Just retired

10 years ago

Hi,
I just retired 2 weeks ago. Hubby retired 1 1/2 years ago. So far it is wonderful. I have made several lists about my volunteering, travel, household, family & friends visit, and plain old fun.
So far, I've just eased into it with no particular schedule but 2-3 things to get done in next couple days. I joined 2 book clubs, we went to a convention, walk almost everyday about 2 miles, and lots of catchup honey do type stuff.
My gardens were almost ignored last 3 years.
This is just so great! I am 65 and it's too bad most people cannot retire at 55. I had a lot more energy then. :) But I do see an improvement in just 2 weeks of walking (we are going to get this to at least 3 miles and maybe more). I don't care to be athletic, just better. Hubby is going to buy a bike and go riding with me. No 50 mile races, just fun.
The best part is Sunday night. No more dread of Monday!!!

We have been very lucky and I think we have planned pretty well, so I am really looking forward to see what this new phase of life holds in store.

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Comments (14)

akl_vdb
10 years ago
Very excited for you! Glad you have a lot of stuff to keep you busy. Sounds like you're going to be in great shape! Enjoy the time!
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jakkom
10 years ago
Congratulation! As my husband likes to say, "Retirement is wonderful - I should have done it years ago!"
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Actually, accomodating different sleep schedules is much easier after retirement than before. One rule: If its sleeping, don't poke it. LOL. You both can enjoy different interests, so long as you have a few things in common like taking an annual vacation trip, or visiting the relatives. There are times when you both need to be awake and dressed at the same time such as visiting, traveling, etc. The main friction is who gets the TV controller. This conflict, too, can be reduced. One way is for hubby to get a smaller TV that he can move around to his "roon of interest" at the moment. You will need to come to an agreement on the division of labor around the house: Who cooks, washes dishes, laundry, sweeps the floor, etc. One way is each one to clean up his own mess. At our house, we do our laundry separately. We each have different preferences and each doing their own laundry keeps us out of each other's hair. I don't much care how my laundry is done so long as the dirt gets gone. I separate my laundry into 2 piles: general stuff such as underclothing, socks, towels, things that need a vigorous washing with some bleach thrown in sometimes; The second pile is all the wash-n-wear stuff. When sorting the laundry, I will include my wife's socks. I rarely use the 2md rinse - she often uses the second rinse. She also has fabrics that need gentle care - I make sure that when I buy my clothes that I don't get any of those fabrics. By separating the laundry, we stay out of each other's hair. The solution seem to be: keep from irritating your partner too much. If you can do that, then eveything else seems to fall into place.
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jim_1 (Zone 5B)
10 years ago
I used to work in an office at a nursing home. When I retired, I took a cue from the residents at the nursing home. Take lots of naps! I do and I don't feel a bit of guilt about it.
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User
10 years ago
I hope you and your husband enjoy many years of retirement!
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pandora
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks everyone !!!!
Aklvdb, my hubby is dragging me around so many places, sometimes my muscles are sore. Lol what I get for sitting in front of computers for years.

Jkom51, haha, I told my hubby ... Why didn't we just do this instead of working for 47 years?

Jim, I never used to be able to nap due to guilt. I think that has passed and looking forward to some naps. Maybe on the glider on the screened in porch.

Demifloyd, I sure hope so. Like everyone I know people that have 30 years & some not so much.

This post was edited by pandora on Sat, May 31, 14 at 8:13
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jim_1 (Zone 5B)
10 years ago
OK, it has been several weeks. What is your update?
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garyfla_gw
10 years ago
hi
I ended up retiring completely at 57 the reality has been nothing like my dreams lol. Wanted to sell the house and do a lot of traveling. now hate traveling except by air and even that's become a lot less pleasureable since 9/11
Costs have further squased my dream I developed emphysema so no montain climbing even a flight of stairs is a challenge.. Can't sit upright for more than two hours so no road trips .. Those faraway places with strange sounding names are flipping me the bird lol
I DO enjoy my gardening arguing with the neighbors having no schedule and a host of other things that seem rather pettylol
In 10 I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer but so far it's just been a LOT of trips to doctors . On the last visit to oncologist I got a balloon that shouted "Survivor"
but they wouldn't gibve any candy!!
I guess I have realised my dream I'm making lots of trips to places not so far away BUT doctors have strange sounding names .
I was advised as a young man to not grow old but if you do don't get sick Why didn't I listen?? lol
Good luck with your retirement try to avoid my mistakes !! gary
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pandora
Original Author
10 years ago
Gary,
I am so sorry to hear your situation. I don't think you made any mistake. No one knows how long we will have health. I wish you the best.
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pandora
Original Author
10 years ago
Jim,
Thanks for asking. It has been great! I don't miss work one bit. What a silly rat race some companies' have.

My husband bought a bike and I bought a new matching one. Between the frequent rain storms, we walk or bike 5 days a week. Usually split 3&2 or 2&3. We are still at 2.5 miles walking, but quicker about 40 main. We are up to 8 miles round trip{{gwi:807}} on bikes. I love my new bike, it is a comfort, step through type. We plan on mostly paved bike trails, and stay off busy roads.

Visits with friends & family. Veggie garden looks great. Flower beds getting better.

I am so busy and still have afternoons to relax/read, and long lunches on screened porch. We are having a great time. Time is flying{{gwi:807}} by. So far, wow, excellent.

This post was edited by pandora on Sat, Jun 21, 14 at 23:06
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jim_1 (Zone 5B)
10 years ago
The rains during the past week have been a bit much. It is raining again as I do this. This will probably put us over the 7" mark for the month!

The flowers and veggies in my yard are going great guns (three g words in a row). However - young Peter Rabbit has been in the back yard. He is so small and so fast that I cannot do anything about it. So many of my green beans have been nibbled! There is too much lettuce to make a difference. It just irks me!
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User
10 years ago
For rabbits put up a barrier that is about a foot tall. Unless chased most will not jump the small barrier.
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wrychoice1
10 years ago
I will be retiring at the end of August after 38 years in my profession. So looking forward to my time being my own...lots of ideas about what I want to do!
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jim_1 (Zone 5B)
10 years ago
Congratulations on your retirement plans! Lots of ideas are good to have. I wrote mine on paper so that I would stay focused on those and not get too distracted with other things. So far, I am going OK with only a little sliding away.

And, if there is going to be a party, I'll try to make it!

Jim
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Lc Jones
7 years ago
I just retired two months ago I am 58 years old and I'm so much happier than I've been in a long time so great to not have to keep A todo list I have no expectations of myself other than to go to the gym three times a week for my health
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Just retired

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