Picture this: I'm sitting with my husband and good friends on a padded church pew in Anderson Music Hall up in Hiawasee, GA. It's a beautiful spring day in May, and the huge, garage-like side doors are rolled up to allow a view of the lake and the North Georgia mountains. A light breeze blows through the room from outside, bringing in the scent of flowers blooming in the garden nearby. On stage is a bluegrass band known as the Greencards, one of the best I've ever heard. Tapping my foot and licking a giant ice cream cone, I find myself thinking, "Does it get any better than this?"
If you're into bluegrass, especially "newgrass," then you've got to check out the Greencards who hail from England and Australia. They bear a striking similarity to nickel Creek, a band I love. The mandolin players from those two bands should really get together and do a dueling mandolins number; I would pay good money to hear that!
We were attending the annual bluegrass festival at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. We arrived at 1:00 in the afternoon and left about 10:00 that evening after listening to six different bands, not a bad one in the bunch. My favorites were the Greencards, Steep Canyon, and Roots and Branches, a local group. We took time out during the afternoon to walk through the rhododendron gardens and take pictures.
Doug and I had just spent the better part of the week in Gatlinburg because he had a business meeting to attend. I went along and enjoyed the time to shop, read, and just relax while he was in his meetings. I spent one whole day just going to a Books-a-Million and a scrapbook store. I was in heaven! Doug took off one day and we went to Dollywood where we enjoyed the roller coasters and a new show called Country Crossroads which starred six very talented young people. We left Pigeon Forge and drove to Hiawasee to see my parents and spend the night with them. The next day we met our friends and went to the festival. They stayed overnight in my parents' old house and we all went out to eat to celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday. Then we drove home and visited Doug's mother and later on that evening, Sean and Misty. After returning home, we walked to our neighbor's to get our mail they had been saving and found our other neighbors already there eating ice cream and cookies. Needless to say, we joined the party and had a nice visit there as well. All in all, we had a great week and weekend.
I wouldn't have been able to do all these things if I was still working. In fact, this is the first time I've enjoyed the month of May in years. It is always the most hectic month of the school year, and the fact that I always had to celebrate birthdays and Mother's Day during that month just made me dread it all the more.
The first school year without teaching is almost over, and I am more convinced than ever that I did the right thing by not working this year. First of all, I was the only sibling able to help Mama and Daddy with their move, and they really needed help. Secondly, I was able to get ready for Sean's wedding without the added stress of working. I was also able to be there for Casey during his last days. A real benefit has been having the time for jazzercise, which I consider the nearest thing in existence to a fountain of youth. I needed the exercise so badly to just feel young again. The yard work has not been nearly as stressful this year because I had time to do it.
Of course, the big disadvantage has been the loss of income. I really do need some spending money, and I haven't done a very good job of finding any. I don't like subbing at all. I don't mind doing it at WCA, since I know everyone there, but I really like to plan my days and don't want those plans changed at the last minute. Besides, I've said no so many times, they don't call me much anymore. I've actually asked my former principal if I can teach one class next year that meets twice a week. He has sounded pretty positive about it without completely committing to it. I really hope it works out. Government and Economics is my favorite class to teach, and I would still have three days at home all day. I would also have an "outlet," a chance to be around other people during the day, and I probably need that. I don't mind being alone at all, but I like people, too! One thing I haven't done very well this year is make time for socializing.
I prayed long and hard about my decision to retire, and when I decided to do so, I really felt a sense of peace about it. Of course, there is the to-be-expected guilt I feel about retiring before my husband and friends can do so, but I try to ignore that. I worked two fulltime jobs for years, one at school and another at home taking care of a house, yard, and family. My old-fashioned husband pretty much left that second job up to me, so I figure it's my turn to enjoy some down time!
No comments:
Post a Comment