Just curious

[observer]

Some of us on this forum are retired; some not. Just curious about our "mix".

Without revealing more about yourself than you care to, what is/was your work field?

Education? Sales? Office/clerical? Mechanical? Merchandising? Trades? Health? Transportation? Technology? Advertising? Finance? Journalism? Military? ... or whatever else that I can't think of right now.

Personally, I'm retired from Education and Sales.

[kishgo]

Observer, you had to try to SELL education???? LOL
I am a retired educator, loving retirement and all that this next chapter has to offer. I loved my job when I was involved but honestly don't miss all the politics and craziness associated with it. Don't miss reports, report cards or staff meetings.
I've been retired five years now. In that time, I have drafted a children's book and would love to get a draft going on another novel. All the information has been investigated, dates, timelines, historical events but since my hubby retired, I have no time for these things anymore. He keeps me busy!

[observer]

Kishgo - good for you with the writing. Maybe you'll want to "publish" excerpts of it here, for us to critique?

[kishgo]

My children's book is very similar to the Little House on the Prairie theme. My grandchildren love it even though it's in the draft form. It shows them another way of life, albeit they think I'm making it up! Hang out the laundry? Travel by ship in the bottom part of the boat? Get water from a barrel? "Get real Grandma!"

[observer]

Sounds great. Let us read parts!

[uncle jack]

but since my hubby retired, I have no time for these things anymore. He keeps me busy!


doing what

but honestly i would like to know about the book you are writing

[rbw]

Retired since 1993...
Inside sales..Then "Production and Inventory Control Supervisor"...

I seem to like NOT working the best...

[gale force]

I've been retired for 18 years, I guess you could call it office/clerical. Loved my career with the last place of employment for all of 27 years - except for a period of three years when I hated it. Like Kishgo - don't miss the politics at all, but do still miss most of the people I worked with. There are many many happy memories, both on and off the job.

[kishgo]

Spidubic continues to work. Any others?

[growler]

well i think most already know, but a bit of a run over,(down?)

trucker for 38 years, as an O/o for 25 or so of them, and completly independant for about 10 years (included in the owner/operator years!) had a brain stem stroke at 56 years,causing me to become a quad. somewhat succesful,had good,actually great customers,that paid their bills, now travel via power wheelchair and specialy equipped van,have wife of 38 years two kids,boy and girl,three super grandchildren.
lived at glenmeyer (n/w of langton) had a home built by self and family and freinds, had a 1250 sq.ft. shop to put truck and other stuff in to repair, butsold it after my stroke (plus all my toys,muscle cars 3,fancy p/u truck,big truck and semi plus plus !!) bouught home for wife in simcoe,and i now live in nhnh. and complain a lot !!
oh yeah drove about 4 million miles with no chargeable accidents (had the odd incident where bricks went through windsheild, hit deer and bent bumpers,etc.etc).
so what else do you want to hear about ??

[observer]

They always say, growler, that it is awful to have had something - and lose it - but, it's probably worse to never have had it at all!

[Ruby Tuesday]

Work. Lots of hours. Bring it home - although less than I used to. I am in industrial operations management. Hoping to retire in about 10 years at freedom 55 and maybe then take on a part time business through self employment. Got my business diploma this year - have been working at part time college during the weekends and evenings - thank god that is over.

Would love to write a book some day too! Either chick flick fiction or romance.

[Slowfood]

Still working and plan to for some time. Freedom 75.
Starting a new job Monday. Driving tanker truck, applying agricultural chemicals,repairing and calibrating rental equipment, installing equipment on customer's tractors and planters, customer training.
In the past so many things.
From college started out a Westinghouse marketing motors and distribution equipment, then project quotations in Toronto, then tobacco and asparagus farming. Had a custom welding and fabrication shop on the farm. A custom steaming, spraying and fumigation business too.
An itinerant plumber, welder, electrician and builder. We did everything ourselves-houses, barns, kilns.
From 1986 to 2004 worked as an automation specialist for 3 electrical wholesalers, then I was self employed as a consultant and instructor at Conestoga College, then business development manager for an engineering firm, then as a second career got my truck license.
I just had it with the whole sales , electrical and automation world, not the same as when I started out.
Drove for a sweet corn farmer and then a small freight company until today.
Was on the executive or boards of various non profit organizations in the arts and technology areas. Have belonged to Lions since 1979.
Married first time for 26 years, second time 7 and counting, 2 daughters 3 grandsons.

