What was your profession prior to retirement? This is really interesting.

[Talk Host]

A long time ago, when this forum was just born, I asked the same question. We didn't have many members then. It is fantastic to learn what people did in their working years. It's interesting too, that most people don't really talk much about their professinal lives outside of their close circle of friends. I really wanna know what you did. wav

[Hope2b]

Husband retired Air Force 26 1/2 years and the Logistic Engineer Defense contractor for the Navy 18 years.
Me Jack of all trades &
nurse--LPN

[jmarkohio]

Firefighter/Paramedic 1966-1991. Retired AS EMS Bureau Captain.
Coordinator/Instructor of Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Courses for local Medical School 1982-2003.

[beady]

Travel Agent, Co-Owner of a Sailing Vacation Company, Innkeeper, and Switchboard Operator.

[renielarson]

Hubby-management at Ford Motor Company World Headquarters; me-still teaching 3rd grade

[Taltarzac]

Not retired. ;D

[schotzyb]

Me: Process Specialist working with laminating plastic and fiberglass into molded parts such as bumper beams for cars
Wife: Nurse who continues to work.

[conn8757]

Husband - Insurance (not sales)
me - Insurance (not sales)

we met at work 36 or 37 years ago

[Becky]

Not retired yet! Am a teacher's assistant for severe behavior middle school students. Going to come down and look for a job over spring break. Just want a part-time job but at 54 must have benefits!! I detest the winters up here and hate only being in TV on school breaks!

Becky

[Russ_Boston]

My wife and I are still working:

Me: Currently a software engineering manager. As many know I'm in school now to become an RN. I graduate at the end of this year. Hope to work at TV Regional within the next three years.

Linda: She has been an at home day care provider for the past 15 years. She currently has 6 kids that range in age from 5 months to 8 years.

[Indy-Guy]

I retired after 32 years in the automobile business. Was sales manager at several large dealerships. One Chevrolet dealership was the 5th largest retail outlet in the country selling over 5,000 new units in a year and a Honda dealership that was the largest in the state. For the last 10 years was a manager at an auto auction which averaged over 1,000 units each auction day.

I have contributed to some conversations on Talk of The Villages about the automobile business and will continue to do so

[KathieI]

Retired Sept 1, 2007. On my birthday!!! Best thing I ever did.

Think I've posted this before, so forgive me if you're getting bored with it, but 42 years in the Cosmetic industry working on both coasts as a Packaging Design engineer (not really an engineer, but it sounds good).

However, don't ask me if I can open up any of these new packages in the market to protect from tampering and pilfering, no way. Use my scissors all the time. shhhh, don't tell anyone.

Kathie :redface:

P.S. I'm gonna love having all these nurses and paramedics around me in TV. I'll be sure to keep in touch with all of you. Thanks, K

[JohnZ]

Not retired yet. I'm a dual career Boomer. Was a Chemical Engineering corporate Geek for Kimberly-Clark and worked in Environment, Energy, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs the last two decades (geez that sounds like a looong time as I typed that). Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark, I was a data crunching medical bioanalytical laboratory kind of Geek. Now, finally, I'm getting to use my medical credentials full-time as Administrator of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, North Florida/South Georgia VA Health Care System ....I love it and it's very personally rewarding. The vets are great and they have more than a few stories to tell. It is truly an honor and a pleasure to serve them. :bigthumbsup:

And....oh yeah.....once in a while I help my spiffy spouse sell delicious ice cream ;) .

[ouma1938]

Hubby retired USAF 26 yrs intelligence. Then retired again, Foreign Correspondent UPI and Knight Ridder newspapers.

Me, started life as professional Ice Skater with Holiday on Ice, went to on work in book publishing for 20+ years and now a Realtor. Soon to be a Professional Retired Village Person, just gotta sell a house........

[handieman]

Freelance Gynecologist
Handie :joke:

[Donna]

Freelance Gynecologist
Handie :joke:


You are so twisted...http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/evilgrin.gif (http://www.millan.net)........http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/wagfinger2.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[GypsyG]

Proposal Specialist for preparing bids for new business for a Defense Contractor. Just retired in November with request from employer to do contract work if I get bored in TV. HUH Don't Think SO!
GypsyG

[Donna]

Not retired yet..

John: Runs his own flight school here in Pa. Also has his own contracting business...

Me: Paramedic since the 70's..I also run my brothers hair salon, that is now mine..

[Floridagal]

Was in real estate as a salesperson and then manager for a title insurance company.

[Ouida]

Husband: retired after 20 years from Army as helicopter pilot; then retired after 22 years as a DOD air traffic control supervisor, 42 years total with the government. Can't wait to sell my house to get to The Villages.

Me: Retired from court reporting, 20 years, left for medical reasons. Also can't wait to move to TV.

[scottke]

Husband is retired communications/911 supervisor after 28 years with local police department. I still go out to work until house here sells - Executive Assistant to Chairman/CEO of $2B+ consumer package goods company.

[gonzy]

Me: mechanical engineer
wife: Junior High teacher

Working on becoming proffesional retirees. Happy to report making good progress.

[swrinfla]

18 years in a travel agency (sales and bookkeeping); t'wasn't any fun any more after 9/11, so retired! Prior to that with two different large advertising agencies, in media research. All together with Army Reserve service totalling better than 28 years, and paying almost half my retirement! ;D

[jtdraig]

:Me: 37 Years in IBM retired Program Director for Global Process Compliance
37 years in USMCR from Private to LtCol
Wife: Taught Elementary School for 6 years in MD & NY - House Executive and did a
fantastic job with our two kids... :#1:

Who do you think had THE most important and most rewarding job? :agree:

Happily living the retired life in The Villages since August, 2005 ;D

Darn, if I were Donna, I'd have a ton more smileys but I don't..so these will have to do

[Peggy D]

Me: Recently retired Respiratory Therapist (RRT), but picked up a casual position at hospital close to Ocean View (my hobby, as my co-workers' call it!)

Hubby: Retired Amtrak foreman.

[another Linda]

Both working part time. Me, as a data analyst/statistician/grant writer, in a university research center, my husband as a physician. We are both lucky because I can take my computer with me and crunch numbers and write proposals anywhere, and my husband because the county is so anxious to keep him from retiring completely that they are willing to let him have a month off at a time. Works out just fine.

In our former lives I was an Army nurse (Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, TX) and he was an Army doc (Brooke, Walter Reed, Madigan).

[Time for Tee]

[color=blue]

I was a former R.N. in chest surgery and have been a Antique Dealer for the last 24 years. I am still active in the Antique business and sell alot on Ebay. Love the garage sales and flea markets!!!
My husband retired from Denistry five years ago and then had the great fortune of having the position of a Sea Dentist ~~~~~ we traveled on cruises with Holland America for about five years. Great time!! Hubby still works when our two Dentist sons need the extra hands.

[Bubbalarry]

I am retired- Wife still works part time for enjoyment.

Owned a trucking firm for truckload freight long distance carrier. Shut it down after 26 years May 2006.

Enjoying retired life and being here during the winter months in TV.

[chuckinca]

Chuck: Industrial Construction Mechanical Project Manager (Municipal Water Works, Power Plants, Refineries, Livermore Lab Star Wars, Bridges, Hospitals, Hilltop Mini Storage)

Judy: Dental Hygienist (and Doll Maker)


Both still Pluginaway and contributin to the GNP

[Avista]

I was an RN with a Certification in Gerontology. Before retirement was Director of Nursing in a Long Term Care Community.

[MSNPA]

My husband and I both are retired from DoD, United States Army Security Assistance Command.

[JohnN]

John - career with AT&T and spinoffs for 30+ years. Engineering and Operations management.

