Today's the Day!

This was taken in the late 70's, early 80's in the dispatch center

This is a little more current in the dispatch center

I'm at work for the last time today, at least at this job.  Who knows what the future holds?  Well, I know who knows, Jesus!  The decision to retire was very hard for me to make, but I finally decided and now the day has come.  Actually tomorrow is my last day, but I worked Monday which was my holiday so I could take the holiday tomorrow. 

In about an hour and a half they have a luncheon planned for me.  I have no idea what's going to happen or who will be there and to tell the truth, that makes me a little nervous.  lol  But I know it's really going to be fun, but I'm sure a little emotional and stressful too.

I also know when I wake up on Monday it's going to be weird to realize that I'm no longer employed.  But I'm so excited to see what life brings.  I have so many things I want to do and I'm looking forward to having some time to do some of those things.

So anyway, the next time I show up here, I will be exploring life as a retiree.  Hopefully, I can share some of those experiences here.  I know I love to read about others who are retired.

Hope you all have a great day and thanks for visiting and Happy New Year

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 Click above to link up.

1. How young is young? In the past, according to various organizations who decide these things, age 60 was the 'border age' to old. The World Health Organization has done new research recently and divided up the categories as-0-17 (underage), 18-65 (youth or young people), 66-79 (middle-aged), 80-99 (elderly senior), 100+ (long-lived elderly). Your thoughts on this particular breakdown, and also your thoughts as to where you land?  This is interesting.  According to this I'm in the youth or young people category for another few months.  I'm more than thrilled to be considered middle-aged and that's kind of how I think of myself.  But let's be honest, not too many people live to be 128!  lol

2. TIME magazine has declared Elon Musk person of the year in 2021. What say you? If you want to know more about how they choose you'll find that info in the link here. If you were choosing, who would be your person of the year? Since this is about who makes the most news (good or bad), I don't have an answer as I seldom spend much time watching or reading the news.

3. I read here ten habits of extremely likable people which include-they greet the world with a smile on their face, they ask questions, they're consistent, they put the phone away, they remember names and use them, they keep an open mind and don't pass judgement, they're authentic, they're kind and generous, accountable for their mistakes, and they send thank you notes.  

So, are you likable-lol? I think I am, but perhaps someone else should judge this and not me.  Which one of these habits could use some further developing in your own life? I need to get better at remembering people's names.  I've never been good at that.  What is one habit/quality you'd add to the list? Just always treat others the way you would like to be treated.

4. One non-holiday related task/job/goal/dream on your to-do list that you hope/plan to make happen before the new year rolls in? I want to become more of a minimalist and get rid of all the "stuff" in our house and garage.  I've begun, but I have a long way to go and no way it will be done before the end of the year.  But I should have lots of time after the first of year to accomplish this.  I want to head into my retirement years with a lot less "stuff."

5. Share with us some of your holiday plans. We really don't have the plans made yet.  It'll be hubby and me at home and then plans to visit with my brother and sisters at some point and also be with hubby's brother & family and his mom too.  Not sure how that all is going to look at this time.  I guess you could say we'll be flying by the seat of our pants.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

found on internet

Thanks for visiting!

Cathy

My November Reads

I decided to link up with "Show Us Your Books" for November.  I've done more reading this year than for a long time.  I'm ahead of the GoodRead Goal I set in January and that makes me happy.  I believe after I retire at the end of this month, I'll be reading even more as I'll actually have more free time (or at least I hope so).  So excited, because I truly love reading.

Anyway, My GoodRead Account shows I completed 3 books in November.  Two of them are the Love Inspired Romance - both Christmas related stories and the third is by my favorite Christian author, who as far as I know is no longer publishing books (which is really sad).  Hoping she'll start writing again.  I have re-read most of her books again this year and hope to get to the rest of them to re-read again soon.

