The past year – 2017 – offered us a mix of personal and professional highs and lows. Here are a few of the more important events that took place over the past year.

Craig and Dianne Paroubek visited us on our Sanderling lot over Memorial Day and we had a very enjoyable visit. (Craig is one of Pam’s two brothers.) This also marked the first use of the brush chipper I had purchased earlier in the year. After a few kinks were worked out, the chipper provided us with a large pile of chips which we spread on one of our footpaths. All in all it was an excellent weekend!

Craig (right) helping Jerry chip brush

Over the summer we semi-retired our 2001 Honda (414K miles) and purchased a 2007 Honda that would become our daily driver. After correcting a few minor problems the “new” Honda has proven to be an economical ride; we have driven it over 20,000 miles to date.

2007 Honda

August proved to be an emotional month. Pam’s best friend and previous classmate since kindergarten, Mary Hayes, succumbed to pancreatic cancer and passed away on August 15th. Mary had visited us in late 2013 and we had visited her (and husband Jeff ) during our Florida trip in 2014. Pam and Mary were very close, having attended public school together, then backpacked in Europe before both married and began families. Mary is greatly missed.

We visit Jeff and Mary Hayes at their Florida home in 2014

Professionally, 2017 had both ups and downs. Pam was notified the program allowing her the ability to work remotely a few days per week was being canceled by administration. As a result, Pam will be going to a part-time schedule at the community college beginning in January, prior to quitting entirely next year.

My work situation was somewhat better; my assistant position was filled and several major projects were completed as planned. While there are more projects in the pipeline for 2018, for the next couple months the work should be routine.

Retirement conversations are becoming more frequent. I signed up for Social Security this year! Since I am still employed I did not sign up for any benefits, just needed to get on the record for future Medicare coverage.

Other activities included attending another motorcycle rally in Colorado and a few trips to look at potential Colorado retirement properties.

Motorcycle group in Rocky Mtn Natl. Park. I am 3rd from right.

That about wraps up 2017; now we are preparing for 2018. Thanks to everyone who reads this blog and a Happy New Year to all!

Pam’s Two Cents Worth:

Another high school friend visited Sanderling in June, plus my Aunt Doris also passed away this summer.  We have owned the Sanderling property five years, and been looking for a retirement house for two years. On the whole, my take on 2017 is — it has been a crappy year for me. (Better for Fields; he acquired expensive machinery and enjoyed his regular motorcycle trips as well as ATV outings.)

No resolutions this year; I will just be trying to figure out how to afford semi-retirement.  Although my workplace has forced the issue, maybe it’s really just The Universe telling me to “stop working already.”  I try to listen to The Universe when given a clear message. My friend Mary reinforced this same general idea in 2017 before she died – you may be only one terminal diagnosis away from the end (cheery thought), so do what makes you happy.

Happy Trails.