Calling all NEWBIES. ... Let's introduce our selves! Use this thread.

[MaryB59]

Hi, I'm Mary. I'm new to these threads but am excited by the opportunities to learn and connect.  I love AARP.  I'm very newly retired, live in the midwest, and there are SO MANY opportunities.

If you want to make connections with me and other Newbies, reply to this thread.  I'm seeing many starting individual threads/topics which will make it difficult to connect, just due to shear volume.

Hope to hear from you

[m514559f]

Hi!

My name is Margaret. I am new as of today July 2, 2017. This is my favorite picture of me with my grandchildren. 

 I look forward to hearing from you!

[SusieC51]

Welcome! It's not an easy site, just sayin' - I never know where my replies are, or if the person I'm actually replying to is seeing it. Such a beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing it!

[m514559f]

Hi Susie,

Thank you so much for such a nice welcome and the info!

I look forward to speaking with you again.

Margaret

[SusieC51]

Good morning Margaret! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Having a lot of medical testing done this week which involves needles and tubes - I like neither! So stressed out about it, I just stayed in the house and binge watched the original Twin Peaks series! I did make it to our local farmers market! It poured rain last night so I decided not to go out with my little family to watch fireworks. Not feeling too patriotic these days! Take care, Susie

[tagray61]

       Hello from New England (YAY PATRIOTS!!!). My name is Theresa. I have been a member for 5 years, but I am a “newbie” to the community blog. I am 55 years old and have been a singer in rock bands since age 13. I play guitar and piano and I am going to attempt to learn to play the fiddle. (My neighbors might not appreciate it, LOL!). I’ve been playing piano since age 4, and playing guitar since age 13. My parents encouraged me and my six siblings to grow in what we loved and made us happy. Music was and will always be my passion.

       My hometown in Massachusetts is the oldest working fishing port in the country. The beaches are breathtaking and tourists come from all over the world to soak in the scenery.

       I joined AARP when I turned 50 and on my 50th birthday I went skydiving. I plan on doing it again. Every birthday since my 50th I have partaken in something thrilling. Life is too short to be boring.

       I will share one opinion about AARP to new members: The benefits that AARP provides are opportunities to help make choices in life trouble-free.

       Have a wonderful, music-filled day everyone!

Theresa

[siciliangal57]

Hi Theresa,

  Wow...we have a rock star amongst us! What a wonderful, exciting life to have filled with music. I always wanted to be a member of a group growing up....in fact when I was much, much younger, my brother and a few of my childhood friends started a band in our basement! Even though we had all of the best instruments and practiced everyday........ man were we horrible...lol! I admire anyone who dedicates their time and puts in the hard work to become a musician! Bravo to you Theresa!

christine

[tagray61]

Christine,

     Thank you! My mom always called me her "Rockstar"! I love what I do and wouldn't change it for the world. Many people think bands just get up and play and go home which is not the case. We have to load equipment into our vehicles, unload and set up to play for 4 hours. Afterwards we have to break down the equipment, load it all back into our vehicles, drive home, and unload the equipment (again) and bring it all into the house. This all takes about 6 to 7 hours. But, to see the crowd fill up with joy when I am singing to them and the smiles on their faces when they are dancing and having fun makes all of the back breaking equipment hauling worthwhile. I love it all. 🙂 It is definitely fun! You should try karaoke, it's a blast!

Theresa

[SusieC51]

Rock and Roll and concerts are my all-time favorite things to do! 4 in the past year and Metallica this month. Only problem, I only have my family to go with because we have to drive to Tulsa, Kansas City, St Louis or Texas. I don't have GPS and I can't read a map and Drive! I have been to well over 325 concerts in my life, of course theatre also. Heck, I even took my grandmother to see Liberace - now that was an experience for the books! I believe Iron Maiden has the best overall tour plans: lead singer is a pilot, they own the plane and lots of family involved. That was the concert I chose to take my 14 year-old grandson to as his first. His parents took him to see Korn and I probably shouldn't have turned down that free ticket offer - nothing like a real man in a kilt!

[Epster]

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@tagray61 wrote:

Many people think bands just get up and play and go home which is not the case. We have to load equipment into our vehicles, unload and set up to play for 4 hours. Afterwards we have to break down the equipment, load it all back into our vehicles, drive home, and unload the equipment (again) and bring it all into the house. This all takes about 6 to 7 hours. 

