Retirement

OK. It's been so long since I posted anything that I couldn't remember my password! It's amazing to me how busy we have been since Chuck retired! He is enjoying retirement. He emptied out our storage space (we figured we didn't need to spend $150 a month for things we haven't used in over 5 years). The joke is that we were paying to store New Kids on the Block, trophies, and papers. We had a garage sale and pretty much let people offer us whatever they wanted just so we wouldn't have to do something with it. The rest is going out for pickup next week when a truck is coming around. He's also cleaned out his garage, made a new cabinet for the garage, worked on cars... All the things he enjoys.

I'm with Pat on the frustration level of the schools. We have no money! When we run out of tissue, I either have to go buy it for my class or hope someone brings it from home. Rumors are flying again about closing my school. I was at a meeting with the superintendent the other day and he pretty much said our district is OK. We shouldn't have to do anything for this year or next (no cutting 20:1, not closing our school, no layoffs, not making parents pay for transportation). But any request for anything (paper, pencils, etc) have to go to him and be approved. It really slows up the process. I too am hoping for a golden handshake retirement package. I don't know if it would be worth my while yet but I would look at it!

We've been meeting with a financial planner and we are feeling pretty good. He thinks we've done a good job (although it's not been anything we did on purpose). We are looking at life insurance. I thought I had some at work but when we looked into it I evidently thought I didn't need to do anything since we had good insurance through Chuck. I'm checking if I have to wait until open enrollment or if this qualifies as a life change situation. I guess we just can't die right now! We do have insurance on our home loan that will pay that off if anything happens to either of us. Since that's our biggest debt, that would help.

I am finding that I go to school later and come home earlier with Chuck home. He's not tired all the time (gee, I wonder why). It's nice to go to bed with my husband and wake up with him every morning. I feel like this is the man I married almost 34 years ago. We've got to golf a few times and that's fun. I hadn't golfed in over a year. He usually gets up when I do so we get time together before and after school. With the class I have this year, that helps the stress level. This class is probably my most challenging ever! I've had worse classes but in this group, I have at least 8 students that talk or sing all the time and disturb everyone around them. They even do it when the principal is in there! It's my evaluation year. I guess in a way I'm glad they do it even when she's in there because at least it shows how difficult it is to keep them on task. I even had several kids that were texting each other in class! What 5th grader needs a cell phone, especially in school. But I've even had parents call their kids during class! Cell phones are supposed to be off and in their backpacks but since we can't search the kids, they put them in jacket pockets or slip them into their desks. That's when I usually find them. Sometimes I think I am too old for this!

We are looking forward to our trip to Hawaii next month. It will be way too short, but at least we get to go! We found a nice condo, not too far from Dinah's house that we are sharing with Cheryl and Pete. It's on the harbor where we went whale watching last year and their big selling point is that you can see whales from your lanai of your room. March is the end of the whale season but hopefully we will see some. They were absolutely amazing last year! Mindy now is engaged, too. She and John will get married in October in Laguna.

I guess this is enough rambling for now. Remember, we have extra rooms for anyone who comes this way! Also, NC kids, I hope to be in your neck of the woods next summer. I am planning a trip to colonial Williamsburg and surrounding areas with Bailey before she studies US history next year. I would love to see all of you! Your families have grown so much! So far, I think it will be at the end of June. I want to do it before Ric leaves for Washington. I'll keep you posted. I love reading all of your blogs.