I wear this wig almost daily. I renamed her Flannery, from “Flatter Me”. She’s my current fav of the wig posse.
YES! I read every page of this and liked it very much!
Iris on bird patrol.
Mushroom carrot chicken soup from scratch!
Scenes from today’s walk…
Other peoples’ porches as seen on this morning’s walk…
Cat power!
More scenes from a walk
Porch life with soup
I’m just gonna sit here for awhile.
Next year at this time, I’ll be retired.
It’s fall, y’all!
Walking in South Pasadena
Spooky!
I believe I know the only cure, which is to make one’s center of life inside of one’s self, not selfishly or excludingly, but with a kind of unassailable serenity – to decorate one’s inner house so richly that one is content there, glad to welcome anyone who wants to come and stay, but happy all the same when one is inevitably alone.
-Edith Wharton
Greetings middle-aged mammals. The land of Peace & Serenity is looming on the horizon, but as with all mirages it grows, shrinks, and becomes wavy the closer I get to it. 7 months and 19 days to go.
I had my meeting with CALSTRS, the pension peeps, where I learned I will be receiving a check each month for exactly 64.43% of my current salary. I will trade in 95 days of sick pay for an additional 0.522 of service credit – that’s a little over half a year. I took 2 leaves of absence a decade ago which reduced my time served by 1.5 years. I still conclude that it was worth it! Of course I could work another 1.5 years to make up for it and retire at the age of 64. That would raise my pension to approximately 70% of my salary, but I could get hit by a bus between now and then, couldn’t I?
No, no, no. 29 years in the classroom is long enough. I predict it will take me about a year to recover from the day-to-day chaos and the noise. I count myself as very fortunate that I don’t have any students throwing fits and tearing up the classroom on a regular basis. I’m lucky to have a feisty, but good group of kids that mostly listen to me. Fights don’t break out in the class. No one is cursing me out or insulting me. Parents aren’t threatening me or lodging complaints I’m not being investigated for raising my voice too loud, or hurting anyone’s feelings. Yet. The world where I started my teaching career is a different one than this one. If you’re a classroom teacher, I hope you’re okay out there. I’m thinking about you and will continue to do so long after I retire.
I’m planning to sketch, cook, garden, walk, nap, and read my way towards a more serene future. I’ve already begun. First step towards retirement is rethinking how I spend money and learning to live below my means. I’m grateful to have savings, investments, and my pension to draw from. I know I’m doing better than some, but not as well as others. I want to live a slow & simple life. Mostly I crave long stretches of time that isn’t filled with trying to get little homo sapiens to do things they don’t want to do. (classwork)
I’ll be writing a lot more about retirement in the coming months. Keep me posted on your own journeys, gentle readers. They are so very interesting to me.
Oh how I remember the retirement count down! It is the best feeling. I’m starting my sixth year of retirement after 32 years of teaching and I absolutely love the pace. May you have a wonderfully smooth final year in the classroom!
i write everything on my wall calendar, you would be surprised how days blend together!. give yourself lots of time to recover from all the noise. I look forward to all your musings…
I’ve been a CalPERS retiree for 12 years now and feel these have been my favorite 144 months! Undoubtedly, retirement involves a major mind shift.
I hope your’s is everything you wish for!
Aw, dear MAM! So happy that you’ve got a Retirement Date! I had some money trepidation, too, but found that with a little care, it all worked out. I like to think that they’re paying me to do what I want. So lucky, aren’t we? Sending love.
I’m so happy for you! You will love it.
Relax and enjoy!
Good for you re retirement! I left teaching in the classroom at age 50 (after 22 years). I was recruited to teach for a credential program, then supervise 13 teacher interns (Mild-Moderate Special Ed, K-12) in 8 bay area school districts. After five years, and I really loved that work, I retired again. Then at 60, I was elected to the school board, which was a fabulous 4 years. Next thing I knew, the superintendent recruited me to teach English to Spanish speaking parents. I’ve been doing this for almost 5 years, and my retirement (and I mean it!) will be in 7 months and 10 days. I’m paid for the hours of prep and the 6 hours of teaching each week, which is nice. The classes are on Zoom, and I have 20 students. Two are women in safe shelters who are so grateful; I hired 2 translators who are fluent in Spanish (I’m not there quite yet), and they explain the more complicated aspects of English. They are worth every penny, and I love them. But at 70, I want to have a little freedom. I’m writing the curriculum as we go, which is affirming in that it is working and the parents love it…but lawd, I’m ready to do a few other things. That’s my story, and I was never sure if it would all be okay or not, but it is, and it will be. I look forward to reading about you and the work in your countdown AND I’m counting down with you!
