Here I am, just starting a new phase of my life and a brand new blog to record it in. In one more day I will be retired after 31 years in the school system, 7 as a substitute teacher and 24 years as an English teacher/oral interp/assistant debate/theatre director.
I don’t know what this retirement gig is going to be like, but I am hoping to keep up this blog on the whole experience. It is funny I decide to blog on this. I have had a heart attack, a stroke, a year on dialysis, a kidney transplant, diabetes, and another near heart attack, and didn’t journal on any of those.
Evidentally I find this a more important event. Now I just have to see if I can keep this up. Two things happened this weekend. I went to my 50th high school class reunion and to my probably last graduation and million graduation parties. Tomorrow I go up to school and try to get the last of my room cleaned up and disposed of. We’ll see how that, and this blog go.
Oh, gosh!! Retirement!!! I forgot your school was out this early.
I assume there will be some recognition of your contribution from your district??
I just read your new ‘blog, Pats, and I’m writing to you, probably for the last time, from my office email. (It’s a holiday evening, so I’m not playing on email.)
I too am just about finished, taking my nameplate, shutting out the lights and walking out the door. I’m retiring from the office just as you are leaving the classroom. So, I”ll be checking into your ‘blog from time to time, probably in the middle of the day instead of after work. Just like you, my time is my own from now own.
YIPPEEEEE!!!!
M.
Pat, welcome to blogging, and congratulations on your retirement!
Hello fellow-retiree! Although I have not met you as I have a few other Talkies, I feel as though I know you from your many fine posts I’ve read over the years. Retirement is wonderful, and you will enjoy it totally…after a few minor adjustments! When I retired in 2003 I “floated” aimlessly for about a year, coming to grips with the loss of my former identity while trying a new one on for size. From 2004 to approximately 2007 I tutored and subbed, which, without knowing it, was a transition period for me. Now I do neither of these because I have found new ways to spend my time and am involved in different communities. I still dip back into Talkies now and then because I haven’t been able to totally leave that scene.
Travelling has been wonderful, and I’ve discovered a new love with photography. Although I’tm taking an hiatus for the summer, I have been involved with an international group of photographers of many and varied talents who post a photo of their city on a daily basis. Check my two photo blogs (Mazatlan is my favorite!) to get some idea of my amateur photography and the daily photo community through their comments.
This comment is far longer than most comments I’ve received or composed, but I’m curious to see how you transition into retirement. Have fun because Retirement Rocks!!
Kate
My blogs: http://kate-mazatalanmexico,blogspot.com/
http://visualstpaul.blogspot.com/
Correction: http://kate-mazatlanmexico.blogspot.com/
Looking forward to reading more of your blog!
Hi, Pats.
It’s going to be different.
And scary.
And fun.
One suggestion from a sort-of-semi-retired-but-not-really-yet aging citizen in Chicagoland: make no permanent plans yet, leave yourself open for exploration, list the activities and ideas that make you passionate, list–in a separate column–your physical limitations and see if you can overcome them in certain circumstances…you may be able to do more than you at first think you can.
For instance, I rode on the open top of a fire truck in a parade Memorial Day, even though it took FOUR men to get me up and down safely – one is a candidate here for U.S. Congress – I was perched on top of an overturned milk crate, cane beside me, happily waving (like a regal queen–ha!–) and having a fun time. I’ll volunteer to do it again in Fourth of July parade…
But about you—use the bride’s adage – even though (I think) you have 8 children)–something old (that you’ve always enjoyed), something new (that you’ve never tried), something borrowed (ideas that you want to explore), something blue–well, you’re creative enough to come up with that one, even if it’s delphiniums in your garden!
We all have some sort of fixed time on this planet–even if we don’t know what it is. Instead of “1001 books to read before–” or “1001 places to see before–”, can you come up with maybe 101 things on your “I think I’d like” list, and start working your way down it? Don’t forget to bring along, at least supportively with you, spouse/partner and family members. They’ll be cheering you on, as do your Talkie friends. Including me!
Pat, I’m trying, but I still can seem to post comments or read others. Any advice??
Hey old friend,
I am happy to see you’re blogging. I look forward to reading your reflections on this new chapter in your life.
Best wishes,
Dawn
Congratulations, Pat. I look forward to reading how retirement goes for you.
Ted
Pats, enjoy! LIVE!
Have fun.
LEARN!
It’s going to be great–having more time to do what you and your family enjoy the most.
One suggestion–from your older-than-you online friend…me…
Don’t lock into anything permanent at this point. Try on a number of different roles and geography for size. See what you like, and discover, probably, that some of the activities you’d expected to love, you may not. That’s okay.
Just like being a teenager again, yuo’re venturing into a somewhat new world in which time is a commodity you’ve got to learn to handle. When do you want companionship, and when do you want the solitary time for contemplation, for exploration, and for just plain Moodling around?
I don’t remember whether you have an active spouse, but I know you have a number of children. Do I remember eight? Go visit. Go travel. Go find those out-of-state grandkids and let them know their grandma is a vital, driving force in their lives.
Blog us your thoughts and reflections—discretely. You’re already a veteran of online conversations, so you know how much to reveal, if, as I believe, your blog and my comments are open to all who’ve registered with WordPress. And above all,
HAVE FUN! and BEST WISHES!
janthewriter 5/28/08