Today, it's all over..

[10thumbs]

Guys,

Big day today.

I closed the door at my shop for the last time.  The rooms are empty, the shop lights have been dismounted, the floors swept and I closed the shutters for the last time.

The plan was to do this work, after retirement age, for as long as I felt like it.  Well, I don't feel like working anymore. 

Bye, bye work, hello vacation.

Been doing this stuff for a long time, and now my key chain bundle is a lot lighter.

I like the feel.  I'm happy to be able to decide when I can quit.  And what I can do from now on.

Michael

[Ace-Garageguy]

Congratulations. Knowing when to quit is a good thing.

[landman]

Congratulations. Knowing when to quit is a good thing.

X2.

[High octane]

Congrats Michael, and good luck on your retirement.

[10thumbs]

Thank you guys.

A year and a half ago I started winding things down.  I had a few folks that were easily available for a newer workplace, and I was able to get my mind settled to the fact that I was already retired, just a time frame for actually getting out was foggy.

Last pre-Christmas days, very busy, let me know the time is near.  I'm tired, don't want it anymore.  The last decades have been a constant up and down, the retirement monthly payments were never easy, sometimes earnings were weak, sometimes strong.  Luckily I had a window that I could jump into retirement, and I jumped with both feet.

There's a good plus on the account, but the IRS (meaning the Germany IRS) has yet to do the last 2 years, so I'm happy they have a bag to draw from.  Azzholes.

Anyways, I'm happy to have survived a working life, to be of good health, and to be able to live further with a retirement kind of life.  I have hobbies, and do not think at this time that boredom will be an issue.

Thanks for the replies!

[KWT]

congrats! and enjoy!

[redneckrigger]

Good luck sir! ENJOY!

[XJ6]

Been there and done that, and still enjoying it.....Good luck and Enjoy

[oldnslow]

Welcome to the second half of life , I retired 6 years ago June and don't know when I had time to work . You stay busy doing things you want to do and enjoy . 

[Tom Geiger]

Congrats!  I have ten years to go!  Cannot wait.

[peteski]

Congrats Michael!  I wish I could retire, but I still have many years left to retirement (unless I win the lottery).

What did you do for work?  I seem to recall that you mentioned being a dentist?  Or do I have that wrong?

[PARTSMARTY]

Good luck to you sir-I have 3-4 years to go and when I retire my full time job will be working on models-can't wait !!!

[GeeBee]

Congratulations, I've got another 6 years until I get my private pension, luckily my work really doesn't feel like work, thankfully I  still enjoy it after all these years 

[crazyjim]

Congratulations and good luck.  I retired 16 years ago and have loved every day of it.

[kitbash1]

Congratulations. I hope that you enjoy every minute. I'm pulling the pin in April of 2018 myself, looking forward to it as well.

[10thumbs]

Guys, great to read about those who are enjoying and not looking back, great stuff.

What's helped me with the transition is that I was able to slow down beforehand.  Getting used to private life has to be learned, my opinion.

The feeling though, of not having to do much of anything if I don't want too, is strange.  There are things to do for sure, just right now I'm taking my sweet time.

I like the empty mailbox at home, since I don't read the lying newspapers anymore, I feel real good.

[disabled modeler]

Congrats Michael...!   This means you get to do what you want from now on...enjoy it.

[crazyjim]

Time to start building.

[jaftygas]

Hello Michael. It's me Joe my divorce is done, while I'm not enjoying retirement like you I do have the single life. Congrats on the retirement. How did that brown and brass cammer turn out?

[10thumbs]

Hello Michael. It's me Joe my divorce is done, while I'm not enjoying retirement like you I do have the single life. Congrats on the retirement. How did that brown and brass cammer turn out?

Well now looky here!  I'm humbled that you come around and tell a bit.  This really pleases me.  Good to hear from you, although I'm saddened that things had to go this direction. Stay strong and get on with your own life dude....some folks don't go with your current, and don't swim well.  A time comes you have to let go.  Still however, remain focused and strong, you'll get there.

The old turd, my 1st brass and metal casting endeavor, the extremely bashed AMT 33 Willys....

This opened a whole new world.

Here the last finished car, a AA Fuel Altered, all metal;

 

 

 

[10thumbs]

Congrats Michael...!   This means you get to do what you want from now on...enjoy it.

Hi Mark.  Thanks for the wishes.  You know what,  I've been trying to all along.  Doing what you want to do.   Just when you want to earn money from another man, be it as employee or employer, you have to make sacrifices.  You have to go with the flow, both ways.  You sir, have had some bad luck and a twist of fate that you surely didn't want. I'm sure that you've had more experience than I have at getting along.  Respect. 

[10thumbs]

Time to start building.

Yeah, I hear it, loud and clear sir.  For the 1st time in my adult life, I don't have to anymore.  Fugg 'em.

Jeez, this is fun!

[10thumbs]

Congratulations, I've got another 6 years until I get my private pension, luckily my work really doesn't feel like work, thankfully I  still enjoy it after all these years 

Hello Geoff.  Your words ring in my ears.  My work was my life, for decades.  I never thought to want to quit at such a young age as 66 yrs.  Young, and dumb.

Feels like...

"wanna here a good joke?

Tell God about your plans".

The cards are mixed, I'll gladly take my hand and be good with it.

Good luck to you sir.

[CometMan]

Congrats, Michael! I'm really glad to hear that there are others out there who, like me, are not impressed with those that try to work 24/7!

[disabled modeler]

Hi Mark.  Thanks for the wishes.  You know what,  I've been trying to all along.  Doing what you want to do.   Just when you want to earn money from another man, be it as employee or employer, you have to make sacrifices.  You have to go with the flow, both ways.  You sir, have had some bad luck and a twist of fate that you surely didn't want. I'm sure that you've had more experience than I have at getting along.  Respect. 

Thank you sir..   I have had some bosses that were real pieces of work..LOL..  Yeah I have had a rough time since the accident...but it could be worse my friend...I am still here to be able to share with others that have the same passions I have for building and restoring old models and promos.  And sometimes I get to be of help to another.  Always good to chat with another modeler too.