I have retired.

It was a long 35 ears, sometimes great, sometimes horrendous. It's time now for me to officially retire from nursing, so that's what I'm doing. No, I'm not 62 yet, but it'll be here when it gets here.

Meanwhile, I'm going to help my husband with clerical tasks related to his business. I can't do the work he does (I'm not trained), but I can organize, type fast, and be the general gopher. Actually, I've been riding along for a while now, and I finally decided that's what I want to do.

In the future, and between and betwixt, I plan to put in some perennial plants and and herbs in my greenhouse, rent a space at T Street or down on Palafox, and sell plants from time to time.

The cool air from the open window is blowing past me as I type.....I feel so free!

You could send a box of those marvelous chocolate covered ice-creams That will do so nicely.

Moral of the story: Do not let friends sit with you at your computer when you retire. Stay by a nice fireplace.

Congrats PB2. Hope you enjoy your downtime.

Good for you PB!

Woopie!

Now you can sleep in a bit. Nothing better than rolling over and catching a few more winks...

Congratulations..!! You deserve it..!!

So happy for you. Enjoy your retirement, you earned it!

Thanks, guys! This is all very new to me, but we've been planning it for months now. I'll be helping my husband in his business (I could never sit home and do nothing at all.)

It is just time for me to let go of health care. Also, it's time to get some rest after all of these years on night shift. YES!!!!

When I entered UWF I was disappointed to learn that it offered no major in retirement. If it had and I coulda had retirement as a job from the gitgo I woulda took it. I was born for that career.

Congratulations PB.. I love waking up at 7:00 in the morning and rolling over for another hr or two if I want to..

It is with great relief that I post my actual name.

For years now, I've been afraid my identity would leak out to my employer. I was unable to comment on certain PNJ articles for fear of.....well, you know.

I always said that the day I retired I would start posting under my own name, so there you have it. I am so happy to be here with all of you.

YAY! Congratulations, Sweet Melissa! So happy for you, doll!

Melissa Brown wrote:

It is with great relief that I post my actual name.

For years now, I've been afraid my identity would leak out to my employer. I was unable to comment on certain PNJ articles for fear of.....well, you know.

I always said that the day I retired I would start posting under my own name, so there you have it. I am so happy to be here with all of you.

GOOD FOR YOU, PB!!!

My parents always said their happiest days were when my Dad retired and he and my Mom were able to work together.

I hope yours will prove every bit as happy as theirs were!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, PB! I think retirement is a well-deserved time of your life and to have the added benefit of a small business will give you a frame for the extra time you have. Looking forward to enjoying it vicariously with you!

Thanks, Stormy and SheSurfs! Yes, we're happy about it.

I just abbreviated my name on our forum 'cause it was toodarnedlong.... :-)

luv ya lots, you know that!

We dwell on what we have lost, not what we have.
God be with you my friend.
There will be turmoil, but remember to love that hubbie of yours!

Thanks, Storm. I don't know if you read my post under pets or not, but I suspect you did. Yes, it's so hard not to dwell on losses, but what happened made me realize what was important in my life, and it's not a job. It is my husband, my family of pets, my home.

I feel like I have not really been home for almost seven years. Seven years of work, sleep, work, sleep.....and declining physical health because of it. I felt like I was doing what I HAD to do, but I see now that is not necessarily so. There are other, better ways to get through this thing called life, and I am determined to remember that.

You should see the plethora of strange plants I have in my greenhouse that I plan to sell at the flea market! :-) I'll finally be doing what I have wanted to do for about ten years if and when I can get that going.

Good for you girl!