"Final-Farewell"

[cars]

I went to my Retirement party today thrown by my Fellow workers. (86 strong, & many others had outside commitments) It was great, in a nice restaurant, in a private room! The food was really good, and the "roasting" they did on me was pretty funny. I got some nice gifts, and a few funny ones. Like they gave My wife "Boxing Gloves"! Pretty funny, I got a Fishing hat, great fishing rod, some hand-made lures, a couple of plaques of Aircraft, and a signed Matted Aircraft picture with all my friends signatures and well wishes just like they used to do in a high-school picture book. They also gave me a big cash gift to buy what ever I wanted. Again it was great! We all had fun! But that was like the "final" get together, (Final Farewell) between us all, sought of the end of the end. Really sad in a way, now it's really over! When I left on 1/31/05 I still knew this day was still coming. However, I did give a pretty darn good farewell speech, even if I do say so myself! I hope I can get used to not going to work. As I've mentioned before work is all I've ever known for the last 44 years!! I'm still getting up between 4:00 to 4:30am. Hopefully when I get used to being retired, I will learn to sleep later, sure hope so! I will miss my friends at work, some of them were like "second- family" to me. I will try to keep in contact with a few of my best friends outside of work, at our houses. (Wish me luck, I'm going to need it)
Cars

[BabyRider]

Kind of bittersweet, huh Cars? That sounds like a very nice send-off you got, and I'm sure you will remain friends with your co-workers. It sounds like you got some great stuff to put to use with your new-found freedom. (I'm telepathically sending a good-luck charm to your new lures...you're gonna get the Big One, I know it.) Care to tell us a bit about the roasting? That should be good for a laugh!
As for getting up early, I'd love to be able to do that! I like sunrises, and feeling like I have a whole day ahead of me to accomplish whatever I want to, or to spend in any way I choose.
Are you planning to travel? I'd be pretty excited about being so unencumbered, and I'm sure you will find things to do.
Congratulations again, Cars. Keep us in the loop about the fun you're having, okay?

[capt_buzzard]

Originally Posted by cars

I went to my Retirement party today thrown by my Fellow workers. (86 strong, & many others had outside commitments) It was great, in a nice restaurant, in a private room! The food was really good, and the "roasting" they did on me was pretty funny. I got some nice gifts, and a few funny ones. Like they gave My wife "Boxing Gloves"! Pretty funny, I got a Fishing hat, great fishing rod, some hand-made lures, a couple of plaques of Aircraft, and a signed Matted Aircraft picture with all my friends signatures and well wishes just like they used to do in a high-school picture book. They also gave me a big cash gift to buy what ever I wanted. Again it was great! We all had fun! But that was like the "final" get together, (Final Farewell) between us all, sought of the end of the end. Really sad in a way, now it's really over! When I left on 1/31/05 I still knew this day was still coming. However, I did give a pretty darn good farewell speech, even if I do say so myself! I hope I can get used to not going to work. As I've mentioned before work is all I've ever known for the last 44 years!! I'm still getting up between 4:00 to 4:30am. Hopefully when I get used to being retired, I will learn to sleep later, sure hope so! I will miss my friends at work, some of them were like "second- family" to me. I will try to keep in contact with a few of my best friends outside of work, at our houses. (Wish me luck, I'm going to need it)
Cars

And don't forget your friends on Forum Garden, even if we are only cyber friends. We still need you amongst us

Hi Cars,
Sounds like you have some really great friends that care a lot about you. Sounds like they gave you a heck of a party. I am sure you will have no problem kepping in touch with any of them. Just enjoy your days and your freedom. You are your own boss now! Well maybe not with the Wife..lol Keep your head up and go get that huge fish!! Fishing to me is the most relaxing thing in the world. You will enjoy it... Good luck to you and your family...

[BabyRider]

Originally Posted by capt_buzzard

And don't forget your friends on Forum Garden, even if we are only cyber friends. We still need you amongst us

Yeahyeahyeah...What Capt. said!

[CARLA]

CARS,

Bless you, this must be difficult. But onward, and upward. !!

You will get in the groove soon enought. Time to put up the "GONE FISHING" sign.

