Saying Goodbye Part III - Farewll MFD

I have worked in some great departments in my 32+ years with the City of Milwaukee. I have worked in some awful departments, too. I have met some "interesting" people and I have made lifelong friends. Working for the government has its perks. In over 32 years I have never asked for a raise, had excellent health insurance, never paid more than a few dollars for a prescription, had dental insurance, and great vacation benefits. When my parents were ill and needed my care I used FMLA time, no questions asked. If you work hard enough, promotions were available. I was able to move to different departments, learn a lot within each department and never lose a benefit. I must say that when I worked for the Milwaukee Public Schools I worked for some wacko principals, but overall the experience has been wonderful.

By far, the very best department I have ever worked for is the Milwaukee Fire Department, Bureau of Instruction and Training. Working last 7 years at the Academy has been an honor and a privilege. I worked with hard working, dedicated men and women who really care about the department. The amazing thing is that they put up with me!

My chief asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate my retirement. I said I wanted our annual potluck picnic back in the utility building. Nice and simple and no fuss (at least for me). And, that is what I got. Just what I wanted. I also received a plaque, flowers, lots of chocolate and hugs.

Here are pics of some of the awesome people I had the honor of working with.

With Captain Caroline

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Heide and Dave

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Chiefs Michael T and Michael

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Chris, Dave, John & Mark

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Gerard, Dan, Mark and Darrin

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My friend Martha and I had a hard time getting together,

so she joined us at the Academy. Martha and I met at DCD

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Last but not least, Judy and me.

I loved working with Judy the last 7 years. Thanks for not only being

a great co-worker, but a wonderful friend, too. You're the best!

Saying Goodbye, Part II

About 6 years ago the house next door to me was for sale and David came to look at it. We talked over the fence and although he didn't buy the house (we found him a better one) a great friendship was born. We have seen each other through a lot of good times and bad times. Maybe wearing these hats is one of the bad times! LOL

David and his daughter, Nicole. Now a beautiful 14 year old and ready for high school, she was only 8 when I first met her. Pictures taken July 14, 2010

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With Jan and Terri. We all worked for the City's Marketing Department at one time. Jan retired last October and is busier than ever. We had a great dinner and it was fun to catch up. Jan is planning a road trip down in spring and dragging Terri with her! Picture taken July 16, 2010

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After meeting with Jan and Terri I went to drop off baby presents to Pam. Patrick and Pam's little boy will be born July 30! Shannon will be a big sister!

I had this opportunity to say my good-byes to Pam and my little Shannon. OK - cute pictures but when Shannon was standing on the curb waving good-bye and saying, "I'll miss you, Aunty. I love you!" Well, it felt like my heart was being ripped out. Pictures taken July 16, 2010

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What can I say about my beautiful Church Ladies? I have written about them before. They are the wind beneath my wings. Sharon, me, Lori, Cheryl, Amy, Janet and Carrie. Missing (locally) are Kristin, Joanne and Pat. Also missing are Nikki, Miki and Sally, who live in different states.
Thank you for hosting, Sharon. Carrie - the ritual was beautiful. Pictures taken July 17, 2010

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With Kate and Brent. Kate has been a great friend for many, many years. It was fun watching their courtship and they had the most meaningful wedding ceremony I have ever been to. I credit Kate with helping me get through a difficult time in my life. Sixteen plus years, dear Kate! Thank you so much for all of your love and support. Pictures taken July 21, 2010.

Saying Goodbye, Part I

As much as I am ready to move permanently to Canton, GA, I am finding saying good bye is harder than I thought it would be. My friends and I are trying to get together as much as possible lately. Little get together's are being held in my "honor." It's fun, but bittersweet, too.

Some people I know I will remain friends with, stay in contact and see again, but there are others I realize that, while being an important part of my life for many years, I may never see again. It's sad, but it is part of life. People come in and out of our lives for many reasons. Hopefully, we enrich each other's life and make a positive difference before we move on.

The next couple of posts will feature my friends and co-workers as we get together before I leave.

