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September, my favorite time of the year--new beginnings for schools, teachers, professors, and parents who are frequently relieved to have their kids back in school--occupied, learning, and growing. For retirees, this is a great time to regroup, to plan, and to decide where you want to be and what you want to do. If you're not sure, take the tests in Profit From Your Passion or reread previous issues and answer questions about what gives you the greatest satisfaction, even if it is not what others expect of you. This is your time. Live it to the fullest!
Happy September Ed (edtopar@gmail.com) and Gail (gail@coachability.com)
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Michael J. Hazley
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Michael J. Hazley, affectionately known as Uncle Mike, is nearing retirement age, yet is busier than ever. This father of seven still has the tuition of two kids to pay, therefore, retirement is not even in his vocabulary. As he stated, "I can't imagine retiring!"
Mike has a beautiful story to tell--one overwhelmingly filled with love of family and friends yet also contains the elements of drama in the form of challenges brought forth through the raising of five boys and two girls, business upsets, and physical setbacks (a heart attack at age 47). Through it all, the patriarch of this close-knit family, with his good humor, finely honed sensitivity, and great warmth has weathered it all.
As a framer of houses in his twenties, Mike married my sister, Christine, and had a model house constructed by an architect. During the building process, someone expressed an interest in purchasing the house--for cash! That stroke of good fortune catapulted Mike into the realm of high-end home construction, which, with a partner, turned into a highly lucrative business. Through no fault of his own, problems ensued, and Mike, by this time father of seven, was forced to close his doors, take a job for a very short time, until he determined to start all over again. With his stellar reputation in the building business in his area, he soon found himself successfully established, but this time with a huge bonus--new partners.
Mike's first two sons to graduate college came into the business and now handle all of the day-to-day minutia along with an about-to-graduate third son. His daughter, upon graduation from James Madison University, did the accounting until his wife took over. Two of the boys called Mike into the office last week and told him that he now had Mondays and Fridays off! How great is that!
Besides his love of family and friends, next in line is his love of the beach! Ocean City, NJ, is his second home and one he loves to retreat to on weekends--now long weekends, all year around--where he continues to entertain friends and spend hours on the beach.
When I asked Mike what he would recommend to those about to retire, without hesitation, he responded, "Embrace your family!" And that he does. In his beautiful three-bedroom home in Ocean City, people abound. During the summer, there are as many as eight people plus a dog in one bedroom. Kids come; they bring their friends, new wives, babies, and they all crash without complaint! Mike said he couldn't imagine not having kids here on weekends. He grew up in a family with grandparents living with him. He loves having people around and is always a welcoming, gracious host, even to those who "pop" in for a visit. Of course, he is ably aided by his talented wife who loves to cook and entertain!
He and Christine would love to travel and see the United States by car, and he will--just not yet. There's the new bedroom to be built, the final tuitions, the on-going building projects--not yet....
Mike is most proud that all seven kids have gone to and graduated from college--well, almost all. If he retired, he feels he would be bored, but he could see himself getting more involved with the community, perhaps the borough council in West Chester. He loves meeting people and being around people. He also loves the art of the deal. He enjoys the challenge of figuring out the angle to take when persuading people to use the services of his company. The art of the deal is "It's all about the personalities."
Long after a visit with the Hazley's, Mike's laugh can still be heard, his strength still felt, his wisdom still remembered, and his warmth still embraced. He will enjoy "retirement" as he has enjoyed life--through his joy of family and friends.
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YOUR LEGACY RECORDED
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Only 4 months until Christmas!! Are you looking for a great Christmas present for your kids? It's not too early to start thinking about it.
Here is the perfect gift!!
One of the most poignant and personal gifts you can leave
your family, your children, and your grandchildren!!
Let us record, transcribe, and professionally edit your Legacy.
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Not Loving It!
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In the Monday, August 19th, issue of the N.J. Star Ledger, "Dear Abby" received the following letter about retirement.
Dear Abby: My husband lost his job more than a year ago because his plant closed. He was almost retirement age, so he took an early retirement. The problem is he isn't adjusting well to the change.
He has his hobbies, but he seems to have lost interest in them. He is angry a lot of the time and lost at other ties. I have tried to get him interested in things but he doesn't take my suggestions well anymore. He thinks I want him out of my hair, but its not true. I want him to be happy.
I know he's depressed but he denies it. When other people ask how he likes retirement, he says he loves it.
I'm at a loss about what to do.
-Concerned Wife in Michigan
Dear Concerned Wife: Retirement is not for everyone and not everybody "loves it." That's why it's so important that before a person retires, he or she have a plan in place for staying mentally and physically active.
Your husband may have valuable skills he could pass on by mentoring others. He could volunteer in the community, delivering meals to shut-ins, coaching youngsters' sports, help out at the police department or a hospital. All he needs to do is go to his computer and type in "volunteer opportunities in Michigan" to find plenty of opportunities. He can donate as little or as much time as he wants. But first, he will have to admit that he isn't loving retirement and needs an outlet.
--DearAbby.com
POINT: Read our interviews, articles, and suggestions for ideas on how to make your retirement your next, best phase of life!! It can be done!!
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VISUALIZE YOUR PASSION
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Your Retirement Passion
1. What were your expectations about retirement before you actually retired?
2. What aspects of your job did you most enjoy while working?
3. What always draws your attention?
4. What subjects do you enjoy reading about?
The answer to these three questions could be the answer to your retirement passion. You never know.........
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| QUOTE OF THE MONTHArticle Headline | |
The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.
| Abe Lemons
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- Cost of a gallon of gas was .29 cents
- Hurricane and tsunami kill 22,000 people in Bangladesh
- Studebaker Motor Car Co. goes out of business
- Salk Polio Vaccine introduced to the public
- AT&T introduces the Touch Tone phone
- Average cost of a new home is $12,650
- State Farm Ins. Co. introduces the "Smiley Face" icon
- No. 1 movie of the year is "Lawrence of Arabia"
- Michael Jordan is born February 17
- No 1 TV show is The Andy Griffith Show
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TAKE A BREAK AND LAUGH ABOUT IT.....
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Have you ever wondered why the Russians beat us into space?
Here is one reason.....
When scientists realized that a ball point pen would not write in space due to the lack of gravity, our space personnel when into action. They spent 12 million dollars and 14 months to develop a pen that would not only write in space, but would also write under water and on every surface known to man.
The Russians used a pencil.
Enough said.
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The answer to "Can You Name the Year" is 1963
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Profit From Your Passion - a thirty-day E-course
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Rightsizing Your Life
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Summer is a great time to declutter, especially if you are thinking of downsizing? Before you do, make sure you call Ellen!! She is incredible! She will help make your home attractive to perspective buyers!! With her background in psychology, she is the perfect one to help you not only clean out but also "handle" it. She will greatly facilitate this transition in your life!!
Clean Slate Solutions LLC | 908-403-6217 | ellen@cleanslatesolutions.com | http://cleanslatesolutions.com
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Gail Cassidy, gail@coachability.com; (908) 654-5216
http://www.Retired-NextPhase.com
Ed Topar, edtopar@gmail.com |  |
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