What did I do after I retired?

[375supermag]

Ben???
Small world... I worked at Y-S in the early 80's

No...I am not Ben.
I assume you are referring to Ben Grunden. He was a long time employee.
Knew him very well.

 

[tulsamal]

Become an expat. Move to a place with a significantly lower cost of living and better medical care. With locals that you can befriend and learn to really appreciate. Eat much healthier food grown in the area and sold fresh for pennies on the dollar. Make your home area where there are rivers and parks and so many things to do ... and all in walking distance so that you end up getting 20,000 steps a day without considering it "going out for exercise." It's just enjoying being there and the natural beauty all around you.

For me... that's Cuenca, Ecuador. Going back this summer for over a month. Assuming family members drag me back on the plane and back to the crazy USA... the plan is for us to sell everything up here and move to EC full time in summer 2025. Where I will turn off the US news channels and "world events" will be only some slight background noise in my daily life.

I keep working on my Spanish every day.... it isn't easy getting a 61 year old brain to learn a new language! Lots of expats in Cuenca and many of the locals speak English... but it is their country and their culture... I want to learn as much Spanish as possible to respect their country.

 

[GypsmJim]

I'm into my third year now. I have noticed one unfortunate thing. I have had more illnesses since I retired. I blame it on the fact that I'm NOT around as many folks. Working in many different facilities, including a number of hospitals, exposed me to mose stuff, I think. Nos of the maladies were serious, except the covid, but they are irritating to say the least.

On the plus side, all of my long term stuff has improved. Sleep, and eating better along with more actual exercise is probably the reason.

I have to admit when I see that a caller is a former customer I get sort of excited. Sometimes they are just checking in, but most of the time they've got a problem I can get into. I do miss trouble shooting, it makes one think.

When I worked I got colds / flu once in awhile. Mostly once a year. Every time one of my coworkers had it before me.

Since Covid I have been washing my hands, wearing masks and using sanitizer whenever I came home.

I don't wear masks any more, but I have a bottle of sanitizer in the console in my car. Use it every time.

I have not had a sniffle in 3 years.

 

[GypsmJim]

Become an expat. Move to a place with a significantly lower cost of living and better medical care. With locals that you can befriend and learn to really appreciate. Eat much healthier food grown in the area and sold fresh for pennies on the dollar. Make your home area where there are rivers and parks and so many things to do ... and all in walking distance so that you end up getting 20,000 steps a day without considering it "going out for exercise." It's just enjoying being there and the natural beauty all around you.

For me... that's Cuenca, Ecuador. Going back this summer for over a month. Assuming family members drag me back on the plane and back to the crazy USA... the plan is for us to sell everything up here and move to EC full time in summer 2025. Where I will turn off the US news channels and "world events" will be only some slight background noise in my daily life.

I keep working on my Spanish every day.... it isn't easy getting a 61 year old brain to learn a new language! Lots of expats in Cuenca and many of the locals speak English... but it is their country and their culture... I want to learn as much Spanish as possible to respect their country.

Wholly Mackeral. You mean to tell me that Ecuador has better medical care than the Cleveland Clinic or Roswell Park?

 

[Watertender]

Wholly Mackeral. You mean to tell me that Ecuador has better medical care than the Cleveland Clinic or Roswell Park?

I second you there!!!

 

[gramps]

Become an expat. Move to a place with a significantly lower cost of living and better medical care. With locals that you can befriend and learn to really appreciate. Eat much healthier food grown in the area and sold fresh for pennies on the dollar. Make your home area where there are rivers and parks and so many things to do ... and all in walking distance so that you end up getting 20,000 steps a day without considering it "going out for exercise." It's just enjoying being there and the natural beauty all around you.

For me... that's Cuenca, Ecuador. Going back this summer for over a month. Assuming family members drag me back on the plane and back to the crazy USA... the plan is for us to sell everything up here and move to EC full time in summer 2025. Where I will turn off the US news channels and "world events" will be only some slight background noise in my daily life.

I keep working on my Spanish every day.... it isn't easy getting a 61 year old brain to learn a new language! Lots of expats in Cuenca and many of the locals speak English... but it is their country and their culture... I want to learn as much Spanish as possible to respect their country.

I took Spanish in high school and college, but very little practice. I am using Duolingo now to become fluent in Spanish. Good luck!!!
gramps