We RETIRED!
Ben and I had been planning to leave our current jobs (for months) so we could spend our time traveling on our boat with our beloved dog Crocket. We both retired ( CRAZY to actually write the word) this past December, spent a couple months in the north woods ice fishing, skiing, snowmobiling (really only Ben did this) and planning for our trip traveling The great loop. Since we will not begin 'the loop' until September 2015, we will be doing some work on Jammin Jane (1979 Grand Banks 42) leading up to launching her in early May. Over the summer we will spend some time in Lake Superior (I'm nervous...more about this in another post) finally making our way to Chicago to begin our loop travels.
But back to retirement...I feel so blessed to be able to spend this time with my family. It is still hard to grasp but I'm settling in just fine! Hehe! And, can you believe that we still enjoy being together? Compared to most couples I personally know, Ben and I spend ALOT of time together. and factually enjoy each other...most of the time! I bring this up because quite a few friends/family have asked us "aren't you going to get sick of each other after being on a boat for a year?" While this may be of concern to those that do not enjoy similar interests or each others company, for us, we actually prefer to be together. Most of my best laughs have been shared with this guy! Yes, we do have our ugly moments, but we make them only moments. If we focus on making each other happy then I think we will be just fine.
Retirement has been a great adjustment for both of us. The first month was like one big slumber party with lots of giggles and late nights. But burning the candle at both ends can only lead to one thing...no energy to get anything done. So, we got the slumber party out of our system and are getting into our own grove. Focus has shifted to boat, boat work, boat wishes, boat fun, boat life. For now, that equals getting things done on the boat. Thankfully we store our boat in a heated facility. This will allow us to dedicate at least one month to boat work (details to come).
A few pictures of our retirement life so far:
But back to retirement...I feel so blessed to be able to spend this time with my family. It is still hard to grasp but I'm settling in just fine! Hehe! And, can you believe that we still enjoy being together? Compared to most couples I personally know, Ben and I spend ALOT of time together. and factually enjoy each other...most of the time! I bring this up because quite a few friends/family have asked us "aren't you going to get sick of each other after being on a boat for a year?" While this may be of concern to those that do not enjoy similar interests or each others company, for us, we actually prefer to be together. Most of my best laughs have been shared with this guy! Yes, we do have our ugly moments, but we make them only moments. If we focus on making each other happy then I think we will be just fine.
Retirement has been a great adjustment for both of us. The first month was like one big slumber party with lots of giggles and late nights. But burning the candle at both ends can only lead to one thing...no energy to get anything done. So, we got the slumber party out of our system and are getting into our own grove. Focus has shifted to boat, boat work, boat wishes, boat fun, boat life. For now, that equals getting things done on the boat. Thankfully we store our boat in a heated facility. This will allow us to dedicate at least one month to boat work (details to come).
A few pictures of our retirement life so far: