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Post by huskyharper on Apr 28, 2024 13:39:28 GMT -5
Taking some short-term disability from work. Anxiety became overwhelming on all fronts and I needed to remove one of the stressors so work was it. Can't exactly opt out of my family - though there are days I want to run away and just be alone on a deserted island. Going to visit my 92-year-old dad in Omaha in a week. I watched The Weather Channel on Friday as tornadoes barreled toward Omaha. My dad and sister live in the extreme southwestern part of Omaha, and I feared they were going to be hit. They weren't, but others in the Omaha suburbs were impacted. All of my friends came out unscathed, fortunately, but one high-school classmate had a narrow escape in Bennington. Her home was not damaged but others in the neighborhood suffered severe damage. The power of a tornado is unfathomable. I am hoping for a clear weather week while I am in Omaha. I realized watching the tornado coverage I have some PTSD from the tornado I went through in 1975 when I sheltered in the high school as a tornado bore down and destroyed many houses in the neighborhood around the high school. The high school itself suffered some damage, but the horse barn across the street was leveled. I will never forget seeing a horse (dead) in what remained of a large tree on the barn property. I have a fascination with tornadoes, but do not ever want to experience one again. Chappy, keeping you on my prayer list and hoping for positive, relaxing vibes. Some times we just need to run away from it all. You are appreciated here on the board, know that. Sending hugs, if that helps. HH
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Post by bulkey on Apr 28, 2024 13:42:09 GMT -5
So very sorry to hear of the renewed problems at home. But so wise of you to take time. We lived in Wisconsin for 2 decades and tornado sirens and basement refuges were a common thing for us. It is terrifying! A town close to ours was essentially destroyed with (IIRC) 18 dead.
Hoping you get clear weather and a well-deserved break!
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Post by knightsbridgeaz on Apr 28, 2024 18:11:37 GMT -5
Hopefully you will avoid all the tornados. I've only had to shelter once - at the Women's College World Series - but the tornado bypassed our hotel and only did minor damage where it passed. Even that was enough to convince me I didn't need to experience another - never mind a serious experience like you had.
De-stress, relax, enjoy your visit with family.
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Post by knightsbridgeaz on May 26, 2024 21:56:18 GMT -5
Just want to share that I am appreciating home like never before after traveling on 2 trips this month.
We flew to Philly on the 1st and back on the 16th, visiting some family and friends in NJ and PA and lots of tourist spots in NY & PA. Turned around and drove to San Diego on the 20th, taking my nephew on his belated 40th Birthday present (never had a real vacation in his now 45 years). Got back yesterday.
It isn't that I don't enjoy seeing "sights" - but I just want to say that there truly is nothing like home - with our 3 dogs and all.
A week in Chicago in July will complete (I hope) most of our travel for this year.
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Post by bulkey on May 27, 2024 7:07:59 GMT -5
Just want to share that I am appreciating home like never before after traveling on 2 trips this month. We flew to Philly on the 1st and back on the 16th, visiting some family and friends in NJ and PA and lots of tourist spots in NY & PA. Turned around and drove to San Diego on the 20th, taking my nephew on his belated 40th Birthday present (never had a real vacation in his now 45 years). Got back yesterday. It isn't that I don't enjoy seeing "sights" - but I just want to say that there truly is nothing like home - with our 3 dogs and all. A week in Chicago in July will complete (I hope) most of our travel for this year. That is a lot, but at least it's with family. Safe travels to Chicago as well... We've been doing/will do a lot of traveling ourselves (more than I'm inclined to) and it is getting to be less and less enjoyable. Not only because travel is harder for older folks, but because travel is just a lot harder. So, I'm also much more of a homebody these days.
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Post by vtcwbuff on May 27, 2024 8:37:57 GMT -5
I remember the days when travel was fun. Something to look forward to. Flying was a no stress, comfortable way to travel. Our last trip to Hawaii in 2021 was a semi nightmare and I vowed never to fly again. Now we plan our vacations local, always within a few hours drive. The reward is finding all of the nearby places that we had overlooked in years past.
