Thirty More Working Days Until Retirement

 

When I made the decision to retire, I was ambivalent about how much notice would be appropriate. I’ve been with my employer over 23 years. I have immense respect for my VP and genuinely appreciate her. She has been fair and equitable during the years I’ve worked for her.

However, my spouse reminded me that over that 23 years there have been situations in which I was not afforded opportunities for growth because of business needs. I am well aware of my personality traits that make me less than an ideal candidate for senior leadership. If someone asks my opinion, Intendvto give it notwithstanding the perils of doing so in corporate America. 

I have worked in complex casualty insurance claims throughout my career. I self describe as a clean-up batter, a firefighter, an EPA superfund manager, a windmill tilter, a master negotiator, a dump site, a litigation manager, an ear for those who are frustrated, a friend, a provocateur, an excellent analyst, a leader, a resistance fighter, an advocate for the policyholder and a career long commitment to do the right thing.

Sometimes my personal code has conflicted with the leadership of ,y company.  I have refused to compromise my ethics. I am comfortable with that decision even if has cost me promotions.

I’ve refused to drink the kool-aid. I’ve been true to myself. It is time to let go of the corporate world that values profits over integrity, limits merit increases to an average of 2% despite record breaking profits, and a CEO who has made it clear he does not care if people leave.

Yes, I could work another year or two, bump up my 401K and accumulate more stock. But, I just don’t care anymore.

Instead, I’ll enjoy my koi pond, get healthy, enjoy my friends and family, and celebrate every day that I have left.

What it means to be Libertarian

 

Recently, I’ve had posters on social media comment that I cannot be a true Libertarian if I do not accept the concept that biological males should be able to compete against biological women in Collegiate sports. What a load of hypocrites gwash.

As an ideological Libertarian I believe that the government has not right to appropriate the wages I’ve earned to redistribute to those who dropped out of high school, decided to have children out of wedlock and steal money from working Americans, those who decided it was easier to go on the dole than work, those that looked for a physician that would put them on disability even though they can work, or those that think it is okay to let those who work support those who don’t.

The particular issue that generated discord in the last 25 hours- whether it is discrimination under Title VII to deny transgender women the right to compete as women in NCAA sports. It is not. Biological men have strength, endurance and muscularity that gives them a distinct advantage.

Outside of physiological issues, be who you want to be. Identify as you prefer. Live your life to the fullest.as long as you do not insist on foisting your beliefs on me, I am fine. 

That is the tenet of being Libertarian. Live your life as you see fit. Do not infringe on the rights of others. Support limited government. Do not stick your hand in my pockets or bank account.

Essentially, keep government off my property and out of my wallet. Consider the right of others without interference in common sense. Fringe elements have a right to exist on their own property. Just don’t force it on others.

Making the Decision to Retire

 

Making the decision to retire wasn’t easy. It was a struggle to determine if the time is right, if I’d saved enough money to live the life I’ve envisioned, and if I was prepared to give up the identity I’d established as a high performing, valued, claim professional in the P&C insurance industry. There is no question that I’m still at the top of my game. But, the machinations required by my company and the toxic litigation environment made it too challenging to do the job. 

The stress has been overwhelming. It is not as if an incorrect decision would result in people dying or losing their homes or livelihoods; instead it is the acknowledgment that making the wrong recommendation could cost my company millions of dollars and more Thursday morning quarterbacking than I want to endure.

Activism amongst the judiciary, ethically challenged plaintiff attorneys, juries that do not appreciate the value of a dollar, greed, shortsightedness, anger towards corporations that employ people, intolerance for accidents, and the apparent need for some people to transfer wealth from those who create to those who believe society owes them has created a landscape I no longer want to navigate. 

The inmates have co-opted the asylum. Even the parts of the job that energized me no longer compensate for the negativity. My only hope is that the cycle will tilt towards what is reasonable. But, I’m no longer willing to wait.

I’ve Decided To Retire | May 9, 2025!

 

This was me a year ago, March 2024, celebrating my dad’s 92nd birthday. Since that time, we’ve lost my father-in-law, my aunt, my mother-in-law, my dad, and my husband’s bio mom. I’ve had a friend that had a mastectomy just before Christmas and a long time acquaintance, from university that died of brain cancer. 

Talk about a wake-up call!

Life is short. The time passes. All of a sudden we realize that we’ve spent decades trying to accumulate assets so we can retire comfortably. What does that mean? For me, I’ve adjusted what I originally thought was necessary for the next stage. I still have things on my bucket list, but the list is shorter.

Quality of life, finding peace & serenity, living everyday with optimism, celebrating the little things, focusing on health, finding beauty in my environment, being grateful for my blessings, and appreciating the people who have given me the skills to live my life to the fullest bring me joy. 

Perhaps a few more years in the corporate world would have given me a bit more financial flexibility. But, I am at peace with my decision. It is time to embrace the next stage of life! Bring it on!

Disrespect For Our Democratic Procss

 I have not always been a supporter of Donald Trump.However, he is a far superior representative of the USA than our former incompetent, mentally deficient, plagiarist, petty, puppet that was Joe Biden, who diminished our role in the world order.

The Democrats that showed disgraceful disrespect at the State of the Union yesterday are an embarrassment to the USA. The hubris, corrupt, disdain for American citizens is noteworthy. These elected officials make fun of the people they purport to represent. They claim they ‘know better’ than everyone else. It is condescending at the minimum and disdainful in any forum. 

These members of Congress are supposed to represent their constituents. Instead, they represent themselves, their greed, their need for adulation, their egos, their need to feel superior, their disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law.

I was embarrassed by the  antics of the Democrats in Congress. I’ve been dumbfounded by the obstructionist  votes that marginalized the will of the people. 

The Democrats acted with rudeness, antipathy, disgust for fellow Americans who disagree with their skewed view of what life in the USA should be like be.

I applaud Donald Trump assembling a cabinet of outsiders who may shake up the old world order into the  current world in which we live. The Cabinet is diverse. There are views that should generate discussion. Let us hope it is the end of the status quo. 

Term limits! Line item veto for appropriations, tax reform. Cling the right thing. Taking care of  Veterans and paying active duty soldiers a living wage.