Travel log

I will post to this travel log on our trip, so I just wanted to set it up and get it ready.

Officially retired

Yesterday was my last day to work. They had balloons, a card, and a very nice pot luck lunch. Pretty unusual for someone to retire, most leave on their own or are fired. No tears until the very end of the day. The dogs are spooked out by the Mylar balloon I brought home. They bark and bark and bark. I had to close it up in the spare bedroom so they wouldn't see it. Once again, Dad and I went out to dinner. Today seems like a very normal day. Dad golfed and I just did my usual Saturday chores. I went over to Gram and Pop's to pick up a few things that Gram wanted to get rid of and I thought I could use. They close on the house on June 6. Don't think Gram will have time to do much furniture shopping before then. They will have enough to get by until she can go. The home inspection was last week, and so they have a few things to repair or update.
Kathy and Rich and the twins and Paul and Sean are all coming on Wednesday for a week to "help with the move". Don't know were they will all sleep. We are all trying to think of ways to entertain the boys. Beach, pool, library, ball games etc.
Dad's last day to work will be Wednesday and we already planned to go to the beach the first day we were off together, so we will still do that.
Our light in the laundry room gave out on us, so Dad is at Loewe's now buying a new florescent one with one of the gift cards we got for Christmas.
We are very happy for Kim and Dan who have bought a Condo in Oak Park. They take possession at the end of May. It is a 3 bedroom condo, with a sun room and a 3 season room and a garage and one parking spot on the street. It is on a quiet cul-de-sac and it is on the 3rd floor. I am sure they will send photos once they are in. They are both in Grand Rapids this weekend for Dan's niece's baptism. She was born in March and she and her parents also live in Chicago.
Kim also has several interviews set up in schools closer to the condo for next year. I think they are next week.
We are very excited to have so many nice trips planned from now until August. It is a nice way to start retirement. In June we are driving to Pensacola for Kristin's wedding. She is Kim's Matron of Honor. We will all stay with Mike and Nicole. Kim and Dan will fly down.
The church interns have a place to stay together closer to the church , so they did not need our offer.
I have been going to a Zumba class every Tuesday evening. It is exercise to Latin music. Our teacher is about 20 and so cute and when she sambas and cha cha chas it is very cute, but when we older ladies do it, it is so funny.!!!!!!It is very fast paced, so it is good for us, but sometimes I just break down laughing, cause it is too hard to keep up and keep in step. It is a great work out.
When I shake my rear end it is not nearly as cute as when Tina shakes hers.!!!!Not fair. We have to face a whole wall of mirrors too!!!!!
I bought some new shoe inserts at a place called FIT 2 RUN. It is the same place where Kim got hers when she was here. They are special inserts, that I think should help my sciatica a lot. It takes a bit to get used to them, since it feels like I have big stones in my shoes, but it sure helps me forget about the back ache.!!!!
I too have a confession to make. I have been buying and eating low fat pecan ice cream at the grocery store. Boy do I love it. I haven't had ice cream in a long time. The salty sweet combination is so good.

Retirement - How sweet the sound

Today Both Ron and I gave our notices of retirement. We both hope to end at the end of April. The first day of retirement for the two of us we plan to go to the beach. Dad is feeling such a sense of relief. I have not gotten there yet, but know I will soon. We had dinner at Olive Garden tonight to celebrate. Our church had their 10 year anniversary yesterday with a picnic after church. Everyone brought a dish to pass and they had the hot dogs, pulled pork and chicken BBQ catered. It was so cold, yes you read it right, cold and windy even under the tents. It rained a little. We had jackets on and were still cold. It is to get even cooler tonight. I put a blanket back on the bed. Strange. The church in having 2 summer interns and they are looking for places for them to stay. They are from Duke University, so we have volunteered. Do not know if they will take us up on the offer. Gram and Pop Zim have sold their house and most of the furniture in it. Can't reveal the details until after the closing June 23. It was a lowball offer, but all in all, we are all pretty pleased that it has worked out and they can move on. Gram is so happy to be able to go out and buy new furniture. She has been wanting to do that for years. Have to see how Dancing with the stars ends. Missed the first part.

New Blogger

I thought it would be fun to set up my own blog to keep closer contact with the family. I will not always have a lot to say, but here goes.
I have spent 2 days going through closets and tossing unused items left and right. I took one car load to Goodwill and have another big pile ready for the Kidney Foundation to come and pick up at the door. It feels good to have less "stuff".
I still have not come to a conclusion as to what new colors to paint the house interior. Maybe that means I should just stick with what I have.
We had some pretty good corn on the cob for supper tonight with ham and scalloped potatoes. First corn of the season, I think.
Gram and Pop Zim are still working on getting the house sold. We are going over there for dinner tomorrow night. They almost gave up the villa last week, but Don and I went over some points with them, and for now, they are willing to hang in there.
I got too much sun while Kim was here and I am still peeling. UGH
My right hand is giving me problems. It is hard for me to grip things. The base of my thumb is so tender, and the pain shoots up my arm. Don't know if it is osteoarthritis or carpal tunnel or what.
Dad is watching basketball, dogs are sleeping.