Oasis Blog
That’s Amore!
While gluten-free items are becoming easier to find, the search
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Thinking outside the typical job-hunting box
I may have to retire from my career job but that does not mean I am retiring from ever earning an income again. I have marketable skills that are valued in today’s workplace market. There are lots of income opportunities out there. I simply have to figure out how to turn these opportunity options into an income reality that works for me.
Another pension income reality: Im an income snob
It’s a relief to know that I can actually afford to retire now and be able to comfortably live and financially sustain my lifestyle. I will earn/generate more income in retirement than my current net take home pay. So what’s the problem?
Income social status! 
Fourth of July and tomato pie
Fourth of July is the time for two of our favorite family traditions—patriotic music and home grown tomato pie. Want to share in our traditions? Read on for the secret tomato pie recipe back on Mother’s Day weekend when I planted our garden. As for our love affair with patriotic songs, that started back in the 70s.
Are we talking about my retirement expectations or yours?
I'm being blasted from colleagues and friends as “jumping ship” prematurely into retirement because I’m not using some pre-packaged presumed assumption of how I will be living my life when I retire from my current career job. Whose retirement is this, anyway?
Surviving the realities of job hunting
In these past few weeks, I have gone through an ego-bruising crash-course in job hunting 2014, and it has not been pretty.Today’s info-tech-centric culture means the job-hunting process has morphed into an endless series of click, select, edit, scan, download, save and submit buttons.
Becoming a parent at (almost) 50
I became a new parent twice last year for the first time. Did I defy nature and give birth two times in one year? No. I officially became a parent for the first time to my darling 9 year-old twin stepsons when I married the love of my life; and a second time when I became my father's primary caregiver.
Creating costumes on a budget
Ever been to a Renaissance Faire? This year, I attended two weekends for the Wonders of the World and the High Seas Adventure. Of course, I wouldn’t dare go without dressing up in full costume! The challenge? Creating costumes on a budget.The nest is empty … now what?
I feel old. Not only did I turn 50 years old last month, but my youngest son graduated from high school and is heading out of state to start college. For the first time in 21 years, I will not have any children at home. I feel that time is moving too fast and I want to yell at it to slow down. Sound familiar?
How well did I know my dad?
My father, Daniel Jenerson III, died September 19, 1992. At his funeral I was surprised to hear from neighborhood families about how he helped them in their time of need…diapers when their children were born…food when there was none…helping with auto repair costs. Who was this man they were talking about?
So what about retirement? If you can, do you want to?
Thirty-five years of saving, 10 years of aggressive investing and the last five years of learning to live on 32%-46% of my salary, had finally paid off. I could retire and have more income during retirement than I have while still working. But my heart is not in it to retire ... yet.
Turning ageism on its age
I’ve been on a couple of interviews now and they have been most enlightening. Every one has been hosted by individuals decades younger and considerably less experienced. There have been some awkward moments and some engaging ones. Who knew that I could charm these young folks into seriously considering me to be a part of their team, working under their direction?