I awoke this morning with the knowledge that I had to get up and go for a doctor's appointment.
No, it isn't what one might think; I just have a bad rash caused by eczema which needs a shot to get rid of it. However, at the doctor's office, we learned that our previous doctor, one that we had gone to for 20 years, had passed away last week. He had lived with Crohn's disease since being a teenager and every year usually saw him spending at least a week in the hospital. This last time, complications arose and he passed away. To us, he was more than a doctor; he was a friend.
What I really woke up with was the knowledge that I was suddenly house-less and without any prospects for employment in the near future. Man!! What an eye-opening thing to experience and have to consider new options.
Yes, we've been house-less (but not homeless) for three years now.
Yes, we retired yesterday, so we are amongst the rolls of the "unemployed."
Now, we begin to prepare for our upcoming travels from Oklahoma City to Colorado Springs. Oh, and the doctor thinks that going to an area with a lot less humidity, just might be helpful for my eczema.
Man!!!! IS LIFE LOOKING UP, OR WHAT!!!!!!
Break out the Cheez-Its and caffeine-free diet Dr. Pepper.
Terry
el Rojo and Pam said
12:21 PM Jul 1, 2014
Congrats Terry and Jo.........HaPpY DaNcE TiMe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry to hear about your doctor.
Red
canuck said
01:26 PM Jul 1, 2014
Way to go! So happy it's your turn to start seeing and doing everything you've planned.
Congrats to you both!
Scott
Jack Mayer said
01:27 PM Jul 1, 2014
See you guys soon!!
Trabuco said
01:47 PM Jul 1, 2014
Welcome to the unemployed!
njb1957 said
01:53 PM Jul 1, 2014
Be careful Terry, that celebration menu might be too much for you. So sad for your doctor. Makes you think you are doing a great thing by living to the max. And not to have the weight of work to pull on your precious time.
Judy L said
02:17 PM Jul 1, 2014
Congratulations Terry and Jo. Enjoy!!!!
JackKim said
03:00 PM Jul 1, 2014
Congratulations and welcome to the road!
cheryls-other-half said
03:23 PM Jul 1, 2014
Terry Said:
...snip... Break out the Cheez-Its and caffeine-free diet Dr. Pepper. ...snip
I don't see the concept of CAFFEINE free diet pepper. Sugar Free, I understand, but I always thought the GOOD doctor was Highly Caffeinated because he originally came in a bottle (sorry, couldn't resist that silly 8 yr old joke..).. Actually I thought it was HIGH Caffeine Mtn Dew, dr pepper, coke, pepsi, and then 7-up.. (being from the north, I have no idea what Dr.Pibbs would be...
cheers.
cherylbrv said
03:27 PM Jul 1, 2014
CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement! Now the fun really begins! Can't wait to read about all your travels. Hopefully we will meet when we travel out west.
Bill and Linda said
04:24 PM Jul 1, 2014
Terry and Jo wrote:
Yes, we retired yesterday, so we are amongst the rolls of the "unemployed."
Terry, you got this all wrong. Your not unemployed. Retirement is a full time job and one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.I’m still overbooked most of the time and love it.‘So much to do, so few days in the week.Be sure and get a new clock that just shows the days of the week. It helps with planning so hours don't confuse the planning.
And enjoy your new full-time job.
Bill
Jo And Craig said
04:38 PM Jul 1, 2014
It's about time and a long time coming. Congrats on joining the free and the brave. So happy for you, and sorry to hear about your doctor, your friend.
The Junkman said
05:04 PM Jul 1, 2014
CONGRATULATIONS !!
Lucky Mike said
05:26 PM Jul 1, 2014
Congrats My friend!!!!
Cindi said
06:03 PM Jul 1, 2014
Want to join everyone else in extending congratulations on your retirement. Speaking from my own experience, Bill has it completely right. I am so busy now that I sometimes wonder how I ever had time for work. Enjoy your many adventures!
mylittledogs said
06:30 PM Jul 1, 2014
Enjoy each day, now you can stop and smell the roses. Good luck.
Kenny & frances
Bobc said
06:44 PM Jul 1, 2014
Congrats guy. Live each day likes it's your last. You have earned it. Have fun and hope to meet you some day on the road.
Make sure you take a little more time smelling the roses.
BiggarView said
08:01 PM Jul 1, 2014
Congrats on your retirement, time to move on to your new job... the other parts of life you didn't have time for before. .....to paraphrase Buzz Lightyear.... to Colorado and beyond!!!!