I've known Terri for 18 years. I was one of the interviewers who hired Terri to DCD!This was taken at her granddaughter's birthday in May, 2010

Here we are with Terri's daughter, Lindsey, at Lindsey's 22nd birthday celebration. I've known Lindsey since she was 4 years old. Terri would bring her into work occasionally and Lindsey always had her doll with her. Now she is holding her own daughter's doll.

With Terri's mom, Pam, Lindsey, granddaughter, Taylor, and sister, Mindy. Mindy also is a City employee. Pictures taken July 10, 2010

With my former beau, Michael. We dated for a year in the late 1990s and have remained friends. We manage to talk every few months and have lunch and/or dinner together at least once a year. He is a great guy and I am blessed to have not only been loved by him, but to still have him in my life. (See, Michael - you look great in pictures when you smile!) Picture taken July 11, 2010.

Treading Water

This is the pool in my subdivision where I do my "treading"

I am down in Georgia this week, returning for to Milwaukee on July 4 for my last few weeks of work. Then I will be down here for good! Whew!



Every evening since I've been here I have gone to the pool. It is a large saltwater pool and in the early evening hours not crowded at all. The water is warm, but refreshing. I realize just how out of shape I am! I was always a strong swimmer, but I found myself huffing and puffing after 10 strokes!



I was raised on water, or so it seems. My parents always rented cottages "up north" in Wisconsin. I remember taking swimming lessons at a local high school when I was young, but it was my father who really taught me (and my sisters) how to swim. My mom wasn't much of a water gal, but my dad just loved swimming and water activities. He learned to water ski at age 60! As kids my friend, Bethy and I spent hours in her small swimming pool located in her backyard and both our parents took us to local lakes for swimming and picnics. The hours Bethy and I spent in the water when we were young! It is amazing we didn't grow fins (as my mother said we would)! My parents eventually purchased lake property in northern Wisconsin, built a house and retired there. Oh - the fun my family had at that lake house!


One of my favorite things to do in the water is to tread water. When I was younger I really could do it for hours. Basically staying in one place, arms and legs moving, watching the clouds, the shoreline, the birds and insects, I just loved it.

So now, in a swimming pool in Georgia, I find myself in the deepest area of the pool (5 feet) treading water. While I still try to do laps - and I am noticing a difference in my stamina every day - I realize that treading water probably gives me the same amount of exercise - all my body parts are moving and I can enjoy both the people and nature all around me.


Last evening, alone in the pool except for one other lone swimmer, I was enjoying the big, puffy white clouds when it occurred to me that not only was I treading water in the pool, but in real life, too. Caught between still working full time and retirement in less than a month, I have no need where to go anywhere in particular, but need to keep paddling and my head above the water.

The future is wide open to me now. I will need to find a part-time job this fall, but I can take my time. I can swim a little and tread water. Or, I can keep treading water for a while and just rest. There are so many things I want to do and experience. Now I have all the time in the world.


I don't want to tread water forever. Good exercise as it is, I need to work my mind, push myself to do a few more strokes, swim from one end to the other and keep going, get my body and mind in better shape.



But, for now it is okay to stop, tread the water, watch the clouds, talk to a neighbor, follow the path of a dragonfly. As long as my head is above the water!

Now You See Me, Now You Don't

I need window treatments for my kitchen window and glass door in my new home. Yes, it looks out to the green belt - full of trees, but this city girl is use to closing the house up at night.


My first night in my new home I sat down for a very late supper at my kitchen table and noticed my reflection in the window. I realized any one could look in and see me. I realized there was probably no one out there to look in and see me. I realized that being a woman who lived in the city all her life (single a great percentage of it) I always closed all curtains, blinds, drapes - whatever it was covering my windows as soon as it got dark. It is called self protection. In my 20s I took a women's self defence class offered by the Milwaukee Police Department. One piece of advice - close window treatments at dusk. I took it seriously.