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Post by pinotbear on May 27, 2024 9:04:28 GMT -5
Last month, my wife and I completed the most ambitious road trip of our lives - we drove from New Mexico to Cape Cold, to Jacksonville, and back to New Mexico, via New Orleans. 5600+ miles, 24 states (and, very briefly, Canada), crossing Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana off of our "life list". Crossed New Orleans off of mine, as I'd long wanted to check it out. I'll spare you the extended travelogue, but, grant me two observations; - first, there's a "new" color for automobiles out there, an uninspiring shade of gray, often with an enamel finish, that reminds me of the plastic WW2 Revell models I used to glue together, as a boy. I christened it "Panzer Grey". - second, alligators like to eat marshmallows - who knew?
We've now been to 48 of our 50 states. Once we cross the Dakotas off the list, we'll be complete!
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Post by vtcwbuff on May 27, 2024 10:49:05 GMT -5
Having served on 7 "haze grey" Navy ships. When I see those grey cars I get nostalgic.
Alligators also eat lawn mowers. A groundskeeper on the Charleston Naval Base left his mower running while he took a break. An alligator estimated at 15' apparently took issue with the mower noise interrupting his nap ad he attacked the lawn mower. No apparent injury to the alligator but the mower was severely damaged. True story.
Alligator story #2, also true. I was on the green putting out and my wife was waiting in the cart. She kept whispering my name getting louder at each repeat. Meanwhile I was concentrating on making the putt and getting annoyed at her distraction. Finally she yelled "gator!" Sure enough a very large alligator had crawled up on the green behind me. As I started backing up off the green he left a large deposit and slithered back into the water hazard fronting the green. (I have a picture of the gator and the deposit). My wife said his dump was his comment on my putting. She also said that for a while it looked like I was also going to make my own deposit.
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Post by knightsbridgeaz on May 27, 2024 19:52:57 GMT -5
Last month, my wife and I completed the most ambitious road trip of our lives - we drove from New Mexico to Cape Cold, to Jacksonville, and back to New Mexico, via New Orleans. 5600+ miles, 24 states (and, very briefly, Canada), crossing Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana off of our "life list". Crossed New Orleans off of mine, as I'd long wanted to check it out. I'll spare you the extended travelogue, but, grant me two observations; - first, there's a "new" color for automobiles out there, an uninspiring shade of gray, often with an enamel finish, that reminds me of the plastic WW2 Revell models I used to glue together, as a boy. I christened it "Panzer Grey". - second, alligators like to eat marshmallows - who knew? We've now been to 48 of our 50 states. Once we cross the Dakotas off the list, we'll be complete! We are at 45 - Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska. Although it didn't happen this year - other things came up that changed our vacation plans to the trips I mentioned - we do have a National Park trip planned for the next few years to take care of all except Alaska. We used to do long driving trips - and probably will with the national parks, for instance - but my wife found that the travel time was just too much for the recent and Chicago trips this year. It is getting harder as I get older to drive as many hours as I used to in one day.
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Post by vtcwbuff on May 27, 2024 20:57:13 GMT -5
We are in the early 40's and that's probably as far as we are going to get. I have little interest in some of states remaining. An earlier goal was to play golf in every state but I didn't even get close. Arthritis ended my golf a few of years ago.
If the opportunity arises visit Alaska and especially Denali.
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Post by UConnChapette on May 28, 2024 7:22:00 GMT -5
Only Hawaii and Alaska left for me. My family took a lot of road trips for vacations when I was a kid living in California, so I had seen most of the western states before I was 12.
One of my plans (tentative) for when I retire is to get a 30 day Amtrak rail pass and travel the country, making stops along the way to see more of the country. If my husband would join me we could drive, but I don't want to drive across country and back alone.
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Post by bulkey on May 28, 2024 8:40:31 GMT -5
Only Hawaii and Alaska left for me. My family took a lot of road trips for vacations when I was a kid living in California, so I had seen most of the western states before I was 12. One of my plans (tentative) for when I retire is to get a 30 day Amtrak rail pass and travel the country, making stops along the way to see more of the country. If my husband would join me we could drive, but I don't want to drive across country and back alone. The Amtrak pass sounds great! But surely, you've saved up enough money from what you've earned administering this board and can put it towards a Hawaii trip, right?
