The Class of 2011

[NeverBored]

recently visited a child hood friend that used to work on cars with me, and we worked on my vetted together, just like old times. I know it sounds silly to some, but I had a great time re connecting with this buddy in this manner.

Doesn't sound silly at all. DH has really fond memories of his teen-aged car buddies. He has new car buddies now, but still talks about the old days.

 

[NookWine-n-Tinker]

Life After ER

I think the secret will be having other pursuits, whether it be volunteering, hobbies, honey dos, or some part time work that you enjoy. I may consult in the short term a few days a week if it helps during the transition period, but escaping over the wire without shots from the guard towers makes me think twice about going back in! The key will be not spending days on end in navel contemplation.

Lots to do around the house and two motorcycles to get out and enjoy life. Being able to make the meetinga, organized rides and be avaialble to anyone that wants to pre-ride a route has great appeal. Kudos to those that have preceded us and keep the failth for those to follow. Also thinking about working in a tasting room. They pay may be low or zero, but the fringe benefits are a bonus.

Fitting as I am writing this listening to iTunes, old blues eyes is belting out "My Way". We who ER are the assertive ones.

 

[Midpack]

And with this add, we now have a class of 50!!!
Congrats and welcome aboard slj455...

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chas57006 & DW (a twofer) (57) 6/30
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
crispus (56) 2/?
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
gsparks2 (55) 8/1
heirloom (61½) 6/1
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
jerryo (61) 8/31
JJPIES60 (51) 7/15
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
norske69 (59) 6/13
nvestysly DW (48) Jan
nvestysly (52) 7/8
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Skye (62) 1/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/16
Sullidc (58) 1/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
zaqxsw (57) 8/12

 

[zaqxsw]

We need to get this up to 55 members, the mid of all of the ages!

Wow, do you want to see an example of "one more year"? Here is a post I made over 4 1/2 years ago..................... Found it using the search function, as I had forgot I had made it:

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f26/thinking-daily-about-it-now-23658.html

Boy, finding this took every doubt, anxiety, and worry out of me.

Just goes to show how easy it is NOT TO pull the trigger because of those things! Ya know, just one more year........

 

[slj455]

Thanks for the welcome

And thanks for keeping the roster.

It is good to know all around the country there are classmates who are sharing this experience.

 

[Packman]

We need to get this up to 55 members, the mid of all of the ages!

Wow, do you want to see an example of "one more year"? Here is a post I made over 4 1/2 years ago..................... Found it using the search function, as I had forgot I had made it:

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f26/thinking-daily-about-it-now-23658.html

Boy, finding this took every doubt, anxiety, and worry out of me.

Just goes to show how easy it is NOT TO pull the trigger because of those things! Ya know, just one more year........

Zaq, I read your post from 5 years ago. How did you ever make it this long? Once I got serious about pulling the trigger, I made the final decision in about 4 or 5 months. Can't imagine going 5 years in a job that was intolerable (though mine was no piece of cake for the last year or so).

Only a month and a half left. How are doing as the date draws nearer - excited, concerned?

 

[zaqxsw]

I am just utterly excited! It's Friday evening on the eve of my traditional two week vacation where I become a human again after a decompression period of 2-3 days. DW verifies this fact.

I can't wait until that period doesn't get juiced back up again into the insanity I've live with for so long!

Five weeks left of work when I return. No doubts, no hestitation, very few concerns except it will be a huge change......... for the better!!!

 

[steelyman]

I am just utterly excited! It's Friday evening on the eve of my traditional two week vacation where I become a human again after a decompression period of 2-3 days. DW verifies this fact.

I can't wait until that period doesn't get juiced back up again into the insanity I've live with for so long!

Five weeks left of work when I return. No doubts, no hestitation, very few concerns except it will be a huge change......... for the better!!!

Most excellent!

You and I seem to be traveling down parallel paths. I started a two-week vacation ("staycation") today, then will alternate weeks of being at work and on vacation until the happy day in August (so just three weeks left of actually working) - which I think is right behind you.

Enjoy your days off

 

[W2R]

That is what I did when I retired (back in 2009). I would work a week, and then take two weeks off, then repeat, as I approached the big day. It was a big help in adjusting to retirement, I thought.

 

[chas57006]

Well only 4 work days left.
July 1st I start my next career of doing what ever I want.

Woke up at 4:30 this morning and could not go back to sleep, going over all of the check lists in my head.
Is this the right thing to do, do I have enough money, what if I don't like retirement, what if I am bored, what if, what if, what if?

I know it is the right decision after 38 years (57) however this job is all I have ever done. DW is retireing same day so we will experience together.

Thanks to all on the board as your comments and experiences about retirement have helped me to know this is the right decision.

Will report back in a month or two and let everyone know how it is going.

Chas57006

 

[Packman]

DW is retireing same day so we will experience together.

Chas57006

That is really cool that you are both doing this on the same day - should make life much easier. My DW is planning to work another 4-5 years. Right now, I think she is a bit resentful of my ER - though she understands it was for the best and she wants to continue to work for a while, anyway. It is an adjustment for everyone in the household.

 

[Alan]

I'm going to be off-line for the next 8 days, during which time I see that 5 members will have ER'ed.

Congratulations ahead of time to those folks.

 

[steelyman]

Occasionally, I will use the "Who's Online" link that appears (in the web version) of the forums under "Quick Links". It is interesting to me because I often find people browsing topics that I would have never found otherwise.

I just came across this one, about retirement "phases" that I found particularly relevant to people such as us: The Magnificent Class of 2011.

