I'm retired for real now

Good morning! Well, today is my first official day of retirement. I haven't been working the past two months, but that's been furlough, vacation, and personal leave... today is the real deal. It's great, but the bad part is that I don't get my first pension check for 3 months! So I feel like I'm living for free today... no one better expect anything out of me. Ha! I do have a long list of errands today, so I need to hop in the shower and get going here pretty soon.

I spent last week at my folks doing some much-needed painting of their living room. They have a huge wood furnace in the basement and a lot of soot had come up through the registers in a chimney fire and collected on the old 9' walls -- what a challenge. First I TSP'd the walls, then painted the walls and did the wood trim an off-white color... the reward of seeing my parents happy with the results was worth it. We got new cellular shades and sheers too which really spiffs up the place. This was the first time in many years that I was able to go to my folks and not have to worry about a time frame with work, etc. I missed Tony but he totally understood that our time with aging parents is short, so we need to make the most of it when possible. I really enjoyed being in Deep River -- not many people my age are able to go home to the house they grew up in, have both parents alive, and be able to explore in old closets to find treasures like I did... my 1967 Green Acres color book, my DMV driver's test results from 1976, and lots of other treasures. How fun!

It was wonderful to have Tony home for two days in a row (Sunday & Monday). We laughed a lot, did yard work, watched movies, just enjoyed each other's company. Now he's off to work for three days, then he gets Fri/Sat/Sun off this weekend! We may go to Nemah, then the Goonies 25th anniversary event in Astoria. Several cast members will be there... check it out at http://www.thegoonies.com/events/event_details.asp?id=82940.

Have a great day! I need to enjoy this first day of retirement. Interesting... my first day being retired and I post pictures of coloring... hmm, I wonder if this is what the future holds. Or maybe I'll become an artist in my old age. It could be a sign...  E