I may scream!!!I am retiring next year at the end of Spring semester (May 2012). I am retiring at 55 which means I am getting hit with a penalty from our retirement system. I know this, and I have planned for it. This was not an easy decision for me to make. Family, friends, and people I do not really know are asking me, "what are you going to do when you retire?" My answer has been either I will be taking care of myself for those that know I have MS to I am not sure to those who do not. I am so tired of being asked this question. Yes, I may move but I do not want to make that decision until at least year after I retire. Yes, I hope to do some volunteer work. Yes, I may be willing to teach one course. Most people ( including my family and closest friends) do not understand how hard it is for me teach every day. I think I am going to start telling everyone that I am going to be writing mysteries

So Barb . . . What are you going to do when you retire? j/k

You'll know what you want to do when the time comes. Plans are just that, plans. Once you retire you may decide to do something entirely different than what you planned. This happens quite often when people retire.

Ok, so I just had a thought . . .Take a calendar and randomly fill in something on every single day. When someone asks what you are going to do, hand them the "filled" calendar. haha Or, tell them you are writing a book of dumb questions people ask.

Seriously though, you will know what it is that you want to do when the time comes and will find different ways to fill your time and to do things. You are an intelligent person as well as a caring and compassionate person and I know you will use your wonderful traits to benefit not only yourself but others as well.

Oh, Barb, you could have fun with this! There's all kinds of outrageous things you could do (if only in your imagination)!!

Tell em you're going to write a Bio/expose and they will all be in it.

And t hen AFTER you retire, they will all be asking, "So how are you enjoying retirement?" Start thinking up some good answers for that one, too.

I swear, I was NEVER this busy when I was working. once I retired young I had a gaggle of folks think that just because I am home during the day that I was available to sit and wait for the cable guy or pick up packages while I was in town, or whatever...they just added to my list.

Folks think they are being friendly when they ask social questions such as "what are you going to do when you retire?" they have no idea they are being intrusive, and causing you stress, or discomfort. Consider it a good will gesture and not a nosey rosey comment. Think up a simple one liner such as "sleep! and then nap! and then doze off, and maybe I will go to bed early" try to inject some humor into it, and perhaps you can deflect them with your wit. Simple answers such a "run away from here!" keeps um smiling. I know you dont want to start biting at folks who truly mean well, but its horrible to be pecked to peices about things that are truly nonabeezwax.

Folks thought that since I did an early retirement that I must be chilling and relaxing. they had no idea I was home suffering, in pain, miserable, lonely and missing that fat paycheck. You just cant blurt that out tho. it invokes even more questions. Best to deflect um.

Hang in there.

I have been retired for almost 8 years, and illness forced me into too, but the plan was to do little or nothing but have fun anyway.

Ok Barb. I just had another terrible thought based on Wiz's response. You can tell them you are going in to the import/export business. Most people would shut up at that point. I know I would. haha You could even go a little further and say the business is based out of Mexico.

I can understand your apprehension. It's a big step and a major change. Plus, you like teaching and are good at it. It's so hard to give up something that we enjoy doing. Right before MS entered my life, I switched careers from health care to construction/remodeling. I loved it!!! So much so that I wanted to get a degree in interior design as for me it entailed the best of both worlds - designing/drafting and interior decorating. When I had to stop working, it was hard as I was just getting started in this new career. But, I can assure you, you will find something else to do and enjoy. It may even surprise you what you find to do. You will do fine and I think you are making a good decision at this point.

hey Barb ... what Trish said!!

I just want you to make sure you don't roll up into a ball and cocoon yourself the way my FIL did after he lost his central vision...it's been 24 years of "I can't see..." but he can notice a pretty girl across the room

You are a very intelligent person with a wide range of interests in the world.
When you have caught your breath after a while of being off work, you will look around and say, "Wow, I can do what I want to now!!"