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/phases-in-retired-life-48120.html

 

[Surewhitey]

We are now officially in the class of 2011. Wife gave notice and likely 8/5-ish is her last day; mine will be around Labor Day...how appropriate, huh?

We're headed to Mexico and trying it out for a year or two after traveling a few parks (driving some junk to Dallas to park at daughter's house). We'll be hitting at least 4 (Mammoth Lakes / Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier & Mt Rushmore & maybe Blanchard Springs in AR).

Hope to keep up my posts while SOB...

 

[Purron]

We are now officially in the class of 2011. Wife gave notice and likely 8/5-ish is her last day; mine will be around Labor Day...how appropriate, huh?

We're headed to Mexico and trying it out for a year or two after traveling a few parks (driving some junk to Dallas to park at daughter's house). We'll be hitting at least 4 (Mammoth Lakes / Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier & Mt Rushmore & maybe Blanchard Springs in AR).

Hope to keep up my posts while SOB...[/QUOTE

Yeah baby!

YouTube - ‪I'm Free x Rolling Stones‬‏

 

[steelyman]

Welcome! Sounds great, but I am stumped about what "SOB" refers to

I will add you and one of the class will update when you know your exact dates (and ages).

We are now officially in the class of 2011. Wife gave notice and likely 8/5-ish is her last day; mine will be around Labor Day...how appropriate, huh?

We're headed to Mexico and trying it out for a year or two after traveling a few parks (driving some junk to Dallas to park at daughter's house). We'll be hitting at least 4 (Mammoth Lakes / Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier & Mt Rushmore & maybe Blanchard Springs in AR).

Hope to keep up my posts while SOB...

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chas57006 & DW (a twofer) (57) 6/30
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
crispus (56) 2/?
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
gsparks2 (55) 8/1
heirloom (61½) 6/1
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
jerryo (61) 8/31
JJPIES60 (51) 7/15
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
norske69 (59) 6/13
nvestysly DW (48) Jan
nvestysly (52) 7/8
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Skye (62) 1/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/16
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Surewhitey (age?)9/5?
Surewhitey DW (age?) 8/5?
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
zaqxsw (57) 8/12

 

[steelyman]

Welcome! Sounds great, but I am stumped about what "SOB" refers to

Oh! I am guessing South Of the Border. I thought it might be a character reference .

 

[Surewhitey]

SOB = South Of the Border
We are 40 (me) & 46 Wifey.

 

[Surewhitey]

Oh! I am guessing South Of the Border. I thought it might be a character reference .

Sometimes it is on 101 in LA...

 

[steelyman]

Welcome to the class - SOB - enjoy your travels and it's fantastic you are able to swing it so early

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chas57006 & DW (a twofer) (57) 6/30
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
crispus (56) 2/?
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
gsparks2 (55) 8/1
heirloom (61½) 6/1
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
jerryo (61) 8/31
JJPIES60 (51) 7/15
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
norske69 (59) 6/13
nvestysly DW (48) Jan
nvestysly (52) 7/8
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Skye (62) 1/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/16
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Surewhitey (40) 9/5?
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5?
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
zaqxsw (57) 8/12

 

[Surewhitey]

Thanks! Hopefully it is for a long time. If not, I'll have no regrets at least trying it, right?

 

[steelyman]

Thanks! Hopefully it is for a long time. If not, I'll have no regrets at least trying it, right?

You betcha. You only go around once! Let us know how things go .

 

[casky]

Well I made it as my day finally arrived. I have waited for the last 40 years for this day and yet when it came it was a bit of a let down. I mean I am excited, releived, happy and all but somehow I expected more reaction in my head. I was expecting to feel something inside and yet the day came and went like any other day.

I am not sure I am clear here but maybe those who have retired can understand. The last month was busy with a few parties and getting everything in order so perhaps I have not had time to sit back and take it all in and maybe it has not set in yet. I am super happy and anxious to start this chapter in my life.

As James Brown said:


I feel good like I knew that I wouldn't
I feel good, baby like I knew that I wouldn't
So good

 

[Carnage]

Well I made it as my day finally arrived. I have waited for the last 40 years for this day and yet when it came it was a bit of a let down. I mean I am excited, releived, happy and all but somehow I expected more reaction in my head. I was expecting to feel something inside and yet the day came and went like any other day.

I am not sure I am clear here but maybe those who have retired can understand. The last month was busy with a few parties and getting everything in order so perhaps I have not had time to sit back and take it all in and maybe it has not set in yet. I am super happy and anxious to start this chapter in my life.

As James Brown said:


I feel good like I knew that I wouldn't
I feel good, baby like I knew that I wouldn't
So good

Maybe tomorrow with no work will feel better?

 

[steelyman]

Congratulations, Casky!

afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Arnie (55) 7/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
bizlady (55) 4/11
bob boag (55) 7/1
casky (58) 6/29
chas57006 & DW (a twofer) (57) 6/30
chinaco (55)
cj (56) 5/1
crispus (56) 2/?
dessert (60) 3/31
frugal-one (??)
gsparks2 (55) 8/1
heirloom (61½) 6/1
heyduke (55) 3/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
jimbohoward69 (41)
jerryo (61) 8/31
JJPIES60 (51) 7/15
JmfromTx (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
KingB DW (63) 4/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
norske69 (59) 6/13
nvestysly DW (48) Jan
nvestysly (52) 7/8
NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
Packman (54) 5/31
Prototype (55) 1/15
Purron DH (55) 3/1
REattempt (46) 7/30
RunningBum (49) 3/15
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Skye (62) 1/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
steelyman (53) 8/16
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Surewhitey (40) 9/5?
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5?
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
zaqxsw (57) 8/12