The General Chat Thread (2025)

One week ago, after 37 years, I stopped working at Ford Motor Company. Not my choice. But, they might be doing me a favor. I have a significant pension after all those years, enough to pay off my house and my new Ford Bronco. Old Man Rob is also 62, and eligible to collect Social Security. And unemployment for the next 26 weeks.

I always told people when they asked about retirement plans that I couldn’t retire. I have adult children at home, and I still do. But, the mortgage and the car payment are a big chunk of my expenses every month. I don’t necessarily need to start a full-time job right now.

A friend of mine owns a company that does aftermarket work on performance automobiles. He offered me a part-time job, with a possibility of much more if he can close a deal with another company.

It could be a lot worse. 350 people lost their jobs last week. I doubt that most of them are in a favorable position, as I seem to be. I did want to retire, and even though it’s not by choice, I am definitely enjoying the downtime now. My wife (also retired) didn’t come right and say it, but it’s obvious she wants me to enjoy a little bit of that downtime.
I had a mix of choices for that emoticon, with a bit of wow and sorry, but ultimately I feel you're strong and you'll be ok. Best wishes to you and your family. Enjoy your downtime and I have faith that will come out on the sunny side!
 
Hey, I'm sorry to hear about that, but I'm not sorry because it means you are now free to work for yourself. No more corporate obligations, no more 33 yr old high fliers telling you what to do, and no more 9-5 ( or, more likely , 8-7).
I can empathise because I also went through that.
It's an opportunity. You can now mark out your own future. Embrace the change and enjoy life - and spend far more quality time with your family.
 
One week ago, after 37 years, I stopped working at Ford Motor Company. Not my choice. But, they might be doing me a favor. I have a significant pension after all those years, enough to pay off my house and my new Ford Bronco. Old Man Rob is also 62, and eligible to collect Social Security. And unemployment for the next 26 weeks.

I always told people when they asked about retirement plans that I couldn’t retire. I have adult children at home, and I still do. But, the mortgage and the car payment are a big chunk of my expenses every month. I don’t necessarily need to start a full-time job right now.

A friend of mine owns a company that does aftermarket work on performance automobiles. He offered me a part-time job, with a possibility of much more if he can close a deal with another company.

It could be a lot worse. 350 people lost their jobs last week. I doubt that most of them are in a favorable position, as I seem to be. I did want to retire, and even though it’s not by choice, I am definitely enjoying the downtime now. My wife (also retired) didn’t come right and say it, but it’s obvious she wants me to enjoy a little bit of that downtime. Besides working out paying for things, I’m a bit concerned about what to do with all that free time. I have not been in this position in 40 years.
Good luck. I’m sure someone like you will have no problem filling your time with all sorts of lovely things you enjoy doing.
Look forward to to seeing some of what you cook now!
 
One week ago, after 37 years, I stopped working at Ford Motor Company.
I know it’s not at a time of your choosing, but it sounds like you’re approaching it with the right attitude. Embrace it and try to work it to your advantage, think of the positives and focus on those. You’ve got it!
 
The 12th June this year marks 25 years of the ownership of this company so there is going to be a party :)
Have fun! Work parties here, at least with the company I work for now, died out a long, long time ago - too much liability with alcohol, too much of the wrong kinds of social interactions (the ol’ “fighting or fu****g” issue)…also due to alcohol. :laugh:
 
Have fun! Work parties here, at least with the company I work for now, died out a long, long time ago - too much liability with alcohol, too much of the wrong kinds of social interactions (the ol’ “fighting or fu****g” issue)…also due to alcohol. :laugh:

No alcohol allowed because we will have to work in the afternoon. Apparently we will be having wood fired pizza and soft drinks.
 
The Late Night Gourmet "one door closes as another opens" it sounds like to me and in your favor it seems.
I'd be willing to bet that Ford also gave you a severance package?
You planned well, so now you can enjoy it - travel with your wife, cook together (oh, does she cook as well?)... us two retired about the same time and it's been a super great time together. So many of our un-retired friends ask us, "how can you stand spending 24/7 together?"
[edit-my DH just chimed in as I was sharing your adventure with him ... :enjoy life man, it's all too short! It'll be over before you know it."
 
Had a good “senior moment” yesterday.

The restaurant we went to, their main dish portions are big enough for three good-sized servings, so we had a lot left over to bring home.

Got home, got out our glass containers (the to-go boxes let too much odor out - don’t want that in my fridge), removed the little paper-towel cushions I use to nest the containers, transferred the food to those, put everything where it belongs, watched some TV, did some work (grrrrr!), went to bed and had lovely dreams of sweet & sour this and crispy-noodle that.

Got up this morning, had coffee, went to get some half-n-half out of the fridge and noticed my little squares of paper towel were in there. Hmmmm…that’s odd, whatever.

Finished coffee, went to unload the dishwasher, opened up the cupboard where I store those containers…yep, there were the leftovers from last night, all tucked away nice and cozy-like in their little containers. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Needless to say, I’m very first, top of the charts, hit parade number 1 on MrsT’s shitlist right now…
 
Had a good “senior moment” yesterday.

The restaurant we went to, their main dish portions are big enough for three good-sized servings, so we had a lot left over to bring home.

Got home, got out our glass containers (the to-go boxes let too much odor out - don’t want that in my fridge), removed the little paper-towel cushions I use to nest the containers, transferred the food to those, put everything where it belongs, watched some TV, did some work (grrrrr!), went to bed and had lovely dreams of sweet & sour this and crispy-noodle that.

Got up this morning, had coffee, went to get some half-n-half out of the fridge and noticed my little squares of paper towel were in there. Hmmmm…that’s odd, whatever.

Finished coffee, went to unload the dishwasher, opened up the cupboard where I store those containers…yep, there were the leftovers from last night, all tucked away nice and cozy-like in their little containers. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Needless to say, I’m very first, top of the charts, hit parade number 1 on MrsT’s shitlist right now…
Don't feel too bad; I've put eggs, from the grocery, in the cupboard before. Farm fresh they can go wherever...
 
Don't feel too bad; I've put eggs, from the grocery, in the cupboard before. Farm fresh they can go wherever...
My doc told me once, “Putting your car keys in the freezer is you getting old. Looking at your car keys and not knowing what they’re for is you getting dementia.”
 
Had a good “senior moment” yesterday.

The restaurant we went to, their main dish portions are big enough for three good-sized servings, so we had a lot left over to bring home.

Got home, got out our glass containers (the to-go boxes let too much odor out - don’t want that in my fridge), removed the little paper-towel cushions I use to nest the containers, transferred the food to those, put everything where it belongs, watched some TV, did some work (grrrrr!), went to bed and had lovely dreams of sweet & sour this and crispy-noodle that.

Got up this morning, had coffee, went to get some half-n-half out of the fridge and noticed my little squares of paper towel were in there. Hmmmm…that’s odd, whatever.

Finished coffee, went to unload the dishwasher, opened up the cupboard where I store those containers…yep, there were the leftovers from last night, all tucked away nice and cozy-like in their little containers. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Needless to say, I’m very first, top of the charts, hit parade number 1 on MrsT’s shitlist right now…

I have had a similar week.

At one point, I caught myself having put the newly opened fresh herbal tea bag on the side of the kitchen sink to drain, and the old one still in my mug.

A few days later, I took the new one out, put it into my mug and instead of pouring hot (flat) water on it, poured cold fizzy water on it instead. I stopped just before I poured boiling water into a plastic glass of elderflower cordial...

Definitely one of those weeks.
 
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