General Chat

HE RETIRED LAST WEEK
DAY FOUR


HELPPPPPPPP

just be glad you've still got him Dizzi

Too true Ann ,what would Dizzi do with nothing to complain about ,lol,and no one to blame for things going on.
Get yourself organised Dizzi ,and work out a shift Rota for him he he,Fred. :-)

It is obvious that Ann & Fred have not met him

;-)

Tis an unusual lady that dosn't know how to manipulate a man to her own ends ,lol :-) Fred.

We are not meant to retire. Have tried 3 times, and failed miserably. Fourth and final attempt next year. And really dreading it.

No, I do not want to help more with housework.
No, I do not want to help more with garden.
No, I do not want to go shopping more.
No, I don't want to sit in a cafe sipping a £3 cappucino, eating a £3 slice of sponge cake and discussing everybody else there.
No, I do not want to buy Chums clothes
No, I do not want to watch Countdown and Bargain Hunt every single day.
No, I don't want to go on a coach holiday to Scotland.

Please, Father, let me expire still working at over 100.

The answer is to your problem is a shed.

Now,now then John. What's wrong with coach holidays to Scotland. I've been on them, and the Lake District, a few years ago. Really ejoyed them. Everything done for you. You don't even have to lift your luggage on the coach.
But I do agree with you regards day-time television. I promised my-self I would never go down this road, and never have. Even in hospital. I'd rather read a good book, amongst other things. LOLOL


Julia in Derbyshire

Never thought of that. A shed and a book. I now see why Dylan Thomas and William Cowper lived in sheds down the garden.

There's your answer, Dizzi. A shed. Men need to have lots of quiet time to meditate and solve the world's problems - and write lovely hymns and poetry. :-D :-D

My husband retired 3 years ago and he's busier now than he ever was. He wonders when he ever fitted in work.

Aw, Dizzy – it’s a tremendous upheaval for both of you. Someone who has worked fulltime has to find something else with which to identify themselves. They are no longer Mr Bloggs the Baker (or whatever) they could easily become in your case, Mr Dizzy when introduced to your daytime social circle.

OH took ‘early retirement’ before the age of 60 (his contract ended which coincided with the downturn in the economy). He had a whole list of projects he wanted to complete which kept him occupied for a couple of years.

We take turns being responsible for and cooking the evening meal. He knows now that he also has to take joint responsibility for the housework… apart from the washing and ironing which he still hasn’t a clue about! And I’ve learnt not to take it as an insult if he gets a duster out.

Being SKIs (Spend the Kids Inheritance) we try to go out-out once a week, even if only for a walk. It doesn’t always happen, but the intention is there.

The danger comes if the previously full time worker thinks they must be joined at the hip with their spouse, or vice versa. We are both individuals and need time to ourselves.

Are there classes for housework and cooking for retired men? Or should it come naturally. I am beginning to feel rather inadequate now. Perhaps solving all the major problems of the world in my shed might not be enough for a happy retirement.

I know one colleague of mine who became ill in his 50's and could not work for several months. He had worked (like we all did in supermarket management) 6 or 7 days a week, at least 12 hours a day. Excellent wages and rewards, but no quality of family life looking back. No paternity leave - we were opening new stores in Pontypandy, Cambridge and Walkden and living in posh hotels.

This colleague realised he did not know his wife or his children at all. It was just like somebody losing their memory. He has to virtually start courting wife of 30 years all over again - now bald and 3 stones heavier. I may well have a similar problem when I retire next year, though I only do 8 hours a day, 5 days a week now at a very simple job :-| :-)

Dizzi, its true what Adeline says. Get him a shed.then he can go to 'work' there for a few hours a day. :-D :-D

It is true what Ann says be glad you have him .

And don't forget the padlock! :-D

And make sure it's a large enough shed for a bed and cooker :-D

And a loo :-D

dizzi there is an art to having a man at home all the time

its called pretending your deaf ;-) ;-)

We have honestly never had a problem. My OH retired (early retirement) before me, he had a demanding job that entailed him spending almost more time in the air than on the ground so he was pleased to retire. He was lucky this was in 1995/6 and he had a good package. I have to admit that for about a year he set up his own consultancy which kept him occupied. Then he finished that. Because I was still working he took over most of the housework, although not cooking. But (and this I think is the clue) he had his own hobby, he started playing golf in his 30s and played 3 times a week. When I retired he kept up his golf and now 74 still plays two or three times a week.
I have my family tree, card making, scrapbooking, reading that keeps me occupied. Gardening we do together and, if the weather is good enough we go out together once a week, it may only be to town for lunch but we also visit NT properties and gardens. We like to walk but haven't done a lot lately.
We share the housework, he took on the ironing and still does it, I do the cooking.
Happy retirement means give and take, make joint decisions. We have separate computers in separate rooms but close enough to talk to each other. We very rarely argue, not seriously anyway, bicker a bit. Laugh a lot.

John you will adapt, it is like getting older, an attitude of mind. If you are friends first and spouses second you will be fine. You have to learn to relax. :-) :-)

Oh Gwen, poor you!

Lizxx