So, sitting there eating dinner was freaking me out. I have nice blinds on every single window in my home (provided by the builder) and am slowly adding additional window treatments to these windows, but the builder seems to have forgotten the kitchen window and door. I hadn't noticed this before and since I had enough fabric from my last home to make valences for these two windows, that was my plan. Valences won't work now. They won't cover the whole window pane when darkness falls.

What to do? I settled on Romans shades. They don't take up much room or sunlight during the day, but would add the color needed in the room. Pulled down at night they would give my paranoid mind peace!

I've been pouring over catalogs and drapery internet sites and came up with nothing I liked. Nada. I googled a pattern to make my own, but it is a little beyond my capabilities. My sister Suzanne knows of an excellent seamstress in her area who can and will make them for me. Perfect. Now, to find material. I poured over internet options, visited local fabric shops. Nada. I knew just exactly what I wanted, but why isn't it out there?

Finally I found this fabric at Calico Corners (sounds like a quilt shop but it is not). It is as close to what I had pictured as possible and will go well with my china and other kitchen decor. As an old friend would say, "It is very Julie Ann-ish." And, it is. So, I will order the fabric, get it down to Georgia and in 2-3 months I should have my shades.

By that time I will probably be use to seeing my reflection in the window at night and realize there are no bogymen out there!

Long Drives/Good Books

I have been listening to audio books in my car for years. I just love it. Not only am I able to "read" more books, but it makes driving so much more pleasant. Audio books opened up a whole new world of books for me.


Some "readers" (the people who read the book on the CD, usually professional actors) I like better than others. I have reserved audio books from the public library based on the reader - again, leading me to books I probably never would have picked up and read.


Last month I drove to Canton, GA with my doggie girls to spend time settling into my new home. Thank goodness I had two audio books to listen to during the 13 1/2 hour drive down and then back. Listening to books made the long drive go by faster. On the way home, the last couple of hours I finished up the 2nd book I took for the trip. Luckily, I was able to listen to NPR the rest of the trip, but it wasn't the same.



In a week I will be making the long drive again. This time I am bringing 3 books on the trip. Over 30 hours of "reading" time. It is still a 13 1/2 drive for me and audio books or not, I'm still exhausted when I arrive and tired the next day. But, the drive time goes faster, I feel I stay more alert, and it's fun.


Try it. You'll like it!

P.S. All said and done - nothing will ever replace snuggling down in a comfy chair and just reading a good book. As much as I love my Kindle, which is also great for travel (although not while driving LOL), I still love turning the pages and losing my self in the magic of words.

Little Sewing Machine

I have been hauling this little "toy" sewing machine around for years. I think it might have been mine as a child, but I don't remember it. It is in mint condition and still works. In fact, when I pulled it out of its original box there was still a scrap of material on it.

Can anyone tell me something about it?

Welcome Home Pictures

Here are some pictures of my new home in Georgia. My house is a work in progress so it isn't 100% (& probably never will be!). I didn't include pictures of the dining room because it is still full of boxes and misc. moving things. Also, I only included one picture of my master bedroom because that room will be decorated after I make a quilt for the bed this winter. The room will be decorated around the quilt. But, this is it so far. I just love it! (You may double click on most pictures to get a better look.)

It may seem like a funny place to start, but these are some of the

beautiful shelves in the garage built by Marlon, my wonderful brother-in-law

Welcome to my front porch. I've already had my morning coffee there

many times. Humming birds come to the feeder, too.

Front door greeting

Front door

I love these curtains in my living room from Country Curtains

"Hall way" table

I love the fireplace and will decorate the mantel per the seasons

Living room, looking from dining room

Looking into kitchen from the dining room

One side of kitchen - I forgot to take a picture of the sink side

New kitchen set - looking into porch

Kitchen back door

Screened porch off kitchen

View over the back fence - green belt area

Love this view

Back fence

Master bedroom with Friendship Star quilt

Quilting room closet with wonderful shelves built by the

best brother-in-law in the world

Quilting room window with window valence I made out

of one of my mom's old table clothes

Guest bedroom corner

Guest bedroom wall - thank you Suzanne, Barbara & Jennifer

Guest bathroom with my "glowing" head.

