I'M RETIRED!!!! YAY!!!

Well, hey there! Well, its official.......I am retired!!!!! YAY!!! I retired on my birthday which is in the first part of May. I am trying to decide now is I should go back to work as a sorta consultant on July 1st. I work for the government so its a program called Retired Annuitancy. They pay you your retirement benefit plus when they hire you back, they pay you at an hourly rate equal to your last rate of pay. Does that make sense? I've always wanted some extended time in New Orleans and the only way I can do that is to go back to work for awhile to pay for it. But it sure is fun NOT working. So we will see soon enough what my decision is. I need to let them know by June 15th and that date is quickly approaching.

Speaking of New Orleans, I just got back. I went with Anna and stayed for a week. We stayed in a new (to us) hotel called the Place d' Armes. It was just gorgeous. Old for sure, but clean and great staff. It had several gorgeous courtyards with fountains and pool and lush flora,etc. The room provided all the Frenchquarter charm you could ask for. And the price was VERY reasonable. I definitely will stay there again. This trip was mostly partying and eating. Didn't really do or see any of the extra NOLA stuff. I actually stayed up and out til about 1 or later (2:30 am once!) every night. Guess that proves I can still hang, huh? New Orleans is coming along nicely, albeit slowly. The Quarter and other touristy areas look better and better all the time. The rest of the city still has a long way to go, though. The next big thing for me will be when the St. Charles streetcar is up and running. I'm told that will happen in early 2008. Hopefully, I will be there to see it happen?

Back to my retirement......I have recently found out that I will not get my first check until sometime hopefully later this week. Nice of them to tell me that ahead of time, huh? So I am watching my pennies at the moment.....I paid my mortgage on the first, but very little $ left over so hopefully that check will arrive very soon. I am kinda keeping a low profile, hangin around the house, gardening, cleaning, watching movies......just trying not to spend money. It still beats working, tho!!! HA!!!! Until next time.......