The Class of 2011

[steelyman]

Midpack, you deserve to retire! Thank you for bringing us together in 2011!

 

[Beryl]

Count me in! Dec 29, 2011 was my last day on payroll. On Dec 6 they offered voluntary termination that along with my pension included two years pay plus medical and dental ins.
I had planned on working two more years, 64, but like the offer of two yrs pay.

Congrats! You made out like a bandit!

 

[Midpack]

region2 (55) 1/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Prototype (55) 1/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
Danijoh (63) 1/?
10 nvestysly DW (48) 1/?
crispus (56) 2/?
frugal-one (??) 2/24
JmfromTx (56) 2/25
heyduke (55) 3/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Purron DH (55) 3/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
RunningBum (49) 3/15
dessert (60) 3/31
20 Coolius (60) 4/1
KingB DW (63) 4/1
bizlady (55) 4/11
Queenie (55) 4/23
cj (56) 5/1
jimbohoward69 (41) 5/1
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
30 NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
Packman (54) 5/31
heirloom (61½) 6/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
thoreau (62) 6/10
thoreau DW (60) 6/10
norske69 (59) 6/13
casky (58) 6/29
CharlyB1 (54) 6/30
40 chas57006 (57) 6/30
chas57006 DW 6/30
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
bob boag (55) 7/1
RobertFrost (62) 7/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
nvestysly (52) 7/8
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
Arnie (55) 7/15
50 JJPIES60 (61) 7/15
freedom42 (43) 7/28
gsparks2 (55) 7/28
chinaco (55) 7/29
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
Paddy (60) 7/29
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5
sinjin (57) 8/7
zaqxsw (57) 8/12
steelyman (53) 8/16
60 mact0n (61) 8/26
jerryo (61) 8/31
REattempt (46) 8/31
Surewhitey (40) 8/31
Sparkie67 (43) 9/4
FreeAtLast (59) 9/21
Kachemak (52) 9/29
truenorth418 (47) 9/30
wishing4it (58) 10/7
lovinglife1 (55) 11/1
70 cocobird (55) 11/28
afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Tree-dweller (58) 11/30
deserat DH (45) 12/1
coloradoblonde (50) 12/16
BruceinGa (62) 12/29
Hnicols (55) 12/31

 

[Hnicols]

I believe so. A nice symmetrical number (I was tempted to say even but thought better of it).

But the more the merrier (even though a small part of me would still like to be the last one).

I don't think I am on the list of 75 so I may screw up your number. Hnicols (55) 12/31/11

 

[Midpack]

I don't think I am on the list of 75 so I may screw up your number. Hnicols (55) 12/31/11

I must be missing something, you're #76 of 76. Hopefully the Class of 2011 is set now...thanks.

 

[steelyman]

I might have missed something too, but did we somehow lose pb4uski? Maybe the final roster should number 77 (?)

 

[steelyman]

Guess I can fix this myself . Good to see such a huge list of happy people!

region2 (55) 1/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Prototype (55) 1/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
Danijoh (63) 1/?
10 nvestysly DW (48) 1/?
crispus (56) 2/?
frugal-one (??) 2/24
JmfromTx (56) 2/25
heyduke (55) 3/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Purron DH (55) 3/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
RunningBum (49) 3/15
dessert (60) 3/31
20 Coolius (60) 4/1
KingB DW (63) 4/1
bizlady (55) 4/11
Queenie (55) 4/23
cj (56) 5/1
jimbohoward69 (41) 5/1
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
30 NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
Packman (54) 5/31
heirloom (61½) 6/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
thoreau (62) 6/10
thoreau DW (60) 6/10
norske69 (59) 6/13
casky (58) 6/29
CharlyB1 (54) 6/30
40 chas57006 (57) 6/30
chas57006 DW 6/30
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
bob boag (55) 7/1
RobertFrost (62) 7/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
nvestysly (52) 7/8
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
Arnie (55) 7/15
50 JJPIES60 (61) 7/15
freedom42 (43) 7/28
gsparks2 (55) 7/28
chinaco (55) 7/29
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
Paddy (60) 7/29
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5
sinjin (57) 8/7
zaqxsw (57) 8/12
steelyman (53) 8/16
60 mact0n (61) 8/26
jerryo (61) 8/31
REattempt (46) 8/31
Surewhitey (40) 8/31
Sparkie67 (43) 9/4
FreeAtLast (59) 9/21
Kachemak (52) 9/29
truenorth418 (47) 9/30
wishing4it (58) 10/7
lovinglife1 (55) 11/1
70 cocobird (55) 11/28
afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Tree-dweller (58) 11/30
deserat DH (45) 12/1
coloradoblonde (50) 12/16
pb4uski (56) 12/23
BruceinGa (62) 12/29
Hnicols (55) 12/31

 

[cj]

Hey fellow 2012-ers - how is it going? I am fast approaching my 1 year date. My "official" date is 5/1, but my last w*rk date was April 26. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! And how busy I've been... It still crosses my mind occasionally to get a little part time, easy job somewhere close to home, but I usually get over it quickly. Frankly, I don't know how I'd fit it in!! The other thing is that this spring has been amazing, and spending time whenever I want going out for long walks has been great.

