3 Years into Retirement

I realized the other day that we had passed our 3 year anniversary of retirement from Hilton. It’s amazing how quickly the time has passed, and how much we have done. Time to look briefly look back and share some thoughts.

Immediately after our last day at work, it felt like a huge load had been lifted from our shoulders. It was a very hectic time, with the Memphis house already sold and our preparations to vacate it and move to Chicago (just 2 weeks after our last workday). But we had already achieved a new sense of peace and calm.

As new Chicago residents, we settled into an urban lifestyle in downsized living space – from a 3200 sq ft home to a 1500 sq ft condo (+ a 500 sq ft Man Cave in the basement). Our one remaining car was used infrequently, as we walked everywhere we could, or used public transportation for more distant jaunts. We started losing weight gained over time from stress and being sedentary. Working out is part of our routine, and golf is a new passion.

Of course, just as we began to enjoy our life of leisure, disaster struck the stock market. Our plan was conservative and rock solid, but the recession shook the foundation we had laid. We saw our net worth (temporarily) plummet. Fortunately, we had some cash and some guaranteed income from deferred compensation and an annuity we had purchased at the urging of our financial advisor. We got through the recession OK, and are now back on plan. It was a bit scary for a while.

The other unexpected development was finding our next home in Prescott, Arizona last year. We hadn’t planned to buy until 2012 or 2013, but… Talking Rock Ranch is the perfect community for us, and we love the ranch cottage we found there, and are enjoying new friendships with our neighbors. Due to the real estate disaster in Arizona, we bought our beautiful home from a bank, at a ridiculous discount. We hope to make our full time transition to Arizona next spring. (Anyone in the market for a condo in Chicago?)

We’ve learned a few things as retirement newbies, and had some surprises:

• Our long-tended corporate identities were easily shed. They were unceremoniously left on the floor like discarded snake skins.

• As well as you plan, some bumps in the road will catch you by surprise. Build as much flexibility into your plans as possible.
• After planning for many years, the transition to execution of the plan (living off your savings and investments) is a scary phase and requires a leap of faith.

• Your health is your most precious asset. In order to enjoy retirement, you must be fit and able. It takes a lot of energy to keep up with our retired friends.

Retiring early is the best thing we could ever have done. We enjoy every day, and are looking forward to what the future holds.

Worst Travel Day Ever

I don’t remember how I tolerated frequent business travel when I worked for Hilton. Maybe I just got used to it being the norm – all the time wasted, the aggravation, the irritation and noise. These days I travel much more rarely, and make arrangements for our own convenience. Yesterday we just needed to get from Prescott to Chicago. It took all day, and we only made it to Dallas.

It started at 3:45 AM yesterday, when we got up to get ready and close up the Prescott house for our planned two month absence. By 5:15 AM we were ready for our good neighbor to give us a ride into downtown Prescott to catch the shuttle to Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport.

We arrived at the airport a little after 8:00 AM. AAdvantage Miles from American Airlines provided us with free flights to Chicago, although we had to change planes in Dallas. That didn’t seem like a big deal when I made the arrangements. But as we approached Dallas, first the pilot announced that we would have to change our approach into Dallas due to weather. A little later, he announced that we would have to divert to San Antonio and land there to wait out the violent weather passing through Dallas.

Our wait on the tarmac in San Antonio lasted four hours. By the time we reached Dallas at about 7:00 PM, DFW Airport was a madhouse. Our connecting flight to Chicago had either left earlier or was cancelled – that was never really clear. After waiting in line at the gate for two hours, we received a discount voucher for a room at the Sheraton in downtown Dallas. We were told there was a shuttle that would take us there, but discovered the shuttle was unavailable at that time of night. A $50 taxi ride later, we checked into the Sheraton at 10:00 PM. At that point, we had been travelling for 15 hours. After dinner in a very noisy sports bar (the only thing open after 10), we collapsed into bed.

Here it is, Thursday morning, and I am still 950 miles from Chicago. We travelled only with a backpack with minimal supplies – so I will wear home the jeans I wore yesterday, underthings washed out in the sink last night, and a T shirt borrowed from Ron. Once I pull myself together, I’ll be checking with the front desk to see if they have any toiletries for distressed passengers. Sigh. We’ll be on the 12:35 PM shuttle for a flight that departs for Chicago (hopefully) just before 3:00 PM. We should arrive at our home in Chicago by about 7:00 tonight.

I’m thankful that American Airlines kept us safe, but pretty disappointed with their ability to serve their passengers effectively at the airport last night. Fortunately, we can afford an unexpected diversion like this (which will amount to over $300) – but feel empathy for those who probably spent the night at the airport last night because they couldn’t.

Next stop, the internet lounge in the lobby to post my blog. I’m not paying another $12.95 for access from my guest room.

I wanna go home.

