It was March 20, 2013, when I walked into my foot doctor's office, and was
taken out in a wheelchair! I had Charcot Foot...which was at least 10-12 broken bones
in my foot. I spent my last 2 1/2 months of my teaching career in a wheelchair.
(My 37 kiddos were soooo great to help me, and push me in the wheelchair!) I was
basically laid up for 5 months, and in a boot for 8 months. I retired from teaching
after 33 years, and released from the Mount Timpanogos Temple after serving
as an ordinance worker for 16 years. I was facing possibly many surgeries,
and I thought my life was over!
I retired on May 30. Everything worked out (since I missed the retirement deadline)
even having health insurance from retirement until 2019...cuz I'm so young!
(Then I pay until Medicare, bleh! But, thanks to the district, any teacher
who retires, that was hired before 1990, receives a 3% stipend x number
of years taught! HUZZAH!)
First class . . . 1980
First Faculty . . . 1980
Last class (plus entire 5th grade) . . . 2013
I stood at the last second. See my boot?
Last Faculty . . . 2013
(Notice the quality of pictures changed in 33 years!)
I was called at the end of July 2013 to be in the Stake Relief Society Presidency.
My Stake President set me apart, and blessed my that I would be healed!
I never had surgery!
Summer was LONG! My mom drove me every morning at 7:00 a.m. to the
AF Rec Center to swim, and my BFF drove me home. At the end of August,
I was given the green light to drive! The next month, my doctor said I could go to BYU football and Jazz games! And my life has been better ever since!!!
That's why I like to post on Facebook where I am...because I was cooped up soooo long!
I love the retired life!
It's still hard to start walking after I have sat a long time...but after about a dozen steps,
it's all good. I wear shoes that have a lot of cushion to help with the support. I also
wear braces everyday. I use my fancy cane when needed,
and I limp slightly. I can live with that!
Loved my foot dr. Gary Ridge! Also, Jill Roylance, and Elyse Hawks!
And, after Dr. Ridge retired, I have loved my new doctor, Daniel Patty!
Thanks to everyone who helped transport me everywhere in my non-driving days..Lori Chadwick, Don Beckstrand, Annalea Warwood, Ashley Kelly, Dixie Mitchell, Condita Washburn, Adonna Iverson , Heidi Park, Renae Reese, and anyone else I forgot!
Also, all my school friends, and especially my 5th grade kiddos!
I've still have had foot problems now and then...partially torn achilles (had to speak
in a Sacrament Meeting sitting on the stand...but, the high councilman
was glad he didn't have to speak the entire time!), foot ulcers, and a broken toe.
But, I make it work!
My original plan was to retire this year . . . 2018. I would have had 38
years in, just like my mom! Then, I would have had my 6 years of insurance
until Medicare. As it is, I will have to pay for my own insurance after next year.
years in, just like my mom! Then, I would have had my 6 years of insurance
until Medicare. As it is, I will have to pay for my own insurance after next year.
All of my friends are now gone from Alpine Elementary.
But, I see all my retired friends once a month for lunch...way more than I saw
them while still teaching!
It took me until about March of my first year out, that I could sleep in,
and not feel guilty! I have never been soooo happy in my life!
Doing what I want, when I want.
Being a "stay at home aunt" is the absolute best!!!
And I LOVE making an appointment, and not having to say,
"after 4:30 p.m.!"
My first trip to St. George by myself for 5 days
(Dixie roommate's son's wedding), after retirement,
I kept saying to myself, "I didn't have to make lesson plans!"
Besides Stake Relief Society presidency, I am on the
board of directors of
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
This is when I announced to the Lone Peak High School
Student Council that they were the only high school
to win a national award!
2017
I am also the president in the state of Utah for
Alpha Delta Kappa, a sorority for outstanding women educators.
(Hahaha...I'm the only one looking at the camera, cuz it's my phone!)
And the best part of retirement, is being a
"Stay At Home Aunt!"
It's great to be able to go to all of the school programs,
choir concerts, dance festivals, Christmas Sings,
graduations, of my great nieces and nephews!
Having the "Grandma Pass" at Thanksgiving Point has
been soooo fun!!!
My great nieces and nephews (plus Heidi)
My nieces and nephews. All born during my first decade of teaching!
Heidi . . . year 7, Chris . . . year 1. (He was 3 months old
when I started teaching), Katie . . . year 10, McKay . . . year 6,
Ashley . . . year 4, Camille . . . year 2.
