1 WEEK AND 2 DAYS!!!!!

Yep, you read that right! Only 1 week and 2 days left til I retire!! YIPPEEEE!!! It all actually seems very frickin weird. I am so excited but it really seems very surreal. I only mean that I have worked for over 34 years, gradually working to get to this point of my career (the end!), tucking money away, working and waiting, paying the bills, and all the time wondering what it would be like if I ever am lucky enough to retire. And, what do ya know, that time has arrived! I keep thinking I am going to get hit by a Mack truck before next Thursday...just kidding....had my fingers crossed.....HA! Yes, that day in May will be a great day in my life.......my birthday, my retirement day, my last day of work, and the day of my luncheon!! So no matter what happens that will be an outstanding day for me. Then the following Saturday is my 5th or 6th annual Summer Gala BBQ and Trivia contest. THAT day also happens to be Cinco de Mayo, a day of major partying in California. So I will be making Jerk Chicken (I know...its not exactly Mexican food, but it IS spicy!?!??!) and Mardi Gras Dip. Friends are bringing sides and more alcohol and maybe some other goodies. Its always a good time...not a huge crowd, ever, but a fun day none-the-less. After that its a week of total relaxation....then a little hitch in the pleasure of retirement. On Monday, May 14th, I'm having a root canal....OUCH! Trying not to think about THAT too much. The next big thing comes along on May 22......going to, you guessed it, New Orleans!!! It will be so great to get back to NOLA (for a week!) once again. I am still tentatively planning to move there for 6 months in January. However, I am also considering the possibility of using the money that I earn, should I decide to return to work (all fun money, dear!), to travel to places as yet unseen. I will begin to seriously look at my options toward the end of June. I'm thinking that if I decide to go back to work part-time, I should do it around July 1st. Work for 6 months, part-time basis, try to earn around 15 BIG ones, and then put a plan into action. I'll keep ya posted. Until next time.......(just re-read this, I really need to post some pics, huh?)