For Our New Graduates

My niece and eldest nephews are in what I consider to be the truly formative years of their lives. One graduates high school next week, one graduated high school last year, and another graduates college later this year. Although the world has changed in many ways since I navigated the same passages, there are many lessons I learned in my youth that I am convinced are still applicable today....

Savor every moment of this time of life which is remarkably carefree. Things get much more complicated later.

Some high school and college friends will be friends for life. Other friendships will naturally fade away as you grow further apart. Cherish the few that remain close for the long haul. They will be welcome touchstones in your life.

In the years to come, you will face difficulty and sadness. It can’t be escaped. Keep your family close. Choose your friends and your life partner wisely. We all need help getting through hard times.

Mistakes made can change your life forever, in an instant. May your mistakes be few and minor. You can avoid a lot of regret by making good choices.

Your education will serve you well for your entire life. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow, and become a well-rounded person.

Consider traveling a little before starting your career. Once you get entrenched in the working world, it’s hard to take more than a week off at a time to do anything.

Never compromise your personal values and principles. Beware of people (or employers) who try to persuade you to do so.

Show your parents that you love them all the time. They won’t be around forever.

Live in the moment, but plan ahead.

P.S. To our nieces and nephews: Aunt Laurel and Uncle Ron love you and are here for you. XOXO

Social Butterflies

Ron and I are each other’s best friends. Over the years we have been a couple, we most enjoy spending time alone together. Occasionally, close friends are invited over for cocktails, dinner, or special celebrations. We share some events (Symphony, Opera, Cubs game) with friends. Family is spread across the country, and our infrequent visits and gatherings are joyful for us.

Facing retirement three years ago, we discussed a mutual concern about how we would meet new people and make friends. Historically, most of our friendships came from our work environment.

We had no idea that when we selected Prescott and Talking Rock Ranch (TRR) as our long term home we would be quickly and enthusiastically embraced by the community. It has been an incredible bonus to our new life in Arizona.

Suddenly, we are social butterflies! Between events planned by TRR Club and our new neighbors, our calendar is full when we are in Prescott. In a typical week, we golf, hike, dine at the club, and attend Friday Happy Hour. The Barn fitness center is another place to catch up with friends. We’ve attended neighborhood parties, private dinner parties, and spontaneous gatherings in people’s homes and on back patios. Last fall, we hosted a cocktail party for about twenty friends. And Ron’s culinary skills have been exercised on several occasions by having friends over to dinner, as we did just last night.

It’s amazing what comes out of old-fashioned neighborliness. When someone is injured or sick, help is always nearby. If a friend experiences a loss, people are ready to step in with a supportive and comforting presence. Need a ride into town? You’ll get multiple offers. There’s no reason to celebrate events alone, because people are always eager to make merry with you. It feels great. Really great.

Our relationship as a couple has been enhanced by this activity and social stimulation. It’s enjoyable to open our hearts to welcome new friends, and we look forward to sharing all the fun with our long time friends and family.

Twenty + Eight

Many of Runaway Boomer’s readers are already aware via Facebook that Ron and I celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary yesterday. And we celebrated in style! When considering our options, we talked about spending several nights in Phoenix or Las Vegas, playing golf, and having a nice dinner. However, it seemed unnecessary to spend money for travel and a hotel when we live in a resort community in Prescott. Talking Rock Ranch has all we wanted – golf, fine dining, and a nice place to stay (our own home).

We started our special day with a quick breakfast and coffee at Coop’s, Talking Rock’s little convenience store and gathering place. Then we headed for the driving range to warm up for a round of golf. The weather was warm and clear, and we enjoyed the company of one of our good friends on the course. For dinner, Talking Rock’s Chef Richard Saldivar treated us to a menu customized to our request. It began with a beautiful salad of fresh greens, apple, poached pear, candied walnuts and goat cheese. The main course was Surf & Turf; small filets perfectly grilled and sweet lobster with melted butter, served over creamed spinach. Dessert was beautiful (see picture below). Fresh raspberries and strawberries were nestled in puff pastry with a creamy filling. (Yes, we’re going to the fitness center today…)

As much as we enjoyed our meal, the best part of the evening was all the congratulations and best wishes from the staff at Talking Rock (like family), and the many friends who stopped by our table to chat. Once again, the warmth of our adopted community added a unique glow to our experience.

So we’ve been married for 20 years, but Ron often amends that to “20 + 8”, since we met in 1983 and dated for 8 years before wedding. He feels he should get at least partial credit for the 8 years, and I must agree. We have shared half of our lives together thus far, and look forward to many more years of love and companionship.

We extend our sincere thanks to all of our friends for being part of our lives and sharing our happiness.

Let's Walk 18

We just purchased a golf membership in Talking Rock Ranch in Prescott. Oh boy! This will allow us to play without worrying about greens fees accrued in the course of a month’s play. Today, we’re heading out to golf for the second time this week. I continue to work on my handicap, and am still very inconsistent with my game. I did manage a Par and a Birdie when I played on Tuesday – but those are the exception rather than the rule.

