The Bobbin Buzz & Stitchin' Bits

Larry, you are joining the ranks of thousands of we baby boomers that decided the ladder is no longer our treadmill. whether we choose for ourselves to escape the career path (like my husband who traded in 30 years as a financial director in the newspaper biz to pursue a slower self-paced Realtor career) or like myself, who decided after 27 years of being self employed as a salon owner that it was a commitment to my clients i could no longer bear, or those of us that had our career changes thrust upon us because someone higher up the ladder who traditionally, and historically proven, is usually not worthy of our efforts, looked over our shoulders and replaced us with a younger, more malliable and CHEAPER employee.

No matter what your story is, you will find a bevy of us out there, changing in our 50's. Most of us accepting that the old adage of "doing the impossible for the ungrateful with nothing" is not good enough anymore. With today's options, at 50 we have a possibility of living 50% longer, and with greater health and vitality than the generations past.

Although we could use the comfort of the old incomes we have learned to live with less, and have found that to be a type of freedom. But more, what is a world of possessions compared to a new vitality, a new outlook and the ability to breathe the air of being appreciated, valued, and feeling truly constructive to the "overall good"?

Larry, keep that message out there for those that haven't the courage to change on their own, or the indignity of being fired yet. Let them know that not only is there a possibility of a good life after that struggle, there is confirmation by those of us that have lived and continue to prove it, and most of all, will stand by those that are learning what "change of life" really means.

Kathleen

HI Lary and Holly,
I had a crisis that cannot be put here. But some of it I will relate:
A real live change of Careers
I lost my job as an Epidemiologist and reduced salary that I was in deep trouble, financially. I had just had a neck replacement and alreadyhad a knee replacement and almost 64 years of age, I was not able to get a job in my field or employed in any position resembling my whole life times work.
I was finally employed at Bob Evans Resaurant in Sandusky, and love it as a hostes - no lifting- as I cannot lift over 10lbs.
I still didn't make enough money to survive and I had always sewn and altered clothes, so I decided I would do this, and on a second thought I got an embroidery machine too.
I started altering and sewing and doing the Bob Evans logo for the mangers at my store, and it is working out.
I opened my business properly August this year 2007 - Hannah's Designs LLC- after the IEC conference. I have bought a few wmbroiderymachines since, saving every cent to do this. 11000, Pe 700 and one I sold Simplicity SE3, and I have an Ibro 1201C, which I have made no headway with at all, so It is now up for sale.
I am purchaseing a MB4 which is the same format as the 11000, so easier to manage and the embroidery is really beautiful. My embroidery sales are very low at present but it will improve, it all just takes time.
I made a real life change for me with what I really love to do and find easy and relaxing too.
I am in good health and at my 66 onthe 30th December, I am doing great, keep working all hours.
I am also a PhD Student Epidemiology and almost completed just finishing the dissertation I sahll be completed in 2008.
If I can do that so can others, never give up on what you want and love to do, it will keep you focused and alive believe me, I am doing it.
Regards,
Hannah M Smith PhD(ABD)MPH

I'm retiring after 33 1/2 years at IBM on December 31 this year. I started at IBM straight out of college at age 21.
I wasn't enjoying the work I was doing, and decided a couple months ago that it was time. The mortgage is paid off, and we don't have any kids, so we should do fine on my pension once my husband retires in March.

I am really looking forward to catching up on my hobbies. While working fulltime, I have only been able to sustain one hobby at a time. As each new hobby came along, the past hobbies got shunted to back burners or off the stove entirely. The current hobby is machine embroidery, which pushed Cowboy Action Shooting aside. Other hobbies to resume include quilting, beading, costuming and lacemaking.

Right on, Larry! Today is the only day we have. I'm one of those "When I have enough_____I will....." people. It has not served me well. Plans always change in ways we never expect. I had plans, then woke up a month ago to find my Dear Husband cold in bed at 63. Sometimes tomorrow never comes. Do it now! And always remember to tell your dear ones that you love them. It's some comfort to know that's the last thing they heard you say.

EVERY DAY IS A SPECIAL DAY!!

I dress my 4.5-yo DD in party dresses every day that she wants to wear them. She LOVES to wear dresses, so has quite a few. I use the "special" towels in the bathroom, because we are special!

I also have a 22.5-yo DD and a 20-yo DS. When my first DD was born, someone gave her a beautiful white lace outfit. I set it aside for a "special" occasion. I finally went to put it on her one day, and it didn't fit. She never wore it.

23 years ago I married a nice man; we received many special towels as wedding presents. I put them in the back of the closet for company or something special. A year and a half later, we had a house fire and lost everything. The nice new towels had never been used.

I am now married to another wonderful man. We use the good china as often as possible. When I was a child, my Father was fixing a shelf in the china closet. As he was hammering, the shelf above where he was hammering fell down with all sorts of stuff on it and shattered. Luckily, I have a few fond memories of family get-together's using that china. We didn't use it very often, but we did use it.

I am worth it. My family is worth it. My friends are worth it!
We are all special!!!

Have a beautiful day!
Edith

I started on my long awaited projects about 3 years ago. Then my DD moved back home with a baby. She wanted to go to college and try to work so I became fulltime Grandmother and babysitter. When she moved to be with her husband in Seattle it took me a while to get back on track to my projects. For some reason the college there would not accept her credits from this college and she moved back here with us--expecting another child.

I am again ful time GM, chief cook and bottle washer; and as my project list gets longer and longer, I wil pray that those of you who are doing what they want will have the good health to continue to do so.

I'll also pray that those of us who have to wait will eventually get that opportunity. Remembering every now and again, that precious few of us who have waited too long. Thank You Larry sometimes we need to hear the message.

Larry, I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your article and it is so true about how people put-off until tomorrow. As you know, none of us have a guarantee of tomorrow. And, I as well as many are thankful that you and Holly took the leap of faith in your talents. Thank you for printing for everyone. Some need a reminder that Life is too, too short. Blessings, June

I have been in a corporate R&D job for the last 24 years and while I like the technical nature of the work, it is getting harder and harder to put up with the stupid HR policies and the relentless do more with less pressure that continues unabated year after year. Because of the stress of the job, I have done significant damage to my health and that bothers me.

I would love to have a less stressful job, even if it did pay somewhat less, but I can't afford anything like a 50% pay cut. With four children, two of whom are in college and one in high school, I can't just walk away from this job, so I will have to tough it out a few more years.

One thing I have wanted to do for a long time is get involved in adult literacy programs because I appreciate so much what reading has meant to me. However, I kept putting it off because of having my hands full with the kids at home. Maybe the time has come now that there is only one left at home and she is pretty self-sufficient......

Thanks for your admonition Larry. It is true that we don't know how many days we have been given and we need to make the most of what we have.

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Bob - thanks for the other side of the coin. Not everyone is ready to chuck the rat-race at the same time and I guess that's a good thing or we'd be in big trouble. But I applaud everyone that takes the time to look at where they are and where they want to be and takes a step in that direction. Then, take another step. Then one more step. There's an old proverb that says "The longest journey begins with a single step." So please continue looking at what you can realistically do to make your life and your family's situation better and move in that direction. A few years of steadily moving the right way and you wake up in a whole new world.

-- Larry

This was such an important issue that I thought I just needed to comment. My friend at school had so many plans for her future, but unfortunately she was i a severe car accident, and was killed, at age 17. Since then I try not to make so many plans, instead I try to remember to use this short time on earth in a way that at least my kids will remember mammy for her love and care of them.