Miss K - school librarian and retired early to raise 2 great kids

[The Great Fumar]

Ok here goes.......
Vice Pres. of Lakeshore Industrial equipment co. of Michigan. and Corp. Pilot.
Sold Personal Plane when I retired and haven't been up sense.......At times I miss them Both but don't miss the bad weather flying.......Had the greatest job in Michigan but nothing beats living in THE VILLAGES....

FUMAR

[Mel1]

Semi retired, now teach advanced aircraft accident investigation techniques (the big stuff)

[another Linda]

Semi retired, now teach advanced aircraft accident investigation techniques (the big stuff)

Oh my. And can you get back on an airplane after this? somehow I manage to get myself aboard despite knowing for sure that there is no reason for an object that heavy to remain aloft.

[Barefoot]

Barefoot: Barmaid, Legal Assistant, Insurance Adjuster, IBM Manager (22 years),
Real Estate Broker (17 years). Now my job seems to be hanging out
on TOTV!

He Who Refuses to Retire: Firefighter in Canada (Captain of Rescue Squad)

[villages07]

From DC area, so, naturally worked for Uncle Sam.

Me: IT professional...from programmer to systems analyst to project manager; mostly with database/large scale systems primarily dealing with aviation and transportation security subject matter. Thankfully, fully retired now and enjoying TV.

Mr 07: Highway Civil Engineer; still does some teaching of highway safety short courses.

OK, got that out of my system...now return to not thinking about that past working life any longer.

[lm01]

Management Analyst with the US Army Corps of Engineers 30 years

[gratton]

Retired from the Saratoga Springs NY Police department, 25 Years hooray

[mpeleck]

We were both teachers--my husband taught 5th and 6th grade Science and Math for 31 years and I taught 2 years of middle/high school business ed, and 24 years of community college in business ed. My husband has also been with the Iowa National Guard and the Reserves for 20 years.

[bsliny]

Worked for the State of New YORK for 35 years in data processing Last position was day shift supervisor of Information Services at Stony Brook University

[Russ_Boston]

Bump

[F16 1UB]

Drug Dealer. I got drugged (Deployed) all over the place. Hey I never said I had a PHD. But

there's NO

place like home. Go Bucks.

God Bless Our Troops. ;D :cop: :#1:

[BethS]

I worked for General Motors/Delphi for 30 years, 20 in the factory and the last 10 as a union official, editor of the newspaper and site communications, also I was the Employee Assistance Rep. for the Site. Asked to retire Sept. 06 because of the Delphi bankruptcy and then was allowed to flowback on paper to General Motors. Anyone in need of a good reliable employee!!!

[jerseygirl008]

This is the coolest thread yet !!! Handie, U R twisted. Love your humor. JohnZ and Schotzyb: Please let me know if there's a job opening that would suite me - I'd pack it all up today, maybe! I am a . . . . not a urologist, not a gynecologist, not even a gemologist ! Believe it or not, I'm a certified psychiatric nurse working in corrections in maximum security women's prison. I work with the most ill psychiatric women. OK, make your jokes, c'mon Donna, poke fun at this. But I gotta tell you, it's the best kept secret in nursing. Hear that Russ Boston?? I would consider (and love) working with the Veterans, maybe Alzheimer unit. Sounds cool to me.

As I said in other posts, I will be coming in APril (please don't change the date of the TOTV luncheon) and I'm sure I will fall in love with TV. Waiting for my house to sell in PA but would consider moving there sooner if the right job presented itself. I WILL NEED TO WORK F/T. I'm early 50's.

[Russ_Boston]

I'll keep that in mind Jersey - Let me know what you get around TV for work in the field. Maybe i'll follow suit.

[Donna]

"I work with the most ill psychiatric women."

Jerseygirl...I would love to do something in that field.. Do you need a RN license? Tell me more, you have my full attention...

Sorry :cop: Topicop..http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/sheriff.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[golfnut]

Started career as a CPA, worked the last 24 years for a $1B+ pre-recorded music distributor, I was in charge of credit and collections. So pay up or else!

[nONIE]

Oh my. And can you get back on an airplane after this? somehow I manage to get myself aboard despite knowing for sure that there is no reason for an object that heavy to remain aloft.
Linda, :agree:but from time to time flying is unavoidable and I continue to white knucle it from point A to Point B.

[another Linda]

Me too, Nonie. I fly because I have to. But all the while I need to concentrate on good thoughts, not on what is actually happening (i.e. imminent death!)

[bamafan]

Retired from law enforcement after 32 years. Jefferson County, Alabama
Wife retired 28 years legal secretary

TV here we come

[beady]

Bama: Your gonna love it here!!!!

Better show up in that Tux so we will recognize you. ;D

[jerseygirl008]

OKay Donna, horselover. What can I tell you? In NJ, you have to be an RN to work directly with the inmates, in my capacity. However, you can be a med-tech, working in the Infirmary passing out meds at a window, to hundreds of woman. That would drive me nuts. Also, LPN's are employed in prisons. Here's how I see it . . . somebody has to take care of inmates, so why not me. They "like the person giving them pills" so I'm not a threat to them. It's more safe (is that proper English)? than working in a hospital. Heck, I had psyche patients and med surg patients alike - throw things at me, smack me in the hospital. In the prison setting, there's always an officer right there. And, with the click of a radio, 20 more will be there in 20 seconds. Never felt threatened or scared. Felt both while working in a hospital, several times. And I love the inmates. They've never had stability in their lives; I like providing that for them. Very rewarding on my end. Pls. email me and we can chat further. Keep the responses coming. This is so interesting to read. Amazing careers!

[Donna]

Check your email JG...

[Russ_Boston]

JG and Donna - I sent an e-mail to keep the topic cop off our butt :joke:

[redwitch]

Really not retired. Sadly, in the ranks of the unemployed. I was a legal secretary -- appellate law was my baby. Give me a 20-page brief and I'm in kitty heaven.

Now, I'm hoping to start a business here doing all the things everyone hates or just doesn't have the time to do -- clean homes, babysit pets, watch your home while it's empty, do your grocery shopping, write your letters, organize your checkbook and basic finances, etc. I hope this takes off. Right now, trying to figure out how to advertise on the cheap until it gets going a little.

[rdkent]

Not retired yet, but hoping to be in a couple of years. I've had 2 careers. First in marketing. Was part of the group that started L'eggs pantyhose in 1969. Those years were lots of fun. Later years my father developed Alzheimers and I did something I swore I'd never do. Went back home to small town and took over family business (small town funeral home). Quite a change for my wife, who was born in Brooklyn and grew up in California. Anyway, still here but hoping to move to warmer climes someday.

[gingersmom]

Husband was a police officer until he retired in 2004. I'm still working full-time as a litigation paralgal and I'm pretty steamed about it! I want to retire, too.

[Taltarzac]

Not really retired either. Working on exploring various possible opportunities.

[Frangyomory]

I was the director of human resources for the Marine Corps nonappropriated fund employees at headquarters Marine Corps for many years. Total civilian service to the Marine Corps was 28 years. I was not a government employee. The 10,000 employees who were nonappropriated were paid from profits we were allowed to earn at the Marine Corps exchanges, etc. We ran all the morale, welfare and recreation activities on board each Marine Corps Base in the world. Was a wonderful career and I love most every minute of it. Was located at Quantico Marine Corps Base, just outside Washington D.C.

[travelstiles]

I'm retired from Citigroup as of 11/15/07 - held various positions in financial education, client acquisition, account management and marketing. Also taught marketing P/T at St. John's University in NY. Still maintain Certified Financial Planner designation.
Hubby retired after 39 years from Equitable/AXA and was former President of the Equitable/AXA retiree club on Long Island. Worked P/T as a travel consultant for several years (hence, Travelstiles).
Happy ending - we met on one of the trips he was running 10 years ago and are now happily ever after in The Villages :)

[NYVette]

Me....Retired Nassau County NY Police Officer. FBI trained ingerprint analyst then investigator for lost/stolen firearms. Now I just play with my Corvette and relax.

Wife.... High School history and US Govt teacher. She still loves her job so we can't be in TV as much as we would like.

[Muncle]

Low-level, tax-devouring bureaucrat with the Department of the Army. Started out as a COBOL and FORTRAN programmer back in the brown shoe days. Ended up as a paper-pushing DC drone who had to get technical assistance from a prepubescent intern whenever my PC burped. 024 :barf:

On the plus side, I got to see a lot of great places and meet a lot of great people. Toujours Pret.

[chelsea24]

Hubby - Veterinarian. He decided to retire this last Nov. and here we are. He had his own practice for 34 years in Illinois. So, now after only about 3 months, he feels he retired too soon. Men! >:( So, he took his boards in FL and I think he'll be working a couple days a week at the Animal Hospital of Leesburg. He doesn't want to work full time but misses the medicine and the animals. (He's a great doctor! :#1:)

Me -- still not retired and probably never will. Background is in writing. First public relations for Gucci when they first arrived in Chicago. Also Woman's Day Magazine. Then went into advertising as a copywriter, copy supervisor, then Creative Dir. and stayed with that for over 20 years. First Leo Burnett, then The Don Tennant Agency. Don Tennant created Tony the Tiger and he actually was a short man that walked around saying everything was "Grrreaaat!" Drifted into computer Graphic Design, trained by a genius neighbor, so I still have many freelance clients and work from home. Lucky enough to be able to book clients around all the fun activities I want to do in TV.

[funnygirl]

Hubby... retired Airforce Pilot. After retirement from the Airforce he taught college Economics part time and also was Human Resources Officer for Contra Costa County, Ca. Headstart program. He's now fully retired and having a ball doing all TV has to offer.
I'm an RN for 37 years (since dinosaurs roamed the earth) and still working... probably will retire within a year. I'm now a Home Health Nurse and enjoy it. I worked at TV hospital for 18 months. I didn't find that position particularly rewarding so I left.

[nONIE]

All of your professions are so impressive and I admire you all for your many years of hard work, you certainly deserve retirement in a wonderful place llike the "villages"

I have been a married financial leech for 36 years. Have bought and sold antiques over the years . However, I am very grateful that I have had this position because it has enabled me to become a full time volunteer at our l;ocal animal shelter for almost 20 years now. This had been my hearts desire for most of my life so a great big ThankYou to my very supportive hubby for putting up with me and making this possible.

[ConeyIsBabe]

This interesting topic deserves a BUMP up!

When I turned 60 my birthday present to myself was to RETIRE!! Besides, I had just injured my knees (torn meniscus) and the pain was bothering me............. plus......... when I complained to my employer about adverse working conditions, the response was "retire". OK, so I did. That was after 18 years of working as a law enforcement secretary in Miami-Dade County, Florida. My final assignment was Administrative Assistant for the Chief of Police. I also worked in Narcotics, Public Information, Internal Affairs, Detective Division, and was an active participant in the local Citizens Crime Watch Mobile Patrol, for 7 years. Perhaps that's why I'm sensitive to crime ;)

[handieman]

FreeLance Gynecologist
Thinking about retiring at 92
Wat did ya expect from me? ;D
Handie :joke:

[KathieI]

Handie,

that's next year??? :o

Thought you were retiring this year?? :dontknow:

Your ex-friend, Kathie ;D

[Mintjulep]

Hubby has been in the banking business for 36 years, and does commercial loans. He will be retiring as soon as the house in NC sells.

As for me, I was a hairdresser for 35 years, til 2 years ago,
when I crushed my fingers on my right hand. :yikes:
Also a real estate broker for 30 years, but mostly for referrals.
Now I call myself a temp... lots of temporary jobs,,, catering, decorating, faux painting, tiling, etc.

Can't wait til the house sells and we're here full time, so we can just play...:2excited::clap2:

[mofarmboy]

Me.........still grain farming with my two sons.
Wife ..........retired last month 22 years as city postal carrier

Enjoying are time in TV in the Village of Duval

[l2ridehd]

So many interesting careers from everyone. Mine is kind of dull by comparison, but have done a few interesting things.

Started out as a master electrician and paid my way through college doing that type work, went in the Airforce and was a pilot, took an early out at the end of the Vietnam war. Of course there were 20,000 other pilots getting out so commercial work was tough to find. I worked PT for IBM before college so went there and spent 30 years, (IBM stands for I've Been Moved) retired, got bored, went to CSC where I managed there data centers scattered all over the world. So my passport has run out of pages after the 3rd set of added pages, so it must be time to retire. In a year or two maybe. I robbed the cradle when I married Mrs l2 so she still wants to work a while longer.

[meanie]

Will be semi retiring after the sale of our MA home which is currently listed; banking professional for 30 years- retail banking; instructional designer and trainer; director of leadership and management development; consultant for LOBs; currently in education - director of membership enrollment /B2B for financial college; husband is an attorney - have home in TV and anxious to be there!

[Cajungirl]

I taught high school English, physical education and coached basketball and tennis. In the early 70's when Title 9 (equal sports for girls) was being enforced in our high schools, my job was to go to various high schools and begin the basketball program for girls. I got tired of smelling gyms and retired from teaching to sell real estate for 17 years. Retired at the end of '07. Hubby is a retired Industrial/Mechanical Engineer. Worked in Chemical plants and was instrumental in several start up plants in India, Japan, and Mexico. He was with the old Uniryoyal Chemical Company in Baton Rouge for 47 years. We will be in TV March 6 thru 12 to buy a home. Wish us luck!

[Lil Dancer]

I'm a civil engineer specializing in Traffic and Safety Engineering. Am still working but hope to retire this summer.

[Donna]

I taught high school English, physical education and coached basketball and tennis. In the early 70's when Title 9 (equal sports for girls) was being enforced in our high schools, my job was to go to various high schools and begin the basketball program for girls. I got tired of smelling gyms and retired from teaching to sell real estate for 17 years. Retired at the end of '07. Hubby is a retired Industrial/Mechanical Engineer. Worked in Chemical plants and was instrumental in several start up plants in India, Japan, and Mexico. He was with the old Uniryoyal Chemical Company in Baton Rouge for 47 years. We will be in TV March 6 thru 12 to buy a home. Wish us luck!


Best of luck on your new venture.... :bigthumbsup:

[villages07]

Bump....another oldie but goodie.


Newbies...what's your story?

[bobbon]

My husband and I are both retired high school teachers--34 years each.

[rshoffer]

I am a psychiatrist. My wife is a psychotherapist. We are not retired but have "slowed down" since moving to TV.

[graciegirl]

My husband aka Sweetie is still trying to wrest himself free from the International Truck and Engine company where he is still consulting,(46 contiguous years) last job was/is National Accounts Manager.

I taught preschoolers. (four year olds) for 25 years. (NOT daycare) (My educational background is in that field and I adored and still adore little people) and then had an apparel rep agency for 15 years, retired and turned it over to my daughter. The teaching was the reason I was placed on this earth and the repping was because college tuition is expensive....and I got to like it and it paid pretty well. Maybe that's the reason I got to like it.

We are both 68. I have redone this several times. I hope my memory is better than my math is today! :o

[Barefoot]

We are both 68.

And obviously a very young 68!

[Just Susan]

Well I'm not new but didn't participate last few times...so...

I was a Kitchen and Bath Designer for many years, first 20 years in Bay Area of CA and then when we moved to the Twin Cities I worked at the International Market Square...mostly high-end. Loved it, did well at it, retired cause I thought Tom would be retiring within the year and it is very hard to wean clients away from you in the middle of their projects...so I did and then he didn't.

Now what to do...so I began volunteering at a Women's Recovery Center for Drug and Alcoholic Addicted Prostitutes. It is part of the Criminal Division of VOA.
Well guess what they hired me and now I work full-time with prostitutes and drug dealers and other mentally ill criminal minds.

I do not teach them design. I teach them self-esteem. Sadly it is a concept that most of them have no knowledge of at all. I teach them responsibility and hope.
I LOVE my job. I get to help change women's lives.

[Russ_Boston]

Educators, of any type, have my upmost respect and regards. You deserve your time in TV!

[Just Susan]

Thank you Russ.

[colleenj]

Haven't retired yet (which is why I am in TV only part time). I have been an RN for 30 years- ER, office, hospital supervisor and since 1995 an in-hospital educator. I love being an educator and ran our hospital's surgical technologist program for 8 years and now work in our hospital's new simulation center teaching crisis resource management among other things. The "other career" I've had is writing 2 successful textbooks- they are on surgical instruments and supplies. Not destined to make Oprah's best seller list but successful enough to make owning a vacation (and in the future, retirement) home in TV a reality. All in all a rewarding career so far...

[SABRMnLgs]

Well, I've retired 3 times but keep getting money waived in front of my face to come back to work. Right now I have 2 very part-time jobs worth about 20-24 hours per week. My "official" title is Medical Diagnostic Radiological Technologist. For all of us , I am an X-Ray Technologist (no technicians in Florida since 1986, thank you). I do mobile x-rays of patients in their homes, places of work or mostly in nusring homes. That's one day or an average of about 12 hours give or take.
My second part-time job is doing DEXA Scans at on of the local Physicians Groups here in TV. Thats a M-W-F job at 4 hours per day.

Jerry Jackson (Calumet Grove)

[784caroline]

I want to retire as a "Mystery Cruiser" for cruise lines that report back to corporate managment on the quality of service provided by cruise lines and this would include Food service, bar service (are you getting what you paid for), entertainment, accomodations and overall appearance of the ship, ship board excursions....(quality of the tour companies hired) and last but the casino...are they paying out enough to keep people from comming back.

If anyone knows of such a job, please email...NO call me directly!

[Russ_Boston]

I've had is writing 2 successful textbooks- they are on surgical instruments and supplies.

So you're the one to blame for my sleepless nights! :joke:

[MelZ]

Me- I have been in the IT field for the past 39 years. Started as a BAL programmer (a adult beverage to anyone who knows what that is) then migrated in sales. I am currently a Regional Manager for a manufacturer of Automated Tape Libraries.

Her- My wife has been an Accountant for the Department of Mental Health for the past 22 years, while raising two children (not including me).

After we bought our house in TV I bought a countdown clock to a definite retirement date.

[livsea2]

33 years with Bell companies and their successors. Engineering, contruction management, various assignments. Retired 2006 now part time engineering consultant. Work three days a week but vacation as much as I want when ever I want. ;D ;D ;D.

Wifey retired three times as medical, hospital, and x-ray receptionist. This time for good...... maybe. :dontknow:

[Dutchman]

MELZ
That would be Basic Assembler Language as I remember it from the mid 60s. I started on Autocoder in 61, got out of the programming end and into operating systems in 67. Been gone from it since 99 so I wouldn't know a wordmark from a IPL sequence anymore!

[islandgal]

Susan –
I am so envious of what you do – that is what it’s all about……
.............and of all of you who were with the same company for long periods of time.

I have had numerous jobs due to working 5 years before having children, my husband’s transfers, stay at home mom and then divorce. I read somewhere recently that the graduates of today will have an average of 12-15 jobs before retirement.

5 years – Consumer Advertising – Reynolds Metals Co.
2 years – on start up team of Virginia State Lottery
6 years – Exec Asst to VP & General Counsel of CSX Corp.
15 years – Resort Property Manager and Real Estate Sales Agent
Currently looking unsuccessfully for part-time

[rshoffer]

Haven't retired yet (which is why I am in TV only part time). I have been an RN for 30 years- ER, office, hospital supervisor and since 1995 an in-hospital educator. I love being an educator and ran our hospital's surgical technologist program for 8 years and now work in our hospital's new simulation center teaching crisis resource management among other things. The "other career" I've had is writing 2 successful textbooks- they are on surgical instruments and supplies. Not destined to make Oprah's best seller list but successful enough to make owning a vacation (and in the future, retirement) home in TV a reality. All in all a rewarding career so far...
I heard someone with the same story say...., " I flunked retirement"

[faithfulfrank]

Well, Sadly, I'm not retired yet.......I have 1035 more days to go...(less then 3 years).
Mel, I have a countdown clock as a dashboard widget on my Mac. ;D

I'm a Professional Firefighter and Medic for a small city in Western NY. I am also a NYS Certified Instructor for EMS....I enjoy teaching. I am also currently working towards my certification as a licensed professional home inspector.

My wife started staying home when the first baby came, with the intent of returning her job as an accountant and fiscal office manager for the local hospital, but instead stayed home to raise our 3 boys and help do renovation work on our homes.

We also have done a lot of renovation work, flipping, etc. We designed and built our own house here in NY, and are happiest with a tool in our hands. My wife can do electrical, plumbing, just about anything.......I don't know why she needs me around, just a masochist I guess. When I'm not doing work for other people, I try to get my own projects done.

We bought our home in The Plantation right down the road from you good people, and can't wait to be full time Floridians......We are currently down there a few times a year, and will be there next month for about 4 weeks....yippee!! See ya then...

Frank D.

[wdwduo]

JMD - retired stay at home mom, the youngest is now 30.
LED - retired 30+ years in Public Works and Water Supply in NJ.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

784 I don't believe what you wrote about being a "Mystery Cruiser."

Believe it or not but there is such a job. I will be doing it from Sept. 17 to either Oct. 2/5 on :edit: cruise line on a transatlantic voyage.

I will let you know how you get to do it.

HB

[Hyacinth Bucket]

faithfulfrank,

We have been to Batavia - I am with three different Critical Incident Stress Management/Debriefing units. I will never give up doing this - for me it is as a volunteer. All the teams I am a member of are made up of volunteers.

HB

[pwdasher]

We own and operate an Auto Parts business in Folkston, Ga. Not yet retired, but looking forward to the day we can be full time residents in our home in TV.

[faithfulfrank]

HB,
I'm involved with Western NY Stress management...taken many classes from Bonnie Fraiser, Grady Bray, etc.....
I've lessened my involvement somewhat now that my NY days are numbered...I've got Florida fever and I don't want to be cured...!


Frank D.

[macgolfnut]

I was a high school music and speech/drama teacher for over 30 years. Also coached football and golf. I have also worked PT at a private golf course in the Chicago area for 30 years(free golf). I'm hoping to get a PT job at one of the courses in TV. My wife has been a high school business ed. and english teacher for over 30 years. Her bigger job is to put up with my obnoxious ways and be the boss of the house. I retired in June and she has one more school year to go. Then we'll be full-timers. :clap2:

[fizzbyn]

My husband and I were both mainframe systems programmers, and yes, MelZ, we know what BAL is and it still lives as HLASM. Hubby said to say he was a BALR... Basic Assembler Language Rummy. We both worked for McDonnell Douglas and IBM and are now retired.

[Niels]

I'm not yet retired. I work as an accounting manager, although I now spend over half my time on non-accounting related administrative duties like procurement integrity and disaster planning and response.

[MelZ]

Dutchman
Fizzbyn

IOU an adult beverage.

Faithful Frank

Clock says 1348 days for me

[cologal]

Not retired yet...but I can see the finish line. I am a Medical Technologist who figured out Laboratory Information Systems when they first hit the lab. I work for a large Diagnostic Company Beckman Coulter as the primary computer guru.

My recent project is a new set of rules for labs for which my company has submitted
a patent claim.

[gardenia]

I just love reading all these posts DAILY, and had to jump in here. I will be taking early retirement at age 56 in THREE months and counting. I have been an IT professional in the NY area since 1974, and am currently a Director leading global implementations for a Fortune 100 company. I am looking forward to purchasing and relocating to TV within a year! I visited for the first time a year ago, was back for a preview in June and am sold and committed! no question at all!

[fizzbyn]

Thanks, MelZ. I also know what an Automated Tape Library is... do I get another drink? Actually, my husband and I met while working together in a totally NON-automated tape library in 1973, so tape libraries hold a special meaning for me.

[MelZ]

fizzbyn

Sure but you have to wait until Xmas when we come down

[rshoffer]

I am surprised by how many responses are... "I'm not retired yet". It's interesting to note that last month's AARP bulletin had a story entitled, "Opps, I Retired Too Soon".

[drdodge]

me, building contractor , concrete const. company and last 20 yrs a construction superintendant,
wife, office manager for a marine const co on Cape Cod

drd

[784caroline]

rshoffer
Great article..I hope more people have read it.

[colleenj]

rschoffer- Interesting that someone has the same story as me but I haven't tried retirement yet so I can't say that I've "flunked it". I'm sure I will stay doing something when I "retire" but it will be less than working two jobs!

[Muncle]

Thanks, MelZ. I also know what an Automated Tape Library is... do I get another drink? Actually, my husband and I met while working together in a totally NON-automated tape library in 1973, so tape libraries hold a special meaning for me.

In the late 70's we put in a very large ATL (can't remember if we used 2401s or not) that had about 40-50 stations hanging off a souped up 360-65. The problem was space. We had to make about a 90 degree turn. The technology of the system was easy. The mechanics of making that turn was a :edit:.

[Don H]

Retired after 27 years with Verizon Network Operations in Manhattan. Sonet ring networks, fiber optics, fiosTV etc.....

[fizzbyn]

MelZ - we're still in Tucson. We're planning on coming in January if our house here doesn't sell, but earlier if it does. You'll probably be there before us.

Muncle - I operated the 360-65, but we didn't have anything automated hanging off of it, which was probably a good thing. Automated things in the late '70s required many labor intensive hours.

Speaking of labor intensive, does anyone remember the 3850 Mass Storage system? I was in Data Management when it was installed and our job was to fix the data related problems that came up. I remember middle-of -the-night calls after the CE extracted the cartridge and there it would be in all its glory, sitting on the manager's desk with its tape hanging out all mangled. We had special home-made tools to take it apart. I'd iron the tape (with an actual iron), cut the top to shape and hope the Mass Storage unit would buy it. If not, there was much more to do and I won't go into it. Oh, how I miss those days :'(

[Russ_Boston]

My wife and I are still working:

Me: Currently a software engineering manager. As many know I'm in school now to become an RN. I graduate at the end of this year. Hope to work at TV Regional within the next three years.

Linda: She has been an at home day care provider for the past 15 years. She currently has 6 kids that range in age from 5 months to 8 years.


I repeated my post from back in Jan. but I wanted to tell MelZ that not only was I a BAL programmer for the first 15 years of my career but my company still relies on it today! We are in a very long process of converting everything to JAVA though. About 2/3 done. Russ

[TallerTrees]

Still working. We're a lawyer and Social Services Director, in that order.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

I am a Travel Agent and do not believe I will ever retire from this profession. I enjoy it to much. I have learned so much from others and at the same time met wonderful people.

I love to fulfill peoples dreams of where they want to go, sometimes this is quite challenging (I enjoy the challenge), how to do it and explore areas where they might want to go. I have met fantastic people doing this.

I am someone who loves to learn new things. This profession is perfect for me in that sense as there is always something new to learn and another challenge to meet.

My career has been quite rewarding - not only in working with other people but for myself. I have studied, taken exams and reached the highest level with some cruise lines. I am in the process of creating a new program with one of the cruise lines - that I iniated.

I like what I am doing to much to ever retire from this Profession.

HB

[Just Susan]

Still working. We're a lawyer and Social Services Director, in that order.


So does that mean that "Taller" is a lawyer and "Trees" is a Social Service Direstor? ;)

[MelZ]

The list of people I owe drinks to continues to grow.

Boy do I remember the MSU, I was a System Analyst/System Programmer for RCA EDP. We made a clone of the 360 series call the Spectra. They were compatible at the source language level.

One of my sites was NYC department of Social Services which had a 360/40, 360/30, Spectra 70/45 and Spectra 70/35.

They has a MSU (From RCA) which used Magnetic cards, I loved to watch it work. It was a feat of mechanical engineering that ususally worked great but every once is a while their was a card jam. That was when things go exciting.

When I transitioned into sales I sold them a 70/35, it's sole purpose was to print food stamps. At a rate of 1400 lines per minute, our tax dollars at work.

[graciegirl]

My husband has worked without interruption for the International Truck and Engine company for 47 years, the last four after retiring. He started out as a worker who broke down shipping pallets (sp?) at night during college and continued on, doing different jobs, and is still being or doing National Accounts Manager. Soon, soon to retire. I began as a teacher and switched in the middle to own an apparel rep agency and now after retirement, do a substantial amount of ebay. I sell dance leotards.

(I had posted all the times incorrectly before. Now Sweetie has done the math. This is accurate.)

[sandybill2]

Me-started working for a 1 physician (Cardiologist) practice in 1965 as Medical Assistant--took shorthand dictation on every patient seen--transcribed-did EKG's, etc. I never left the practice--at the time of my retirement 30 years later--my 1 physician practice had grown to 17 Cardiologists and I was then the Business Office Manager. This was in 1995--and I continued to work part-time in physician offices until my husband's retirement in 2000.

Husband---Worked for Virginia Power Company at the time of our marriage in 1965 as a linesman---then went to work for Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone (one of the baby-bells) in Nov 1969 as a linesman. At time of retirement 30 years later, he was a systems technician for AT&T.

We moved from Richmond, Va to The Villages on Nov 1, 2007.

[sschuler1]

Hubby just worked his last day on Friday. We are now permanently on vacation. (until such a time that we get bored and find part time jobs to have something to do.) He was a system designer/analyst for Ford Credit.

I worked for Hallmark Cards as a sales rep in the Hallmark Mass division. I called on drug stores and military bases. I was downsized out of my job a year and a half ago, and have been unable to find work. We decided that we would just retire instead and move to Florida as soon as we sell our house.

[bonnyej]

Hospital administration

[mulligan]

I am a Union Milllwright, hopefully retiring in about 18 months. Better half is a payroll supervisor for a large central mass retirement system, also counting down to about the same time.

[WSOX47]

Retired last September. For last ten years: Directed accounting, internal controls, cash management in Health Care area. Hired great staff so I didn't have too much to do myself---prep for retiring. Before that: Started from school with Social Security as Authorizer, after two years moved into management and left there after ten years; head of a Credit Union; taught various management courses; argued management cases for various issues: discipline, EEO, etc. Along the way picked up some degrees.

But the most fun and most rewarding was unpaid volunteering, and I can talk about that for hours: school committees, church, little league BB, Indian Guides, worked in a nursing homes;all were great times and with good people. Still do a little, although I also am doing some limited Consulting work.


