First Days of Retirement

Monday was the first day of school in our school district. Retirement is beginning to seem real. The months of June and July have been incredibly busy here at our home. This week looks like life may slow down a bit. I received lots of advice of how to spend my first day the students report back to school. I've decided to incorporate many of those ideas into my week.

Many years ago, I was blessed to work at a school that became our first "school family." I was blessed with many, many wonderful friends. This school has an active group of employees who worked at the school and are now retired. I was fortunate they included me in their group. Monday, we met for breakfast at a local IHOP. It was fabulous to reconnect with these ladies. They were part of my support group when our son was born, when we lost my Mom to breast cancer, when we were building our family and careers. From left to right, Dottie (upper grade teacher) Dyanne (literacy coach), Evelyn (media specialist and ex-neighbor) me, Winnie Pat (paraprofessional) and Pam (school secretary). Plans are in the works to go on a "field trip" in October. What a blessing to reconnect with this group!

On Tuesday, the three of us who retired from Mulberry in May, met for lunch. It was fun to reconnect and update each other on our lives and school news. We plan to meet monthly and will include other friends who are now retired. The three of us retired from one school, but had all worked together in a previous school so we have lots of mutual friends. This photo is from the school retirement party in May. In the photo are Connie W. (assistant principal) Terri, retiree, me, Marian, retiree and Vivian, our beloved principal.

Anyone remember the cartoon "Bananas in Pajamas"? My Michael loved that program. We even have stuffed dolls in his childhood treasures box from those years. Today is "Pajama Day" at my house. Maybe, what I mean is today is my day to do whatever I want. I had one of my favorite breakfasts, whole wheat pancakes with honey and hot coffee. I'm watching the "Today Show." After I post this blog which I've wanted to do for days, I'm heated upstairs to my sewing room. Before I can even work on a sewing project, I'll have to declutter the place. I'm so looking forward to this. This afternoon I plan to watch "New Moon" from the Twilight books series. I have the DVD from Netflix. Neither my DH or DS are interested in watching it with me. I have a novel that I'd like to finish (Virgin River series by Robyn Carr) DH is out-of-town for the day. I can keep whatever schedule I want. Ah, Retirement is Good!

Signing Papers

When I hear the phrase "Signing Papers", I think of college or NFL sports commitments or even signing papers for a home mortgage, but  two weeks ago I signed papers of a totally different kind. I  signed the official papers for my RETIREMENT. It's unbelievable, almost unreal. I've worked in public schools for 33 years. It's the only kind of work that I've been involved with since earning my college degree in education. A retired teacher friend had told me that you just know when it's time to retire. This school year, I knew it was time. I just wasn't sure that we could handle it financially. We do have a son in college. DH and I decided to investigate my options and were pleasantly surprised that it would work for us.

It seemed when I first began teaching, that retirement wouldn't ever be an option. I was struggling to find my place in the work world. I couldn't envision sticking with anything for 30 years. Then there was a time when it seemed like I had been in a public school forever and retirement was still a long way off. Before I knew it, I had enough time vested, but wasn't sure I could walk away from something that I had done for so long. I haven't done anything in my life as long as I've worked in public schools. With all the different emotions and thoughts, I still knew it was what I needed to do. This is my opportunity to be a wife and mother, first. My job always dictated our lives. The choices are unlimited. I want to take it slow and explore every option. Of course I still have two months or 33 school days left. June 1st is officially when retirement begins. My friend Brenda told me "you're glowing." Yes! What a blessing! My faculty was informed today at our faculty meeting that I am retiring so I don't have to keep quiet any longer. My retired friends - Pat, Carla, Susan, Teresa, Carol, Sue - I'm joining your "club."