March 16, 2017

You’ll notice a large gap in my posts in this Retirement blog; I’ll do my best to update everything….

Molly and Aaron 

Daughter Molly and son-in-law Aaron returned to Minnesota in November 2016 from their Peace Corp stint in Ethiopia.  They were in country for approximately 10 months and were given the chance for an early “honorable discharge” because of continual political and civil instability in Ethiopia.   Although they learned much from their time in the Peace Corp, they are happy to be back in Minnesota.  Aaron is teaching at a charter school in North Minneapolis and Molly is a teachers’ aid and an occasional substitute teacher at a different charter school in North East Minneapolis.  They are focused on their teaching careers and are enjoying living in North East Minneapolis.

My First Year of Retirement-2016

I look back on my first full year of retirement- 2016- with surprise and amazement!  Surprise that it went by so fast and amazement because of all the the traveling Judy and I did.

Travel

In January 2016, we went on a Liautaud family boat cruise to the Virgin Islands and we went to the Jimmy John’s convention in Las Vegas.  In February and March, we took a road trip from Minnesota to the Florida Keys.  We drove our Rav 4 with our bicycles on a bike rack in the back and visited many relatives along the way.  We made stops in Illinois, Tennessee, Florida, and spent time on the Gulf Coast in Alabama.   We had a great time!

Home Stuff

Returning home in late March, we spent the spring doing some major home redecorating.

Bond Lake

During the summer, we visited Bond Lake in northwestern Wisconsin spending time with several members of Judy’s family who have places on the lake.

In November 2017 we got our own place on Bond Lake!

January 3, 2016

It’s been a bit over two weeks since my retirement reception.   I had mixed feelings about allowing folks at work to have a reception for me – on one hand I knew I deserved something and wanted some attention for the 37 years I put in at the Fed, but I also wanted to go quietly.  I think that part has to do with the fact that I have very strong introvert tendencies.  Anyway, I did ultimately decide to let them throw me a reception- although I didn’t know what to expect.

So on December 21, 2015, there was a standing room only reception for me at the Fed.  Most of my loved ones were there-my wife Judy, my children Molly and Aaron, my step kids Alex and Tanya, my sister Laurie and her family, my brother in law and sister in law Jeff and MaryAnn, and many friends and coworkers past and present.  I was touched! There were speakers- my immediate boss (and old friend) Karin; her boss Ron; and Neil- a former boss of mine.  I also provided a few remarks. I was overwhelmed by the turn out, the cards, the gifts!  It was humbling, and kind of surreal!

Then we had the Christmas and New Years holiday break.  My last actual day in the office was Monday, December 21 – when I stopped in to turn in my gear- computer, black berry, badge, etc.  There were some tears – but not on my part.  Because I took the rest of my vacation to finish out the year- my actual first day of retirement wasn’t until last Friday- January 1^st.  So now I am actually retired.

HOW DOES IT FEEL/HOW AM I DOING/WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?

These seem to be the questions of the day!

The short answers are:

I’m not sure how it feels- I’m just now starting to understand emotionally that I don’t have to go back in to work –that this is not the end of a long holiday break!  Because I don’t know how to approach retirement yet- either on a short or long term basis- I feel in a sort of emotional limbo.

I haven’t made any long term plans yet; everything seems to be changing.

Judy and I are going on a cruise to the Virgin Islands on January 15^th for a week- compliments of Judy’s dear brother Jim, who passed away in October.  He had been planning the cruise for some of his family and friends before he died, and his family decided to go through with it. So we are using miles to fly to the Virgin Islands round trip and will go on the cruise.  Then on January 29^th, I am having an outpatient medical procedure to correct some chronic sinus problems I have.  On or about February 13^th or 14^th, Judy and I are taking a winter Snowbird road trip to FL.  We are close to a final travel plan- We are planning on driving by way of Illinois (Galva, Champaign, Herrin), Nashville, Gainesville, and Key West, Kissimmee, FL, and Orange Beach, AL, then back home.

CHANGES

Daughter Molly and her husband Aaron leave for the Peace Corp and Ethiopia on Saturday January 9^th.  I am very supportive and excited for them! They are following a dream and will have stories to tell!  But I will miss them so so much and I will worry about them!

Son Aaron and his girlfriend- Blue Sky have been visiting for their holiday break. They go back to school- the U of I at Champaign /Urbana, IL on January 14^th or 15^th. I’ve had some good quality time and talks with Molly and her husband Aaron.  My son Aaron and Blue Sky will come over tonight to spend a few days with Judy and me – since Blue Sky arrived here on December 23^rd they have been staying at Aaron’s moms place- but have been over here a few times – once on Christmas Day and another time they were with us when we went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant with Molly, Aaron, Judy, and my sister Laurie’s family as a sort of a going away get together for Molly. I haven’t really had much quality time with son Aaron so far.

GRATITUDE

I’ve had a few rough days (feeling kind of emotionally numb -and a tad useless) but Judy’s been very supportive! That helps greatly. I look to the future with love, gratitude and optimism.  I am lucky to have this time and some resources in my life to do what I will do- to try to develop creatively, emotionally, spiritually……its all good! And to enjoy things while they are all good! I am blessed!

Well, it’s the middle of July and I’m finally posting again!  I talked to Molly today- I called her, she’s in Ethiopia with the Peace Corp ( along with her husband Aaron).  She sounded great- very positive!

2 thoughts on “Retirement”

1. 

   I am very glad you decided to have the party! It was nice to see you in your work environment with all of the people you interact with and to hear their stories and praises. Thank you for always loving and supporting us and for worrying (because it means you care!). You are one of our biggest cheerleaders! To the future for us all, hopefully along a path of growth. ❤ -Molly

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     Thanks for your nice comment! I’m excited for you and Aaron about your upcoming adventure!
     Love
     Dad