I think I now have 15 more Saturdays left to work. It’s not many. However, where I was dreading the countdown a few weeks ago, it now can’t come fast enough.
I’m probably a bit of a letdown to my family with this, because one of my grandfathers worked on after retirement, as did my father. My father carried on full time until he was 67 and then started his own business, which he ran until he was well into his 70s. He did this because he had no hobbies (apart from working), which is something I always said I would not allow to happen.
One of the things I am aware of is that my other grandfather had to retire early with Parkinson’s Disease, and my mother started with it in her early 70s. There is little point saving enjoyment for some future time if I may become too ill to enjoy it. My mother got very cross with me once when I said I ws going to wait until I retired before doing something. I can’t remember what it was, and I still haven’t done it, but I am aware of the general principle.
I’m not thinking of getting Parkinson’s, just using it as an example. My cousin, a GP, tells me that as far as they know, it isn’t hereditary, it’s just quite common. I don’t really need Parkinson’s as I have enough to be going on with as it is. I’m still coming to terms with arthritis, which was a bit of a surprise when it happened.
I had a letter yesterday inviting me to apply for my State Pension. I may have mentioned it. I forget things these days. Things are getting closer.
Tomorrow I am going to make a list of everything I need to do to move house. It is going to be a lot longer than I think. These things always are.
I have subscriptions to half a dozen poetry magazines, so that’s six addresses I will have to change. I’m in three poetry societies. RSPB, Wildlife Trust . . .
That’s a lot of letters. That’s why I used the P id for Postbox 10p coin as a header picture. I used the sunrise for the end picture as I like it.
And yes, it’s likely that next week’s post will be 14 More Saturdays. Once you find a winning formula you may as well stick with it.
Though provoking post, I’m sure a lot of people can resonate with this. We push a lot of things for later, but certain things are best done as and when we can than waiting.
Enjoy life while you can, Simon. Good luck on getting things organized for the move. Organization always makes moving easier.
Having tried other methods I am looking forward to trying some organisation. People speak very highly of it. 😉
I wouldn’t change a winning formula on the blog post titles. The excitement will slowly build for your readers. They say that moving house is a very stressful thing which is why we haven’t done it for fifty years. I quail in sympathy at the very thought of all the organisation it will require from you. Just dealing with the power company alone might be enough to finish me off.
Yes, power, gas and internet for starters. It’s ll changed since the simple days where there was no internet and the gas and electricity was a monopoly. I may have to write a post on moving house as a social history experiment.
Yes, good health and a very creative retirement, which I am sure you will have.
Thank you. I’m going to give it a good go. 🙂
Changing addresses is a necessary pain. If it helps I can tell you that you did mention the pension letter – I was surprised that you were expected to apply for it.
I had checked it out and thought I was meant to apply a month in advance, which I thought seemed a bit close. This timing makes more sense.
I wish you good health always – retirement or otherwise, enjoy and live life to the fullest. My turn will come when I have to retire and I want to retire with dignity and good physical and mental health to enjoy the peace and serenity of all the hard work put in the journey we call life. Blessings.
Thank you. Good luck with your plans. Mine went slightly awry, but life is a series of tests. 🙂