Insert Your Good News HERE

I think I mentioned this, but maybe not: my son got engaged about 3 months or so ago. We love her and she's got a great career. His job continues to just get better and better, its crazy how good tech companies treat their talent. They are having a new house built for them, should be done in January (Denver suburbs). He's just knocking it out the park, couldn't be more proud.

My wife and I plan to retire at 60, so another 5 years and we are DONE. We're both healthy and happy (knock on wood). Life is good and I feel lucky and grateful that it is. 

@dadevike Your kids have some big brains

@"StickyBun" said: I think I mentioned this, but maybe not: my son got engaged about 3 months or so ago. We love her and she's got a great career. His job continues to just get better and better, its crazy how good tech companies treat their talent. They are having a new house built for them, should be done in January (Denver suburbs). He's just knocking it out the park, couldn't be more proud.

My wife and I plan to retire at 60, so another 5 years and we are DONE. We're both healthy and happy (knock on wood). Life is good and I feel lucky and grateful that it is. 

@"StickyBun" said: I think I mentioned this, but maybe not: my son got engaged about 3 months or so ago. We love her and she's got a great career. His job continues to just get better and better, its crazy how good tech companies treat their talent. They are having a new house built for them, should be done in January (Denver suburbs). He's just knocking it out the park, couldn't be more proud.

My wife and I plan to retire at 60, so another 5 years and we are DONE. We're both healthy and happy (knock on wood). Life is good and I feel lucky and grateful that it is. 

I retired 3 years ago after too many decades in Corporate. 

Decided to pursue one of my passions (BMW's) and now able to wallow in that everyday and make some coin along the way too...

Win/Win 

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"StickyBun" said: I think I mentioned this, but maybe not: my son got engaged about 3 months or so ago. We love her and she's got a great career. His job continues to just get better and better, its crazy how good tech companies treat their talent. They are having a new house built for them, should be done in January (Denver suburbs). He's just knocking it out the park, couldn't be more proud.

My wife and I plan to retire at 60, so another 5 years and we are DONE. We're both healthy and happy (knock on wood). Life is good and I feel lucky and grateful that it is. 

Think about if you're going to have a "Chapter 2" at something or not???

I retired 3 years ago after too many decades in Corporate. 

Decided to pursue one of my passions (BMW's) and now able to wallow in that everyday and make some coin along the way too...

Win/Win 

@"StickyBun" said:

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"StickyBun" said: I think I mentioned this, but maybe not: my son got engaged about 3 months or so ago. We love her and she's got a great career. His job continues to just get better and better, its crazy how good tech companies treat their talent. They are having a new house built for them, should be done in January (Denver suburbs). He's just knocking it out the park, couldn't be more proud.

My wife and I plan to retire at 60, so another 5 years and we are DONE. We're both healthy and happy (knock on wood). Life is good and I feel lucky and grateful that it is. 

Think about if you're going to have a "Chapter 2" at something or not???

I retired 3 years ago after too many decades in Corporate. 

Decided to pursue one of my passions (BMW's) and now able to wallow in that everyday and make some coin along the way too...

Win/Win 

Hey, PF. I could easily do some consulting if I choose to. Not sure, I'm pretty good at working, but I'm pretty good at doing nothing as well.  :p I know its not like that for many, but I think retirement is going to suit me. My wife and I are close, we are avid conversationalists and enjoy each other's company immensely. We talk daily a TON about anything and everything. We are both in similar industries, she's my partner in crime. We have fun and laugh a lot. I'm very lucky that way, so I'm looking very forward to the next chapter.

I woke up this morning! Seriously people, celebrate life!

Context: In November I had a medical issue. The day before Thanksgiving I was found unconscious in my home after suffering a blood clot. Thank goodness that people I work with noticed my absence and sent someone to check on me. I hate to think what would have happened otherwise.

After that I left Minnesota (just got home on Sunday) and spent the entire winter in a condo on a beach. I followed that up with some time in Charleston and Memphis. This is the first winter in decades that I saw not even a snowflake. My soul is full and am in the best health in many years. I'm rejuvenated, thankful and just damn happy to be alive. Every day is a bonus.

There is good news everywhere. 

My old 1,400 sq ft redwood deck has been ripped out and the contractor has replaced it with a 1,600 sq ft Trex beauty.  It's true, your deck really does look bigger if you trim the bushes around it.

I have been retired, going on my 3rd month, and not one kid has stepped on my lawn without suffering the wrath of Al.  There is hope of salvation for this new generation!

@"Montana Tom" said: My old 1,400 sq ft redwood deck has been ripped out and the contractor has replaced it with a 1,600 sq ft Trex beauty.  It's true, your deck really does look bigger if you trim the bushes around it.

Keep a dialog on the Trex, considering it, have some trepidation.  

@"Montana Tom" said: My old 1,400 sq ft redwood deck has been ripped out and the contractor has replaced it with a 1,600 sq ft Trex beauty.  It's true, your deck really does look bigger if you trim the bushes around it.

@"BigAl99" said:

@"Montana Tom" said: My old 1,400 sq ft redwood deck has been ripped out and the contractor has replaced it with a 1,600 sq ft Trex beauty.  It's true, your deck really does look bigger if you trim the bushes around it.

Keep a dialog on the Trex, considering it, have some trepidation.  

@"greediron" said:

@"BigAl99" said:

@"Montana Tom" said: My old 1,400 sq ft redwood deck has been ripped out and the contractor has replaced it with a 1,600 sq ft Trex beauty.  It's true, your deck really does look bigger if you trim the bushes around it.

Keep a dialog on the Trex, considering it, have some trepidation.  

It is nice, but be careful of the darker colors.  They get hot in the sun.

@"pattersaur" said:

@"greediron" said:

@"BigAl99" said:

@"Montana Tom" said: My old 1,400 sq ft redwood deck has been ripped out and the contractor has replaced it with a 1,600 sq ft Trex beauty.  It's true, your deck really does look bigger if you trim the bushes around it.

Keep a dialog on the Trex, considering it, have some trepidation.  

It is nice, but be careful of the darker colors.  They get hot in the sun.

I’ve heard the same. I also need to redo our deck and am considering Trex. 

My one friend who swears by his Trex deck has huge trees and almost full shade on his deck, so that’s no help. 

My biggest question with the Trex is that my deck is elevated one story up on wood beams. So it’s about 12 feet off the ground. Replacing the whole thing— including beams— almost doubles the cost versus keeping the structure in place, and just doing a Trex floorboards, railings, and stairs. Still researching this but whether wood or composite, it’s a project for next summer I hope.

This summer I’m just trying to get the lawn and landscaping up to a state of respectability. That, and getting good at using the new bbq smoker  :)