The Rancher's Christmas Match by Brenda Minton:  I really enjoyed this book about a struggling single mom who moves to a small town where they offering assistance starting new businesses.  She will also be closer to her parents (who had disowned her).  This was a very good story and I enjoyed it a lot.

The Nanny's Texas Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain.  Another nice read about a guy who runs a ranch for troubled kids.  He hires a nanny to help with his son.  It was a good read.

This is actually 2 short stories and they are both excellent.  Lori Wick has been my favorite author for many years.  These are very quick reads but very enjoyable.

You can click below if you'd like to link up.  This is my first time to ever join in.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great day.

Cathy

The Truth of Christmas

 I love to share this video most every year.  There is nothing better than the truth of scripture.

Hope you enjoyed hearing it again.  Thanks for visiting.

Cathy

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for God sending His son into this world to save me.  I am so not worthy, but He loves me just that much anyway.

I'm also thankful for this nativity that my brother-in-law made.

Thank you for visiting.  You can link up here or here for Thankful Thursday.

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Click above to link up.

1. 'Tis the season to be jolly....so are you? Not sure I'd say jolly, but definitely joyful!

2. Do you trim a tree this time of year, and if so is yours all done?  Usually, I do but the last 2 years we've just put up a small tree with fiber optic lights.  Branches do not hold ornaments and we've just enjoyed the lights.  I plan to do the same this year,  but I told hubby next year I want a tree that I can put my ornaments on.  I'm missing the ornaments this year.  I'll use some to decorate other areas this year...but next year the tree! What's something in your home-closet-life that needs to be trimmed in the new year? I'm hoping to do new paint and floors over most of the house in the new year.

3. Are you 'dreaming of a white Christmas'? Not really.  Is that a possibility where you'll be celebrating? Sure it is.  In fact we have snow this morning.  According to this site the top ten places in the US you can count on for a white Christmas are- North Pole Alaska, Crater Lake Oregon, Yellowstone National Park, Winthrop Washington, Aspen Colorado, Ketchum Idaho, Mt. Washington New Hampshire, Whitefish Montana, Duluth Minnesota, and the Lake Tahoe town of Truckee California Of the snowy spots listed which would you most like to visit? Yellowstone National Park

4. December 8th is National Brownie Day...will you be celebrating? I don't think so.  I'm not a major brownie fan.  That being said, if someone gave me one, I'd probably eat it.  lolHow do you like your brownies-chewy or cake-like, frosted or plain, nuts or no nuts, a piece from the middle or give me the corner?  Frosted, no nuts.  As a child were you a member of a brownie troop? No

5. Share a favorite line or two from a Christmas carol or holiday tune. 

Silent night, holy night

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories streams from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing alleluia

Christ the Savior is born.

Can you even imagine what that must have been like for the shepherds...I so love the thought.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

What If the Wisemen Were Wise Women?

My husband found this and used it in a sermon in 2008. I loved it so much then and posted it. I decided I wanted to share it with you again (in 2012). And now I'm posting it again in 2021. Hope it makes you laugh like it does me. 

Ever wonder what it would’ve been like if the wise men had been women? When they arrived at the manger, you can bet they would have:

1. asked for directions;
2. arrived on time;
3. helped deliver the baby;
4. cleaned the stable;
5. brought practical gifts; and
6. made a casserole!

And a couple of our ladies added another one.
7. They would have made reservations ahead of time!

Thanks for visiting and I hop you have a great day!

Cathy

Friday Photos

 Here are a few photos from my week.

Hubby, his mom, and I went out last night and
grabbed a sandwich and looked at Christmas lights.
So many beautiful lights.

Colton's mom took him to the library 
for reading time and then they
made a Christmas ornament.

This is Colton's

Had a check-up this week and this is the tree at
the Hospital.

And I loved this beautiful nativity on the piano 
along with the poinsettias.

This is the tree at work.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Cathy

Thankful Thursday

 Things I am thankful for today:

**My sister, who's birthday is today:  Since mom passed, she has become even more like a 2nd mother to me.  She's always there if I need to talk.  She's fun to be with and I'm looking forward to having more time with her after retirement.  Happy Birthday Beverly!!

