Last week my husband joined the ranks of the retired. He’d worked for the same company for 33 years and another ten at jobs before that. He was more than ready to start the next phase of his life. In fact, he postponed his original planned retirement date for a year – making sure he was really ready. I retired  two years ago and it was high time for him to join me.

His last day of work was on a Friday and we decided to celebrate with a weekend getaway. I arranged for a dogsitter and booked a room at a resort in Lake Geneva. A 3 ½ hour drive and we were in a new state and a new state of mind. We went for long walks around the lake, enjoyed relaxing meals and strolled through the shops downtown. We didn’t even miss our 5am wake-up call from our beloved pups.

A few days later, back at the homestead, hubby hit the ground running. It was his first Monday of retired life. Instead of heading into the office, dreading the Monday meetings, he took a long morning bike ride and then headed straight to the hardware store. Going to the hardware store is to men what perusing the Nordstrom shoe department is to women. Pure and sheer joy. He picked up some vinegar to clear the backyard fountain of algae, and a variety of cleaning supplies.

If you’re wondering if there were retirement gifts involved – yes there were. Two books and a couple of boxes of golf balls wrapped in tissue in a nice gift bag – along with a card that read: “Retired & Admired” on the outside and “It’s the time of your life… to have the time of your life,” on the inside.

He’s already started on the books: “How to Retire and Not Die,” by Gary Sirak and “The Ultimate Book of Fun Things to Do in Retirement,” by S.C. Francis. I’ll be digging into those as well.

Now that we are both on a similar schedule, the options for trips and recreation are endless. We can visit our kids more often (lucky them!) There’s more time to exercise and focus on a healthy lifestyle. There’s more time for reading and pursuing new interests, because as they say: “You never stop learning.” There’s time to volunteer and explore new hobbies – or put more time into old ones.

My husband is an avid cyclist – to the point that part of our garage resembles a bike shop. He’s got all the necessary tools; the tire pumps, the bike stands – even a small TV so he can keep up on the news while “working.” I’m sure he’ll be puttering in his “bike-cave” frequently – when he’s not on the road, that is.

He’s also had his first “retired coffee” with the guys – and returned with a borrowed power washer he promptly put to use. Our driveway and front porch are spotless!

While I’m not sure if we’ll be doing the grocery shopping together, it will be nice to have him handy for those fix-it jobs around the house. Projects that were too tiring to get to after a long workweek – when weekends were strictly for relaxation. Now, we can both putter around our home and check off those long put-off tasks.

I think retirement will suit us just fine, but it is an adjustment. Working decades while raising kids and taking care of other endless responsibilities wires us to expect to be busy and productive, nonstop. It takes a while to get used to a different pace; to allow yourself to do what you want to do and not what you have to do. But I think we’re up to the challenge!

There are many who’ve gone before us into this unchartered world of relaxation and free time. Here they share their tips, from the humorous to the practical.

• Kathy Young: “Don’t overdo those first few weeks… you are no longer a “weekend warrior.” It’s okay to stretch out the mowing to a couple of days. Also, don’t sit down too often. Recliners and sofas will eat you alive.”
• Rex Pence: “Never get down on the ground without a plan on how to get up.”
• Curt Anderson: Don’t freak out that first day. It takes time to grow into it. Definitely read “How to Retire and Not Die,” it put many things into perspective. Or just take your wife to Switzerland like I did. You simply quit thinking about it.”
• Tom Ramage: “Pick out one or two things to accomplish for the day. Mine usually takes an hour or so. Then I retire for the day feeling accomplished.”
• Frank Young: “Have hobbies to keep you busy. I’m amazed when I hear people say they are bored! I hunt, fish and travel with my wife. I don’t know where I ever found time to work.”
• Dave Kuhl: The worst thing about retirement is realizing you never get a day off now!”
• Kent Gardner: “Do not work until you die. There’s no greater feeling than watching others work and thinking “I’ve been there, done that.” It’s also less stressful to be able to get a haircut mid-week or mid-day.”
• Jim McGuire: “Buy some wireless key finders for your phone, keys, glasses, etc. Save time searching for where you left them.”
• Sue Staples: “Being retired from one thing does not mean you are retired from life! It’s just a new phase.”
• Cheryle Turner: “Six Saturdays and a Sunday – what could be better?”
• Tina Colombo: “Don’t think you have to have a definite plan for how to fill your days as a retiree. Those days will fill themselves faster than you think.”
• Tish Stanner: “Volunteer or work part-time. Find something you enjoy!”