Since 2007

It has been 3 years since I retired from full-time teaching. When it was brought to my attention by TRS (Texas Retirement System) four years ago that I qualified for retirement with full benefits, I leaped at the chance to get out of the classroom. Working since graduation in 1974, I had grown weary of the progressive demands being put upon classroom instructors. After retiring, I realizing our household budget could not support a drastic cut in income. Therefore, I vowed to find a job, even full-time, to supplement my TRS paycheck. Also, substitute teaching would not be an option. I was finished with that line of work or so I thought at the time. Here it is 2010 and though I have worked various jobs, over the course of these three years, none of the positions have been long-term. Most were related to teaching with some even as a substitute teacher. None, however, has paid what as needed to supplement our budget over the course of a year. Thus, our monthly budget has taken a hard hit since 2007. In particular, the summer months have proven difficult since most positions I worked were in the familiar background of education.

In as much as I had promised to find work after retirement, that first year I could do nothing more than simply drink in the fresh air outside of the school building. It filled my lungs with a liberated air like none I’d ever breathed before! There was a whole world of activity outside of a school building where teachers rarely have opportunity to venture. One such activity was to assist my theater active husband. It bought joy into my life to be able to search and fetch play props, or gather costumes for his students. During days when the teaching world was cooped up in a building, I could drive to various stores or stay home and create. This satisfied the art side of my brain and filled an inner creative passion within my soul. Unfortunately, none of those activities provided a salary. My happiness overshadowed the growing need to supplement my monthly TRS check being deposited in our account. After that first year it became my duty to seek ways to make good on my promises. Finding a paying job was to become my full-time task.

Marketing of my talents is something I have not learned well. After working in the schools from tutor to tester and teaching at times in-between, I find it difficult to focus on my skills and talents outside the realm of education. Swallowing one’s pride and marketing one’s self as a viable commodity is not my forte. Therefore, since the field of education is where I have most experience, those are the types of jobs I have had over these past 3 years. An additional problem, as I have already pointed out, is education jobs do not pay during the summer months.

Last tax season I thought my luck had taken a turn when the perfect job opened. A good friend and fellow educator put me on to a position in a tax office as an assistant. The tax season came and went with only the slightest challenge to my intellect and skills. It was a most enjoyable climate and workplace, but it was to play out as the tax season came to an end. Once again the summer months have come with no paychecks to deposit.

As much as I wish I didn’t have to, I find myself searching the classifieds again, hoping for the perfect position. An occasional lead on a job piques my interest only to find out Spanish is preferred or the pay is too little. Just yesterday though I read an ad for a Parent – Teacher Involvement specialist. Identified families with babies under school age are the target subjects. Salaries not from an institute paying into TRS, would help me maintain my retirement status, possibly making this just the job for me. Although somewhat in the field of education, the position also markets as a service to families in need. I like the idea of helping others as my Christian duty. It also has the potential to be a full-time permanent position. So, this morning I brushed up my resume, wrote a cover letter and sent it in an email to the hiring committee for their consideration. Perhaps they will grant an interview to me.

For some retirees, such as myself, work after retirement is not simply a means to pass the time of the long days. Rather it is of necessity that I be gainfully employed. After all, I was not actually of retirement age in 2007. Not only should I still be part of the workforce, there has surfaced another personal need. From time to time, a need to serve some greater purpose in this world oozes forth; I feel as lazy as a lizard when all around me people are making contributions to society. An inner need to make a difference wells up within me and I wonder what God’s plan is for me now. Am I missing something that will not simply benefit our budget, but more importantly, benefit another human being? God will reveal his plan for me, of that I am certain. My prayer is that when He does, any lack of confidence in my abilities won’t blind me to His will.

Blog: Phase Two

New blog: new look, new name, new mindset.

Instead of completely shutting down the blog, I decided to simply revamp. The new design is quite calming, in my opinion. New templates made that possible. Thank you, Blogspot.

Just what will be the theme of my writings? I thought about how my sons are grown up and really don't need me...much...hardly ever. Retiring in 2007 from teaching school left me without a full time job, but still searching for the perfect post career position. Once again on the job search is to say the least, humbling. Thirty-six years of adult life experiences should account for something. Right? Therefore, if there is a theme for this new blog, it might be "My view of the present while looking ahead".

Although my posts may be few and far between, this blog has officially reopened for readers. Your viewing is appreciated and your comments encouraged. Consider this your invitation to visit my blog often and don't get your feelings hurt by what you read or take my opinions too seriously. I'm just saying!