Retirement. How do you like it?

[up148]

Well, one week+ into it and there has been no time to appreciate being retired yet. BUT, that should change soon, as the workers finish up different projects on the new (to us) house. Been so tired from packing 12-14 hours a day, moving and now unpacking, that we're simply exhausted. But, we have the rest of our lives to rest up, so just another hurdle before the calm.

[rogruth]

UP,
How far was your move?
Are you in a different area now from when you were working?

[E7]

just another hurdle before the calm?

There will always be something, Butch!

[MurphOnMillerAve]

The really, really odd part about being retired, now, is that I had not ever imagined being here alone in my retirement. Totally unexpected. Not anticipated in the slightest. So, I am presented with the reality (I almost typed "prospect") of having to do this alone. That means, I am having to just about completely re-invent myself in just about every way. I am figuring out who I am now.

I mention this here because I hope it may be helpful. And what I learned was: It is not a matter of "if," but a matter of when" we find ourselves solo.

I'm hoping that saying that here may help folks prepare themselves. The reality of it is beyond description. I can't even describe it to myself, even though I am in the process of trying to do so.

But I have come to learn (actually doing so just this past weekend as I traversed the forests of Upstate NY near Cortland) that: (1) the past is forever part of me. (2) the present blesses me with people who want to be connected to me, and with whom I choose to be connected. (3) The future is crafted by realities 1 & 2, for me.

So, "Retirement. How do [I] like it?" A whole new reality of it began on January 14, 2019, at 1:08pm. Figuring it all out is, apparently, for me, an ongoing project, one which changes daily.
Murph

[Tranz4mr]

Murph
Thanks for the wisdom. I guess it's human instinct to not think about certain scenarios. I always assume it will be me that passes first due to my being a bit older and experiencing 45 years of work related stress. The other option would not be fun or easy at all.
Sorry for your loss.
Kent

[up148]

UP,
How far was your move?
Are you in a different area now from when you were working?

Moved back to the KCMO area, where wife and I grew up. Moved from OKC area, where we moved to, so we could start our business in 2006

[up148]

The really, really odd part about being retired, now, is that I had not ever imagined being here alone in my retirement. Totally unexpected. Not anticipated in the slightest

That scares me horribly! I'm sure I would survive, but I can't imagine being alone after 44+ years together. I understand your loss and pain, although it's impossible for anyone to feel it as you do.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Tranz4mr and up148, Thanks for the reach-back and expressing your understanding.
Murph

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Just whatever you do after retirement, do something that you enjoy and that occupies your time otherwise your retirement will not last very long.

[rex desilets]

Truth

[up148]

I will. Lots of projects around the house that ought to take a few years anyway. And, we have lots of little artsy things we've always wanted to try like stain glass, wood working (have many tools already) and others.

PLUS...............TRAINS and the old vette!

[rogruth]

I will. Lots of projects around the house that ought to take a few years anyway. And, we have lots of little artsy things we've always wanted to try like stain glass, wood working (have many tools already) and others.

PLUS...............TRAINS and the old vette!

But these things are just as easy to put off now as when you were working.

[up148]

I will. Lots of projects around the house that ought to take a few years anyway. And, we have lots of little artsy things we've always wanted to try like stain glass, wood working (have many tools already) and others.

PLUS...............TRAINS and the old vette!

But these things are just as easy to put off now as when you were working.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I will. Lots of projects around the house that ought to take a few years anyway. And, we have lots of little artsy things we've always wanted to try like stain glass, wood working (have many tools already) and others.

PLUS...............TRAINS and the old vette!

Good to see the word "we" in that list of things - we just got done rebuilding an old metal stool; dissembled, paint remover and all the fun of taking it down to the clean metal and then cutting a new seat, painting the parts, reassembly with the new seat. SWMBO'd is happy with it and it's in the kitchen for the foreseeable future.

Next up is a large Mission style chair that needs restoration and reupholstering. Should be "fun"!

[chuck]

Stained glass can be enjoyable. The primary tools are not that numerous, really good cutter, running pliers, and a "stone" to take the edge off fresh cuts. You can get grozzing pliers later and a grinder if you really get into it.

Main bad news is the price of the glass has doubled in the last few years as primary suppliers have closed up shop and remaining ones as focusing on glass for "slumping". This involves a technique using a kiln to fuse layers of glass. The glass itself has to have different properties to deal with the reheating and it makes it way more expensive.