you?

What We Are UP To: Nostalgia Edition

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Fall pumpkins and nostalgia

While I love technology and all the modern advancements we have today, there are moments when I become nostalgic. And according to this article from Scientific American, nostalgia is good for us. This October, I’ve spent more than my fair share of thinking about icons, the classics.

Watching | Downton Abbey: The Movie

> I got hooked on the BBC period drama years ago and it was a bit disappointing when the show ended. But I must admit that the movie did a great job of giving me my Downton Abbey fix. I won’t spoil the plot, but the cast did a great job of bringing back the nostalgia and magic to the big screen.

Reading | The Newspaper

> I know! Some of you might be saying, “What’s that?!” LOL! We’ve realized that it’s important to consume the news from a variety of resources. With an upcoming election, Keith and I want to be educated about the issues. So, in addition to new media sources like the internet, we’re also paying attention to those “old school” sources such as television and the newspaper. 

Remembering | A “Traditional” Thanksgiving

> I ran across this article on Eater titled “Don’t Host a Traditional Thanksgiving. Skip the Turkey and Try This Instead.” It lays out the case for abandoning some traditions and introducing new ideas during the holidays. It made me think about how we’ve spent our holidays and ask the question, “Are we ready to change things up a little?” Honestly, I’m not sure. I still like parades, turkey, and football on Thanksgiving Day – nostalgia or not.

Working On | Boston

> Actually, it’s more correct for me to say that I’m working “in” Boston, one of the oldest cities in the United States. I love working downtown. It allows me to walk past all the historic buildings and monuments on my way to the office. And I’m enjoying some local classic foods like stews, pot pie, lobster rolls, and Boston Cream Pie. 

Feeling | Fashionable

> A couple of blogs I’ve been reading have been talking about fall fashion trends that I would consider to be classic pieces – like plaid jackets and snakeskin. Maybe it’s me, but those options have been around for years. Obviously, I missed them the first time around, so I’ve been looking for ways to incorporate those “new” trends into my “old” wardrobe.

Planning | Homeownership

> It’s hard to believe our very long and very frustrating house building project might be coming to an end. The builder is starting to talk with us about “closing activities” – yea! After years of moving, renting, storage, and temporary housing, it appears that we might be homeowners again very soon. Let’s hope we remember what that feels like. Ha!

Loving | Dr. Martens

> Founded in 1947, this UK footwear company makes some of the most iconic shoes in fashion. I’ve only recently discovered them but quickly become a fan. I never wear heels, so it’s nice to find a shoe with some personality that’s also very comfortable. 

Geeking | Autumn Weather

> I must admit that autumn is my favorite time of year. I love sweaters, soup, and cool (not cold) temperatures. When we lived in South Florida, we didn’t get much in terms of fall weather. Now that we live in North Florida, we do experience cooler temperatures. It’s nice not to be making chili when it’s 90 degrees outside. Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about. 

What’s UP with you? Got any holiday plans?

What We Are UP To – Trying New Things in September 2019

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analyze change track graphics for September 2019

Disclosure: Occasionally we receive free products for review or include advertising links in posts, but no one impacts the honesty of our opinions. 

Every once in a while, I get on this kick to try new things. Keith isn’t as into this “need to change it up” exercise as I am, but he’s a good sport and occasionally admits that he enjoyed it. Here are the new things we’re trying in September.

Watching | Dead to Me

> I have a few Facebook friends watching this Netflix Original series, so I talked Keith into checking it out. It’s not something we would immediately choose for ourselves, but we’re trying new things this month, and we were immediately hooked! Just the right balance of emotions and lots of plot twists to keep it interesting. Can’t wait for Season 2!

Reading | Rare Breed

> Years ago, I met Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger at an event for women business owners. We’ve stayed in touch and I’m delighted to be one of the initial people to get my hands on their first book “Rare Breed” A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different”. The book includes a quiz so you can determine your “Rare Breed Virtue”. Mine is “I’m weird.” While I’ve always known that, it is a little different to be sharing that with others. LOL!

Remembering | Encore Careers

> We’ve been writing a lot on Unretirement Project about encore careers. It makes me think of my own professional journey. I’ve been a human resources professional for the majority of my career and that’s not changing but I also have this other aspect to my career in terms of HR Bartender and now, Unretirement Project. This September, it’s gratifying to think about the evolution of my career and how fortunate I’ve been. 

Working On | Crochet

> For years, my hobby has been beading. But I must admit that I can only wear so much jewelry. And I find it fun to break my jewelry apart and remake it into something new. So I’m on the search for a new hobby and I saw an article about a knitting/crocheting group that makes items for adults, kids, and animals in need. This seems like a win-win. I get a hobby and others get a needed item. Now I just need to learn how to crochet… 

Feeling | Relieved!

> When we moved from South to North Florida, one of the things we were hoping not to deal with anymore was hurricanes. That being said, Hurricane Dorian decided to test our hurricane prep skills early in September. The good news is that we are just fine. The bad news is we have a pile of non-perishable junk food around the house. ha.ha. Seriously, we hope everyone is safe and if you’re looking for a way to help, check out the Amazon wish list for the Bahamian Red Cross.