Terry and Jo said
09:03 PM Jul 1, 2014
Oh, I forgot to mention that "something else" is going in with that caffeine-free diet Dr. Pepper.
I always mix that with a dab of Strawberry Fanta. So, it's a "mixed" drink.
Thanks to all of you. In reality, yesterday with my last day of work, it was all so disjointed. They didn't give me any new work, so I nursed a 1-hour job of various cases into 3-hours (I worked for a law enforcement agency that maintains the criminal records for the state of Oklahoma) that needed to be entered into the computer. But, I was verifying the work of others, so the analysis side of that process was very limited for each case. It helped to nurse the work through because folks kept stopping by to say "Hi" and wish me well and visit about our plans.
Our plans don't really involve much traveling, even yet. The distance from Oklahoma City to Colorado Springs is about 750 miles by the way we are going, and that will take us about 9 days to accomplish. Then, we will be "static" once again, but in the mountains, possibly for up to 2 or 3 years before we "seriously" travel. We may take trips, but not be gone long term for traveling.
And Mitch, Dr. Pibbs is a knock-off of Dr. Pepper.
Terry
Lynn and Ed said
09:05 PM Jul 1, 2014
Bill and Linda wrote:
Retirement is a full time job and one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. ..
Terry, CONGRATULATION!!!
As Bill and Linda shared, you will enjoy your new full time job! The adventures are yours to make, new friendships will spontaneously happen as well as "IT" factor locations will be found and enjoyed. The very best to you and Jo as you start your exciting journey!
NWescapee said
09:07 PM Jul 1, 2014
Terry and Jo - congrats, enjoy that long trip to CO and most of all, I hope you revel in the CO summer weather as you leave OK and the tornados, heat and humidity behind!!
Dog Folks said
06:27 AM Jul 2, 2014
Congratulations. "Retired" has a nice ring to it it, doesn't it?
Dave Buck said
07:22 AM Jul 2, 2014
Congratulations, Enjoy your retirement. I don't know how I ever found time to work there are so many things to do now. I'm sure you will find it the same way.
The Hensons said
07:39 AM Jul 2, 2014
Congrats Terry and Jo! You've been such a positive presence here on the forum for so long it's nice to see you getting yours.
kb0zke said
08:25 AM Jul 2, 2014
Congratulations! When my dad retired many years ago he found he was so busy he went back to work part-time to slow down! Now that I'm retired I see why he did what he did. I may have to do the same.
Clay L said
09:30 AM Jul 2, 2014
Congrats y'all.
If you get over to the western slope (Palisade - which abuts Grand Junction) for the peach festival or wine festival feel free to stop by and say howdy.
Barbaraok said
09:50 AM Jul 2, 2014
Bill and Linda wrote:
Terry and Jo wrote:
Yes, we retired yesterday, so we are amongst the rolls of the "unemployed."
Terry, you got this all wrong. Your not unemployed. Retirement is a full time job and one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. I’m still overbooked most of the time and love it. ‘So much to do, so few days in the week. Be sure and get a new clock that just shows the days of the week. It helps with planning so hours don't confuse the planning.
And enjoy your new full-time job.
Bill
We got a 'days of the week' clock as a retirement gift - - I thought it was just cute and everyone, of course, laughed, etc. Turns out it is one of the best things we got - we use it all of the time because the days tend to blur and it is nice to know when it is the weekend so you can stay away from where all of those poor workers go to recharge their batteries.
I do agree that retirement is hard. I'm not sure how we managed to work, because now there never seems to be enough time to do/see everything we want to. I suppose the afternoon naps under the awning could be forgone, but then I remember, I'm doing this for all of those still working, much in the same way we had to clean our plates at dinner because children were starving in India.
Barb
Terry and Jo said
12:24 PM Jul 2, 2014
NWescapee wrote:
Terry and Jo - congrats, enjoy that long trip to CO and most of all, I hope you revel in the CO summer weather as you leave OK and the tornados, heat and humidity behind!!
Ruth,
Haven't you been reading the news stories of the tornadoes in the Denver area? They've had a few of those this year. Plus, I have an app on my phone that lets me get current temps in various cities. A couple of days ago, Canon City was actually 4 degrees hotter than Oklahoma City.
We are preparing for the move, but we'll be making it without our dogs. We had to put Lady down a few months ago after she hurt her back really bad. Yesterday, we had TJ put down because his life is not what he always liked. He was blind because of cataracts, deaf, and the vet thought he was also suffering from arthritis, so we didn't feel it a good thing to also make him endure the traveling to come up and the drastic change in altitudes. He never did like our trips to Colorado all that much.
