Well, tomorrow is my last day of "work"

[CarolU]

My last day of "work" is tomorrow. It's been a crazy week with parties and meetings, packing and cleaning out my office computer. That on top of Bella getting near and hubby home recoverring.

Hard to say "good-bye" to such great people and memories, but not totally - they want to hire me back as a consultant each winter (when I can't ride) to write proposals. Great, since I'm house-bound most of the winter anyway.

Tomorrow is a flag ceremeony with F-16 flyover...I'm sure I'll be teary eyed at that.

I thought I'd share my retirement cake with everyone (it's chocolate).

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/23115CakeSmall.jpg

I think you can all imagine the conversation around the person who ate the tail end of that horse! LOL

[appyday]

CONGRATULATIONS

[Linda Y]

Oh, you are gonna have so much FUN!!! The work is just beginning, believe me. I have enjoyed every single minute of my retirement even though I haven't been able to do all the things I hoped I would.
:yay :rearing :jumpy

[Jasfino]

mmmm good cake Carol. I know leaving will be bittersweet but I bet it doesnt take you too long to adjust. :D You'll have so much more time doing things you want. Congratulations!

(how did primero get on your cake??? :shock: )

[motorgypsy]

retired - twice as tired, twice as much work, no paycheck!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: ENJOY!!!!

[SQUEAKS]

Carol


Congrats you earned it. :D

I have retired 3 times and all from different positions. This time it's for good :D

Now you will see how the rest of us live who have retired.

Many happy days

Bob & Grace :D :D

[Monty]

Congrats - just in time for spring - what could be better?

[Dianne]

Oh Happy Days to you Carol! wishing you LOTS of em too!
ps Becky wants pics of the flyover :D

[DebbieS]

Carol, it made me cry a little reading your post. When I left my last job, it was kind of sad. I was only there for 5 years - but it's hard to leave everyone.

You are so lucky though!! So much time to spend with your horses!! I know I have a hard time leaving mine in the morning - I always want to stay with them '5 more minutes' then I'm running around like a maniac trying to get out the door on time!!

Good Luck!!

[Jane Hurl]

You are one lucky duck, CarolU! You get to retire, and then when winter sets in and you get bored, you get to go back and visit with all your old work buds!

Could life GET any better? Me thinks not. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

[Jane Hurl]

You are one lucky duck, CarolU! You get to retire, and then when winter sets in and you get bored, you get to go back and visit with all your old work buds!

Could life GET any better? Me thinks not. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

[Trudy]

Congratulations Carol from both of us. Enjoy your time.

[Edurne]

a FLY OVER :yay consultant work......ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 4

[Brigitte]

I love the cake!! Congrats!!

[ErinC]

yah whoooooo!!!

I know you have wanted this for a long time!!!!

Congrats!!

[Minouri]

Carol,

Congrats!

I have no doubt that you'll find wonderful ways to fill your day! I'm a teacher and each summer I feel a little lost the first week but by the end of the summer I wonder how I'll ever fit work back into my schedule....

Enjoy!

Ruthie

[Terri]

Yum! nice cake. Congratulations. Now you get to log lots and lots of saddle hours.

[KAB]

Have fun Carol.How many years did you have in?I know it will be hard to leave but once you get outta the door...........wooooeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[stella]

Congratulations, Carol! I KNOW you'll enjoy every minute of it, and now be productive with the critters! And Sporthorse...
But now you'll have no more excuse not to eventually come visit me and all of Zar's relatives!

[Barbwire]

Congratulations on such a fine cake. It looks yummy! Oh yeah, the retirement thing is pretty cool, too.

[CarolU]

Thank you all. I appreciate all your congratulations and well-wishes. It looks to be great day, the rain clouds have broken and the sun will shine (Dianne, we're not allowed cameras) I won't be going in for a bit, taking hubby with (his first day back) and so we want to do just the last half (actually, I am VERY nervous about leaving Bella right now.

I love you all! So, I'm not giving up ALL my great friends. :D

Thanks again.

[baileyholc]

You still have us, CarolU. Congradulation! Just think about all the shows you can attend without having to go through all the hassel of asking for time off.

[paintedhorizon]

A flyover just for you Carol! Wow! How awesome! :lol: can't wait to meet you when you come to Stella's! :lol:

[andrea]

Congradulations Carol, Now you can spent even more time with your horses. Bet you days still will be full. You will wonder how you worked and got everything done at home. Now don't do what I did. Fast food places. Pizza hut expecially. They know me by my first name and alot of the time do not charge me to eat there. LOL that is why the only thing that is skinny on me is my feet.. Now you can take some trips and visit some people on this PF board too. If you are ever in Michigan you are welcome here.

[CarolU]

Andrea, that is TOO funny.

Several years ago we were passing around one of those 'get to know your buddy surveys' and one of the questions was "What is your favorite kitchen appliance", my friend who is an engineer replied "The Phone, to call Dominos"...LOL

Not to worry about me and fast food...the only thing I'm close to addicted to are McDonald's french fries. LOL I'm very lazy...and for some reason that works out to, "too lazy to drive to town, so I'll cook instaed." Living in the country I've never gotten into eating out often...even now that 'town' has grown up and there are lots of places to eat. Now what CAN happen is having hubby stop by to pick something up on his way home...and I'm sure that will happen occasionally. ;-)

[Mellifluous]

All right, sounds like you have it made Carol!

[Pasogirlz]

Congrats Carol. Now you will have even MORE time for apf.com ;-)

[Polly Aulton]

Congrats! I bet you find you are busier than ever.
You might have time for consulting work the first year but after that I'll bet you won't be able to fit it into your schedule.
Enjoy!
Polly

[LynnG]

:PICS

[Got Brio?]

So waht are you planning to do now that your "free"?

[Pasolady]

Praise the Lord...now life truly begins! Congratulations Carol, enjoy yourself.

[Abejita]

so how was the last day????

[Edurne]

she is still celebrating :twisted:

[CarolU]

Well, I'm home, unemployed, and don't have a foal. ;-)

It was a spectacular day, Mother Nature treated us with a bright blue sky and big puffy white clouds framing the desert. The sunset was awesome and it capped an awesome day. I cried several times, ate way (weigh) too much cake, and said good-bye to too many great people and friends. That is a hard thing to do.

But, that chapter is over, and the next is beginning. I plan to start 'work' tomorrow, just so I don't forget how. LOL

Bella is still pregnant. I think she has figured out that once JR is on the ground he/she will get all the attention, so she's holding out. LOL

Thank you all for the well-wishes. I plan to enjoy each and every day.

[Moniece Dickerson]

CONGRADULATIONS Carol I am SOOOOO happy for you!!!!!!Love that cake too!!Your friend,Moniece