Walking is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

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Saturday, December 29, 2012

The red Christmas Ball for 2012

It was supposed to start snowing during the night so I was surprised to wake up and find it dry out.  It was 33 degrees, cloudy, no wind and VERY quiet.  I didn't see ANYONE out until I was two blocks from home.

I walked one of my connect the path routes and it was so nice and peaceful.
I heard some birds calling out to each other. It was dark and the first few deer, I heard first and then just saw their white tails bobbing about in the woods.  Later when it was light out I saw the red fox running up the path.

I had to stop and take a layer of clothing off because I got very warm.  Have to remember not to wear that extra sweatshirt when it is up in the 30's especially if it isn't windy.

Steps for my walk today were 12,077.
Sunrise 7:27
Sunset 4:53
********************
It started snowing about 9:30 this morning but so far nothing has stuck and everything is just wet.
We went out in the morning to do a few chores and was home by lunchtime.

Ken painted the 2012 red ball Christmas ball today.  I took what seemed like a million pictures and even though it is a bit blurry it is the best of the bunch.  It was hard to not get the flash in the picture.  I tried not using the flash but those pictures came out even worse.  Anyway this is the ball, The End is Near.
You are now probably wondering the end of what.  It is nearing the end of work for Ken.  After much thought, planning and praying Ken has decided this is the right time to retire.  Things where he works are not that great anymore.  There have been a couple rounds of cuts and people have been let go.  So before he gets pushed out he has decided to retire early and leave at this time.  He is probably saving someone else from losing their job!
So January 31 is his last day of work!! : )  He is pleased and has a huge long list of things he'd like to do!!  I am happy that he is retiring.  He has worked long and hard all his life and he deserves to have a happy retirement.  I am so very proud of him for his excellence at work - always willing to go the extra bit, helping others and not caring who gets the credit for a good job.  I know that he will be greatly missed and his position will be hard for someone else to fill.
Come the end of next month we have an anniversary too so we have a couple of things to celebrate!!

 Planning on staying home the rest of this wet day.  We've started the second jigsaw puzzle and will work on that some.  I have some reading I'd like to do and also making more weave-it squares.  And I really must get the rest of my recipes transferred over to the other website.  MealsMatter goes away January 15.

Do your cheeks ever hurt from smiling too much!?  Hope you're have one of those days.
Happyone : )
There is a whole new kind of life ahead,
full of experiences just waiting to happen.
Some call it retirement.
I call it bliss.

15 comments:

Nellie said...

Congratulations on your husband's planned retirement! We have certainly enjoyed ours!

We have a cloudy day here, with wind, making it feel really cold.

Stay warm!

Debbie Jones said...

I sure wish my husband and I could both retire early, but we have a few more years to work! That is so great that Ken can retire and then you can begin a new chapter in your lives together. Any big plans for retirement? Enjoy the rest of your cold, wet day. It is sunny here in Arizona, but not warm at all, in fact I have felt like I was freezing all morning. Have a good weekend.

Beth said...

Congratulations to your husband! The best is yet to come for you both.

Vee said...

Oh that was fun to read! I thought he was talking about the Mayan Calendar. Hahahahaha... Bliss...it will indeed be bliss because Ken will keep busy doing the things he enjoys. Travel plans in your future? Heading for Florida? This is going to be so exciting. (I wish that John would retire. He deserves to for sure.)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Congrats.... Great news!!!! I'm happy for Ken --and for both of you... Just think of the times you can go to Happy Trails whenever you want to....

Happy New Year.
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

The Christmas ball tradition is so nice. I'm glad you've kept it up.
Retirement is great; that's when you can really enjoy everything more because you aren't rushed.
MJ

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Congratulations to Ken, on his retirement decision. Retirement is something to be done, when one is ready. Sounds perfect.

He has many interests and so retirement won't be a "what do I do now?" issue. !!!!! We have been so lucky, on this score, here.

Now you can go work on Happy Trails whenever the weather cooperates and the mood strikes you, for one thing.

CONGRATULATIONS on his decision!!!!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Congrats on Ken's decision to retire! Maybe you can travel the world :)

o2bhiking said...

That is fantastic. I am happy for both of you. Now, that is the kind of end that we like to be near! I hope to get there someday myself.

I thought of you about a week ago. I was behind a car, and their license plate was "HPPY TRLS." :^)

Noofy said...

Congrats to Ken. I know from your blog how hard he's worked, staying late and going the extra mile. He will be sorely missed, I'm sure. It will be a beginning of a new life for you both. Surely, you'll spend more time at Happy Trails expanding it to your eventual retirement home. So exciting, so much to look forward to, best wishes to you both!

Anonymous said...

A whole new chapter in your life is about to begin - I hope you both have a long and very happy retirement together.

Kerri Farley said...

oh how VERY Exciting!! I'm so happy for you both!
I bet you'll be spending more time up at Happy Trails :)

Jeanne said...

Congratulations on retirrement! We love our free time and do not regret taking retirement when we did. I look forward to lots of happy trails stories. Happy New Year!

Happy@Home said...

Congratulations to Ken and you on his retirement plans. I have no doubts that the two of you will keep busy and enjoy this new phase of life. How exciting for you.
Happy New Year!

Ruta M. said...

Congratulations to Ken on his retirement. Now he'll have more time to do the things he really wants to do, I guess Happy Trails will figure big in that. Wishing you every happiness for the New Year.