We went to the Social Security office today, and Jo signed up to begin getting her SS benefits come October. She will be 62 in September. My, what a Spring chick she is.
We are really looking forward to time with her family up there, and in August, a nephew is coming back on vacation from Dubai and we are going camping with tents and cots. Three of the five of us on that trip will all be over 60 years old. The "youngsters" in our youngest son and nephew may never want to do this again.
Thanks to all for the good wishes. I'm anxious to get up there are start getting more pictures. Believe it or not, I have practically no pictures of Colorado with snow in them. I am looking forward to changing that status and getting some good pictures of forests with snow. We'll certainly be up there for a while, so I should be able to get some good shots. My brother-in-law is counting down the days more so than we are because he likes to drive me around Colorado and let me get pictures.
Terry
Camper Chronicles said
01:35 PM Jul 2, 2014
Congratulation Terry...good for you guys. But managing us yahoos on the forum has got to be considered a full time job :)
WestWardHo said
02:34 PM Jul 2, 2014
Wow, Terry & Jo,
So sorry about your doctor, they often do become friends.
Congratulations on your retirement and the SS for Jo.
We're with Bill & Barb that you'll be busier than ever but it's YOUR kind of busy now and that's all the difference.
Travel safely to your new location.
Sherry
Joe_Camper said
01:45 AM Jul 3, 2014
Congrats Terry and Jo! We are right behind you! 8/1/14 is our day!
VanMar said
06:45 AM Jul 6, 2014
Terry,
Congratulations on your retirement and we wish you and Jo great fun on your move to Colorado.
My retirement, which I had originally planned for the end of June, is now in limbo. Three days after we saw you in February, I had knee surgery. I think the doctor botched the surgery and now I'm going in for a second opinion. My retirement now depends on the outcome of that visit and whether or not I will need a second surgery.
Other than that, things are fine. Got a contract on the house in two weeks and closing is scheduled for 8/4.
Best to you and Jo.
Vance
Terry and Jo said
07:42 AM Jul 6, 2014
Vance,
Man, I hope things work out good for you. I don't know what surgery you had, but my former boss had a hip replacement and her doctor must have been a "quack." Two years of pain and discomfort before she went to another doctor and found out the first one was botched. She's much better now, but you are smart to get a quick second opinion instead of waiting.
Know that our prayers are with and for you, and that we wish you all the best in getting things fixed and retired.
Oh, and thanks again for the help on the PEX fitting problem. We are currently at Alicia and Slade's now for a visit, a few fixes, and installation of a Progressive Industries power protection device.
Terry
53 Merc said
03:41 PM Jul 6, 2014
Terry, it is Mr. Pibb, not Dr. The dr is a patent (copyright) incursion, so they had to change the name. Both of 'em taste like medicine to me, so I choke down Coke.
galtgirl said
06:36 PM Jul 6, 2014
Congratulations on your retirement and condolences on the loss of your canine companions. I know how hard it is to let them go when they are no longer enjoying life, but it's a kindness we owe our pets.
I'm the same age as you Terry...at least I was born in 1946....so my word of advice is don't wait TOO long to travel. A change in health can happen and wreck all your plans, so while you are still healthy and energetic, take advantage of it. There will be lots of time for just sitting in one place...IMHO.
Terry and Jo said
06:48 PM Jul 6, 2014
53 Merc wrote:
Terry, it is Mr. Pibb, not Dr. The dr is a patent (copyright) incursion, so they had to change the name. Both of 'em taste like medicine to me, so I choke down Coke.
True, Ken. But I was never one to go for the Mr. Pibb, even when I was in an area where it was available. And, since it tasted much the same as the "doctor elixir," I just leave the "Dr." there. I worked with a guy back in the 80's at a country grain elevator who was a diabetic and had to drink a diet drink. So, we stocked part of the soft drink dispenser with Diet Dr. Pepper. I tried that one time and it was EXTREMELY nasty stuff. Years later, Jo told me the "new" Diet Dr. Pepper wasn't so bad, so I tried it and liked it. Then even later, I found myself losing my voice and the speech therapist told me to get rid of caffeine, so along came Caffeine-free Diet Dr. Pepper.
I guess it must be an acquired taste because I like the caffeine-free stuff better than diet or the regular Dr. Pepper.
galtgirl wrote:
Congratulations on your retirement and condolences on the loss of your canine companions. I know how hard it is to let them go when they are no longer enjoying life, but it's a kindness we owe our pets.
