David & Ruth McCreath

Entries from April 2002

April 22, 2002

A Change in Plans
posted by David at 10:54 PM |

Today was THE day at the Presbyterian Center—the day for downsizing the organization by retiring or rif’ing (reduction in force) 12% of the staff. We had known this was coming for several weeks, and those of us over 65 had been given an option for early retirement. Ruth and I compared all the options, and realized that the best bet was to be fired, but anticipated that would not happen. One reason is that I had given word that I was going to retire this year, and, since the major concern was saving on the 2003 budget, I would fit into the plans by being gone then. My plan was to finish several projects, including the effort in Africa.

I did not read the body language correctly, nor read between the lines accurately. My position was one of the rif’ed. That means my job is going to be terminated on May 3. It also means I will receive “notice” pay of six months, and “separation” pay of 15 weeks—I maxxed out the service extensions. The end result is that I will be on the payroll until February 15, 2003, though I will not be working. The other result is that I will conclude with over $10,000 more than I would have if I retired on December 31. So—plans are changing.

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April 17, 2002

More folks at home
posted by David at 11:51 PM |

This is the beginning of an important few weeks in our household. Sunday evening Heather, Sarah, and Zoni (the dog) came to stay until Memorial Day weekend. As it worked out, the house in Denver had to be vacated and the house in Pasadena was not ready, so the “ladies” came here while Kim went on to begin his work at USC. Sarah is in a day school with children her age, and is making the usual mercurial adjustments to all the changes. With her, it is often feast or famine. Heather continues her work on the projects in Birmingham. The person making the adjustments most easily is Zoni, who, at her advanced age, seems very satisfied to sit on the sidelines and watch the action.