These kids were the BEST helpers at school!!!
Putting up bulletin boards, checking papers, getting desks arranged,
moving things, etc.
(Of course, when I just had the girls, they were extremely motivated
to get the room ready quickly to start school, because I would
take them school clothes shopping in Park City!)
Nieces, nephews, and spouses with my mom.
All 32 members of my family!
(Good thing my only sibling decided to
multiply and replenish the earth!)
And I LOVE making an appointment, and not having to say,
"after 4:30 p.m.!"
My first trip to St. George by myself for 5 days
(Dixie roommate's son's wedding), after retirement,
I kept saying to myself, "I didn't have to make lesson plans!"
Besides Stake Relief Society presidency, I am on the
board of directors of
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
This is when I announced to the Lone Peak High School
Student Council that they were the only high school
to win a national award!
2017
I am also the president in the state of Utah for
Alpha Delta Kappa, a sorority for outstanding women educators.
(Hahaha...I'm the only one looking at the camera, cuz it's my phone!)
And the best part of retirement, is being a
"Stay At Home Aunt!"
It's great to be able to go to all of the school programs,
choir concerts, dance festivals, Christmas Sings,
graduations, of my great nieces and nephews!
Having the "Grandma Pass" at Thanksgiving Point has
been soooo fun!!!
My great nieces and nephews (plus Heidi)
My nieces and nephews. All born during my first decade of teaching!
Heidi . . . year 7, Chris . . . year 1. (He was 3 months old
when I started teaching), Katie . . . year 10, McKay . . . year 6,
Ashley . . . year 4, Camille . . . year 2.
These kids were the BEST helpers at school!!!
Putting up bulletin boards, checking papers, getting desks arranged,
moving things, etc.
(Of course, when I just had the girls, they were extremely motivated
to get the room ready quickly to start school, because I would
take them school clothes shopping in Park City!)
Nieces, nephews, and spouses with my mom.
All 32 members of my family!
(Good thing my only sibling decided to
multiply and replenish the earth!)
Retirement is almost too good to be true...knock on wood!
I almost don't even remember teaching...but when I do, it's all the
good memories!
Presenting . . .
All the different forms of transportation and
Footwear . . .
Wheelchair
Secretly cleaning out my room on Memorial Day.
Lots of help from the cute kiddos...Oakley, Jaycie, Addie, and Preston.
Also...Ashley, Laurel, Mike, Katie
Crutches
(Officially the official day of retirement)
Soft Brace
Cane
Fancy schmancy cane.
It helps soooo much in a big place,
like the temple, on trips, bad weather, etc.
Retirement is not the end . . . but just the beginning!
ALL HAIL RETIREMENT!!!
Helping the day before were McKay, Lori, Cole, Haley, and Lily.
Don Beckstrand was a great help the last 2 days...bringing his truck,
taking me and stuff home, packing it downstairs, and getting the wheelchair home!
Crutches
(Officially the official day of retirement)
Store Scooter
Woooohoooo!
Woooohoooo!
Holy Cow! This was fun!!!
The boot
Shayla's soccer game
Boot over pants
Camry and Katie's birthdays
Cierra and I comparing boots at Jazz game.
(Look at the twinners in front of us!)
Hahahaha...this is a picture I took looking at my feet.
I'm pushing a cart at WalMart...first outing without my boot!
(Notice how the right shoe is cleaner? That was my boot foot!)
(Notice how the right shoe is cleaner? That was my boot foot!)
Meet my new shoes!
(Dr. Scholl's)
Soft Brace
I wore this soft brace everyday over my sock, before I got
my hard brace. Now, I wear it on the left foot, for support.
(Partially torn Achilles tendon 2 years ago)
Hard Brace
I am now on my 2nd hard brace.
They cast my foot, then saw it off. It exactly
fits my foot!!!
This really helps to stabilize my foot.
my hard brace. Now, I wear it on the left foot, for support.
(Partially torn Achilles tendon 2 years ago)
Hard Brace
I am now on my 2nd hard brace.
They cast my foot, then saw it off. It exactly
fits my foot!!!
This really helps to stabilize my foot.
Cane
Fancy schmancy cane.
It helps soooo much in a big place,
like the temple, on trips, bad weather, etc.
Retirement is not the end . . . but just the beginning!
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