Time has been flying while we've been having FUN!!!

By far, the most awesome event since I last posted was our LEGAL marriage on September 26, 2013!  We went with another couple (long-time friends) to Council Bluffs, IA and tied the knot.  Our  Aunt Nancy and cousin Leanna stood up with us before the judge in his chambers.  Uncle Ralph, cousin Valerie and kids/grandkids of our friends were all there to witness.  It was truly a wonderful experience.

I took a road trip with a great friend from Dallas -- rode with her to California and then drove myself back.  Took 3 days getting home and spotted some great stops to make when we hit the road.

Plus, we decided that Gail should go ahead and take the retirement plunge so that she could enjoy it a while before we pack up and move!  Her last day of work was October 11.  It's been fabulous to spend every day together!

We've been on several camping trips from 2-8 days -- Port Aransas, Martin Creek Lake SP, Lake Tawakoni SP, Fairfield Lake SP -- with various friends and family.  Check out our new Facebook Page:  Wander Women.

Have also completed most of the big projects here at the house:  Painted master bedroom, Deck Restore on front bridges and lakeside deck.  New railings around lakeside and front porches.  Desk Restore, new railings and screening around outside kitchen.  We have been working on the Murphy bed downstairs, making great progress on it.

Yet to do: Restore/Railings on deck between workshop and outside kitchen.  Some painting inside.  May put some more lights and a ceiling fan outside.  MAYBE.  :-)

Hoping to get the house on the market in March.  Wish us luck!!

First retirement musings....

OK, so most of you now know what the "next chapter" is about.  RETIREMENT!!  I worked my last day on Friday, June 28.  So far, I guess it really feels more like a normal vacation week.  Technically, it is.  Except that I don't have to go back!  I won't have to fix anything that broke this week, I won't have to do payroll and explain this week's overtime for any of my 15 technicians.  I won't have to enter information into countless spreadsheets or attend multiple conference calls.  My phone won't be constantly buzzing with text messages and emails and phone calls.  PARADISE!!  (That doesn't mean I don't want to hear from YOU!)

The first two days have been almost aimless....just popping into this or that around the house.  Started my new daily occupation---as promised to Molly---walking around the neighborhood with my little buddy.  Yesterday I got a lot more done that I did on Monday.  Actually took all of the boxes from the office out of my car and cleaned it up, for one thing.  Also took my broken glasses to be repaired (hopefully under warranty) and did some necessary shopping at Wally World (Gail sounded downright giddy when I told her I would do that).

This morning, I'm working on unpacking those boxes.  Somehow, that makes it all seem more real.  It was almost joyful to pack them.  But unpacking them is a little more ... I dunno ....poignant?  thought-provoking?  Is it because I have slowed down enough to let my thoughts in?   I'm definitely okay with it.  I know we've made the right decision.  But each item in the boxes triggers a memory.  Just seeing the boxes triggers the awesome memories of the going-away parties (one in SA, one in Waco and one in Austin --  the benefit of doing field support work!) and the sweet parting words from some very special people.  Twenty-six years is a long time to work for one company these days.  And working for 44 years (since high school) does tend to make you forget there is any other way to do life!

You may not know that we've decided to sell the house and see the country in our travel trailer!  We've been working away at finishing up projects that we've always planned to do here and doing any repairs or refreshes that 7 years of life here call for.  The place is looking great and people keep saying "You're going to make it so nice that you don't want to leave!"  Well, it's ALWAYS been that nice to us!  It's been a terrific chapter. We've so enjoyed the lake life, lake friends, lake church and lake visits from so many of you.  But the reality is that it's a LOT to take care of, it takes us longer to do the chores and it leaves us with too little time for playing!!  And it's always been our "ace in the hole" in case the 401k never caught up again or we decided to retire before it did.  That's the beauty of being your own general contractor and having so many wonderful family members and friends help you do the work---lots of equity!!

Months ago, I posted these two quotes on our refrigerator:
1) God, keep us firm in the hopes you set before us.  Help us to remember that if our dreams are your dreams, you will make them come true.
2) Once you truly make up your mind to do something, the universe instantly sets things in motion to help you.

It seems that both are true for us!!  Things just keep falling into place. The real estate market here is making a great recovery.  I fully expect the lake to fill up just as soon as we finish our projects!  (Bet that makes some of you wish we'd hurry!).

Right now, Gail is planning to work until the house sells.  Then we'll get a newer, bigger truck and hit the road with our trailer!  The plan is to travel around the country (and hopefully Canada) for a while before we decide where our new home will be.  Mom and Dad have very graciously offered us a base at their home while we do that.  It will be so great to spend more time with them!  Both at their place AND on the road, hopefully!!  We've always thoroughly enjoyed travelling with them.

So, for right now, we're in Chapter: Let it Sink in and Get Busy!

Next:  WANDER WOMEN: The Next Chapter in Lives Well-Lived!

HEB in my rear view mirror!  What's through the windshield?  Stay tuned!

Gail and I have been talking a lot about our wonderful life together.  It seems to have been arranged around different chapters as we grew and changed (hopefully mostly for the better) along the way.  We're not sure how many chapters there have been or will be....but we're about to embark on the next one.  Stay tuned!