**Hallmark Christmas movies:  I enjoy relaxing in the evening watching one and the best thing of all is that my hubby likes to watch them too.

**Christmas lights and decorations:  They bring me such joy and in fact I think we're going out tonight for a sandwich and light viewing!!

**Christmas books:  I'm so enjoying reading different Christmas fiction books.  Again, they bring me joy too.

**Christmas music:  Currently listening to my Christmas Channel on Spotify! Again, joy!!

Can you tell from this post, that I love most anything Christmas?  So what are you thankful for today?

You can link up here or here.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Cathy

A Sentence a Day - November 2021

Since I was on vacation over half of the month, I probably will be showing more photos than sentences.  But here goes anyway.

1 - Monday.  Worked half a day, then went home and took a nap as I didn't get much sleep last night, then finished most of the packing, took the dog to the kennel and also went to a funeral visitation for my sister-in-law's mother. 

These are the flowers that my
sisters and I got for her.

2 - Tuesday.  Left early morning to head out for our fall trip to Myrtle Beach and we actually made it there before dark (which we usually do not).

3 - Wednesday.  Got to spend some time on the beach and actually found a few sharks teeth this day.

4 - Thursday.  Someone had built a really cool sand sculpture this day right in front of our hotel.

 

5 - Friday.  I was up most mornings in time to see the sunrise and it was so beautiful this morning and then we had lunch at Damons and got to sit by the windows so we could watch the ocean and yes, hubby and I never tire of these views and I also finished reading The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber

sunrise

lunch with a view at Damons

6 - Saturday.  I have no idea what we did, but I'm sure there was time at the beach and a lot of relaxing and watching Hallmark Christmas movies in the evening oh and I finished reading Christmas for Two, The Christmas Gift by Lori Wick

7 - Sunday.  Hubby preached a live sermon on FB from the balcony with the ocean as the backdrop (I don't have a photo, but you can see the video on my FB page).

beautiful skies later in the afternoon

8 - Monday.  Spent time in the afternoon reading on the balcony although, I know I spent much more time enjoying the view than actually reading.

9 - Tuesday.  We had lunch at the Dead Dog Saloon and then spent some time on the beach and I finished reading The Nanny's Texas Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain

Delicious lunch at the Dead Dog Saloon

it was a beautiful day

10 - Wednesday - again spending time on the balcony 

11 - Thursday.  Veteran's Day and hubby and I spent some time at Warbird Park where this display was honoring Veterans.

12 - Friday. Again, I don't really remember what we did this day, but I know I enjoyed every minute as we always do when we're together.

13 - Saturday.   Early evening I was out walking on the beach and someone came up really close behind me because I could see their shadow I knew they were there and every time I tried to side-step, they did to and it was starting to make me nervous, so I turned around on them and low and behold it was my sister and her husband...talk about a shock.  They had decided to come down and surprise us and they spent the next 6 days with us and we just had the best time together

14 - Sunday.  Went to lunch at Damon's again with my sister and her husband and we spent time a couple different times on the beach looking for sharks teeth.  ( by the time we went home we each had over 100 sharks teeth to take with us).

15 - Monday.  Of course we had to go shopping together (I'm not much of a shopper, but she is and we had lots of fun) and then we went out to lunch and then we spent the evening relaxing in our rooms.

16 - Tuesday.  Again sister and I went shopping but this time at a Christmas Shop called the Christmas Mouse and I got these house shoes which are so comfy and warm.

17 - Wednesday.  I don't remember what we did other than I know we were out of the beach 2 different times looking for sharks teeth and we all went to lunch together.

18 - Thursday.  We went out shark teeth hunting early and then my sister and her hubby started home.

it was a beautiful day again.

 

19 - Friday.  Hubby and I spent the day in the driving home...it was sad leaving, but I was happy to pick up Lucy and be back in our home.

