Looking for the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Retirement. Update/ GOOD NEWS!!!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Since Dk has been a big part of my life for the past 6 years, I've decided to reach out to all you dear people who are living the retired life to share some insight into what retirement looks like to you now.
I just turned 60, have a fabulous job, work 3 days, 11 hours per day, work with wonderful staff and new mommies and babies. I make what many would consider very good income. My work days are long and demanding and challenging, both mentally and physically as I probably walk an average of 5-6 miles a day throughout the unit, and am standing a good part of the day as well.

BUT, I am just tired. Tired of the committment, tired of the responsiblity, tired of all the requirements of hospital employment. Tired of being gone 3 whole long days a week. I leave at 6:30am and not home til 6:30 pm and just come home and go to bed because it's such a long mentally draining day. (I am also up everymorning at 4:20 to go to Crossfit at 5:00 before work)
I love, love , love staying home. I have always been a home body and have many hobbies and activities to be as busy as I want to be. First and foremost, I have two amazing grandchildren that I see and have hours and hours of playtime with at least 1-2 times a week, However, I just feel like I am missing out on more with them.
And the finanical loss would be considerate, but it would certainly not send us to the Food Stamp line or buying Purina.
When is it enough? When did you decide and what helped you make up your mind? Does anyone have any regrets or wish they had stayed employed longer? I would very much appreciate your thoughts and feelings about this, as I am just making myself miserable with indecision. Thanks in advance.

update:
After so much great input from everyone here and discussing this with DH and family, we have our sights set for this Oct. I feel such a sense of relief and that sense of dread on the mornings of work is greatly lessened. Still there tho. Find myself wishing it was Oct already. We are preparing financially and it's looking very do-able with some minor adjustments, but nothing earth shattering. I am as frugal as they come, so my spending habits won't change. I always said I'd still be looking for coupons and sales even if I won a HUGE lottery. Just in my blood I guess. Thank you to everyone who replied as your input was valuable and all taken into consideration in this decision. You are all just such a kind and generous group of friends.

GOOD NEWS!!!!! I will be very busy in retirement. We have grandbaby #3 on the way!!!!! Due in Feb. Wanted to share that with my Dk family. thanks

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Sue,
After reading all the comments here, are there an inordinate amount of us doodle owners who are nurses? Can't believe how many have responded who are. Maybe when you have all the free time in retirement you could figure this out. No, wait a minute, sounds like you have less time in retirement ;-)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Yes, there are several that I know of and probably many more out there. And maybe why nurses are so busy in retirement is because of what Kathryn said above. It takes a while to "settle down" from the hectic, stressed, fast thinking/fast acting behavior to get out of our systems! But I guess that can be said of many professions. I only know this one.
I do have a hobby that I love and can make money at too. I quilt and make Memory Quilts with people's T shirts from sports events normally, but some have been of people's clothing who have died and the family wanted to keep some part of their clothing.
Also, this January, I became a Crossfit Trainer and I have that option as well to work at my Crossfit gym as an instructor. It would be VERY few classes. Like one a week. ha. If I have time that is.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Aweome things to do Sue. I will bet you don't miss nursing and really revel in being able to really get into your quilt making and Crossfit instructing.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Sue- I practiced as a nurse for about 15 years and then went to law school.  I am a firm believer in the old adage;  "Once a nurse, always a nurse"  It is part of your identity and it, in my opinion, will never leave you or how you relate to others-  which is a good thing.  

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

That's probably very true Lori. It is a personality trait, ( or is it fault?) right now we are finalizing plans to have my 80 y.o mother and 83 y.o step dad to move across country to stay with us until I can assess their ability to live independently anymore. Or until they need assisted living. So I will be "nursing" for awhile yet. Just not with a paycheck.
Even more reason the retire.....or maybe even more reason to stay at work to get a break from home? Who knows?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

OMG, I just checked in with DH fire dept insurance rep and it would be $1200 a month to add me. That is just crazy. And it has a 2500 deductale. ACA here I go.....

[Kathryn digregorio]

Hi Sue,  My guess is you will be able to let go of the nursing part!!!!  Especially if you are feeling overwhelmed, underappreciated, overworked and drowned in paperwork.  I was really surprised how I was able to let go of the nursing end and I loved my work and patients in hospice, but once the end comes, it comes.  Good luck and let me know please how it is and so enjoy that new baby that is planned.

Kate and Breezy

ps  However my advice wanted and not wanted never stops....LOL

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I so appreciate your advice and experience with this. It helps coming from another nursing professional that understands the burn out of nursing. I'm at work today and want to sit down and count the shifts I have left!!!! Thanks again.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

UPDATE!!!  It's been 5 months since this post and I have not been on DK much lately due to my parents moving here and having to care for and make many appointments and arrangements for them. One is in about Stage 3-4 Alzhiemers and the other is slowly becoming more demented and confused.  

On the good side, our daughter did become pregnant and is expecting TWINS! Two Boys!!!! Due Feb 2, but I am praying for at least Jan 15th-ish.  I have worked in this field long enough to know that for every 38-39 weeka gestation twin birth there are at least 3-4  more who are only 33 to 37 week gestation. They can be very fragile. So with all this in mind I handed in my resignation two days ago and my last day is Nov. 7.  One co-worker is on vacation the last 2 weeks of Oct so I extended it for that reason, or I would have made my Oct. goal. 

I still have not researched Health Insurance enough to the point of deciding, but it looks like I will use the government coverage until AARP and Medicare kick in.

DH and I just recently bought a charming country cottage in northern Az on the rim of Tonto Nat'l forest and we are doing what we do best.....remodeling. Only this time we don't have to live in it, dont have children to consider while living in the disarray and don't have to live in a trailer on the side of the construction site like the last few times we have done this. WE are keeping our home and making this work as stress free and on our own time line as possible. So much fun!.

The whole family will be using and enjoying it for many years to come. We look forward to lots of memories with our 4 grandbabies and our children. 

It has taken me all of these past 5 months to wrap my head around actually leaving work and I think I have come to a peaceful place and can now say I am READY and can hardly wait!!!!!  Will I miss the stress, the responsibilities, the constant hospital demands and upkeep with cetifications and licenses, the pressure of having to please every one ALL the time or you are call into the office, the rules constantly changing, the computer programs constantly being updated, making more work for everyone.....should I go on? 

As for missing babies, I would much rather have two of my own to care for than the 50-60 a week I care for now.....I can say without any doubt or hesitation.....I AM DONE!!!!!  And it's such a freeing feeling to have arrived there.  

I asked my husband today if he was sad when he left his job as FIrefighter of 30+ years and did the finances scare him....He just said..."It wasn't ever about the money, when I was done, I just knew it was what I needed to do".  So I am taking the same attitude. 

So thank you all again for your support and I thought you would all like to know what was the final decision. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear about your parents, it is not easy. but what wonderful news about the twins, cottage, and retirement! Good luck and bon voyage on your new journey.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you F. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

So...it is October now and are you retired yet?  This is very busy times for us as October is one of the nicest months here on the central coast of California and there are many family birthdays.  I worked all day making some little carry bags for my nephews daughters (twins) and they are coming this week for my mom's birthday celebration.  Their birthday is Nov. l.  We are going to have a lot of company this week and my 50-year class reunion is on Saturday.  There is always just something going on and my DH says how did we ever have time to work.  He has been retired for 11 years and I have been retired for 6 years, but we are constantly busy doing what we want to be doing.  He is a wood crafter and I am into gardening and ceramics.  He is a biker and I am a swimmer.  The days just seem to fly by.  Wish we had a grandchild!  My son is not very cooperative in that area.  Maybe some day!