Got up early and went to the gym for a needed workout this morning. Its tough slogging through the cold to this place where most of the equipment is partially functionally, the wi-fi connection is lousy and I cannot listen to the music I like on Pandora.
Wife is functional but struggling with a respiratory infection for about a month and finally went to the family doctor yesterday. One of the good things about retirement is Medicare (which we pay for at least in part). Doctor visits are covered, no out of pocket expenses. Hopefully the stuff he prescribed will help her feel better.
Working my part time job today at Staples. It is physically and mentally demanding but probably helpful to my body and psyche. Have been working 3 days during the holiday season. The money is good but I am exhausted by the end of the week.
Planning lunches/breakfasts with buddies to give myself something to look forward to. The human interaction is helpful, along with the opinions and thoughts of others. With all the email and small communications, conversations, the eyeball to eyeball kind are missing. It is easy to miss the visual inferences with writing only.
We are having our grand kids and daughter over for a rollicking New Years Eve celebration. All will clunk out early except for my grand daughter, she will go the distance.
Going to a Jazz club with my son Andrew on Jan 14th. Perplexed on what to where. Cannot look too casual. I know we will have a great time. We are close. Mostly with him I listen because he has opinions on every subject. In some ways we see the world in a like manner.
I tried to communicate with my former workmates with some success. They all sound well. My replacement is a girl about 1/3rd of my age. I remember her and am sure she is competent. Truly, it would be weird walking in there now. I would really feel out of place. I am starting to feel like this is the way life has been, small tasks interrupted by spurts of employment. I am sleeping more now, not using an alarm clock. I still fall asleep in front of the TV at night, much to the dismay of my understanding spouse. I think we are going out to lunch before i head off to sell pencils and notebook paper.
all for now
Friday, December 30, 2016
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Month of December
December 7
Another day at the fitness center, feeling all of my 66 years. I got thru it but that's it, no inspiration at all. My wife got to care for our newest grandson Paxton yesterday solo. It seems to have gone terrific and we will be watching him along with our other grandkids Eli and Marie more in the coming months. Staples is requiring me to work more hours during this month because of holiday shoppers. I really can't fathom why any one would go to an office supply store for Christmas gifts but apparently they do. More hours is acceptable to me but not to my liking. But I am a team player and the folks I work with are a varied and interesting crew and somehow we all get along and work together well.
We have made a plan to travel to Florida for one of the weeks in January. At long last, we will be able to escape the Michigan winter for a little while when it is the worst. Dear friends have extended an invitation to stay with them for a week. Really looking forward to this.
Out president elect has chosen a crew of cabinet members and advisors that mirror his view and desires. Most of which see the world different than I. I fear for our country. All the progress made in human and civil rights is about to be nullified it seems. We are headed back to the Fifties. There is talk of replacing Medicare with vouchers and tapping into Social Security. It seems that the rich will become richer and those of us in the working class will be footing the bill on needed programs, only to allow tax breaks and eliminating taxes on those that can best afford them. The are called "job creators". In my experience, the rich guys keep the money.
all for now
Another day at the fitness center, feeling all of my 66 years. I got thru it but that's it, no inspiration at all. My wife got to care for our newest grandson Paxton yesterday solo. It seems to have gone terrific and we will be watching him along with our other grandkids Eli and Marie more in the coming months. Staples is requiring me to work more hours during this month because of holiday shoppers. I really can't fathom why any one would go to an office supply store for Christmas gifts but apparently they do. More hours is acceptable to me but not to my liking. But I am a team player and the folks I work with are a varied and interesting crew and somehow we all get along and work together well.
We have made a plan to travel to Florida for one of the weeks in January. At long last, we will be able to escape the Michigan winter for a little while when it is the worst. Dear friends have extended an invitation to stay with them for a week. Really looking forward to this.
Out president elect has chosen a crew of cabinet members and advisors that mirror his view and desires. Most of which see the world different than I. I fear for our country. All the progress made in human and civil rights is about to be nullified it seems. We are headed back to the Fifties. There is talk of replacing Medicare with vouchers and tapping into Social Security. It seems that the rich will become richer and those of us in the working class will be footing the bill on needed programs, only to allow tax breaks and eliminating taxes on those that can best afford them. The are called "job creators". In my experience, the rich guys keep the money.
all for now
Monday, November 21, 2016
Andrew's birthday and return from the garden state
November 21
Today is Andrew's birthday. He is 36 and a great father and husband. I recall the thrill of his birth and his well being. I ran down the hall at Beaumont jumping up and down. My mother fainted and my father in law had to hold her up. I couldn't believe he was so perfect. I still think he is. If I had any good characteristics as a father, it came out in him.
Just returned from and extended visit to my sister and brother in law's in NJ. I got to really get acquainted with my great nephew, Kennan. What a swell kid, with immeasurable energy.
I am still feeling damaged from my mother's passing on October 4th. It hasn't shown itself overtly yet, but I know its coming. She was a huge force in my life and although her age was advancing, cannot get used to her being gone.
As the cold Michigan weather is upon us, this is the first time I won't have to get up for work and slog through the snow and ice and endure the temperatures. Finally....a real positive aspect to retirement is showing.
I am working today and tomorrow. I saw my boss yesterday and he helped me get at good discount on a laptop for my niece, really a good guy.
I am writing this blog not so much as a road map to retirement but to discuss daily life in this state. If it helps someone out, so be it. Mostly, it is my outlet for writing my thoughts.