Spouse is RN with lots of success and responsibilities in the Public Health arena --too many for me to re-count and too many for her to want published. On top of that was the key homemaker for years, doing a terrific job with our sons. And she continues to enjoy volunteering in many venues--'way more than me. Great person to have put up with me for more than 38 years.

Don't want to look back on the items above, but still enjoy the friendships made. Hope that my kids have the same opportunities to enjoy a sense of accomplishment, recognition, and F-U-N during their careers.

Onwards to TV life.

[gfmucci]

Me -- still not retired and probably never will. Background is in writing. First public relations for Gucci when they first arrived in Chicago.

Would you consider being public relations for Mucci??? I could use it!!!

[Bernadette]

I was a legal secretary in New York City. Now I am a hostess at Lighthouse!! Luv it...

[Frangyomory]

Worked a total of 41 years before retireing in 2001 at the age of 58. The last 28 years I was the director of Human Resources at Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps for the nonappropriated fund employees of the United States Marine Corps. About 10,000 civilian employees who are NOT paid with tax dollars and who run the Marine Corps exchanges, clubs and all recreation activities such as golf courses, bowling alleys, etc. We called them Morale, Welfare and Recreation Activities. Kind of Hometown U.S.A. aboard the Marine Corps Bases. They have merged into Marine Corps Community Services and now include Social Services as well. Very large organization.

I was proud to work for our Marines and their families. During my tenure, I visited many of the Marine Corps installations and met many of the civilian employees who worked in the MWR arena. Most were paid at minimum wage and many were spouses or teen children of Marines.

Wonderful support for our Marines.

I retired two months before 9/11/01 and knew many folks who worked at the Pentagon. Fortunately, none of my friends or co-workers were injured that day. I thank God for that.

I am to this day, proud of my 28 years of civilian service to the Marine Corps.

[Cliff]

Enlisted in the Navy at the tender age of 17 and retired as a Chief Petty Officer specializing in Military Intelligence. Last assignment before retiring from USN was as a Battle Staff Team Member on an Airborne Command Post out of England. We carried war codes. Tried civilian life for a couple of years working as an office manager for a major insurance company. Had a boss who wasn't exactly on the up and up so I said "goodby" to that career. Became a Regulatory Enforcement Officer with the Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms working out of New Orleans. Lots of tax collecting, inspecting distilleries and breweries, and getting involved in gun dealer inspections. (Lots of all that stuff in New Orleans) Changed agencies of the federal government to become a Special Agent with the Defense Investigative Service, mainly involved in background investigations on anyone needing a security clearance with the government. Took advantage of an early retirement when the Defense Department wanted to save money by allowing senior agents to retire and then replacing them with junior agents.

[kwachowski]

My hubby Dennis was an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years, after being a Milwaukee police officer for 5 years, and in the Air Force for the first 8 years of our marriage.

I on the other hand, worked at different hospitals in Medical Records. Then I was a veterinary assistant in Elkhorn Wisconsin. My best job was the last 5 years of working. I was a nanny for my family physician and her daughter, which while I was working for her she had 2 more children. The two girls and the boy are considered to be my grandchildren too.

Interesting Life and a happy one. :a040:;)

[shighsmi]

I retiered from teaching in 2005, after 34 years. My wife is not retired yet. 4 more years. Bank Senior Partner. shighsmi

[SABRMnLgs]

I never have retired. I just cut down the number of hours I work. My "job title" is Diagnostic Medical Radiological Technologist. Fancy words for an x-ray tech. After college, the GI Bill paid for my schooling after Viet Nam and I have been working ever since. It will be 38 years next month.
Worked in Illinois, woked in Maine, worked in Florida, worked in Nevada and woked in Florida when we moved back here. Never missed a beat. Age 65 and still work 20-30 hours a week.

[diskman]

ME-For about 30 years I was in distribution of pre-recorded music ie;records,tapes disc's and the like. 25 of them self employed including a 3 store retail chain in Brooklyn & Long Island, NY (Record Warehouse) also exported and supplied public libraries across the country.
Presently I am in Debt Settlement and Loan Modifications for a nationwide company located in Orange county, CA

She retired Insurance business, presently full time Grandma. Tough job but, someone has to do it. lol

Villages wannabe in 38 months.:a040::MOJE_whot:

[jnieman]

I was an administrative assistant working at an Air Force Base in Ohio at the Air Force Research Laboratory.

[busoffusa]

I was a superintendent of Schools in Lake George, NY prior to retirement.

[brostholder]

I sold drugs...really. Not fully retired yet but have been a pharmacist for 35 years. Worked in retail pharmacy, Long Term Care (Omnicare), and Pharmaceutical Sales. Still putting in a few days a week at Wal-Mart. Any other retired pharmacists out there?

[skip0358]

Retired 31 years with Verizon. 42 years as a Volunteer Fireman, last 5 years worked in construction on a mansion in Southampton, NY. Wife retired from Suffolk County Sheriff civilian side. Hope to NEVER work again. Don't think I could find enough spare hours to fit it in.

[Paulm47]

Spent 33 years as a prosecuting attorney in Connecticut retiring in July 2009 as Deputy Chief State's Attorney. Was a police officer/sergeant in the City of Hartford for 5 years before that while attending law school. Did two years as a lieutenant in the US Army Military Police Corps serving in Germany and Vietnam right after college.

Also did a little over 10 years as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician in my home town, 3 of them as Chief of the volunteer ambulance corps.

Now fully retired, bought a home in Village of Pennecamp and will be full time come September. Can't wait!!

[iandwk]

After reading what you guys have retired from, I'm impressed to the point that I am almost embarrassed to admit that I was a simple farmer. I had 5 poultry houses and raised broilers. I contracted with Tyson and raised appr. 1 million per year. Also had pecan trees on the farm and sold them through a brokerage and made enough to pay the taxes on the farm. It was my wife's family farm, so I owe all that to her.

I'm proud of my wife. She retired last year as the principal of an elementary school. She's the one with the education and the brains, except for that lapse when she married me.

[TednRobin]

After reading what you guys have retired from, I'm impressed to the point that I am almost embarrassed to admit that I was a simple farmer. I had 5 poultry houses and raised broilers. I contracted with Tyson and raised appr. 1 million per year. Also had pecan trees on the farm and sold them through a brokerage and made enough to pay the taxes on the farm. It was my wife's family farm, so I owe all that to her.

I'm proud of my wife. She retired last year as the principal of an elementary school. She's the one with the education and the brains, except for that lapse when she married me.

Don't minimize your accomplishment, I see alot of hard work there. We who like chicken and pecans thank you. Congrats. My Ted retired w 42 years with West Vaco, Finishing Superintendent. Me, I'm still working, Nurse Case Manager.

[TednRobin]

I was a superintendent of Schools in Lake George, NY prior to retirement.

We LOVE Lake George. :smiley:

[PinkNana]

I worked in Human Resources for the Department of Defense staffing schools on military bases overseas and stateside. (this is my first post..hope I did it right!)

[Taltarzac]

I worked in Human Resources for the Department of Defense staffing schools on military bases overseas and stateside. (this is my first post..hope I did it right!)

He used to come to the Doggie Doo Run Run with his dog but have not seen him in a year or more. Think he said that he ran schools in places like Italy, Korea (?) and other interesting countries.

He lived in the Villages with his wife but do not know what happened with him and his dog.

He had some interesting stories about how difficult it was to tell some parents that their kids were causing problems at school.

[dpingram]

I'm not retired .....yet but hope that this is my last year teaching 2nd graders or any grade.
Husband retired once ... 30 years Army Special Forces. Now probation officers waiting for me to retire.