20 - Saturday.  We picked up the groceries for the Thanksgiving Baskets for our church to pass out and met friends a the church to get things ready for them to be picked up on Sunday after church.

21 - Sunday.  We had a wonderful day at church and a nice nap in the afternoon before the evening services.

22 - Monday.  Went back to work and only 26 days left to work.

23 - Tuesday.  Came home from work and this was in our yard (my sister's husband made this for us)...I added the floodlight on Wednesday.

24 - Wednesday.  Worked and then had church that night,

25 - Thursday.  Happy Thanksgiving!!  Hubby and I had a very relaxed morning and then visited with his mom in the afternoon and then Hallmark movies at home in the evening.

26 - Friday. We baked a ham and spent the entire day at home which is quite a rarity for us and I finished reading The Rancher's Christmas Match by Brenda Minton.

27 - Saturday.  Had lunch out at Chuys and ran some errands and a quiet evening at home. (I could really get used to this)

28 - Sunday.  Two wonderful church services and a nap in the afternoon and then we did the first day of our 2021 Advent Bible Study by She Reads Truth and He Reads Truth called Advent 2021: The Everlasting Light (this is going to be good!) and then while watching a Hallmark Christmas movie I worked on some pompoms to finish up a scarf for someone.

I made this last January and sold it today.

Mine is the white & gold, hubby's is  red

29 - Monday.  Work and then worked on pompoms again as I've sold several scarves and need to finish them up for Wednesday hopefully.

30 - Tuesday.  Work and then running errands with both sisters and grabbed a sandwich for dinner together and then home and worked on adding the pompoms to the scarves.

So how was your month?

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great day.

Cathy
 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Currently - The Day before Thanksgiving

Currently I am...

Reading:  Divine Disruption by Dr. Tony Evans and his 4 kids and I'm also reading The Rancher's Christmas by Brenda Minton.

Listening to: Christmas Traditional Radio on Pandora - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is currently playing.

Loving: Watching all the Hallmark Christmas movies.

Thinking: I have a 4 day weekend coming up and yes, I know I just got back from a 2 1/2 week vacation.

Feeling: Happy.  Life is pretty good right now.

Celebrating:  Thanksgiving of course.

Grateful for: Retirement that is approaching.  I only have 24 more days to work and that's counting today..

Weather:  Cold, but beautiful sunshine and blue skies.

Enjoying:  Seeing Lucy in her new sweater.

And the beautiful manger my sister's husband made for us.  Picking up a floodlight after work so it'll show in the dark.  

Looks like I also need to rake some leaves, so it'll look a little better.  lol

A quote I want to share: I've posted this before, but it bears repeating.

"Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change.  Prayer is a conversation you have with God about things He can change."

Thank you so much for visiting and I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cathy

Tuesday 4 - Thanksgiving

 

Thanksgiving

 Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4... Go here to link up, if you'd like to join in.

Thanksgiving is the subject.

1. What are you most thankful for this year?  My family.

2.Company or just immediate family?  Neither.  It'll just be hubby and me at home and then in the afternoon we are going to his mom's house (or that's what we're planning. She hasn't said for sure.)

3 Cooking or catering?  We had a Thanksgiving type meal at Bob Evans on Saturday with my sisters and brother and their spouses...so fun to be together and no mess and I even had leftovers to dinner that night) Home or eating out?  Hubby is hoping instead of a traditional dinner his mom will let him bring a pot of chili (his is the best!) and just relax and enjoy visiting without all the mess and fuss.)

4. What's for dessert? I have not idea, but maybe pumpkin pie?

So what are your plans...do tell.  Either here or make a post and link up above.

Thanks for visiting.

Cathy

A Sentence A Day - October 2021

 

My October one day at a time.