Yes, I sure am!

Grocery Shopping

Yesterday I went into my local Publix grocery store. I have been in the store several times and am always impressed at how helpful the employees are.

Twice I had employees approach me asking if they could help me. Each time I laughed and stated that I was new to the area and was slowly finding my way around not only Publix, but the whole Canton, GA area. Both times the employees smiled and welcomed me to Georgia.

When I couldn't find the exact type of cheese I wanted an employee walked me over to the area it was located, laughing that he didn't understand why they kept this particular cheese in this area, away from the other cheeses. HE WALKED ME OVER TO THE CHEESE.

Now, in Milwaukee at the Pick 'n Saves I shop in it is hard to even find an employee for assistance, let alone have them walk me to an item I am searching for. Usually it is a point of the finger and a general aisle area.

When I checked out the lady who bagged my groceries - yes, BAGGED MY GROCERIES, offered to WALK THEM TO MY CAR! This nice lady probably had 25 years on me! Of course, I declined and thanked her for offering.

And, on my way out I stopped by the customer service desk and asked for the manager. When she approached with a worried look on her face I thanked her for her store and the great employees she has. We had a pleasant, short conversation where I told her my good experiences in this store would never happen in Milwaukee.

I'm liking it here!

Still Here, There and Everywhere (or so it seems)

The move went very well. The new house in Georgia is everything I could have hoped for and more. I am about 85% unpacked. Boy, unpacking is sure easier and much less stressful than packing!

I'm back in Milwaukee for now, but return to Georgia for next week for a stay. My project for that visit will be to unpack my quilting room, set it up and START TO SEW AGAIN! YAHOO!

My first project will be to make a curtain for the quilting room window out of an old table cloth my Mom used. It is funky - old, a little stained and a few small holes in it, but I think it will look OK. Maybe with today's new laundry technology (stain removers) I can get it looking a little better, but I don't really care. It will be fine.

I will post pictures of my new house once I am down there again. And, two months from now I should be in Georgia permanently!

Nocturnal Wanderings

I'm not sleeping well. Getting ready for my move to Georgia, thinking about finances, wondering when the movers are coming, wondering when they will deliver my stuff in Georgia, moving into my sub-leased apartment - it is keeping me awake.

Most nights between 2:30am and 3:00am my eyes open and I'm awake. Lately, after about 20 minutes I just get up and go down and try to read or make lists or get on the computer for a while. My doggie girls, Gracie and Lucy Lou stay in the bedroom sound asleep. They are so use to these wanderings they don't even look up anymore. Smart dogs. Sometime around 4:30ish I return to bed and fall into a deep sleep only to be awakened by the alarm clock less than an hour later. I feel like a zombie.

I'm emotionally strung out, stressed out and ready to have a major meltdown at any time or place.

People keep asking if I am excited about the move. No. I am not. I want it to be over and done with. My house is so full of boxes I can hardly move around. I can't clean because of the boxes so there are dust bunnies every where (Lucy Lou is shedding like a crazy dog). Thank goodness for Amy and David, good friends who have helped me stay focused and came to help pack. I now think I have a pretty good grip on the packing. My nephew, Patrick, is doing some touch up painting on the porch that the buyer's needed to have completed for their loan to go through. Thank goodness for Patrick (and my great-nephew, Aaron). I also had my chimney replaced per the inspection report.

I am moving most of my temporary things into the apartment May 2. The movers are coming May 6 or 7 with closing on the Milwaukee house on May 7. I will pre-sign all of the paperwork and I have until 6pm to be out of the house. I fly to Georgia May 8. Closing on the Canton, GA house is Monday, May 10. Movers will be there sometime between May 11-13. I fly home on May 17.

I've been busy calling utilities, insurance agents, cable companies. I'm making lists that are a mile long.

Please please, please let this be over. Please, please, please let me sleep.

You know when I will be excited? I am driving down May 27 - June 5. This trip I am looking forward to. While I will be unpacking boxes and organizing the new house, I can relax and do it at my own pace. I can sit by the community swimming pool. I can go to the mountains. I can explore my neighborhood and introduce myself to my neighbors. Life will be good.

