Two Years of Retirement

The sky is blue, the sunsets are beautiful, and the roses smell terrific. I didn't notice these luxuries prior to retirement. When I was working I didn't take the time for the simple beauty of life. Two years has passed since I retired in September of 2006. Do I enjoy retirement? Yes I do! Retirement has been a blessing for me. This is part of the American dream, work most of your life and then enjoy the fruits of your labor. It feels good to see that Social Security and pension payment appear in your banking account every month. Investments are generating a good return. Yes, I am living the American dream!

Since I have retired many people have asked me the question. "What do you do now that you are retired?" As if you are suppose to do something. My most often response is; "recuperating from the last forty-five years". I was tired! The first 90 days I did very little. No, I didn't lie in bed all day, but I took it easy and started to adjust to a slower and more relaxed lifestyle. Now, what I don't get done today, I can finish tomorrow. Every day is Saturday. That means I don't have anything I have to do or any place I must be.

My typical morning starts around 6 to 7:00 a.m. No, I don't sleep in. I try to keep regular hours. I usually go to bed around the same time and rise around the same time. I still enjoy fooling around with the stock market and the market opens at 7:30 a.m. Denver time. When I get up at the above time this gives me time to get my cup of coffee look for some hot stock prospects and start watching them when the market opens at 7:30. If the market condition satisfies me I look for an ideal time to purchase or sell a stock. However, lately the market has been too volatile for me, so I am just holding until the market calms down. The condition of the market depends on what I do until 2:00 p.m. when the market closes.

Retiring has given me many opportunities to do things I have been putting off either because I just didn't have the time or just too tired to do them. Last summer I removed 20 feet of sidewalk I wanted to remove for many years. I put up a fence between my property in the front and my neighbors' front yard. I have been digging up sod all summer. This is one of those projects, what you don't get done today; you can work on tomorrow, or the next day, or next week.

I have become more involved in community functions now. I attend neighborhood association meetings and have attended the Commanders meeting at the local police headquarters. This involvement has given me a better idea on the happenings in my neighborhood. Last fall I joined a small writers group at a church in Lakewood. I have always had an interest in writing; however, I never took the time or had the time to cultivate that desire. Now that I am retired, I have the time to cultivate that interest.

My retirement has had its downsides. One of the big downsides was last winter's unusual large snowfall. It kept me inside more than I wanted to stay inside. I am an outdoors person and that snowfall sure hampered my activities and I was getting a bad case of cabin fever. There was a time when I questioned my decision to retire. However, spring came and I was able to get out into the sunshine and fresh air and my attitude turned around one hundred percent.

Now that I am going on my third year of retirement have I completed everything that I have planned on doing? I am far from running out of things to do. I still have lots of plans for our yard. I still like to fool around with computers and their components. I have thousands of digital photos I want to catalog and organize. My garage still needs a major cleanup and an organization plan. I am always faced with the projects my wife thinks of. It will be many years before I finish the projects I have. As time goes by I will continue to add new projects and interests to fill my retirement years.

The only thing that can change the entire environment of retirement is health or a change in financial status. I have been very fortunate with my health and I attempt to live a healthy life by periodic health exams, eat in moderation and exercise regularly. I try not to think about ill health. It is a part of life and when it strikes me I will attempt to deal with it.

In conclusion, do I have any recommendations for an active healthy retirement? Sure I do. Keep your mind active. I enjoy Sudoku. This game keeps the cobwebs out of my brain. I am a member of Silver Sneakers and go to Englewood Recreation Center to walk my mile and bicycle my five miles at least three times a week. I feel better and sleep heavier since I have taken up this exercise program. Attempt to have a financial plan. If you are broke, retirement will not be fun. There are many other forms of entertainment other than television. Enjoy television as a last resort. I have been enjoying the Rockies games lately. However, I just watch if nothing else is going on. Finally, be positive, be active, and be happy.