Outskirts Press, INC.

Love, Life and Money: a hilarious journey of coming to terms with a brand new you.

Becky Kueker thought she had it all, publishing a new book, Hiding in My Pajamas, three years ago, and launching a national speaking career traveling the country at 75. What more could you ask coming off a two year low after she retired struggling with the emotional stereotypes that deal with retirement and aging. It was not until a complicated surgery requiring six months in a wheelchair and endless rehab, turned her life in a new direction she could never have expected. Fighting fear, depression and the realization that she would once again have to start over, Becky shares her journey facing a new beginning discovering that it’s laughter that changes everything. Meeting passionate people who inspired her, chapters are filled with poignant stories from women and men who have proven that aging does not have to define you and new beginnings are possible. Their stories are powerful and highlight the determination it takes to live your best life and what the passage of time means to how capable we are of embracing change. Not being financially prepared for retirement has become a national epidemic. Her chapter, Learning to Live After Retirement, features stories from those who were unaware that not planning was just speculating and rolling the dice on what might be. The shock that their savings will not be sufficient to retain the lifestyle they lived before offers a glimpse of a generation not prepared. Interviewing her husband and other men about retirement and aging highlights the unexpected marital turbulence that finds its way into very personal struggles that no one saw coming.

“At last!A realistic and insightful book that reveals what really happens when you retire. Filled with humor and honesty this inspirational story is sometimes painful, often funny, always practical and thoroughly captivating.”
—Rose Castillo Guilbault, author of Farmworker’s Daughter: Growing up Mexican in America and The Latina’s Guide to Success in the Workplace

I do try and take time every day to sit down and meditate. I looked around the house for the best place and chose the chase lounge in my master bedroom. It used to be where our dog meditated most of the day, now it is mine. I can stretch out and close my eyes and listen to my breathing trying to shut out thoughts that do not matter. I admit I have been using the assistance of a glass of wine to get me started, but whatever works sounded good to me. Once in a while I do lie down to meditate on my inability to meditate. At any given time I am apt to inappropriate through creep with thoughts that are not supposed to be there in particular asking, “come on inner peace, I have things to do.” Some days you know you just can seem to pull it together and it feels like a child-like time out. But, I have progressed to the point I can actually last fifteen minutes without through creep and without peeking at my cell phone. Sometimes sounds distract me though, especially the birds outside the window. Yes, birds, they are very noisy especially the woodpeckers and it is mating season there is a lot of yelling going on. So obviously I have a ways to go but I am proud of myself because I am doing something to overcome and be more mindful.