RETIRED AND REJOICING!!! (sort of)...

PattyInAK · December 12, 2008, 06:06:15 PM

......I quit my job at CH2M HILL, after 30 years of service. Due to my ruptured disks and surgery and all that, I am unable to commute to Anchorage and sit at a computer all day long, day after day. I tried many times to let my boss off the hook but he wouldn't let me go. Finally I had to be honest with him and let him know that if I did go back to work, it would not be in Anchorage and it would not be computer drafting. Yesterday the folks at work threw a party for me. My boss and his boss took Dan and I out for lunch at a great place. At lunch I was presented with a "monetary award created to honor employees who go above and beyond to exceed client expectations and make lasting contributions to the firm." After lunch we went back to the office where my co-workers gave me a card and two wonderful cakes. My boss also presented a framed certificate that said "Certificate Of Recognition....Presented to Patty Sacheck for 30 years of exemplary service..." The party lasted for a couple of hours with people asking me lots of questions about my condition, checking out my x-rays, asking what I did to fill my time now, etc. It was great and my face was sore afterwards from all the smiling. Several people got up and said lots of really nice things about me. I hated leaving them, I loved my job and we had so much fun at work, we laughed a lot. I will miss it very much.
I don't know what the future holds. I imagine that someday I will go back to work and I would really love to work with handicapped kids. There is a program out here thru the school district called Next Step. Its for kids who have already been thru high school and are learning skills to go out into the world, get a job and take care of themselves. I was at Walmart today when this group was there shopping and I asked one of the assistants more about the program. I emailed the lady in charge and asked a bunch of questions. I hope I hear from her soon. Leaving my job after 30 years was very scary for me. I went over it in my mind so many times to see if there was a way to make it work, but it all came down to that commute and sitting at a computer all day, I just cannot do it anymore. It will still take several months before my healing is at the level I will have to live with. I do OK if I am moving around. I think part of me wants to work, I like feeling useful and I feel most useful when I am helping other people.
Here's a couple of pictures from yesterday.

The cakes say Happy 30 Year Retirement

Tiffany (long time cubicle mate and buddy at work) is cutting the cake and that is me in the white sweater.

Marcia from MI · December 12, 2008, 06:26:36 PM

Welcome to the world of us who still get up at 5:30 even if they don't have to work. I've been "retired" for 5 years now and still can't believe it. I love it except in the winter because I just can't motivated before 10 AM, but I love the time I have to read, watch my news programs and blog. Patty you should start a blog about your crew and living in Alaska, its easy, if I can do it anyone can.

Any word on Social Security?

PattyInAK · December 12, 2008, 06:41:11 PM

Quote from: Marcia from MI on December 12, 2008, 06:26:36 PM
Welcome to the world of us who still get up at 5:30 even if they don't have to work. I've been "retired" for 5 years now and still can't believe it. I love it except in the winter because I just can't motivated before 10 AM, but I love the time I have to read, watch my news programs and blog. Patty you should start a blog about your crew and living in Alaska, its easy, if I can do it anyone can.

Any word on Social Security?

A blog is a good idea, Marcia. I do get up early, and I get dressed, I can't stand lazing around in my PJ's all day.
Social Security has not made a decision yet, but its been 4 months. They told me it could take 1-6 months.

AnnieofNJ · December 12, 2008, 08:06:54 PM

That was a very nice retirement party your friends/co-workers gave you. I have been retired for 6 years now after 32 years of service with the Department of the Army. It was scary at first, but I am loving it. I have had a number of different jobs since retiring just to keep busy and to give me a little extra spending money. I am now unemployed and will probably not go back to work. I have more fun volunteering with the rescue group and working with the garden club.

Hubby just won his Social Security disability retirement in August. I don't want to upset you or get you to worrying, but the process took him two years and we had to hire a lawyer. I pray your wait will be much shorter.

Take care of yourself and enjoy your retirement.

Hugs, Annie

PattyInAK · December 12, 2008, 08:14:05 PM

Quote from: AnnieofNJ on December 12, 2008, 08:06:54 PM
That was a very nice retirement party your friends/co-workers gave you. I have been retired for 6 years now after 32 years of service with the Department of the Army. It was scary at first, but I am loving it. I have had a number of different jobs since retiring just to keep busy and to give me a little extra spending money. I am now unemployed and will probably not go back to work. I have more fun volunteering with the rescue group and working with the garden club.

Hubby just won his Social Security disability retirement in August. I don't want to upset you or get you to worrying, but the process took him two years and we had to hire a lawyer. I pray your wait will be much shorter.

Take care of yourself and enjoy your retirement.

Hugs, Annie

Thanks Annie. I know that Social Security can be a tough nut to crack.

