Second Thoughts

I talked with my husband and son.
I made a list of possibilities, things I've always wanted to do but working full time kept me from doing them. I quickly reached 10 ideas.
I spoke with my supervisor, told him I was planning to retire at the end of this year.
I told a few friends.
I made arrangements for someone to head up an upcoming event.
I started the paperwork for retirement.
I called to tell another person who would be counting on me to continue an assignment.

I discovered I would have to pay for an entire year of insurance to use it in a cafeteria plan.
I don't have that many leave days to cover the cost.
I can't get my work finished by the end of this year.
I'm in the middle of a couple projects and don't want to give up on them.

Then today I visited a school to present a program to 4 elementary classes.
We all had great fun.
Teachers from the other 4 classes asked me to visit their classes.
I'm not ready to stop working, I thought I was.

I suppose I'll backtrack and rethink my decision.
I can do this anytime, it doesn't have to be immediate.
I will plan and get it right.

Life decisions

Things change, while not everyone likes change, I thrive on change. I often find myself winging a presentation, lesson, or talk. I don't stick to the script, it is extremely difficult to teach the same topic three times in a day. In reflection I always look for ways to change and improve my work. After working at my current job 9 years, I think it is time for a change.

Of course the job itself has changed and not in creative ways. It seems to be more restrictive and less flexible. It does not fit any longer. It has been difficult to arrive at that awareness. Working with the changes of losing cherished friends, coworkers, and family members, I realize, I am ready for a change. I need more creativity in my life. I need less restrictive confines. I have made the decision to retire from my current job. Yesterday I began the process of completing the paperwork.

I'm excited about the world of possibilities that await. Now I have to tell my supervisor and the curriculum revision team I am working with. I meet with my supervisor tomorrow. I don't know if I can tell him without a smile on my face! Just a couple weeks ago he told me he would like me to work one more year.

Today I was catching up on blogs I follow and found this link to lovely phrases that bring calm. Reading them seemed to help me know I am doing the right thing.  

http://alwayswellwithin.com/2014/10/12/calm-stress-response/

The other part of this decision is that more of my time is required to manage medicines and doctor appointments with my husband. I want him to slow down. He will if I am free. Together we can figure out how to negotiate the changes in our lives. Maybe I will write, draw, paint, create...

Change is exciting!

I am Grateful for these 100

1. My husband

2. Our son

3. Our daughter-in-law

4. My parents who saved me, adopted me, loved me, & raised me.

5. My in-laws who always treated me like one of their own.

6. My extended family members & in-laws family

7. My work friends 

8. My jobs: 5 years in a shoe factory, 5 years as L.D. Teacher, 9 years as 3rd grade classroom teacher, 6 years as elem counselor. 6 years as high school counselor, 3 years as Junior high principal, 9 years as Conservation Education Consultant.

9. My educational opportunities to graduate with a BS in Elem Ed. MA in Guidance & Counseling & Ed. D in Educational Lesdership.

10. My grandpa who saved bits of my history

11. My grandma who told me bits of my history. 

12. My birth mother who knew she could not care for me

13. My dog, Ellie, who walks in the woods with me.

14. 5 baby kittens who have been so much fun 

15. Our house that is large enough to host guests.

16. Our swimming pool that I so enjoy.

17. Our patio where I can enjoy the outdoors

18. My books that can take me to worlds unknown

19. My farm where I can express nature

20. My talents however small I love to paint, write, sew and create.

21. My ability to cook: dumplings, dressing and pies 

22. The Christmas movies that end happily ever after

23. Bold coffee

24. Pastries

25. Learning a different language using Rosetta Stone

26. Walking 2 miles with Leslie Sansone

27. Instagram because it keeps me connected to family.

28. A good mattress.

29. And a perfect pillow.

30. Cypress trees.

31. Field guides.

32. New carpet.

33. Metal suns.

34. Traveling with my sisters.

35. Traveling to Hawaii to see Volcanoes, desert, rain Forest, 

36. Traveling to Bahamas and touring the fort

37. Traveling to visit relatives who escorted us to Yosemite, LA, and the Pamona Sawp meet

38. New Orleans to see the sights, eat Benignts. Ride Natchez. . .

39. Travel to Biloxi, Panama City Beach, Destin 

40. Teacher Retirement income

41. Leopold Education Project

42. Savings to spend on honeymoon 

43. Krispy Kremes

44. Pistachios

45. Recliners

46. Heels

47. Hair color 

48. Gloves with fingers cut out

49. Fake fur

50. State holidays

51. A boss who does not micromanage!

52. Full moon

53. Blue skies

54. Fish

55. Solitaire

56. Gel nails

57. Pedicures

58. San Juan Mtns. 

59. Cowboy boots

60. Westerns

61. Cowboy hats

62. Sirius radio

63. Money in the bank

64. Sweet potatoes

65. Picture books

66. Maps

67. Dyson vacuums

68. Sunlight

69. Suns of all varieties

70. Chocolate

71. Glasses

72. Neon lights

73. Rainy days 

74. Seafood in Boston

75. Attending a Red Sox Game at Fenway Park

76. Painting classes 

77. Drury inn

78. Zoos

79. 65 Mustang

80. 08 Rubicon Jeep

82. Watercolor pens

83. Coastal living magazine 

85. The Conservationist magazine 

86. NPR

87. I phones

88. On line classes

89. Mums

90. TV

91. Closets

92. Shoes

93. Jeans

94. Denim jackets

95. Hand lotion

96. TP

97. Clear streams

98. Fruit

99. Waffles

100. Deadlines