Next Chapter - FL Bound

I haven't posted regularly in a good while but read and stay connected to all of you each day. What a good bunch of people you are!

I want to bring you up to speed on some changes in my life. As you may know from FB, I left my job in Philly as of 12/31. No love lost - I can track posts back to 2010 where I was lamenting the job issues. It just wasn't a good fit for me and after almost 9 years, it had run its course. It was a mutual agreement with my boss that I would "retire" (nicer word than quit)  at the end of the year.

Which means...I have been unemployed for 5 weeks. Now THERE is a switch! I haven't had 5 weeks of not working (or being in college) since age 17!!!

I spent the holidays in FL, and came back to PA 2 weeks ago. While in FL, I launched a serious job search and will begin working as a Specialist at the Apple store (well...training anyway) next Friday. This is a position that will start at 30 hrs./week and potentially move up once I see what the options are. They do a lot of training, workshops, and one on ones, so I could easily see myself moving that direction.

And despite the use of the word "retire," I am not ready to be a "retiree" in any way shape or form. Good heavens, do NOT visualize me in a rocking chair in Florida, or driving slow down the freeway, please!

But all this means that I will be essentially living in FL for the foreseeable future. Mike is staying in Lancaster for now, watching for the best exit door from his work. Because of his position he cannot just announce retirement - there are a lot of business considerations he has to take into account. So we will be doing a commuter marriage for a year or so, most likely. Oddly, we have several friends who have done this over the years and have given us some good advice. Technology really helps - when I was there in January we Skyped every day, plus calls and texts.

I will also pitch a proposal to work as a real estate blogger for a friend who is a full time realtor in Naples. And of course, continuing my own writing projects with a goal of 15 hours a week in wriitng mode. Honestly, to get paid for ANY writing I do will be fantastic, so I hope that my proposal for blogging sounds good to her! (Keep me in your thoughts - that meeting is Thursday afternoon!)

We have already booked 2 flights for Mike to come to FL so I can count the days till I see him. And once I know what my schedule will be, I will watch for reasonably priced tix to come to PA (plus those to get to Michigan to see my family there).

This is a time of big changes. Not sure when I will see all of you again, but please know that I DO keep an eye on you, think of you, and appreciate ALL the support and friendship that comes via the BEST board on OH!!!  Love you ALL!!!

PS - one thing I have learned via Apple is that on FaceTime you can do conference video calls. Who has a Mac or iPad?????

Lynn,

Wishing you all the best in your new endeavors and I am sure since you listened to your inner core and it led you to where you are, that you are living your own successing story. . .  it's in the making, and I'm hoping one day to be as courageous as you are to pursue my deepest desires.

Best wishes and hope to see you when you come for a visit. . .

Laureen

Thanks Laureen! This was a huge risk believe me....jumping off the rock of one job before having another one in place..but I do believe it was one worth taking for my own well being. I was trapped by not wanting the old place to know I was looking.....it became a vicious cycle. Not productive, and not where I wanted to be...Like groundhog day in the worst way possible.

Lynn,

     I am so happy for you.  As you stated, you have not been happy in your former job for a while.  It must feel like such a relief.  I'm also happy about your relocating to Florida.  I will miss seeing you at the Barix meetings but know that we can stay in touch.  My regular e-mail is [email protected].  I would love to stay in touch with you.  I am not a FB person and so I tend to miss out on things at times  Glad to hear that you are continuing with your writing.  

     Right now I am in the process of gathering transcripts and other paper work for my various applications for teaching positions.  Boy has the world of Catholic education changed from when I first started back in 1978.  I'm just trying to take this one day at a time and focus on my continued physical and mental health.

     Take care of yourself - and best of luck with your Thursday meeting.  Hope to be in touch with you.

Love, Donna 

Donna, I absolutely want to stay in touch! My regular e mail is [email protected]. Good for you for putting the focus on YOU right now and setting good priorities. For me, the need for a new job was a must. I had gotten depressed and anxious in the old place - not like me at all - and began to feel resentment which I did not want to be sapping my energy. No need to go I to why....I felt and still feel that they were justified.

I look forward to some good learning and time to write, be outdoors, and enjoy what Jane Fonda calls "the third act" of life!

Wow Lynn, how exciting for you.  I know that a commuter marriage will be a challenge.  My son and his wife have been doing that since a year ago January, and will be done it in March.  She is still on tour with Les Miserables, and he lives and works in New York.

Please stay in touch with us here.  Just because you will be in Florida doesn't mean you are not loved and cared about here in Pennsylvania.

Hugs,
Trish

Lynn,

WOW! This is so exciting for you!! Although I will miss you terribly!

Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. Maybe someday I can come and visit....
My email is [email protected].

I want to thank you for all the love, support and friendship you have given me over the last couple of years! I really do appreciate it!!

Good luck to you and check in here and keep us updated!!

Love, Beth

 So excited for you!  And am proud that you put yourself first and did what you needed to do for you!  As for not being around often, I do know that I love to hear what you have to say about kids, raising and teaching them.  I hope that you continue to be a voice for those of us in need!  Enjoy the warmth of Florida.....My dad loves it there!