1 - Friday.  After work, hubby took me to Chipotle Drive Thru and he went to  Donatos Drive Thru and then home for supper and a quiet evening at home, then couldn't sleep so I finished the book I was reading (Heartsong by Debbie Macomber) and started another one by the same author.  

2 - Saturday.  Regular Walmart shopping trip with both sisters and then went home and out for lunch with hubby and then the library where I checked out 5 more books by Debbie Macomber...I guess you can say I like the first two books I read and then came home took a nap and did laundry and cut hubby's hair.

3 - Sunday.  Church and took home Arby's for lunch and enjoyed a quiet afternoon reading and napping and then back for evening service.

4 - Monday. Went to work and then came home and helped make supper and then did some reading and watched some TV with hubby.

5 - Tuesday.  The dog woke me up early so I took her out and then did some Bible reading and praying and then finished the book I've been reading (Last One Home by Debbie Macomber and then later started another new Library book as I'm enjoying reading real books right now and after work a quick supper and then off to Bible Study.

6 - Wednesday. 

7 - Thursday.  Hubby's back hurting really bad so he called and got in for a chiropractor appointment

8 - Friday.  While at work listening to audiobook Jessie by Lori Wick the last in this series.

9 - Saturday.  Shopped with my sisters and then went to lunch with hubby and his back is a little better

10 - Sunday.  Church and nap time in the afternoon and back to church.

11 - Monday.  Columbus Day and off work, hubby had chiropractor appointment in the morning and his back is slowly getting better.

12 - Tuesday.  Back to work and got my flu shot and then Bible Study after work.

13 - Wednesday.  Took my "new" van to the shop for an oil change and to be checked over for our trip and the mechanic said it looks like it's barely been driven...there's another job finished before our trip.

On the mechanic's lot and the white van in the background
is our other vehicle.  So we are a two van family now.  lol 

14 - Thursday. After work we went home and cooked supper and I finished a book I had been reading and even listed to a good sized portion of it at work through my library audio book download (The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber) and then started another book just before bed.

15 - Friday. Took 3 hours off work and then ran some errands to get some paperwork I need to officially file my retirement...and then a nice evening at home where I started crocheting a new baby blanket. 

16 - Saturday. Started with approximately mile walk with the dog and then watched  a Hallmark movie in the morning while crocheting and then Olive Garden for lunch and then drove to Aurora, IN and relaxed by the Ohio River watching the barges and whatever going by and then back home for TV crocheting and laundry. 

17 - Sunday.  Went to a double baby shower today and we had so much fun as it was all family and it was outside and the weather was perfect...got to be with family I hadn't seen in a while...so thankful...I also ripped out most of the baby blanket I started Friday and decided to go a whole different way which I think will work much better with the yarn I have.

18 - Monday.  Left the house early this morning so hubby could get some lab work done...I waited in van and read my Bible and also a few pages of my book and then off to work and hubby made chili for supper.

19 - Tuesday.  Work, Bible Study, Crocheting on Baby Blanket while watching some TV with hubby and also officially submitted my application for retirement.

20 - Wednesday.  Woke in the early morning and finished the book I was reading (A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber...then went to work, met mother-in-law for dinner and then spent the rest of the evening crocheting.

21 - Thursday.  Took hubby to morning doctor's appointment and I sat in the car crocheting and then went to work (started a new audiobook), then home to do laundry, watch some TV and of course mostly crocheting again (will I get it finished by Saturday?)

22 - Friday.  Work, chiropractor's appointment, picked up Chinese for dinner and then home to crochet all night and we watched the first new Hallmark Christmas movie.

23 - Saturday.  Completed the baby afghan this morning, went out for breakfast with hubby and picked up a gift bag at the Dollar Tree and then met my two sisters and went to the baby shower and then that evening we ordered a pizza and watched another new Hallmark Christmas movie.

Mommy to be reading the card with
the blanket still folded on her lap

Unfolding the blanket (thank you to my sisters
who thought of taking a photograph)

24 - Sunday.  Two really good church services today and a long nap in the afternoon...my idea of the perfect Sunday.

