On a very happy note...

[Panina]

Aaaanndd, just like that, I'm OFFICIALLY RETIRED!!! YAY!!!

I was going to retire at the end of the week, but after completing my last work project yesterday morning, I had no idea how to spend the next four and a half days. Busy-work makes me crazy. I spoke with my Manager yesterday afternoon, HR said things were good with them, and we all agreed today would be my last workday. Lots of heartfelt good luck wishes from coworkers, I cleaned out my desk, turned in my badge and door keys, and here I am.

It feels pretty surreal, that after 48 years in IT, and the last 12 years at a very busy regional hospital system, that it's all finally said and done. Time to see what the next chapter of my life contains.
But first things first - tomorrow morning we'll see if it's possible to sleep in, even a little.

Dave

Congratulations

 

[Tank]

Congrats !

Wishing you many years to enjoy retirement

Dave

 

[WinniWoman]

Aaaanndd, just like that, I'm OFFICIALLY RETIRED!!! YAY!!!

I was going to retire at the end of the week, but after completing my last work project yesterday morning, I had no idea how to spend the next four and a half days. Busy-work makes me crazy. I spoke with my Manager yesterday afternoon, HR said things were good with them, and we all agreed today would be my last workday. Lots of heartfelt good luck wishes from coworkers, I cleaned out my desk, turned in my badge and door keys, and here I am.

It feels pretty surreal, that after 48 years in IT, and the last 12 years at a very busy regional hospital system, that it's all finally said and done. Time to see what the next chapter of my life contains.
But first things first - tomorrow morning we'll see if it's possible to sleep in, even a little.

Dave

Congratulations, Dave! Well deserved! Very happy for you! Crazy times right now but best wishes for an enjoyable retirement. I am sure you will keep busy and if you get bored your wife can do what I do- keep adding to the honey do list and send you out on errands! LOL!

 

[DaveNV]

Now fess up, Dave...you're not going to hang out at Costco while you wait - right???

HAHAHA! Oh heck, no. Have you seen the lines just trying to get in the door? And I hear they don't even have toilet paper!

(Seriously, I drove past Costco on my way home today, and they had a line around the building - at 2:00 on a Tuesday. Say what???)

Dave

 

[Passepartout]

HAHAHA! Oh heck, no. Have you seen the lines just trying to get in the door? And I hear they don't even have toilet paper!

(Seriously, I drove past Costco on my way home today, and they had a line around the building - at 2:00 on a Tuesday. Say what???)

You have a secret weapon! You can just make a call and your private elf can magically bring it home. Must be nice!

 

[WinniWoman]

PS I can't wait to hear about your first year of retirement life so keep us updated!

 

[geekette]

I love it - sudden retirement! congratulations! yes, sleep extra long tomorrow. stay in your pjs all day because you've earned it!

 

[geekette]

Congrats, welcome to the club. We actually have more spending money in retirement. Another IT guy! Life is SOOOOOOO much easier and better, for me at least.

Yes, there is something about no more calls at 2 am that really suits me.

 

[b2bailey]

That’s fantastic! Congratulations!

I still vividly remember walking to my car that last day. With a big smile on my face. It was a great feeling. I hope you can sleep late tomorrow and enjoy the day.

One secret is to make the room as dark as possible.

 

[geekette]

Thanks! I keep adding to my own honeydo list. It's scary! I may have to go back to work just to get some rest!

Dave

nah, just say you're headed out for TP. You can get yourself a whole weekend away on that.

 

[b2bailey]

Now fess up, Dave...you're not going to hang out at Costco while you wait - right???

No reason to go if they aren't doing food sampling.

 

[WalnutBaron]

Aaaanndd, just like that, I'm OFFICIALLY RETIRED!!! YAY!!!

I was going to retire at the end of the week, but after completing my last work project yesterday morning, I had no idea how to spend the next four and a half days. Busy-work makes me crazy. I spoke with my Manager yesterday afternoon, HR said things were good with them, and we all agreed today would be my last workday. Lots of heartfelt good luck wishes from coworkers, I cleaned out my desk, turned in my badge and door keys, and here I am.

It feels pretty surreal, that after 48 years in IT, and the last 12 years at a very busy regional hospital system, that it's all finally said and done. Time to see what the next chapter of my life contains.
But first things first - tomorrow morning we'll see if it's possible to sleep in, even a little.

