deuces wild Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 I looked forward to retiring April 1, 2009.......... in fact I wrote a count down (in month) on the monthly calender in my office. It reads 13 months.Unfortunately it looks like I worked my last day today. I will be filing for and going on disability tomorrow. It will most likely be long term as the nerve damage in my back is permanent (according to my neurosurgeon) and I have lost a good deal of muscle in my right leg because of it.This is not the way I wanted to go out but I have to accept it. I know there are folks with far worse medical conditions than mine.No gold watch. No celebrations........just a sudden goodbye.I have worked since I was 12 years old (paperboy) and not having to work anymore will be a strange experience. I will make it a positive experience and know it will help me cope with what life has dealt me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankus Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 Best of luck........ Dueces ............. best to leave with out pushing it , that your health deteriorates more .......If I had an opportunity to retire early .......I would do so like a shot ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 I was forced to retire from full time employed work due to my health. Since then, I've never been so busy. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm much, much more contented now, have more money (doing what I want to do) and an altogether better life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted March 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 pops and Tankus.......thanks for the inspirational words. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted March 3, 2008 Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 I agree with pops, I was offered early retirement and jumped at the chance, it was the best thing I ever did.I occasionly help out my friend who runs a clothing business, but it is when i feel like it.You will be amazed how fast the time goes, and will wonder how you had time to go to WORK.I will say no more as a certain four letter word will upset andsome.Enjoy yourself you have earned it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 Best of luck. I had every intention of going on until I was 65. A hateful boss caused me to have a nervous breakdown so I left at just over 63 years old. I have never looked back. I do what I please, and get up when I please. If something needs doing I may or may not do it today, it just depends on whether or not I feel like doing it. I get very annoyed and irritated with people coming up to retirement who grumble about not knowing what on earth they are going to do with the time. It is essential to have some of your own interests as well as doing things with the family. I play bowls several times a week, and 'Er indoors goes to an art group, and also paints when she feels so inclined. It's surprising how much nicer a walk feels when you have all the time in the world, and can sit down and watch the world go by if you so desire. Enjoy it, I know that I do. The last thing that you should do is to draw up a list of jobs to do, as a friend of mine has done. His wife constantly adds to this list. Their house is like a show home, OK if that's what you want, but as far as I'm concerned a little bit of organised chaos is much preferable. nNver do today, what you can safely put off until tomorrow, tomorrow may or may not come. :D :D :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 I agree with all of the sentiments expressed above.Once you have relaxed into your new way of life, you'll wonder how on earth you found the time to go work. DW, just think how much more time you'll have to spend on the forum with all of us buddies!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 I agree with all of the sentiments expressed above.Once you have relaxed into your new way of life, you'll wonder how on earth you found the time to go work. DW, just think how much more time you'll have to spend on the forum with all of us buddies!! :DIt's nearly bed time by the time he gets here. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 As an idea of the way I spend my time nowadays:Earlier in the year I managed to negotiate a very good licensing deal for one of my inventions (developing things does occupy a lot of my time) so I can look forward to a VERY comfortable future. Last week and the week before I appeared in the High Court in London (as an expert witness) and in a related legal battle, I'm appearing in a similar capacity at the London Court of Arbitration. All of this takes a considerable amount of time for preparation. Then, of course, there's my computer building and coming here and working on a commission for a new product idea for the company I have just struck a deal with and there's the dog which needs some of my attention, and the garden and -- - - - and Remember that I'm a (part time) user of a wheelchair (depending on how painful my joints are on a particular day). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 My husband 'retired' at 50 due to back problems. He was a HGV driving instructor and the bumpy lorries had made his back worse.He worked for Esso - got a good payout and pension. For a while he worked for himself. Bought a little van and a diagnostics machine and went out to people whose cars had broken down. Then he discovered golf..................Meantime, I was attending lots of adult education classes. Art, flower arranging, crafts etc.We bought another caravan after getting fed up with having a boat and get away as often as possible. We are happy in each other's company.Of course we both missed the company of workmates at first and felt sort of guilty for finishing work so early.It's just a different way of life that needs a bit of give and take at first.Enjoy it DW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 It's just a different way of life that needs a bit of give and take at first.Superb advice, artist. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rong Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 Golf and bad backs don't go together, so I take it the back is ok now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 I was "forced" to retire early because I was a whistle-blower. I was so angry. But the terms were excellent, and now I'm so happy. In fact, I'm grateful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 I was "forced" to retire early because I was a whistle-blower. I was so angry. But the terms were excellent, and now I'm so happy. In fact, I'm grateful. I couldn't do that job all day, it would hurt my ears. No wonder you took early retirement. It would make me livid never mind about angry. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 I was "forced" to retire early because I was a whistle-blower. I was so angry. But the terms were excellent, and now I'm so happy. In fact, I'm grateful. I bet that was noisy. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Best of luck DW My husband retired at 62 and the only thing he missed was the camaraderie with his fellow workers. We got another dog and he spends a lot of time in the countryside, walking.You just have to change your mindset and adjust to a different routine but it's great not having to watch the clock.Hobbies and activities are a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 I couldn't do that job all day, it would hurt my ears.It didn't bother me at all, it was a dog-whistle that I blew. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted March 5, 2008 Report Share Posted March 5, 2008 Golf and bad backs don't go together, so I take it the back is ok now.You're right. He had a few spinal injections with temporary success then a few years down the line he had an operation to fuse a couple of discs. It was a great success except for some permanent numbness in his leg and foot. He isn't bothered by that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankus Posted March 6, 2008 Report Share Posted March 6, 2008 just seen Sicko for the first time last night .............. strikes me DW......... that your in a pretty privileged position that you have the freedom to make the choice ........Was it more Moore cynicism ,or fair comment ..you think ? certainly gave me food for thought over the British NHS ........ and its value a telling comment ........."the French government lives in fear of its citizens , US citizens live in fear of its government " the British just que while taking the piss ..I think a fairly amusing conversation around the dinner table of US citizens living in France ....................Do many Americans travel abroad now ? or is the fear factor being jacked up so you don't , and thus have less actual experience to compare how the old world works ? Shameful about those 9/11 workers ........but then our troops are not looked as well after as they should be ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankus Posted March 6, 2008 Report Share Posted March 6, 2008 I think you lucky , or you've made some good decision's along the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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