[kishgo]

That's quite a fascinating story slowfood.
When I was a teenager, I worked weekends at Caswell Dairy and Budd's Ladies Wear. Quickly learned that was fine for that time in my life but not forever. After high school I went to Teachers' College on the strong advice of my wise mother. I loved it!
During my 34 year career, I assisted in the writing of curriculum for our board, revamped report card forms, assisted in writing a teaching manual on how to teach printing (REALLY!), facilitated workshops. Non teaching related interests included being on a parental advisory board for CPRI in London, gardening and of course being a wife and mother.
I delved into market managing for a bit while on maternity leave. Wanted to try it out, thinking it could be another career, but it wasn't for me.
My first hubby and I also grew ginseng in addition to our regular jobs. Life was busy that's for sure!
Married for 15 years, divorced for 12, remarried for 11. Great children from hubby's side and four wonderful grandchildren. We help out other families that we know who are in short term need. We live six months in the city and six months on the island. Our life is wonderful.
I'm in touch with several of my former students, as far back as 1973. One is having her first baby next month. She emails me all the time, sharing her joys, concerns etc and asks a billion questions! She's like the daughter I never had.
Regrets? Yes, I've had a few...as the song goes. But that's the way life is. Never certain. Always a work in progress.

[observer]

slowfood - sounds like an interesting work life - and interesting that you're looking at retirement as early as age 75! LOL

And kishgo - You seem to have made the most of your years in the work force as well.

growler - we KNOW you've had some interesting experiences during your years on the road. Aren't memories great?

gale force - 27 years with one employer will probably be an unheard-of for future generations. Just sorry to hear that the last 3 probably tainted the joy of what would otherwise have been a joyful time in the work force. Just a "new boss"?

rbw was terse enough - as he usually is - that it's hard to decipher! - but that's OK. Glad to hear you're enjoying these many "non working" years, however, rbw.

I was even more terse than rbw, so -: I taught high school for 8.5 years; then elementary on a part-time basis for 10. While teaching part time, I also began selling Real Estate part time - and then did so full time for about another 20+ years. I did a few features for local papers for a few years - and now am doing next to nothing of any social value! LOL

[Ruby Tuesday]

When I was younger I would dream of being a teacher when I grew up. Sometimes I still regret that I didn't and other times I don't. I get a lot of holidays now, because I have been with the company for 23 years, but I would still like to have June and July every year! That is just so awesome. My hours are much more than the hours a teacher puts in (most teachers), but otherwise I am very happy with my job. I am thankful for that because very seldom do I get up in the morning and not look forward to going to work, whereas a lot of folks aren't so fortunate as to have a job they really enjoy.

I think that for my last working years I would like to run for mayor.

[rbw]

:I'm sorry: Observer

Never been one for long winded conversation,
probably due to my old daddy..

He always told me
“ If you have somethin’ to say,
say it, but don’t prattle on about nothin’ “

Guess that kind of stuck with me..

[observer]

Ruby - you're either very smart or very lucky to be working at a job that you enjoy so much! So many people get up dreading the day because they hate the job they're doing. I presume you're in some kind of sales - with the travelling you do?

As for becoming mayor, maybe you should start slow - and run for a Councillor's position first? - to get your feet wet before that retirement time? Then, on the other hand, I guess our present mayor went straight for the top position without those wet feet!

[Ruby Tuesday]

Operations management for a local production factory.

[growler]

rt that is a very nice contented sort of a story, and i ,even though i growl a bit loved my life up to the time of my stroke.
and although i don't enjoy my life as much as i did really can't complain to much ?
but i did make a few misteps, that i now must pay for.
and i'm sorry to burst everyones bubble, as i know you all thought i was perfect !!

[rbw]

Your not perfect...????

[observer]

He had us all fooled, I guess!! ..... or DID HE?

[kishgo]

Make the best of what you have. Great motto.

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