There is a lot to look forward to in 2012. At the top of the list for me is that this year will have me on the road to retirement. As of July I will quit working full time. I have a hard time thinking of myself as "retired" but the idea of no longer working full time has a lot of appeal for me. I will have the opportunity to work, doing the same job, on a part time basis, when and where I choose, so I will probably do that at least for a while.
As with most any big change in our lives, I have some mixed feelings about this change. I know that I can fill my time but I feel a little challenged about how I will fill it in a productive way. I'm not an artist or a gardener and any attempt I have made at doing crafts has been mostly a disaster. I do have 7 grandchildren and spending more time with them and being able to share more in their lives is one of the things I am really looking forward to.
I guess I'll just try to look toward it in the best way I know how....with a little humor.
Retirement is wonderful. It's doing nothing without worrying about getting caught at it.
The money's no better in retirement but the hours are.
I enjoy waking up and not having to go to work. So I do it three or four times a day.
The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.
Now I need to go start looking for some hobbies.
I love my retirement. I babysat my grandchildren until they were teens. I love being able to sleep in, and have all day to do what I want to do. I will say I went through some boredom, but then I found Blogger and I spend a lot of time reading and writing, which I love to do. I have other hobbies too and of course the housework and cooking is still there. I'm sure you will enjoy your retirement too!
ReplyDeleteI bet you will find plenty to do...especially with those grand babies...
ReplyDeleteGreat decision, Jeanie! I like too that you can continue to work part-time when and if you want to. Maybe you can find something you enjoy doing with volunteer work? What I like though is you are thinking ahead with what you want to do after you retire, not just retire and then think "what next?" I'm sure it will be an exciting journey for you come July!
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Congrats on retirement! I bet those hobbies find you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Jeanie! The biggest challenge is boredom. But I was bored when I was working, too. Lol.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jeanie! It's wonderful to have to option to stop working. Going part-time and easing into it is a good idea and I wish I'd retired that way too. Too much free time all at once was bewildering to me and very, very quiet all of a sudden.
ReplyDeleteSo take your time and enjoy having more time for yourself. I bet you find your days fill up pretty fast and that you might even discover a hobby or new interest or two.
Wishing you a happy, happy 2012. xo jj
Congratulations! I think it's a good plan to retire before you reach the point where you can't be very active. You are going to love it, I am sure! I'm looking forward to seeing more blog posts from you, for one thing! ;)
ReplyDeleteGee, I had visions of grandeur in this simple brain of mine when I retired from the classroom.
ReplyDeleteYep, long bubbly baths, readin' on the deck just watchin' the birds play in the birdbath. Sooooo much time with the grands. Heck, I thought I'd have time on my hands.
Then I retired but became busier than I've ever been in my long stinkin' life. 'Don't know how I worked all day and got everything done. What can I say...the Ponderosa is a very busy place. Heeehehehe!!!
Hopefully you'll have one of those wonderful retirements that go as dreamed. Truly...CONGRATULATIONS!!!
God bless ya sweet Jeanie and have a great day!!!
I worked part-time before I retired, and then I let two things take up huge chunks of time: grandkids and blogging/reading blogs. A friend who was nervous about unstructured time immediately signed up for a class or two, and found new interests in the process. Enjoy the transition; I think you'll love it.
ReplyDeleteI worried about retiring too. But the weird thing is your life just fills up with other things. I don't much garden or paint either. But somehow, my days are full anyway. You're going to love it. Honest!
ReplyDeleteWorking part-time sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHave you thought of taking up photography, for example?
You will be so amazed at how much fun being retired can be. I have not worked over one year now and I love it. I hope I never have to work again. There are many opportunities to continue to learn and grow as a person as well as the social aspects, as in your case more time with grands.
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked I seemed to spend more as well. Not enough time to cook all the time so take out was handy. And not as healthy either. And I needed clothes for work. I am so much more relaxed now and if I wake up early and don't feel like getting up yet I can go back to bed for an hour without guilt. There are many more good things too, which you yourself will discover.
Don't worry, Jeanie - your days will fill themselves and you'll begin to wonder how you ever had time to work!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how jealous I am. I've been talking to Mr. Fairway for a good long time about me taking leave from teaching, and he says I must be taking leave from my senses. Hope 2012 is all you hope for, and more!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I have a ways to go before I can retire and am looking forward to it, but who knows as it gets closer I may have 2nd thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIf all goes well and I stay on schedule, I'll be a year behind you in August. I don't know that I want to retire, but work seems more and more stressful and I sometimes feel like the fun part of life is passing me by. I long for time to do more art, more writing, more travel and while I can still do it and hopefully be healthy. We'll see. But I must admit, I may not be totally green with envy, but there's a bit of chartreuse going on over here!
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