07 February 2008

I Bit the Bullet...

...and this will be me in just over two-and-a-half months' time. Why? Because I'll be retired, that's why.

I went to work yesterday and, stomach churning, tapped on the practice manager's door, sat down and told him the news. He didn't seem too surprised, or maybe he's good at hiding his feelings, I don't know. Anyway, he said I'll be missed and all the other things I guess one says to an employee who has kept their nose relatively clean and made a reasonable go of their job. He asked what I was going to do and I told him I wanted to travel, especially while I had all my marbles (if I actually have), and can get around without a pacemaker or a rollator. I also said, that if he was in a fix, I would help out...if I was in the country at the time.

So...I've been and gone and done it, after months of mulling it over in my brain. Now I have to decided what to do with my superannuation...lump sum and pension, just pension, invest it...oh, it's too much to worry about at the moment. Like Scarlett, I'll think about it tomorrow.

* * * * * * * *
I had lunch with a friend the other day and in a couple of weeks I'm going to help her set up a blog. She loves the computer and after hearing about what I get up to, she rather likes the idea. We also touched on a cruise. We promised ourselves a cruise some years ago and Margaret said, that after her knee operation, we'll definitely make arrangements. Unfortunately the operation went very wrong and it's changed her lifestyle totally. She had a very responsible job with Education Queensland but because of the constant pain had to retire early. She was a very active person...walking, swimming, playing tennis and, apart from the swimming, can't exercise the same any more. She went through awful depression but with professional help has learnt to manage her pain. But sometimes she says, the pain is so bad, she just wants to cry and cry. It's really awful and I feel so much for her.
Anyway, I think, all being well and fingers crossed, we may take our cruise next year. Just around the Pacific somewhere...Vanuatu sounds rather nice, but we'll discuss it sometime later.
Apart from that, there's not much being happening. Except I got absolutely drenched yesterday crossing the road to get to the train station. The rain just bucketed down and continued until I got to my stop about 40 minutes later then I had another drenching getting to the car. It pelted down all the way home, which is about a 25 minute drive, and my car was nice and clean with the good rinse it had. Mind you, if I had got out and washed it in the rain, it wouldn't be the first time. Before we had all this lovely rain, on the rare occasions we had a good downpour, I used to get out with a sponge and wash the car. It wasn't perfect but at least I could see out the windows.

10 comments:

Liz Hinds said...

Nothing much happening?! You've made a huge decision - that's enough to happen for a while I think! Congratulations on making the move and I know you'll enjoy your retirement. It already sounds as if you're going to be too busy to miss work!

Jellyhead said...

You've retired? Congratulations!!

Now you get to consider what you will do, after all these years of hard work. Have fun planning!

Mountain Mama said...

Congratulations!! Now you can really PLAN all those wonderful trips and other things you dreamed about doing while you were at work. Travel sounds like a great plan. There is so much to see in this old world!
Have fun

Jeanette said...

Congratulations on your retirement Robyn.Now you will be able to take those trips your been planning over many years enjoy ..

Walker said...

I am sure I left a comment here yesterday.
I am going to go stick me head in the freezer after this and try to preserve what little i have left i think.

Congratulations of your retirement.
I am sure its only the beginnning of a new adventure in your life.

I think thats what I said in teh last one .

Have a great weekend

Merle said...

Hi Robyn ~~ Congrats on your decision to retire. I hope you will be able to follow your dreams and do some wonderful. Maybe you could aim for a sunnier climate than Queensland !!!
Talk about washed out cricket matches. Take care, my friend,
Love, Merle.

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

Good for you!! I was retired for 6 years and thought this is great and then OH THEN...I had to find something to help out. As you know I work part time at CURVES now. I like it but liked being at home more. smile.

I am happy for you..Sandy

Unknown said...

Congratulations on you coming retirement. (I say that as one who is reluctantly in forced retirement).

wazza said...

Gidday Robyn,

The poem I used on my Aust Day post I received by e-mail from a friend.
I'm looking forward to seeing Peter dislodge his arm when he goes to put on the seat belt in the Getz...hahaha
So you're leaving the work force...good on you...enjoy your retirement. I'm gonna stay on for a few more years at least until I pay off the Getz.

Andree said...

wow
Retiring? I can't imagine my life retired. That is because if I retired I would never eat again.

sigh

Happy days!