Let’s get started with some updates on last week’s post.
Update One:
Steve will (very probably) not need surgery!
The MRI showed the problem wasn’t with the rotator cuff after all but with an area underneath it. Also, the damage is not as severe as was originally thought. The doctor said he could do surgery if Steve wanted it but he recommended first trying eights sessions of PT to try and strengthen the muscle around the area so that it could possibly start compensating for the injured area. If at some point Steve did need surgery, it would not be as difficult a recovery as the rotator cuff surgery would be.
I’m sure you can imagine how hugely relieved we are about not facing an immediate surgery along with everything else going on.
The person who was interested in the house still very much wants to buy it; however, he can’t do anything until his current house sells. So our house continues to be on the market while he continues to try to sell.
It looks like I have a job! I’m going in today for a couple of hours to take a look at what all is involved and meet potential boss and co-worker. I’ll give you all the details in next week’s post.
After working for several years in the Publix corporate offices, Nathan has changed jobs. Here are photos of his last day there.
His new job, which is almost entirely remote, is working an independent contractor with Duke Energy. I don’t know exactly what that means except that he deals with all kinds of complicated spread sheets that would cause my brain to get dizzy. Steve and I are so proud of Nathan and how hard he has worked to improve, to learn, to do excellent work and to provide for his family.
The day he got word that he had been hired, the kids (and a couple cousins) gathered at the door to await his arrival; this man is truly loved by his family. Kudos to Meagan for so being intentional in making that coming home moment special.
As you can probably imagine, moving a family of six isn’t going to be an easy task. Nathan and Meagan’s house is going on the market this week and then they will have the unenviable task of keeping their house tidy for showings.
With Nathan working at home and Meagan homeschooling (in addition to them owning an enthusiastic dog), I’m sure you can imagine that this season of being prepared at all times for a showing will be just a teeny tiny stressful. But Nathan and Meagan are a great team; if anyone can pull all this off, they can.
Here is the house, all prepared for the real estate listing. They have done so much work in just a few weeks.
It’s a good thing Nathan and Meagan have plenty of help with the move. How could they possibly make it without the assistance of their kids?
Andrew reminds us that it’s not all work. A little treat makes any day better.
Well, it’s about time for me to get ready to head out to my new adventure. It’s always a little scary the first day on a job but at least I will only have one first day instead of the many first days I had with my temp agency. So thankful for that.
Thanks for the comments and encouragements last week about all of the things going on in our lives right now. As always, I consider you all to be the best blog readers in the world. Have a great week!
What about you?
I’ve been written quite a bit about jobs in this post. Take a moment to share with us what you do and how long you’ve been doing it. It would be a fun way for us all to get to know each other better.
Also, let us know if what you studied in college ended up being the field you actually went into.
And if your calling is to be stay-at-home mom, bless you and thank you for doing your sometimes unseen work so well.
I have an Educational Studies degree. Instead of Student Teaching, I did internships in the local community where I was student as an aide and a tutor. I am currently in my ninth year of being a paraprofessional working with elementary students. This year, I am working with students in Kindergarten, first and second grades.
Rachel,
What a fun job to work with that age group. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of those sweet children!
Just caught up on all your posts. Guess I’ve been busier than I thought for a couple of months. So glad Steve doesn’t need immediate surgery. Prayers that the physical therapy will relieve his pain. My husband injured his shoulder over a year ago moving a fence panel. He went through 21 PT sessions and had 2 injections in his shoulder with little relief following the 2nd one. He finally decided on surgery but the surgeon was booked 5 weeks out. At least that gave us time to get some things done. He had shoulder surgery 2 days ago (26th). It is definitely a challenge with some type of PT daily and frustration on his part by being able to do very little since it was his dominate arm that was affected. This too shall pass! Looking forward to seeing the Smith family adventures. Hope your job is going well!
Mary Lea,
That makes it tough when the shoulder injust is on the dominant arm; thankfully, Steve’s is not, which is so much less frustrating. Glad your husband’s surgery is behind him and each day takes him closer to healing.
Glad you stopped by and got caught up! 🙂
Congrats on no immediate surgery for Steve! And congrats to the new job. I hope you like it. Enjoying going to work, regardless of how many hours you’re there is so important.
I’m a Medical Laboratory Scientist. I’m definitely using my degree. I currently work at Duke in transfusion services. So, if you ever need a blood transfusion, and you’re in the Durham area, I’m your gal! I (mostly) love my profession, and it has allowed me to travel all over the country.