So, how's it going for the rest of you?

 

[zaqxsw]

Eight(8) months for me and still loving it!!! I have more things to do than time, so I consider that success. One of my numerous To Do lists is titled FUN To Do's. It's a long list.........

I just bought my long overdue boat in Feb., so getting to know it, rigging & maintaining it, and taking it out all over my part of the state has opened up a whole other world of hobbies. I haven't been on tools like this since I was a teenager working on motorcycles..........

Then there is the new RC airplane, bowflex, trap & skeet club, fishing in the new boat, etc.

I have occassional, fleeting thoughts early in the morning of "oh my god", what am I'm going to do? They always disappear with the first sip of coffee .

The down side to all of this is just what you said; time just flies by. Another thing I don't like is that somehow I still have occassional chores . Not many, but heck, if I'm truly going to be a kid again, I got to get rid of as many of those as I can.

 

[Midpack]

After 9+ months, surprisingly good so far. I feared I might get bored, and there have been times this winter that were a little slow due to weather, but overall I've been very busy. Loved summer, fall and now spring. Doing many of the same things I always did, just doing them more and much better. I've spent more time improving our house inside and out, and I'm proud of that. When I was working, I kept the house up to a lower standard. Lots of other things too. I was afraid I might spend more time watching TV and surfing the internet. Thankfully I watch very little TV, but I do spend more time on the internet than I probably should, but that's largely ya'lls fault.

I am sure the first big market downturn will test me, but I'm happy with my AA and I went through 87, 00 & 08 without balking or losing sleep, but had income then. On the plus side, I think I was pretty $ knowledgeable going into retirement, but I've learned quite a bit as well.

And I'd say there are real advantages and disadvantages to working and being retired. I'd consider them almost a draw. I have no regrets about leaving my first career after 35 years, and 18 in the last job - but I have not ruled out an encore career if I find something that really makes me jump out of bed in the morning. Not looking yet, hope to decide whether or not to relocate before even considering going back to work. YMMV

 

[Hnicols]

Three months and 18 days into retirement and I am exhausted. Camping, diving, cruising, surfing, skiing and hiking. Just finished today a two week hike of the Shenandoah national park (110miles with a pack, ouch) i am too old for this. Need to go back to work!

But when I am not sore, it is a blast!. So i might give this retirement stuff a little longer. But first I am taking a few days R&R, at least until blisters heal. And soon I need to learn how to take foot off the accelerator. It is retirement but I am still living it like a vacation.... Running from thing to thing. People tell me I will learn to slow down. Assume that is true......

 

[zaqxsw]

Hnicols,

Yep, slowing down seems to be a gradual step. Just this month, 8 months after retiring, can I sleep in until 6-6:30A!!! The first 8 months had me up anywhere from 4:30-5:30A every single day, raring to go do things. I would actually force myself to lay in bed until 5:30A......

I still struggle with the decision of "what to do". Don't know why, but it is different than being bored. I have this need to keep doing things all of the time, and I have too many choices. I spend time every morning weighing weather, schedule, etc. before planning out my day like I'm some kind of time mgmt. nut .

What I think it is is the old thinking of when if you had a nice day, and you weren't w*rking, you just had to try to make the most of it. It just doesn't feel right yet to kick back and "waste" a beautiful day!!!! Maybe I'll be OK with that too, a little further into FIRE. Just like sleeping in, which by the way, feels terrific !!!

 

[rescueme]

Three months and 18 days into retirement and I am exhausted...

Let me introduce you to my DW, who started her retirement on April 2nd.

I see less of her now than when she was employed ...

That's not a problem at all. The folks she knows say that she seems happier and not stressed at all, just in a few short weeks (thank goodness, I thought it was all caused by me )...

Retirement (at whatever age) seems to be a great "tonic".

 

[Hnicols]

Hnicols,

Yep, slowing down seems to be a gradual step. Just this month, 8 months after retiring, can I sleep in until 6-6:30A!!! The first 8 months had me up anywhere from 4:30-5:30A every single day, raring to go do things. I would actually force myself to lay in bed until 5:30A......

