Fun Archives – Unretirement Project

What We Are UP To – September 2018

September 26, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

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

Watching| Ocean’s 11, 12, and 13

> I know it may sound hokey, but we always watch the Ocean’s Trilogy before trips to Las Vegas. The movies are fun, even though we know the ending. We traveled to Las Vegas for the HR Technology Conference in September and managed to get in a little “fun” time as well. Our new fave restaurant? SushiSamba.

Reading| Feedly

> I read a lot of blogs. I think blogs offer many interesting insights and they’re often timelier than printed publications which have a long production time. I use Feedly to organize my blog subscriptions. I can organize them by content topics. And their mobile app is equally awesome. If you want to read more blogs but don’t want to have them junk up your email, consider checking out Feedly.

Remembering|Truly Delicious Pumpkin Spice Treats

>I will admit it. I love pumpkin spice season. But it’s time for me to remember what I tried last year and what was good. Because let’s face it…some of it isn’t that good. Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Kringle? Good. Pumpkin Spice Cheerios? Not so good. If you’re a pumpkin spice fan, let me know your favorites.

Working On| My Travel Capsule Wardrobe

> You know I’m using Cladwell to make the most of my wardrobe. Well, I just discovered that Cladwell allows users to form capsules. With all of the travel I have coming up, I’m using it to put together travel capsules. One in black and the other in navy.

Feeling| Busy!

> The last few months of the year are always the busiest for me. Not just because of holidays. Fall conference season is upon us in September. I’m honored to be attending events in Park City, UT, Phoenix, AZ, and Las Vegas, NV. I’m also conducting training in Seattle, WA, Nashville, TN, and Alexandria, VA. Lots of travel and I love it!

Planning| Counted Cross-Stitch Project

> You know I’m a big fan of Guardians of the Galaxy. I saw a Rocket Racoon counted cross-stitch pattern and am toying with the idea of turning it into a pillow. It could also be a fun project to work on while I’m traveling. It’s looking like a trip to Michael’s Crafts might be in my future.

Loving| Luna Play

> As I get older, I realize how important it is to take care of my skin. I’m lucky to live in Florida because the humidity is wonderful for my skin. But that alone is not enough. I just picked up a Luna Play. It’s a small electronic face cleaner (similar to a Clarisonic) but the size makes it perfect for travel.

Geeking| Apple Watch 4

> Okay, I don’t even have it yet but I’m seriously geeking about it after the September announcement. I love my Apple Watch 2. And one of the reasons I like it is because of the focus on health. I do feel there’s a difference between closing my circles versus counting steps. I also like getting reminders to take my vitamins. With the new heart rate features in version 4…I’m in.

What’s UP with you?

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Austin, TX

Sometimes We Need to Take a Digital Vacation

August 27, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

A digital vacation is when we turn off all of our devices and focus on face-to-face interactions. In this fast-paced world, it’s important that we don’t spend all of our time online.

The reason I’m bringing up digital vacationsis because Unretirement Project has some scheduled website maintenance this week. Our website hosting company tells us that the site shouldn’t ever be down during this time. But I’m a safety girl, so I’m notifying you now…

Feel free to take a little digital vacation from Unretirement Project. But only for a few days though. We’ll be back to our regular posting schedule next week.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring Duval Street in Key West, FL

What We’re UP To – August 2018

August 22, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

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

Watching| Mama Mia!

> I’ve always been a fan of ABBA (don’t judge!) and I loved the Broadway show Mama Mia! But when the first movie came out, well, it was a disappointment. Now that there’s a second movie, I’ve been debating watching the first movie again. So, I did earlier in August. The verdict: It’s still just okay. That’s all I can say.

Reading| Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

> Or should I say listening. It’s very confusing. Keith and I are interested in this series, but we’re trying to figure out the best way to enjoy it. We’ve heard about radio programs, books, and movies. Like Star Wars, there appears to be a fan recommended “best” order to consume it.

Remembering | Pizza Night

>When we lived in South Florida, we had a weekly pizza night. Keith and I would make pizza at home (from scratch) and watch a movie. Because we’re living in a rental home, we’ve temporarily given up pizza night. But I still miss it. At least we’re having movie night. And next month starts football Sundays!