[bmarlo767]

Trying to retire again, Retired from USAirways as Captain after 35 yrs. Last flight to Paris stayed for a year.
Came back to US to work at White House in March 04.Started Work In China and Korea Jan 05 part time as instructor on Airbus 330. Am in Zhuhai China until Aug 1 then back to Villages for 3 weeks.

[JimJoe]

This is a fascinating thread! It makes me wish I had tried the fantastic professions ALL of you have had. They were all crucial to this great country.
Me: trial lawyer
Wife: programmer
I am still struggling with what to do next.

[Shimpy]

Machinist/toolmaker in the aerospace industry. Started my career making custom guns, accessories and loading equipment for competition shooting.

[Pturner]

After reading what you guys have retired from, I'm impressed to the point that I am almost embarrassed to admit that I was a simple farmer. I had 5 poultry houses and raised broilers. I contracted with Tyson and raised appr. 1 million per year. Also had pecan trees on the farm and sold them through a brokerage and made enough to pay the taxes on the farm. It was my wife's family farm, so I owe all that to her.

I'm proud of my wife. She retired last year as the principal of an elementary school. She's the one with the education and the brains, except for that lapse when she married me.

Embarrassed? I admire you!

[kentucky blue]

After reading what you guys have retired from, I'm impressed to the point that I am almost embarrassed to admit that I was a simple farmer. I had 5 poultry houses and raised broilers. I contracted with Tyson and raised appr. 1 million per year. Also had pecan trees on the farm and sold them through a brokerage and made enough to pay the taxes on the farm. It was my wife's family farm, so I owe all that to her.

I'm proud of my wife. She retired last year as the principal of an elementary school. She's the one with the education and the brains, except for that lapse when she married me.


Farmers are my heroes, my dad and brothers are grain farmers, and my mom's side are dairy and vegetable farmers. You have my upmost respect, a farmer married to a teacher/educator, just doesn't get any better than that my friend.I'm the black sheep in the family(like i need to tell any of you
:smiley:) i moved away to college and own a real estate investment company and don't want to ever retire.

[byars]

im retired from northwest airlines.
1964 to 1974....ticket agent in detroit
1974 to 1979....asst manager at tampa airport
1979 to 1999...station manager at orlando airport
1999 to 2004...director of honolulu station
2004 to 2010 retired to pickwick dam tennessee
2010 till ??? village of rio grande in de laguna

[cashman]

CPA-Managemrnt consultant-Diplomat

Wife: Public relations

[jannd228]

I was a dance studio owner until 1991
I became and English teacher then technology integration specialist for public education until 2008, I also taught online for Virtual High School, students globally
I am now back to teaching dance for YMCA and creating a universal dance studio design model for a dance program focusing on children ages 18 mos to 9 years old
I would prefer to license or sell it if possible would hasten my departure to TV
Trying to decide when I should visit for my first visit love this board
thank you for all of your posts:mademyday:

[eweissenbach]

I served as a high school boys head basketball coach and athletics director for 14 years
2 years in insurance sales
20 years in insurance field management with New York Life
5 years in home office marketing management with Principal Financial Group
Last 2 years working part-time in marketing for a healthcare staffing company owned by two of my children.
Enjoyed them all!

[BJinTX]

Hello!
Husband - Retired neurosurgeon and since moving to Texas - runs heavy equipment!
Me - RN, have worked retail and now working for an attorney running a registered agent business.
It's always great to learn something new!
BJ

[Bill Gordon]

Very interesting site!!!

Worked for 34 years at Troy Bilt (an Outdoor Power Equipment Co.) and left as Quality Control Manager before company sold. Then spent 8 years at GE Schenectady Turbine Generator Division and retired as Quality Systems Leader

[uujudy]

I was a dance studio owner until 1991
I became an English teacher . . . . Trying to decide when I should visit for my first visit love this board thank you for all of your posts:mademyday:

Jannd, come visit as fastly as possible! :thumbup:

[tony]

Uh oh, another English major. Watch your punctuation.

[swrinfla]

I went back in this thread at least a couple of years and didn't see a previous post by me, so maybe I can justify making one now!

Late 1958 to early 1960: Uncle Sam's draftee, with basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, followed by administrative service at Fort Bliss, Texas.

More or less 1960-1977: Media Research at two major advertising agencies in St. Louis. Concurrent Army Reserve service throughout.

1977-1983: Active duty as "Army Guard Reserve" in St. Louis. That is, full time military duty, but in the same place where I was living!

1983-2002: Worked as a travel agent, but with emphasis on the agency's financial well-being. Still in St. Louis. The agency is still in business, which rather surprises me!

2002-present: retired "goof off!" In St. Louis, until Feb '05, when I came to TV permanently!

SWR
:beer3:

[jannd228]

are you interested in dance, I thought I saw classes listed somewhere for tap and ballet, if I could figure out a way to open outside of the villages with my new concept I would be on a plane tomorrow


don't worry about me being an English teacher, really enjoyed being a technology teacher more, correcting 125 essays a week got to be too much
taught for the Gates Foundation, teachers, creative, and soooo much fun, trying to work as a social media consultant too, Facebook, twitter etc,

uujudy you can email me if you want

[gary42651]

I own a plumbing, heating, and a/c business in New Jersey, that has been around since 1926, . 40 years later its time to sell and move to the villages full time, hate being a snowbird.

[getdul981]

I started working for Norfolk and Western Railway in 1966 as a Clerk-Stenographer. Drafted by Uncle Sam and spent 2 years in the Army as a low paid killer (infantry). Returned to the railroad after I got out in 1969 and stuck with it throught the merger with Southern Railway and then in 2001, I had a herniated disc in my back. They told me that I could not work unless I had it fixed. I had 35 years service, so I retired on disability with full pension benefits.

My wife worked for the local hospital, where she attended nursing school, for 27 years. She worked for 20 years in the Emergency Room and the rest of the time in Surgery Services. In 2003, she was having so much pain in her back that she had to file for disability because of Fibromyalgia and has been retired since then.

[railroadman]

Greg, I started working for Southern Railway in 1979 and presently working for Norfolk Southern in Charlotte, NC. I am now 53 with 31 years with the railroad. Plans are to retire to the villages when, I take early retirement at 57. I visit the village about two or three times a year and presently looking for a villa to purchase. Hope your having a great summer. Randy

[Pturner]

To quote ole' May: I used to be Snow White. But I drifted. :a040:

[eremite06]

Can ya tell? Firefighter for 30 years in Miami-Dade County.:22yikes:

[greenhillsgirl]

Business Manager for Dental Practice, specializing in transitioning, for 19 years

[babs1199]

Husband retired from Alpena Co. Rd. Commision As a State Road Foreman.
I hope to retire soon.... I am a office manager for a dental clinic. Hope to be living in Tv next year.....

[villagegolfer]

Who cares? I was told that in the Villages that a CEO and assembly worker could be playing golf with each other and no one would know or care. We are one!!!!

[Wing-nut2]

20+ year U. S. Force, Avionics

6 years U. S. Immigration and Naturalization

14 years Firearms Instructor, Federal Law Inforcement Training Center (FLETC)

[Tweety Bird]

To quote ole' May: I used to be Snow White. But I drifted. :a040:

You are hysterical!!!! :1rotfl:

[angiefox10]

I was a professional Dog Food Tester before I retired after 30 years.

[TF Hutch]

Computer programmer: Single address assembly language
Airline Pilot
Small Business Owner
Property manager (Janitor)

[gatherer47]

school teacher for 32 years-therapeutic activity aide for retarded citizens for last ten years

[debzaranti]

Who cares? I was told that in the Villages that a CEO and assembly worker could be playing golf with each other and no one would know or care. We are one!!!!