I still struggle with the decision of "what to do". Don't know why, but it is different than being bored. I have this need to keep doing things all of the time, and I have too many choices. I spend time every morning weighing weather, schedule, etc. before planning out my day like I'm some kind of time mgmt. nut .

What I think it is is the old thinking of when if you had a nice day, and you weren't w*rking, you just had to try to make the most of it. It just doesn't feel right yet to kick back and "waste" a beautiful day!!!! Maybe I'll be OK with that too, a little further into FIRE. Just like sleeping in, which by the way, feels terrific !!!

Good to know I am not the only one who is nuts. "I have this need to keep doing things all the time" sure describes me too. One of the reasons I went away hiking by myself. Was driving my wife crazy!

 

[REWahoo]

Good to know I am not the only one who is nuts. "I have this need to keep doing things all the time" sure describes me too. One of the reasons I went away hiking by myself. Was driving my wife crazy!

The "I must always be doing/accomplishing something syndrome" can be a terrible affliction. Thankfully no one in our household suffers from it other than DW on occasion - but she's learned to control it with a glass of wine - or two.

 

[pb4uski]

Almost 4 months for me and all is GREAT!!!

I'll admit that transitioning medical insurance, 401k, cash balance plans, etc from Megacorp has been more w*rk than I thought it would be but it is probably my own fault since I study things to death before making a decision.

There seemed to be a couple moments over the winter where boredom seemed around the corner, but then something popped up out of the blue that eliminated that concern. I'm glad that I did take the winter to have these pesky transitioning things out of way so I can more fully enjoy the summer. I recently joined a golf club and plan to golf a couple times a week (from a couple times a month) and I'm actually thinking that my game will improve (silly thought I am sure).

The great thing about being retired is doing more of what I want to do and not having w*rk intervene as it seemed to do at the most inopportune times.

Still not taking as many afternoon naps as I would like.

 

[eytonxav]

Let me introduce you to my DW, who started her retirement on April 2nd.

I see less of her now than when she was employed ...

That's not a problem at all. The folks she knows say that she seems happier and not stressed at all, just in a few short weeks (thank goodness, I thought it was all caused by me )...

Retirement (at whatever age) seems to be a great "tonic".

Congrats to you both! I am sure you will set a good example for DW of how to unwind in retirement

 

[ducky911]

Congratulations to our newest/last inductee Hnicols, that makes #76!

region2 (55) 1/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Prototype (55) 1/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
Danijoh (63) 1/?
10 nvestysly DW (48) 1/?
crispus (56) 2/?
frugal-one (??) 2/24
JmfromTx (56) 2/25
heyduke (55) 3/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Purron DH (55) 3/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
RunningBum (49) 3/15
dessert (60) 3/31
20 Coolius (60) 4/1
KingB DW (63) 4/1
bizlady (55) 4/11
Queenie (55) 4/23
cj (56) 5/1
jimbohoward69 (41) 5/1
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
30 NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
Packman (54) 5/31
heirloom (61½) 6/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
thoreau (62) 6/10
thoreau DW (60) 6/10
norske69 (59) 6/13
casky (58) 6/29
CharlyB1 (54) 6/30
40 chas57006 (57) 6/30
chas57006 DW 6/30
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
bob boag (55) 7/1
RobertFrost (62) 7/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
nvestysly (52) 7/8
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
Arnie (55) 7/15
50 JJPIES60 (61) 7/15
freedom42 (43) 7/28
gsparks2 (55) 7/28
chinaco (55) 7/29
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
Paddy (60) 7/29
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5
sinjin (57) 8/7
zaqxsw (57) 8/12
steelyman (53) 8/16
60 mact0n (61) 8/26
jerryo (61) 8/31
REattempt (46) 8/31
Surewhitey (40) 8/31
Sparkie67 (43) 9/4
FreeAtLast (59) 9/21
Kachemak (52) 9/29
truenorth418 (47) 9/30
wishing4it (58) 10/7
lovinglife1 (55) 11/1
70 cocobird (55) 11/28
afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Tree-dweller (58) 11/30
deserat DH (45) 12/1
coloradoblonde (50) 12/16
pb4uski (56) 12/23
Hnicols (55) 12/31

Ducky911 7/5(59)

 

[Tree-dweller]

The "I must always be doing/accomplishing something syndrome" can be a terrible affliction. Thankfully no one in our household suffers from it other than DW on occasion - but she's learned to control it with a glass of wine - or two.

+ 1 Kindred spirit.

