My husband and I recently became empty nesters. Everyone keeps asking us what it’s like to have an empty nest and, to be honest with you, I don’t know. I don’t know what it’s supposed to be like. When he was in high school, he was busy playing sports, working and hanging out with his friends. What I do know is that now we have more options for where we go to eat because he is a picky eater!
That means that we are going out exploring all the fun that Findlay and Hancock County has to offer. Findlay Brewing Company on East Crawford Street has become one of our regular hang outs on Friday night. There is always a new brew to try and the loaded tater tots are a must have. Their BBQ pulled pork nachos are so big that two can share and have enough to take home for the next day or a midnight snack.
An empty nest means one less opinion when picking places to eat and getting to enjoy all that Findlay has to offer!
Findlay is full of places to listen to live music. After a long day or week, it’s fun to kick back with your favorite beverage and listen to some great music. Logans, Fins Findlay Brewing Company, Alexandrias, Gillig Winery, The Greek Garden and Hull Trace Wine Winery are just some of the places that offer thirst-quenching beverages and great music.
Being an Empty Nester has allowed Kellie to find all the places where you can hear live music in Hancock County!
Now that we aren’t sitting at the baseball field every weekend, we have time to see one of the great performances at Fort Findlay Playhouse with some of the most talented people around. In between shows at Fort Findlay Playhouse, we like take in a show at The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. There are always acts I’ve never heard or realized that I wanted to see, but somehow Heather and the crew there knows I do so they brought them to Findlay for me to see (ok, well maybe not just for me)!
There are plenty of places to take in live performances, and with all your newfound free time you can take in more shows!
Findlay feeds my competitive side. On any given day, I can put my useless knowledge to use with The Office Trivia, 90’s Trvia, 80’s trivia, Friends Trivia and much more, held at one of our fine establishments. Somewhere in town at any given time, I can feed by love of bingo with Music Bingo, regular bingo and purse bingo.
I have time now to check out Planet Fitness, the YMCA, Anytime Fitness, Zpulse, 50 North, Body Fix, Crawford Street Gym, Crossfit M2, XT fitness or any of the other fitness centers to lose that baby weight (yes, he’s a college freshman and I’m still trying to lose that weight!). There are classes, equipment, nutritional counseling and so much more offered, so hopefully I can find the plan that works best for me.
Ultimately, I think I’ve earned a spa day after surviving those 4 years of high school! I can get a massage, hair cut and color, mani/pedi, facial, teeth whitened and eye lash extensions right here at one of our many salons. Hang on a minute while I go make an appointment!
You’ve earned a spa day, treat yourself!
Ok, I’m back and now and I need a day of retail therapy. I’m in luck because Findlay is home to so many locally owned boutiques that carry a wide variety of sizes and styles. You’re never fully dressed unless you accessorize, so while I’m getting a new outfit, I will also pick up a new purse, scarf, necklace, bracelet, earrings and shoes. I can look trendy, fabulous and still dress my age. Even though I feel like I’m still 28, the reality is that I am 28 + 22!
A little retail therapy goes a long way!
Empty nesters get out of your jammies, sweats and T-shirts and celebrate! Celebrate that you survived; celebrate that you raised a functioning human who is thriving at the next step in their lives; hang out with your friends who are also empty nesters and swap stories; find the romance with your significant other that you lost when you were focused solely on keeping your kid alive!
Hope to see you out soon!