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Post by huskyharper on May 28, 2024 12:16:38 GMT -5
Out of the 48 contiguous states (thank you Bob Steele) I've yet to do North Dakota, Washington, Oregon or Utah. I look forward to seeing N. Dakota (a cousin), and maybe the Pacific Northwest. I'd really like to go to Alaska, and I probably will. I'll probably get in the Pacific Northwest at the same time, driving my little RV. Not sure when, tho.
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Post by vtcwbuff on May 28, 2024 14:13:47 GMT -5
We used to alternate vacations with every other year being Hawaii. Other than airfare, it doesn't have to be that expensive. We started out renting condos and then after a couple of trips we decided to rent a house. Our last few trip we stayed at a beautiful house in Princeville, Kauai. The rent was $8,000 a week for a 4 bedroom, with a pool and hot tub. Split 4 ways it came down to less than $300 a night. Renting a house also saves a bunch on restaurants. Unfortunately, our last trip, 2021 post pandemic, was a real bust. I don't think we'll return.
On my only trip to Alaska we flew into Fairbanks, stayed there a few days and took a bus to Denali. I wish we had spent the entire trip in Denali.
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Post by UConnChapette on May 28, 2024 16:55:22 GMT -5
Only Hawaii and Alaska left for me. My family took a lot of road trips for vacations when I was a kid living in California, so I had seen most of the western states before I was 12. One of my plans (tentative) for when I retire is to get a 30 day Amtrak rail pass and travel the country, making stops along the way to see more of the country. If my husband would join me we could drive, but I don't want to drive across country and back alone. The Amtrak pass sounds great! But surely, you've saved up enough money from what you've earned administering this board and can put it towards a Hawaii trip, right? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Um, no
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Post by meyers7 on Jun 3, 2024 12:29:07 GMT -5
Last month, my wife and I completed the most ambitious road trip of our lives - we drove from New Mexico to Cape Cold, to Jacksonville, and back to New Mexico, via New Orleans. 5600+ miles, 24 states (and, very briefly, Canada), crossing Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana off of our "life list". Crossed New Orleans off of mine, as I'd long wanted to check it out. I'll spare you the extended travelogue, but, grant me two observations; - first, there's a "new" color for automobiles out there, an uninspiring shade of gray, often with an enamel finish, that reminds me of the plastic WW2 Revell models I used to glue together, as a boy. I christened it "Panzer Grey". - second, alligators like to eat marshmallows - who knew? We've now been to 48 of our 50 states. Once we cross the Dakotas off the list, we'll be complete! Haven't been to North Dakota, but went through South Dakota many years ago. Seeing the Mt Rushmore, Badlands and then Wall Drug (although basically a tourist trap) was cool (at least back then). New Orleans is still on my list. I still think I'd like to see it during Mardi Gras, BUT, I'm getting kind of old to handle all of that. Still though seeing a Crewe's parade or a Second Line, to me would be awesome (or so I think).
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Post by vtcwbuff on Jun 3, 2024 21:52:44 GMT -5
I drove across North Dakota several years ago. Mostly a lot of nothing but an sort of interesting section through the badlands. I have zero interest in going back.
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Post by UConnChapette on Jun 4, 2024 9:54:36 GMT -5
I drove across North Dakota several years ago. Mostly a lot of nothing but an sort of interesting section through the badlands. I have zero interest in going back. Pretty much everything in the northern and central plains is pretty boring. Great for chasing storms as you can see them building a hundred miles away because of the largely wide-open, treeless and flat land. Cows, wheat fields, corn fields, soy bean fields, oil wells and wind turbines. It has its own unique beauty, but I get why others may not be enthralled by the journey through those states.
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Post by UConnChapette on Jul 29, 2024 13:29:23 GMT -5
Hi everyone.
I have been largely absent in the past month or two. A lot of crazy stuff going on at work and home. The stress and anxiety were crushing for a while there, and I simply had no energy to read the board let alone post.
Work has become a political quagmire. Change for (seemingly) nothing more than the sake of change. Lots of people leaving either for greener pastures or retirement or "involuntarily retired". Lots of new changes at the top with what seems like titles of AVP and VP being given out like lollipops to kids at the doctor's office. Think Oprah pointing at the audience saying "You get a title, and you get a title, and you get a title..." I finally said "ENOUGH" and set my retirement date at January 17, 2025. Knowing there is an end to the work insanity in less than 6 months has been freeing. I no longer really care that much what the company does, as long as my pension is not touched.