 

[steelyman]

Been a while since I did one of these

I think I have Ducky911 (yeah!) in the right spot, and hope everyone's 2012 has been a great followup to our collective Big Event! We are now at least 78 strong!

region2 (55) 1/1
Jacmac (53) 1/1
kwblack (54) 1/1
Skye (62) 1/1
Sullidc (58) 1/1
Prototype (55) 1/15
Beryl (56) 1/31
KingB (62) 1/31
Danijoh (63) 1/?
10 nvestysly DW (48) 1/?
crispus (56) 2/?
frugal-one (??) 2/24
JmfromTx (56) 2/25
heyduke (55) 3/1
martyp (55) 3/1
Purron DH (55) 3/1
TodaysTheDay (55) 3/14
RunningBum (49) 3/15
dessert (60) 3/31
20 Coolius (60) 4/1
KingB DW (63) 4/1
bizlady (55) 4/11
Queenie (55) 4/23
cj (56) 5/1
jimbohoward69 (41) 5/1
Sixteen Tons (57) 5/1
SomedaySoon(53) 5/10
Seeking Hobbes (48) 5/13
Jacmac DH (56) 5/31
30 NW Landlady DH (55) 5/31
Packman (54) 5/31
heirloom (61½) 6/1
slj455 (62) 6/1
OhSoClose (54) 6/6
thoreau (62) 6/10
thoreau DW (60) 6/10
norske69 (59) 6/13
casky (58) 6/29
CharlyB1 (54) 6/30
40 chas57006 (57) 6/30
chas57006 DW 6/30
Midpack (57) 6/30
NeverBored (59) 6/30
bob boag (55) 7/1
RobertFrost (62) 7/1
Southern Geek (55) 7/4
Ducky911 (59) 7/5
nvestysly (52) 7/8
Tomcat98 (43) 7/10
50 Arnie (55) 7/15
JJPIES60 (61) 7/15
freedom42 (43) 7/28
gsparks2 (55) 7/28
chinaco (55) 7/29
NookWine-n-Tinker (50) 7/29
Paddy (60) 7/29
Surewhitey DW (46) 8/5
sinjin (57) 8/7
zaqxsw (57) 8/12
60 steelyman (53) 8/16
mact0n (61) 8/26
jerryo (61) 8/31
REattempt (46) 8/31
Surewhitey (40) 8/31
Sparkie67 (43) 9/4
FreeAtLast (59) 9/21
Kachemak (52) 9/29
truenorth418 (47) 9/30
wishing4it (58) 10/7
70 lovinglife1 (55) 11/1
cocobird (55) 11/28
afntrn56 (55) 11/30
Tree-dweller (58) 11/30
deserat DH (45) 12/1
coloradoblonde (50) 12/16
pb4uski (56) 12/23
BruceinGa (62) 12/29
Hnicols (55) 12/31

 

[heyduke]

all I can you all of you is that after our stop at the Mayo clinic to get our bloodwork done I wondered whose bloodwork numbers I got... all our numbers are way down... you think it could have been stress?

Hah!!!

 

[steelyman]

all I can you all of you is that after our stop at the Mayo clinic to get our bloodwork done I wondered whose bloodwork numbers I got... all our numbers are way down... you think it could have been stress?

Hah!!!

Ya think?

Great to read this! I hope everyone in our class is doing as well and look forward to reading (and hopefully contributing) more in the future.

Right now, though, I think back to about this time last year and remember how much I was itching to take the leap. I had one more business trip scheduled, then taking accumulated vacation time during the summer, and finally the ER Pot Of Gold At The End Of The Rainbow

All those within our class and the e-r.org community in general were a huge virtual boost to making it through the final stretch

 

[steelyman]

Today marks one year ago that I called it a day! I won't bore you with tales of the year, but instead will mark the occasion by nominating an official mascot for The Class Of 2011. The ultimate LBYM'er: Top Cat!

Top Cat Intro Credits - YouTube

 

[truenorth418]

Today marks one year ago that I called it a day! I won't bore you with tales of the year, but instead will mark the occasion by nominating an official mascot for The Class Of 2011. The ultimate LBYM'er: Top Cat!

Top Cat Intro Credits - YouTube

Great pick - Top Cat has my vote!

Congratulations on 1 full year of freedom from a fellow member of the class of '11!

 

[BruceinGa]

It's hard to believe that I am one of the older ones here!
It's been a good year. I have a large garden at my daughter's house about 4 miles from home, growing tomatoes and selling them in front of her and my house, using the honor system. She needs the $$ so I told here she can keep what she sells. I'm guessing she's made $600-$700 this summer.
The only problem is that the garden is more work than what I had expected.
Btw, Top Cat has my vote also!