Four weeks from today, I’ll be retired. For several months, I’ve teased my co-workers that I’m going to sit on my front porch that first morning, take a photo of the sunrise, and text them with the message, “This is what I’m doing today.
With my luck, it will probably be pouring down rain, but that’s okay because we desperately need it. We’re in a severe drought right now, somewhat reminiscent of the summer of 2011.
Not quite as bad, but still cause for concern.
Anyway, back to retirement. I began planning this around mid-December. One of my co-workers, who had planned for years, is retiring the same day. When I returned from a week’s vacation in early January, we had something like thirty-three weeks until the big day, and now it’s down to four.
I’ve come to one conclusion. Retiring, or planning for retirement, is hard work. I’ve already turned over most of my job duties to others, so the work days seem long. One thing I can say about my job is that it never got boring. There was always plenty to do and new challenges every day. (When I interviewed, I said I wanted a challenging job. I got my wish.)
Still, there are days when I come home mentally exhausted. Maybe it’s because I’m trying to finish the last of my collection of short stories. Yes, I’m behind, and yes, I still plan to publish them this year. It’s looking like an October release date. I have a title and a cover, but more on that later.
I continue plugging along on my stories and plodding along on my remaining work days. I’m looking forward to not having to wake up to an alarm clock, although I’ll need to train my four-legged alarm clock not to wake me at 5:00.
I want to get back on a more regular blog schedule (something besides book reviews). I already have some plans in the works, but I’m not rushing anything. At first, I want to enjoy scenes like this:
Both views are from my front porch. Obviously not taken this year because everything was green.
One of the short stories in my collection had the working title The House on Baker Street. The name, but not the story, was inspired by this song written and recorded by the late Gerry Rafferty. I’ll leave you with a video.
52 Responses
One of the things my retired brothers and I joke about is how did we ever find the time to work? I pictured a short-term honeymoon phase after I retired, but I’m still riding the wave. It’s wonderful to wake up happy each day without a million things to worry about. The only ones I know unhappy in retirement are those without hobbies/interests. I also love having the time to volunteer for the causes important to me. I loved my job, but this phase is pretty sweet, Joan.
I’m looking forward to it. My husband retired last year and he’s loving it. He’s done some volunteer work and keeps busy. He’s an extrovert, so I thought he’d have a tough time adjusting, but his hobbies and interests keep him busy.
I’ll miss my coworkers, but as I told our IT director yesterday, I’m looking forward to this new phase in life. Years ago my brother (who is 12 years older) told me that I would know when the time was right. He was correct. A year ago, I hadn’t planned this, but in December, I knew I was ready.
I couldn’t wait to retire, and I haven’t been disappointed, Joan. To finally be in control of my days was and still is, bliss.
Thanks for Baker Street, it’s one of my all time favourites.
“To be in control of my days.” I love that, and I look forward to being able to do that. Yep, Baker Street is a good one!.
That saxophone riff is like a live wire!
It’s fantastic!
I can’t believe how fast those weeks have flown by, Joan! Wishing you all the best for retirement and, in the meantime, plenty of rain! Hugs 💕🙂
I know. First, it was eight months or 250+ days. Now it’s down to four weeks. I’m excited!
My health insurance keeps me from retiring and writing full-time. Four weeks will pass in a blink of an eye! Congratulations, Joan!
That makes a huge difference, Jill. Fortunately for me, The University of Texas will pay my insurance for life. I would be thinking differently if that wasn’t the case.
I remember the retirement countdown so well. These last weeks will pass quickly, Joan, and the final day might take you past your normal hours — just to finish up one more thing. It did for me. Hang in there! 🤗
Hopefully not too many hours that last day. I remember leaving my previous job, and I didn’t get everything accomplished that last day.
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement, Joan! I retired last year to write full-time, and I’m so glad I did. (Although I do have Pete’s question about how in the world I found time to work.)
I’ve heard other people say that, Liz. Congrats on your retirement as well. I’m looking forward to being able to write full time.
Thank you, Joan! It’s a little strange because I’m still heading to my desk promptly at nine, working all day, and putting in some overtime as well.
At least you’re disciplined. I’ll need to find a happy medium. I want to be flexible, but I also know what if I don’t set guidelines, I’ll never get anything done.
For me, it’s the knowledge of how many things I have planned to write and that I have more life behind me than ahead of me. It’s carpe diem time!
So excited for you. I have years left before I reach SS age. Baker Street was on every channel when I was in high school.
You’re a youngster. Fortunately for me, I have a good retirement plan that’s enabling me to retire “early.”
Baker Street is a classic!
I do, too. I’m stubborn enough to want SS on top of that. I’ve only paid into it since 1973.
I’m able to draw both. Not sure when I’ll apply for SS, but I’m eligible.
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement, and you are right. Everything in your life changes when that happens. Some things for the good, and some that are a real pain in the patoot! Mark was due to retire in December, too, but thanks to the stinking new owners of the management firm, he was pretty much pushed out in June. We have been scrambling like mad with everything, including insurance issues, that we thought we’d had a good handle on.
Here’s hoping your retirement goes MUCH more smoothly, and that you have loads of time to enjoy watching that sunrise every morning. BEAUTIFUL view from you porch, btw. I’ll do a rain dance for you if today turns out better than yesterday. If not, I’ll do a rain “shuffle,” instead. Whatever works! 🤗❤️🤗
Thanks, Marcia. Sorry about you hubby’s issues. We’ll take rain dances, shuffles, anything!
I’m shuffling all over the place today. Hope it starts clouding up SOON! 😂 And good luck getting back to your writing. I’m looking forward to your stories, and to getting back to writing, myself, before much longer. Happy Upcoming Retirement! 😊
I remember when you said you were retiring. So happy for you. We (hubby and I) are not old enough to retire yet. Looking forward to those days. I know I love sitting on my porch and relaxing, especially when it rains.
Congratulations and enjoy your retirement.
Thanks, Michele. I’ve worked since I was seventeen and have waited a long time for for this day. Time passes quickly.
With time passing quickly, it means once you retire, you need to slow down and enjoy. And good luck retraining your four legged friend. That will most likely never happen.
That’s true. He’s too set in his ways. I’m an early riser anyway, I just don’t want him waking me up at 5:00 every day! 😀
I remember those leading up to my final exit from the workplace and I am so excited for you. There is a whole new world waiting! You are right about the drought. It’s critical right now and yet we have one triple-digit day after the other. Sometimes it gets wearisome just to walk outside in the furnace. I’m looking forward to your short story collection. I know it will be worth the wait. Love the song you left us with!! Have a great day, Joan!
Thanks, Jan. This summer has been brutal. (I keep reminding myself of Snowmageddon and thinking it could be worse.)
Here’s hoping for fall weather soon.
Congratulations! Retirement is wonderful! I’m not a morning person, but my cat wakes me up every day between 5:00 and 6:00…..and then, I feed him and go back to bed:) The views from your porch are gorgeous.
Oh those fur babies! I do love mornings but I don’t want to wake up every day at 5:00. Too many years of having to do that.
Oh, we DO need rain! (I’m in Eastland Co.) It’ll hit 103 (again) today, and our yard is sand and sprouts of sticker weeds. Wildfires are a real concern. Good luck with your retirement exit plans.
I like that part of the state. We used to travel that way when my brother lived in Midland. Still have memories of climbing Ranger Hill.
You all had some bad fires earlier this year. The drought is scary.
BTW, if you’ve never stopped at the Smokestack in Thurber, you should give it a try.
I pass it all the time. It’s between our house and the daughter’s!
Going into my 11th year of retirement, I wish you well. The one thing I learned was to have plans and stick to them. So many folks who retire don’t do that and they are lost without their former lives. I wouldn’t go back for anything.
Thanks for the advice, John. I’m looking forward to being able to write full time, but I know I need a plan to discipline myself. Otherwise, I’ll waste time.
Yes indeed. Sad thing about wasting time is sometimes you don’t know it.
Congrats on the upcoming retirement, Joan:) You have a perfect porch view. I hope it offers a lot of inspiration to you.
I hope so too, Denise. Just to be able to sit outside, watch the sunrise, and listen to the birds chirp will be an inspiration.
Such an exciting time for you, Joan!! Congratulations!! I can’t wait to see what this next chapter has in store for you. <3
I’m looking forward to it, Mar!
Four weeks will go by fast, Joan. Show the photo of the sunrise from your porch to celebrate your day. I planned my retirement five years in advance. I’ve been so busy in my retired life but it’s fun busyness.
It will go fast, Miriam. I had a “moment” today when my supervisor turned in the final paperwork. I’ve planned this for months, and I’m looking forward to it, but I’ll miss my coworkers.
Rain or shine, I plan to take a photo that first morning.
We miss the social life at work but not the work when we retire. I’m happy for you, Joan.
Retirement is a lot of work,Joan, not only preparing for it, but on the other side as well. I’m busy all the time and hardly can catch my breath. Part of that is writing, of course, which I’m glad to hear you’ll continue. I look forward to your October release. 🙂
Diana, my mom always said she had more time before she retired! I hope to find a happy medium.
Even if you’re busy, it’s still worth it!
Wow that view is spectacular! Congratulations on retirement! Before you know it your days will be full of accomplishing things that bring you joy 🥰💪
Thank you, LaShelle. I am looking forward it!
Congrats on the upcoming retirement, Joan! These last four weeks will fly by – and then you should have a big blowout party full of Beatles music.
Thanks, Teri. Absolutely need Beatles music! I’m looking forward to this next phase in life.