One of the news items on breakfast TV recently was “Is retirement like walking off a cliff?”. I can answer that! Yes, it is.
A couple of years ago, for the sake of the continued growth and success of the business, I decided that the younger generation should step up to the plate and I relinquished my day-to-day duties. My dearly beloved (aka Old Grumpy) made no such decision, although, if I’m being truthful, I had hope that he would also do the same and we would then ride off into the sunset together to enjoy well earned “quality time” together. HA!
As part of our retirement plan we bought our lovely apartment in the Swiss Alps. We figured that this would allow our successors room to develop without us looking over their shoulders. I love it and have spent the last few summers there in glorious solitude without OG because he gets bored when he is away from the cut and thrust of the business. So that has been ruled out of the equation as being a viable retirement option.
My next “retirement plan” was to write what is sometimes referred as “the bloody bog” (not, I should add, by OG, who thinks it is a wonderful thing for me to do.) This keeps me amused for all of 2 to 3 hours a week. I also started researching the ancestors - another few hours a week. Shopping is not an even on the radar because I hate it. So…. what to do with myself? I pretty soon I found myself being drawn back into the office just to “check things out”.
At first there was major resistance to this strategy especially when I called them in jest “the bloodless bottom line committee”. “Don’t you trust us?” they asked. We had a few tears and tantrums (mainly from me). I sensed they felt uncomfortable with my presence, but shit, it is my business, so to hell with them. Fortunately we managed to overcome these initial teething troubles and I now feel as though they view me as an unthreatening oddity that goes with the territory!
I now have a very enviable retirement situation inasmuch they make all the decisions and do the work, whilst I get to play with whomever I can inveigle into spending time with me. And, strangely enough, because I am the BOSS, I do find my colleagues most accommodating!
The only blight on this enviable lifestyle at the moment is OG’s health, but we have to believe that this will improve and then I am sure that he will be only too pleased to ride off into this mythical sunset with me.
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
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*Many of us will already know this poem TO AUTUMN by John Keats. It is a
celebration of autumn when the mists descend and the land is swelling with
over-ri...
2 days ago
13 comments:
It is terribly hard to quit work when you are the boss.
Having done that - I am busier now than I ever was...and never enough hours in the day to do what I want. Why is that? I got some of these things done when I was working during the day...so what is going on?
Of course I didn't blog back then...
I haven't reached to that happy state yet aims, most days I'm still bored out of my tiny little scull!
Know how you feel, 'im indoors retired 9 months before me but went straight back part time! Our plan was the same as yours except that he didn't keep to it either. I'm finding I have to spend time by myself on our boat. That wasn't the plan at all. Ho hum. Flick xx
Take up Sudoku!!!! Or even golf but if you're a fair weather person, you'd only get to play a couple of days a year. You're the BOSS type, so keep the little kiddos on their toes,it'll do them good.
I enjoyed this post!
I am working beyond 65! Mad or what? I just don't feel ready to sling the hook!
Plus I need the cash!
Well I've been reading but not commenting - poor of me I know but I have been following your trials and tribulations of late. I think I didn't comment because I went through the mill with my parents and their health and I hate hospitals. You have described what it is like and how you feel so well that I was there. God I hate hospitals.
Anyway, glad you have found some playmates at the office again! It sounds like it is good for you. All the best.
Flick, maybe there is something we could work out here? You have a boat, I have an apartment in the Alps? We both have husbands who haven't come out to play? Huhh?
I would take up sudoku Flagmaker if I had half a brain! You're right, I should just stick to being the BOSS!!
I didn't think you were that old Maggie, you certainly don't act your age! I love the 101 year old man who just ran the London Marathon and the 100 year old lady who still runs her own company. More power to us I say!
Hi MOB, I am so pleased to hear that you read my blog even though you don't often comment. I do exactly the same with you!
I hate hospitals too because we have had various family members in crisis over the years. But we have to do what we have to do don't we.
R&C - I've been working on 'im indoors and I think he's beginning to crack! Will keep you posted. Flick x
Dear RAC, you've obviously had a few mountains to climb! But it seems you might be winning. It is hard to stop working isn't it? M x
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