My dh retired in 1998 after 30 yrs with the state highway dept in our former state (which at the moment I will leave nameless) He had always enjoyed his job but the last four to five years became more stressful and the "politics" were getting worse. So at 60 he retired. For two summers, we worked camped which he enjoyed because he could do a lot of outside things and still have time to himself. After the campground where we worked was sold we retired totally. He does not have any major hobbies but seems to keep busy puttering on either the motorhome or our mobile. I am so glad that he retired when he did because he is a much happier person. There are times I wish he had a hobby but all in all I am a happy camper because we do not have to live in a northern state in the winter and he is so much more relaxed.

(only caveat if you plan to sell your home and seriously downsize, you better have time before he retires because unless he is really in tune with what is a keepsake and what is garbage in your house, you better do the downsizing and just let him haul the garbage.----ask me how I know that!!!!!)

Ann - glad to be retired and on the road!!! Home is where we park it.

Eileen, push, push, push to get him to retire. and while he's looking at pharm tech, have him just plain look at everything! Go to the library and read some books........what ever...........maybe he's the world's next Champion Whittler! Or a butterfly photographer. Or bag boy at the local grocery.

There are so many things............. just find something he loves to do.

I'm one for following your bliss.............but first you gotta find it!
Lynn

hi frances, this is gramslams from bakersfield. still working on my quilt . i got side tracked and was playing with my embroidery. hope to work on it this weekend, since dh is working. karen from sunny bakersfield

Eileen,
My husband retired in 2000. He
was flying about 100,000 miles a year and was tired and hated the politics at work. We decided that if he retired then, we would have to downsize and make some changes in our lifestyle around now, and we are. He is so much happier being retired. He now has a second career as a PI and a computer forensics examiner. It took him some time to relax and get used to being retired. It took me some time to get used to him being here all the time but now I love it. I miss him when he's working. Now we volunteer usher at some local theaters. I say that if he hates it so much and you can live with what you have in 2010, then he should retire.
Frances in sunny 96 degree Austin

Eileenly if he is not happy he needs to do something that wil make him happy if that is to retire early maybe he can find some thing part time to help him get out and be with people other than be in or at the house all day Happy

If he liked his job I would say go for it but if not then I would retire and think about a second career doing something I enjoyed. I have several more years to go before I can even think about retiring but if I am still working for and with the same people I work with now I would stay in a heart beat. I enjoy my job so unless I could make money quilting I can't think of anything I would rather be doing.

My husband who retired at the end of January this year, is considering getting certification as a Research Genealogist. So far he is just working on sorting out our family history. This is involving alot of paper piles on the dining room table. But he loves searching out family puzzles so I think he could definitely do work for other people someday. It's early in retirement. We'll see what happens. I do know this.............you need something to pursue and keep you busy and interested.

Wow, here's a forum I've missed. We can talk about anything under the sun; just as if we were at a sit and sew.
Anybody got anything they want to talk about? Doesn't even have to be quilting related.
I'll start

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DH is eligible to retire from his job in July 2010. He has enough annual leave that he'll be able to actually stop working in May of that year. He'll have some sick leave left over but not enough to give him another month of service. So now he's thinking of staying until January 2011.
The reason this is a problem for me is that he hates his job. He used to love it but the place has gone downhill and it's breaking his heart. I don't know if staying the extra 6 months will be good for him.
He's thinking of taking an online course to become a pharmacy technician for a part time career for after he retires. He's not the kind of person to stay home. He'll go crazy.
What would your advice be for him? I know what my feelings are but I'd like to hear yours.
Thanks,
eileenkny