General Chat

Thank you to all who have put your messages on here, it is as Lorraine said to see what everyones interests are, i have to say that i am not sorry that i do not work anymore and wish that i could help some of you on here that are not in the best of health. Take care all of you Margaret

Hi All, I 'retired' 5 years ago from my job as a childminder. My eldest daughter then decided to have her first child at the age of 38. Guess what? I came out of retirement so she could work part-time. My beloved grandson starts school in September and although I will miss him I have been looking forward to doing some serious family history. You know what they say about the best laid plans. My mother, who is 88, bless her, has developed a heart condition recently so a lot of my spare time will now go to helping her. One day ...... Jean x.

I took early retirement 9 years ago and have never looked back! Typical week Mon College Tues Gym Wed Keep fit class Thurs Gym Fri Housework and shopping Sat? Sun Family and friends Also look after the grandchildren in school holidays and spend lots of time doing family history never enough hours in the day! When my son gave me this computer I went on a couple of courses then joined this site and have made so many friends I can't count them all! Oh! forgot to mention being able to go on holiday on the spur of the moment all in all it's great!! Linda

My husband was forced to give up work in 1995 after a motor bike accident. He was 48. I was working as a registered childminder at home with my adult daughter. I 'retired' at the end of 2001, but still looked after my grandchildren and ran creches for a local charity. My husband got compensation which we invested, hoping it would see us into our old age. It hasn't and now I've had to go back to work in an office, part time, to make ends meet. Husband is so used to me being at home with him all the time (with or without kids) that he now questions my every move! Not really - it just seems like it! He is lonely whilst I'm at work, and now all the grandchildren are at school full time, he can't even go to see them. He worked in the motor trade and was used to male company. I do sympathise with him, but can't find a happy medium! On my days off I need to do housework etc., and be on here!, but he understandably wants to go out. It's early days yet, we'll work something out soon, I hope. Sue

My husband and I retired 10 years ago and bought a 4wd. and a caravan and have been around Australia about twice. Our hobby was gold fossicking and Aussie is a great place for that. Victoria has the best forrests and they are in the goldfields area, so it is so peasefull just walking around with my gold detector looking for gold, and watching the beautiful wildelife. They say walking is good for your health dont they? And at the same time we find little nuggets of gold. Not enough to make a fortune, but just enough to keep us interested. Plus we have made many friends in the process. All in all not a bad life. Mary in Australia.

Hi All, Three months before my retirement (65), I was diagnosed as having Hodgkins disease and needed a months radio therapy, so I retired two months early and had the treatment, I've been clear now for 6 years. I do my family history at the local Morman Church, I joined U3A and do Tai Chi on Mondays, embroidery on two Thursdays, I do volunteer work at the local Nursing Home and go for pub meals on the last Thursday of the months with a group of U3A friends, I'm also learning to work in Ceramics. I wouldn't have life any other way now - Regards, John.

Margaret, Thanks for the hanky, not big enough I`m afraid, need a sheet. sob sob.

hiya i have another 3 yrs to go but i have got my pension forcast and it is better than i thought just hope there is enough money in the pot

Sue, if you got plenty of family & friends, I'm sure it won't be too much of a problem being retired, we all wonder now how we found time to go out and work!! Your local library may have some lists of daytime activities, there are people who go walking, line dancing good for active singles to name but a few, and there are always voluntary organisations looking for volunteers. Enjoy yourself

Oh Baz I am sorry that you still have got to work please dont cry here is a hankie It will soon come round to retirment day if that makes you feel better Margaret

Know what you mean susan, I was gonna suggest you have animals, they are great company but you already have cats. There are other things you can do on the pc and other forums you can join maybe to do with a hobby you like. They usually have meetings where you can get to see each other. It could be fun :)

I`m jealous, I`ve another 8 years to go yet, that`s assuming the Government don`t raise the retirement age to 70. Sobbing uncontrollably.

hi (eyes) just 4 cats but they more or less take care of themselves cos they can open their plastic canister with their dry food in.wouldn't like to be a volunteer for animals cos it would break my heart if any one of them passed away. sue

Do you have any animals susan ?

hi everyone I may have to take early retirement this year,can anyone give me some advice on how to keep myself busy but enjoy retirement at the same time.No partner but plenty of family and friends. but they will all be working.I know I could get on with family tree but I dont want to be at the computer all day and night.I hate crowded places so can anyone suggest things to do please. thanks sue

I wish I could retire sob sob sob

William, what do you think of retirement? Joy

Hello like you said saw the post and i let myself in. Took early retirement so i could look after my grandkids did not want them to have to go to Child minders. Never regreted it and i have only one now to look after and he is going to School after the holidays. What i do miss is having good laughs with my workmates.

I had to retire at 58 with ill health, hubby had been at home for about 10 years , also retired with health problems and I did wonder how we would get on. but it's been great. We both have our own interest's but were hear if one needs the other Julia

I took early retirement two years ago at 57, and love every minute of it . . . . . in fact it's the best job I've had since I left school ! ! ! We enjoy looking after our large garden and creating new areas in it - just finished a rockery. Next project is a secret place at the bottom of the garden where we can enjoy a quiet glass of wine or two. It's also good to be able to go on holiday whenever we can. I'd like to buy a "Retirement Clock", it would just show the days of the week, not hours ! Brenda in Cyprus. We are coming to northern Cyprus (Kyrenia) 2nd October for two weeks - what will the weather be like?