I remember when my dad retired he had worked for GENERAL DYNAMICS for 45 years at plant 19 here is San Diego. He was a bit lost for the first 6 months. Took him about a year to relax.

You know you can alway do VOLUNTEER work, I'm sure a man with your education,and skills would be sought after. Volunteer work is very rewarding.

BRAVO !! YOU WORKED YOUR BUTT OFF ALL YOUR LIFE.. NOW IT'S TIME TO LET THEM YOUNG PEOPLE TRY AND MAKE IT 44 YEARS..!!

[cars]

Originally Posted by BabyRider

Kind of bittersweet, huh Cars? That sounds like a very nice send-off you got, and I'm sure you will remain friends with your co-workers. It sounds like you got some great stuff to put to use with your new-found freedom. (I'm telepathically sending a good-luck charm to your new lures...you're gonna get the Big One, I know it.) Care to tell us a bit about the roasting? That should be good for a laugh!
As for getting up early, I'd love to be able to do that! I like sunrises, and feeling like I have a whole day ahead of me to accomplish whatever I want to, or to spend in any way I choose.
Are you planning to travel? I'd be pretty excited about being so unencumbered, and I'm sure you will find things to do.
Congratulations again, Cars. Keep us in the loop about the fun you're having, okay?

BR, I feel the good luck charm already. You are very kind, & I appreciate your support. Yes I will be traveling (going) to Florida Friday for the next three months.
As for the "roasting" My wife got a kick out of the "Boxing Gloves" they gave to "her", as they joked that she will be using them now that I'm invading "her" domain all day long! I got a combination "Fishing Hat & Golfers Hat", with lures, on it, & golf tees on it, if one thing is not going good that day I can go do the other! As a joke, they gave me a "list" of things that still needed to be done on my Royal Austrailian Navy Helicopter project I was head of. (In fact they were really done)
Plus many "inside" things that would'nt mean much to out of the group people.
Again thanks for your kind wishes, it is much appreciated.
(PS: hope all goes well with you and that Veternerian job!)
Cars

[cars]

Originally Posted by capt_buzzard

And don't forget your friends on Forum Garden, even if we are only cyber friends. We still need you amongst us

Thanks buzzard, my FG friends (I think of you more than just as cyber friends) here are helping me tremendiously to get through this tough time of adjustment for me. It is much appreciated!
Cars

[cars]

Originally Posted by tmbsgrl

Hi Cars,
Sounds like you have some really great friends that care a lot about you. Sounds like they gave you a heck of a party. I am sure you will have no problem kepping in touch with any of them. Just enjoy your days and your freedom. You are your own boss now! Well maybe not with the Wife..lol Keep your head up and go get that huge fish!! Fishing to me is the most relaxing thing in the world. You will enjoy it... Good luck to you and your family...

Hi tmbsgrl, Thanks for your kind words of support. I really am my "own boss" as you say, see "My wife" just told that I am, Ha-Ha.
Anyway I'm with you I like fishing, I plan to do a lot of that when I'm in Florida for the next 3 months. But I will also be here, fishing in the Garden!
Cars

[cars]

Originally Posted by CARLA

CARS,

Bless you, this must be difficult. But onward, and upward. !!

You will get in the groove soon enought. Time to put up the "GONE FISHING" sign.

I remember when my dad retired he had worked for GENERAL DYNAMICS for 45 years at plant 19 here is San Diego. He was a bit lost for the first 6 months. Took him about a year to relax.

You know you can alway do VOLUNTEER work, I'm sure a man with your education,and skills would be sought after. Volunteer work is very rewarding.

BRAVO !! YOU WORKED YOUR BUTT OFF ALL YOUR LIFE.. NOW IT'S TIME TO LET THEM YOUNG PEOPLE TRY AND MAKE IT 44 YEARS..!!

Thanks Carla for you kind words of support. I just love your cartoons, they are teriffic! I hope to be able to get used to this retirement thing, it is a "Life altering change"! A new life, with unlimmited opportunities. But first, I will try not living to a schedule for a while, to see if/how fast I can adjust. If need be, I will do some Red Cross volunteer work as you suggested. I to believe it will be rewarding.
Cars