It's Done!

Last Thursday, I drove 2 hours North in the pouring rain (which didn't bother me a bit) to submit my retirement paperwork. 

The staff answered some important questions and gave me hearty congratulations when it was all said and done.  I walked out with an "official retirement date" of April 26th, and I will "sign-out" at my worksite the previous day.  In the meantime, I will continue to use up my leave credits until my "last day" on the clock. 

On Saturday, I snuck into work to clean out my office, which was bittersweet.  I just didn't want to deal with a lot of people as I did that, so instead I wrote a memorandum telling them of my decision to retire and said my goodbyes that way. 

Now, I'm thoroughly enjoying my new life and exploring the possibilities of where I go from here.  At 52 years of age, I am young and healthy enough to do anything.....and believe me, I've got a bunch of ideas.

First, I am going to apply for my Private Investigator's license, and hopefully work part-time in that field.  Should make for some interesting journal entries. 

Then, there's a professional book in my field, that is sorely in need of updating.....which has been calling my name.  It's a subject near and dear to my heart, in fact, I've taught lots of classes on the subject.  It would involve lots of research and interviews, but it would be fascinating!  It's a much needed learning tool for correctional staff throughout the country and I believe it would sell well in the specialty market. 

But first, I am going to finish up my remodeling and home organization, which is somewhat hampered by the oldest adult child moving home again, since we've got boxes and boxes of her stuff to put away.  Certainly enough to keep us both busy for awhile.  Yesterday, I picked out my new carpet, which will be installed tomorrow in the living room and up the stairs.  Upon completion of the upstairs organization, we'll carpet the upper floor rooms. 

So, there's lots to do and way more time to accomplish those things. 

I'm lovin' it!!!  

 

 

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my 25th anniversary with my State agency!!! 

I am so very grateful for the opportunity to work in such an exciting career, that provided so well for my family and to be able to retire with 90% of my salary at age 52! 

Guess what I am doing today? 

Yep! 

Applying for that retirement! 

I bet you can see that smile on my face right now!

Just whose jurisdiction is this anyway?

All Ab wanted to do yesterday, when she got on the plane heading home for Spring Break, was to cuddle up next to the window and go to sleep.  She headed to her seat in the back of the plane, and scooted in to her seat.  Then he sat down next to her for the flight that took less than an hour.  In no time she'd be home with her mom, who was already panicking since her previous flight was cancelled due to lack of passengers. 

She was one of the last people off the plane and I was relieved to see that she was home safely, at last.  She was walking hurridly toward me with her heavy backpack sagging off her shoulders.  Without a smile on her face she said, "Let's get out of here!  Quick!"  I asked her slow down for a second and give me a hug, as she walked past me.  I know my child well, and my mother instincts told me that something was terribly wrong and I had to find out what it was.  Again, I told her to slow down.  "Abbie!  What's wrong?" I said.  She gave me a sideways glance and headed for the terminal door.  She quietly said, "Mom, I will tell you outside! Please! Shhhhhhh!"

Then she spotted him just outside the door, smoking a cigarette.  She nearly stopped in her tracks and pulled the hood of her sweatshirt up over her head and said, "Oh God, let's go!"  I said, "Abbie, Is it him?"  "Yes Mom!  Let's go and I will tell you at the car!"

I took a good look at him as we walked past and burned his image in my brain. By the time we got to the car, I was insisting that she tell me what happened.  She said, "Mom, he kept coming on to me and wouldn't keep his hands off me!"  She went on to say that while he sat next to her on the plane he and he'd rub his hand up and down her arm and shoulder.  She'd look at him crazy and scoot further toward the window.  After a couple of times she said to him, "How old are you?" and he replied, "Forty."  Ab said she then said, "I am not even out of high school, so keep your EFFIN hands off me!"  She said he stopped for a few minutes, then did it again about two or three more times before they landed.

I was furious.  Placing her safely in the car with my daughter-in-law, I ran back to the terminal to inform security.  As I entered, I saw the pervert leaning up against a decorative post.  I stopped and said, "Excuse me sir.  Did you just arrive on that (location) flight?"  He said "Yes."  I then said, "So it was you that was sitting next to my 14 year old daughter and putting your hands on her!" and I headed to the TSA agent requesting that he summon the Airport police. 

The Airport Police took my initial report and informed me they'd contact the local Sheriff's Department to hand the investigation, as they detained the pervert.  Within a few minutes the deputies arrived and questioned me, the Flight Attendant and while one deputy continued to detain the man, we headed out to the parking lot where Ab told her story. 

Then came the crazy part.  The County Sheriff's Department and the Airport Police didn't know who's jurisdiction the case would be as the crime was committed in International Airspace!  They said it could be the FBI, or the FAA or somebody....but they weren't sure!  In any case, they'd take the information and start the investigation for misdemeanor "Annoying and molesting a child."

Upon questioning the pervert, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, the deputy got him to admit to his actions, "inadvertently." 

So, now we'll wait until Monday while they figure out whose case it is and try to enjoy her time home.  We've talked before and will continue to talk about how she can't let people violate her in any way. 

What just infuriates me is how many perverts are in the world and that they'd take advantage of a young girl travelling alone.  I shouldn't be surprised after watching Dateline's special on Internet sexual predators who target young teens.