I love it and you are correct! When I first moved here the guy bagging my groceries at SweetBay told me he was a doctor in his former life!!!

BTW, husband was a firefighter for 28.5 years.

Me, variety of clerical-type jobs when needed, stay-at-home Mom rest of the time.

[CarGuys]

Forward Farms

US Coast Guard

Automotive Technician

NASDS Scuba Instructor

35 years High School Vocational Ed Teacher Automotive Technologies.

Co-Owner ATCS Automotive Technology Consulting Service

Co Host - Talk Radio- TV "The Car Guys "


Wife- 42 years , Vocational High School Principal Administrative Assistance and my Guardian Angel keeping me in line!

[BOMBERO]

Bombero

[The Villager II]

I can't remember.

[Mitchie Poo]

After 4 1/2 years in the Navy as a Boatswain Mate and 38 years with the telephone company, (Southern Bell, Bellsouth and AT&T) as a construction manager. I called it quits in 2008 and bought a mini farm, mainly cut grass, grow vegetables and drink coffee. I am also a volunteer Fire Fighter and a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) instructor. I serve as our county's CERT Coordinator as a volunteer. This way I get free coffee at our counties Fire Stations.
I am now waiting on my beautiful wife who has been an executive secretary for 35 years to retire or get fired, which ever comes first. We had our life style visit to the villages in August and can't wait to become a frog. She wants to spend a month in The Villages selecting a home before putting our farm on the market. Hope to be a part of your family within 12 to 18 months.:pray:

[mrsanborn]

32 years with the Postal Service. Postmaster / Manager. Now finishing up my masters in proper towel folding techniques and ring around the collar abatement.

[angiefox10]

32 . Now finishing up my masters in proper towel folding techniques and ring around the collar abatement.


:1rotfl::1rotfl:

[JeffAVEWS]

Retired MSG,USAF (Avionics), 24 years the hard way! 8 years active duty then a 17 year break in service, then 16 years Air National Guard. Ended my career in 2006 as a full time technition, NCOIC of the Electronic Warfare Shop, MO ANG (C-130's). Way too many deployments (can't have a war without someone to haul the beans and bullets!). Also worked as a pile-it for Eastern Air Lines (put it in the door and I'll pile it) ORD, SRQ & MCI and as a Avionics Mechanic for TWA, mostly at the Kansas City overhaul base.
The bottom half was a typesetter for The Chicago Sun Times and Williams Press (Star Publications) of Chicago Hgts, IL, Ad Builder for The Bradenton Hearld, and Admin Asst, National Advertising, The Kansas CIty Star.
I'm now looking for a job as a paino player in a bordello!

:jester:

[Chief X]

I'll play.

Retired as Chief with 29 yrs in law enforcement, 48 yrs old. I worked for a few years after that with my twin sons in their company, as the sales director (they invented, patented and marketed a motorcycle security device which is now sold worldwide).
I'm now mostly writing (On the Road with the Chief -stories) and recently started playing trumpet again (played throughout school) and plan on starting or joining a band in the near future.

[kentucky blue]

In college, i worked for the Space Program......The Parking Space Program, valet at The Two Keys restaurant.After college, i was a double agent, i worked for China............at least that's what they thought.

[dkcm33]

Wife-Police Dispatcher/911 Call Taker Winnebago County, IL
Me-Senior Engineer,Taylor Company, Rockton, IL

[jim32]

Digital transmission systems engineer. That was what seems a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ...

[jfmajer]

35 years with the City of Cleveland. Held a number of positions. Chief of EMS (14 yrs.), Assistant Safety Director (5 yrs.), Assistant Utilities Director (2 yrs.), Commissioner of Public Power (10 yrs.), Homeland Security Chief Planner/EOC Operations Manager (4 yrs.). Now looking forward to spending quality time at TV...swimming, riding and running!!!

[jebartle]

Wow! You are all sooooo talented, I was a Computer Specialist with Martin-Marietta Corp., met the ole boy, he said, stay with me girl, and I'll show you the world, Ha!, next stop, Davenport, Iowa (No offense to you Iowa'ns but the ole boy always said if they were going to give the earth an enema:loco:, they would start in Davenport) Palmer College of Chiropractic, WE (I felt like it at times) graduated, on to NC to open practice (27 years), worked in office, until the ole boy fired me (He wanted to be boss, can you imagine that!), so I said OK, and took up golf (It's a tough life, but someone has to do it)

[paulandjean]

School Teacher,High School and Junior College basketball Coach. High School and Grade School Athletic Director.

[RiteLucky]

Insurance regulator -- Director, Property & Casualty Division, Department of Insurance, Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Just became a FROG in June and LOVE it here!!!!!

[NEGirl]

Still working as a Diabetes Specialist

[BigLew]

I was an independent IT Consultant and systems and software developer, contracted by companies such as: Merrill Lynch, AIG, American Cyanimid, The Reserve Fund, IBM and HBO,
Retired in 2004 after a heart transplant.

My wife currently works for Experience Works as a supervisor of 100+ people in the field. Her company helps train low income seniors, wishing to return to the job market, gain job skills and employment. She was recently appointed to the Workforce Board after Gov. Scott made all prior members resign.

I am now a professional lousy golf player!

[mrfixit]

.............spent most of career "pulling fly poop out of black pepper"........or something like that....I think ? ..... Now>>>> "pulling golf balls out of tall grass"......if I can even figure out where they went........................Wife now only schedules events...........like where WE are going on vacation this month......what restaurants would be to OUR liking this week.....what to put on "THE HONEY-DO LIST" ......... now only known only as "THE LIST"....( after all these years she somehow forgets the HONEY part ).........AHHHHHH......life IS good in The Villages.

[DaleMN]

Both wife & I were social workers; her with State of Minnesota, me with Morrison County, MN finishing my career as Social Service Supervisor for Adult Services.
Rewarding careers....not a lot of dough..but good bennies and now a steady, defined benefit retirement that will last until our farewell from this good earth.

[rubicon]

I served as a high school boys head basketball coach and athletics director for 14 years
2 years in insurance sales
20 years in insurance field management with New York Life
5 years in home office marketing management with Principal Financial Group
Last 2 years working part-time in marketing for a healthcare staffing company owned by two of my children.
Enjoyed them all!

eweissenbach: We might have passed each other on the skywalk?

[Jim007]

Was a systems designer/programmer for 40 years. Designed and wrote programs for the mainframes of yesteryear to the PC's of today. Also did some web site design work.

[Yorio]

Was part of the "Organization Man" and "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" generation so worked for only one company for close to 40 years mainly in the international theatre. I did move about within the corporation especially it began with Time Inc. then became Time Warner and then to AOL Time Warner back to Time Warner. My last involvement was with Time Life Books. If you had bought any magazines, books, videos and music, I may have been involved.

[Taj44]

Was a Civil Engineer for 30 some years. Did highway design and construction, traffic engineering, media liaison, headed up the regional IT group for awhile and also did some web page design and maintenance. I generally had a staff of between 8-20 depending on my job location. Now my field of expertise is Maj Jong and golf!

[HelenLCSW]

Well, I don't know whether I qualify for this thread -- I am a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of anxiety and depression--retiring from full time practice in Miami--but will be joining a practice two days a week in Leesburg --feels like retirement!

[Villages Canucks]

Me ~ Agricultural equipment finance ~ this is my Freedom 55 year!!
Hubby ~ Management at Coca-Cola (still at it, but soon....)

[SgtJohn]

I am a police sergeant in Baltimore County (MD). At least until December 16th when I will retire after 36 years. My new home in The Villages will be completed on January 10, 2012. I have also worked as an insurance agent and a real estate agent.