You may recall that I was going to retire at the end of August. Some things happened that I can't share in this venue. If you'd like to know more, feel free to e-mail me and I'll fill you in. You'll see from my new ticker that I am on the countdown to the end of June!
I've been doing a lot of thinking about this upcoming change in my life - the next phase. I have divided this post into three chapters: What I Will Miss; What I Won't Miss; and What I am Going to Do Now.
WHAT I WILL MISS
The students
My colleagues
That's it in a nutshell. To elaborate just a bit - I have been "Mother Dawn" to at least 75 students each year for 15 years - that is a grand total of 1125 students + or -. I have been with these students from their first inquiry about the Master of Social Work program through their walk down the aisle at graduation. I have become very attached to them. I wish there is some way I could avoid leaving a class hanging in the middle of their two-year program, but that can never be.
I have worked with a great group of people and have enjoyed their company very much. Even my husband, who does not normally enjoy work-related social functions, has always enjoyed my faculty and staff.
WHAT I WILL NOT MISS
Getting up at 5:00 a.m.
Filling my gas tank every 10 days.
Major changes in computer systems as soon as I get used to the last one.
Working with major liberals during this presidential election process.
WHAT I PLAN TO DO NOW
Go to the gym at 8:00 a.m. I MUST get back in shape.
I will still have the kiddoes from 10:30-3:30 each day.
Organize hundreds of pictures taken the last 15 years.
Organize my beautiful, incredibly messy roll-top desk, which I acquired from my MIL when she downsized into assisted living.
Organize every cupboard and drawer in my house.
Organize my basement.
READ, Walk, READ, Walk, DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME!
HAVE SOME FUN!!!
Are you sensing a pattern here? My house has been sorely neglected. I had to pick my energy usage, and cleaning and organizing were not at the top of the list. My husband, sweet man that he is, brought it to my attention the other day that I "was not the girl he married," when it came to organizational skill. I think it's there, just buried under so much other stuff (and I used what I do have left at work!)
If only I were this limber, I would do this!!
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Have a wonderful week!
26 comments:
Hi Dawn,
I well remember all those mixed feelings when retirement was thrust upon us. It wasn't really a choice for us, but having made it, we now know it was all part of a wonderful Plan.
Wishing you every blessing as you prepare for this new and exciting phase in your life!
xo
I noticed the change a few days ago on your counter and thought I just remembered wrong. How exciting that you will be starting this new chapter of your life earlier than planned. You sound so prepared - so sure! I wish I was more like you! Right now, I am scared to continue forward and am scared I am going to stall out - There have been times in the recent weeks that I wished I could discus things over with you. Just wanted to let you know I read your blog with every new post - even if I don't post a comment.
Thanks for the reassurance a few days back, I really needed it -
Blessings
Shawna
Sounds good to me, Dawn! I know the next phase fo your life will bring more adventures, experiences and heaven only knows what else. I am looking forward to going along for the ride!
So your retirement has been moved up 2 months? Since I don't know if that's a good thing or not, email me and fill me in, please.
Nevertheless, congrats and I hope you get to do all those things on your to-do list.
Love and hugs,
Diane
Hi Dawn!
I just popped in through "show & tell".
I read about your upcoming retirement. I wish you the very best for your new part of life. And that this time will last long and you will be able to do all things you want to do! And most of all much health!
greetings from Vienna
Michaela
I hope it is a good thing that you are bowing out early..
but I have some more news for you...the first year you are retired you will just want to read and do puzzles, play with the kiddies and all the fun things you have put aside for a long while...
the cleaning and organizing will not look near so interesting when you actually have time to do it...
Mimi
And to add to the "What I will do now" chapter:
Do Kristen's laundry
Clean Kristen's House
Organize Kristen's closets
JUST KIDDING!! I'm jealous. Only 32 to go for me! I can see that light at the end of the tunnel. PShawww!
Yes, I'm very curious to know why you've decided to retire two months earlier than planned...fill me in please! lol I can well imagine the mixed feelings one gets when retirement arrives. I think you will love being at home but mark my words, you will be just as busy if not more than when you went to work! lol
Oh Dawn, I just love all those old pictures you showed in your previous post. When you look at that first picture, it truly is amazing to think that at that time, little did they know all the generations that would come from their union:-) I so love the clothes from back then also!! xox
dawn,I have been enjoying my forced retirement to some extent.
i do not miss being a corrections officer I d not miss the quotas of realestate,I do miss meeting people and seeing the look on their faces when I hand them the keys to their new house.
