First Retirement Check!

I've had so many flashes of genius lately, i couldn't choose which to write about in timely fashion. Tonight I am home and so excited to have received my very first retirement check that I had to write about it. That's right, a retirement check. There are these lovely rules in New York State whereby an inactive account needs to be rolled or refunded and it just so happens that it's been a while since I've been a regularly contributing member of the New York State Teacher's Retirement System, so they gave me some of the money. Some of it. They were kind enough to deduct taxes first! If I start teaching in a public school again, I'd need to rejoin and re-contribute, but that option remains mine to decide.

It was a most timely blessing, as I'd only just thought about it again this past weekend, realizing i was supposed to mail a written request for it or instructions with my intent. I have not yet reached a status where my bank accounts hold much "surplus" (indeed after verifying balances early in the week, I'll have a grand total of $3.31 between two accounts till Friday's payday deposits). I am so grateful I don't need anything this week. I am so delighted to finally be able to reconsider opening a local savings account and so glad to have been reminded not to stress about bill dates, travel dates, ongoing projects, or yet-to-be-defined adventures. Only three or four more decades to go until i receive the next one...

Thanks, Grandma. Somehow, it feels like my guardian angel in heaven helped with the timing. Happy anniversary, not sad...I hear heaven is a most awesome place to live. Thanks for visiting Earth for a while.

A little more Discipline Required...

Given the dates of my last posts as compared with recent declarations, I realize i need a bit more self-discipline! While i write primarily for my own edification at present, i recently declared that i would attempt to regularize a timeframe for posting in case there are more of you out there simply waiting for the next update. It would be awful to disappoint you! I have such excellent role models, too...i don't have a good excuse. A friend of mine writes a daily reflection for subscribers and hasn't missed one since starting a year and a half ago! I know many who do much more than me and believe it's time to get my act together. ; )  Knowing how much i enjoy reading others' positive thoughts, I hope to shine a little brighter on the dreary days for others.

I'm not going to declare a particular day or time just yet, but i will think about that this weekend. I do plan to increase frequency and quality of posts. I believe that will happen when i commit (and follow through on said commitment) to update in set time-frame. Here's to new growth from all of us. Years ago among the many lessons I learned was that we'd be known by our fruits...so let's plant those seeds in kindness, gentleness, and all the rest. (next post: perhaps a reflection on the developing fruits?)