I’m back. My last day of work was Jun 27 and I came back a few days ago, on Aug 13. Just over six weeks away and I am very grateful to Redgate for allowing me the break from work. This was my third sabbatical, and it was mostly unwired, which was new.
Or as my wife said last week, I was practicing for retirement.
I think I was, as I didn’t have firm plans when I started and tried not to feel pressured to get things done, but I did have a nice mix of being productive and relaxing. Here’s a look back.
Week 1
Week one started with expenses. I know I was off, but I had a lot of expenses in June with travel to multiple places and I needed expenses done. I spent a few hours Monday getting those done and submitted, as well as playing a little guitar and relaxing.
The week had me at the gym, swimming outside for the second time this summer, doing some yoga, and a little yard work, but mostly relaxing. It had been a long May and June, and I took it easy, spent time with my wife, cooked for the kids, and tried to unwind.
This was also almost time for volleyball tryouts, so I was at the gym, running some practice sessions.
Week 2
Week 2 was a bunch of medical appointments. I had a yearly checkup, a dentist, and an ortho appointment that diagnosed golfer’s/tennis elbow. I’ve been bothered for months, but hadn’t done much about it. Not great news, but it did slow me down from doing too much work this week. My wife and spent time running errands around my appointments, we got some supplies for our basement, which was being finished, and I relaxed more. I did some chores around the ranch, but not too many.
Learned how to play “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, although it’s rough. Need more practice.
We also booked some trips this week for the sabbatical, which have us something to look forward to.
I spent some time this week with volleyball tryouts eating up partial days.
Week 3
Despite my elbow, I had to go to work this week on the ranch. I wrote about this earlier, but this was roof replacement week for our riding arena.
A long week.
Week 4
We finished midday on Sunday with the roof and Monday morning my wife and I were off to Cancun. The plan was Monday – Friday, but we were enjoying it and decided to stay until Sunday.
Expensive, indulgent, but we had a good time at Secrets the Vine, adults-only, all inclusive resort. An amazing view from our room and good food and drinks all week (too many).
I wouldn’t do it again, but despite a good time and enjoying the week with friends, I prefer more movement on vacations, so I’d choose something else. But I’m a weird, type-A, keep moving person.
Week 5
Mostly chores, trying to not aggravate my elbow. I had purchased a few things, like a brush cutter, so I got those things assembled and did some work around the ranch. I also built a tire rack, organizing the spare tires in the shed.
Some gym time, some chores, and some maintenance. I managed to get a couple sprinklers working that had been broken and spent an afternoon at the gym fixing some chairs for the club.
Week 6
I had a quick trip to Chicago for work, coming off sabbatical for an event at Wrigley Field. I had never been, so I was willing to do this. My wife was supposed to come for a 2 day trip, but she cancelled with our other plans so she could work. As a result, I was in town for about 26 hours, and enjoyed myself. A beautiful view from across the street.
It was weird to be back at work and sit in the airport and make a bunch of notes from the event. It’s been awhile since I was typing that much.
I turned around 24 hours later to head to Big Sur, CA with my wife and our oldest. We’d agreed to take him on a trip and we spent 5 days there, bleeding into this week.
It was a fun trip, more our style with biking, hiking, and moving around a bit. It’s a beautiful part of the country and the weather was amazing. Here we are a Bixby Bridge.
Overall
Overall it felt like was retired. I had things to do, but no real time pressure. I didn’t let the 6 week limit drive me, but just moved around day to day. Taking my time on things and not worrying about what got finished and what didn’t.
I could have done more, but it was a very relaxing time and I feel ready to get back to work.