Enya,
So glad to hear when someone says they really love their profession–so many people don’t find satisfaction in their work.
You know how our family feels about Duke! Thanks for everything you do there to help people on their journeys to health.
I’m glad Steve is not looking at surgery right now. I had surgery three weeks ago to “unfreeze” my frozen shoulder and repair 2 rotator cuff tendons, biceps tendon, and a SLAP tear to my labrum. Recovering from shoulder surgery is not for the faint of heart.
Good luck at the new job, and great to hear that the Florida Smiths are soon to be Charlotte Smiths.
Laurie,
I have to say–that is a lot of shoulder stuff to be done at one time! Glad you’re already three weeks into your recovery. I’m sure you’re counting down every single day as you continue to improve.
Yes, the Charlotte Smiths has a very nice ring to it. 🙂
Such a relief to read the words: Not need surgery, and not as severe! Yay for “nots!”
Hope all goes through quickly with all the home selling, and relocations! Also, I hope the new job turns out to be a great fit!! Exciting stuff, but lots of transitions going on, which takes such patience. How exciting, though, for your kiddos to be close. After 15 years of moving around for my husband’s job, my husband and I are back in the area where we grew up and mostly raised our kids, and we are near for my dad, and both my in-laws, as they deal with aging issues, in their 80’s. We also have a daughter nearby and 2 grand-kids! It’s a comforting feeling to be settled in familiar territory. You’ll get there when all your crew get adjusted!
I got a degree in elementary education, with a side of library science. I’d worked shelving books, and filing cards at a small library in the age before computers, and that job paid for my college, and taught me to love libraries! I worked as a substitute teacher, and preschool teacher. Once I started having kids, I worked part time as The Storyhour Lady at the small library, then quit the paying jobs to raise and homeschool my 4 kids, and be a support for my working husband, and nearby grandparents. I did various odd jobs along the way, including care in a dementia section of a senior living facility.
I’m your age, Becky. It’s an interesting thing to be older, to see where we are, where we’ve been, and how things have fallen into place!
Ann,
I especially loved your last line, “It’s an interesting thing to be older, to see where we are, where we’ve been, and how things have fallen into place!” So much truth to those words. We’re in the last third of our lives and it is definitely interesting to see how things have fallen into place through many years of comings and goings, up and downs, joys and sorrows.
I think the 60’s will be a great decade.
Glad to hear you are surrounded by family where you are. As you said, it definitely feels good to be settled in familiar territory. We are loving it!
I retired in June of 2018. I studied accounting in college after taking a bookkeeping class in high school and loving it. Most of my career was spent in healthcare accounting/finance except for 17 months when I worked at the headquarters of Assemblies of God in Springfield, MO. I worked in the accounting area but not healthcare related. I put my background in accounting to use in volunteering at my church, counting offering 4 months of the year. With the help of one other person, we record the offering to each member so that quarterly giving statements can be sent and take the deposit to the bank.
Glad to hear that Steve doesn’t need shoulder surgery. I understand that is a lengthy recovery.
Good luck on the Florida Smith’s house selling quickly and your potential buyer for the Manteo house selling his house quickly. And congratulations on your job!
Phyllis,
I admire anyone who is good with numbers; in fact, so good, they study accounting and have a career in it! That is incredible to me.
And I love that you got to work at the AG headquarters for a while.
Becky, My aunt and uncle both retired from there after working 40+ years. My uncle was Human Resources Director for several years and my aunt was administrative assistant to the general treasurer. I think she served under 4 or 5 different treasurers. My cousin works there now, I think she has been there around 32-33 years.
Phyllis,
How interesting. Quite a family heritage!
Lots of great news Becky! No surgery for Steve….YAY!! And a permanent job for you…..YAY AGAIN!! Hoping you like it and you settle in without too much problem.
I am retired now, so am enjoying not having to get out in the snow and cold every morning to go to work. 🙂
I did not go to college, so no degree. Just 44 years of office work, the last 38 of which were as an office manager for an amazing company that treated me very well. I really loved that job!
Fingers crossed for the potential sale of your Manteo home!!
LeeAnne,
Yes, I can only imagine that retirement is especially wonderful when you live in a cold part of the country. Getting to stay in a cozy house while it’s snowing would be the best!
Nice to hear of someone who had such a successful career without an office degree. So nice that you enjoyed your job so well.
Thanks for all of your “yaying” along with us! 🙂
Such wonderful news about Steve’s shoulder!
