Edie Bonvillain:  

Life I've finally accepted the fact that life does begin after 50 - now that I'm nearly 60! I hope I will REMEMBER it over the next decade. I guess the next hurdle will be able to continue to laugh off all those 'senior moments'. I've 'downsize' my work life. I have been substitute teaching [kindergarten - 8th grade] for the last 5 or so years. I'm free to choose my days of work, classrooms & schools. It's nice to be appreciated for what you contribute! I tend to stay away from those situations where I feel under appreciated by either the students or staff. There are times that I do choose to accept a long term assignment [more than 16 days in one classroom], but try to make sure it will be beneficial to all - especially my own sanity. I was a computer programmer for 16 of my working years, but that hectic life seems so far behind me at the present time. My last computer job gave me a 'golden handshake' in my 8th year [just after all the Y2K stuff was completed for one of the major Canadian Banks]. I could have transfered within the bank, but felt I could easily end up with a 'worse' situation than I was leaving & NOT be offered a package. My initial plan was to do IT training [since I'd always had an interest as well as the teaching license - I taught full time before my kids were born]. It was a recession - IT people aren't hired during economic slumps. So, I finally applied for a teaching position & that's how I got where I am today! Actually, I'd prefer to be retired! Since I've spent many years as a single parent, I can't economically afford an early retirement [unless, my lottery numbers should finally come up]. The flexibility of substitute teaching also allows me to be able to visit with my adult ch...Expand for more