The year of my Retirement

July 23, 2008--This past year has been a very busy one for me! I have celebrated my 60th birthday, my 41st wedding anniversary and begun an incredible journey! Let me begin at the beginning. Last November, I was retired by my employer of 28 years! At first I was very worried, but I have long since decided that this was the best thing that has ever happened to me!!!! I LOVE BEING HOME AND NOT WORKING AWAY FROM HOME!!!!! I have been so busy, I can imagine having to go back to work again. I certainly would have waited another couple of years to retire, but I think God's plan was certainly better than mine!!! Last fall was a blur of activity, and I haven't slowed down this year!

In June, I went to Padre Island with my sister, mother and best friend. My oldest son and his wife, my other sister and her husband were all there as well. We went to the beach everyday, ended each day at the pool and a big dinner with everyone! We had 20+ at dinner each night--my sweet daughter-in-law coordinated our evening meals together and we had a blast!!! As soon as we got back from Padre, my husband and I left Dallas for a week long adventure. Don had bought an old sailboat on E-bay and we had to go to Orlando, FL to get it! Well it wasn't quite as good looking as the pictures, and a big big project! We did tow it home after a 3 day stay in Pensacola! We bicycled all over the Pensacola and will go back again in a heart beat! In less than a week, I was on the Texas Coast, then Mobile, Alabama; Orlando, and Pensacola, Florida--and have shells and beautiful white sand to prove it!!!! I think I was at home 8 days in June!!!

July started with our 41st anniversary, then our birthdays - mine and Dons are 1 week apart! We spent July 4th with #2 son and his sweet wife! They had a big pool party at their house!!! Lots of good food, friends and family!!!

Ever since getting back from Orlando with the project boat, sweet husband had been on a quest to find another sailboat that did not need work and we could get in the water NOW!!! After looking at about 7 or 8 boats, we finally found the boat! We bought our boat from an older couple (I know we are old, but older than us!) who had had her at Lake Ray Hubbard for the past 12 years. The previous captain was really and "Old Salty Sailor" and Don really liked him. The marina is only 12 miles from our house and the slip has lots of extras! It is covered with lots of deck space. It is the perfect place for us. My 80 year old mother can fish till the cows come home! She has been fishing 3 times in the past week and caught something every time!

This is only the beginning of my adventures- more to come!!! Oh I might mention, that we also bought a row-boat/sail boat in April - had to go to Kansas for this one--another day another story!