Shane, we’re neck and neck with our retirements! What a delight. Your work sounds meaningful and GOOD. It must be nice to work with homo sapiens who wish to learn what you have to offer. May your final 7 months be pleasant. Keep in touch.
Mary Ann—You’re a lot younger than I thought. More power to you. I’m 76, retired and working from home part-time as a marketing proofreader for a major publisher of medical and nursing journals and books. I’d get bored if I didn’t have that work. My husband and I enjoy our sweet cat Seymour, our baby. Lots of other interesting things to do and focus on.
Awww Seymour! Otto & Iris send cat love to him. It’s nice to have work you enjoy. I’m going to enjoy my work of staring into space for the first year and taking drives and naps (not at the same time) xo
Congrats on the retirement date. I really like reading your updates and love all the pictures you share. I am still working on getting better at posting to my blog. I really did love blogging back in the day and that is how I found you many moons ago. We are still in the process of trying to sell our home so that we can move across the country from Georgia to Wyoming. We are wanting a slower pace of life as well. When we moved to where we are now almost 10 years ago it was a lot quieter and things have been building up around us and I am craving a quieter place with wide open spaces. I look forward to hearing more about your plans and seeing how you like the slower pace.
Katie,
I want to read about your journey out west so I hope you’ll write about it. I hope you love Wyoming!
Good for you, sweet Mam! ❤️
Hi, MAM,
I have added that book to my reading list. I am trying to make a decision re: Social Security, and at what age I should start receiving it. I sure could use the money at age 62 (I am 60) but of course, the longer I wait, the more money I’ll get. One of my dear friends said, What if you don’t live to age 70? Good point–and I see she’s not alone in thinking that way.
Take care, stay well. XOXO
Lovely Edith Wharton quote.
And, I know I’ve said it before, but oh gee you will love retirement. But you already know that.
Congratulations on your pending retirement! I took your “Remains of the Day” class several years ago. It evolved into a passion for journaling, and saw me through a bout with breast cancer and, subsequently a stroke and I am so grateful to you. Thank you so very much for sharing so much with all of us especially me. Yours truly, Karen
Hi Karen,
“Art Saves Lives,” as the only rubberstamp used to say back in the late 90’s Yep, it does 🙂
Thanks for your note, enjoyed reading it.
Mary Ann how fortunate the children you have taught. You will be missed. You have such a great outlook on life. I so enjoy when I see a post from you. Have admired you and your writings for years. Have taken classes from you online (Renmains of the Day etc) and loved it. I have traveled with you and your sister to far away places and all your beach walks. I can’t thank you enough for all the sharing you have done. Please don’t stop. 🙂
No plans to stop sharing, Sharon. Happy to have you along on our adventures and always love to hear from you xo
You will enjoy and make good use of being retired, I’m sure. And knowing (from a distance) how you are, I suspect you will be appreciating each day’s delights in the classroom as you move toward the year’s end. One adventure ending, another beginning. I will enjoy following along, as always.
Last night at precisely 6:48 pm, I came off a 7 day stint with a 6 and an 8, while their parents took a little trip. This morning my body is trying to transition from 100% being on and alert to just being in charge of myself. It’s a process but at the moment I’m just melting into my chair gulping big deep breaths. I’m imagining what you will do at retirement is very similar to what you do every Friday night. Just don’t do what I did last night-in a fit of glee at too many nachos and drank too much beer too late at night!
Oh, Ms. Moss, you are leading the way for us all….into retirement with a rich inner house (and a pretty sweet real house, too!). It seems to me that you are trading your little Homo sapiens for middle aged and post-middle aged mammals as your eager students. We await your future lessons with gratitude.
My experience tells me that you are spot-on in thinking it will take you a year of retired living before you are even ready to actually start being retired! The decompression period is real. 😉 but entirely enjoyable! Looking forward to following along your path.
I sometimes feel I was born to be retired as it suits me so well. I love the Edith Wharton quote. Your wig looks so becoming. Thanks for the beautiful photos, which always make me feel like I’ve had mini-vacation.
That wig looks great on you! Soup looks good too. I retire next year, too. Just starting the process of meetings with PERS. I’ll be 68. Worked for the same city for 20 years. no little Homo sapiens but lots of crazy over the years. Keeping an eye on your wig posse for reference as I need to get one myself. Thanks for all the info on them by the way. Really enjoyed your insights with my coffee this morning. On my way to work so going to make it a good one…..
