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

Last days at old job and a new bag

Elvis has left the building. I am now free of my old gig. And Monday I start my new one. Hurrah!

I have to say - I went out on a high note. I gave appropriate notice before leaving (that's two weeks here in the States) and I did excellent turnover of my responsibilities. I spent a lot of time documenting what I did and then I trained people on my old duties. And I think there was some appreciation of what I had been doing.

For example, while going over one large section of my work, my immediate supervisor's eyes started to bulge and then glaze over while he began to comprehend what I was doing. In the past, the guy (who's really very nice) had done basically nothing to supervise me. The sum total of his supervision was to ask me for a report that I gave monthly to my user community, and to ask me to write my own performance evaluation. Really. So he was a little taken aback once he was forced to pay more attention. Heh.

But in the end I turned over everything and no more questions came.

And then there was cake.

My director threw a little party for me, inviting all of the department for cake and ice cream. (The cake was roughly the size of an air craft carrier deck. The leftovers stayed at work.) Some very nice things were said, and I was especially surprised when I received a lovely card signed by the group. And there was money inside, a group gift!! Woo-hoo!! How nice!

And then there were balloons.

Balloons from Accounting

The next day - my last day - my group took me out to eat. They also invited a number of my client base, who came bearing balloons and gifts and cards. And questions like "Who's going to help us now?" When I told them, their faces fell. Oh Dear.

But everyone was super nice and hugged me and congratulated me. And I went on. Time for the new job!

I do feel very good about the way my old job ended up. Sometimes people can't wait to push you out the door. But not this time. What a lovely thing...

And after I ended up at my old job, I found a cool new toy.

For those of you who have a Aldi near you, they have this great rolling bag now for $15. It's nylon and has outside pockets and a top that zips and a long collapsible handle. It would be great as a tatting bag (especially at conferences) or a bag for travel. It's the right size for using as carry on for airline travel too. It comes in several colors - go get one now! I'm going to decorate mine with tatting.

Next week - new job! Hurrah!
 

Tatting Tea - Saturday? Updated...

First off, I've received my terrific order from Handy Hands, loaded with lots of size 3.

I got 3 sizes of thread, and I've shown some beads I'm going to use with the black thread to make a necklace.

Here's some of the brown size 3 that I'm using to crochet a beaded necklace.I think it'll be nifty.

And - my guitar came. Here it is with the old case I got on Craig's List. Warm tones. Now I just need to develop those finger calluses again!

Last night I went with some friends to my church's Christmas dinner. Yes, it's early. But they always do it this early, so they can make sure the attendees - all ladies - can come. The food and company were great. And we had a fun barbershop quartet to entertain us.

Today - Saturday - I met my friend Thelma for tea and conversation at a local park. There were kayackers and ducks on the lake.

It was a good time though a bit chilly. Thelma brought me some Kalahari herbal tea, which I loved. This is the same tea sipped copiously in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I brought some left over goodies left over from last night's dinner - red velvet brownies with a chess pie topping. Yum!

We saw a club running their remote control model boats on the lake. This tug boat shoots water and has smoke.

The boats were detailed and some would go super fast. We saw two sailboats, and this intricate destroyer, here in front of one of the sailboats. We had a lot of fun.

For your viewing pleasure, Larry's toys watching the tube,

bad Lily's paw,

and sleepy Cisco.

People you see at Tat Days

You meet a lot of fun people at Tat Days.

Like Jane and Georgia. They are the best tatters - and so much fun to be around.

And Marilee and Sue Anna. They brought some of Marilee's lovely HDT to share.

Here's cute Livi and her mama Jess. Jess had yummy thread to sell!

Isdihara (AKA the best roommate EVER) and Anita. They're in the same VA lace guild.

Nancy and GR-8 brother Randy. Da Udder Brudder was recovering from an accident - we missed you Gary!

Krystal Dawne's mama Karrieann, working on an angel in my class.

Arlene, showing off the bracelet she made in my class. Isn't it cute? Arlene is the nicest person.

Spouses David and Sharren were there. Sharron is a hoot, and David is a dear. He's her tatting sherpa!