The other thing that has been weighing heavily on my mind is the "other house". My mother-in-law had the foresight to set up a "life estate" where my husband was made the owner of her house while retaining life use. She passed away in 2017 and we have struggled with what to do with the house ever since. For a time it stood empty, then my eldest child moved into it. At first rent was being paid, but then they lost their job and we let them live there rent free with them paying the utilities. Over time, we started paying the utilities , too. Due to mental health issues, one of which includes hoarding, the house eventually became a hazard to live in. They moved into our basement a few months ago. With my impending retirement, retaining the house became an impossibility. Taxes, insurance and utilities for two houses is not financially responsible in retirement if one is not earning any income if the form of rent. So, I set about cleaning out the house myself since my husband's heart condition causes him to tire very easily with minimal exertion and the adult child incapable of doing much to help themselves let alone us. It was overwhelming. I have a bad back, and could only do an hour or two each day on the weekends. My mental health was severely impacted. My youngest and his girlfriend took the reins. They put on super hero capes. They came out from California with very short notice, hired a clean out contractor who came and, in just more than one day, emptied the house of trash - and everything. They also contacted two realtors to list the house. Both realtors said to not do anything to the house or yard. It is an 80 year old house that has had very few upgrades. When we replaced the oven a few years ago the original oven from 1944 was still there - and working!). After the hoarding situation, both agents said to list it as an investor property for cash sale. One gave us a starting list price $45K over the other. That agent also said the market is really good right now, especially for flips where there is no inventory and lots of interest. Yeah, yeah, I thought. Blow some more smoke up our you-know-whats. But $45,000 more? We went with her. The house was listed last Friday (7/26). The agent updated the listing yesterday for last and best offer by 6:00 PM tonight. As of now, there have been 40 showings, and the agent said she has had multiple offers with the highest being $15,000 over list price. We will have it "sold" in less than 72 hours! I give her props. She knows the market! Just knowing we will be out from under the financial burden of that house has been especially freeing. Even more than deciding to retire!
I still have other stressors that are completely out of my control. But I am learning to live with them with as much peace possible.
And, to top it all off...our deck replacement project begins tomorrow with the tear down of the old deck and setting posts for the new deck.
For the first time in a long time I can say "Life is good"! Or at least much better!
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Post by chicagogg on Jul 29, 2024 13:45:57 GMT -5
What a blessing that your West Coast clan came to your rescue! What great kids they are! And to know that you have an end date at work is truly positive as well. Glad to know that you may be able to see some blue skies overhead pretty soon, and that the clouds are parting a little bit. Hoping that all continues to improve.
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Post by swash on Jul 29, 2024 15:57:59 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I have been largely absent in the past month or two. A lot of crazy stuff going on at work and home. The stress and anxiety were crushing for a while there, and I simply had no energy to read the board let alone post. Work has become a political quagmire. Change for (seemingly) nothing more than the sake of change. Lots of people leaving either for greener pastures or retirement or "involuntarily retired". Lots of new changes at the top with what seems like titles of AVP and VP being given out like lollipops to kids at the doctor's office. Think Oprah pointing at the audience saying "You get a title, and you get a title, and you get a title..." I finally said "ENOUGH" and set my retirement date at January 17, 2025. Knowing there is an end to the work insanity in less than 6 months has been freeing. I no longer really care that much what the company does, as long as my pension is not touched. The other thing that has been weighing heavily on my mind is the "other house". My mother-in-law had the foresight to set up a "life estate" where my husband was made the owner of her house while retaining life use. She passed away in 2017 and we have struggled with what to do with the house ever since. For a time it stood empty, then my eldest child moved into it. At first rent was being paid, but then they lost their job and we let them live there rent free with them paying the utilities. Over time, we started paying the utilities , too. Due to mental health issues, one of which includes hoarding, the house eventually became a hazard to live in. They moved into our basement a few months ago. With my impending retirement, retaining the house became an impossibility. Taxes, insurance and utilities for two houses is