A New Spring

[msb]

Looking forward to Spring this year, which starts in earnest  early next month around  here. For the first time in 47 years, I will have no  holiday scheduling and deadlines or other work committments to concern myself with,  having officially retired at the end of 2021 after the last 36 years with the same company.
Head out for a day ride, come back in a week...or two...or three...or? Head out with the camper  and set up camp at a lake or stream close to our daughters' and now 3 granddaughters' places up in central and northern BC for a week...or two...or three...or?  More time to tinker on and polish the old Valk and older Wing and find new roads or re-discover old ones, more time to hang out with old friends, learn new songs and get better at guitar, hit my favorite fishing streams and try out new ones...and most importantly, more time to be a part of our daughters' and granddaughters' lives other than mostly talking to them on the phone and What's App almost every day as I've done ever since they moved to other parts of the Province for their work.
Still getting used to it after this first month...waking up in the AM and not having to make critical decisions, solve problems, and be responsible for the fortunes of something other than myself and mine. My critical decisions will now be more to the tune of...ride or fish...North,  East, West, or South... or how best to at least appear I'm taking care of all the odd jobs around the house the also now equally retired Mrs is already starting to put a  long list together of (wish me luck on this last one )

[Jess from VA]

The thing to do with long lists of household chores, is to misplace them.  From time to time.   

[DIGGER]

Really glad for ya.  I been retired 6 yrs now.  Still wake up 4 - 5 am but love to watch tv and drink coffee in the mornings till around 8 am then start my day.   Unless the two school age gkids are going I try to hunt and fish during the week when there is less traffic on the local lakes and fewer people at the deer lease.   Best of all my choice of best weather days to ride my Valkyrie has expanded from 2 days on the weekends to 7 days a week.   You will love it.

[pais]

Congratulations to you msb!
"waking up in the AM and not having to make critical decisions, solve problems, and be responsible for the fortunes of something other than myself and mine"  So well put! I would like to add being a slave to a cell phone. Never able to really get away.
Enjoy and make the most of it!
28 months and counting here.

[mbramley]

 I wish you all the best. I have a couple of more years to go, CAN'T WAIT!  Hopefully you can keep the lists short, health good and Mrs Happy!

[hubcapsc]

I retired a few years ago after 35 years at the same place... there's
plenty to do around here, and I still work part-time (from home sitting
in this recliner)... I signed up for InZane, hope things line up! That's a
long ride from here...

-Mike

[..]

I've been kinda retired on and off for years but my move to Maggie Valley kicked in full time retirement apart from a self imposed to do list. If the list doesn't get done the only person who can complain is me!!!

[robin]

Welcome to the club

[DDT (12)]

Mike,

Congratulations for all reaching that milestone implies! This next chapter in your life could easily prove to be the best one of all, so follow that most attractive script you already have, then make adjustments as opportunities present themselves. You've done very well for yourself, and I'm looking forward to reading much more about your discoveries and new joys! Happy for ya that you've made it!!

DDT

[Whooray]

That's great Mike!  Wishing all the best to you and yours for these "retired" years.
I'm loving mine ,

[0leman]

Congrats on the retirement.   I pulled the plug 13 years ago.  Found that now I can ride when the weather suits me.  That part is great.   Yeah the "to do" list seems to be growing.   AND cell phone stays by my computer most of the time, except when going for a ride (DW's rules). 

Now can sleep in to 7 or so.  Took me about a year to change the getting up at 5, being to work at 6 routine.  Now, just enjoy sleeping in. 

[RP#62]

Congrats.  It is a wonderful feeling.  I pulled the plug in 2019 after 35 years at the same company and 48 years in the same industry.  It felt really strange not getting up and going to work at first, but you quickly get used to it.  You start wondering how you ever had time to work.

-RP

[John Schmidt]

Retirement...best job I've ever had. I worked until 66 and found out a new computer program for our work was coming down the pike so...g'bye. Hung it up April, 2004. Best decision ever.

[Jess from VA]

A New Spring

[Serk]

Spring is just around the corner.

[msb]

OK, this post has officially been hijacked, so may as well play along 

Spring has Sprung

[h13man]

"Spring, Sprong, Spring, Sprong..."  https://media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/n870zx86x

Yah I know, caffeine overload. 

[0leman]

Wow spring has sprung here in Souther OR.  We had 65 degree temps yesterday, broke the '95 record of 61.   Normal temps are upper 40's.   Yeah, went for a 140 mile enjoyable ride.  Weather is supposed to return to more normal temps on Sunday/Monday.