I Had a Moment Today

It's 12:55 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon. I'm wearing this cute apron I made and I'm wiping down tables at the Kent Senior Activity Center. I'm also putting away salt and pepper shakers and cute little Memorial Day plastic flower arrangements. I chuckle to myself and wonder how I got to this point and why is it, it makes me so happy?

It's been over one year since I retired from Corporate America. I spent 28 years working at the same company. I loved the various jobs I did over the years. But there came a point in my life where it wasn't what I wanted to be doing anymore and I was old enough and able to retire, so I did. 

It's been fun talking with other retirees that also worked at Boeing. When they ask me what I did in my 28 years I really enjoy talking about all the experiences I had and the many places in the States I was able to travel too.

As I was preparing to retire, I always knew I would want to do some kind of volunteer work. I wanted something close to home. I was aware of the Senior Center and all the activities they offer. I started training there in April 2017.

Now I'm a regular there every Friday at the front desk and I love it. I obtained my food handler permit and substitute in the kitchen when someone is gone. I help set up and mostly I make sandwiches. I enjoy the big kitchen and watching the lady that runs the kitchen as she cooks.

This afternoon it just made me smile as I helped clean up after lunch so they could get the room ready for afternoon line dancing.

It's obvious life is very busy since I haven't blogged in like 6 months. I like my new routine of retirement. Last week I was in St. George visiting my son and his family. Hanging out with four of my grand daughters was wonderful.

And I love being here at home working in the yard, going on hikes with my friend and the group from the senior center, walking in Clark Lake Park with my neighbor, taking Wally to Home Depot and out to eat. I love the time I have to experiment with my candy making. Today was my 3rd try at S'mores chocolates and they turned out really, really good. 

When I look back on my years as being a working Mom, raising kids, traveling for my job, being busy with church callings, and everything that went into life before retirement, I have no regrets. I lived in the moment and did was I thought was best at that time in my life.

Retirement is all that I envisioned it to be and then some. If I could have pulled it off financially I would have done it 5 years sooner, but that was not to be. So I'm thoroughly enjoying all of it now. This area is so beautiful in the springtime. I love being outdoors and having so many beautiful spots so close to us here.

My advice to anyone reading this is to love what you are doing, if you're not, then change something, some little thing and make it better. Life is too short, be happy now and here.

Only Two More 5 AM Wake Ups!

This is really happening. My retirement. This Tuesday, February 28th is my last day at Boeing, after 28 years. This date has been my goal/plan for about 3 years now. I always said it depends on what I'm doing at work, how our health is and how the finances are doing.

I've frequently told people that retirement is a lot like divorce. You don't go into it lightly. It takes a lot of decision making, listing the pros and cons, and planning.

Last fall I met with our finance guy, he has a fancy software program that runs all the numbers and he can tell me how long our retirement money will last. That was an eye opener. It required me gathering up all our monthly expenses. You know how much fun budgets are.

Besides babysitting as a teenager, I've basically worked since I was 16 years old, with 3 and 6 months off when I had my kids and another 6 months off when I married Wally and moved to Washington. That's a lot of work! Yes, I was a working Mom. I know it's not for everyone but it was necessary for me. Especially as a single parent and then in a second marriage with his kids and my kids. But we made it work.

Some of the jobs I have had over the last 40+ years are: animal hospital/boarding place, fast food place (Red Steer), hair salon receptionist, lots of retail work, Castleton's, Ernst, Pay n Pak, a children's clothing store, and of course Boeing.

I've sold lingerie and I've sold lumber. I loved working at Ernst when my kids were small. My favorite departments were the paint department, helping people pick out paint and mixing it and the garden shop. I loved working outdoors, watering plants and getting paid for it!

I went back to college at the age of 40. I had an associates degree and Boeing paid for me to go back and get a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. It took me 4 years taking just one or two classes a quarter while working full time. I met some fun people in the classes and really liked being in school. I attended City University. I wasn't very good with on line classes so most of my classes were in Renton, Bellevue and one class in Everett.

I started school in April and my Dad passed away in June of the same year. I was happy that he knew I was going back to college. Natalie got her bachelor's degree just a couple of months before I got mine.

How do I feel about retiring now? Well, over the last couple of years, I've worked through all the emotions. I'm super excited and looking forward to the next phase of my life. I could work longer, but Wally has been retired and home alone for the last 12 years, so I think it's time.

I'm one of those people with tons of hobbies and love to do volunteer work so I definitely will stay busy. And I have also mastered the art of relaxing in the living room with a book, or watching Hallmark movies.

It will take Wally and I some time to get into our new daily routines. My 5 am alarm is because I choose to go to the gym before work instead of after work. I've been working out in the mornings for about 5 years now. I will continue to do that but now at a more normal hour of the morning, like 7:30 or so. And I won't be rushed to get home and get to the office.

The commute is something I have definitely witnessed a change in over the years and won't miss too much. But I will miss the beautiful sunrises and views of Mt Rainier that come with the commute.

I'll get out more to take pictures and hope to explore new places that we still haven't been to even though we've lived here a long time now. Turns out I've lived here in Kent now for more years than I lived in Utah or Idaho. And for now we're staying put, (just with more trips planned to Utah and Idaho).