Friday, January 9, 2009

Big News in the New Year



Things have really changed on the home front in the first week of 2009. I have been a stay at home wife and mother for the last 33 years. My husband was recently offered early retirement from the U.S. Postal Service at the age of Fifty-Four. He took the offer and then requested an even earlier retirement date.  His even earlier request was quickly approved and with just a couple of days notice he was officially retired on January 2, 2009.

It is taking a bit of effort to realize our new reality and freedom. He has to keep reminding himself that he doesn't have work in the morning, an early bedtime, or a morning alarm to set. We have enjoyed every second so far. I have to tell you that I am not going to miss the washing and ironing of his postal uniforms, a task that I have been doing for over 30 years as a stay at home wife.

In our first week of retirement we enjoyed a snow outing with some of our kids and grandchildren. We went to dinner with some very old and good friends. We have gone to dinner and to the movies a couple of times and now we are tagging along with our daughter on a business trip to Las Vegas early next week. Much of which would not have been possible with him still working full time.

It is very nice to see my hard working husband relaxing and enjoying the time off and the benefits he has earned from his very  long and devoted postal career.  He retired with a year of unused sick leave, and a work ethic that has been an excellent example for our children and grandchildren.

Today I had a few of  my  grandkids over for a few hours. Something I can do as a stay at home grandma. They were thrilled to find their Papa here too.  It was a really good thing to see their Papa relaxing and enjoying them during the middle of the day!


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