Wednesday, September 9, 2009

2 Year Anniversary

This picture was taken two years ago on my last day of work....we all gathered together for cake and coffee. There were many tears that day as these were not only work mates but they were my friends.....They gave me a beautiful necklace, earrings and bracelet as well as the most gorgeous crystal bowl, either they were glad to see me go or they were going to miss me. I know I miss them but I am happy to say I still keep in touch with all of them....some more than others as some became life long friends. It was time for me to retire and a year and a half later this GE office closed due to the economy. All of them moved on to some wonderful jobs but we all remember the great times we had working together. Most in this picture were at a BBQ we had this summer. I am so proud of them especially the young people.



I had a much better day today, one of my blogger friends called me this morning and we chatted for at least an hour. I loved hearing her voice as I am able to put a voice to her words. Don't you just love blogging, I know I do. I have made so many wonderful friends from countries all over the world. I don't know why it took me so long to begin blogging but I know why I continue ...... just being connected to others, enjoying their photo's, poems, hearing about their days and their families. I really, really love it.

Tonight I met two of the nurses/friends I do hospice work with for dinner in St. Albert. It was wonderful to see them as we don't see each other through the summer.
I had lasagna, garlic bread and a glass of wine for dinner. I didn't have room for dessert but I did have a French Vanilla Capachunio (sp) and thought of Eileen as I drank it. It was delicious as was my meal. I loved the food, the wine, my friends and the conversation. It's good to be going back to my volunteer work the end of September.

They are calling for a heat wave in Alberta over the next few days, amazing really but I'll take it as I want to bring my wicker furniture on my deck inside and a put it down in the basement.....I don't have a lot left to do outside. I hope everything will fit through my new garden doors.... which by the way I still haven't received my quote for my curtains. I did call today to check and Christine who was here last week is out with the flu and since it's her project they didn't have any info for me. They did say she will e-mail me tomorrow.....let's hope so. I would like it done before I move back to NB in three years. LOL

All in all a good day, as I hope all you had.

Am off to read my favorite blogs and comments....Good Night and God Bless and as always .....many, many hugs.......:-)

41 comments:

Cindy said...

How great that you have kept in touch with everyone Bernie, I think that is just fabulous. and also rare. Big Hug to you, hope you get your curtains soon.

Eileen said...

Hi, Bernie, I love how you just sound so 'complete' with every stage of your life. I can see you look back with appreciation for what has been, and you look forward with anticipation of things to come, but you always seem to live in the moment. And I think you've helped those of us who read your life to follow your example, well, at least this reader.
For the most part I have been happy with each and every stage of my life, but I do sometimes find myself longing too much for another time, or trying to hurry future events, so coming here each day has reminded me to appreciate each day of my life too.
Great post, as always, Bernie.
Love you, Eileen
PS ~ I had to laugh at the 'French Vanilla' connection to me!
I find myself doing that a lot with my blogger friends too! And I talk about you all so much too that my family asks about everyone by name and even Jayden knows some of you!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Congrats not juston your retirement anniversary but for keeping up with everyone! It is so easy to lose track. Still have breakfast once a month with friends/workers in a previous office. It is grand to catch up! Have a grand day! Cathy

Wanda..... said...

I have no doubt you were very much loved at work Bernie...just as you are here!

Why don't you wait for your house cleaners to help with moving the deck furniture...I'm sure they wouldn't mind...carrying them down to the basement while alone isn't a good idea...I broke an ankle on our stairs, so I'm overly cautious now while using them.

It would be nice to have drapes over that door before winter cold gets there. The heat here yesterday disappeared quickly after a storm blew through...and a few leaves came down too...very autumn like.

Take care Bernie and don't overdo when feeling good!

Smiles,
Wanda

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, Bernie! I love blogging....I love my blogging friends. I feel very close to them, even though we've never met.
I'm surprised at the 'heat wave' prediciton in your area. In mine....phhhfff...always a heat wave...but in yours....wow! I hope you enjoy the wicker chairs....enjoy each moment God gives us...and there are sooo many.
Love to you, Bernie....
Jackie

Tranquility Speaks said...

