Going into a new chapter of my life

It's almost here.

After working in the IT world for over 40 years, I'm about to be retired!!!

WOO-HOO!!!!

(It's not quite here - my last day is January 17 2025. But it's pretty durn close.)

On my career:

I've never been one of those people who dug into the guts of PCs or messed in networks. I've always been working in software - VERY LARGE software systems. Mostly large finance systems for BIG companies, usually international ones. I learned a number of programming languages over the years, starting with COBOL and Assembly and IBM JCL to where I am now, writing some Oracle SQL along with HTML and other things specific to tools the company may use. I also got trained as an Oracle database administrator, though I never worked as one. 

These days while I can do all those things, I mostly work with my user community and do a lot of analysis into solving their needs with the tools we have in house. I've done some big presentations at major Oracle conferences on how we implemented and used software, did a big one in Las Vegas this past July. (I hate Las Vegas with a white hot hate. I never want to go back there again!)

I'm retiring as the most senior IT person in North America support the worldwide finance software for a division of a company that was once known as I've Been Moved. I gave them 6 months notice of my retirement date, saying I would train a new person. And guess what? They haven't started looking for someone yet! 

A number of my colleagues have been very kind and will obviously miss me. I'm GOOD at my job!

A work colleague, my favorite database administrator, sent me this:

Dear *******,

As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt New Year greetings to you. May this year bring you abundant joy, good health, and the fulfillment of your cherished dreams as you transition into a new and exciting chapter of your life.

Working with you has been a privilege and a deeply enriching experience. Your dedication, expertise, and kind spirit have left a lasting impression on all of us. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and the many invaluable contributions you've made.

As you retire this January, I hope you embrace this well-earned time with the same passion and grace you've shown throughout your career. Wishing you happiness and success in all your future endeavors!

With gratitude and warm wishes,

R****** K**********

I was very touched.

I hadn't planned to work in IT - I have a BA in one of the Fine Arts and have always done some sort of design work. But I fell into it, having taken Computer Programming in the early 80's when I lived briefly in Nashville TN. I'm good at math and logic.

It's supported me and my family well. There were occasional blips, mostly when there were big recessions or a global pandemic, but I've been pretty steadily employed. I kept my skill set up too, which maintained that employment.

I may do some contract work after I retire. Mostly to pay for travel - I want to travel in Europe and see other parts of America. But mostly I'll do things that suit me, like picking up some hobbies I used to do (guitar and pottery), learn to play bridge, do genealogy, sing in multiple groups, and volunteer a LOT. Plus seeing my boyfriend - yes I'm seeing someone regularly!

On the other news, Celia and Theo are still my companions at home. Celia is such a tiny girl! She and Theo get along very well.

Theo and Celia wanting attention as I work

Celia rests before the Christmas onslaught

A new member of my household

After the loss of my beloved Lucy, I waited a bit before making any changes. But Theo missed having a companion and was very needy. So I found him a little friend.

Isn't she cute?

Meet Celia. I found her on Pet Finder, a great place for finding a nice animal in need of a good home. She has very blue eyes and is a Siamese mix. She is TINY!

Her hair is longish and is filling out

The folks at the shelter claim she is about 18 months, but I think she's well under a year. She came to the shelter with a LARGE nursing kitten - I think she got pregnant in her first heat and is about 8-9 months. 

See the cute little belly!

She's very kittenish and jumps a lot on things, like my feet! And she flops over whenever you pet her, showing her belly.

Pals!

Theo hissed at first, but now they are friends! They touch noses and she head butts him in the chest (he's SO much bigger than she is!) and he will lick her. 

Celia enjoying the view

I'm glad she's here!

A farewell to a beloved companion

Yesterday I had to say goodbye to a companion of almost 10 years.

I had to put my Lucy down. She suddenly show signs of respiratory distress and it was found she had N stage cancer in her lungs and one lung had collapsed. I had no choice - I had to be merciful.

Lucy was such a good girl.

She was sweet and lovely, a joy to be with.

She never did anything wrong. Never tore things up, never got on the counters - ever.

She was so beautiful. I used to say Lucy was my decorator cat - she matched everything.