not financially responsible in retirement if one is not earning any income if the form of rent. So, I set about cleaning out the house myself since my husband's heart condition causes him to tire very easily with minimal exertion and the adult child incapable of doing much to help themselves let alone us. It was overwhelming. I have a bad back, and could only do an hour or two each day on the weekends. My mental health was severely impacted. My youngest and his girlfriend took the reins. They put on super hero capes. They came out from California with very short notice, hired a clean out contractor who came and, in just more than one day, emptied the house of trash - and everything. They also contacted two realtors to list the house. Both realtors said to not do anything to the house or yard. It is an 80 year old house that has had very few upgrades. When we replaced the oven a few years ago the original oven from 1944 was still there - and working!). After the hoarding situation, both agents said to list it as an investor property for cash sale. One gave us a starting list price $45K over the other. That agent also said the market is really good right now, especially for flips where there is no inventory and lots of interest. Yeah, yeah, I thought. Blow some more smoke up our you-know-whats. But $45,000 more? We went with her. The house was listed last Friday (7/26). The agent updated the listing yesterday for last and best offer by 6:00 PM tonight. As of now, there have been 40 showings, and the agent said she has had multiple offers with the highest being $15,000 over list price. We will have it "sold" in less than 72 hours! I give her props. She knows the market! Just knowing we will be out from under the financial burden of that house has been especially freeing. Even more than deciding to retire! I still have other stressors that are completely out of my control. But I am learning to live with them with as much peace possible. And, to top it all off...our deck replacement project begins tomorrow with the tear down of the old deck and setting posts for the new deck. For the first time in a long time I can say "Life is good"! Or at least much better! Sorry for your struggles, but glad to hear things are looking up for you, Chappy
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Post by vtcwbuff on Jul 29, 2024 18:25:20 GMT -5
Congrats on your decision to leave the rat race. I retired 24+ years ago and haven't regretted it. Just remember, retirement is what you choose to make of it.
A deck rebuild can be a great stress reliever. We redid ours two years ago, spent way too much money and got our butts whipped but we did it all ourselves. Now we have dinner on the deck almost every evening weather permitting. We spend evenings bird watching, tossing apples to our pet deer and after dark We also stay out star gazing, counting meteors and satellites and the occasional space station pass. Most important we have conversations. I'm sure that sounds boring to some, but we are at the point in our lives that boring is way more important than bullsheet.
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Post by knightsbridgeaz on Jul 30, 2024 20:40:22 GMT -5
I'm glad things are looking up.
Having a house in that condition must have been a super stressor, so glad you got some help clearing it out. I can't imagine where you started, it isn't easy cleaning out houses that just have the accumulated possessions of a lifetime.
I'll second positive comments about your coming retirement. My workplace was not unpleasant, but things were much easier when I was no longer working (my job ended by a merger that ultimately became an early retirement); for example, my wife's health struggles. I was able to be available - and do almost everything - for the period when she had frequent medical appointments and was quite ill. There remain things she just can't do, but I would be retired by now none-the-less.
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Post by vtcwbuff on Jul 31, 2024 18:08:36 GMT -5
One thing to learn about enjoying retirement - you have to let go of the "stressors." Whatever it takes - get rid of it. Learn to embrace the little things that were once way below your radar.
Last night we spent a half hour enjoying the hummingbird wars and then one of our "pet" deer, for the first time this year, brought out her two fawns to show them off. Of course they'll probably eat half of our gardens but that's OK (kinda).
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Post by meyers7 on Aug 1, 2024 12:41:11 GMT -5
No retirement for me...yet. Still got a few more years. But, then I work from home 3 days a week. My boss works in another state. I only see him once a month, maybe. And he's a great boss anyway. I've got weeks of vacations each year. And they keep paying me. Why retire? But eventually.
In the mean time, we're enjoying being new grandparents. See the grandbaby probably 3-4 times a week. (and is he cute..OMG..doesn't take after me.) We're heading down to NYC this weekend to take in a show and a concert. Should be fun, but busy. Unfortunately my son (and his wife) won't be in the city this weekend, so won't get to see them. They have to vacation with his mom....ha-ha.
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