Dave

Congratulations, Dave! I know you've been pointing to this day for a long time, and it's great that you and your DW are in good health and looking forward to this next chapter in your lives. Because of all that's happening around us these days, your first weeks (maybe months) should be spent "staycationing" in your home, but that gives you a ton of time to plan all those trips you've dreamed of taking for the next five years or so!

Enjoy sleeping in, and try not to drive your wife crazy. (Hint: don't offer to re-arrange the pantry cupboards!)

 

[DaveNV]

You have a secret weapon! You can just make a call and your private elf can magically bring it home. Must be nice!

Actually, my Private Elf is on an unpaid Leave of Absence from Costco right now, pending further medical involvement. Hoping to convert it to a paid Medical Leave of Absence. The risk of catching the COVID-19 virus is too great, and working the Refund Desk at Costco could be fatal. Dealing with hundreds of members, one after another, in close contact across the refund counter presents much too great a health risk.

Too many comorbidities adding up to extremely high risk, not the least of which is genetic predisposition to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopathic_pulmonary_fibrosis) Spouse's mother and uncle both died from that terrible disease, and COVID-19 leaves scar tissue in the lungs that can lead directly to IPF.

We are taking no chances, and we are self-quarantining for now. Nobody is sick, but we want to keep it that way.

Dave

 

[clifffaith]

Yay Dave! Congrats!

 

[geist1223]

Buy Heavy Duty Roller Shades and Blackout curtains. Welcome to the life of getting paid not to work. Felix will not let me sleep in. He gets lonely.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

What an accomplishment. Congrats Dave! Enjoy.

 

[easyrider]

Congratulations Dave. Do you have any hobbies ?

Bill

 

[DaveNV]

Congratulations Dave. Do you have any hobbies ?

Bill

Not as such, other than travel and photography. I do enjoy gardening. I bought some new roses I want to see if I can make happy. After the yard is in shape, I'll turn to the house. There is a lot of honeydo things the house needs.

I know I will not be bored. LOL!

Dave

 

[amycurl]

I had been thinking about your spouse, Dave, even before hearing about her increased risk factors. Glad that she is able to step away and not lose her job. Gaw, I *heart* Costco.

And, also, yay! What great timing for retirement. Enjoy!

 

[DaveNV]

I had been thinking about your spouse, Dave, even before hearing about her increased risk factors. Glad that she is able to step away and not lose her job. Gaw, I *heart* Costco.

And, also, yay! What great timing for retirement. Enjoy!

Thanks, Amy. We're glad to have the ability to take a leave, even unpaid, to protect spouse's health. Costco tries their best to treat their employees well. After 25 years with the company, we're kind of locked in. It'd be very difficult to change employers at this point.

Dave

 

[Passepartout]

Two thumbs waaaay up for Costco! They try to improve the lives of their employees and their members. Now if they'd just have some 'senior hours' when we didn't have to fight mobs.

Jim

 

[heathpack]

Aaaanndd, just like that, I'm OFFICIALLY RETIRED!!! YAY!!!

I was going to retire at the end of the week, but after completing my last work project yesterday morning, I had no idea how to spend the next four and a half days. Busy-work makes me crazy. I spoke with my Manager yesterday afternoon, HR said things were good with them, and we all agreed today would be my last workday. Lots of heartfelt good luck wishes from coworkers, I cleaned out my desk, turned in my badge and door keys, and here I am.

It feels pretty surreal, that after 48 years in IT, and the last 12 years at a very busy regional hospital system, that it's all finally said and done. Time to see what the next chapter of my life contains.
But first things first - tomorrow morning we'll see if it's possible to sleep in, even a little.

Dave

Shut up you lucky dog

 

[cyntravel]

Congratulations Dave!!!!
Have a Great Time!!

 

[cyntravel]

Two thumbs waaaay up for Costco! They try to improve the lives of their employees and their members. Now if they'd just have some 'senior hours' when we didn't have to fight mobs.

Jim

Actually Dollar General Implemented Senior Hours for our area.
I thought that was a great idea!

 

[LisaH]

Congrats Dave! I retired almost 4 years ago. Never look back...