Where I'm At
Soul searching and wants.29 total reviews
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
We change priorities when we go through men-o-pause. When kids grow up and leave, we shift then too. As our parents age we change. All those things weight heavy on us. you write well about it.
Karen
reply by the author on 29-Sep-2023
  |
We change priorities when we go through men-o-pause. When kids grow up and leave, we shift then too. As our parents age we change. All those things weight heavy on us. you write well about it.
Karen
Comment Written 29-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 29-Sep-2023
-
Thanks, Karen. I'm glad you can understand where I'm coming from. Gretchen
-
I'm an old broad. I have been through menopause four times!
I am not kidding. I know from whereof you speak.
Comment from Terry Broxson
Gretchen, I don't know how I missed this one. But I'm old so everything is possible. I do highly recommend retirement. We never had kids, so never had your workload. I hope you get there!!! And soon!!! Terry
reply by the author on 29-Sep-2023
 |
Gretchen, I don't know how I missed this one. But I'm old so everything is possible. I do highly recommend retirement. We never had kids, so never had your workload. I hope you get there!!! And soon!!! Terry
Comment Written 28-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 29-Sep-2023
-
Thanks so much, Terry. Every day it gets harder and harder to put on a happy face. Lol. Buy at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Gretchen
Comment from Paul Manton
I've been in all these places and survived, Gretchen. I've always been a Jack of all Trades - teacher, minister, singer, writer, composer, potter (briefly) designer (on and off) - and most of that I was able to pour into teaching until I was 72, having 'retired' several times before.
The lucky break I had was to find a school which let me work as a one to one teacher for English and Math. Not, only that, I wrote a brand new story-based curriculum for special needs children - in other words, I found employment that was fulfilling.
You have been a pharmacist a long time Gretchen. What would you really like to be? (Apart from a Jill of all trades)? What chance of early retirement from pharmacy and finding something that excites you - that gets you up in the morning? At 62, you're still, if not a Spring, then maybe a late Summer Chicken!
Good luck with all that.
Paul
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2023
|
I've been in all these places and survived, Gretchen. I've always been a Jack of all Trades - teacher, minister, singer, writer, composer, potter (briefly) designer (on and off) - and most of that I was able to pour into teaching until I was 72, having 'retired' several times before.
The lucky break I had was to find a school which let me work as a one to one teacher for English and Math. Not, only that, I wrote a brand new story-based curriculum for special needs children - in other words, I found employment that was fulfilling.
You have been a pharmacist a long time Gretchen. What would you really like to be? (Apart from a Jill of all trades)? What chance of early retirement from pharmacy and finding something that excites you - that gets you up in the morning? At 62, you're still, if not a Spring, then maybe a late Summer Chicken!
Good luck with all that.
Paul
Comment Written 23-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 23-Sep-2023
-
I don't want to quit completely. Honestly, I get a lot of characters from my encounters there. But 3 days a week would be heaven. Writing and Art have always consumed me. It would be nice having time to do both and not having to pick between them. Thank you for this. Your review was very helpful. Gretchen
-
Good luck in the part-time stakes, if they come your way.
I appreciate you very much, Gretchen.
Comment from Jay Squires
Well, unless you are saving a goodly amount of your pharmacy earnings, things will look just the same when you do finally retire. The only thing is, you'll be physically tired more often. Retire now ... while you still have your energy. You WILL survive on Social Security. I do nicely on it.
Jay
reply by the author on 22-Sep-2023
|
Well, unless you are saving a goodly amount of your pharmacy earnings, things will look just the same when you do finally retire. The only thing is, you'll be physically tired more often. Retire now ... while you still have your energy. You WILL survive on Social Security. I do nicely on it.
Jay
Comment Written 22-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 22-Sep-2023
-
I'm saving but probably not enough. Lol. I do have a nice little 401k but couldn't survive solely on that for more than two or three years. Thank you. I'll know when to call it quits. Gretchen
Comment from pome lover
I don't blame you one bit, and you're probably on your feet all day, aren't you? Well, I hope 2025 retirement works out.
