Sunday, July 22, 2018

One Year and Three Weeks

I have been retired for 386 days.
It's life changing.
Sometimes I can't believe it but it's true.
Pinch me, I'm dreaming.

I smile for no particular reason. I don't feel the grips of stress from when I was working or even now because I would have to go back to work. I now consider myself a work-in-progress. I have time to volunteer for things without resenting the time it took away from me. It makes a big difference. I'm trying to be a better person by helping others when in the past I wouldn't because of the time factor. Sometimes I think I have too much time but I am learning to deal with it.

Just checking in.
Loving this new life.
Taking time for me and everyone else.
Time is on my side.

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Retirement...2018

I've been retired since July 1, 2017.
I've been so chill since July 1, 2017.
I can't believe I'm not working since July 1, 2017.
I can't believe how much stress my commute generated.
I can't believe how my sons comment on how much happier I am.
I can't believe it.

Everyone now asks me, "So, what do you do now that you are retired? Do you make the bed everyday? Do you cook every night? Do you get bored?"

You can never get bored when you are retired because all the things you never had time to do when you were working are now easily done. Whether it's cleaning, organizing, cooking, bill paying, reading, knitting, socializing, it's done. And there's no rush to squeeze it all in a weekend.

I do make the bed but sometimes I miss a day here and there.

I do cook but not every night. Neal is the most amazing cook and he loves to cook the way I love to knit.

I am so fucking happy it's sick.

I am reading books and really savoring them.

I am knitting and knitting and knitting.

I am sad to look back on the stress I was experiencing and how it contaminated my family. I was tired, angry, frustrated.

I met with my former colleagues. Things are worse especially for special education. One of my former students writes me every so often. She was from that period 8 class that was the very best class I ever had.

I worked almost 36 years. I worked my ass off. I'm now sitting on that ass and smiling.