Retirement and the 1st Nine Weeks of School

I began the 22-23 school year in the Ozarks on a girls weekend with two high school friends. We went on a boat ride, had drinks at a lakeside bar, and spent a lot of time catching up. I caught up with the grandkids on the phone to find out how their days had gone. I didn't miss my classroom or teaching at all. I think my replacement (former student) summed it up best: "I had no idea teaching was such hard work. My teachers made it look so easy. I am exhausted every night." So true. It is nice not to be exhausted.

The rest of that trip involved a winery with a pool, tons of games of scrabble, and lots of '70's music. It was relaxing and so much fun. Now, I am ready for a trip with the Mr. (Plans are in the works.)

Once I was home again with school in session, I found I missed my colleagues and former students. It is always good to run into one of them and catch up. 

After teaching 2 1/2 years during Covid and never having it, I was stunned when the Mr. came down with Covid on Labor Day and I got it a few days later. It wasn't much fun, though mainly like a bad cold. Sometimes, I don't have much stamina, and I wonder if it is a lingering symptom of the disease. It is finally getting a little better. 

I have loved having time to spend with grandkids. When K and CT both came down with Covid, we kept the two girls a couple of nights, took them to school and picked them up after, and were able to make a few runs for things they needed. I spent Friday with L and E. E's school was out for Parent/Teacher conferences, so we met halfway and walked at a lake, shopped for books, and enjoyed lunch. I was also able to help out with the little girls on an inservice day and helped them make an anniversary present for their parents. I know if I had been teaching, none of these things would have happened. 

So what else have I been doing? Thursday morning coffees with other retired women in town, reading, and subbing. I am NOT subbing in classrooms, but for the librarian and the library aide. I hated when the library was closed when they were absent, so I told them to let me know and I would fill in. I have spent a few days in the high school library in the morning and the middle school library in the afternoon. I check books in and out and re-shelve them. Quite a few former students and colleagues will stop in to see me. It is good to catch up. Mainly, I find myself reading. Shocker! Now, that Covid seems to be over in our corner of Tiny Town, I plan to spend a few days with Dad. Again, none of these things would have happened if I had been teaching. 

Oh, and the Mr. and I have started swimming at the YMCA five mornings a week. He water walks, and I tread water. (My shoulders are shot, and I can mainly use my legs for treading water.) 

So far, retirement is quite enjoyable. 

                                                                         Girls Weekend     

Our view in the Ozarks.

We were fairly competitive and had a ton of laughs.

We made grandparents day with the girls. 

Notice the masks in hand. (This was shortly after Covid.)

Walking partners while E's little sis was in school. 

I think it is safe to say that I was ready for retirement. I am finally feeling relaxed and rested. After 40+ years, I'd say it is time. 

Retired Reading #1

 I was going to call this Summer Reading. I sometimes forget that I am retired, and that this can be year-round reading from now on. (Though if it is, the house may fall down around me.) Going forward, I might have to limit myself to a book a week, so I have time for some other activities. That being said, I really needed this "drowning" myself in books. 

Seven weeks into retirement and I am reading book #19. 

Here are the books that stand out or that I have loved:

The Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan

The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmes

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Fire Keeper's Daughter by Angeline Boully

That Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin

I am working on The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles which will probably make this list, too. There are a few other books that I have read, but didn't necessarily love. I even tried a re-read of a 2006 book that has been mentioned quite a bit lately. I couldn't make it through it this time, and I'm not sure how I muddled through it to begin with. She might be a popular author, but that book was ridiculously wordy and full of random, somewhat unimportant details that signified nothing. 

My reading will slow down for awhile, as I feel like I am ready to accomplish a few other things. That being said, my Kindle will always be in my purse, and I'll keep a few holds in the eLibrary. 

Happy Reading!

The Retired Teacher

Yes, it has been two and a half years since I have written a thing on this blog.I thought about starting a new blog, or at the very least, renaming this blog "The Really, Really Tired Teacher." 

Seven years ago, I changed job assignments from English II teacher to English II, Speech, Forensics, and Drama teacher. The additional preps and curriculum added quite a bit to my load, but I was ready for something a little different. Then, the English II curriculum was divided into Advanced English II and Regular English II. This was another challenge. Covid hit and online school added additional challenges. Finally, the English Department was asked to stick to our textbooks to align curriculum Grades 6-12. This required quite a few changes, too. So if I was looking for something a little different, boy did I get it. Oh, and throw in that I was still directing one play a year. My brain was on overload. 

With some of the Mr.'s health issues and just wanting a schedule that allowed me the freedom to see grandkids and other family, I knew that the 21-22 school year would be my last. In fact, I started the year by saying, "Welcome to my last year of teaching. Let's celebrate it together." Every time I finished a unit last year, I knew it was the last time I was teaching it. Some of it was bittersweet, but most of it was hallelujah! I sorted and pitched and cleaned Room 502. (We'll talk about how much I carted home and dumped on the dining room table later.)

So...after 40 years in the Tiny Town school system and 43 years in education, I retired this spring. School has taken up so much of my brain, that everyone is worried that I will be lost without it. That might be true, but for the last month, I have enjoyed NOT thinking about school. 

What's ahead? I'm not sure. So far a lot of reading, relaxing, and bird watching. (Thanks to Covid--birdwatching is a new hobby.) Hopefully, there will be time (and money) to travel some. Will I sub? For the librarian--maybe; otherwise, probably not. I could tutor. And I have a couple of ideas that I am batting around.

I have loved my teaching years: amazing colleagues, great students, and lots of great memories. For the last year, K has been my principal. It has been wonderful watching her at the helm of Tiny Town High. She works hard and keeps a positive attitude. She's great at building relationships with staff and students, and she is as proud of this school as I am. I won't be there in person, but I will be there in spirit-- cheering on our school system.

I'm not sure what the future of this blog is. We'll see what develops. For today, I'd love to leave you with the video of the Retirement Speech my daughter-principal gave at the BOE Employee Recognition dinner. (Click on the link that will take you to YouTube.) She did such a nice job.

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the return of Easy Street.