When we announce our retirement, we essentially are giving up vacations, holidays, and weekends.  It is a big sacrifice, however, life becomes an infinite vacation, holiday, and weekend rolled into one.  I can see where many retirees actually regret these days when there are bigger crowds, longer lines, and fewer senior benefits.  It’s funny how these precious days were once something we looked forward to – now they simply don’t matter.   Fridays are no longer the promising transition day into the weekend, and Mondays are just another day, rather than the dreaded first day of work.

I have already pointed out in previous comments that vacations are no longer escapes from work, so they really don’t exist.  Do they?   Some people consider vacation as simply getting away from the routines of being at home, but then there are those that are happy with “stay-cations,” where they simply are glad not to be working and maybe get to sleep in a few hours extra.  I say that vacations simply don’t exist any more when we’re no longer working, and that weekends and holidays are no longer special since we have to share them with the working stiffs.  Yes, I realize that many people work on weekends and holidays, so they aren’t really special to them, as well.  I also realize that many people can’t afford vacations, so they pretend like they’re retired.

One of the disadvantages of marrying someone younger in age is that retirement for both of you doesn’t come at the same time.  As a result, compromises need to be made – but what else is new when it comes to marriage?  I happen to have a wife who’s still working and oddly enough seems to enjoy her career.  I get up just before she does each morning, so as to not rub it in that I’m retired and she’s not.  She has graciously agreed to let me retire and honestly wants me to enjoy it.  I’m not sure I would be so gracious!

I try to prepare at least one dinner for her each week, take care of the dogs, and do laundry/cleaning duties.  She’s not always satisfied with my efforts around the house, but I’m used to that because I’ve worked for many different supervisors.  Once she leaves for the office in the morning until she returns in the evening is “My Time!  It’s like a vacation, Saturday, and Holiday combined.  By the same token, most of our evenings, weekends, Holidays, and vacations are the same as they’ve always been.  In six more years, when she retires, “My Time” will be harder to find.  Plus, as long as there is “My Time,”  I will make part of it “Your time,” as I continue share my thoughts on the hassles of retirement.    I hope you’re enjoying my retirement.  Are you?