Saturday, November 22, 2014

Finally, Done With Work--Hurray!

We are beginning a new phase of our life together since my hubby's last day of work was Friday.  He turns 62 on December 3 and will put off taking any Social Security, but he couldn't wait to be done with work.  After working at the same warehouse for over 40 years he is ready to take it easy and certainly deserves it!  Sue (a friend and temporary co-worker) surprised him with a big cookie earlier in the week and one of the guys took him to lunch at Manners--a favorite restaurant of his since he was a kid. 

This is a picture of one happy guy with his retirement gifts:  a fancy wristwatch and a Manners Big Boy Bobblehead, wearing his high school t-shirt in honor of them winning last night and coming one more game closer to the State Championship.  He also got a juicy check we were not expecting (which he already gave to me) that we deposited into our savings account today. 

Finally, he brought home half a sheet cake from Giant Eagle to share with me!  It is very good so we won't have to buy any bakery for a while.

Here is a list of some things he says he will not miss:

1)  Driving to and from work every day, especially in bad weather.

2)  Eating lunch and taking breaks only at specific times each day.

3)  Being stuck inside on nice days.

4)  Getting so dirty every day and all the heavy lifting.

5)  Listening to the same radio station all day long Monday through Friday.

Here is a list of some things he looks forward to:

1)  Not having to juggle the cars back and forth and leaving one out in the drive all night.  We got a $5,509 check Thursday for selling our KIA to save on insurance and repairs.

2)  Being home with the pets more, especially Abby Dabby Doo and taking her for an extra walk each day.

3)  Not having to rush to get all his housework done.

4)  Having more time in the spring and summer to work in the yard.

5)  Visiting the zoo more often on weekdays and hanging out at the library.

6)  Maybe volunteering to be a dog walker for the Parma animal shelter.

7)  Being able to stay up later to watch his sports teams when they have night games.

8)  Not having to get up at 4:15 a.m. during the week.

I am so happy for him and glad that we are able to manage on just one salary and our savings.  It will be nice having him home to run errands or be there when repairmen have to come.  It will definitely be nice not hearing him moan when it's time to get up every morning.  Since we are now down to just one car, he has agreed to be my helper in my Sunday School class, at least until the weather gets nice again when he may choose to walk home earlier.  But for now, I'm glad to have him! 

HAPPY RETIREMENT, GERARD!  I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY I CAN JOIN YOU!

Share this:

10 comments:

BeadedTail said...

Happy Retirement Gerard! Enjoy all your extra time especially with Abby and Karen! Being a dog walker for shelter dogs is a fabulous idea! The dogs will love that!

Sandee said...

Happy retirement Gerard. You'll love not having to work anymore. Way to go.

Have a fabulous weekend and on Monday you can sleep in. :)

Summer said...

It sounds like Gerard has lots of good times ahead!

Unknown said...

As the sun sets on your working life. It is a New Beginning for you. It is Time to have fun and enjoy life now. Let the years ahead be filled with all the things you've looked forward to. Happy Retirement my forever friend and may it be the best time of your life!

Junk Drawer Kathy said...

Tell Gerard how happy we are for him. I hope my husband and I can figure out a plan like yours (he's 13 yrs older than me and is close to deciding whether to retire now or later). I would love for us to be down to one car and more importantly, have him relax a bit now, as Gerard can do. The rat race is for rats! Really, so happy for Gerard. What a blessing!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Congratulations Gerard!

Lin said...

Congratulations, Gerard! May you enjoy your time away from the rat race and begin to LIVE your REAL life!! You will love having the time to do the things you want to do and to not have to rush anymore.

I had a friend who was retired and he'd say: The only downside of retirement? No days off. ;)

I am envious of your new life!

Karen said...

Thanks all, today is his first official day of retirement. He is in such a good mood this morning!

Gattina said...

Good idea, but it will be a big change in both of your lives, sometimes more than expected !

Unknown said...

Gerard, congratulations on your 40 years of dedication to the job. You have earned your retirement. But just so you know, because you no longer have an iron-clad alibi for not volunteering for anything and everything people can think of, you will now be busier than ever before. Life is short. Eat dessert first.
Blessings as we celebrate Emanuel--God with us.

Post a Comment