I do enjoy visiting the different blogs.
I am very happy and excited for you Dawn. I know you are going to really enjoy retirement. Just getting up in the morning and being able to plan the day in any way you wish (well for the most part) is such a joy!
Wow you got lots to do; glad too, you can be there to help with the kiddies. You will be sooo busy. I thought I would have lots more time than I do--God keeps us busy!
I'm trying hard not to be jealous! Good for you Dawn! I can just hear the happiness in your words.
I am curious about the change in dates too - but how nice it got moved up instead of back.
Congratulations!
Dawn,
Your retirement life sounds wonderful. Hooray that you are determined to get in shape and good health. That makes all the difference!
Blessings,
Gina
I do hope that you will have tons of free time to do all that you want to do in retirement. I found that I filled those old "work" days way too quickly.
I'll bet that you will still be an early riser. Some things never change!
You are so wise to plan for this transition.
It sounds like you have some fun things to get organized. I am envious that you will be sorting and organizing your photos. I have tubs full (those plastic tubs from Target--yes the big ones.....) of pictures waiting to be put into albums.
I just started organizing Sam's life--preparing for his High School Graduation Video.....I know, I know, it's two years off...but I work slow! Or--the truth really is...I have a short attention span!
I'm so glad that you are enjoying the countdown. What fun!
It will be a day worthy of a party!!!!!
Diane
P.S. Are you having a party? Can I come??????
Dawn~ I am so excitied for you. You are going to LOVE it! We can just blog, blog, blog all the time then. hehe
I'm with you on the liberal coworkers... I had the same problem. I just kept my mouth shut.
My biggest problem was getting my brain to adjust to the slow down(I felt like I needed to be planning something all of the time) and to get over feeling guilty about relaxing in the porch swing or just reading a book.
I hope you love it as much as I do.
Oh Dawn! I am incredibly envious of you!
Oh to have time to get my house in order! I love your plan! Stay focused and you'll have a great time (and DC will rediscover that girl he married!).
Denise
I hope that you enjoy retirement as much as we have. It's wonderful, but, something I did not believe, but now I do, you will have less time than you had when you were working. Just remember the word, "no", knowing that, especially with church work, you will do some of the no's anyway!
I missed my students, a few of the faculty, and that was it. I never go visit, and I surely do not sub!
Dawn,
I am hoping that your earlier retirement is a positive thing. I'm going to email you.
Blessings for a wonderful week,
Mary
So what you're saying is that you'll still be busy - just a different (and hopefully better kind of busy!
Congrats on the retirement. What a blessing that you are going into with your health intact. My mom was forced out the workplace by a broken body. Now, instead of relaxing and enjoying her free time, we're planning surgery after surgery to "fix" things. Ugh!
Email me and fill me in on the juicy details. I like to know what I'm talking about when I pray for you!
That's nice that you have had such a great relationship with the students and your colleagues. That would definitely make it hard to leave, but your planned retirement schedule will keep you plenty busy! :-)
I can completely imagine all those mixed feelings, Dawn!
But I am so excited for you...I know this change will be a good thing!
I had to smile about filling the gas tank every ten days...I do this now, even though I not only don't work outside the home, but I home school, to boot! LOL But I do taxi the kids around to extra classes that they take...violin, art...plus Missionettes...amazing how it all adds up! :)
Hopefully, you can keep in touch just a bit with your students and colleagues...
And I hope you do something nice for yourself to celebrate this summer!
(Now come on over and see if you were right about your guess for Part 6...)
Your "retirement" doesn't sound too "retiring". It sounds like a lateral move into a different job. But a wonderful job...supporting your family, supporting your husband and of course...the organizing. Sounds like you have the Spring Cleaning Bug!
You're going to have exciting days ahead, Dawn! And hey, now that you're retiring, you'll be free to follow Clay's tour around the country. ;)
I'm excited for you. I'm sure you will have a blast in this new phase.
I retired almost 13 years ago. I worked out for a few years....never got anything too organized.....and don't forget, when you're "retired" people assume you have nothing to do, so they give you lots of opportunities! Seriously, you'll love it!
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