She could be funny. Here she is "helping" with my CPAP.

I got her the same day I got Theo. They are not siblings, but they were fostered together. Theo is sad.

She slept by my head every night.

She was my girl. And I will miss her.

Some frivolous kitty pictures

I mentioned that Moe and Larry have moved into their own flat. They also have their own lovely kitties.

They have Pete and Oreo.

Pete and Oreo doing what cats do

Pete is a little girl cat who came from the Ex. Somehow the Ex (who isn't stupid) thought she was a He and hence the name. 

She's pretty cute

Pete is still a rambunctious kitten, but she's not going to be as big as Oreo.

Oreo is a large lad

Oreo spends much of his life sleeping. He is a big boy with a lot of tummy.

He doesn't mind being held like a baby. My kitties can't stand this.

Oreo has a lot to say, and sticks his nose into many things.

Pet me!

They are very good kitties!

Speaking of good kitties...

Theo reclining

Mine have the good life here.

Lucy is so pretty

Lucy is my decorator cat. She matches ALL décor.

They have a mighty fine life, and are wonderful companions for me.

A bit of tatting

Hello. Remember me? That Crazy Mom?

Much has happened since I've been here. 

I still live in my gorgeous flat in metro Hotlanta. I'm still kicking - yea! 

Lucy and Theo still live me me. Theo has become a tad portly. They are living the good life.

Aren't they gorgeous?

Theo is such a cutie. His tail curls into a circle!

He sometimes watches TV.

He is a funny boy

I haven't gotten Covid19, thanks to serious hiding and 2 vaccines and 2 boosters (soon to be 3). 

I've dated some guys - but I'm not right now. Not until Covid19 is really long gone. 

And....   

Some things have been bad. Pretty awful. God awful in fact.

I lost my job in early 2020, right when the pandemic started. NOT fun. Fortunately there was unemployment, and I'm frugal.

I was bored, so I made a ton of masks for my church. And then I started knitting....

4 of sooooo many...

I knitted a TON of dish clothes. Many, many dish clothes. I gave almost all of them away.

While I was in the throes of no job and pandemic, the Ex moved and decided to throw Larry out of his house. So I took Larry in and he lived with me for a while. Much longer than I wanted. Larry became embedded in my spare bedroom.

During that time, Curly developed major addiction issues and went off to rehab for 9 months. Yes, we all want our children to grow up to be addicts...

In November 2020 I got a job working remote at home, for less money than I had before. But it was a JOB and I was glad to have it. It came with benefits, a good thing.

Larry struggled with depression. But I was working, so we managed.

Curly got out of rehab in July of 2021 and moved in to my place for what was supposed to be 2 weeks, living on a blow up twin bed in my living room. So now I had 2 grown sons living with me. Moe was still with the Ex. 

And then.... 

Curly relapsed. Doing the hardest of the hard drugs.

Here's a lesson for you: never EVER have an opioid addict live with you. They will steal from you, lie to you, abuse you in every way, wreck your car, and turn your place into a flop house.

Results of Curly's addiction. Don't live with an addict.

In the mean time, I was absolutely hating my job. I had a boss from hell and was grossly underpaid.

So I started looking.

Lo and Behold, A Great Company recruited me. For a lot more money and better benefits, still working remote! With a great boss! Hurrah! I started with the Great Company in November of 2021.

And Larry (who had been entrenched and depressed) got a job working from home. Hurrah again!

In January of this year, Larry and Moe moved into an apartment 10 minutes from me. Moe is working too and they are happy in their apartment. They have cats. Huzzah for them!

On Easter, I finally was able to get Curly into Rehab again. It took his brothers working with me to force him out (it's complicated) but he actually got out and went into detox and then rehab. Larry and Moe spent a lot of time cleaning up my place and de-filthing it. It was really disgusting. But that's over!

Curly is now out of Rehab, but he's NOT living with me and he is clean and sober and is actively trying to remain that way. Thank you Jesus. 

So now I can tat. In peace. And relax. In peace.

Oh - I guess you want to see what I've been working on?

In progress...

I worked on a larger project. It's tatting in Lizbeth size 20 white.

