The first day of the rest of it...

Well, they talked me into it.  I disclaim any responsibility for this adventure...  Today was the first day after my last day of work at the company where I'd worked for almost 17 years.  I had a grand send-off, a party, gifts, lunches, heart-warming emails, hugs, tears, the works.   I am not sure how this new chapter of my life will go -- smoothly or full of unanticipated challenges (maybe both) -- but it's something that I'll embrace with all the gusto I can muster.  The "gang" wants (apparently) to live vicariously -- see what "retirement" (I hate that word) is all about.  My spouse (hereinafter referred to, as most bloggers do, as "DH") gives me three weeks before I go stark raving bonkers and seek out a new job...  We'll see.  I am thinking of the next three to six months as my own personal sabbatical program.  (The company I was at used to have a sabbatical program, and I actually took my first one; the program was cancelled before I could take my second and my third, so I'm now indulging in self-help in regard to those "missing" holidays.)  I'm told that I'll be surprised how busy I'll be.  We shall see.  Today, I managed to sleep until 8AM, then slowly got a few things done, went and got a pedicure, did grocery shopping, prepared dinner for tonight's "sip-and-sew" get-together (much sipping, no sewing), watched DH hit tennis balls, and now am typing my VERY FIRST blog entry.  I don't think I can stand all this excitement.  More tomorrow.  Let me know what you think of this.  Ideas, suggestions, critiques, all welcome.  Cheers!