This day has finally come. I know that you have been dreaming of this day for a very long time. Does it seem bitter sweet? Welcome to the fellowship club of the young and idle. I know that you did not sleep in today as you were rushing off to have coffee with fellow retire-eeze and toasting “To Hell with the Bell” with that second cupa. Nice!!! [EDIT] added photos →
Family Jots and Thoughts
Connecting Our Extended Families
Thanks Eileen for this lovely post.
Yes the day which I consider the real start of my retirement has finally come and gone and I can definitely sit back and enjoy that second cup of coffee without having to jump at the bell.
This morning my alarm went off as usual and I listened with a smile on my face to all the back to school banter and “all buses running” announcements. In my head I was wishing everyone good luck for the new school year.
The RTO breakfast, “To Hell With The Bell”, was everything I thought it would be and more. It was an emotional experience as retired colleagues congratulated and welcomed us newly retired into a new era of our lives. It was held at Club Latinas in Chatham and what is nice about RTO is that it includes both separate and public school teachers and support staff.
I sat with Patty Masse who I went to Teacher’s College with, Pauline Zurczak whom I taught with at John Uyen and OLOF and Jeanine Kwik who was my custodian for 8 years at G.P. Vanier. I saw Lynda Melnick and Linda and Dave Crawley there as well as Jane Butterman. I spoke with Kathleen Vetterello who was my first associate teacher. Sharon and Bob Kornacker, the Lazzarins, the Martinzich’s, Adrien Pieters, Diane Langon and many other people I had taught with in my 31 year career. I am glad I went and will look forward to going again next year.
I hope you enjoy the free time as much as I have. It is hard to believe that at the end of this month I will have officially been retired for two years and I have enjoyed every minute. (I did go back for a couple of weeks last year as an independent contractor and even that was fun). It’s amazing how much more fun life can be when we don’t have that “bell” controlling us. Mine was not one that rang on an hourly basis but there was always deadlines and commitments that hung over my head like a big hammer.
My biggest challenge is not getting “volunteered” into odd jobs that often turn into harder work than I was doing when I had a real job. I’ll have to admit that there have been times when I thought I was going to have to get a job to get some rest since I find myself taking on projects that can be a lot more physically challenging than I experienced at work.
Jean renewed her Gerontology endorsement on her nursing license this year and it is good for 5 years. She said this will probably be the last renewal she will do. She was looking and comparing her Social Security benefit letter last week and figuring that she would just be finishing up her 5 year renewal about the time she would be ready to start a draw.
We are looking forward to coming to Chatham next week and sharing your time off with you.
See you next Wednesday,
Bill and Jean
NO question you are the best looking and youngest retiree in the pics!
Hope this is the best time you ever had!
John