The celebration of Retirement...

 This week is finally "feeling like retirement", 

Not because I'm sitting around being lazy but because I feel busy without "work" getting in my way.

 That's such a great feeling. 

The start of it all, that's me the top middle with the "mullet"! All young and naive but ready to do what I said I would do since I was a little girls!

I started talking retirement a few years ago.....

These are my work people (Minus sweet Rebekah)

My desk for 8 years, back in the corner and behind the door, it was perfect.

I loved my space

My department threw me a little retirement fling, it was fun to see coworkers from 

the past and present, along with family.

Big ole cake :)

This one, Sharalyn and I go wayyyyy back to the ER, but we were friends before that.

2 of my guys, Gavin and Rick

Friend, church friend and coworker in Neurology Jen.

Sarah and Mary (Left) were my co-workers in Lumbar puncture when I started 8 years ago, 

Renee (Right) stated 6 months after me. All 3 have taken other jobs, So good to see them.

She's a spitfire, she's funny, and keeps me on my toes, my coworker Amanda 

My Brianna and family, Audrey, Carson and Chris

My "sisters", we have a common faith,

 they have been my "calm" on days that are a little over the top.

I miss this one, Jan left a few years ago to persue another job.

More neurology team friends

More neurology team

People sent in words to describe me and my manager made this for me, so sweet and kind of everyone.

A sweet note from my Daughter, who is also a nurse.

Next up:  

My coworkers all took me out to dinner and threw a little going away party

They were so thoughtful, I loved all the gifts

So many fun gifts, all centered around the cabin/lake

Love you guys! I'm gonna miss you all so much.

Were not done yet...

My sweet family all took me to dinner to celebrate my retirement.

The grands  Love them

Family

While at the restraunt I was given a photo memory book of my career at Mayo. 

Brianna did what she does best, she used her resources and found photos that I didn't even know existed, she even contacted old coworkers to have them send messages to me... 

I couldn't read it at the time, my emotions we too volatile.

from my Brice

From my Brianna

Sweet messages from ER buddies Diane and Robin

My sister and her husband gifted me these...so funny

I Love this book so much

It's a wrap folks

Here's to Retirement!

My first, "last" happened today.

 I'm finding that as I get closer to retirement (in about 18 months) 

I'm starting already to wrap up the "Lasts".

Today was one of the "LASTS"

Can you guess from the photo below what it might be?...

Basic Life Support commonly known as CPR!

Every 2 years for the last 40 I've had to recertify in CPR. 

I can't tell If I'll miss it or not... Probably not.

It has been instrumental in my career as an RN (mostly E.R. & ICU Nursing) as I have 

performed CPR more than I want to confess.

Believe it or not, I have met  many CPR-trained instructors that have

 never had to do this daunting task on a real person.

I can tell you it's different, not much at all like the "dummies" we practice on.

and the guidelines are only that, guidelines.

There are times we forget to count " 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and .....

because that's not real life in the middle of the emergency.

but the guidelines are necessary in the big picture when you're trying to save a life.

I hope I never have to do CPR (for real) again, but if I do I will know what to do.

I'm good forever now.

Over the next 18 months or so there will be more "Lasts". 

Some I will look forward to and some I will miss. 

So as I start the countdown, 

I will share from time to time the things that come to me as I finish up 40+ years of nursing.

It's something we used to just talk about.

If it were his idea he probably would have worked a few more years.

With all the layoffs over the last few years it really wouldn't be a surprise.

It didn't matter anymore if you were working on some important projects, if you were staying busy with customer problems or even if you were considered an "expert" in what you do.... 

Many important and contributing employees have felt the sting of IBM's "Resource Actions" 

 No one really knows any more who will be the next to get the news. 

Rumor's were flying in February that another big layoff was coming.... Yep, it sure did! 

After almost 33 years of service to "Big Blue", 

and at the young age of 55, Rick was "Retirement eligible"... so Retired he is! 

 One of his last times through that door.

March 2014

People react with, "sorry to here about your job", we are not sorry, and actually we were quite prepared for it. We are at a good place in our lives right now,  we are healthy, debt-free,
 young(ish) and ready for adventure!

One of Rick's favorite things to do is hang out with the grands!
Wednesday's have become Audrey and Grandpa day

She's really getting the hang of ice skating at our Recreation Center

Rick's first selfie....I love it!

Carson loves his grandpa "ba"! 

There's no doubt the feeling is mutual

The end of June we will have another to spoil....cant wait!

The end of March, were able to celebrate Rick's retirement with all the kids,  

We love any opportunity to have all of our kids together!

So proud of my man, who has always provided for our family and  taken such good care of us.

I have never heard him complained about going to work....not even once.

You can't have a retirement party without a few gifts

It's a golf towel for his golf bag.... 

"RDH", his initials. I love that it says, "Full Time Golfer"  :)

 It's almost been two months, 

Rick has stayed busy organizing, making retirement decisions, talking to financial people, playing, following me around, working out, having lunch with friends, and Golfing.
For now he's enjoying "being retired",
 In time he will decide if he'd like to venture back into the work force,
if  and when the opportunity presents itself.

I'm enjoying having my favorite man around,
it's an adjustment but a good thing that's for sure. 

He makes me laugh with his goofy jokes and quirky mannerisms.
 He likes to follow me around saying... "all... day... long"

Love sharing life with this guy  :)