I retired at the end of July 2009 after about 30 years as a software engineer. I really liked working in the Information Technology arena, but could no longer bear the stress and office politics that often arises when layoffs begin. I began work straight out of high school and into college. It is a bit shocking when one realizes that he or she has worked for pay 45 years! My career took a path of department moves, relocation, more department moves and finally leaving one company going thru a merger, moving on to a new company, which also went thru a merger. The oddity is I was never fired or laid off. A gluten-free diet became a requirement in 2006. I am non-celiac severe gluten intolerant. I have a Blog: Website: http://retiredwithnoregrets.blogspot.com. It is a blog about life after retirement and gluten-free cooking.