Pam's Retirement . . . Or Not!

 After 28 years in the classroom Pam decided it was time to hang up her hat and she has worn many over the years.

Pam planned well in advance for her retirement and knew that she would be leaving the many duties of a classroom teacher behind.  

 

 

She looked forward to a future of relaxation.

 

However, her plan changed when a new opportunity came along with just one phone call.  "Pam, would you consider teaching part time next year?" 

 

 

As a result, Pam will be leaving the beloved Elk Grove High School Grenadier behind to become a Husky at John Hersey High School.  New adventures await in "semi-retirement."

Sue is Amazing

My good friend and former colleague is retiring this year after 30+ years of service to Elk Grove High School.  Sue graduated from EGHS, raised her children in Elk Grove and said she was going to "walk" when her first grandchild graduated this year.

No one deserves a retirement celebration more than Sue, but the Coronavirus got in the way. Social distancing and shortages of crazy things like toilet paper may be our temporary "new normal". . .

but at least I can deliver some cookies to commemorate this milestone event.

Sue may be saying good bye to EGHS. . .

. . .and leaving the beloved Grenadier behind.  .  .

however, Sue is amazing, and there is no retiring from that.

Congratulations to a special person, may your future be filled with love, laughter, family, friends and beautiful beaches!

Retirement Celebration

Congratulations are in order for a former colleague who is retiring this year.

The cap and diploma, are orange and blue to represent the school where she currently teaches and the mascot represents the high school where we met.  It's hard to exclude the Grenadier since he beat out 63 opponents to be chosen as the best high school mascot in the state of IL.

Finally, I added a tag to acknowledge the third high school in the district where Laura started her career.

Congratulations, Laura!

Marty Is Taking Off

After 15 years of service with the Transportation Security Administration at Mitchell Airport,  my brother-in-law, Marty is retiring.

I am not sure what Marty has planned as he leaves the world of work behind.

Perhaps he will be snowmobiling at his home in the north woods of Wisconsin  .  .  .

or riding the waves at his condo in North Carolina while his wife, Carol, looks for shells on the beach. . .

or maybe he will pull the Harley out of the garage.

Whatever he decides, I hope he makes a bucket list soon, because Carol definitely has a "honey do" list waiting for him.

Congratulations, to Marty as he journeys into retirement. I hope he always remembers that "it's not the destination, it's the ride."

References: 

Airplane with contrails-Bake at 350. 

Nose view of the airplane-SemiSweetDesigns and Whatta Smart Cookie

Motorycycle-Haniela

Linda and Cliff are Retiring

Congratulations to Linda and Cliff, as they retire from teaching.  Elk Grove High School is losing two of the most creative teachers I have ever known, they were an inspiration to their students and their colleagues.

Relax, reinvent, recreate, renew, rejuvenate, reimagine .  .  . retire.

Keep Calm and Retire

If you can dream it, 

you can do it.    
                                    Walt Disney

My sisters and I were raised in a household that believed in a "can do" spirit.  Much like other "baby boomers," we were raised to believe that we could achieve anything as long as we worked at it.  Thus, as a newly single Mom of three, my sister decided to go to nursing school.  At times, it was a struggle to balance the demands of parenting, a part time job and classes, but Carol never gave up.  It was a proud moment for the entire family when Carol stood on the stage to speak to the audience in her new cap.

In July, 1985, Carol began her career as a psychiatric nurse at the VA hospital in North Chicago, now the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center.   After 311/2 years, she is now retiring from her position as the Section Leader of the MICAM (Mental Health Intensive Case Management)  Program.

I am so glad that she has finally decided to follow in her younger sisters footsteps and join Rita and me in retirement. We have been highly recommending it for years!

I am hopeful that she will find that her retirement years will be filled with so much more . . .

More sleep
More music
More beaches
More books
More excitement
More gardening
More travel
More sunsets
More fun
More time to explore new hobbies
More time with her children
More time with her grandchildren
More time with her friends
More adventures

 

Love, hugs and cookies!  Keep calm and enjoy retirement life.

Time To Retire

Congratulations to my former colleague as they leave their careers in education.

For Ralph, the dog lover. . .

For Maria, a librarian . . .

Rita's Retirement

If my sister, Rita, was alive during World War II, this famous icon might have been "Rita the Riveter" instead of "Rosie."  Both personally and professionally, she has lived her life with passion, commitment and courage.

We Can Do it?  RITA CAN!         

- Can a young Mom plan a budget for her family so that 3 children can attend private school from kindergarten through college and not have any  student loans when they graduate?  She did it!

-Can you spend six months recovering from a stroke, then return to work full time?  She did it!

-Can you organize your community and raise enough money to keep your local parochial school open when the Archdiocese of Chicago announces that it will be closed?  She did it!

-Can you change careers when many people are facing a mid-life crisis?  She did it!

Now, after twenty-one years of dedication to her job as the Chief of Staff for the 38th Ward of Chicago, Rita is retiring.

Knowing my sister, it will only be a few days before she re-directs her energy into new causes.  Therefore,  I have created a  "retirement to do" list for her.

1.  Take pride in your career and cherish the memories.

2.   Relax at a spa as a gift from Matt and Diane.

3.  Clean out your closest to make room for casual clothes.

4.  Slow down!  Learn how to stop and smell the roses.

 

   

 

To my wonderful sister,  

you are 

Retired & Admired.

Congratulations!

Bill's Retirement

 

I have known my brother-in-law, Bill, most of my life.  We went to grade school together, he lived just a few blocks away, he started dating my sister in high school and he has been the brother that I never had.

Bill recently retired after a 40 year career as an ornamental iron worker.  During that time he helped to change the Chicago skyline. The installation of the antennas high atop the Hancock Building, supervising remodeling work at both Wrigley Field and Soldier Field and consulting on the design and installation of the Gargoyles perched on the public library are just a few of his achievements.

I thought about trying to recreate some of these places in cookie form, but I decided that retirement is a time to look toward the future and all the new opportunities that are ahead.  The result is an eclectic collection of cookies that reflect the leisure activities that he enjoys, the places he loves to visit and the things he values most in life.

Congratulations Bill!  You've worked hard, now it's time to play hard.