Retired from work - but NOT from life!

So, 16 weeks on (bugger me, where's THAT gone!) retirement is still revealing itself in a myriad of ways.  Firstly, I hate to reinforce this oft said cliche, but we really do have many times where we wonder how we fitted in work. We've got into a really comfy rhythm of later starts sharing that morning cup of tea in the luxury of bed.  The feeling of not having to rush anywhere and that relaxing possibilities are endless. I feel great joy in picking up a book - that guilt has certainly gone. I've watched some great films, and I'm really enjoying this feeling of freedom.   I certainly haven't taken up knitting, crochet, art, yoga or any other myriad of things that has been suggested to me that I 'might like'!  At home and after a dodgy start (i.e, me shouting and having a few tantrums) household chores are naturally dividing into his and mine jobs, and it's a complete joy being able to really appreciate the company of our dogs rather than ofte...

I may or may not be all or some of those things, but one thing I've never been is alone! I mean truly alone!  I have always had a parent, a child, a husband, a job, a business. When Husband has been away on holiday (because of our business, we sometimes had to take separate holidays) I have had 'things' to keep me occupied, people and a business to escape too on those occasions we were separated. But now we are retired, much has changed and it's all still quite new. So, it was with huge trepidation that when the possibility of Husband going on a working visit to our friends Charity in Sierra Leone came, I gave 100% support and secretly fretted (greatly) at how would I manage with none of the above to 'occupy' me or him around. The day came and I waved him off with great big smiles and then a real meltdown in the car afterwards at what on earth I was going to do with myself. What if 'this' happened, what if 'that' happened, what if,...