I'm the same age as you Terry...at least I was born in 1946....so my word of advice is don't wait TOO long to travel. A change in health can happen and wreck all your plans, so while you are still healthy and energetic, take advantage of it. There will be lots of time for just sitting in one place...IMHO.
I'm well aware of the soundness of your advice, but since almost all of my photos of Colorado over the years have been taken in summer to early autumn, I don't have many with the "winter" look. Plus, with family nearby, including a brother-in-law that likes to drive around, I suspect I'll get lots of photos in Colorado in the not too far future. Plus, there is a camping trip in August (yeppers....tents, cots and sleeping bags) and a trip to visit family in Idaho a bit later on. So, we'll be getting to do enough traveling, even though our RV may be sitting idle for a while.
Terry
Bob and Cheri said
07:29 PM Jul 6, 2014
Congrats to you two. It's all Saturdays and Sundays from now on except for holidays. HAPPY DANCE!!!!
I awoke this morning with the knowledge that I had to get up and go for a doctor's appointment.
No, it isn't what one might think; I just have a bad rash caused by eczema which needs a shot to get rid of it. However, at the doctor's office, we learned that our previous doctor, one that we had gone to for 20 years, had passed away last week. He had lived with Crohn's disease since being a teenager and every year usually saw him spending at least a week in the hospital. This last time, complications arose and he passed away. To us, he was more than a doctor; he was a friend.
What I really woke up with was the knowledge that I was suddenly house-less and without any prospects for employment in the near future. Man!! What an eye-opening thing to experience and have to consider new options.
Yes, we've been house-less (but not homeless) for three years now.
Yes, we retired yesterday, so we are amongst the rolls of the "unemployed."
Now, we begin to prepare for our upcoming travels from Oklahoma City to Colorado Springs. Oh, and the doctor thinks that going to an area with a lot less humidity, just might be helpful for my eczema.
Man!!!! IS LIFE LOOKING UP, OR WHAT!!!!!!
Break out the Cheez-Its and caffeine-free diet Dr. Pepper.
Terry
Sorry to hear about your doctor.
Red
Congrats to you both!
Scott
Be careful Terry, that celebration menu might be too much for you. So sad for your doctor. Makes you think you are doing a great thing by living to the max. And not to have the weight of work to pull on your precious time.
...snip...
Break out the Cheez-Its and caffeine-free diet Dr. Pepper.
...snip
I don't see the concept of CAFFEINE free diet pepper. Sugar Free, I understand, but I always thought
the GOOD doctor was Highly Caffeinated because he originally came in a bottle (sorry, couldn't resist that silly 8 yr old joke..).. Actually I thought it was HIGH Caffeine Mtn Dew, dr pepper, coke, pepsi, and then 7-up.. (being from the north, I have no idea what Dr.Pibbs would be...
cheers.
Terry, you got this all wrong. Your not unemployed. Retirement is a full time job and one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. I’m still overbooked most of the time and love it. ‘So much to do, so few days in the week. Be sure and get a new clock that just shows the days of the week. It helps with planning so hours don't confuse the planning.
And enjoy your new full-time job.
Bill
It's about time and a long time coming. Congrats on joining the free and the brave. So happy for you, and sorry to hear about your doctor, your friend.
Kenny & frances
Make sure you take a little more time smelling the roses.
Congrats on your retirement, time to move on to your new job... the other parts of life you didn't have time for before.
.....to paraphrase Buzz Lightyear.... to Colorado and beyond!!!!
Oh, I forgot to mention that "something else" is going in with that caffeine-free diet Dr. Pepper.
I always mix that with a dab of Strawberry Fanta. So, it's a "mixed" drink.
Thanks to all of you. In reality, yesterday with my last day of work, it was all so disjointed. They didn't give me any new work, so I nursed a 1-hour job of various cases into 3-hours (I worked for a law enforcement agency that maintains the criminal records for the state of Oklahoma) that needed to be entered into the computer. But, I was verifying the work of others, so the analysis side of that process was very limited for each case. It helped to nurse the work through because folks kept stopping by to say "Hi" and wish me well and visit about our plans.
Our plans don't really involve much traveling, even yet. The distance from Oklahoma City to Colorado Springs is about 750 miles by the way we are going, and that will take us about 9 days to accomplish. Then, we will be "static" once again, but in the mountains, possibly for up to 2 or 3 years before we "seriously" travel. We may take trips, but not be gone long term for traveling.
And Mitch, Dr. Pibbs is a knock-off of Dr. Pepper.
