Sunday, November 21, 2010

Guess how many weeks until I retire!

I'm not doing the countdown to make you jealous. Really, I'm not. I'm excited, I'm celebrating, I'm helping myself adjust to the idea. Last week the eminent Mr. London Street called me a "lucky sod," which has had me laughing all week. But it also made me think.

My response all along has been, "I've earned it." I've worked hard for 45 years. I've stayed at my current job 28 years, during which I often worked long hours, periodically put up with nasty politics, and made some fine and important contributions. I've worked longer than my father did, because we needed the medical insurance. I've continued to work even while working with my husband to provide daycare for our two toddler grandchildren. The daycare continues, full-time weekdays during the school year. It's great--and also a challenge. So yeah, I've earned the right to retire.

But I'm also a lucky sod. I've been able to work in my chosen field--call it public relations, publications, or communications--my whole life. Except for one regrettable experiment working for an insurance conglomerate, I've worked at colleges and universities--good ones, at that. I believe in the product, and the workplace is filled with interesting people, ideas, stories, possibilities. I've had a semi-decent retirement plan that didn't go belly-up. Our health is fine, except that we should exercise more. Social Security is still solvent. Our house is paid for; we have no debt. And Peter's business continues to be successful. So I can retire, and we should be fine. And that, when I think about it, makes me a lucky sod indeed.

21 comments:

Leah Rubin said...

Lucky? I guess, but as the saying goes, the harder you worked, the luckier you got.

I'm happy that you had a wonderful career, and that you can now breathe a lot easier and enjoy those yummy grandkids!

Mwah!

DJan said...

I hope your retirement turns out to be as fulfilling as mine is. I love my new retirement community (Bellingham, Washington) and look forward to many years ahead filled with adventure! I wish the same for you as well.

#1Nana said...

What a blessing that you can retire and spend so much time with your grandchildren...that really is a gift. I have eased into retirement and one of my joys is spending more time with my granddaughters. I find myself flying down to Texas to see them about once a month! These final weeks will fly by.

La Belette Rouge said...

That feeling of knowing you are a lucky sod is a lovely one. I am thrilled you get to retire and that you are indeed happy about it. You deserve to be giddy about this! Enjoy!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Three three three and this is a short week! Yes you will be just fine..lucky sod:)

Jenny said...

Congratulations on a successful, wel-lived life, well-deserved retirement. I wish you many healthful years to do the things you've been saving to do until retirement. I'm doing mine and loving the freedom.

Teresa Evangeline said...

How wonderful that you can go into this next phase of your life knowing you have contributed much and have much to look forward to. Happy Count Down to the next adventure!

Anita said...

Did you build that little castle! :)

Your life sounds very blessed. You've obvious sown good seed!

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Yes, I built the castle out of Bristle Blocks, one of our favorite toys. :-)

Grandmother Mary said...

You have much to be grateful for and that's a great feeling! Happy Thanksgiving as I'm sure it will be.

Red Shoes said...

All in all, I think we make our own "Luck"... I am sure you have done this. Three weeks?!?!?!

How exciting for you!!!

:o)

~shoes~

Anita said...

If I see Bristol Blocks out while shopping, I may be tempted to get some! :)

Anonymous said...

I'd rather be lucky than good any day of the week. Congratulations to you!! :)

Lisa @ Grandma's Briefs said...

You *are* a lucky sod ... who earned and deserve this! Oh, and you have made me jealous, too! :o) Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

grammy said...

very creative with the bristle blocks (o:
you are a lucky sod...
you earned it so just sit back and relax....ha!!!
girlfriend, I do daycare and I do love it... but it is not exactly relaxing (o:
Have a great Holiday

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Oh Happy Day! I can only imagine how you will enjoy the days to come. Congrats and well deserved.

Jeanie said...

Happy Day After Thanksgiving! I am loving your countdown -- I never realized we did similar work -- PR/Comm and working for a U for bezillions of years. (I've been at OUR MSU for 29). And yes, everything you say about long hours and nasty politics is true, but also we've been lucky indeed.

You're lucky again! I decided to add additional prizes to my month of abundance drawing. I haven't decided quite what it is yet -- something I've made for sure! If you'd like to send me your address, I'll try to post it before I leave for vacation for a week. You can leave it on my blog or send me an email through my contact info on the Marmelade Gypsy!

Congratulations -- and have a great break!

Sandra said...

It's all fun and games until you wake up one morning and discover you don't have any new novels to read, your garden has been tended to, and you don't know how to knit!...ok, how do I know right?
Actually, my mother says that even retired, there aren't enough hours in the day.
So congrats, and for sure you have earned it!

Fickle Cattle said...

Congratulations! I think it's well deserved, and not based on luck at all.

FC
http://ficklecattle.blogspot.com

Ann said...

That is such a nice and colorful castle...

You are a lucky woman:)

gayle said...

I know how excited you are getting about your retirement!

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