You looked wonderful in the picture Bernie, all bright and radiant. You still do, but here you were specially dressed for the occasion :-) I am sure all your ex-colleagues miss you :)

Have a great day Bernie, and take care of your health too :)

Blessings each day said...

Good to hear that you had a good day and also that you had so many nice co-workers. I, too, was blessed with wonderful co-workers who gave me a great send-off when I had to leave for our move to Arizona where Mario had finally found a good job.

Your dinner descriptions always leave me hungry and usually for whatever you just ate...think you could write a great food column, Bernie!

So you just have hospice classes starting in the Fall? You people in Canada are so much more organized that we are...we have people dying year round without any consideration for the official time to do it!

bleesings and happy hugs for your good day,

marcy

Anne said...

Good Morning,Bernie. I am glad to hear that you a had a good day. How nice that your co-workers gave you all those presents. Your story about leaving your job makes me think of a school that I worked at for a long time and I left the job to go back to school. As a going away present I got a beautiful breifcase. I used until it fell apart. The school is still thriving and I have such fond memories of my days there.
Take care, Bernie.
Enjoy your day.

Margie said...

Good morning Bernie
Oh, that is a wonderful picture of you & your co-workers on your last day of work.
And it's great that keep in touch "with all of them"
So nice to become close to those we work with as you know many people do no...it's all business for them.

Glad you had that nice phone call with your blogger friend.
I have made some nice friends through blogging as well and I have some I talk via the phone.

Have a great day, my friend.

HUGS!

Margie:)

Kay said...

i think you influence and effectivly provide happiness to more than could ever return to you. Such a great person you are *hugs* have a great day!

Anvilcloud said...

Like you, I don't find it difficult to enjoy retirement.

Diana said...

Hi Bernie,
You know I think it's sad when a group of people that work together and become friends have to split up. It like a family of sorts same as in the blogging! You looked very happy in the photo!
Are you looking forward to the heat wave? I have to say that I am tired of it. It has been nice and cool in the evenings and mornings though.
Your dinner sounded very good. Jake has been wanting me to make Lasagna. I hope you have another good day Bernie.
Love Di

Marian Dean said...

That is a lovely photograph of you and your work mates, a treasured item to remind you of all the good times shared.

I hope the heatwave isn't too intense, we are enjoying an extra few days of summer, so taking advantage of it.

Love Granny

Bernie said...

Hi cinner, they are such wonderful people, easy to love and keep up with.
Oh I do hope I get my curtains, I even hope to hear about them right now. Have a great day......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Eileen, I think accepting and appreciating my life is true. I am so thankful for such a beautiful life with so many blessings. Not all perfect, many flaws but for me it has been a "cool" ride. I have met so many wonderful people....hopefully I will meet more....Great day my friend...Hugs:-)

Bernie said...

GrandmaK, I think it's important to keep up with the people wih are special to us and especially those who have had such an impact on our lives....I was so blessed to have worked with these people.
Have a great day......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Good Morning Wanda, I never thought about asking the cleaning lady to help me with that chore, that's a good idea, thank you.
Well they say it's going to be hot but it sure doesn't feel that way this morning....will be interesting to see what is going to happen......have a great day my friend.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Jackie, it doesn't feel like a heat wave this morning although it is sunny....should be fun to see if they made a correct call...Hugs

Bernie said...

Stillness, we all wore jeans that day as it was a casual affair really. I was happy, working and keeping busy is a good thing....
Have a great day my friend....Hugs

Bernie said...

Marcy I laughed out loud when reading your comment, no people are still ill here in the summer, but since I am a volunteer I choose to take the summer off....they still get great care Marcy....we are very blessed in Canada to have the health care we do....I would be bandrupt by now if I had to pay for all my treatments and medications. I know it's something you all are going through right now....I am praying for everyone.
Dinner was excellent, although the company really makes it wonderful for me.
Have a wonderful day my friend,
luv ya......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Choices, we both have been blessed with great people to work with, it made going to work fun.
I miss them but we always keep in touch throughout the year so that makes me happy.
Have a great day my friend....Hugs

Bernie said...

Margie, you are pricless.... I have been very blessed to have worked with such wonderful people, and I am so happy we still keep in touch as I miss that day to day contact.....enjoy your day my friend.......:-) ugs

Bernie said...

