When I was on vacation in December, I got a phone call from a coworker warning me that I would be coming back to turmoil. Our “Baylor shift,” 30 hours every weekend and paid for 40, was being cut. We had a week to decide which of our options we would go with. I was not expected back to work until the week was over. I had worked that shift for nearly 12 years and intended to go for 5 and a half more.

When I got home from my trip, Chuck and I discussed which option we thought was most tolerable. I did not want to go back to getting up and on the road at 7:00 in the morning. I didn’t particularly want to deal with that many people around me any more. But, I didn’t think I was ready to quit working, yet, either. So, we went with second shift. I knew there were openings.

Five days a week, 8 hours a day, instead of 2 12-hour days and a 6, with 4 days off kind of sounded do-able. Not working as long sounded easier on my body.

When management called me on Monday to discuss what was going on, I played dumb. But, I also played hardball. I was absolutely not going to be railroaded into something any more unacceptable than I could help. When I said “second shift” they offered a Tuesday to Saturday slot. I told them I absolutely was not coming off a weekend-only 3-days-on-4-days-off shift to still work all weekend. And second shift on Saturday means Sunday is shot. They told me corporate wasn’t allowing any positions that were Monday to Friday. I said I would take Sunday to Thursday. Or I could look for a place somewhere else in the building.

They worked it out.

So, I have been working Sunday to Thursday, 6:00pm to 2:30am. That accomodates our workflow and the other changes that have been happening lately.

That means my off time has been dramatically limited. Two days a week to cram everything in with a little wiggle room on work days. And having to be done, no matter what, at 5:00pm. Nothing in the afternoon is particularly leisurely because I’m always waiting to get ready for work. “Do I have time to do this and get cleaned up before I have to leave the house?”

Then, one Sunday, Chuck said, “I really miss you.” and I was done.

I looked up my Social Security benefits and my 401(k), did some calculating and decided that retirement is possible. I will have less to work with than I would if I held out. But, Medicare kicks in in July and quality of life matters.

I started talking to Fidelity last week about how to use the 401(k) and I intend to do the Medicare thing this week. I’m going to give us August to feel secure that everything financial is turned on.

My last day of work will be August 28. Labor Day weekend is going to be novel this year.

14 weeks, 69 work days. (I already have some vacation time planned.)

Tick, tick, tick…