Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Retirement Complete!!

After 35 years of working, working, working, Mr. Polka Dot is fully retired! Thursday night there was a wonderful retirement dinner, complete with gifts, plaques, speeches and a wonderful slide show. The kids gave a tribute to their dad! We had a few tears, and some wonderful laughs, at dad's expense of course!!! Saturday we had our family party to celebrate the big retirement and to introduce our baby to all of the family. Who would have guessed that our 100 degree weather on Thursday would turn in to 60 degree weather with rain on Saturday. But no worry, party on family!!!

A couple more bindings done, but the pile is still quite big. Now I will definitely have more time to whittle it down. Here's another project started a while back.....2 years ago to be exact! Good thing my friend Carol doesn't comment publicly on my blog because she would so bust me on this. My Reindeer quilt from the Peppermint & Holly Berries book. She only asks me on a weekly basis how is my Reindeer quilt coming:-)! Well 5 blocks done and at least I have pulled them out from under the pile and I am touching them again!!! Only 4 blocks left. She is yelling at the computer right now "that's the same 5 blocks you had done 2 years ago"!!!!!!

Have I mentioned before that my family are major Angel Fans? Well the last several days have been a little trying. Sadly Monday night we failed to beat Boston. Despite all our cheering and yelling we were of no help!What a let down after such a wonderful season, but Boston played so darn good!!! OK, now we switch hats and start cheering for the Dodgers!!!

I found some wonderful new (well new to me) thread for hand applique, WonderFil Invisafil. It comes in all kinds of colors, but honestly, it just melts in to the fabric and even using a neutral color on darker fabrics, you just can't see the stitches.

I just love this time of year. Getting out Fall decorations, Thanksgiving and Christmas really just around the corner. Our weather is still wackadoddle here though. After a cool weekend of 60's, we were back up to 100 yesterday. And next week Santa Ana winds will be blowing. Hope Fall is falling all around where you are and you have lots of wonderful projects going on. See you later alligators :-)!!

19 comments:

Unknown said...

Congrats on the retirement! Well earned!! What a great celebration, I bet a good time was had by all. But it sounds like Luke had the best time.

Good to hear you are finishing up some projects! I'm sorry to hear about your Angels, but you know that I am a HUGE Red Sox fan. We watch every game and try to get to a couple throughout the season, so I guess I'm not so sorry... sorry!

Fall is definitely here too. Although, you know that means winter is not too far off, I'm not to crazy about winter. If it were not for all the quilting time I have in the winter, I would completely despise it. Oh well, I am definitely a spring/summer gal.

Kim said...

Congrats to John.. your family is so wonderful!~ I have to tell you I have the same quilt book and fabrics to make the quilt.. uhmmm same time frame from you know where.. LOL only, I don't have any blocks done.. BUT, I did bring it all out a few weeks ago to work on.. how funny huh????! We too are sorta getting cooler weather and I love it .. finally I can air out the house. Have a great week.

Kris said...

It sounds like your life is pretty exciting at the moment! Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Dandelion Quilts said...

Congrats to the retirees....celebrate!

Carol said...

Sounds like all is well at your house. YIPPEE! I've never seen that thread...sounds wonderful...I'll have to look for it. Wish fall would arrive her...it's just too darn hot for October here. Love your Halloween decorations.

Carrie P. said...

Congratulations to John! My husband can't wait to retire but he has a ways to go. Looks like life is good for you all.

Thimbleanna said...

Congrats to Hubby -- what an achievement! Now stand him in the corner and make him practice "Welcome to Walmart" while you watch the news...LOL! Love your little Halloween kitty!

Sherry said...

Congrats to John & it looks like you had lots of family & friends around to celebrate. I know what you mean about your team losing (I'm a StL Cards fan) but I was always told you cheer for the team that beats your team, makes you look like you lost to the best...man, that's hard to do! LOL Keep rollin with those bindings, I made three this morning, now if they'd just jump on the quilts. LOL

Mar said...

Congrats to your John, sounds like he had an awesome retirement!Can't wait to see the reindeer quilt!

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much for sharing.
Through your blog, a lot of people including me of course have a chance to read and learn from.
I have read some of your post and I really enjoyed reading it.
Thanks again and looking forward for more of your posting soon!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Congratulations on your husband's retirement. I used to be a huge Dodgers fan when I was younger...attended ballgames every summer. GO DODGERS!!! I have friends and family in So Cal and so I keep up to date on the wacky weather.

Darlene said...

Congratulations to your hubby on his retirement. Now, it's time to relax and enjoy!

My goodness Baby Luke is getting so BIG and soooooo cute!

OK, where can I get that thread - I've been looking for it for a long time.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

The thread looks fantastic, I'm gonna be on the lookout for that. You and I are leading parallel lives... the retirement, the grandson, oh my!! Life IS Good, isn't it?

Doe said...

I agree with Nurse Carol, those were the same blocks you've shown us the past year. LOL!

Where, oh where did you get that amazing thread, Lil' Doe wants to know.

Congrats to John! Sorry to hear about the Angels.

Nancy said...

How exciting to be retired. I love Nancy Halverson. I have the Santa, Reindeer and last year's Shephard quilts finished but only the Santa has binding on it:)

Tracey said...

Many congratulations on your husbands retirement. What perfect timing with the stock market and all. My husband had hoped to retire in a couple of years, but now he's thinking it will be a few more. He's really bmmed out. He has been at the same place for 33 years.Good Luck and happy retirement. Hugs, Tracey

Anonymous said...

Hia Cheryl, Congratulations on being able to share your retirement now with hubby.

My blog helps me finish stuff off as people sometimes ask how something is progressing. So I'll ask if you have number 6 ready to share? :-)

Our weather in the UK is weird too- we've had what can only be described as Wintery storms. Thankfully a lot of leaves are still on the trees.

Nan said...

Wonderful photos of the retirement party! I also love the pic of the Angels fans!
I'm looking forward to seeing the Reindeer quilt top finished - I bet it's too cute. Isn't it nice the way projects just sit and wait for us to pick them up again?
You go girl!!

Red Geranium Cottage said...

OMG you are just the chattty cathy aren't you??? I dont even know where to start. But let me tell you that family of yours is freakin adorable!!!!! I'm just sayin!!!! Ok I'm just sayin.......I'M JEALOUS!!! LOL