Working On| Another book!

> Yep, I’m about half-way through writing book number four as of the middle of August. This one will be focused on the future of performance management and published by the Association for Talent Development sometime in 2019. I’m very excited about this topic. Everyone seems to have an opinion about performance management (including me!) so I’m honored to be sharing my thoughts and ideas.

Feeling| Happy!

> We’re very happy to share that Unretirement Project has been included on a list of “17 Twitter Accounts for Older Workers to Follow” It’s always nice to have your work recognized by others. And there are some great names on this list. If you have a Twitter account, it’s worth checking out and adding some new sources.

Planning| Las Vegas

> One of our favorite conferences is coming up next month, the HR Technology Conference. Which means we’re going to one of our favorite places – Las Vegas! I’m working on lots of restaurant reservations and maybe some show tickets. (After all of the educational sessions and networking, of course…)

Loving| Graphic T-shirts

> As a kid, I never wore t-shirts. Now that I’m older, I’m in love with graphic tees. My “Be Weird.” shirt always gets complements. As well as my “I Love Sundays”. But my new fave is this one with Negasonic Teenage Warhead. I’m becoming the nerd I always wanted to be. LOL!

Geeking| Smart Table

> I recently read an article about an end table that functions as a speaker and Qi charging station. It was in my favorite Mid-Century Modern design. Couldn’t resist! Keith and I decided to give it a test drive. Even if the speaker and charging station die, we love the design.

What’s UP with you? How are you saying goodbye to summer as August fades like the sunset in Key West?

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring Duval Street in Key West, FL

What We’re Up To – July 2018

July 25, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

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

Watching| The Marvel Cinematic Universe

> Ever since Avengers: Infinity War came out, we’ve been catching up on older Marvel movies we hadn’t seen. We finally watched Avengers: Civil War, Thor: Ragnarok, and Spider-man: Homecoming. I love how Marvel is tying the storylines together. Next on the list for us later in July is Ant-Man.

Reading| Common Financial Sense

> I’m not a financial advisor, so I make it a rule not to tell people how to spend their money. That being said, I do feel it’s okay to say that we have to think about our financial future. I received a copy of the book “Common Financial Sense” by Harris Nydick and Greg Makowski. Both are certified financial planners. The book delivers on the title and will give readers who are thinking about their financial future a few things to consider.

Remembering| Old HR Bartender posts

> I recently read an article on Darren Rowse’s ProBlogger about “How to Update Old Posts on Your Blog (and When You Should Consider Doing it)”. First off, if you’re considering blogging in your unretirement, you should definitely start paying attention to ProBlogger. Second, if you have a blog, Rowse makes a good point about keeping older content fresh. HR Bartender has been around over ten years. We have thousands of posts. It’s worth a look at our older content.

Working On| Scheduling More Fun

> I enjoy reading the “Yes and Yes” blog authored by Sarah Von Bargen. One of her recent posts was titled “A Weird Tip for a More Fulfilling Life: Make a ‘To Do for Fun’ List”. It’s exactly what the title says. We spend so much time making lists for the work things we need to complete. Or the errands we need to do. Why not have a list of fun stuff? And for a planner like me…it’s the perfect July project!

Feeling| Like a Homebody

> I don’t mind traveling at all, but I’ve been doing a lot of it lately. It’s nice to be home for a few.

Planning| Doctor’s Appointments

> When you move to a new city, there are so many people you have to find – like an accountant, hair stylist, and doctors! I must admit that social communities like NextDoor have been very helpful in getting recommendations. We’ve received some excellent information so far.

Loving| Inside Trader Joe’s – a Podcast

> I’m a fan of Trader Joe’s and after listening to this 5-part podcast seriesabout the store, I’m becoming an even bigger fan. The show talks about how the store started, their food tasting panels, why employees wear Hawaiian shirts and much more. Check it out wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Geeking| Amazon Cloud Cam

> We picked up one of these during the July Amazon Prime Day sale. It’s an indoor camera that works with Alexa. You can control it from a mobile app. Very easy to set up. Just direct it at the area you want to monitor and turn it on. You can watch the activity from your phone. If you’re in the market for a security device, this might be worth consideration.

