I Did a Thing, or Two...Including Retirement.

[DonDavis]

1st thing, I retired,
2nd thing, I moved back to East Tennessee where I was born and raised.

After 30 years in Diagnostic Imaging Service, I hung up the Multi-meter and retired from GE in November 2024.

I always planned on leaving GE at 60, but I figured I'd go work In-House at one of the hospital networks in the Phoenix area till 65.
Then, my 64 yr old my older sister died unexpectedly in late July 2024. That's a different conversation for a different time.

Spent nearly 3 weeks total in the Tri City area last summer. My 25 yr old son also visited for the Services and again a month later for our Annual Family Reunion in Roan Mountain. On that trip my son commented on how peaceful I seemed being around family and generally being in Tennessee.

I made the decision that night to retire Oct 31st, sell my house and move east by April 2025.

Of course, the whole plan experienced several iterations landing on what I'll call "this one".

This One means Keeping the house in Az, my son moved in and renting. We both like this, it's win-win.

Moved into a condo with my single cousin Ray. I've been here a little over a month and things are great.
Getting my hillbilly legs back and exploring. yee-HAW
Ray and all my cousins were all very tight as kids, then we scattered a bit. So cool to see them so often.

I'll get work at some point, just relishing in the freedom. I've worked my whole life, and it's nice to take a breath and go for a walk.

[rfuerst911sc]

Congratulations 🎊 . I worked from age 15 to 60 . Then I retired . That was 7 years ago and I have zero regrets . Enjoy the freedom but stay busy with something .

[GH85Carrera]

It is a wake up call when friends and family start to die that are younger than you.

Old age is a privilege denied to many. Good on you to retire.

[IROC]

Congratulations, Don!! And...it's not fair that you are retired! I have a few more years to go [note to PPOT readers - Don and I went to high school together briefly].

My sister is still in Kingsport - lives on Ft Henry Drive.

My GF and I do quite a bit of hiking. Carver's Gap (Roan Mountain) leading to Round, Jane, and Grassy Balds is one of our favorite spots...

[vash]

Congratulations. I’m
Jealous.

Just did mental inventory. I don’t have any cousins I think I could live with. Kudos to you!

[DonDavis]

Mike!!

I'm near Stone Dr and I-26. I have a 2014 Tundra, but I need to get my Subaru out here soon. It's still in Arizona. Probably fly out/drive back sometime this summer.

Originally Posted by IROC

...[note to PPOT readers - Don and I went to high school together briefly].

We are three photos apart in our Sophomore Yearbook. A new High School was opened and Mike went there. We didn't really know each other.

[KFC911]

Early Retirement ... it's only a perk if you take it!

... somebody else gets credit for that tho...

Don't mess this up

Congrats Don .... enjoy!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by vash

Congratulations. I’m
Jealous.

Just did mental inventory. I don’t have any cousins I think I could live with. Kudos to you!

You got any female cousins .... wanna trade ?

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by vash

I don’t have any cousins I think I could live with.

Ray is always late and never takes me out...

But seriously, we are very similar and have much in common. He's moving to Florida in 2 years to build his retirement home. I'll go and help a lot.

Living here is great, I can explore the area and decide where to focus on property. I want at least 2 acres (or more ) where I'll build my shop with Ray.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by vash

Congratulations. I’m
Jealous.

Just did mental inventory. I don’t have any cousins I think I could live with. Kudos to you!

Then there's Mrs Vash who may not want to live with any cousins...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

1st thing, I retired,
2nd thing, I moved back to East Tennessee where I was born and raised.

After 30 years in Diagnostic Imaging Service, I hung up the Multi-meter and retired from GE in November 2024.

I always planned on leaving GE at 60, but I figured I'd go work In-House at one of the hospital networks in the Phoenix area till 65.
Then, my 64 yr old my older sister died unexpectedly in late July 2024. That's a different conversation for a different time.

Spent nearly 3 weeks total in the Tri City area last summer. My 25 yr old son also visited for the Services and again a month later for our Annual Family Reunion in Roan Mountain. On that trip my son commented on how peaceful I seemed being around family and generally being in Tennessee.

I made the decision that night to retire Oct 31st, sell my house and move east by April 2025.

Of course, the whole plan experienced several iterations landing on what I'll call "this one".

This One means Keeping the house in Az, my son moved in and renting. We both like this, it's win-win.

Moved into a condo with my single cousin Ray. I've been here a little over a month and things are great.
Getting my hillbilly legs back and exploring. yee-HAW
Ray and all my cousins were all very tight as kids, then we scattered a bit. So cool to see them so often.

I'll get work at some point, just relishing in the freedom. I've worked my whole life, and it's nice to take a breath and go for a walk.

Outstanding, and Congrats! Sounds like you've got a good handle on things.

[LWJ]

I am 59. My best friend passed in April. This am? Two of my remaining very good friends were both in the hospital for OVER a week (unrelated).

I went very part time 1.75 years ago and work 5-10% now.

Awesome. I will actually put in a 10 hour day tomorrow but it is a once a year sort of deal.

Not working is amazing. I just walked up from tinkering on my dirtbike. It has a tight valve and I managed to bleed all over everything. Smile on my face. Good times. I wish similar on everyone.

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by LWJ

…snip…I managed to bleed all over everything. Smile on my face. Good times. I wish similar on everyone.

I can see the smile in my mind. I have similar goals.

BRING IT!!! I gots bandaids….and bourbon.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

--snip--I need to get my Subaru out here soon.

CONGRATS on the retirement, Don!!!!!

[wdfifteen]

Congratulations!! Bristol Speedway ain't far away. Aw'll come on down an' we can go watch the hillbillies go around in circles. My uncle lives in Kingsport. He restores old stuff. Turned a 1920s McCormick manure spreader into a Volkswagen powered car.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by masraum

Then there's Mrs Vash who may not want to live with any cousins...

Or with Vash! 😂

Congratulations! I’m 66 and peddling as fast as I can, with no retirement in sight.

[Por_sha911]

Don: welcome back to the Constitutional free state of TN.
You are just a couple of hours away from the Tail of the Dragon!

[jhynesrockmtn]

Congrats! Sounds like a great decision. Sorry about your sister. That sounds rough.

I just turned 62. My annual meeting with my financial guy is tomorrow. I plan to work another 5 years as of now. It's a part time gig at a school so I get a lot of time off. For now, that works fine. I think if I was home full time, my wife and I might drive each other crazy.

[MBAtarga]

Congrats! I retired on March 3rd.
To me, every day is Saturday - except for Sunday.

[juanbenae]

Enjoy everyday. Congrats!