Objective #2 is Done!

Objectives for my retirement are: 

1. Improve and re-establish relationships with family and friends. 
2. Simplify my life:  By this I meant selling the big single family home and downsizing.  
3. My health:  Getting in shape and losing weight. 

And, as of this week, I am the proud owner of a townhouse in Los Gatos--a true lock and leave situation for me.  While the closing and recording were August 1, the current owner needs a few weeks to move out. So I'll be taking possession during the 3rd week of August. I already have my contractor lined up to work on removing the popcorn ceilings and doing some preliminary design work on upgrading the kitchen.  A lot of this needs to be done before Stephanie arrives in late October-early November.  

And, my life isn't exactly getting simpler. I still have the studio apartment in San Francisco overlooking Aquatic Park. It is just about perfect but I'd like to find two pieces of furniture to replace a couple items that just aren't quite right.  

And in June I bought a two bedroom condo in St. Paul as a co-owner with Stephanie.  We've gutted it and are redoing it to our liking.  Its in a secure building so we can leave it for long periods of time but then we can hang out in the Twin Cities as we see fit to visit friends and relatives. Plus the real estate market in the Cities hasn't recovered yet so we are hoping it will be prove to be a good investment as well. 

Overall, I am making good progress on objectives #1 and #2.  Lots of time with family and friends.  And I feel a huge relief knowing that I have found and bought a very desirable townhouse in Los Gatos.  Things are good! 

The health part is holding steady with no weight gain but I need still need to get into shape and lose some pounds.  My first step is that I now have bikes at all three locations so there is no excuse!  As an aside, the first bike was purchased new from a bike shop in Los Gatos--lots of gears and stuff with an overblown pedigree.  The second was purchased used from a neighbor in my apartment building in San Francisco--something called a Bianchi. The third was from a pawn shop in Minneapolis--that was an experience--and I did snag a bike called Treks or Trex or some such.  Some people tell me I did good with the two used bikes. What do I know? 

And I want to post a blog entry about my June-July experiences.  Because I am home (SF) for the next 8 weeks (but for 1 week), I plan on posting entries a little more frequently.  

The America's Cup races start on Aug 6.  I will be here!  

Ciao