9 February 2015

Catching up....

Well its time to catch up a little and say just a little of what's been going on. I haven't been on line much at all really. Just checking FB for things the kids put on and commenting sometimes but not a lot. I have been quite down about things and especially about work. There are a couple of much younger women at work who have seemed to go out of their way to make things difficult. Add that to feeling more and more like not wanting to go out at night and into some situations and it all got too much. Barrie and I talked and the result was that I put in my notice to retire. My last working day will be the 31st March. I told my boss on Wednesday and she asked me many times was I sure and she didn't want me to go. I did open up and told her all that was happening and that made her say even more that I should stay and fight it out. I decided to still go. I am 64 in a couple weeks so I think I have done enough. I cant say any of this on FB because it will be seen by work colleagues. So I suppose I am sort of getting it off my chest here a little. Now for nicer things. We went to see the little ones yesterday as it was Rosie's birthday and Alivia's tomorrow. There was a party for Alivia. It was good to see the little ones and the not so little ones. Here are a few pictures from yesterday.

                                          Jamie gets bigger every time I see him and he is only 14. Arun also had a birthday on Saturday and he was 12.
                                                 
                                        Everyone seems to like this one and I do too. Leon , Alexis who will be 1 on the 21st. ( expensive month February lol ) and Layton.
                                             The boys Leon, Layton and Nicholas.
                                                         Barrie, Jade and Alexis.
                                             The smallest two who are only three months apart.

                                                 Birthday girl Rosie and Layton.
                                              Tomorrows birthday girl Alivia who will be three and look haw she has come on from her shakey start..
                Sorry for not posting in ages and then moaning on.
                                               Carol

25 comments:

Angel Simba said...

Sorry things became negative for you with your work, Carol. Now you have so much to look forward to with retiring!

All the kids look so robust and sweet. Look at the chubby cheeks on Alivia! Our granddaughter is 2 and 3/4 and she also loves dressing up as a princess! So sweet.

Simba's Mom

Fuzzy Tales said...

How the children are growing! And look at Alivia's hair, omg, just gorgeous.

I say CONGRATULATIONS on your impending retirement! I'll be lucky if I make it to 64, the way things have gone around here the last few years and how I feel. Someone in our office suite (another dept we share space with) just retired at the end of January, after 35 years here. She's only 58!

I say enjoy every minute of it, Carol. You've earned it and if you feel like it, you can volunteer at something that really interests you or even take a part time job if you wish. Lots of options!

And if you need to sleep for 6 months to recharge your batteries, so to speak, let yourself do that too! :-)

Random Felines said...

Life is too short to deal with things like that at work. Retire and enjoy the grandkids!!

ZOOLATRY said...

Beautiful, one and all!
YAY for retirement ... so glad for you, it is JUST what you need!
Love you,
Ann

z

My Mind's Eye said...

CLAPPING WILDLY BRAVO CAROL!!! I KNOW THE DECISION WAS HARD BUT AS I ALWAYS SAID ABOUT MY RETIREMENT, (I LOVED MY JOB) I WOULD KNOW WHEN THE TIME WAS RIGHT. I RETIRED 3/31/11, GREAT DAY TO RETIRE TOO!! AND I THINK YOU KNOW THE TIME IS RIGHT. YOU AND BARRIE NEED TO ENJOY EACH OTHER AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. THE LITTLE ONES WILL BE GROWN BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.
LOTS OF HUGS FOR THE DECISION
HUGS CECILIA AND OF COURSE MADI

Mickey's Musings said...

Wonderful family pics :)
Alivia is a darling :) They all are.

When people at work are difficult, it
makes work difficult to enjoy.If you can't enjoy work then leaving may be best.Going to work should not make you feel full of dread. Enjoy your retirement! Have a great and FUN life :)
Nancy and the kitties

Brian's Home Blog said...

Congrats on the retirement! I hear that you just know when it is time. The family looks wonderful and Happy Birthday to Alivia!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We really think you are making the right decision - you work so hard and all those long nights too! Love all the photos - precious Alivia - Mom has always had a soft spot for that cutie.

Woos - Phantom, Ciara, and Lightning

The Florida Furkids said...

conCatulations on making the decision to retire....you won't regret it!!

