I QUIT!

Eighteen posts in 2018.  What a year for poor time management.  It feels that way although I know I'm not completely to blame. I traded actively throughout the year but spent little time organizing my collection or being present on the blogs. It's made me sad on more than one occasion.

What will change this year? What can I do differently that will allow more time for the hobby and other worthwhile activities? Do I end all trading activity? Shut down the blog altogether?  Quit my job?

I'm making a positive change in life for 2019.  The answer is ... I quit!  I've shared on numerous occasions that my job responsibilities have become ridiculous: more work for fewer people with an accelerated completion time. The managing partners should stick to what they do best - bring in the business. When they are so out of touch with the processes that complete their client's work it's not long before a collapse. I do not intend to be around for the inevitable.

2000 USPS postcards Cobb and Cochrane
1975 TCMA Colavito and Kuenn
courtesy of my Canadian friend, Fred Pike

I've been off work since Friday, Dec 21st and return tomorrow. This weekend, I applied for a couple of positions locally, both outside the tax business line, that would shave off more than 20 of the current 30 mile one-way commute. Living in the country means most work out this way pays a LOT less. I'm also over-qualified for these positions. I hope to find new work before March 1st because I will not be there on the 2nd - no matter what.

The improvements a change like this would bring are many. Working only 15 minutes from home adds nearly two hours to my day.  A tank of gas will last three times as long. There will be time for little league games, the hobby and most importantly, relationships - friends and family! Blogging?? I'd like to believe weekly posts [for the first time ever] are a real possibility! Ultimately, a new job will greatly decrease the stress I'm under 40+ hours per week. No more tax deadlines.

The downside is the large salary cut I'll be taking.  There won't be a lot leftover for the hobby. Dime boxes will be my besties for sometime to come. My want/wishlist will grow.  In anticipation of these changes, I'm moving towards PWE trades. I've been doing this with Canadian friends for a couple months now.  12-15 cards per envelope is affordable and working well.

Now with all this time off work, you'd think there'd be time for the blog and hobby. I took the down time to step away from the internet a bit; read a couple books and hang out with friends. I spent three days in Northern Michigan, in the Gaylord area. Only over the past three days have I taken time to begin the long overdue card organization. I finally compiled a list of all binder sets - and labeled the binders! Some are short only 2 to 5 cards and have been added to my current set needs. Crazy how I could need only one or two cards from mid-90s sets!  I will continue to eliminate cards from my collection via 3D posts [Dupe Dump or Dwindle] or possibly as giveaways. My house is not growing, even with all the rain. No new space but more efficient use of the space I have, is the solution.

A few featured here are various Kay-Bees, 89 Ames, 1990 Topps Magazine, 87 Hostess Whitaker, 90 BBC mag Biggio
also from Fred - thanks friend!

2019 is hopeful as most new years' are. I have the power to make this change in life. How about you? Are you also making big changes or looking for new opportunities in 2019?  Many wishes for a positive and blessed new year for all of you. Thank you for sticking around, even when I'm not here.