What’s UP with you? Let us know how your summer is going so far.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of New Orleans, LA

What We Are UP To in May 2018

May 16, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

Reading| Magazines

> I must admit that I haven’t been reading many books lately because of the move. But I’ve been reading magazines, which is my ‘go-to’ reading when I travel. It seems like a splurge to read magazines, although I feel that the overall content found in magazines has changed. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s time to give up magazine reading and pack books (even though they’re heavier).

Feeling| Ready

> We have a contract on our home, moved our belongings in May, and settled into our rental house. It’s been an unsettling few months, but we’re ready to start our new adventure in Gainesville, Florida. I’m sure the next few months will involve developing new routines but I’m confident we’ll be able to do it.

Working On| Unpacking boxes

> While we’re officially living in our rental home starting in May, we still have some boxes to unpack. Something tells me that we’ll be in a perpetual state of unpacking for months. LOL! Just in time to pack up the rental and move into our forever home. It’s not perfect, but at some point, we’ll be happy that we did it. And that it’s over.

Remembering | Water

> We haven’t been gone from Fort Lauderdale a month and we already miss the water. Oh yeah, it was just a little manmade canal behind the house, but it was nice. Our view in Gainesville is lots of trees and those are nice too. But it’s not water. I’m sure we’ll learn to appreciate the trees over time.

Watching| Avengers: Infinity War

> Our first movie in Gainesville was this one (You’ll find no spoilers here!). Regal Cinemas just opened a new luxury theater nearby with a bar, upscale food items, and recliners. We discovered this theater concept a few years ago…and wouldn’t think of going to any other kind of theater.

Planning| 2019 Planners

> I know, right?! It’s only May and we’re not even halfway through 2018. But I’m starting to accumulate dates for 2019 events that I need to remember. The question is which one. This year, I’m using an Erin Condren Life Planner, which is good for this year. I need to spend some time thinking about 2019 and my needs. If you have a planner recommendation, leave it in the comments.

Loving| Frank-N-Furter pin

> I’m a big fan of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (RHPS). In my younger days, I was one of the shadow actors during the show. Today, it’s a Halloween tradition at our house to watch RHPS and eat sloppy spooky joe’s. A Facebook friend posted some RHPS jewelry, and I couldn’t resist!

Geeking| Lyft

> I must admit that I’ve been late to ride share services. But I started using Lyft recently to get from and to the airport and have been really impressed! Nice drivers, clean cars, and good prices. If you’ve never used Lyft before and want to give it a try, you can use my code UNRETIREMENT. It should get you a discount, and me a little thank you.

What’s UP with you? Got any plans for the summer?

What We Are UP To – March 2018

March 28, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

Watching | [email protected]+

> Did you know that AARP members have access to an online learning library? Their course catalog covers everything from how to back up your iPhone or iPad to an interactive video focused on the age you should consider drawing Social Security. I’ve signed up for a couple of career related webinar sessions to see what they’re all about. Stay tuned…

Reading | Online Comics

> Keith and I stopped subscribing to the newspaper years ago, but one of the things we miss is the comics. It always feels nice to start off the day with a laugh. Well, did you know that you can get your comics online? We’ve found two sources: GoComics and Comics Kingdom. They’re cheaper than a newspaper subscription and you can even get some classic comics like Funky Winkerbean and Beetle Bailey.

Remembering | All the Houses

> We recently organized our photo collection as part of our upcoming move. It was very cool to see pictures of all of our homes together. And even though they were in different cities, how similar they were in terms of style and color. As much as we might change as individuals and even as a couple, some things stay the same.

Working On | A New Look for Unretirement Project

> Now that the blog is a year old this March, we’ve been working on refining our brand a little. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see some subtle changes. One thing I’m very excited about this the new banner and avatar on our Twitter account. If you’re on Twitter, I hope you’ll follow us at @UnretirementPro.