Roberta · December 12, 2008, 09:21:35 PM

Congratulations on the decision...........and what a great boss. We are doing it in july this year our tax year runs july to june and we cannot wait. we both plan to get some work for two days a week so we don't go stir crazy and that until we hit 60 we have to pay tax as self funded retires. Remember if you need a holiday down under is a great place to come.
Roberta

papbouv · December 12, 2008, 09:32:35 PM

Congratulations it is hard at first when I started staying home and not working it also took about 2 years for me to get on disability also had to go the lawyer route. Hope you do not but it seems like they tell everyone no so hang in there and make sure you write them telling them you disagree if you get a denial letter.All my problems show up on x-ray & MRI's so that helps I guess. Good Luck hope you can learn to relax and enjoy yourself the Fur Kids will think it is great Mom is home all the time.
Papbouv

Madderoos Mom · December 12, 2008, 10:24:37 PM

Reading about your party made me almost cry. Seems like you DO have lots of friends. When I retire (at age 85), folks are gonna say, "don't let the door smack your butt on the way out." ===Seriously.

It's gonna take time for it all to sink in. Give yourself that time to just go with it. And who knows, maybe you'll find yourself taking The Next Step. That program sounds like it was made for you. I bet you're going to get a follow up real soon.

Take care and enjoy your horses and wieners and, oh yeah, Dan too.

Teresa · December 13, 2008, 06:22:28 AM

What a wonderful thing for them to do for you at work, and it was a much better way to leave than if you had just not returned.
I think The Next Step could be great for you and something totally unrelated to what you did before. You would be up moving around and have so much to give to these kids who need so much. If nothing else, you could start out volunteering with them, which would allow you to choose the number of hours you are working with them. That would also let you see just what your limits are right now.
I would love to see you write a blog. That would be so much fun. I can already imagine some of the stories! You could have some from your viewpoint and Willy, Alex or Neeki, could also have their own entry occasionally (just imagine Neeki's entry the day someone gets on her back to ride!).
I hope you hear from disability soon. Your advantage is going straight into it from the surgery. I know that the longer you wait before applying the harder it is to get. Be glad you aren't in Greenville, SC. We have the 4th largest backlog of cases in the US. My co-worker's husband is waiting, has been denied twice, and will be lucky to go before a judge within two years. The sad thing is, chances are he won't be living by the time he gets it. They are working to improve the time for the S.C. cases, but it will be awhile before we see the results.
Enjoy your Saturday. I'm off to Toys R Us and the mall. Christmas Fun!!

cheryl186 · December 13, 2008, 08:01:14 PM

Oh Patty, I looks like you had a wonderful party at work...that was really nice of everyone and your boss sounds like a very special person. Enjoy your retirement and hopefully social security will come faster than you think...crossing our fingers it will :xfinger: I think working with the kids sounds like a wonderful opportunity. Congratulations to you and best wishes for a wonderful future, no matter what it holds....I too think the blog would be a wonderful idea :apls: :apls:

Barb · December 13, 2008, 09:55:31 PM

Patty - that is just awesome that they would honor you with a lunch, party and bonus !! You so deserve and wish you many good wishes for the next chapter in your life !!!

PattyInAK · December 14, 2008, 11:41:44 AM

Thanks everyone!
I got the letter from Social Security, they denied my application. But that is OK. I am not going to appeal. Nor am I going to panic. The more I think about this Next Step program, the more I want to get involved. I did hear back from the lady in charge, and she is going to have her assistant give me a call. Some part of me needs to work, I need to feel useful and be around people. Helping someone else has always been the best way for me to help myself. I can't be in a desk job anymore, which is fine with me, I need to be moving around. So I intend to pursue something with the Mat-Su School District. If not with Next Step, maybe as a teachers aide or something since I am something of an AutoCAD expert. 35 years of drafting may continue to pay off. Anyway, life goes on and I am up for the challenge. I do have a feeling that good things lie ahead.

Teresa · December 14, 2008, 02:07:18 PM

Nearly 65% of applicants are denied the first time. It is really interesting to read what the federal description of disability is.
I think working with the school district could be great and they would be thrilled to have someone with your experience. They may wonder how they got so lucky to have you show up all of a sudden. You ma also find that this is just a way (though a painful one) to give you a chance to do something you otherwise would have never done. Can't wait to see what happens.

doxielady5569128 · December 15, 2008, 11:22:33 AM

What a great party!! Sorry we missed this post earlier!!

Dee Dee and Hallie · December 22, 2008, 12:53:59 AM

That is wonderful Patty, the way your co workers treated you at your party says volumes about your character. I am sorry you had to leave this way, but I cant' help but think there is something else out there now you are meant to do.

What about adopting rescues, you used to talk about that, once you were retired you would like to adopt rescues that were really in need when you could be home with them all the time...or even fostering for a rescue place? You have a big heart and love doxies it seems like a perfect fit now that you are retired.

RETIRED AND REJOICING!!! (sort of)...

Madderoos Mom