25 - Monday.  Work (finished listening to the audio book (What Child is This?: A Christmas Story by Caroline B. Conney) and then cooked supper and we relaxed at home, did some cleaning, and crocheting.

26 - Tuesday.  Oncologist appointment where all appears well and then on to work, home and then last Ladies Bible Study until spring.

27 - Wednesday.  Baby Lincoln was born today which is about 6 weeks early as momma and baby were in distress and all is well now...he is little but he came out screaming so it seems that his breathing is probably okay.  lol

28 - Thursday.  Work and then met hubby's mom for dinner and then home to watch some TV and crochet (working on a scarf with the leftover yarn from the baby blanket I made earlier.

29 - Friday.  Oldest daughter is 30 years old today...when in the world did this happen?!?

30 - Saturday.  Shopping with sisters in the morning and then lunch with hubby and home to work on retirement paperwork and watch another Hallmark Christmas movie and crochet and read a little too.

31 - Sunday.  Church and a nap in the afternoon in the between, plus some crocheting and working on packing.

That's my month.  How was yours?

Thanks for visiting.

Cathy

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Is Halloween a big deal in your neighborhood? Not really.  We do have kids that trick or treat though, but not many. Was it something you celebrated as a child? Yes, I remember trick or treating as a child.  With your own children? My own kids did, but usually, we took them to my parents neighborhood because the houses were closer, plus they got to see their grandparents and show them their costumes.   Do you like candy corn? .   Yes, in small doses.

2. Are you a scaredy cat? Sometimes  About what? Trying new things, but always scared of spiders (at least the big black ones)!

3. Last time you were somewhere that should have been busy but felt like a 'ghost town'? At the Chick-fil-a Drive through at lunch today.  Usually this is a humongous line, but there were just a few of us there.  Strange.

4. Do you like chili and if so how do you like it?  Yes, I like it the way hubby makes it.  Beans or no beans? I prefer no beans, but hubby likes beans, so we compromise.  He only puts about half of what he would like in it.  Meat or no meat?  Meat  Beef or chicken?   Beef, unless I'm eating white chili.  Spice or no spice? I really prefer a milder chili like hubby makes.  Favorite toppings? Grated cheddar cheese.

5. Would you describe yourself as a night owl? No,  I used to be when I worked 2nd shift for years, but no more.  What time of night qualifies?  I would consider being up to around 3:00am as a night owl.  What are you doing while everyone else is asleep? I used to watch TV or read.  Do you then 'sleep in'? No, because I have to go to work.  Define 'sleeping in'. I used to sleep in until around 11:00-11:30, but I didn't go to bed until around 4:00am then.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Anybody else watching the Hallmark Christmas movies?

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful day.

Cathy

Weekend

We had a very nice weekend.  Some busy and some really quiet.  Surely, there was no time to be bored though.  lol

Friday night we picked up some Chinese and we spent the evening watching TV, doing a load of laundry and then lots of crocheting on the baby afghan I was hoping to finish in time for the baby shower on Saturday afternoon.  I did not finish it Friday night.

The first official new Hallmark Christmas movie

Crocheting away

Saturday I woke up really early and after reading my Bible and relaxing a bit, I finished the last 8-10 rows of the baby afghan.  I was so happy I did get it finished in plenty of time.  I guess I work better under pressure.

Finished

Finished

After that hubby and I got cleaned up and went out for a late breakfast and ran a few errands and then I met my two sisters to go to the shower.  We had so much fun there and mama to be got lots of wonderful presents.  We got to see the baby room and it was gorgeous (sorry, never thought to take pictures.)   

Then we went home and hubby ordered us a pizza and we snuggled in an watched another Hallmark Christmas movie and then off to bed.

Sunday we had 2 wonderful services at church and a nice long nap in the middle of the afternoon.  My perfect Sunday.

So how was your weekend?  Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful day.

Cathy