Monday, May 18, 2009

Forgive me, Blogger, for I have sinned

It's been three months since my last confession post.

Holy crap! I cannot believe the time has flown by so quickly, but I hope the next 74 days will pass at the same warp speed.

My last post was written on the day I told my boss that I plan to retire at the end of July. I didn't want to be specific when I posted about that decision, because I wanted him to have time to process my unexpected announcement privately, so he could think about how it would affect his own plans. After a few weeks of weighing the pros and cons of each of his options, he has decided to retire at the same time I do.

I had always thought my boss would be ready to retire by this year (he's a couple of years older than I am), and I'd planned to stop working when he did. Instead, he just kept plugging away with no talk of stopping. When the image of the Energizer bunny began popping into my head every time I looked at him, I knew it was time for me to make the first move. My decision wasn't sudden. I'd been having happy thoughts about the idea of retirement for at least three years, as this short post written in January of 2006 demonstrates.

Anyway, even with five and a half months' notice, the process of getting ready to do the actual deed has kept me in some kind of an A.D.D. whirlwind. There are so many lists in my head, things I have to do at work, things I have to do at home, that I can't think straight enough to write a blog post in one sitting. Reading, a favorite activity, takes more concentration than I can muster for more than a few pages at a time. About the only thing I seem to be able to do easily these days is watch TV; then, if I'm distracted by the mental lists, I can just hit the rewind button and try to catch the story line the second time around.

My bad knees have also become a blog deterrent. After sitting at a desk all day with my knees bent, it's hard (and painful) to straighten them out when I want to stand up. Adding a couple of evening hours at the home computer desk makes walking afterward extremely difficult. Obviously, something had to give. Choosing between the job and the blog was almost a no-brainer, but until the job ends, I'll have to put the blog on the back burner.

In the meantime, I'll make a conscience effort to write at least a short post every now and then to let you know I'm still alive and kicking. Except for the knee thing, I'm fine, as are Butch and Kadi, whose status as elder dogs is one more reason why I'm looking forward to staying home.

I miss all of you and try my best to keep up with you by reading your blogs. Thanks to those of you who have reached out to me through comments and e-mail; it means a lot to know you've noticed my absence, and I'll try to make it up to you with better posts somewhere down the line.

16 comments:

  1. I AM SO GLAD TO SEE YOUR POST. THERE IS INDEED LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT.

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  2. I got up this morning and made my pot of coffee, turned on the computer and there you were! I read your post before Patsy's this morning...her's is almost always first....Glad this was what you were pondering we sisters came up with several things that could be happeniing that were so much worse!
    Glad you are still kicking.....

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  3. Welcome back! You've been missed.

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  4. So happy to hear from you! You HAVE been missed. Hoping this brings about a wonderful change in your life!

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  5. Yay! You're back and okay! Glad to hear about the retirement and we should have a virtual celebration on the big final day! I've missed you - Carmon

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  6. You are going to love retirement! Almost like a re-birth.
    I am so very happy for you!
    Sandy

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  7. I had been wondering where you were. If you love retirement as much as I do, you'll be pretty happy.

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  8. I'm thinking of what your penance should be.

    In the meantime, welcome back! You were sorely missed. And I want pics of Butch and Kadi soon!

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  9. I'm so glad to hear you're okay and congratulations of the retiring...you can now use all your energy doing fun things and telling us about them!! I have missed your posts so much!!!

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  10. Dear Friend,
    So good to hear from you. I have pondered retirement and also made a decision. I have taught 37 years at the end of this one. I am going to try to make it to age 62 so I can get a little ss check with the little teacher retirement one.

    I hope to join you in the next few years. My knees are in bad shape too. I feel your kneeling pain!

    I love you...just like a sister!

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  11. Yea! I'm glad to find this, after checking almost daily. But I do understand and especially more so since our lunch and conversation! Do take care of yourself and the pups and I'll keep checking back for more of your wise words and fun photos!

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  12. Yay! I'm glad you're not dead!

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  13. So glad to see a post again...you were greatly missed! Retirement is a big adjustment....depending on how long you've actually been in the work world. I ended up going back for two days a week, which is just right for me. It gives me a little bit of extra money to help my family and also keeps my brain exercised. I know it won't last forever and am working hard to get my finances in a healthy enough condition so that I can live comfortably on a FIXED income when everything else....and I mean EVERYTHING....is going up. Congratulations! More time to spend reading and with your fur kids...not much better than that....not to mention no more getting up at the crack of dawn!

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  14. Ahhh welcome back, Velvet !! You know I missed you. Glad the dogs are doing okay. Will look forward to future posts.....and you will really love retirement !! If you ever consider knee replacement let me know. I'm 6 weeks out from one and glad I did it .
    Harriet

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  15. Whew! Glad you are okay. As all the others say, you will love retirement. I'm just as busy now as when I was working, just with different things. Does finishing this book today count? Sorry about your knees but if you go the surgery route you will have plenty of time to relax and heal. I've missed you. Noel

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  16. Retirement is not for sissies, but you're gonna love it. I can't wait to see what you get up to without those hours spent in the drudgery of a job!

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