I'd like to ask a favor and I hope you don't get upset with me. Would you consider having the title say, "Where I am"? I know lots of people are putting at at the end of sentences these days, but you are such a good writer, I just hate to see it at the end of a sentence. In fact, you are such a good writer, I thought, at first, you were being funny. Anyway, I hope I didn't misstep.
Katharine
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
|
I don't blame you one bit, and you're probably on your feet all day, aren't you? Well, I hope 2025 retirement works out.
I'd like to ask a favor and I hope you don't get upset with me. Would you consider having the title say, "Where I am"? I know lots of people are putting at at the end of sentences these days, but you are such a good writer, I just hate to see it at the end of a sentence. In fact, you are such a good writer, I thought, at first, you were being funny. Anyway, I hope I didn't misstep.
Katharine
Comment Written 21-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
-
Never ever think I will be offended at grammatical help. I will gladly take as much as you are willing to give out. The only time I don't change grammatical things are if it changes how the character sounds. So, thank you for this awesome review. Gretchen
-
and thank you for being so gracious!
Comment from Brett Matthew West
Sounds like we have the same retirement date in mind. Or more correctly stated, retirement from the 8 to 5 grind. Then, the real work days start...catching up on all the chores we never got to while working. I will be 65 by then. As far as health goes, my cancer does not seem to be getting much better, and my tumor count has reached 26 (Basal Cell Carcinoma skin cancer to be exact.) You are so correct about one point, Social Security checks suck! See what we get to look forward to in our so called "Golden Retirement" years? Yee-haw! Can not wait. Think I'll spend mine writing. Oh well, Freelancing is all I have done for the last 40. What else is new?
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
|
Sounds like we have the same retirement date in mind. Or more correctly stated, retirement from the 8 to 5 grind. Then, the real work days start...catching up on all the chores we never got to while working. I will be 65 by then. As far as health goes, my cancer does not seem to be getting much better, and my tumor count has reached 26 (Basal Cell Carcinoma skin cancer to be exact.) You are so correct about one point, Social Security checks suck! See what we get to look forward to in our so called "Golden Retirement" years? Yee-haw! Can not wait. Think I'll spend mine writing. Oh well, Freelancing is all I have done for the last 40. What else is new?
Comment Written 21-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
-
I need to start submitting to magazines. Lol. Hopefully some will bite. Good luck on your retirement. Gretchen
Comment from JSD
Dreams can come true. I'm 59 and retired last year. And now I can concentrate on writing and watching crappy films on Netflix! Go part time, and then you still get pocket money!
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
|
Dreams can come true. I'm 59 and retired last year. And now I can concentrate on writing and watching crappy films on Netflix! Go part time, and then you still get pocket money!
Comment Written 21-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
-
Thank you so much this awesome review and the personal comments. Gretchen
Comment from Pantygynt
Well, I'm eighty-two and I'm still waiting for the day you're longing for I am told it is tomorrow but tomorrow never comes because today keeps getting in the way. I haven't found a way of getting round that problem.
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
|
Well, I'm eighty-two and I'm still waiting for the day you're longing for I am told it is tomorrow but tomorrow never comes because today keeps getting in the way. I haven't found a way of getting round that problem.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
-
It really sucks to see no end in sight. I pray it works out for me ... and you. Thanks so much. Gretchen
Comment from Wendy G
I understand. My husband wanted me to retire from teaching a few years before I did. I kept postponing it, because I loved teaching, until one day I thought, This is the right time. I had a strong conviction that it was the right time. And it was. I think that if you can afford to retire, that might be the answer. Or perhaps the best thing might be to take a year's leave of absence with option of returning after a break. Is that possible?
Thanks for sharing in this well-written piece.
Wendy
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
|
I understand. My husband wanted me to retire from teaching a few years before I did. I kept postponing it, because I loved teaching, until one day I thought, This is the right time. I had a strong conviction that it was the right time. And it was. I think that if you can afford to retire, that might be the answer. Or perhaps the best thing might be to take a year's leave of absence with option of returning after a break. Is that possible?
Thanks for sharing in this well-written piece.
Wendy
Comment Written 21-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
-
I doubt he'd be okay with that. I have a while to think about it. I just know I can't do this much longer, at least not 40 hours a week.
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Gretchen,
I appreciate your frank comments. Sometimes I think we hear what people want us to hear, not so much the truth as it stands. I've got nine years on you. I had to stop commercial fishing this year in part because my body couldn't keep up with the physical demands, and in part because the world has changed so much that it's becoming difficult to compete with the tourist trade and their unlimited supply of money to impact prices of food and fuel in the town. In any event, I wish I could work more.
I don't know what your financial situation is. If you would allow me to give my opinion, I would suggest that before you retire, you might want to insure that you're in a position to quit working. It's much easier to do when your house and car are paid off, the kids are gone and you have no debt. Even then there are unexpected things that come up- the car breaks down, you need a new washing machine, a trip to the hospital. I suspect that the aggravation of working with the public would pale in comparison to not having the money necessary to meet your needs. It sounds like you could use a vacation, or perhaps a reduction in your work week. I don't know your situation, and of course it's easy to make suggestions to someone else when I'm not impacted by them, but maybe if you had an extra day a week that you could spend just doing what you wanted- no cooking, cleaning, baby sitting, whatever, you would have an attitude change. For a number of years I had a janitorial contract with the U S Forest Service. The pay was good and I only worked about six or eight hours a week, so I had time to do my regular job and in the winter I took care of things around the house. I hear your frustration gal. I hope that you find a solution that will work for you soon. You're a very good writer. Have you submitted your work anywhere? Writing is a hard gig to make any money at, but magazine articles might provide a little money and give you an outlet for your talent. Just a thought gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
|
Hello Gretchen,
I appreciate your frank comments. Sometimes I think we hear what people want us to hear, not so much the truth as it stands. I've got nine years on you. I had to stop commercial fishing this year in part because my body couldn't keep up with the physical demands, and in part because the world has changed so much that it's becoming difficult to compete with the tourist trade and their unlimited supply of money to impact prices of food and fuel in the town. In any event, I wish I could work more.
I don't know what your financial situation is. If you would allow me to give my opinion, I would suggest that before you retire, you might want to insure that you're in a position to quit working. It's much easier to do when your house and car are paid off, the kids are gone and you have no debt. Even then there are unexpected things that come up- the car breaks down, you need a new washing machine, a trip to the hospital. I suspect that the aggravation of working with the public would pale in comparison to not having the money necessary to meet your needs. It sounds like you could use a vacation, or perhaps a reduction in your work week. I don't know your situation, and of course it's easy to make suggestions to someone else when I'm not impacted by them, but maybe if you had an extra day a week that you could spend just doing what you wanted- no cooking, cleaning, baby sitting, whatever, you would have an attitude change. For a number of years I had a janitorial contract with the U S Forest Service. The pay was good and I only worked about six or eight hours a week, so I had time to do my regular job and in the winter I took care of things around the house. I hear your frustration gal. I hope that you find a solution that will work for you soon. You're a very good writer. Have you submitted your work anywhere? Writing is a hard gig to make any money at, but magazine articles might provide a little money and give you an outlet for your talent. Just a thought gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment Written 20-Sep-2023
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2023
-
All good suggestions. I would probably go to parttime for a year or so. Then retire fully. A commercial fisherman is a very tough job. Unforgiving on the body and dangerous. Where did uou fish from. I'm on the Outer banks of North Carolina. Gretchen
-
I live in Alaska. For 44 years I lived in Southeast Alaska in the native village of Hoonah, about forty miles southwest of Juneau. Port Frederick was right out front, and across Icy Strait about twenty miles away is Glacier Bay National Park. That's where the Tlingit natives who founded Hoonah used to live until the glaciers drove them out. Lots of salmon and halibut. I live in Wasilla now, in the southcentral part of Alaska. Much different area. Lakes and rivers, but waterfront access to the ocean. The Outer banks huh? I want to see that some time. Aren't there wild horses there?