did you say five years?

 Yup, my retirement party at Pamela's in Berkeley, exactly five years ago today. I have been talking to a friend who is thinking about retiring. "You will know when it is time," I told him, but that isn't exactly true. Circumstances have a lot to do with the decision. I was able to spend time with Bill before he died and take him to all those doctor appointments ~ and so nice not to stress about work and all the stupid politics of management and mid-management and lower management. Argh. And this party was quite wonderful, as you can clearly see. One more thing, it took a few months to adjust to NOT working, I had been warned about that and now I pass it on. 

retire from work, not from life

Here is a man at Crissy Field demonstrating how he makes the sand balls.
We didn't ask WHY he makes them, but one does wonder. Then again, I
don't want anyone asking me how I spend my free time. This beautiful
weather is over for a few days and we will return to winter.

bouquets to retirement

Ask me (or any retail museum worker) how god awful it was to work
the deYoung Bouquets to Art event. Trust me here, almost as bad as
a bookstore the week before Xmas. Pure agony. There's just something
about crowds and greed that settles deep into the soul and never really
goes away. (My, this quiet fireplace with cat and computer feels so
perfect this morning.)

Sunday sunrise thoughts

Once again, not my photo. But pretty. I was thinking right now about
how much I have grown to love my two or so solo hours every morning
when I get up. Yes, I'm on my computer ~ reading, writing and thinking
about all sorts of things. This was not possible when I was working
and now I don't think I could live without this. I half-listen to KDFC
the classical station and often read poetry along with the emails. It's
a good time to avoid the news, so I try. Time for all that turmoil later...

this never gets old

Basking outside in the sunshine on a weekday when the rest of the world
is inside working. A luscious latte, my iPhone to keep in contact with
the news and my LindaKindle2 featuring Jack London's Billy bouncing
around the Oakland Hills with a woman named Saxon...in a horse and
buggy, of all things.

yet another lunch

Gini and I were able to sit out in the patio at Starbelly (Market and 16th St.)
and she insisted on treating since I am newly retired. So far I've done VERY
nicely with this gifty-lunch celebration thing and I am grateful and also
in need of the gym today. I had the French toast with a side of b-a-c-o-n.
Gratitude...

yet another party!

Had I known it was this much fun to retire and be the center of attention at
parties I would have done this earlier and more often. Last night was a warm
and glorious gathering at Pamela's in the Berkeley Hills. All the museum
special occasions start and end here, or so it seems. I am SO fortunate to
know these friends and to feel their love and good wishes. It was such
a delightful evening. Now I have two more Retirement Celebrations ~ one
with Linda this week and one with The Blogmaid in Pathetica.

the blue plate special

The Great Plotniks

mushroom pasta

Another celebration dinner ~ this one at the Blue Plate on Mission Street,
courtesy of Doug and Barb. Delicious food, too much, but that's OK,
how often do I retire? A wonderful time ~ we are so fortunate and grateful.

oh, what a night!

Imagine, I had fun at my own retirement dinner last night. Delicious food and
very special friends and I was just watching a video of my "speech" and I
didn't even cringe this morning. Ristorante Pantarei (Columbus and Stockton)
provided us with calamari, bruschetta, cesar salad, stuffed eggplant ~ and
then the pastas: lasagna, fettuccine, duck pappardelle and tortelloni. All
really, really good food in our own private room. But of course the best part
was being with the people who have meant so much to me over the eight
years (!) that I've been at the museums. Such a happy evening, I am so grateful.

celebration dinner

Last night Husbando treated us to a gala happy retirement have another
slice, two salads, Coke® from Mexico dinner at Pauline's Pizza, one
of our favorite restaurants from forever. Of course we found easy parking
across the street, because this is the way it's going to be in my new
Freedom First world.

the first day

Well, no heavy fog to greet me this morning ~ a good sign for this brand
new retiree. I must tend to the three tomato plants today. I actually have
a To Do List going, but I plan to stop that at some point. Yesterday was
fine, no big deal and no gold watch that I could sell on eBay. Husbando and
I will get used to this and we are both sort of tip toeing around each other
now. But I am way quieter on my feet, if I may say so.

today ~ my last work day

For a woman who cries as often as I do, I have not really shed a tear about
leaving the work world. But yesterday when this beautiful bouquet arrived,
I did well up. Thank you, Blogmaid. Saturday was my final day at the
Legion of Honor and today I wrap it up at the deYoung. Tonight I will
turn on all the festive holiday lights when I arrive home. There are a
couple of parties planned with my museum friends, but you, dear readers,
need to know that this retirement decision was one of my best ones ever.

big and wonderful news

I used some "sick hours" yesterday and I went downtown for a couple of
errands and then took my coffee up to the top of Yerba Buena where I like
to sit and look over MY city. Before that I wrote my official "I am
retiring" letter to my many bosses at the museums. We have given this
a lot of thought, it's a big decision. I have worked since I was in college
and this final job has been perfect for me, except for the retail part, of
course. I have made some delightful friends and I have learned so much
about art. But the idea of not going to work ever again fills me with joy.
So that is how we now that it's time, right?