Labor of Love

I have been trying to get someone to help me clear out our hidden corner (lovingly dubbed "the jungle") for years and years now - well, today my son singlehandedly tackled and subdued it! It is now a spot where I can plant a garden! I plan to fill it with several different kinds of squash and pumpkins - Yay!
...I'm so excited, I've even already bought the seeds!
I wish I had taken a "before" photo, because without it, you can't possibly understand what he was up against.
Our neighbor has a cherry tree that has been dropping pits over the fence for years, and there was a veritable orchard in there - plus knee-high weeds, rusted overgrown bicicles, and other various discarded items....a bit of an archeological dig!
(He even found some of my 29 year old's toys from days gone by!)
He also discovered a pretty little Maple tree that has come up from seed - I'm going to try to re-locate it to another spot in the yard.



Here's the evidence of the debris that has been pulled out of my corner...

Brad had to work a swing shift on Mother's Day, and wasn't able to be here for the festivities, so he said this is my gift from him - he'll never know just how much I appreciate it!
(I'm planting some zuchini for his wife!)
Thanks Brad!

Almost ready for Summer...

Hubby and the boys have been busy working on the yard over the last few weeks - the transformation has been amazing! We had our first outdoor barbeque for mother's day, I think we're really going to enjoy this!

Our boys built the pond - I think they did a great job!



We've always joked about having a crystal chandelier out here - but this year we did it!


We had to get a different pool this year because of damage to the old one - we're still waiting for the water to get warm enough to stick a toe in!

It's Over

The fat lady has sung, it's over - fini. Today was my last day at work.

For some reason, I woke up with vertigo today. So bad that I fought with nausea, and struggled to even walk a straight line - yuck! I hate that feeling! I had stopped on the way to buy dougnuts to treat everyone, and I was so sick all day I couldn't even join them.
We had plenty of work to keep us busy, but as 4:00 came around, people started trickling down the stairs - with boxes filled with thier personal effects.
I don't leave until 5, so I was the last one to go (other than my 2 supervisors), so I had to watch every last one of them walk out the door - forever.

Ouch.

We all exchanged email addresses, and they say we are planning to have a "girls night out" in a couple of weeks to find out where everyone has gone. I sure hope it works out - I really want to keep in touch with these people!

The photos below are from our "Farewell / Retirement" party last week. (The company's founders officially retired.)
The party was so nice - they served us a yummy lunch, and surprised us with a fun video of all of us (being silly). Then Liz gave us all necklaces. Each necklace has a little heart charm next to the clasp that was engraved with "Thank You" on one side, and the name of the store on the other.
Pretty nice gesture, I thought. Most places would just give you a pink slip and say "don't let the door hit you on your way out."

I haven't done much about finding a new job. I'm going on a little weekend vacation (for my anniversary,)this Friday, and I've been looking forward to it for so long, that I don't want anything to interfere with it.
Boy do I need it!
Hopefully it will give me some time to figure out what I want to do next, then I'll be digging out the ol' resume, and hitting the streets.

Farewell, dear friends!

My crew.

Available and Currently Seeking Employment...

I'm still in denial about losing my job. Each day that brings that final day closer makes my heart feel a little heavier.
Every day, the conversation topic centers around where everyone is going and what they'll be doing.
This white-board has told the story of our numbered days ever since we were told the news. (the photo was taken 5/9/07 - I added the "will scrap 4 food" sign.)



For some of the younger girls, the situation is a springboard for new and exciting adventures - one is for sure headed to Boston, and to graduate school, one is see-sawing between moving to Arizona or California (and a job at Disneyland).
For us older gals with families, it's more - who's hiring in the area. The emotional ups and downs are so wearing on the mind & body. I come home and go right to bed at night (not like me at all) just because I'm so worn out by it all.
As I've been listening to the young girls dream up their futures, I've been thinking about what I would want to do if I were young and had no restrictions - here's a few things I came up with:

1) Travel Companion.
Seeking rich individual who loves to travel, but doesn't want to go alone.
I am currently available to visit all the exotic places in the world with you. Must insist on separtate private room, but am willing to engage in occasional light chit chat. Will also take photographs for a nominal fee.

2) Mattress Tester.
Need someone to try out newest models in mattresses? Then I am your girl! Must be allowed a full 8 hrs. to give proper analysis. Will not test in display window.

3) Bowling Alley Polisher.
Need your alley polished? I can make it shine! Will provide my own "Swifer" slippers. After-hours access to music a must - disco ball optional.

4) Chocolate Quality Control.
I know chocolate! Will give critique on any brand. Must insist on free enrollment to Weight Watchers.

5) Lighthouse Keeper.
Seeking employment as live-in lighthouse keeper in remote beach location. All that is required is a private room, small kitchenette, and well stocked library!

If you know of openings in any of these feilds, please let me know ASAP!

Strange things happen....

...When I'm not home.
When I came home from work today, it appeared that my furniture was partying while I was out:







...all this can only mean one thing - Bradley is home! :)

(My newlywed son has moved in for a few weeks, strange things always happen when he's around!)