So here I am nearly two years later...umm lets have a tally up shall we?

learning to play the guitar and read music - NO!

up grading my cooking skills - particularly Indian and Italian foods - oh and not to forget making pickles....YES! definitely got into the old cooking. Even made the pickles - they were inedible, but still.

starting my own vegetable garden and not letting it die! YES sort of - I started it, then nicked off to Melbourne for 4 months, so it died. Then I started it again this year but it didn't do very well, only the herbs seem to survive. 

spending more time with my friends and family - YES! definitely spent more time with family, if not friends.

picking up my old sewing habits YES! - made a few more quilts that Richard can't stand. Half way through another one at the moment. 

That's not too bad 3/4. However my retired friends were right. The time has disappeared but at least I know how. I have slowed down, really slowed down but in the best possible way. I now take my time doing things and enjoy each day to the max.