In the meantime, I'm a zombie!

New Home Sweet Home

My friend, Nancy, read somewhere of the most stressful times of a persons life. Like those surveys that list the top ten most stressful jobs. So, not surprising to me, right up there on the top three most stressful times of a persons life is selling and buying a house. Duh! I am proof of that.


After a whirlwind week of looking at houses, putting an offer on one, pulling out of that offer due to a bad realtor and being jerked around on what was an easy deal and extremely strong offer and literally sealing the deal on the way to the airport on another house, I bought a home in Canton, GA! Whew!


And, while it was more than I really wanted to pay, with the help of my realtor in Georgia, Robert Doyle, I got a wonderful deal on a brand new home. Yes - a brand new home, as in I am the first owner after the builder!


It is in the newer subdivision on the north side of Canton. It is a "cottage" style home - 3 bedrooms, master bedroom has huge walk in closet and wonderful bath (yes, I got a spa tub!), it has a living room and dining room combination with a beautiful fireplace. Attached garage! Laundry area and office nook! Nice kitchen with small breakfast area, granite counter tops and pretty backsplash. Off the kitchen is a screened in porch that opens to a small, fenced in backyard that borders a greenbelt (can never be developed). Cute front porch just perfect for rocking chairs. While the 2 other bedrooms are small, one will be a perfect guest bedroom and the other will be my quilting room. It is steps away from the office nook where I will keep my sewing machine and large enough for my ironing board and cutting table. Lots of closet space in the home, too. And, the best thing - it is a ranch, not step! NO STEPS!


My annual HOA fees include a huge, beautiful pool, a kiddie pool, tennis courts, a basketball courts, club house, etc. The area is relatively flat so it will be good for walking the doggie girls.

the house was almost at the top end of my price range, so I will be getting a part-time job later in the fall, but I feel I got a great deal and I know it is a good fit for me. Jen asked if I would work in a quilt store! Ha! I am afraid I would spend all of my money on fabric! But, who knows? My first thought is to work for a temp agency like ManPower so I can pick when I want to work and for how long at a stretch.

So, now the packing continues. The closings are in the 2nd week in May so while I have time, that will go fast. I also will need to move enough of my things over to my friends place for the next 3 1/2 months until I can actually retire. But, things are falling into place.

Home is where the heart is and I know this new house will quickly become my home. It will be difficult to leave my current home, but a young couple is buying it and will make changes and maybe even start a family here. My new home is less than an hour from my sister and 20 minutes from my nephew. I am already planning to host Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It's all good.

Happy Easter

I love springtime in the South. I'm in Georgia for a weekend spending time with family and looking at houses. This year the Japanese cherry trees are spectacular. All of the flowering trees are pretty. Flowers are blooming - it a lovely.

Spring is the time for rebirth - in all ways. The earth is shedding its cold blanket and flowers are pushing their way through the dirt towards the sun and leaves are budding on the trees and plants.

For me it is the time of change. My house is sold and I will close on it May 11. I am here now looking for a new place to call home in the Canton, GA area. But, since I can't retire until August 23, I will be temporarily moving into a friends upper duplex for 3 1/2 months in Milwaukee. Luckily, it is basically furnished so I only have to move in what I the very basics of what I will need for both myself and my doggie girls - no furniture, dishes - nada!. Hopefully, all of my belongings will be safe and sound in my new home in Georgia.

So, metaphorically, it is now a rebirth of myself, too. I will no longer be a "working" person, but a "retired" person, although I plan to get a part-time job after the holidays this year. I will be living in a whole new region of the United States - new state and new city. I will be making new friends, joining new groups and trying new activities. I know I will be busy and happy.

I am letting go of an old life and building a new one. Like the little flowers in my yard, I am pushing my way up towards the sun, feeling it warm me and pull me towards it.

Life is good and it will continue to be so. Hectic and crazy for the next few months, but good. It's time, it is my season of change and I intend to embrace this time for all it is worth!