A/C we both are blessed that now our choices are our own and not because of a time clock...I am so happy to be retired.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Di, if the heat wave comes I will enjoy it as it will be the last hot sun of the summer. I do enjoy the Fall, and was hoping to go to the mountains for a few days, not sure now as I have my friends coming from home and we are all going to our friend's Terry for her birthday bash...may still be able to work it in...
When I was working they were my family, and I cared so much for all of them, I still see 3 of them often and we speak on the phone all the time....
Have a good day Di......Hugs :-)

Bernie said...

Kay, thank you for your kind words, you are pretty special yourself........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Granny, thank you...they were a great group of people.
However hot it may get it won't last very long as you can feel Fall in the air each morning and evening..........:-) Hugs

Gail said...

HI BERNIE -
Oh how wonderful that you still have so many good friend from where you worked. :-) As I wind down from my work it is all so bittersweet........

and I too enjoy blogging and the wonderful people I have come to know, appreciate, enjoy, admire, and love to share with.

You are such a beautiful sou Bernie.....
Love Gail
peace.....

Bernie said...

Hi Gail, I too feel that my blogging friends are in some way like a family. I care so much for all of them
I so miss my work family but we do keep in touch and my best friends from work and I meet for lunch or dinner and we speak on the phone often.
Have a great day.......:-) Hugs

Nancy said...

Bernie, Thank you for leaving me a note. I was really excited. I just started this blogging thing and you are only the third to leave a comment. I enjoyed reading your blog and will follow. I have had a hard time finding blogs by people my age. Mom is getting stronger and I am trying to visit more often. We will chat again!
Nancy

Bernie said...

welcome to blogging Nancy, it is fun. I love it and have met many wonderful people from all over the world since I started last December....hope your mum continues to get better....Hugs

Valerie said...

Wonderful memories kept alive by keeping in touch with friends. That's great, Bernie.

Anonymous said...

Hopped over to meet Nancy and enjoyed today's post. I left the home health agency that I retired from three times. Once to have a baby, once to go to nursing school and at official retirement and then at age 70 when they took my job. That was 4 times. I had three parties and I told them the last time no that was it. I miss them all too. When you work full time, you spend so much time there you have to have friends from that group.
Blessings
QMM

Barb said...

I like seeing pictures of you, Bernie - you have a wonderful smile! Wanda's advise was good- let your house cleaners help you move that wicker. I worked as a volunteer for Hospice in my 40's - it was a transforming experience. Those Hospice nurses are saints.

Bernie said...

Friends are one of the most if not the most important things in life, I think. The old saying that you can't pick your family but you can pick your friends is really true. At my age. I have lost so many of my old tried and true friends that I try very hard to make new ones who are younger than me!!!!

I am glad that you have a lot of friends. You are blessed.

Bernie said...

Val, so true and I have many wonderful memories with my former work family......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

QMM, oh yes when you spend that many years, 8 hours a day together you become closer than families, can't help but miss the times we spent together......:-Hugs

Bernie said...

Barb, oh yes I agree the hospice workers are made from a mold of gold....so much compassion and love for the people they care for.
I made wonderful friends over many years of working, hard to believe I have worked since I was 12 years old and began full time work when I was just past 20...so it is good to now be retired.
Take care.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Bernie, since my husband and son have passed away my friends have become my family really, and I have been so blessed to have many and they are all of ages. I love the young and the old, and they don't seem to mind my age at all.
You look wonderful in your picture.
Take care, (love your name)...Hugs

Rebecca said...

You are a good friend - keeping in touch with so many with whom you've shared part of your life and time...

I just got back from a "candle party" at a friend's house. The candles were VERY expensive, but the food and chat time were great :) Now I'm catching up with all you blog friends! Have a good evening.

The Retired One said...

I am so glad you are getting the heat wave we have been blessed with for 12+ days straight. After our cold summer it has been such a gift!! I haven't been blogging as often or reading blogs as quickly because of it..but I just want to be outside all day now until the cold comes.
I also have to start trimming down my gardens for fall, which is a big job!
Take care!

Bernie said...

Joan, I don't blame you one second for enjoying this beautiful weather, we can blog and comment all winter. Enjoy sweetie as I really am as well...Hugs