Planning | Road trips

> Keith and I usually plan a fall vacation, but this year, we’ve decided to do try something we haven’t done for a while. Instead of one long vacation, we’re doing a few shorter ones. Will probably stay in the state and do some road trips.  It’s nice to be a tourist in your own state. The Florida Turnpike is an easy to navigate highway. It will be fun figuring out where to go and what to see.

Loving | Allbirds

> I’ve been reading all of the hype about Allbirds, the shoe that claims to be the most comfortable things you’ll ever wear on your feet. Oh, and they’re eco-friendly too. They are also pricey for shoes. Comfy shoes are important to me, so I decided to try something different from my go-to sneakers and see if they’re worth the hype. And, yes they are. Allbirds are very comfortable. I did pick up their new socks and they’re kinda meh but the shoes are super comfy. 

Geeking | Apple AirPods

> I splurged the other day and purchased a pair of Apple AirPods. I’ve been worried about buying them because I didn’t want to lose them. But I finally moved past my fears in September and I’m so glad. They are wonderful. Easy to keep charged. Great reception. I’ve actually used them for a couple of podcasts and the tech producers said I sound good. I still haven’t left the house with them, but every day I get a bit more comfortable. 

What’s UP with you?

What We Are UP To – August 2019

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August travel boats in a marina from under canopy

Watching| Aggretsuko

> This Netflix comedy anime series is about Retsuko the red panda and her life working in the accounting department of the Carrier Man Trading Company, Ltd. To relieve her daily frustrations, she belts out death metal karaoke after work. I have to admit I was a little skeptical after the first episode, but by episode two while binge watching in August, I was hooked. Can’t wait for season three!

Reading| A Nice Cup of Tea

> I’ve mentioned before that I’m a huge tea fan. I ran across this essay from George Orwell on the eleven points to making the perfect cuppa tea. While I do agree with him about drinking tea from a mug, I commit blasphemy according to his writings by putting the milk/cream in first. Sorry, I see no sense in dirtying all those spoons. 

Remembering| Old Movies

>  I had a really fantastic time reading through the mid-August Twitter hashtag #BestMovieLineEver. I was reminded of old movies that I love like “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” from Jaws and “Yippee-ki-yay Mother F**ker” from that Christmas movie Die Hard. But I also saw quite a few people mention movies I’ve never seen like Fight Club. An old movie night might be on the schedule very soon.

Working On| Doctor’s Appointments

>  I’m not sure how it turned out this way, but we seem to have a whole bunch of doctor’s appointments this month. Nothing is wrong. Just the check-up stuff. But somehow, they managed to all show up this month. Oh well. While it might be tempting to push them off or wait until something doesn’t feel right, I know that’s not the right thing to do. It’s important to take our health seriously and be as proactive as possible. 

Feeling| Ready for Travel Season

>  Fall and winter are usually full of travel for me and this year is no exception. I’m looking forward to visiting some new places and revisiting some of my favorites (like Seattle). And selfishly, I’m looking forward to wearing my sweaters and boots. You just don’t get enough opportunities to wear jackets and sweaters living in Florida.  

Planning| Appliance Shopping

>  It’s hard to believe but we are getting close to closing on our Gainesville home. Which means we have a couple of appliances to buy – specifically a washer and dryer. So…many…choices! I don’t feel like it’s been that long since we purchased our last washer and dryer but the number of features…yowza! Amazon Alexa can talk to dryers now?! We started looking in August and still have some research to do. 

Loving| Mochi ice cream

>  Keith and I recently tried mochi ice cream. It’s a small round confection consisting of a soft sticky rice dumpling (called a mochi) formed around an ice cream ball. You can find mochi ice cream in freezer section of the grocery store. We are totally hooked on the vanilla and strawberry flavors!

Geeking| History of the Marvel Universe

>  I haven’t purchased a comic book in decades, but in early August Marvel came out with the first of a six-part series called “The History of the Marvel Universe”. I can’t wait to read issue number one. I loved reading comics as a kid. I’m hoping it’s just as much fun as an adult.

What’s UP with you? And what’s your favorite movie line?

What We Are UP To in July 2019

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Watching| Spiderman: Far From Home

> I loved, loved, loved it. Nothing against the others, but in my opinion, Tom Holland is the best Spiderman. The movie had just the right amount of wrap up from Avengers: Endgame and future focus for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). There was a nice balance of seriousness and humor in this July movie. 

Reading| Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

> This is the second book in the Harry Potter series. While the first one was good, this one is better. I’ve been really drawn into the story line and can tell that there will be some cliffhangers that will only be resolved in future books. We’ve also started playing the phone app Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and you can see the connection between the books and the game. Both are a lot of fun.

Remembering | Getz/Gilberto

> Sad to say, João Gilberto, one of the founders of the bossa nova sound, recently passed away in July. Keith and I have recently become big fans of bossa nova music and discovered his 1964 album Getz/Gilberto. Fantastic! It includes one of our favorite songs, “Girl from Impanema”. If you’re looking for something new to listen to…might want to check this out.

