[Ric]

Hi Folks, and might I say "long time no see". I haven't been very active on the board this past year and a have missed everyone. A lot of new faces and some more great carvers. Still working on our retirement home preparing for the day when I can officially hang up my hat. The missus got real sick and we had to postpone our activities for some time, but she is back and thanks to our God she is 100% again. Hope to offer some input here again and share the fellowship.

Ric

[Colin_Partridge]

Thats great Ric to have you back and still even greater to hear that the wife came back 100%. It is nice to have you back with us and of course we want to see what you have been working on.
Colin

[Kenny_S]

Ric, Glad to hear from you again.
Hey, when you offically hang up your hat, let me know. I retired 3 years ago and the haty hasn't been hung yet. Busied now than when I offically had a job.
Best to you and glad the wife is feeling better.

[MelNM]

Welcome back seems like longer than a year. I have to wait about 9 years to retire, then lookout!
Mel

[Ric]

I have been thinking abot this retirement thing for about the last three years. Seems like culture shock. I have been doing this profession for the last 38 years and I didn't know if I was ready to take the plundge or not. I think I have come to terms with it though. I know I would have a lot to do but the thought of taking a lower standard of living bothered me. My main focus now is enjoying the time I can spend with the missus and doing the things I always wanted to do, so I think it might be time. I have 18 months left on my contract and will bail out after that. How about you folks, was it a tough decision for you?

[Kenny_S]

Ric, I toyed with it for 6 months before I did and when the company offered a packaged deal and we(the little bride and I) put it to paper, it looked good, Then a younger friend took the package and was gone for about 3 months when we met at a restaurant and talked over how it was going. First thing come Monday morning, I got a financial advisor to go over the package deal and what we had invested and the retirement package and everything. Looked even more appealling. So Tuesday I put in tfor the company's package. I have nor regretted it for the past 3 years. Never would have of thought of retireing at 56 but, I did it and happy with it.
Now My little bride was going to teach for a couple of years more but seen how much fun I was having and decided to not teach the following year. What helped her was how bad of an or\ganisation the NEA had gotten and man dated practice the state wanted done. She said, it was not worth teaching anymore. Best thing to happen her quiting also. Now, if we want to go somewhere, we dopn't worry about can either one of us get off at the same time.
Only thing is the insurance, still have it but the cost has risen drasticly for us. but hey, we have it.
Best wishes to you and the little bride and you will fair well.