---

Hi @tagray61 and welcome to the community.

I can relate. I never sang with a band, but did sing in community productions including musical theatre and concerts, which did not gift me with the equipment hauling experience you relate, however, before that I owned a TV production company and we did live broadcasting ... oof! same thing ... hauling all the equipment from the studio to the van, then driving to the site (usually requiring hours), setting everything up for the live broadcast, then unplugging and putting it all away. While live I was either on-air talent or the camerperson. Off air I was one of the grunts. 🙂 We did this 5-6 days a week. Usually it was far more fun than it was work. Sure hard on fingernails, though. 🙂 

[KareBear67]

Hello! My name is Karen, I live in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, I am early retired. 🙂

[SusieC51]

Born in Pittsfield! Grew up in Cali, now live in Arkansas. Went to Lenox High School and lasted 3 months (I was 17)! Welcome to the confusing site!

[napa1]

Hello,

Newly 50 and joined AARP on my parents recommendation. I am still actively working and will be for the next 10 years. I live with my wife in Columbia MD. I like to ski, scuba dive, travel, drink wine, and eat good food. Look forward to retiring and moving south, though not sure exactly where. Ideally a red state.

Mike

[siciliangal57]

Hi Mike,

    Seems like you enjoy the fun things in life.....I only scuba dived once in my life when I was in Key West on vacation years ago. I loved every minute of it and didn't want to leave that day. The more posts that I read on this site the more I realize how many of us want to move to a warmer state...lol. I guess as we get older our bones just can't take the cold anymore. I'm so done with winter and snow... if I could move tomorrow I would! 

christine

[a184932z]

I'm Annette & am looking forward to getting started with all of AARP's benefits..  While pushing 60 I live in the Gulfcoast area. I am ready to start saving, learning new things, most of all meeting new people.  I am a good listener as well as a talker;  I like helping & caring for others.  Look forward to knowing AARP & its members.

[Kate1971]

Hi, my name is Kathy. I am newly retired and living on the outskirts of New York City. I've been living in New York City my whole life.

A few details about myself: I was married and now I am newly single.  I have two children and three grandchildren. Love my kids.  I enjoy drawing (& being creative), love my birds and a bit of a classic movies buff.  And I love meeting people.

Hoping to hear from others on this site.

[seasoak]

Single, African American woman, state of Ohio retiree - 5 years now. Have decided to go back to work simply because I have too much time on my hands. Guess what? Can't even get an interview for the job I want.

I enjoy crocheting. Love vacationing to Caribbean beaches. I'm outgoing and appreciative of the beauty in nature.

After spending a couple of 75 degree days in February in Columbia, SC, I'm selling my Ohio home and split my time between living with my daughters who live in the south!

[newtoothis2]

I agree come south for the the winter and go back and stay with the kids in the summer

[GloriaRoma]

Hi I'm Gloria, I'm a Senior Real Estate Specialist in San Diego, CA. I've been practicing real estate for over 18 years. If anyone has any real estate related questions I'm happy to help. I have a professional Partnership Alliance with others who serve mature adults. If I don't know the answer I'll find it. Other than that I have a couple of adorable children (yes, I'm the oldest parent at their schools) am happily married and love dogs, kayaking and living in San Diego. Feel free to say hi or ask a question

[m503589t]

Hi my name is Mary. I am a newbie. I live in Indianapolis , IN. Looking forward to being a part of this community.

[g807274c]

Hi. I'm a new member and currently live in Chicago Illinois, have two teenage boys, two dogs and one cat. Hoping to move to a warmer climate in the far future. If you have suggestions or ideas I would appreciate the help.

[YankeeInNC]

Welcome! As a New England transplant to NC, I would be happy to share with you insights to living in NC! PM me with specific questions but overall it can be overwhelming to adjust to a new region if you are leaving behind generations of family history but it has been great. I'm in a college town so I have access to great activities and opportunities, I still enjoy the change of seasons (though it is mostly temperate and in the odd 1 or 2 snow days EVERYTHING shuts down and then goes away without much fuss) and the cost of living is wonderful. Both mountains and beaches are accessible and international airports are a cinch. Crappy public primary and high schools but primo state and private universities. Great sports. Crappy politics (which makes activism a great pastime).

[JackSparrow1]

I hope I'm not replying to just one person, I'm assuming (?) this goes on the general board?

I don't know how this works, otherwise, than to click on "reply".

I have been reading a few of the Newbies Introductions... this is literally only my 3rd or 4th post.

I'm Jack, I live on the central OR coast. We were just in the 4th/July parade, which is always exciting... this was our 4th time in parade.

August 5th is going to be our 12th Annual Pirate Treasure Hunt, in Depoe Bay, OR. (Check a map, it's a very small town right on the water!) Come one, come all, and have piratical fun!  

[siciliangal57]

Hello fellow Chicagoan....My name is christine and I am in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. I also have been contemplating about moving to a warmer climate the past few years. But, I must say that the last few days we've had some unbelievable temperatures! Can't remember the last time we had 60-70 degree weather in February! If every winter was like this it might be worth sticking around....but we both know that next week it will probably go back to 10-20 degrees...lol. I myself just turned 60 yrs young and my lifelong dream has been to live in a nice, quiet, comfy house right on the beach....nice dream huh?  

What kind of dogs do you have?

[JoyaDe]

I moved south from MN, lived in NM for 15 years, then 3 years ago moved back to MN. So far, the winters have been rather whoosie,.... not like the ones I moved away from.
I brought two dogs back here with me. The oldest recently died at the age of 16. She was a wonderful American Water Spaniel. My other dog is now 9 and is a combination Chihuahua and Pomeranian. So I've now adopted another pup. She is another small dog combination. The older I get, the smaller the dogs have to be.
I enjoyed reading about you musical experiences.

[newtoothis2]

Hello, 

I used to live in Chicago I have been retired a few years and moved to Florida, This nice weather or yours is short lived, too many cold ones. My children and grandchildren all still live in the Chicago area and I was worried about missing them when I moved i still keep in touch with email & phone calls like I did when I lived near them, truth is they all work still so we were not getting together as much. I go back in the summer and stay with one of them and visit for a couple of months, The warmer weather is easer on my joints and housing taxes are a lot lower.

[j952579d]

I'm a newbie from Glendale, CA and my name is Julie

[c529984c]

I am also a new member according to what you said Down South i would guess Virginia, South Carolina or somewhere out there. It is hard choice to make but you would know what is best for your family.

[seasoak]

I did finally sell my house. I moved to Texas. I love the hot weather and sunny skies. At this late stage in my life, I am enjoying my adventure of learning my way about town. And, I look forward to making new friends.

[MaryB59]

Help with what, exactly? As a Michigander, can't help much with the weather. I've found that the only way around it is to "join it." Bought some snowshoes for myself and hubbie to try this and, guess what, hasn't really snowed since! Yeah, me! Seriously, welcome to the site. I'm looking forward to seeing what it is all about too.

Mary

[m949405j]

i am new to this community.

Does ANYONE know of a way to reach someone at ARRP about a password issue?

so far the list of emails contacts that have NOT helped are below

Melissa Member Communications   Member@aarp.org   read 1/17/2017 9:59 pm EST

Mellissa Member Communications   Member@aarp.org   sent to me 1/19/17  question on password response NOT RELATED to question i asked.

member@aarp.org  email sent to me on 1/20/2017 11:35 am   I am asking about passwords. email was ONLY about setting up games.

Constancre Member Communications member@aarp.org  sent 1/20/2017 9:38 am  DID READ AS FAR AS THE WORD "PASSWORD"    The bad news she did not read rest of email subject line SO the reply was password related it was NOT related to the question.

bye the way i have saved the emails with the reference ID @# of each email.  if helps anyone.

i am unable to reach the "help phone number" while they are open.

i have tried several ways to reach someone by email,

AND sent emails that were read by AAPR,

AND replyed  to emails sent me by AARP on this issure

i am looking for a link to someone that will read

my msg "I have a question about passwords on AARP"

the responses i have got so far deals with "PLAYING THE GAMES" 

I have checked out ALL the FAQ's, and Help sites i found anywhere on AARP website.

I have been trying to get an answer starting on december of last year.

I have got several emails back to me, none of the text in the msg sent by AARP is related to my question in bold above.   

yes i did find info on how to make a password for this board.   I still have other password questions about the password for this site and rest of ARRP.

anyone with info on how to get a response about passwords on aarp THAT WILL READ THE QUESTION I HAVE or even IF you might, maybe have an idea.how i can get that info.

(recall  the help phone posted will not work for me I have tried ever other way i can think of to get these answers.)

 info will be very helpful.    and i will be very thankfull.

Mark