Anyone missing me?

[flick4411]

Anyone? Well, if so, here's the scoop! It's been crazy at work. Staying at the job until nearly 6:30 or 7:00 each night and get home managing to stay awake til 9 or 9:30 and then start all over again after a night's sleep. So much going on in the job. And then there's the whole stock market angst. My TSP (gov't equiv. to 401K) is dropping like a stone through water. I'm in the same boat as everyone thinking about retirement...best laid plans are being torpedoed by a world finanancial crisis.

Well, back up two weeks ago...and I got a call from an old friend/co-worker in SoCal. Seems there's a job with my Agency out in the area I used to work in LA area. it's the same grade as I have now, but if I qualify (and that's always an issue in the Govt), I could get a relocation bonus to move myself out there. While I really ready to retire, part of the desire is to get out of VA. While I love my dear friends here, I am done with the East Coast. I want to be home on the left coast. Retirement is very tempting, but a couple more years of work, at a slightly higher rate of pay, and in a place I absolutely love would be do-able. So i put in my application yesterday; now it's hurry up and wait.

I can retire come December, but CA is so tempting, I figure I'll leave it up to the Universe. If she thinks I should keep working, I'll get the job. If not, then I'll retire, and like millions of others in our country, I'll have to tighten the belt a bit more than I thought I'd have to do after retirement. Either way, Left Coast 2012!!!!

Hope everyone here is doing well...hopefully, work will slow down enough I can get on the forum again with some more regularity!

Miss you all...

[sharon]

Well, have to say it sure wouldn't hurt my feelings any if you got the job in L.A.!! Either way you end up somewhere near my neck of the woods....Good luck on getting whatever you want!

[mitch5252]

Anyone?

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[Redetotry]

I've missed you and wondered where you were Flicker, good to have you back. It's good that you are able to leave the decision to the universe.

[Acadianmom]

In this economy a job in the area you want to be might be a good idea for a while. You can always retire, you might not always be able to get the job you want. I decided to retire in 2007 when I got laid off thinking I would get to do some traveling. That hasn't worked out. My 401K was just back to the balance it was the last time the stock market crashed not counting the 3 years of interest it should have made. Wonder how many years it will take this time. I sometimes think I should have looked for another job then.

Martha

[VickieP]

Of course we missed you! I figured you were busy...either selling your house or in jail for beating up the neighbor.

[flick4411]

Anyone?

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I'll take that as a yes from my oh-so-sweet friend Mitch!

[BirdbyBird]

and well you have posted here and there on FB...so I knew where ever they were holding you they were allowing you some access to the media room. FB just doesn't take the same psychic energy as posting on the forum more of a drive by sort of thing. Hope the universe is kind to you. It will be fun to travel where ever you are and even better if you can afford the gas.....

[cpatinjones]

Glad you reported in. Tough decisions ahead.

[rvgrammy1953]

I missed you, figured you were busy....and trying to keep cool....good luck on the Universe....

[Irmi]

Li,

I've been wondering how you've been, too, and thought you were busy selling the house. Any nibbles yet? I hope your position comes through for you in CA. Best of luck to you!

[Bethers]

Li, I too, have been thinking about you. I've actually considered going back to a "real" job for a few years. However, I'd be so dang picky about a job and about where I'd do it, can't see it happening. But could use the money. I figure if something falls in my lap, it'll be meant to be Not sure I could stay in one job again for a few to several years. This traveling is in my blood. One season is hard!

That said, it's really good to hear from you!

[BarbaraRose]

Yay! Another left coaster! You can work AND be on vacation at the same time out here! Plus they will pay you to move here so that will save you a lot of money right there! Hope you get the job! (and you'll be much further away from Mitch out here!).

[mtngal]

Another YAY for the west coast! And you will be here which
ever way the decision goes!

[bluepinecones]

Of course you were missed.
Know what you mean about the pain of watching retirement evaporate; in my case it is also life savings.
Good luck on the job and move.