[cobalt]

The new year resolutions time is hear how long it will last if your lucky or unlucky as the case may be 4 weeks ?

Mine may be more realistic and totally selfish , I do know which side my breads buttered

its quite simple has to be for me

1 to get a 1st class hazel shanks at lest 3 varieties of hazel a crackle glaze type a pinkish snake skin type and the common type grown locally .a rich chestnut and blackthorn shanks for choice

all centred for multi toppers around 1inch.

2 to carve all 4 varieties of the eider duck and at lest a dozen other varieties of uncommon ducks about 20 in all for starters + a few more if I can all fitted with interchangeable fixtures

3 not to take any commissions on there to much trouble unless of coarse some daft person offers silly money for what I have already carved

4 to carve a unusually presentation stand to store them on

I know completely selfish but could be fun. but lets face it more realistic than dieting which would only last till that irresistible Danish pecan pastry appears in front of me, or the inevitable drop of 18 year old single scotch .More exercise another common one Hmmm will play more croquet well its better than gardening and there's a great bunch of people play it.

so you see all achievable goals which I know I will enjoy and never get that guilt feeling of breaking the resolution within 3 weeks

So why people put themselves on guilt trips beats ? me so why do them

 

[CV3]

You have the right approach cobalt. Start it with a drop of scotch and plan to do whats fun!! Sadly I can only remember the taste of the scotch, with fond memories. But I can focus on the fun1

 

[Batakali]

I'm with you cobalt. I never understood how making yourself miserable can make you feel better! I think too many people confuse improving themselves with punishment.

 

[MJC4]

Only one resolution, get myself out of this part time job I took!! After 4 1/2 years of retirement silly me decided i was getting bored and ought to get a part time job. DUMB!! Even at 18 hours a week I don't like having someone depend on me again!! What was I thinking! Now the owner of the local hardware I work at wants to send me to service tech school for a major brand of lawn equipment he wants to start carrying. I'm 60+ years old I don't wanna go back to school............ :blink:

 

[cobalt]

Ask your self have you enjoyed the work and would you miss it? Has the money made any difference to your life style? What would you do instead of work?

Main thing mark is to enjoy doing things you like most and just do them to hell with the rest of the world

I have already planned Christmas and new year for this coming year .For the last 4 years we have gone away on a cruise for about 3 weeks and have missed it more than I thought .There's not a lot to do here everything stops for Christmas and new year , I hated the Christmas shopping visiting relatives and friends some of which I cant stand anyway The weather is poor , so not a lot to keep me here for the holiday period. So next year its a cruise not sure yet where its a choice of the Caribbean west meditraianan or the canary isle and Portugal the food is superb on the ship plenty of things to do on board the ship the theatre is excellent cinemas and dancing even went ice skating whilst sailing to different ports .And walking around old roman towns viewing the sites Listing to carol singers on the streets in Dubrovnik whilst drink our coffee on top of the castle walls was pretty special, missing it even more now and kicking myself for not doing it

 

[MJC4]

Ask your self have you enjoyed the work and would you miss it? Has the money made any difference to your life style? What would you do instead of work?

Main thing mark is to enjoy doing things you like most and just do them to hell with the rest of the world

I do enjoy the repair work I do for the hardware. Repairing windows & doors, small equipment etc. I have always had a knack for fixing stuff and enjoy working with my hands, hence the wood carving & stick making hobby. Working 3 days a week 6 hours a day doesn't equate to a whole lotta extra income, I primarily use the extra cash to purchase wood working tools. The guy I work for is very happy to have an "older" experienced guy around but what has spooked me is his desire to start handling a new big name lawn power equipment mfgr that requires the business to have on staff a certified service tech and he wants it to be me. I retired after 35 years of mostly being a site Superintendent on construction projects and the last thing I want is to be tied down with responsibility again, know what I mean? So far taking off for 3-4 weeks at a time to travel in our motor-home has been no issue for the owner but if I'm the designated service tech??? I spose' I will have to tell the gentlemen I work for where I stand. I don't want his pursuit of being a dealer to hinge on me being the service tech.

Thanks for the input,

Mark

 

[Rodney]

My last job was as a supervisor. No way do I want to do that again. I'm happy being responsible for my own work, not so much being responsible for others.

All you can do is tell your boss where you stand. At least he thinks enough of you to offer the responsibility to you. Are you working with anyone you think would be good for the job? Maybe put in a word for them instead.

I'm starting to look for a part time job for the extra income myself. I don't think I'm able to go back to full time work again, certainly not doing what I was doing before. I'm meeting with my counselor at Division of Vocational Rehab tomorrow.

Rodney

 

[cobalt]

I don't think I would have the patience to work for anyone now .I did apply for a part time job when I retired but usually told I was over qualified by some companies .and they didn't think I would be happy working for them and find the job to repetitive. but did do a stint as a postman on a 3mnth contract it lasted for about 18 months funny enough I quite enjoyed it no responsibility it was pretty miserable at times during bad weather but the summer was good .

but never again for me I enjoy doing what I do to much and in the habit of doing what I like when I like you cant put a price on that

Good luck with the job Rodney hope it works out for you

You need to have a word with your boss Mark there are still a few decent ones around and tell him what you think

 

[CAS14]

I worked as a geologist for 43 years, 60-100 hour weeks for the first 15+ years. I never missed a recital or game, and coached soccer, basketball, and most memorably baseball. "You can sleep when you die" was my favorite quote.

Now at 70, I enjoy sleeping in until 8:00, having breakfast with my wife of 45 years, sharing a lazy pot of coffee and discussing our day, and pushing the shopping cart as her lackey.

There are so many opportunities I enjoy to mentor my grandson (8 years old) in woodworking, teaching some technical skills to geology grad students at Tulsa Univ., and making walking sticks for family, old mentors, and old Marine brothers, that I will never consider going back to work. It is possible to have a wonderful and far less stressful life post-retirement.

 

[Rodney]

Thanks guys. I'm not sure what I'll be doing yet but it will only be part time and it'll be something that I enjoy. I've had my fair share of stressful jobs and I'm not doing that anymore. The difference this time is I'll be working because I want to, not because I have to, so I can be a little picky. I'm actually looking forward to working again.

My meeting today went well. I'll be meeting another guy in a couple of weeks who will help me with the actual job placement. Going through the state like I am is a little different process than your typical job hunting and interviews.

Rodney

 

[CAS14]

I resolve to limit my drinking - to only good rye whiskey and good red wine!