Feeling | Exhausted

> Thank goodness we’re done with all of the decluttering around the house! Now it’s all about getting the house ready to put on the market. Rearranging furniture, taking down personal stuff, and staging the house. It is kinda weird seeing your home without any mementos, pictures, etc. But March is the time for us to focus on our next adventure.

Planning | Taxes!

> It’s that time of year – March quickly brings April taxes! Getting our files together, meeting with our accountant, filling out forms. When we started consulting, Keith and I made the investment into getting an accountant. And I mean it when I say it’s an investment. If you really want your accountant to help you, they have to get to know you. It’s an investment of time (and money) so they can help you plan and file your taxes.

Loving | Speidel Twist-O-Flex

> My dad had a Speidel Twist-O-Flex band for his watch. I might have even had a Twist-O-Flex band for one of my first watches. Well, now I have a Twist-O-Flex for my Apple Watch. Yep, Speidel is making their famous Twist-O-Flex bands for Apple Watches. I love the juxtaposition of a high-tech watch with a retro band.

Geeking | Amazon Services

> I’d like to think that everyone has ordered something on Amazon at some point. But did you know that you can now order services (like house cleaning) via Amazon?! We saw a deal for a full-day (6+ hours) of house cleaning and decided to give it a try. Keith is an excellent cleaner, but he wanted a little something extra before we put the house on the market. If they do a good job, we’ll try them again when we move into our rental in Gainesville.

What’s UP with you?

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the Wynwood Art District in Miami, FL

What We’re UP To in January 2018

January 31, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

Watching | Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert

> This Australian movie about two drag queens and a transgender woman crossing the country in a bus dubbed Priscilla is filled with friendships, fun, and disco music. We saw the theater version recently and had to rent the original movie. If you’re looking for a little bit of retro fun, check it out.

Reading | Slow Burn

> Actually, it’s more like I’m listening. Slow Burn is a podcast about Watergate. I remember Watergate as one of my first political memories. Like many people, my parents watched the hearings on television. It’s a fascinating look back at what happened, especially given what’s going on in politics right now.

Remembering | Fort Lauderdale

> While we haven’t moved yet, I can’t help but wonder if every time we go to a restaurant or visit someplace will it be the “last time”. On one hand, it does make me appreciate every moment we’ve spent in South Florida over the past 15+ years. On another, it makes me sad. As much as I’m excited about our new adventure, I will miss this place.

Working On | Day One

> I mentioned before that I’ve wanted to do a photo-a-day project starting in January. Since we expect 2018 to be a big year for us, with the move and all, I decided my photo-a-day project would be about what I love about Fort Lauderdale and our big move. Keith found an app for me called “Day One” that allows me to create an online journal with images, etc. If we want, we could eventually print it and turn it into a real book!

Feeling | Focused

> I’m sure I’m not alone in that I set too many goals for myself. I love starting the New Year with new goals. But I’m also very aware how easy it is to abandon my goals. I’m trying very hard to stay focused early in January. And to realize slipping for a day isn’t the same as failing. Just pick it back up the next day.

Planning | Fantastical 2

> I’m a planner. A ridiculous planner (I’ve been told). So, my computer calendar is important. I’ve been using Microsoft Outlook for years, but since getting a Mac, I’ve been thinking that Outlook isn’t the same. I found a Mac app with good reviews called Fantastical 2. I recently downloaded it and I’m loving it. Very nice look! The developers also have a contacts app called Cardhop.

Loving | Amazon Echo Spot

> We really enjoy our Amazon Echo. It’s connected to our Pandora account and we play music through it. We also have a couple of WeMo switches to control lights and fans. The latest Echo product is called Spot. It’s a small ball shaped Echo with a digital face. We’re using it as a replacement for a Dot and an alarm clock.

Geeking | Cladwell

> Since we’re moving this year, we’re trying to downsize and not buy stuff. That includes clothes. To help me make the most of my wardrobe, I downloaded the Cladwell app. It’s like having a styling service on your phone or tablet. You log your closet into the app and every day the app gives you three outfits to select from. It takes into account the weather. I’m loving the suggestions it’s made so far.

We hope 2018 is off to a good start for you. Let us know what’s UP with you in January.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby on Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL