Retired on January 24. Felt like vacation for the first couple months. During that time I read about 10 books, and finally decided to "do something."
I went to my Outlook folder and organized my life with lists of tasks to be accomplished. I started on a routine that included weekly laundry, house cleaning, and other domestic tasks. All was well.
Weather warmed and my neighbors decided to start the routine walking. Have done 1.25+ miles most days since. Then the annual attempt to complete 13.1 miles I Indy. Training went well until the last week. On that Sunday I came down with the crud and laid on the couch from Sunday until Friday morning. Got up, packed and headed to Indy. Walked a lot of the "race" but finished in under 3 hours. Made a new friend along the way and talked and walked for 6 miles or so.
Returned to the homestead in time for mowing season to be in earnest. Then trips to California (visited 95-year-young uncle and cousin) and back and forth to Indiana - see mom, meet Frank (Doug and Sarah's new addition), and party with Ava for her 8th. Back home to mow (Memorial Day weekend).
Uncle (Michigan) hospitalized in March, broke hip, and then got really sick. He passed away on Monday (June 2). Flurry of calls, and finally a schedule for the services (June 20). All is well.
Oh yes, finally caved to the flurry of contacts by recruiters and took and interview at a cement plant in Louisville. Very nice plant, great folks. Waiting for a call from the plant manager.
Another disaster hit last week. Computer failure when cat deposited a glass of water on my main computer. The Internet was "unstable," cell phone didn't work well (and messages were not received), and a new computer was required. New computer this week, Windows 8.1 to be learned, and slowly getting back on my feet.
As for retirement - fraught with visits from mice in the house (and me hyperventilating while on a chair trying to get cats to take care of the problem), lost task list and non-accomplished week, and now another race to train for (Alaska - marathon - late July/early August). Oh yes, and perhaps a project in the offing late summer/early fall. Project work in retirement - YES! Full-time employment - I don't think so (but can be open minded).
I am beginning to see why folks say they can't figure out how they ever had time to work. It isn't time, it is the preference to do other things - like site on one's porch, drinking coffee and typing an overdue blog during a pleasant morning. Much better than hard hat and safety glasses.
"It's not about speed and gold medals. It's about refusing to be stopped." - Amby Burfoot
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