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Friday, June 24, 2011

Another Milestone

Stix n Brix
Clayton, NC

Just a quick post to say Whoo Hoo!!  I have worked my last night shift...ever!!!  Sure, I still have 5 more weeks of day shift, but only 4 of those weeks will be in uniform.  My last week (only 3 days of 12 hour shifts) will be devoted to clearing out my "stuff" and final paperwork.  I still can't believe that I am this close to that finish line.  It won't really hit me until a few weeks in to retirement.  Until then, I'll just do a little "happy dance" instead of an all-out "skip and go naked". :o

Thanks for dropping by, and enjoy each day of your life's journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.

16 comments:

owensontheroad said...

Woohoo is right~pictures of the happy dance would be good...but... :)

Margie and Roger said...

Congrats on no more night shifts. Closer, and closer, you're almost there.

Happytrails said...

Congratulations!! The end is in sight!!

smdrm said...

Your goal is in sight and we'll all be celebrating with you!!

Congratulations

Selene, NC

Nancy and Bill said...

Well, one step closer :o))))

We are so excited for you. It won't be long now and the best is yet to come!!!

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

No more night shifts with you on duty? Now I'm really going to be afraid of the dark! ;c)

Gail Houle said...

Congratulations! Soon, no more day shifts either :)

Mike and Terri said...

Woo hoo! A happy dance is definitely in order!!

Tumbleweed Dee said...

That's great. I'm following right along watching the time go down, down, down, and now no night shifts. That means more sleep. We'll see you soon on the road.

Budd said...

When one has planned for their retirement like you two have and actually road tested it a bit, it is so much easier to imagine the dream state that is expected to follow.

But, when the normal day to day routines finally change suddenly and permanently, there will be some gnawing but indistinct sense of displacement and loss, no matter how one fills the time.

The good news is that this little cloud will pass in time. Until then, it is rare for one to continuously feel as elatedly free and fulfilled as was imagined. A slight sense of something akin to "did I leave the stove on?" or "Did I lock that back door... or not?" will be ever present..... but trust that it will pass and just carry on through this.

A few weeks after the transition, the realization will start to pick its way through this haze and there will be brief moments where one just suddenly knows "it was the right thing to do, Wahoo!!". Like fireworks, these bursts will build in frequency, intensity and conviction until in following weeks and months they start to become "the new you" most of the time.

By now, the transition is all but complete and what was so long awaited in joyful expectation has become just another day of many like it. This is a good thing because it lets one reflect on what was a previous life rut as memorabilia rather than as baggage.

Meanwhile, the confident calm enjoyment grows and spreads throughout each new day as a new lifestyle is warmly knit together.

Congratulations on reaching your benchmark!

Catherine, Jo Beth and Grace said...

We are so happy for you! Only 5 weeks left- now get that house sold!

heyduke50 said...

we can feel your enthusiasm all the way here...

Travelwithwhippets said...

Great news! You have to be excited!

Sherry said...

ALL RIGHT!!! Now that is BIG news. No more nights. Now you're just like a regular grinder. No no just kidding!! BUT only 36 days. Can you hurry out here and catch up with us so I can be at the skip and go naked part. :-)

Sherry

Prettypics123 said...

I'm thinking that my new work as a personal historian can be done on the road. John and I use to dream about making movies on the road. Who knows? It may just happen. Congrats on almost getting there.

Sherry said...

OK.............so where's the birthday party post????


Happy Happy Happy.......only 29 days to go and you are the big FIVE OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

What a youngster you are :-))))
With freedom right around the corner. You're a smart one for sure!