Final Week

Retirement

Well that last week is finally here and I can now look forward to coffee on the patio each and every morning for the rest of my life!  Well maybe not every day -- but most days.  I really love sitting outside on my patio while it's cool listening to the birds tweet reading a book.  I have a lot of clean-up to do and some beautification to do so most of my days will be spent doing that but I don't have to rush into it.   A little bit at a time and it will get done.

Have applied for a job or two but not sure I want something full-time.  Really think part-time might be a good idea for a while if I can find something I might like.  Also thinking about taking some culinary classes with the thought of opening a coffee shop/crafting shop when I get moved back to Iowa.  Which is about a year or so out.  We'll see how the retirement thing goes.  Definitely a little homesick right now.  Home was stable and this retirement thing is making me feel a little unstable right now.

Guess we'll take it one day at a time -- and those days can be filled by whatever I want, whenever I want.  Haven't had that kind of freedom --- well, ever!

Retirement party at Work

Aw, yes, one more milestone completing my journey to be done working at Sacramento City Unified in preparation for my next steps into new adventure.  The staff party was really fun.  One of our little group was missing -- those dratted doctors appointments that retirees seem to end up with a long line of started early for her.  The staff set up stations and then roasted the retirees at each stop.  It was really fun and there was food galore!  Maria made a fabulous cake -- completely homemade.  It was so good.  Gonna have to get her number for future parties!!!

I'll probably do a birthday party which is my official last day and then let the retirement begin!

Retirement

Boy, what a dilemma this is.  Decisions, decisions. 
That is the first thing one encounters.  Am I really done working?  Is that what this really means?  Or am I just done working at doing what I have done for 27 years and now I get to try something else on for size?  I'm thinking it will be the latter.  I have put many things on hold while working and going to school and working and going to school and so on and so on.  Now is the time I can do those things that I have been putting off -- if I can just remember what all those things were!  Hence we get to the real reason for the bucket list!  We have to have a written list or we'll forget what we wanted to do!!

I know I have two bookcases filled with books that I have been putting off reading and therefore putting off disposing of until after I have read them.  Maybe I'll start there so I can start downsizing and eliminating stuff I really don't need anymore or have made use of and won't be using again.

Or what about the cupboard in the garage filled with art supplies -- painting with Donna Dewberry?  Should I start there or will I find the paints all dried up from having sat in the hot cupboard so long waiting for me to get to it?

Or what about the closet filled with yarn from when my mother passed away 20 years ago?  Will I find that still crochet-able or will the mice have found it to be a nice home?  If the latter is so, then the decision of what to do with that will be made pretty quickly with a handy trash can.

Or my sewing machine?  Does that still work?  Last time I used it, I made curtains for my new home -- which I have been in for 14 years now.  Hmmmm?  Someone from the church wants me to help make lap blankets for wounded warriors.  Guess I'll pull it out and see if it's willing to do a little work!

Or what about the painting I wanted to do in the house when I moved in?  It's way overdue.  I need new carpets as well --- Hmmmm, paint first then have carpets installed?

And what about those morning walks I have never been able to take because I hate getting up early so I can do that before I go to work?  Now I can take those walks even in the summer right up to ten o'clock before it gets to be too hot.  Mischa (my little gal pal) will love it!

Oh, and the gardening I've wanted to do!  My yard is a disaster area.  I can get that shaped up and plant a couple of trees in the backyard for some really nice shade.  Oh, and that patio outside my bedroom can finally happen!!  I have a slider put in when I moved in so I could have a patio there and -- well, you know the rest of the story -- work, school, work, school . . .I can plant some pretty flowers in the front flower beds that I will actually have time to care for that might live because they'll get the attention they need.

And what about those retired friends who have already paved the way?  They're always wanting me to go do something with them during the week and I haven't been able to because I've been working.  Workshops, garden shows, matinees, women's group at church (meets on Tuesday mornings) -- the list is endless and since I haven't done a bucket list, I can't remember half of the fun stuff they've wanted me to do that I haven't had time to do.

And what about a little part-time job?  I always thought that would be selling Avon but I'm not sure I like that door to door thing.  I'm going to let God do His work at presenting me with an answer for that dilemma.  He has always been good about sending ideas my way.  I've like the idea of working in a coffee shop or a craft store part-time.  Or maybe opening my own coffee shop or crafting workshop/store in Iowa!  I can see a need . . .

Also what about starting a whole new career?  I've had some offers and some openings that are coming up for which I would be highly qualified and might find interesting to do.  Do I really want to work again at a full-time job in a field that I am just a little bit tired of after 27 years?  Maybe I'll take a year and think about it and then consider applying or not??!!  My life pattern has been to stay in one area for about ten years -- court reporting 12 years, office occupations 10 years, the remainder in administration with a little of that included in the other two areas.

Then the decision becomes do I want to remain in California?  There are many good things about California like the mild weather and my really good friends and family.  But it  also comes with an unpaid home mortgage, home repairs, bills and rising cost of living here while on a very fixed much lower income.  My home in Iowa is paid for so no mortgage payment, still have the bills and home repairs that need doing but the cost of living is a lot lower than California already.  I have family in Iowa as well but most of my friends from high school are no longer there so I will have to start over with re-integrating into the home community again.  Which I do know how to do now much better than when I moved to California where I only knew my big brother.  Volunteering and church groups make it pretty quick and easy to get re-acquainted.

Well that's enough reflection for one day.  Oh, that's another thing I'll now have time for -- keeping up my personal blog!  Like anyone really cares what I'm up to but you never know!!!!!