Congratulations on the new job! I hope it’s everything you want it to be.
Meaghan is so intentional about her love and celebration of Nathan. What a blessing they are to each other!
I have been working in IT for over 30 years now. My degree was Management Information Systems so they are mostly related. I can retire now but I think I’m committed to staying an extra year to see a couple of projects through.
Have a wonderful week!
Suzanne,
I love that you are committing to say beyond retirement to see some projects through. That is a great reflection on your dedication to doing an excellent job. I know you’ll enjoy retirement all the more when it arrives.
Yes, I love Meagan and the way she loves her family She is an inspiration to me!
I am so happy for all of you!!!! Can’t wait to hear about your new job and can’t wait until the Florida family is nearby to you forever. Praying all goes well for you and everyone and Gage and Sarah. My mom, who is 86 is in ICU with covid so I am spending lots of time in the room with her and taking turns with my sister. My hubby who just had foot surgery a month ago still can’t walk on that foot so I am having to leave him alone and that is hard, especially since he fell on the knee scooter and ended up getting 21 stitches in his arm the other day. Just another valley but I am really good at climbing mountains with the help of my Lord. Today is my 11th year of being a BC Survivor!!! That is due to my precious Father too. Love to you all and many prayers for you.
Kaye,
A mom in ICU and a husband at home recovering from surgery and a recent fall. You definitely have your hands full. I know your family appreciates your loving care so much; may the Lord continue to strengthen for you for everything you have going on.
And congrats to a cancer sister survivor! That is great news.
I have been a Neuro ICU nurse for 30 years. Hoping to retire from nursing sometime soon. My husband and I also have a ministry called Hope21 which provides water filters and food assistance to countries around the world. God has continue to bless and expand this work in the past few years. We are so thankful for the opportunity to serve in this way. I did go to university to study nursing and also have a masters degree in human service counseling with an emphasis in health and wellness. I am looking for My next new assignment.
Donna,
How inspiring to read about the ways you have lived your life to help others. I can’t imagine the joys and sorrows you have witnessed being an ICU nurse for so many years; you have helped so many people!
And I loved reading about Hope21. Something as simple as a water filter can make such an enormous difference. God bless you and your husband in your retirement as you continue to find new ways to bless others.
How exciting!! I just love new beginnings! I have been teaching middle school for 30 years and I’m retiring at the end of this year. Good luck in your new job.
Lisa,
Hooray for retirement!
To be a teacher for thirty years is amazing. Teachers and nurses are among my heroes.
So thankful Steve does not have to have surgery. Had been praying for that. A new job – how exciting??? Pray the Lord will give you wisdom and understanding and that He will use you in ways you would not have imagined. What a great video. Know that Nathan will do a great job and thanks to Megan for all she has done and is continuing to do with and for her family.
Sharyn,
Thanks so much for your prayers for Steve; such a relief.
Glad you enjoyed the video; it really is so dear.
Great news about Steve! It’s taken me a year to get to where I’m NOT aware of my shoulder everyday. The most remarkable change happened after a PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) treatment at my chiropractor’s office. I went in barely able to move my shoulder and came out with the ability to roll my car window up and down and lift my arm! I’m so excited Nathan and Crew are moving near you. Grandchildren rock!
More great news on you finding a job!Congratulations! I was just let go from my job of 26.5 years in December. Supply chain issues have about killed the company. Currently they are doing parts and tech service, but had to cease production. Prayer for a new administrative office position would really be appreciated!
I went to a business academy after high school and studied legal/executive secretarial (this was a thing in the 70s – not sure it exists now!).
Guerrina,
Sorry to hear you were let go after all those years. Twenty-six years is a long time.
How cool to study in a legal/executive field. I’ve always thought that would be an interesting job to do. Praying right now for something to open up for you. Is that what you were doing for the 26 years?
Interesting that PEMF treatment helped you so much. We’ll have to remember that. Hugs!
Good news all the way around. We are preparing for a relocation for our family as well, but still wrapping our brains around it. After living in our current home for 17 years, it’s overwhelming to consider all the work that will be required to get us somewhere else.
My degree is in Computer Science from GA Tech and I do work in the field I studied. I’m a network engineer at a railroad and have been in that position for most of my professional career. I enjoy it but am also setting my sights on retirement in about 10 more years – which will be here sooner than one might think. Hence the relocating – we love the mountains and want to retire there, and since I can work fully remote post-COVID, we want to get there sooner than later.
