Retire Feb 1st any advice?.... I did it.....

Well, here I am enjoying the eve of retirement. Have some pieces to weld on a core support in the morning. After its cut in (painted), I'll put the radiator in so it can be moved around. One of the guys will finish it next week. After that I'll start putting things in boxes, eat lunch, pack the truck then addios amigos. I can remember leaving the Aircraft Carrier (CVA-66, the USS America) after my 4 years in the Navy, part off the coast of Viet Nam. It was a good feeling to get out of the Navy and tomorrow will be great also. Actually down to 4 hours of work left, Larry


They had a lunch for me today, it was nice. Rigatoni, salad, rolls and some desert.
 
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Tomorrow is it. GET READY TO PARTY!

Congratulations, you have made it to retirement.

Enjoy it. WHOOP. WHOOP! WHOOP!!! for the newly retired.

And you don't have to set your alarm for 6 AM anymore. Nope your body will wake you up. Tinkle and go back to bed. :)
 
Well everyone, morning went not as planned but it's over. After I ate at noon, took 3 hrs to put tools in boxes and load the truck. i left at 3 pm. On the way to work, I followed the Ohio Erie Canal cause it was a nice country ride. Wanted to find pease on my last drive to work. For 11 years, my ride wasn't on the interstate, it was through a valley, nice country setting. My final pay had a bonus or retirement gift which was nice, didn't expect that. Still has to set in that I don't work any more. Sunday nite will be more pleasurable now. Lot of the past went through my head on the drive to work, all the people I worked with good and bad. Lot of the parts drivers came over and said good by, made friends with some of them. Can't wait to wind down and not rush like before. My hands will now heal, no more cuts. Thanks for those that are following this thread and sharing the last 4 weeks with me. I finally made it, Larry
 
Larry, best wishes for a long and healthful retirement. Engage yourself with those things that interest you; explore new interests you never had the luxury of time to investigate; deepen your personal relationships with loved ones; and, most importantly, enjoy this new and liberating phase of your life.


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It is 5:58 PM CST. Hopefully it is after 5 in your locality.

I retired 2.5 years ago. It is the most wonderful thing since the honeymoon.

Alas it was harder on my wife who has to work a few more years. She displayed some attitude towards my new status. Seemed to think I should find a job, but "dear, retiring is escaping work" I said.

Took her a couple of years to adjust. This is one thing all folks making retirement plans should cover with the spouse. I did and she was in synch but when the day got here.....

So now you are here. Glad you made it. You will find things to do that pique your interest.

My Dad spent 3 years hunting and fishing with an 8' cab over camper on his truck. He quit camping so much after Mom burned out but continued to hunt and fish along with shooting and riding his horse.

Don't worry about the door hitting you in the butt, some young person already has grabbed the door thinking about retiring in 40-50 years.....
 
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Well everyone, morning went not as planned but it's over. After I ate at noon, took 3 hrs to put tools in boxes and load the truck. i left at 3 pm. On the way to work, I followed the Ohio Erie Canal cause it was a nice country ride. Wanted to find pease on my last drive to work. For 11 years, my ride wasn't on the interstate, it was through a valley, nice country setting. My final pay had a bonus or retirement gift which was nice, didn't expect that. Still has to set in that I don't work any more. Sunday nite will be more pleasurable now. Lot of the past went through my head on the drive to work, all the people I worked with good and bad. Lot of the parts drivers came over and said good by, made friends with some of them. Can't wait to wind down and not rush like before. My hands will now heal, no more cuts. Thanks for those that are following this thread and sharing the last 4 weeks with me. I finally made it, Larry

Congratulations. Trust me, you get used to that Sunday afternoon feeling pretty quick . . .
 
Forgot to mention that when I walked in Friday (they saw me on the security camera coming in the back door) the boss played the final count down. When I got home, I threw out my work boots and glasses (cheap pair). Was gonna give the boots to goodwill but if they marked them "work boots" no one would take them��. Had an old work shirt on also and it will be in the trash. Gonna miss Willie the detail person. The Perto Rican made me laugh all,day and became a good friend.

Srsmith, how long did it take to get the idea in your head that working is over?? This is all too fresh, Larry
 
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Monday morning get up, have coffee on your front porch, you will see frowning, scowling, coffee sipping, donut eating, dressed up folks flying to their jobs like lemmings to the cliff.

For the first week I had coffee and watched the show. It is surreal knowing that was me the previous week.

After your morning coffee sit back and relax, think about things you might want to do. If you have not already make a list. Then go do an item on the list and scratch it off, the list becomes your friend, it helps organize and keep you busy.

There is a gnawing doubt, did I do the right thing? In a short time the self doubt will pass and you will know you did the right thing.

Think about what you want to do and less time thinking about the old job.

I still call friends and we do not talk shop, once in a while one may need to vent but not often. I don't care that they hired a youngster with no experience at 40% of my old salary and he quit last November because he couldn't handle it. That slipped out this past week.

I do not miss my old boss nor veiled pushes by upper management to get everyone to buy into the BS. And only they will get the bonus' at years end. I was through with that many years before I retired.

Guess what? Now none of that matters.

Work really does cramp and invade your life.

Now it doesn't. I am enjoying life without work.

I am 69, not counting nonpaid chores as a youngin, I've worked since I was 12, mow lawns, haul hay, gas stations, bowling alley, grain elevators and eventually the phone CO which was 42 years.

I like many here worked 57 years earning a nickle or two.
I feel I also earned my retirement.

Enjoy it. It really may not be golden but as long as we remain vertical we have plenty of life to live.
 
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