President Donna at the podium, with new president Teresa on the right. This was at our banquet. These are NOT stuffy people. There was MUCH laughter at the banquet.

Here are folks going to the banquet - Isdihara, the lovely HJ Hess, some unknown lame tatter, and Susan Fuller (who wrote Heart's Desire!)

More folks at the banquet - Hannah Lindhom (of Sweden), Linda Adair (Gina Brummett's sister), Sally and Riet. Hannah's sister Sara Bergman's dark head is in the foreground, next to Laurie Simmons, Gina's daughter.

Hannah provided entertainment for us at the banquet! She was quite good.

Folks gathered to have fun afterwards. Front - Isdihara, Jane and Sally. Back - Karey, some old fool, HJ Hess, and Sue Anna. Don't worry - we were toasting with grape juice. Ms. Hess's TBH took the picture.

After all the fun, I had to buy a few things. The loose HDT is from Jess, the bagged HDT is from Karey. Yes, that's a GR-8 double shuttle, in ebony! Plus books, beads and more shuttles - woo-hoo!

It was TONS of fun. For those who haven't ever been to Palmetto Tat Days, you should at least try and go some day. It's worth it!

Lily (who Larry calls 'weapons-class adorable') didn't care about tatting. She was home sacked out.

Fun with Furn'rs

A bit of fun prior to Tat Days.

 As you know, I had Sally and Jane (but no Dick) with me for several days prior to attending Tat Days 2012. We had a lovely time - the ladies tolerated the Stooges very well.

The guest room, ready for company

 I picked my guests up late Monday afternoon and took them to our house, where we had a birthday dinner for Larry. The gals loved red velvet cake!

Tuesday, I worked from home and I let Sally and Jane settle in. I figured they needed a day or two to get over jet lag. During the day on Tuesday, we all went for a bit of retail therapy at JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, and Michael's. Much therapy was done. At home, Lily the kitten charmed my guests and they took tons of pictures of her.

Sally, Sara, Hannah, and Jane

 On Wednesday we met some other tatters - sisters Sara Bergman and Hannah Lindholm came all the way from Sweden for Tat Days! I picked them up in downtown Hotlanta, and we all went to...

The Varsity! A good time was had by all.

They all ordered my recommendation at the Varsity - chili slaw dogs, homemade onion rings, and a Frosted Orange (FO) to drink. All were gobbled up.

I took my group down scenic Ponce de Leon Ave, where they oo'd and ah'd over the big houses and pretty parks.Then we stopped at the Jimmy Carter Center and looked at the rose garden. They all enjoyed seeing the flora and the fauna. Bugs were of interest to several in our crowd.

Before we split up, I took everyone to a fun eatery on Ponce de Leon, the wonderful Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. I made sure they all could see the Hot Doughnuts Now coming off the conveyor belt, enrobed in sugary goodness.

Jane especially liked the doughnuts. Mmmmm. They melt in your mouth if they're hot.

We dropped our Swedish friends off at the CNN Center, as they had already seen the attraction Jane and Sally wanted to see. And what did they wish to see?

Why, the World of Coke, of course! We went in and had a good time.

There was lots to see and do. Here's Jane trying to discern the right balance for the Coke formula.

And here she is being bubble-ized. 

We saw a cool 4-D movie.  And we tasted a ton of varieties of Coke products from around the world. (Warning - Beverly tastes nasty.) And more retail therapy was done in the gift shop.

Thursday we went up the hill towards Toccoa, but not before we stopped at Mary Mac's Tea Room, a famous Atlanta restaurant. Great Southern eats. Jane and Sally practically licked their plates.

Speaking of Southern food, I tried to get Sally and Jane to eat grits, with no success. I finally fixed up a bowl of grits at the conference and forced Jane to try them.

She didn't like them a bit. Too bad.

One last little detail about my guests from the UK - they showered me with presents! I felt like it was Christmas! 

Sally, Jane, you are welcome back any time!

Cisco says Pet Me. (And no Aunty HJ, Cisco cannot go home with you.)