A collar, to which I added beads. The pattern is here.

I made this to send to our newest Supreme Court Justice, in honor of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. RBG wore collars with her robes all the time.

Here's another picture, with a US dime for size. I actually removed the loop and button closure and replaced it with a satin ribbon as I thought it would lie better. I have sent it off to Justice Jackson - I hope she wears it!

Anyhow, that's the news from the Crazy Mom! How is life for you?

I'm a city gal now

Yes folks, I have exited Hooterville.

I now live in town. It's an area of Hotlanta much like Greenwich Village - hip, sort of bohemian, easy access to everything. I am a happy camper.

It was a tough move - the movers were still at my place at 10 pm on Thursday night. And I was at work bright and early Friday morning! I still have boxes to unpack, but I'm getting there.

Theo is getting used to being a cool city cat.

The cats are adjusting. They were traumatized for a few days, but they seem to feel better now, and play with each other or spend time gazing out the many windows.

My living space is looking better. Still need to paint and hang pictures, but it's comfy! (BTW - that big overstuffed chair is a recliner!)

And oh what a view I have - sunsets every night. This one was on Sunday evening.

And soon I'll be tatting again....
 

What's that Crazy Mom been up to?

I'll bet you thought I just gave up the ghost. No, I've been busy.

I've been VERY busy at work. Lots of things to do, but I like it a lot. We are moving to a different floor in the building - below is my view from my office. Note that I said office - I won't be in a cube - hurrah!

I've been dating a bit. On and off. Mostly off. Mostly guys I'm not interested in - and then there was that guy who as soon as he met me, he kissed me stuck his freakin' tongue down my freakin' throat. EWWWWW!!! No second date with that one. Yuck.

I've been dealing with the Stooges.

Larry has had some very serious health issues that required 2 hospitalizations - and he has no health insurance. I flew down to FL to be with him during the first - and scariest - of the hospital visits. And now he has no job, so we moved him back up to Hotlanta to live with his brothers. He's going to be ok, needs to get a job and concentrate on getting better.

Moe has graduated from high school!  DH The Ex and I saw him do it and were very happy to have the youngest done. As to what he will do now - I have no idea. He has not applied to a single college. SOOOO frustrating. Get a job Moe! Go to college!

 

Curly - remember my frustrations with Curly? Cross your fingers, the worst of that seems over! Curly is working selling mobile phones and plans for a big company, does a great job for them, they want him to be store manager soon. He's taking his meds! He's got a girlfriend with personality and ambition! He seems grateful for things I've done for him! He calls me up and tells me he loves me!

All the Stooges are now out of my house. They have moved in with DH The Ex, who lives nearby in a nice brick ranch with a big yard. DH The Ex volunteered to do have them all. We are on good terms - of course, he wants me back big time. That ain't happening.

I've tatted a little tiny bit. Here's something I made for one of the guys I've been going out with.

And I'm teaching again at Tat Days - I'm doing 2 of Nina's gorgeous patterns.

I've had my own share of health issues - no worries, I'm fine! But I had a stay in the hospital too, had cellulitis. I had my laptop with me and worked the entire time, 'cause that's what I do. (And why my company loves me...) And I had this lovely view:

This is not abstract art - it was a lovely view of the hospital roof

I'm better. Really I am. I was annoyed to have to be there.

However - one of the biggest things that I've been doing is finding new housing - for me, not the Stooges, just me and the cats. And I've found a place.

A condo just for ME!!!!

In this complex.Yes, this is the view from the 2nd bedroom.

With this view at night from my balcony.

This is the daytime view from a different angle - you can see the Hotlanta skyscrapers.

The condo is in a part of Hotlanta that's its own little city, considered one of the top 10 most walkable urban areas in the country. More than 40 restaurants within walking distance. Seven miles to my office. A block to the subway. It's safe. It's artsy. It's hip. It's not in the cultural desert that I've been living in. And no real maintenance. I'll close on it very soon - and I'll have it totally paid off by the time I retire. Woo-hoo!!!!

Oh - and I'm heading to London Monday on business - I have to hire a new staff member in that office. Across the pond I go!

And that Saturday - I'll see Jane!!