Terry
Terry, CONGRATULATION!!!
As Bill and Linda shared, you will enjoy your new full time job! The adventures are yours to make, new friendships will spontaneously happen as well as "IT" factor locations will be found and enjoyed. The very best to you and Jo as you start your exciting journey!
If you get over to the western slope (Palisade - which abuts Grand Junction) for the peach festival or wine festival feel free to stop by and say howdy.
We got a 'days of the week' clock as a retirement gift - - I thought it was just cute and everyone, of course, laughed, etc. Turns out it is one of the best things we got - we use it all of the time because the days tend to blur and it is nice to know when it is the weekend so you can stay away from where all of those poor workers go to recharge their batteries.
I do agree that retirement is hard. I'm not sure how we managed to work, because now there never seems to be enough time to do/see everything we want to. I suppose the afternoon naps under the awning could be forgone, but then I remember, I'm doing this for all of those still working, much in the same way we had to clean our plates at dinner because children were starving in India.
Barb
Ruth,
Haven't you been reading the news stories of the tornadoes in the Denver area? They've had a few of those this year. Plus, I have an app on my phone that lets me get current temps in various cities. A couple of days ago, Canon City was actually 4 degrees hotter than Oklahoma City.
We are preparing for the move, but we'll be making it without our dogs. We had to put Lady down a few months ago after she hurt her back really bad. Yesterday, we had TJ put down because his life is not what he always liked. He was blind because of cataracts, deaf, and the vet thought he was also suffering from arthritis, so we didn't feel it a good thing to also make him endure the traveling to come up and the drastic change in altitudes. He never did like our trips to Colorado all that much.
We went to the Social Security office today, and Jo signed up to begin getting her SS benefits come October. She will be 62 in September. My, what a Spring chick she is.
We are really looking forward to time with her family up there, and in August, a nephew is coming back on vacation from Dubai and we are going camping with tents and cots. Three of the five of us on that trip will all be over 60 years old. The "youngsters" in our youngest son and nephew may never want to do this again.
Thanks to all for the good wishes. I'm anxious to get up there are start getting more pictures. Believe it or not, I have practically no pictures of Colorado with snow in them. I am looking forward to changing that status and getting some good pictures of forests with snow. We'll certainly be up there for a while, so I should be able to get some good shots. My brother-in-law is counting down the days more so than we are because he likes to drive me around Colorado and let me get pictures.
Terry
So sorry about your doctor, they often do become friends.
Congratulations on your retirement and the SS for Jo.
We're with Bill & Barb that you'll be busier than ever but it's YOUR kind of busy now and that's all the difference.
Travel safely to your new location.
Sherry
Terry,
Congratulations on your retirement and we wish you and Jo great fun on your move to Colorado.
My retirement, which I had originally planned for the end of June, is now in limbo. Three days after we saw you in February, I had knee surgery. I think the doctor botched the surgery and now I'm going in for a second opinion. My retirement now depends on the outcome of that visit and whether or not I will need a second surgery.
Other than that, things are fine. Got a contract on the house in two weeks and closing is scheduled for 8/4.
Best to you and Jo.
Vance
Vance,
Man, I hope things work out good for you. I don't know what surgery you had, but my former boss had a hip replacement and her doctor must have been a "quack." Two years of pain and discomfort before she went to another doctor and found out the first one was botched. She's much better now, but you are smart to get a quick second opinion instead of waiting.
Know that our prayers are with and for you, and that we wish you all the best in getting things fixed and retired.
Oh, and thanks again for the help on the PEX fitting problem. We are currently at Alicia and Slade's now for a visit, a few fixes, and installation of a Progressive Industries power protection device.
Terry
I'm the same age as you Terry...at least I was born in 1946....so my word of advice is don't wait TOO long to travel. A change in health can happen and wreck all your plans, so while you are still healthy and energetic, take advantage of it. There will be lots of time for just sitting in one place...IMHO.
I'm well aware of the soundness of your advice, but since almost all of my photos of Colorado over the years have been taken in summer to early autumn, I don't have many with the "winter" look. Plus, with family nearby, including a brother-in-law that likes to drive around, I suspect I'll get lots of photos in Colorado in the not too far future. Plus, there is a camping trip in August (yeppers....tents, cots and sleeping bags) and a trip to visit family in Idaho a bit later on. So, we'll be getting to do enough traveling, even though our RV may be sitting idle for a while.
Terry
Congrats to you two. It's all Saturdays and Sundays from now on except for holidays. HAPPY DANCE!!!!