Working On| Our Fantasy Football Draft

> Because of our move to Gainesville, we took some time off playing Fantasy Football. Well, no more. We’ve signed up for a league on NFL.com and are now spending time trying to learn player statistics, etc. It’s a welcome distraction and a nice way for us just to spend our Sundays relaxing, watching football, and maybe cooking something in our new Ninja Foodi. 

Feeling| Productive!

> I typically work with three monitors. Yes, three. For years, I worked with two. Then one day, while fixing one of our computers, our technician suggested three. I thought to myself, “I don’t know. That seems a bit excessive.” Well, later I had the chance to test drive three monitors and OMGosh…it’s fabulous! Anyway, my external monitors have been out of commission for the past month and now they’re finally working again. I’m in heaven and productive again!

Planning| Home Time

> With the exception of a short business trip, I’m basically at home for the next couple of months starting in July. And I’m delighted. I don’t mind traveling, but for those of you who are like me and travel regularly, it’s also nice to be home. 

Loving| Herman Miller Cubert Personal Light

>  A friend of mine sent me the best gift – a Herman Miller Cubert Personal Light. I adore the modern design. And it’s very functional. Not only is it a light, but it has USB ports and an outlet. It has a touch-sensitive dimmer and an auto shutoff. Beautiful and functional. It’s what I love about Herman Miller.     

Geeking|Groove Life

> As a small business owner, we like to help out other small businesses. One of the ways we do that is by backing Kickstarter campaigns. Our latest is Groove Life. The company has been around since 2015. They make silicone jewelry. Groove Life was looking for backers for its latest product – silicone watch bands. As backers, we received new Apple Watchbands and their signature silicone rings earlier in July. So far, we’re impressed. Great for a hot day when you don’t want to wear metal. 

We hope you’re enjoying the summer. What’s UP with you?

What We Are UP To in June 2019

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June

Disclosure: Occasionally we receive free products for review or include advertising links in posts, but no one impacts the honesty of our opinions. 

Watching| Rocketman

> I’m a big Elton John fan (Keith not as much) but we both enjoyed Rocketman that was released earlier in June. Especially seeing the concert scenes on the big screen. Not going to give away any spoilers except to say that the movie focuses a bit more on the person versus the music. At least that was my takeaway. Oh, and lead actor Taron Egerton really sings Elton’s hits. 

Reading| How to Live Forever

> Currently, the most popular post on Unretirement Project is “3 Ways You May Contribute to Your Own Ageism”. If you haven’t read the post, I hope you will. One of the things we discuss in the post is networking across generations. Marc Freedman’s Book “How to Live Forever: The Enduring Power of Connecting the Generations” is an in-depth look at what people – at every age – are doing to stay connected and learn from each other. 

Remembering| Gummies

> Remember gummy bears? I used to love eating them as a kid. Well, I’m happy to say that adult gummies are a thing. In June, I discovered a retailer called Sugarfina that makes adult gummies including flavors like Moscow Mule, Margarita, and Pale Ale. Oh, and if you want something caffeinated…cold brew gummies! I love snacks when I travel, and this is just the kind of little indulgence I could get used to.

Working On| The Perfect Eat Out

> I do not like to waste food. Whenever Keith and I go on long trips together, we try to leave our refrigerator as close to empty as possible. So, we do something called the perfect eat out (aka the PEO). It’s kinda fun to come up with meals just pulling from what’s in the fridge. Our meals for the first couple of days are fine then it starts to get a little weird. LOL! Anyway, with a move coming up to our forever home, we’re in serious PEO mode…and it’s getting weird.  

Feeling| Unsettled

> It’s probably because the move we’ve been waiting for is coming up, but it’s hard to feel settled right now. It might also be because we splurged on a rug during Wayfair’s Memorial Day sales and it’s rolled up in the middle of our living room. Kinda feels like we’re living in a warehouse. Ha.Ha. But for those of you who’ve been in this place before – and I know some of you have – it’s very unsettling. 

Planning| Erin Condren’s Life Planner

> I know, it’s hard to believe how fast time flies. I’m already talking with people about 2020 so June is time to find a planner. For next year, I’ve purchased an Erin Condren Life Planner. I really like how I can customize the cover, pages, etc. to suit my needs. 

Loving| Dr. Bronner’s Soaps

> I’ve mentioned before how we’re trying to pay more attention to our skincare routine. I’m not sure how I didn’t know about this company, since Dr. Bronner’s has been in business since the 1940’s. We purchased a couple of organic shower soaps and have been very impressed so far. 

Geeking| Orion Ascent Abort Test

> Keith and I have been approved to attend NASA’s Orion Ascent Abort 2 (AA-2) Test from Space Launch Complex 46 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS). All our years living in Florida and we’ve never been to Kennedy Space Center together. We are super excited! The Orion test will demonstrate that the Launch Abort System can safely send the space capsule a safe distance from a failing rocket if an emergency arises during ascent to orbit. 

What’s UP with you in June?

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby after speaking at the Flora Icelandic HR Management Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland