Thoughts on retirement

[L. D. Jeffries]

Sure can agree with TB Roye's comments; haven't worn a watch since I retired back in 94'. My comments about retirement are: "Never will understand how I ever had time to work for anyone else!"

[cwithboat]

It must be Sunday. The liquor store is closed.

The really cool thing about retirement is that never before (when I had a real job) was I able to start a project, stop and think about it, argue with myself, make mental changes, proceed to the next step, stop and think about it, argue with myself, make mental changes, proceed to the next step, stop and think about it, argue with myself, make mental changes, proceed to the next step, stop and think about it, argue with myself, make mental changes, proceed to the next step......

[pelligrini]

Who says you have to be retired to do a project that way. I do it all the time (when I'm not working...). Almost every weekend self says to myself "Idiot, I told you that wasn't a good to do it that way. Try another bright idea"

"Yep, grind metal like that and it's going to get hot" "Told you not to leave those long clamps sticking out loke that"

I think I'll beat dbhost by a couple hundred days, but looking at the way my retirement funds are going it may never happen...

[DonHo]

Well a few of the guys have made retirement sound good but the truth is, it isn't like that at all. It's MUCH better than just good!

DonHo

[cwithboat]

Well a few of the guys have made retirement sound good but the truth is, it isn't like that at all. It's MUCH better than just good!

DonHo

Actually its not all sweetness and light:
December - chronicled elsewhere on this site
January - knee hurts, see doctor
February - X-rays
magnetic resonance
March - see knee guy, more X-rays
EKG
April - knee guy trims meniscus
bronchitis, see doctor he mentions colonoscopy
May - knee guy check up
48 page questionnaire in mail from butt guy
June 9 - knee guy again
June 23 - butt guy to do colonoscopy

[pelligrini]

April - knee guy trims meniscus
bronchitis, see doctor he mentions colonoscopy

Was your doctor checking the bronchitis from the other end?

[LCHIEN]

It must be Sunday. The liquor store is closed.

The really cool thing about retirement is that never before (when I had a real job) was I able to start a project, stop and think about it, argue with myself, make mental changes, proceed to the next step, stop and think about it, argue with myself, make mental changes, proceed to the next step, stop and think about it, argue with myself, make mental changes, proceed to the next step, stop and think about it, argue with myself, make mental changes, proceed to the next step......

so have you completed any projects since retiring?

[ragswl4]

Retired three years ago (age 58), mainly for health reasons. Two heart attacks, stents and loads of Meds and still have clogged arties. Thought I would live out the rest of my life doing little WW projects. Wife decides we need to build a house and I need to build all the cabinets.

I haven't had a day off in two years. Went to the cardiologist last month due to some dizzy spells. Went through every test known to mankind for the old ticker. Turns out the dizzy spells were caused by the Meds. The tests showed no more blockages, treadmill test was a breeze and Meds cut in half or eliminanted.

So Retire, but work harder than you ever have and just maybe your health will improve. I have not felt better in over 10 years. Lovin It.

[leehljp]

Retirement is as much an attitude as anything else.

My dad could not stand to "retire" in the classic sense and worked until his death at 78. (He "retired" twice for a couple of months each time.)

For those who find their identity in their work (before "retirement"), they find it difficult to officially "retire". With no official studies before me, this does seem to me to be the group that dies within a year or so after retirement, or go through considerable emotional strain dealing with retirement.

This group includes people who calls themselves "company man", i.e. they went to work for the company and identify with it.


For those who work for necessity, for themselves - as an attitude (even with a company), or for the money, - transition in "retirement" is not as difficult. They will find something to do, or it will find them. Their identity is not in their work but in themselves and are content in what ever they are doing, even in relaxation and rest.


I am a combination between the two above. I never thought I would be a workaholic, but in the last few years, have been told to "slow down" or "rest" several times. Lately, it is my body that says "rest" and I do, or LOML makes me. But I sure look forward to doing things on "my schedule" for a change.

[DonHo]

Actually its not all sweetness and light:
December - chronicled elsewhere on this site
January - knee hurts, see doctor
February - X-rays
magnetic resonance
March - see knee guy, more X-rays
EKG
April - knee guy trims meniscus
bronchitis, see doctor he mentions colonoscopy
May - knee guy check up
48 page questionnaire in mail from butt guy
June 9 - knee guy again
June 23 - butt guy to do colonoscopy

I'm sorry for your problems. If you feel retirement was the cause of all this, I'd go back to work if I were you.
DonHo

[cwithboat]

so have you completed any projects since retiring?

deck (I had some pro help) and grape arbor (seen to right)
[IMG]file:
glider for porch
[IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Charlie/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/summer2007/P5110052.JPG[/IMG]
kitty box (was supposed to emulate a cardboard box, they adore them all) they ignore it
screen door (cedar from plans)
current project the enclosure for my Sansui receiver

[cwithboat]

I'm sorry for your problems. If you feel retirement was the cause of all this, I'd go back to work if I were you.
DonHo

Its not the cause, its the opportunity.

[jhart]

Did an early "partial" retirement about 3 years ago after some health problems. Officially turn 65 in July and been going thru all of the Medicare/supplement coverage, etc. We have 3 apartment buildings that can keep me busy at times and as I am a Realtor, still sell a few houses a year to old clients or referrals. Plan on continuing this for a few years yet. all in all, keeps me fairly busy. My wife works and won't retire for 2 years yet. Kinda of planning on some traveling when that happens.

I agree with some of the others comments. Seems like more ackes and pains as you get older, especially joints.