This election and its aftermath has thrown me for a loop. With my progressive leanings, I feel that my speaking will put me in front of the 2016 version of the McCarthy Hearings. "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the liberal left?" I was not that big of a Hillary fan. The president elect and I would not see policies or American direction in the same way. More and more, it seems that the electorate was voting against a candidate vehemently rather than for someone that they could absolute support with enthusiasm.
We will be going to the fitness center this morning to beat off 9 days of overeating and a lack of exercise. It is 27 degrees outside and this will be a tough morning at the gym.
all for now
Today is Andrew's birthday. He is 36 and a great father and husband. I recall the thrill of his birth and his well being. I ran down the hall at Beaumont jumping up and down. My mother fainted and my father in law had to hold her up. I couldn't believe he was so perfect. I still think he is. If I had any good characteristics as a father, it came out in him.
Just returned from and extended visit to my sister and brother in law's in NJ. I got to really get acquainted with my great nephew, Kennan. What a swell kid, with immeasurable energy.
I am still feeling damaged from my mother's passing on October 4th. It hasn't shown itself overtly yet, but I know its coming. She was a huge force in my life and although her age was advancing, cannot get used to her being gone.
As the cold Michigan weather is upon us, this is the first time I won't have to get up for work and slog through the snow and ice and endure the temperatures. Finally....a real positive aspect to retirement is showing.
I am working today and tomorrow. I saw my boss yesterday and he helped me get at good discount on a laptop for my niece, really a good guy.
I am writing this blog not so much as a road map to retirement but to discuss daily life in this state. If it helps someone out, so be it. Mostly, it is my outlet for writing my thoughts.
This election and its aftermath has thrown me for a loop. With my progressive leanings, I feel that my speaking will put me in front of the 2016 version of the McCarthy Hearings. "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the liberal left?" I was not that big of a Hillary fan. The president elect and I would not see policies or American direction in the same way. More and more, it seems that the electorate was voting against a candidate vehemently rather than for someone that they could absolute support with enthusiasm.
We will be going to the fitness center this morning to beat off 9 days of overeating and a lack of exercise. It is 27 degrees outside and this will be a tough morning at the gym.
all for now
Monday, November 14, 2016
week in the garden state
November 14
We are in New Jersey visiting our sister and brother in law for this week. I am getting to know my great nephew better and he is less shy around me which makes me very happy.
but the truth of the matter is I AM EATING TOO MUCH and all the wrong stuff. I am eating with abandon, like I am going to the electric chair as my father in law liked to say.
Still thinking about what retirement means to me, trying to understand what I am supposed to be. Now older and less attractive than ever, with body functions reduced, I am contemplating a less than rosy future.
I have been discussing financial decisions with my brother in law and we are both trying to tell our kids the merits of saving at least a portion of their incomes.
Not many more insights to share today. Its lovely outside with sunshine and moderate temperatures. I will go out and try to enjoy
all for now
We are in New Jersey visiting our sister and brother in law for this week. I am getting to know my great nephew better and he is less shy around me which makes me very happy.
but the truth of the matter is I AM EATING TOO MUCH and all the wrong stuff. I am eating with abandon, like I am going to the electric chair as my father in law liked to say.
Still thinking about what retirement means to me, trying to understand what I am supposed to be. Now older and less attractive than ever, with body functions reduced, I am contemplating a less than rosy future.
I have been discussing financial decisions with my brother in law and we are both trying to tell our kids the merits of saving at least a portion of their incomes.
Not many more insights to share today. Its lovely outside with sunshine and moderate temperatures. I will go out and try to enjoy
all for now
Thursday, November 10, 2016
the begining.....what am I supposed to do now
November 10, 2016
My name is Jerry. I terminated my employment of 28 years on April 1st of this year. It was a good job not making me wealthy but paying the bills and at some times inspiring. I wanted to start this blog to work through this transition in my life and maybe sharing some useful information with others, mainly men in my position to help with their move into retirement.
First, when you are accustomed to waking up very early, preparing and moving through your day and now that it is stopped, what do you do with yourself? Still arising at some ungodly hour, little to do and not much to accomplish, time is your challenge. You have been away from your spouse for most of the waking hours of you life, and frankly she us used to that. Now you are sitting across from the breakfast table, looking at each other. Being married over 40 years, aside from occasions, we ate breakfast separately and she likes her quiet time without and questions (of any kind).
I have no answers on this one, which leads me to another issue, relationships. Your spouse and you will put your relationship to the test as well because you are dealing with each other with more time than ever. How does everyone stay happy or at least contented? None of this easy. It takes work ont the part of both parties.
On another side and a different topic, I am disheartened with the results of the recent election, but I will get thru it, feeling better than I did yesterday.
all for now
My name is Jerry. I terminated my employment of 28 years on April 1st of this year. It was a good job not making me wealthy but paying the bills and at some times inspiring. I wanted to start this blog to work through this transition in my life and maybe sharing some useful information with others, mainly men in my position to help with their move into retirement.
First, when you are accustomed to waking up very early, preparing and moving through your day and now that it is stopped, what do you do with yourself? Still arising at some ungodly hour, little to do and not much to accomplish, time is your challenge. You have been away from your spouse for most of the waking hours of you life, and frankly she us used to that. Now you are sitting across from the breakfast table, looking at each other. Being married over 40 years, aside from occasions, we ate breakfast separately and she likes her quiet time without and questions (of any kind).
I have no answers on this one, which leads me to another issue, relationships. Your spouse and you will put your relationship to the test as well because you are dealing with each other with more time than ever. How does everyone stay happy or at least contented? None of this easy. It takes work ont the part of both parties.
On another side and a different topic, I am disheartened with the results of the recent election, but I will get thru it, feeling better than I did yesterday.
all for now
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