I am becoming more intimately familiar with the course and its challenges. It all used to be one big mish-mosh in my mind, but now I can walk the course mentally in pretty good detail. It’s helping me with club selection and strategy (that is, as much as someone at my skill level has a strategy).

HOLE 1: A fairly simple hole, unless your drive goes wild right into the retention pond…
HOLE 2: A straightforward Par 4, right behind our house!

HOLE 3: On this tough little Par 3, you have to hit over a small desert scrub-covered hill on the left. I use a 3 wood. “3 on 3” is how I remember it.

HOLE 4: The beautiful sweeping fairway on 4 often is a runway for jackrabbits.
HOLE 5: A oddly challenging hole, fraught with fairway bunkers.
HOLE 6: Ron has nicknamed this “The Death March”. It’s a 606-yard Par 5 that gives my 3 wood a workout. Very little hope for us chicks to par this hole. The best I’ve ever done is a double bogey, and happy to get it.
HOLE 7: Another Par 3. I use my 7 wood – “7 on 7”.
HOLE 8: Native landscape on the left and bunkers on the right. Stay in the middle, for sure.

HOLE 9: Front 9 finishes with a Par 5, and a water hazard on the right. Hit too close and your ball bounces right- splashing into the pond. The ducks scatter when they see me coming.

THE TURNAROUND: I recommend the panini-grilled hot dog. Delicious.

HOLE 10: A wide open, forgiving fairway. A fresh start for the back 9.
HOLE 11: Nicknamed “The Chasm”, on this Par 5 hole you must hit over a deep, dry ravine before approaching the green. I have lost many, many balls on this darn hole.
HOLE 12: Here, your drive has to fly over a “mini chasm” to get to the fairway. Not so bad. The green is elevated, which is a bit tricky.
HOLE 13: An uphill Par 3 surrounded by bunkers. If your drive misses the green, you are probably in trouble.
HOLE 14: My least favorite hole for a reason I have yet to determine.

A beautiful day on 15.

HOLE 15: The course’s signature hole is at a higher elevation, with a downhill approach to the green. The view of Granite Mountain is spectacular from the tees.
HOLE 16: A Par 3 where I very nearly got a Hole-in-One earlier this week. My first birdie on this course.
HOLE 17: A fairly straightforward Par 4 on the home stretch.
HOLE 18: This Par 5 is a tough way to finish, with prevailing winds often in your face from the west. Watch out for the big bunkers on the right, and the water on the left!

It’s a beautiful and challenging course – and it’s helping me become a golfer!

You Lift Me Up

I love Chicago. But this time of year is trying. March teases you with a few pleasant days, but then cruelly makes it clear that it’s not truly Spring yet – not in Chicago, you fool. The dull gray, cold, damp, days drag on into April. Daffodils are barely poking their greenery into sight, but are a few weeks from blooming. When it came time to travel back to Arizona for a while, I was anxious to escape to sun and warmth.

Yesterday was a long travel day. At about 9:15am we caught the 80 bus west on Irving Park to the Blue Line station. We transferred to the el to O’Hare. Amazingly, Security at O’Hare was a breeze, so we waited about 2 hours at the gate until our flight departed. Upon arrival in Phoenix, we had about 45 minutes before our scheduled shuttle to Prescott (a 2 hour ride). Once in Prescott, we caught a taxi to our house, finally arriving home at 6pm local time (8pm Chicago time).

Knowing that the cupboard was bare here at the house, we headed immediately to the club for dinner. There was a crowd on hand for Prime Rib Buffet Night, and many people we know were in attendance. What actually caught me a little off guard was the warmth of our welcome back to Talking Rock Ranch…

As people realized we were there, they left their tables to greet us, with handshakes, hugs, and kisses. The warmth washed over us. We had a long chat with Chef, who was interested in where we have dined lately in Chicago. Several friends stopped by our table – one sitting down to visit for a few minutes. The food and beverage director and the bartender made a point of coming by to welcome us back. As we were leaving, we saw more friends who greeted us enthusiastically, and we both got hugs and kisses from our favorite server. We left the club last night with full tummies and full hearts (and a few invitations to play golf).

When we decided to invest in a home in Talking Rock Ranch and settle here, we knew that we had found a special place. What we didn’t realize is that we had found so many special friends. The more experience we have in the community, the more we appreciate how perfect it is for us and how uplifting to our spirit.

Thanks to a few of the people of Talking Rock who made last night an unexpected joy: Connie, Chef Richard, Ryan, Beth, Sara, Rose, Jayce, Terry, Jim, Kathy, Lonnie, Carol, Don, Bruce, Dean, Mike, and Jan. (I’m sorry if I left anyone out – I was kind of overwhelmed!)