12 years, but who is counting?
 

I just wanted to post (and hope this post will help some folks) that I have been NED for twelve years, as of May 10th, 2017.

I have gone from 53 to 65, just attended my beautiful and kind daughter's college graduation (older mom here), retired from being a university professor for decades (retirement effective Dec. 1, 2016) and hoping to close on my house in June (keep your fingers crossed) so that I can downsize and move into a beautiful apartment (with NO yard maintenance- I do have arthritis so yard work is tough but a patio garden would be great).

My daughter is taking a gap year or two (if a legal job requires it) and then applying to law school. She would like her dad and I to move closer to her when she gets a bit settled and renting will allow me to make further moves when the time is right.

Take care everyone. Karen Z

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Congratulations, Karen and glad to hear from you!

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Karen that's wonderful, it's twelve years for me in July all going well. Many congrats and I hope all your plans turn out exactly as you want them to.:)

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Congratulations Karen - I don't think we ever stop counting.
Best wishes.... Pam

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Big congrats Karen!

all the best
caya

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Wow! 12 years is great to hear!!! Congrats.

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Thanks for your kind words JayKay ! I appreciate them very much.

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Hi Tricia and congratulations as well. I think if I can get through the due diligence process on the potential sale (OMG), retirement will be great. Best to you !

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Pam
You are right. I have my annual mammogram on Wednesday and I have been thinking about it a lot. It is always "there" but, perhaps, smaller and further back (but, there).

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Many thanks Caya !!! Very kind of you.

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Thanks Donna. I hope it is good to hear. We have so many folks on here that have been NED a long, long time (more than me). Keep moving forward.

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Congratulations Karen. So very happy for you.

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Karen,

I am so happy for you and for your daughter. It's wonderful that you and your husband get to be closer to her.
Enjoy those retirement years!

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

I'm counting and 12 years is fantastic!! I'm 5 years behind you and feeling like my cancer battle is just a memory now. Hope you continue counting the years, we have reason to celebrate!

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Fantastic! Congrats!

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Karen, so pleased for you.

Janie

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Good news, and we never do stop counting!
I have been somewhat "otherwise occupied" myself so missed your post. Very glad to hear that things have moved along basically well for you and Bella. I can recall when you were taking her to interview colleges!

Be in touch off the board. Think of you from time to time, hoping things are on the good path for you.

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Love to hear this news. It always gives hope to others just starting out and even for those of us that are years out

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Karen, I've been AWOL for a while but some head to have you join the 12 year club. Glad things are going well fir you. Congrats on the retirement and the graduation.

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

I have been off the board for awhile but many thanks to those who have written in response to my last post- I appreciate it (hi Steph and Sassy- pls send along your emails-mine is still the same). I went a bit crazy with purging work files after retirement and accidentally deleted two computer storage "cabinets" with family/friends emails. Steph, I remember all of those college visits very well too. Oh boy, what a time. I can not believe that Bella has graduated, that I actually retired, sold my house, found a beautiful temporary apartment, relocated 20 miles further outside of ATL and (although taking everything day by day) am doing well. I just started an art class and hoping to take more if I survive this one (I started off as an art major, lacked self-confidence, and immediately switched majors back in the day when I felt "I can not do this" and be good. Although discovery psychology was a huge blessing and I had a great career in psych., I have always wondered if I could do "this" and (from time to time) have taken classes in photography and pottery. I am now down to the kind of basic drawing class, which "did me in" and made me feel I could never handle art, but so glad I am trying it again. Anyway, guys, write me when you have a chance and catch me up on your lives. K

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Karen,

It is very brave of you to tackle that old "Everest" from your past! I am betting you will surprise yourself and enjoy the challenge. It is nice to hear you are well and settling into retirement life. Those second chapters in our lives can be wonderful! Good luck with the class!

Laurel

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Thanks for your kind words Laurel. I decided that if I was going to start doing art again that I DID need to go back to Everest !

Class number 2 is coming up this week and I look forward to it, although I will say that some of the clss assignments in the first class (well, one in particular) was very challenging for me.

But, I am going to give this a try and do the best I can. Thanks for checking in and take good care ~~~ Best, Karen

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

12 years!!! Yay for you!!! 12 years this year for me too. A nice even dozen!!!

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Hi Susan,
Many congratulations. Twelve IS a very nice number and praying for more good numbers.
Take good care.

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Congratulations, we never stop counting! I'm 13 years out, fear (anxiety) never really leaves but we need to focus on today & tomorrow.

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Hi CutiePie,
You are so right. I am still plagued (even though it is not something I think about daily, it is triggered often) by fear and anxiety. Thanks for the reminder to focus on today and tomorrow. I forget that too often. k

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Hi Karen,

We are still kicking after all these years. I have not taken up art classes, but wonder how you are doing putting your creative juices to work?

Staying in the "here and now" is not always so easy when we have to also plan for "tomorrow"! Take good care, as there are some very nasty bugs going around.

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Hi Steph,
I have now taken three classes and really loved two (good teachers are helpful). I will keep taking art classes and have decided to initially take shorter classes to see if I enjoy the type of art as well as the teacher and then move into longer classes over several weeks. I really want to try and explore many different topics. I am lucky that we have a center with incredible classes that is not too far away from me.

At the moment I am also trying to learn Italian as my older brother recently bought a second home in the town my maternal grandparents were born. My brother and his wife are going on a work/hang out with our relatives trip in April (for three weeks!) and made me an offer I could not refuse (they are treating me to all). So we will go to Milan to look for furniture, fixtures, doors, etc. and to Cassamassima for two weeks (my brother can talk to a construction crew as a few things will be changed and I can get to meet my relatives and explore the town where my grandparents on my mom's side grew up). I am not mentioning this my brother or his wife, but I bought a three month subscription to Rossetta Stone and am trying to spend at least one hour a day (I might have to increase that!) so I can at least talk a little. My maternal grandmother never learned to speak English and I understood her perfectly as a child. So, we shall see!! So good to hear from you. Take care. K

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Wonderful, life-after-breast-cancer projects! You are making great use of your time. I bet your Italian will come out of the back reaches of your memory since you are working on it. A good phrase-book may help while you are there.

Going back to your European roots will be exciting!

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Hey Steph,

Jumping into retirement after teaching/doing research at a university for decades was not the easiest, even though I felt it was time. It has now been a little over a year and I am learning to (try and) relax and find out who I am without a job and what I love besides psychology. Art is high on my list. And am having so much fun learning (re-learning) Italian. I can definitely see some "savings" from all my many Italian conversations with my grandma (but, of course, I was not required to write in Italian back then and I am not finding it easy). Steph, I am SO HAPPY that I will be spending two weeks in the town my maternal grandparents were born. I CAN NOT WAIT to meet my relatives (who have my mom's and grandpa Luigi's last name). This is an incredible opportunity my brother and sister-in-law have given me and I am so so appreciative. It sounds like you are doing great and I am happy and grateful about that. Your "signature" remains amazing. I miss our rookie days in San Antonio and I miss Joe and Christine !!!!!!
Love,
Karen

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

I have also been AWOL for awhile. But felt compelled to check in to this place that helped save my life 11 years ago
I especially related to what Karen Z posted. Finding the courage to attempt a new, scary challenge. I also worked in psych but always wanted to explore art. In my case, it was newfound sobriety that gave me permission to try something new and be bad at it! Now I’m quite good at it!
Keep the faith

Re: 12 years, but who is counting?
 

Hi Bonnie! So glad to see you here! Glad you are doing well. :)

Carol Ann