The Florida Furkids

Katnip Lounge said...

CONCATS on your upcoming retirement!!! I think you are going to enjoy it to the utmost...*I* know I would!

Alivia is SUCH a princess! You are so blessed with all your Grands and GreatGrands.

BeadedTail said...

Concatulations on your retirement very soon! How wonderful for you to get out of an unhappy environment so you can spend more time with Barrie and all the family! Yay!

The Island Cats said...

Oh your family looks great!

And congrats on your upcoming retirement. Life is too short to put up with the difficulty...and you shouldn't have to fight to make it better. I'm planning to retire in the next few months myself.

Island Cat Mom.

jen said...

Sorry that things at work have been so bad.

The little ones are so adorable!

Kari said...

You are there to do your job and shouldn't have to "fight it out" to be able to do that job. No one should have to work in a hostile enviornment. If you are financially able to retire,good for you! Do it! Management is obviously not standing by you. It is their job to create a positive and harmonious workplace and they're not doing that. I worked in a hospital unit that was unable to keep employees.
The manager said we should take care of things among ourselves. She said this because she was totally incapable of dealing with all the problems.
Once you are away from that negative environment you'll feel like a new person! A normal sleep/wake schedule will work wonders.
And more time to be a part of the grand's growing up sounds good to me!

Gattina said...

I think you are right to retire ! You have given your share, it was hard work, not like sitting behind a computer the whole day ! Enjoy your life retirement can be great !
Your family pictures are all very nice ! I think you need a new cat to blog more often when you are retired !

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Congratulations on your forthcoming retirement! You have made the right decision and will be able to relax and enjoy your lovely family. You and Barrie will be able to enjoy the things you want to when you want to. You have worked very hard and don't deserve to have your working time made miserable by those other women. I am so glad you have come to this decision, but then you knew my thoughts about it anyway. :) Will email today or tomorrow. All the best to you both.

Marg said...

We totally agree, that is the best thing for you to do Carol. Life is so short anyway, and you do have a big family to enjoy. You have definitely made the right decision. Go have some fun.

katsrus said...

Carol sorry things have been hard at work. Never fun. I bet you will be able to enjoy more things now. Love all your photos.
Sue B

White Dog Blog said...

Not moaning, dear friend, sharing news that leaves us wiggy-waggy happy for you. You have done incredible service for a long time, through bad backs, awful weather, dangerous circumstances. You have nothing to prove to newbies nor do you need the added stress. Enjoy the time you will have to spend with your wonderful husband, extra visits with the grandkids, and time to travel. We are proud to call you friend and so respect the work you have done to save so many lives. Now enjoy life!

meowmeowmans said...

All of your little ones are so precious, Carole. It's fun to watch them grow whenever you share pictures. How nice that you get to spend time with them. Speaking of which ... even though it was a difficult circumstance and decision-making process, we wish you much success and happiness in your retirement. This just means you won't have to worry about those mean people at work, or going out in all kinds of situations. And you'll have lots more time to spend with Barrie and all of your family. That sounds wonderful! :)

Hugs!

Terri said...

I agree with Kari. It isn't your job to "fight it out". We obviously don't know the details, but management should handle it.

I know you'll love retirement. You'll be surprised how little spare time you have ;-)

Anonymous said...

Good to hear from you. It sounds like your work has stopped be fun and rewarding and that it's time to move on the next phase. I applaud you're figure out what's wrong and for making this big decision. Think of all the new and old wonderful things you'll have more time for!

Lizzie, Max & Tuck

Anonymous said...

You have beautiful grandchildren!
Good luck with your retirement. I'm sorry things lead to it, I'm sure they will be very sad to leave you. But it really sounds like you deserve it!
-Ludo

Team Tabby said...

We will echo everyone's thoughts and say 'congratulations' on your retirement, you will have more time with your grandchildren, they are very sweet!

- Nina, and also
Mindy
Moe
Mike
Cookie

Sweet Purrfections said...

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. I'm sure you'll make the most of it. I have two years and one month before I can fully retire. Things are work were so bad for me a few months ago that I was ready to walk, but I'm determined to make it.