BOSTON (WHDH) -- Sounding tired, Mayor Thomas Menino said he's feeling better but called his extended hospital stay "wearing" and is looking forward to being back in City Hall in a few weeks.

“I just want people to know that I’m up and well,” said Mayor Menino. “I’m still out there fighting.”

The mayor spoke from a rehabilitation facility where he was transferred earlier this week, missing Thursday night's annual tree lighting ceremony on the Common.

Mayor Menino was hospitalized more than a month ago for a blood clot. While at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, he developed a compression fracture in his lower back and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

But even as he approaches his 70th birthday, he has no plans to retire.

"I have no plans, I checked my retirement it wasn't good enough," Menino said.

Mayor Menino deflected questions about whether he would seek a sixth term. He did say his staff has been running the city well without him -- through Hurricane Sandy and the election.

“More people involved in decision making, and you listen to them. It's not the old days, ‘I'm the Mayor and you'll do this or else,’" he said.

Mayor Menino hopes to be home for Christmas after missing out on Thanksgiving.

“Thanksgiving is my favorite, favorite holiday, because it's a time when you help people," Mayor Menino said.

He was transferred to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital on Monday.