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Mom Paula with Gail Morrison (person who hired her at CHE) at her retirement party |
Mom Paula was an elementary school teacher for 1 year, a middle school mathematics teacher for 16 years, a college professor for 10 years, and a program manager at the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education for 11+ years. She received a B.S. degree from the College of Charleston, a M.Ed. degree from the University of South Carolina, and a Ph.D. from Clemson University. She is so thankful for all of the people she's met and worked with over the years and is looking forward to what's next.
What's Next?
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Spending time with us is #1 |
Mom Paula: I reach this point in my life with many emotions. There is relief because there will no longer be the stress of going to a job everyday that is stressful, yet enriching. There is apprehension because I'm going to be unemployed for the first time since I was 15 years old. Yet, I look forward to these upcoming years with anticipation and excitement. I have many goals for the future and if I accomplish these, I'll work harder than I did the past 38 years when I was getting paid.
- Spend more time with the girls. They've gotten used to me being home more the past 4 months because I had leave days I had to take or I'd lose them. I enjoy going to a different room in the house and looking down to see they've joined me.
- Purge and reorganize my house. My house is so cluttered! I have so much stuff from being a mathematics education college professor and a program manager and it's time to purge. I still have 4 boxes of data from my dissertation research from 20 years ago. I want my house to become a home I enjoy living in again.
- Take classes at universities and online. I want to learn about graphic design, HTML, SEO, photography, and other areas that will help with my blogging career.
- Take care of myself. Having been diagnosed with Celiac Disease 2 years ago, I really haven't taken care of myself physically or emotionally. It's time to get outside in the fresh air, walk, become involved in activities, and eat healthier.
- Travel. I've been lucky to travel across the United States because of my career the past 20 years. I'd like to visit every state in the United States and then venture across the borders and the ocean. I'd love to meet the humans behind the cat (and dog) blogs I've come to love the past 9 years.
- Volunteer. I'm considering volunteering at a local shelter. I don't know what I'd do yet or if I could handle the emotions of these homeless fur children, but I want to give back.
- Enjoy whatever life brings me. I'm lucky to still have both of my parents. They are older and their time is limited, but I want to spend as much quality time with them as I can. I want to enjoy life again. I want to experience life!
- Become more involved in the blogging community, which definitely includes BlogPaws and the Cat Writers' Association.
you can do this!! we know you can....and we are so proud of you and can't wait to hear about your next adventures!
ReplyDeleteConcats! TW says she's busier now than when she worked. She wants to cut down on blogging so she does have the time to clean house and purge what she no longer needs. Everything has sentimental value to her or so she says.
ReplyDeleteYup re the sentimental value!
DeleteWhat an exciting time in your life! You have the ability to achieve anything you set your mind to...the sky's the limit!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! What an exciting chapter to start!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
ReplyDeleteNot so much retirement, more a refreshment! Good luck for the next chapter in your life, Mom Paula!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! As an aside, I thought of you when I saw the Gamecocks had made the Final Four :) I love that picture of the girls ... it's my favorite so far of them together.
ReplyDeleteI bet you will be busier in retirement than when you were working! But it will be a lot happier type of busy. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a milestone day! Mom retired 3 years ago after a long career and can absolutely identify with the boxes of stuff from teaching, research and so forth. She had to let it sit till recently before she was able to really purge. It represented so much of her life and work.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if you have wonderful plans for keeping busy and less stressed. Do enjoy!!!!
Congratulations on your retirement, and I wish you every success with all of your future plans.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! I hope you get to do everything on your list.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be great new adventure for you. We can't wait to find out what you learn next.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a great perspective on things, Paula. I love how you're framing this in terms of an adventure, and you're focusing on your future. I can't wait to see what you'll do next. I'm sure you'll be amazing!
ReplyDeleteJean from Welcome to the Menagerie
Big congrats from all of us!!! You've earned every smile that will come with your new adventures.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Auntie Paul Your plans sound great!
ReplyDeleteConCatulations on your retirement! We know you have many wonderful adventures ahead of you!
ReplyDeleteThe Florida Furkids
Congrats on retiring and I hope you accomplish all the things you want to do! Your travel goal sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations of reaching this milestone! I would enjoy having you stop by to meet my two Persian kitty boys (and me, since I come with the package!), and all I require is a little advance notice so I can sweep stuff under the rugs and touch up the dust.
ReplyDeletehttp://phainopepla95.com/ (AKA "weggieboy's blog ~ surviving retirement with two cats"
Wow! So happy for you! It has been a wonderful career but not it is time to relax a bit and enjoy the simpler things in life! I hope that you have nothing but happiness and health as you start your new life!
ReplyDeleteConcatulations on your retirement!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you have such pawsome goals! Stay focused on them and you will have such an awesome, happy, healthy rest of your life! Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! This is your time to do all that you've dreamed of & take care of YOU! You have some fabulous goals set for yourself. I look forward to reading about your journey. I am also retired - well, retired from corporate life & semi retired in general.
ReplyDeleteLove & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Huge concatulations to Mom Paula! She has quite the pedigree and we are certain that money will not be an issue. Maybe Mom Paula could write a book? I am sure there will be some new paying gigs in the immediate future. Best of luck to her! catchatwithcarenandcody
ReplyDeleteConcatulations to Mom Paula, and happy retirement to her ! We bet she's going to be busy ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a wonderful career! I hope that your retirement is everything you want it to be. I know it is difficult to have a reduced income, but hopefully, it won't put too much of a cramp in your plans.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful career and so many great accomplishments! we know with your talent, whatever you decide to do will be done superbly!!
ReplyDeleteWe're excited for you, Mom Paula, as you embark on this next chapter of your life. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I wish you much luck and fun as you embark on your new journey in life! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Mom Paula. I am so excited for you. So many opportunities. I bet you will be amazing at coding and a lot of other things to do with blogging and websites because you are so good at Math. I am sure you will enjoy time with the girls and your family and friends, and getting out more and travelling. See you soon in Myrtle Beach XS
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for your new adventure(s).
ReplyDeleteWe send our best Paula, we know you will find yourself busier than ever now you are stepping back from the hurly burly of thr working environment. You wil be able to give back to rescues via your technological gifts and maths as well as actually working at the shelters. You have gifts they need!
ReplyDeleteI have 15 more years!! I am looking forward to more travel for me.... BEST wishes on your new adventures!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the retirement. I am sure you will have a great time and I look forward to reading more of your posts. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats Paula!! Hope you have a wonderful time!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your retirement! I'm so happy for you. I will be praying for you as you go through this life change. Sometimes even the fun changes are tough. I hope that you will get to do all of the things you've always wanted to do and more. If you ever feel the need to come up to Michigan, we'll be happy to show you around.
ReplyDelete-Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net
Wow, congratulations! It sounds like you've got a plan for what to do with all of your newfound free time - love all your goals! Good luck with this next adventure, Dr. Gregg!!!
ReplyDelete