Retirement

[RanchRoper]

4am every morning for this old cowpoke.

[markiver54]

Wow Dave, you weren't getting much sleep back then.
I'm kinda like you now, up around 9:00 give or take. Heck, I can't get to sleep before 11:00 or 12:00.
Even if I have to go to the doctor or something, I ask for the latest appointment possible!

Yes, unless it's something urgent I always ask for a late morning or early afternoon appt. I've always hated rushing in the morning, I like time to sip my coffee, watch the news and glance at the newspaper before getting ready to go.

I always ask for a 1pm appt due to parking at the VA. It is terrible. If I have a morning appt, regardless of the time, I have to arrive before seven am or all the handicapped spaces are taken and I have trouble getting in and out of the vehicle and getting the chair out. Arrive too late, you might spend an hour looking for a space. Morning appt, I shoot to arrive by 645 at the latest, so I have to leave by 530.

10am appt means I doze in the chair, pay $7 for a $4 breakfast, and chat with a lot of new friends. With a 1pm appt, I get there around 1130, and folks have gone to lunch, freeing up those blue spaces. I might wait thirty minutes but one will open.

Sure wish it was easier for you than thar!!

[markiver54]

4am every morning for this old cowpoke.

Dang...can't even imagine, but good for you RR!

[fortyshooter]

Wife and I have been retired for several years now. Time seems to go by quick too!
Myself...no medical issues yet and still have all my original parts and I stay busy doing things around the home and my range property.

Today I cut the grass and then washed my 2014 Ram quad cab truck which takes a while to do and had some time to wash off the light pollen
on my '85 Mustang LX which gets on it even though it's parked in the garage.

Tomorrow wife and I are going down to the range for some plinking and to check on the trail cameras and the new deer feeder.

Always plenty to do but we start the day with a good breakfast and the morning dog walk.

I don't miss the 5:00 AM wake up at all and working on busted stamping dies!

[markiver54]

I use a CBD salve on wrist and shoulder. It helps. It has nothing to do with getting high. Just a good analgesic. I recommend it to all.

I think at this point, I will try it soon. My Dad, still alive at 87 even uses it. Can't hurt anything but the wallet to try I guess.

[BrokenolMarine]

Yes, unless it's something urgent I always ask for a late morning or early afternoon appt. I've always hated rushing in the morning, I like time to sip my coffee, watch the news and glance at the newspaper before getting ready to go.

I always ask for a 1pm appt due to parking at the VA. It is terrible. If I have a morning appt, regardless of the time, I have to arrive before seven am or all the handicapped spaces are taken and I have trouble getting in and out of the vehicle and getting the chair out. Arrive too late, you might spend an hour looking for a space. Morning appt, I shoot to arrive by 645 at the latest, so I have to leave by 530.

10am appt means I doze in the chair, pay $7 for a $4 breakfast, and chat with a lot of new friends. With a 1pm appt, I get there around 1130, and folks have gone to lunch, freeing up those blue spaces. I might wait thirty minutes but one will open.

Sure wish it was easier for you than thar!!

I am not complaining about my condition, just the parking.
My condition is the price I've paid for the life I was allowed to lead, the places I been, things I have seen, and done, people I have met. Rarely was it boring for long.

When watching tv with friends, you see Trafalgar Square in the movies, or Buckingham Palace... I can say... Been there.
A Fjord in Norway, Gitmo, Spain, Italy.. There too. I had someone ask if I would do it the same knowing the price? Yup... With Pride.

[markiver54]

I always ask for a 1pm appt due to parking at the VA. It is terrible. If I have a morning appt, regardless of the time, I have to arrive before seven am or all the handicapped spaces are taken and I have trouble getting in and out of the vehicle and getting the chair out. Arrive too late, you might spend an hour looking for a space. Morning appt, I shoot to arrive by 645 at the latest, so I have to leave by 530.

10am appt means I doze in the chair, pay $7 for a $4 breakfast, and chat with a lot of new friends. With a 1pm appt, I get there around 1130, and folks have gone to lunch, freeing up those blue spaces. I might wait thirty minutes but one will open.

Sure wish it was easier for you than thar!!

I am not complaining about my condition, just the parking.
My condition is the price I've paid for the life I was allowed to lead, the places I been, things I have seen, and done, people I have met. Rarely was it boring for long.

When watching tv with friends, you see Trafalgar Square in the movies, or Buckingham Palace... I can say... Been there.
A Fjord in Norway, Gitmo, Spain, Italy.. There too. I had someone ask if I would do it the same knowing the price? Yup... With Pride.

Big kudos for you Marine!!! You served!! Once again, thank you soooo much for your service. Hope you can make the most of the rest of your time, hoping it will be lengthy and enjoyable..

[BigAl52]

Wife just retired after selling her care home she owned for 30 years. Shes an angel from above. Taking care of the elderly isnt for everybody and there is not any money in it. Shes been away from it now for a little over 6 weeks and having a great time. Ive been where Im at for 33 years. Boss man says dont quit. I said ok I will stay awhile longer. Im lucky with good health and I ride that bicycle faithfully over 100 miles a week to stay that way. Im working on 67 probably wont retire till Im 68. Im pretty lucky to have what I do.

[markiver54]

Wife just retired after selling her care home she owned for 30 years. Shes an angel from above. Taking care of the elderly isnt for everybody and there is not any money in it. Shes been away from it now for a little over 6 weeks and having a great time. Ive been where Im at for 33 years. Boss man says dont quit. I said ok I will stay awhile longer. Im lucky with good health and I ride that bicycle faithfully over 100 miles a week to stay that way. Im working on 67 probably wont retire till Im 68. Im pretty lucky to have what I do.

Good to hear all is well wth you and your wife Al. Congrats to her on her retirement. You are lucky to have your health and have a live in care taker if ya start ailing.

[Rifletom]

Also have been retired about 2.5 years. Best job I ever had, this retirement deal! Still get up early to see my wife off to work. I'm never bored, I can always find something to do. A lot of handloading lately and shooting. Don't miss work at all.
Good thing is, at 68, I still feel pretty darn good. Always look forward to upland bird season. Take care all.

[markiver54]

Also have been retired about 2.5 years. Best job I ever had, this retirement deal! Still get up early to see my wife off to work. I'm never bored, I can always find something to do. A lot of handloading lately and shooting. Don't miss work at all.
Good thing is, at 68, I still feel pretty darn good. Always look forward to upland bird season. Take care all.

Good for you Tom. How well you feel has so much to do with it! I don't miss work at all either!!
BTW, when I lived in SoCal, I used to love dove hunting down near Calexico...fast shoot'n fun. Went through a lot of shells though!

[Ozarkwoodswalker]

Retirement is not as good as heaven will be but it's just a few pegs below....I love it.!!!...busy busy busy....but no stress from people or crap....I think it's great!!!!!!

[BrokenolMarine]

Just a bit of advice to those about to retire or freshly retired and wanting to enjoy it. There is a word you need to practice, it's one syllable, should be used often and with force, or you will find you are busier than when you were working, but doing none of the things you dreamed of, because you don't have ANY free time. You are on the Board for this, Chair for that, Coordinating the upcoming, driving the grandkids every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon (Thanks so much)... Meals on Wheels, ... and Rose wants to talk to you about the greatest program tonight, you would be a perfect fit.

One syllable...

No! Sorry, can't do it, I have other commitments. (An appointment with a fly rod.)

My mentor retired...

He couldn't / wouldn't say no. He stays busy five to six days a week. Several vet organizations, police groups, community groups, political action groups, always on the go. add to that teaching and volunteering as well. The various projects he planned for his retirement home are still half completed or sketches on his workshop wall, things he will get to domeday soon. Ten years after his retirement, and he is exhausted.

I call and and tell him he needs to take a day for himself, lets have lunch, at least coffee, just relax. He checks his calendar, it's usually ten days or more to find a slot to meet for coffee. He lived seven minutes away.

I tell him he needs to cut back, slow down a bit. Enjoy his retirement. He keeps saying this is the last year with this group or that group and then they tell him how much they need him... He is 82, and will never get to relax and enjoy retirement.

NO...

Practice it.
Use it.
You will thank me.

(Oh come on, you're retired, you've got nothing else to do.)

[BrokenolMarine]

on the other hand:
It's FINE to join a volunteer organization you believe in, enjoy working with, and give some of your time...
You will make new friends, feel good about helping others, and ... well... help others.
Just... Don't get volunteered for everything.

[markiver54]

I hear ya Jim,
They've already tried to turn me into the go to baby sitter and have also heard the "Oh come on, you're retired, you've got nothing else to do "

[JEBar]

you will find you are busier than when you were working, but doing none of the things you dreamed of, because you don't have ANY free time

ain't that the truth ..

[The Wiz]

I volunteer for one thing only and that's it!

[PatientWolf]

I had the opportunity to have lunch with 3 gentlemen who I used to work with. Their time in retirement ranges from about 2 to 10 years. Clearly retirement is working well for them because they all look healthier than they did the day they retired. I hope I have the same good fortune when i am able to retire.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Well, different from others I see, but retirement is not in my vocabulary, lol. Still work about 45-50 Hours a Week. But I work for myself and work at my own pace. If I need an easier day, I take it. If I want to quit a little early, I do it. Although normal quitting time is about 7:30 PM, lol. Have no plans of ever "retiring", that is as long as my health keeps up. Y'all's way seems more fun though. But that said, I basically really enjoy my work.

[Carver]

I retired in 1993, I have never regretted it. Yes I could of stayed much longer , i was offered a golden handshake at 56 and took it. I just don’t have time to be bored, I have been fortunate to have excellent heath, I’m now waiting for the ewes to start lambing, there always seems like there is something to be done. Enjoy your retirement everyday.
Bill