Hello Hearth friends . . . thought I would update some of you about some fairly significant changes in my life.
First off, after 26 years on the job I am retiring at the end of this month. I always figured I would keep working either until I could qualify for Medicare or (more likely) died at my desk. However, a job opportunity presented itself and the challenges it affords, how well my skills would translate over into this job and (to be frank) how it makes sense fiscally . . . well it just pretty much made sense to retire and start a new career.
There will be some adjustments needed . . . I need to actually purchase a smart phone, need to buy actual button down shirts and khakis (after wearing the same style of uniform for 26 years) and I will need to set up a home office.
Second . . . this job has two days at home and three days on the road. As such I can live pretty much anywhere in Maine and so my wife and I are looking at moving further north (exactly how far and where north is still up in the air). Wherever I go you can bet I will have a woodstove. As I told my wife I plan to take as much firewood with me as I can and unless the folks who buy our home are willing to pony up the money I am not just giving away my beloved Jotul Oslo -- especially since I am still a bit wary of the latest incarnation.
Have to confess . . . at times I have a bit of trepidation . . . at other times it's a border-line giddiness. I suspect I will have a fair amount of stress in the coming few weeks with the new job, selling the house and buying a house.
First off, after 26 years on the job I am retiring at the end of this month. I always figured I would keep working either until I could qualify for Medicare or (more likely) died at my desk. However, a job opportunity presented itself and the challenges it affords, how well my skills would translate over into this job and (to be frank) how it makes sense fiscally . . . well it just pretty much made sense to retire and start a new career.
There will be some adjustments needed . . . I need to actually purchase a smart phone, need to buy actual button down shirts and khakis (after wearing the same style of uniform for 26 years) and I will need to set up a home office.
Second . . . this job has two days at home and three days on the road. As such I can live pretty much anywhere in Maine and so my wife and I are looking at moving further north (exactly how far and where north is still up in the air). Wherever I go you can bet I will have a woodstove. As I told my wife I plan to take as much firewood with me as I can and unless the folks who buy our home are willing to pony up the money I am not just giving away my beloved Jotul Oslo -- especially since I am still a bit wary of the latest incarnation.
Have to confess . . . at times I have a bit of trepidation . . . at other times it's a border-line giddiness. I suspect I will have a fair amount of stress in the coming few weeks with the new job, selling the house and buying a house.
. I was supposed to be fully retired by now but I committed to hanging around supporting two projects that hopefully is over by fall. Hard to concentrate now that the spring is in full bloom. One thing to my advantage is no need to dress up for the clients anymore 