Thanks Stacey,
I hated Flatter Me by Gabor at first. So I cut her, then I hated her more. Then a couple of months passed and I tried her on again. Now I love her best of all. Isn’t that funny? She’s a perfect length and I even like the color, which I hated at first. The wig journey is so strange. My best advice is keep the wigs you dislike at first because you will change your mind – has happened to me so much!
Hello there. How exciting for you to contemplate your new life after retirement. I must say it sounds a lot like my life after retirement.
I make homemade soups in the winter and I still am amazed how consistently delicious they continue to be. They freeze well too.
You look flirty in Flannery. And almost too young to retire!
Why thank you, Anne! I made a white bean tuscan soup with collard greens and sausage and a parmesean rind. holy smokes it was good! Ahhhhh…
I think “ Porch life with soup” would make a great book title.
Hello Mary,
I am hailing from Melbourne, Australia.
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement to enjoy your days your way.
I am a teacher of 13 – 18 yr olds, but not able to retire just yet. Finances need some growth for a bit longer.
I agree that the classroom is a different place these days.
Foods and textiles are my methods.
I enjoy your pictures, words and adventures and enjoyed a couple of your online courses too.
Take care,
Cheers, Kaye.
Hi, Mary Ann, congratulations on your last year of teaching before retirement! I taught special ed for 32 years and although I loved working with the kids, I am totally enjoying retirement! I move to Port Townsend from Massachusetts. I love waking up each morning and being able to ask myself what I want to do that day. I start my day with a thermos of coffee and a tour of my garden, seeing what new is blooming, what needs work, and what the deer have eaten. It is a wonderful way to begin my day, my morning meditation.
I wish you all the best in your last year.
I’ve never been to Port Townsend. You must love it. I wonder if you ever miss MASS…? Your morning routine sounds peaceful xo
Such a lovely note to read the week after our retirement kicked off. All of your plans and your attitude will line up beautifully. So enjoy your column and look forward to many more.
I always feel like I have won the lottery since retirement. A check magically appears in my checking account each month and I can wander off on any tangent that strikes my fancy. I’ve been doing a lot of downsizing and updating some rooms, but I am getting close to the time when I can read, paint, and take long walks.
Wishing you every happiness!
Oh Carol, I can’t wait to see that check magically appear knowing I didn’t have to step foot in the salt mines to earn it.
Your retirement sounds perfect!
I am following along because I know we were close on the same journey. I instead reduced my time to 2 days a week until I go on Medicare that is about another year and a half. But, going full time to 2 days this past year has been AMAZING, and life changing.! I can now draw every day, a dream! More time with family and people I love, more time to cook, whatever, just more time! I loooove it! You most certainly will too. I have to crack down on the money part though, it’s hard to stop spending, but I’m getting better. Can’t wait till it happens for you, so so happy for you!
I’ve been watching various Youtubes on finance and budgeting and have been enjoying tightening up the books and checking to see my progress. My sister and I do a no-spend challenge together where we go for days or weeks and buy NOTHING except essentials.
I shall be reading Do Nothing very soon. Merci
Congrats on the retirement. I plan on retiring in March or April . Just hesitant about pulling that trigger. lol.
It’s nervewracking isn’t it? My benefits/pension meeting and looking at the numbers in my various buckets of savings/investments has helped me pull the trigger. I have enough if I spend less. So I’m doing it!
I have been a self-employed mediator for 36 years and retirement has not been a bright line for me. I gradually slowed my work life and now it’s almost stopped – i have been saying I’m open if the right case comes along. I envy your end date and pension! And take inspiration from your short list of doing. I find I’m spending a lot of time on my health – from working out with a trainer to doctor, acupuncture, chiropractor, yoga, meditation. I sing in a choir, play in a marimba group, take art classes and also draw and paint, book club, Womens circle, cook, hike, travel, care for my sick and dying friends. When i write it all down i see why i feel so busy! Then there’s the life maintenance tasks, which i procrastinate on so they take even longer! I love your photos and your posts!
Seems like good work that you do, Mary. I’m fortunate that I have a pension otherwise retiring at 62 might not be an option. I’m looking forward to, as the title of the book suggests, doing NOTHING. much…
I think you know this, but you will not for one moment regret retiring.
You’re in the home stretch…. Leaving LAUSD was not a bad decision for me..
Hallelujah I can’t wait. LAUSD is a behemoth. A broken down machine with robots at the helm. I can’t wait to get in my getaway car and put the pedal to the metal!