Not quite sure what to make of it yet, but on Dec 31st I will officially be retiring from full time employment. Peg had already done the same a year ago. All the papers are signed and sealed to begin receiving my Social Security Benefits – whew! I have often heard people state that it is best to have some varied interests to keep oneself occupied upon retiring. Actually I have several interests to keep me mentally and physically busy. I like to golf. My golf buddies (see blog #6) already have me penciled in for a roving golf league next year. I like to read, although my wife thinks the only thing I have ever read is a TV guide. I like to work in the yard especially planting flowers. I like to play soccer, and hopefully I will rejoin the league I have played in for years. I plan to be more diligent with writing blog entries. We can spend as much or little retirement time we choose going to dances- Viennese Waltz – here we come.

I have had to travel a lot the past 4 years for work, but now I will be able to travel for better reasons – Grandchildren. It will be much more pleasant traveling to visit a 3 year old than having to travel to argue with a grown man who acts like a 3 year old. Trying to decipher the goldfish snack cracker laced words coming from one of our toddlers is much more engaging than trying to decipher the profanity laced ramblings of a bombastic contractor. Our kids did well – having our grandchildren timed to meet our retirement.

I thought for fun and posterity (while I can still remember) I would look at all the jobs I had over the years (that actually paid me a pay check). It will be a telling and surprising look back:

Paper route (largest route in Lake County Ohio for now defunct Cleveland Press)
Dry Cleaners – had van route when got drivers license
House painter
Paper Mill assembly line
Real Estate sales (got State license in Ohio when turned 21)
Men’s Clothing store clerk
Door to Door Book Salesman in Tyler Texas (worst job of my life)
Taught Jr High and High School (Licensed in State of Ohio)
High School soccer coach (won conference championship)
Foundry – steel castings
Managed roller skating rink in Indiana (expert at the flea hop)
Pastor of Baptist church (one year) Licensed in Pennsylvania
Part time security guard at discount dept store
Estimator at steel freight car manufacturer
Night assistant at Tennis & Racquetball Club
Book store clerk
Steel fabricator estimator, project manager
Substitute teacher
On site construction project manager
Professional Golfer (just kidding)

The best part of being retired will be that I now will have time to visit all the children and grandchildren without thinking of work, and getting to spend all this new time with my wonderful wife –who I will undoubtedly drive bonkers. Can’t wait!