Keeping Busy Retired

Well, I retired 12/31/09. We left for three weeks in Florida on the 4th of January. It was cold but warmed up before we had to come back. We took our Airstream and stayed in a campground two weeks and in our timeshare on Ormand Beach one week. Keith's brother, Tom, and his wife and sister-in-law were in Daytona Beach and we got together several times. We went to Spring Garden Ranch (horse ranch) for breakfast at their restraunt. Keith & Tom went to an antique tractor show one day. That's why we took the gator with us. It is a really big show. Keith did some fishing at the campground. Not too much luck as the water was too cold. We also went to Travares and visited Wayne and Ginny Wilson in the home they purchased there. I will post some pictures. We stopped at Kevin & Sarah's on the way back for a couple hours but were anxious to get home. There's no place like home Auntie Em! So I just completed my first real week retired at home. Kept busy cleaning closets and cupboards. Just love being home. Did a little shopping and out to eat with my cousin on Monday. Had basketball games Monday and Tuesday - one was Kraig and the other Casey. It was good to get back to see Kurt's family too. Missed all the kids. Keith had five auctions last week so he kept busy. Now when I get caught up on things I need to do, I am going to scrapbook to my heart's content.

Late Christmas & Bald Eagle

Thursday, December 31st, Keith came home from town and said "grab some binoculars and come on!" So I did. We got in the car and went down the road just a little ways. Out in the field on the other side of the road from our house, was a bald eagle eating something it had killed. It was magestic. You don't expect to see one that close to your home in Ohio...but it was great!! Didn't have my camera...can you believe it?

Libby was better and so Kevin & Sarah came up Thursday and we had Christmas with Kurt's family, Kevin's family and our moms on Friday, New Years Day. Kevin's went home Saturday afternoon. Kurt's were over to visit today, Sunday. I love being with my family!! I will post a few pictures.

My Retirement Party

After the Board Meeting Monday night, the Board hosted an Open House in my honor for my retirement. It was really nice and there were almost 50 people that attended. They had a cake, and refreshments. I was given a gift certificate and a flower centerpeice from the board. My family, friends and co-workers attended. It was a very nice evening. Can't tell you how special I felt. I will post some pictures. While I was in my meeting, all the grandkids tried out my desk and they each have their own "style". Will post more pictures later.

Cayla's Christmas Program & Another Ballgame

Monday night we went to Cayla's Christmas Program, How the Penguins Saved Christmas. Cayla

was a reindeer. In the picture she is at the microphone - she had a speaking part. The picture isn't great, but it is hard when we were so far away the lighting didn't help me much. She did a great job and was the prettiest reindeer there!

Thursday night I went to Kraig's game against Garrett. He did a good job as always. In the picture, they are listening to the coach during a time out. Kraig is far left in the picture.

I had to work today--on my day off--to start training my replacement, Cathy Kimpel. I will take some time off later to make up for it. I only have 12 days left!!

Kraig's Basketball Game

I went to Kraig's basketball games Tuesday and Thursday nights. They were both home games. At Thursday night's game, Kraig made a basket and two free throws! He is getting better at every game. It makes me tired to watch him run as fast as he can from one end of the court to the other. He really must be exhausted after the games. He plays really good defense. Always on his man.

Last night I had Red Hat's Christmas Party at our home. My time at work is going fast. My last day will be the 31st and then I am retiring. We are finally getting around to interviewing replacements Monday and Tuesday. I gave them 90 days notice, but they are just now interviewing!! Don't know how much training I can get done! Especially if the new person has to give two weeks notice--that will take us to Christmas!! The Board is having an Open House in my honor the 21st.

Time with Libby.

I went to Kevin & Sarah's on Tuesday night and stayed with Libby Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as Sarah's sister who babysits for Libby had her tonsils removed. I had a great time with Libby. Luckily, I watched the Baby Signing Time DVD's before I left as Libby signs and we got along fine. When she has her snack in the living room, Gilmore is very attentive as you can see in the photo as anything she drops is fair game. She usually drops some on purpose for Gilmore. She is growing and changing so fast. Keith called while we were there and Libby said "Hi" to Grandpa on the phone. She signed Grandma the first day I was there and they said that was the first time she had signed it. So she knows who I am. Christmas is a long way away, but I am thankful for the time I get to spend with her.

Weekend with the Grandkids

Kraig, Casey, Chloe and Cayla spent the night with us Friday and the day with us Saturday. We played some games, Clue, Sequence, Scruples, Monopoly and of course Candyland. We went to Subway in Butler for lunch. Keith cut some trails in the woods and we took several rides on the trails on the Gator. It was a beautiful weekend to spend time outside. Keith had an auction today so he didn't get to see the kids for too long, but it was quality time. Chase came too and stayed in the garage in his carrier. He loved running around. Chloe spent alot of time outside with him. Kraig and Casey took him for a walk in the woods. We had to go to Wilson's Holiday party tonight, so we didn't get to talk to Kurt and Christy much when they got back. They had a good time and IU won!!

Mom's 96th Birthday A Day Early

Today I had Mom over for lunch and invited my brothers and sisters for cake and ice cream. They all came except Byron's wife Judy who wasn't feeling well. She was missed. The afternoon was spent playing cards and watching NASCAR. I took a few pictures which I will post.

Chloe's Ninth Birthday

Kurt & Christy had Chloe's 9th birthday party tonight. We had delicious nachos and cake and ice cream. Kurt & Christy got Chloe something she has been wanting for a long time. A dog. Chloe named him Chase. He is part Jack Russell and part beagle. He is three years old and a sweet dog. They gave him to her on Wednesday and you can tell how special he is to her. Keith & I got Chloe an American Girl doll, Elizabeth. I think she really liked it too. In one of the pictures, all the girls are sitting on the floor checking her out. She was surprised, as we had told her she would have to wait until she was ten as that is when we gave Casey hers. But she just wanted one so I thought that this is the year.

BSBW Tasting Bee

Today was the Bryan Area Business Women's Fourth Annual Tasting Bee. The theme this year was Be Entertained. Members were to decorate a table with their favorite movie. I did Field of Dreams and this is what I came up with. Just wanted to share.

Kurt's deer that he got with a bow and arrow

This is the button buck that Kurt got tonight in our woods with a bow and arrow. He made a great shot from his tree stand. He called us and Keith & I went back on the gator to get it.

Casey's Honor Roll Breakfast at Riverdale

Casey invited me to her Honor Roll Breakfast at Riverdale. These are held every nine weeks for students on the honor roll. I didn't get my camera turned on in time to catch the picture of her receiving her award, but I did get her to pose with it so I could have a picture to remember the morning.
I was very proud of her and got a chance to have breakfast with Christy, Casey, Chloe and Cayla.

After the awards, I went to Auburn hospital to visit a friend, Lisa Warner. Tom & Mary came over last night for supper and we enjoyed visiting with them. Keith has an auction today and I am doing paper work.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Congratulations Presidents Whitman

Kurt's stopped over to the house last night. Kraig had told me last week when they were here that he was running for class president. Four kids were running. He told me last night that he was elected president of the seventh grade at Eastside. We are very proud of his accomplishment. Way to go Kraig!

Christy let us know that Casey came home and told them that she is president of her class at Riverdale. We are very proud of her accomplishment. Way to go Casey!

Sounds like we may have some polititions in our future.