The potential to be interesting

A couple of weeks ago the university posted info on voluntary early retirement for eligible faculty and librarians.
 
On Tuesday they posted an exit incentive for (only) Faculty of Arts and Science staff. (Four weeks pay for every year of service, up to a maximum of 52 weeks pay. Those who are eligible for retirement would be able to take it.)

A&S has the biggest deficit, so that's why this is limited to their staff right now. The article stated that if successful, and needed, the admin would consider rolling it out more broadly.

I'm not sure they would roll it out to us as well, even if they did extend it to other faculties (we're not an academic department), but let's just say that things are becoming a bit more interesting now!

Sunrise on Tuesday
 
As for other things, I'm getting ready to head west to visit Dad; the trip is coming up very quickly! My travel anxiety is ratcheting up, but on the flip side, I'm so over-tired that perhaps by the time I go, I'll be too exhausted to be stressed. (I'm quite afraid to fly, haven't managed a flight without bawling. Young kids are better than I am! Plus some of you might remember my food fiasco on both flights last year. Yeah...I'd like to travel without embarrassing myself and making a mess this time.)

Sunset last night
 
On the kitchen renovation front, I was out last Thursday to choose tile for the backsplash. I took an early lunch, thought it would be fairly straightforward. Ha! The planner suggested I take some samples home, but I emphatically refused, as I was mentally "done". Too much choice! I went with a nice tile that is called "white" but really is grey. Not what I would choose for my dream home, as I'm not a fan of cool greys, but it will go well with the countertop and the flooring, and it's a nice neutral. In the end, the kitchen will look a million times better than it does right now, and I'll have more functional cabinetry, and that's what counts.
 
Seriously, it can't look much worse than it does now. LOL.


Anyway, tomorrow is the Good Friday holiday, everything is closed (Monday is not a holiday for us, though). Hurrah for three days off! I'll take the opportunity now to wish everyone who celebrates Easter, either in a secular or religious sense, a very happy Easter! Enjoy the weekend and take care!

 

Comments

Well, if you were retiring, a full year of salary severance pay would be great if offered! I bet some folks will grab and go on this offer.
Your sky photos are lovely. And I hope your sky views from the plane will be just as peaceful.
I love your open concept of cabinets there, lol. So handy for getting things out and not having to remember which shelf of which cabinet.
Easter here will be our usual at home alone with Precious and just my usual Sunday dinner that I have been making for a decade. Also not Easter basket and not Easter bunny unless my outdoor rabbit hops by.
Have a calm and peaceful weekend. Lynn and Precious XX
Dearest Kim,
Who knows in the near future they make it also available for A&S and you can work things out...
Stunning skies and it prepares you for hitting the sky soon.
It is just a mind–set and as millions of others before you, Kim will survive it too.
You will be closer to your Mom as well—ask her to help and calm you down.
Your kitchen will in the end work out and once done, you forget about the nasty and lengthy before.
Wishing you a meaningful remainder of Holy Week—I have to perform in the chancel choir tonight, tomorrow a part of the readings of Jesus' final words and then Sunday rehearsal and performance with orchestra.
Will be happy when all that is done.
Happy Easter!
Hugs,
Mariette
Kea said…
Lynn, if they offered it to all staff, not just A&S, I would seriously consider it. My position is the lowest paid and lowest skilled in the office, and I'm sure they could hire a casual to do a lot of it, and then just absorb the remainder. Still, I would prefer to be able to work another couple of years, to add to the pension. But...I'll be 60 in less than two weeks and I'm VERY conscious of time passing while I do meaningless and tedious work to pay the bills. I still would need to work IF this were an option for me and I took it, but I would want to do so only a couple of days a week. Anyway, who knows what the future will bring!
Kea said…
Mariette, best of luck in the choir this weekend! A lot goes on during Holy Week!
I hope you and Pieter have time for a lovely dinner, either at home or elsewhere.
My Mind's Eye said…
Kim definitely potential to be very interesting. I send lots of positive vibes it will apply and be doable for you!!
Photos are spectacular.
Safe travels...and I sure will wrap you in protective virtual hugs that hopefully will comfort you. Regards to Dad. It is good to have a photo of before the kitchen project. It will help along the way to insure you how good it will look
Hugs Happy Easter
Cecilia
I hope things work out work wise and the opportunity arises for you to leave with a good pay off. Safe travels when you visit your dad.
Maebeme said…
I always hoped I'd get an incentive for retiring, but that wasn't to be. However, I do highly recommend retirement if the numbers work. I'm certainly far happier and much less stressed.

I'm so sorry that flying is so difficult for you. Sadly, air travel never seems to run smoothly these days - between delays and cancellations, it can be both frustrating and anxiety driven. I'm assuming you do take some anti-anxiety meds ahead of the flight. Fingers crossed this trip will be easier for you.

I retired four years early and highly recommend it! I hope you have a fun trip and please travel safely. That's a funny cartoon!
Poppy Q said…
Worth thinking about the payout if you can afford it. We get a 4 day Easter break, but I'm working Sun and Mon. Happy travelling.
Kea said…
I would still need to find part time work, or alternatively, sell the house and live more cheaply elsewhere. Though there is nowhere reasonable anymore, in terms of rent and overall cost of living.

I think my job will be okay for the next year (🤞), but after that, who knows. No matter when I retire, there will not be enough pension to cover monthly expenses, even without frills.

So if we're offered this deal too, it'll be a roll of the dice. Stay and lose my job next year? Who knows! It's an adventure of sorts. Lol.

John Bellen said…
That would be wonderful if you could have a bonus upon retiring, and such a bonus! If I am understanding it correctly, some could receive up to a year's pay to retire early. I hope that this incentive is extended to your department.

As for flying, being over-tired may be your answer. Try to get as little sleep as possible for the couple of days beforehand. You may sleep through the whole flight. Or you could try to embarrass yourself so completely that that takes your mind off the actual flying...
meowmeowmans said…
Wow, we hope that early retirement incentive works out for you, Kim. We're not quite there ourselves yet; we'd still have to work for a while even with a payout!

Hope you're having a super weekend. :)
The J-Cats said…
Your skyscapes are AMAZING!
I hope things turn out all right with your retirement plans.
Happy Easter.
You have a lot on your plate now!
Hoping everything works out the way you would like things to go.
I don't like flying either.
Happy Easter to you as well!
When I saw the name "Kea" I thought I would be clicking on a New Zealand blog, not a fellow Canadian, but it's very entertaining, and leaving me curious about your use of Kea!