Encouraged
 

Reading the responses to this post has been very encouraging. I have worked for decades in a high stress job and I've never learned to relax. My husband and I are looking to retire and buy a house in the Villages soon. . . but I have been concerned as to whether the adjustment will be difficult. I know that must sound crazy to many people . . . but we lost our only child several years ago and the pain is always with us. After visiting the Villages, I found myself believing that just maybe we could make a new life for ourselves. After reading so many wonderful posts from so many wonderful people, I'm becoming more positive every day. Please save a place for me in your club!

Place saved for you my friend! And as a mother of an only child as well, my heart hurts for you and your husband. One thing I have found on being a Villager, is there are so many caring and compassionate folks here.

I retire this friday and share your concerns.

Today I start this new journey. The departmental meeting starts in 1 hour and I won't be there. Desk is cleaned out, bookcase is empty, I'm hanging onto my keys for few days. After teaching at a college for decades, I'm now just me. Let me know when you form a club and count me in! We move into our Gilchrist home in April. We'll be splitting time between Minnestoa and TV as my husband finishes up his last few years of work. We'll be there each month for 1-2 weeks.

Well, how about if we get things moving - I propose that all of us 'leading ladies' meet for coffee. Wednesday, April 3 at Panera's in LSL. I'll get a table on the patio if the weather is nice.

We will be in TV middle of month. Could we meet April 18th or 19th?

We are new to TV and would love to meet other terrific women!

I like to have coffee more than once a month so I will leave the date of April 3 as a first get together and then also propose Thursday, April 18 at 10 AM at the same place. After that we can see how the group would like to proceed. I too, am looking forward to meeting some other outstanding women. Will that work for you Lily?

I'm afraid that I will be unable to attend either coffee. I arrive for my design meeting the evening of Wednesday April 3rd and depart Saturday the 13th. But I am very happy that many of the recent posters on this topic will have an opportunity to meet. I hope that someone can PM me and let me know how the gathering turned out and future plans.

Looking forward to meeting all on the 18th!

Suzi - enjoy your time in TV.

We won't be in TV until end of May thru June 3, but would like to know if there will be other dates going forward!

So sorry for the lost of your only child. It must be very difficult. Hopefully, as time goes on, the pain will become smaller. llittle by little, each day. I lost a cousin at an early age and I know her mother never really got over it, I know it will always be part of you. I have only one child and I couldn't imagine the world without him.

Hoping TV wonderful and caring people will help substain you with various activities and clubs. Best wishes.

I'll have to miss this first meeting, but do keep me posted!! My husband and I head for TV on April 17 - Will arrive late ( and bedraggled!) on the 18- staying overnight with a friend in Duval and get our keys! We'll be madly buying beds/ etc . I'll be spending a couple of weeks there in April and May/ then my summer will bring me back to Minnesota. I'd love to connect mid April hear your stories! ;)

I'll miss the first meetings as well. Hope to be there in June...

I just wanted to circle back with everyone about our meeting dates. After putting a stake in the ground and offering April 3, April 10 and April 18 as some possible dates, I have heard from several of you with your personal schedules. Here is a status of attendees so far:

No one confirmed April 3
1 person (Suzi) other than myself confirmed April 10
1 person (Lilly) other than myself confirmed April 18

The majority of you that expressed interest will be moving in during May and June. So here is my latest proposal. Cancel April 3 and 10th meetings; retain April 18 as a first get together. Then we can have one in May when more of you have arrived.

If you continue to have interest in participating in this 'gathering of interesting women' please PM me your email address so that I can include you in our updates. My best.

Do you think the best week to meet in May would be Memorial week since others may use that week to be back in TV. We will be back in Florida that week.

Looking forward to meeting you Scoops and others as well.