The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ April!

For today: April 1st

Looking out my window ~  Beautiful sunny Saturday morning with a hefty breeze, but temps will be getting up to 60 degrees today.

 

Activities for today ~  Hannah and Tom are attending the Blue Ridge Bible Conference in Harrisonburg last evening and today. The subject of the conference is God Has Spoken.

 

I am thinking ~ That this spring will be the best ever! Tom retired yesterday!!! My Honey-Do-List is shouting Hallelujah! Actually, that may not be what he has in mind...

 

Here's a picture of him with a shirt from his co-workers that says it all: "Woodworking is My Full Time Job ~ I'm Retired!"

Tom has three different offices which he travels to up and down the Shenandoah Valley...that means he enjoyed three going-away luncheons this past week, each complete with cake, gifts, and speeches. Here's Tom at one of the luncheons in Woodstock:

His main office invited our whole family to attend the last retirement luncheon yesterday on his final day of work. They presented Granny, Hannah, and me with beautiful vases of flowers (seen below) and thanked us for all the many days we sacrificed without him when he worked snowstorms and thunderstorms from power outages throughout the years.

The event was very nice, and it was enjoyable listening to the speakers tell various remembrances about working with Tom for almost 38 years! Congratulations to my husband! Here he is accepting his plaque:

I am thankful ~ that Granny is doing better. She took another big tumble back in February but recovered fine from that ordeal. Now she's in physical therapy again for a few weeks for hip pain. Please continue to pray for Granny to be extra careful and not fall again.

 

Here's a recent picture of her. She's still making her handmade baskets on days she feels up to it....you can't keep a good Granny down!

I am creating ~ besides the Caterpillar quilt that I mentioned in the previous post (by the way, I'm sewing the binding on today and then it's all done!), I'm laying out a table runner using Sweetwater's fabric line Sunday Supper.  I love the Amazing Grace yardage in that line, and that fabric will be the backing. I'll post a picture later this month when I'm all finished.

 

I am wearing ~ green turtleneck with a navy skirt...around-the-house work clothes today.

 

I am watching  ~  April the giraffe! Isn't everyone? She's going to have a baby, and I've lost quite a bit of sleep waiting and watching for delivery for a few weeks now!

 

I am loving ~ this Amaryllis from a friend that's blooming again this year in my kitchen nook window. It's more colorfully vibrant in person.

One of my favorite things ~ day trips and adventures. I have a fun adventure coming up next Saturday. It's Barn Quilt Trail day over in Monterey. Hannah and I are looking forward to going. I'll post about our adventures when we get back next weekend!

 

I am hoping ~  to visit Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania sometime this spring. Jonathan gave me a ticket to the Gardens for Christmas. He must know me well! Has anyone been and have any tips to share for a good visit?

 

Happening on the Web ~ Hannah has been super busy developing two new websites. She has completely revamped her soap website and has a new home for her business over at Pleasant View Soaps. Head over there to check it out and let her know what you think of it.

 

She also plans to develop her dad's wood-working business website....still in the early stages, and we'll share that link when it happens.

 

In my kitchen ~ I experimented with a new recipe this week to celebrate Hannah's spiritual birthday. She picked a pumpkin cobbler, and we found the recipe over on Lauren's Latest food blog. I think it turned out okay...it actually looked just like the one in Lauren's post. I guess I haven't totally lost it in the kitchen...some days I wonder though!

A moment from my day ~ here's a poster gracing our fridge this week. As you can tell, this retirement is going to occupy our thoughts until we get a bit more used to it!
A Chance to Meet Up ~ does everyone know about the Landmark Events History Tours? They're having a tour in our area in May--it's the Shenandoah Valley Tour!  The first one was so popular it's completely booked, but they've added a second tour for the next week. If you think you're going, let us know, and we'll invite you over to our home one evening after the tour!

Closing Notes ~  Thankfully, I've received only two emails asking what was going on with us and why hadn't we posted in so long?! I'll try to do better!  But...mulching and gardening season is coming up....just saying.

See other Simple Woman Daybook posts. A new April version will post by Monday, April 3rd.

~Deb

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Comments

[Tammy C]

Congratulations Tom on your retirement.When Deb told me about your retirement I was hoping to see pictures.Also you and your job have been the talk about being at one company all week and actually off and on for years.

Enjoy your retirement.

[victoria]

Congratulations again to Tom on his retirement. Sarah showed us some pictures this evening from his parties. Sounds like they gave him a big send off.
I know what you mean about gardening season about to occupy lots of time. As soon as the plumbers get done tearing up our yard to lay new sewer lines, I'm out there with my shovel, flowers and mulch!
BTW- The family April Fool's prankster was at it again this year. She got her hubby good. :)

[Toni]

What a milestone your husband has reached, congrats to him and you, too, Deb. And how exciting to launch a woodworking business. Granny looks fabulous.
Have a great Lord's Day!
Toni

[Jeanne]

I practically grew up at Longwood -- it was always a few hours from wherever I lived! However, we went last year and they had torn up the main feature gardens/fountains to replace the old worn out infrastructure. There was no warning on the website and they charged the full amount anyway. It was scheduled to the completed by this summer -- but you know how construction schedules go. I'd call ahead before you go because it's the showpiece of the gardens. Definitely do the fountain show at night! They do lighted fountains and fireworks on the 4th of July and it's amazing, but horribly crowded. My favorite area is around the gazebo, a picture of which is my masthead -- even gorgeous in the winter. Enjoy your visit!

[Dorothy]

Congrats on your retirement, Tom! I know everyone is so happy to have you home every day! Enjoy!

[Carolyn Shortt]

Congratulations to Tom!!! I hope he enjoys every moment of his new phase of life! Make beautiful wood!
Mrs. Solomon looks so beautiful! I am so happy she is doing so well! PTL!

Kinda interested in the Lexington Tour in May. Have you all been before? Sounds wonderful!

Glad you are enjoyed the barn quilt class. I have seen them as traveling and always think they are so pretty!
Hannah looks as pretty and sweet as always.
Hope Jonathan is doing well.
Still loving your blog. Don't quit! (-:

[Shari]

Yay for retirement!!!!!! Congratulations Mr Tom!!!!!!

His
Shari

[Joanna]

Congratulations to Tom on his retirement!! How exciting!