what did you do today?

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire Things are getting exciting! Some mentioned wanting to hear my experiences during my final week at work, and what is happening and how I am feeling. Today I had my exit interview with HR. They gave me copies of all the paperwork that they are going to send to OPM the day after I leave. One specifically states that I am retiring and that I appear to be eligible to continue my medical coverage into retirement, and for the first time this is IN WRITING and signed by my HR rep. Of course OPM has the last word but they usually agree with the local HR people. My exit clearance is complete with all 20 signatures, except for returning my badge and parking permit. All my paperwork is done. I have nothing left in my cubicle except office supplies (and my exit clearance form), and nothing whatsoever left on my computer or LAN. All my e-mails are deleted or passed on, and I have composed my "Out of Office Assistant" message to turn on next Monday. Just now I have been cleaning the countertops and whiteboard. DO YOU THINK I AM READY YET? My (kind, very human) supervisor asked me if I felt a little sad in some ways, thinking "I will never walk these halls again!". I politely told her that it is like graduation. You know you will think back fondly upon this period in your life, and you know you won't be seeing your friends every day any more. But you also know that you are moving on to something else. While one may occasionally reminisce, it is unlikely that one would spend a whole lot of time looking back, coming back to visit the old workplace, and such. She said I should come back at least once, to give the others hope.

Want2Retire,

Been excited for you seeing the countdown decrease each day on your signature line. Wanted to offer my contratulations too. Retirement is like a "graduation". Very well said by you. CONGRATS

[bbbamI]

Worked at the court this morning and found only one rotten case.

The saga continues at my house regarding the floor installation. I never in my life thought I would ever say this, but (no pun intended)....."I'm tired of looking at male backsides."

[freebird5825]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbamI Worked at the court this morning and found only one rotten case. The saga continues at my house regarding the floor installation. I never in my life thought I would ever say this, but (no pun intended)....."I'm tired of looking at male backsides."

Well, then, send some MY way.

Chinese buffet today. One of my former co-w*rkers made a minor pass at me. I will admit that I loved every minute of that.
I drove my midlife crisis car one last time with the top down and heat and tunes blasting, and gave it a deluxe car wash. Now it gets all covered up and tucked into the garage for a long winter's sleep.

[bbbamI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebird5825 Well, then, send some MY way.

No...you really don't want me to do that.......it's a nightmare on crack street.

[harley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebird5825 Well, then, send some MY way.

Your wish is my command.

[W2R]

More about my last week at work - -

My farewell/retirement party at work is this afternoon. We will just have snacks in a conference room, and people can come by, say their farewells, and take snacks to their desks on their way out. I chose this instead of the traditional retirement luncheon, because the luncheons cost each attendee $30 and take so long that people have to work late to compensate. Anyway, I am looking forward to it. My supervisor says that at least some of the snacks will be healthy.

Yesterday I had a talk with a Chinese-American meteorologist (first generation immigrant), about 5 years older than me, a brilliant researcher and friend/colleague who was hired the same month I was hired and with whom I have worked on several modeling efforts and a few other things. He wanted to know what I would do when I retired - - would I consult? Wouldn't I get bored? Maybe I would take another government job? Perhaps if nothing else I would teach a class or two at a college?

When I started prattling on about taking up piano again, growing roses, and moving to a quiet community in the heart of America (not a hotbed of oceanographic research), maybe taking a class in economics instead of teaching one in oceanography, and all the walking trails in Springfield, he finally got the idea. I think it took over an hour, though.

I am moving on and oddly, I really could care less about work. I am getting out at just the right time, because it appears that the, er, "stuff" is about to hit the fan there with more assignments and much political turmoil. I have complete confidence in the person that I trained to do the modeling and I know I have left things in good hands. She passed the "acid test" while I was away attending my daughter's wedding - - something came up that was over her head (politically, required a management decision), and she recognized that and went straight to management as I had told her to do rather than trying to shoot from the hip and handle it herself. Bravo!

I just e-mailed my financial/retirement spreadsheet home, after updating this morning as I always do. I did the same yesterday, so today I deleted it for once and for all off of my work computer. That was the last file on it so my computer is completely pristine and ready to be reformatted or standardized for the next user.

It is a beautiful day in New Orleans. After today, I only have my last day at work, which is Monday. On Monday I will return my badge and parking pass, turn in my exit clearance, and not much else.

[Dawg52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire It is a beautiful day in New Orleans. After today, I only have my last day at work, which is Monday. On Monday I will return my badge and parking pass, turn in my exit clearance, and not much else.

Don't forget to turn in your bullet. Enjoy the day!

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawg52 Don't forget to turn in your bullet. Enjoy the day!

Hey, they never even gave me one (probably because I'm goofier than Barney Fife! ).

Thanks.

[RonBoyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire On Monday I will return my badge and parking pass, turn in my exit clearance, and not much else.

And then leave with a better attitude than shown in this Johnny Cash song, I hope.