Heidi,
Yes, after many years in one place, moving can seem like an undoable task. I started cleaning out, organizing, streamlining 6 months out and it made a huge difference. But your move will be worth it when you get all settled into the beautiful mountains
A network engineer at a railroad? I had to look that up because I couldn’t even begin to imagine what the job entails. And now that I’ve read a few brief descriptions, I am very impressed! You are obviously a smart person because my brain got tired just reading about the job! 🙂
Glad you can go remote eventually and then look forward to retirement. Step by step . . .
Fingers crossed that your potential buyer finds his own buyer – and soon!
I work in marketing – but I “sell” professional services instead of widgets and gadgets. I currently work for an international structural engineering firm, after having worked for various national and international architecture firms. I’ve been doing this for over twenty years, and I never expected to be in this industry that long – it’s a high burnout role. 🙂 I never thought of temping as being a series of “first days” – man, that really puts it in perspective!
As for education – I dropped out of college with 19 hours to go, as a pre-med major. I sort of ‘back-doored’ my way in to marketing (I was a business administration major until I switched mid-junior-year to biology/pre-med), and here I am – looking forward to retirement in 2,126 days. 🙂
I was a stay-at-home-mom for three years, and I admire anyone who can do that and remain sane! haha
Stefanie,
Lasting twenty years in a high burnout industry is quite the accomplishment!
Your list of college subjects is certainly interesting, from business administration to biology/pre-med. You did really well to “back door” yourself into such a successful career even without graduating. I know that took a lot of hard work and persistence. Way to go!
I worked for Diageo for 18 years and was able to retire when I reached 55. I stayed for three months and attempted to train my replacement, but I got calls at home for three months until I contacted my previous boss and he put a stop to that. I did temp for a family friend for over two months until I finally had enough. I got my degree in early childhood development, but the bottom dropped out and I left. I don’t envy Nathan and Meghan as they prepare to move! We used pods and that worked out well. Bill filled three of them with no room left. I donated and gave away a ton of stuff.
Cindy,
I hadn’t realized you had your degree in early childhood development. Learned something new!
I can imagine it would get pretty tiresome to continue to get calls three months into your retirement. You obviously had a complex job for someone to still need that much help three months after you were gone!
Glad you have landed in a place you enjoy for retirement!
I graduated from Seton Hall University in NJ in 1978 with a degree in Communication specializing in print journalism and a minor in History/English. My first job was writing a company newsletter and then I started working for the American Cancer Society as their Public Information/Public Education director. My next job was working for Goody Products in advertising/marketing and then after I had my daughter and stayed home for awhile I went into sales so I could work at home and then after I had my son I was lucky enough to be a stay at home mom, the best job of all!
Dale,
What an interesting career path! You don’t hear of many people who have specialized in print journalism; a fascinating field to me.
Love your comment about being a stay at home mom. Glad your path led you to the full time job you love the most!
So glad Steve can do PT and hopefully avoid surgery. PT has worked really well for me, but you really have to do a lot of work to get it to work. No slacking off on the exercises. Prayers that Nathan and Megan’s and your house sell quickly. Enjoy your new job.
I went to junior college in the 70’s for a preschool certificate and taught preschool for 20 years. I went back to college in my 40’s and got my teaching credentials and taught kindergarten for 8 years. I retired early with my husband and so enjoy retirement.
Patti,
Kudos to you for going back to college in your 40s. Teaching kindergarten sounds like it would be a fun job; kids are so darling at that age.
Glad you and your husband are enjoying your early retirement.
I worked in daycare for years. Had my own in home. The owned a center. I am semi retired and work from home as an online tutor.
Ellen,
That’s a big deal to own your own daycare center. So many details and responsibilities–kudos to you for managing all of that.
Glad you are able to stay at home now and do a part-time position, only. Very well-deserved!
So much great news Becky! Very happy for all of you. Can’t wait to hear about your news job and Nathan’s journey to Charlotte! I am so happy we were able to retire and live our dream of traveling full time in the RV. My degree was in Business but I always felt drawn to healthcare and was ultimately able to use my business skills in a hospital for almost 29 years before retirement. That was made even better with being able to serve Veterans.
Ginny,
You definitely made a difference in lives working in both healthcare and with Veterans. You have a calm, cheery personality; I can see you being such a blessing to people in those positions.
As you know, it was my dream too, to travel full time in an RV and I’ve done it! Glad you are continuing on with it and enjoying it so much. Hellos to Kenny.