YouTube - Johnny Cash - Oney

[FinanceDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire More about my last week at work - - My farewell/retirement party at work is this afternoon. We will just have snacks in a conference room, and people can come by, say their farewells, and take snacks to their desks on their way out. I chose this instead of the traditional retirement luncheon, because the luncheons cost each attendee $30 and take so long that people have to work late to compensate. Anyway, I am looking forward to it. My supervisor says that at least some of the snacks will be healthy. Yesterday I had a talk with a Chinese-American meteorologist (first generation immigrant), about 5 years older than me, a brilliant researcher and friend/colleague who was hired the same month I was hired and with whom I have worked on several modeling efforts and a few other things. He wanted to know what I would do when I retired - - would I consult? Wouldn't I get bored? Maybe I would take another government job? Perhaps if nothing else I would teach a class or two at a college? When I started prattling on about taking up piano again, growing roses, and moving to a quiet community in the heart of America (not a hotbed of oceanographic research), maybe taking a class in economics instead of teaching one in oceanography, and all the walking trails in Springfield, he finally got the idea. I think it took over an hour, though. I am moving on and oddly, I really could care less about work. I am getting out at just the right time, because it appears that the, er, "stuff" is about to hit the fan there with more assignments and much political turmoil. I have complete confidence in the person that I trained to do the modeling and I know I have left things in good hands. She passed the "acid test" while I was away attending my daughter's wedding - - something came up that was over her head (politically, required a management decision), and she recognized that and went straight to management as I had told her to do rather than trying to shoot from the hip and handle it herself. Bravo! I just e-mailed my financial/retirement spreadsheet home, after updating this morning as I always do. I did the same yesterday, so today I deleted it for once and for all off of my work computer. That was the last file on it so my computer is completely pristine and ready to be reformatted or standardized for the next user. It is a beautiful day in New Orleans. After today, I only have my last day at work, which is Monday. On Monday I will return my badge and parking pass, turn in my exit clearance, and not much else.

Congrats!!! Enjoy ER, ya earned it!!

[heyduke]

Enjoy your long weekend off and enjoy your last Monday at w**k next week....

another one bites the dust...

[Bestwifeever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire ....After today, I only have my last day at work, which is Monday. On Monday I will return my badge and parking pass, turn in my exit clearance, and not much else.

And here is what W2R will be performing as she walks out to her car on Monday:

YouTube - Johnny Paycheck - You can take this job and shove it

[W2R]

OMG, I just got home after my retirement party and it was more wonderful than I could ever have imagined!

First of all, there was a lot of great snacks and my supervisor (a geeky PhD scientist like me, and my best friend there) actually BAKED two loaves of PUMPKIN BREAD for part of the snacks for the party! Now this is not such an amazing feat if she was Little Suzy Homemaker, but she's not and I was really touched. She probably hasn't baked in 20 years. Besides, it was delicious.

Not only that, but she remembered that I had been griping about never having been presented with a "Time in Service" award in front of my co-workers for various unavoidable reasons. NOBODY cares about these things except me, and it is a big deal to me. I don't know why, but it is. I was due yet another one after Saturday but wasn't going to get it presented either since they are never presented early and I am retiring Monday. SO - - she somehow managed to get it early, and got our Head Dude to come to my party and present it to me there!!! With a photographer and everything. I can't express how wonderful that was for me, because it is an honor that I deserved and never got and because she cared enough to go to all that trouble so that I would.

Then I got to give an impromptu speech and rambled on for a while about what an honor it has been to work with some of the best Gulf of Mexico scientists in the world, and how proud I am of what a upright and ethical bunch we are as well (and the Head Dude made a point of saying that made him feel especially great, since we make huge efforts to keep our standards high). All my very best friends and closest co-workers were there and they were all congratulating me and hugging me.

It just couldn't have been better. What a great group of people!

[W2R]

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Originally Posted by Bestwifeever And here is what W2R will be performing as she walks out to her car on Monday:

You got THAT right!! As jobs go, it was great but that isn't saying much. I am done with working for other people and organizations!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonBoyd And then leave with a better attitude than shown in this Johnny Cash song, I hope.

Only somewhat!

[Dawg52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbamI The saga continues at my house regarding the floor installation. I never in my life thought I would ever say this, but (no pun intended)....."I'm tired of looking at male backsides."

I saw my share of male backsides today as well. I didn't get anything out of it either. The guys made pretty good progress on my new heating and cooling system. Should finish tomorrow. Funny how things go. I planned to just install the bottom of the line system since this is an old house and not planning on being here long, but got a pretty decent one because of tax rebates and mfg rebates going right now. Cost the same as the low end after netting out everything. A heat pump with a gas furnace that kicks in on for those real cold days. Suppose to be more efficient, but we will see.

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawg52 A heat pump with a gas furnace that kicks in on for those real cold days. Suppose to be more efficient, but we will see.

We had our new unit installed labor day week end in Florida last year and it worked perfectly until our first cold snap . They forgot to connect the heat pump . They fixed it and everything works fine. It has reduced my electric bill by $75 a month so it was well worth it .