Pete & Carol's Adventure

My retirement is effective the end of December, however last day at work is December 15, 2011.

A young colleague asked me a question last week.  "I can't believe you're leaving. Aren't you going to miss all the fun we have?"  I just smiled...

A new chapter in life will soon begin. Some believe before actually retiring, a plan must be in place as to how time will be spent.  I find that to be too much like "work".  Instead of having a calendar filled with activities, taking each day as it comes sounds much more adventurous.

I don't know what I'll be doing Friday, December 16th, but knowing there is a special person willing to take that adventure with me makes the future so promising.

Life is so precious; live it as if it were going to end tomorrow.

Card Carol

Today at work I made it a point to introduce myself to a new person in our Department.  I felt bad because she had transferred from another area about 6 weeks ago and I hadn't taken the time to welcome her to our floor.

Earlier this week I sent an invitation to have lunch with me.  (work is funny...we send an electronic invitation to have lunch instead of just picking up a phone, or physically walking to the other side of the floor!) Anyway, mid-morning I stopped over at her cube to finally introduce myself and let her know I might be a little late for lunch. 

Her back was to me, but when I said "Dawn, hi I'm Carol" she turned around and said "Carol - are you my Card Carol"?  As soon as I heard her voice I recognized her.  She reached over and picked up a greeting card displayed on her desk, and sure enough my writing was on the inside.

When I started at M&I - 16 years ago, I was hired for her position as she was moving to a new role.  After she trained me, I gave her a "thank-you" card and the front of it was a picture of dogs. Dawn LOVES dogs. Between M&I, and NM, she's had at least a dozen positions, but has always kept that card displayed on her desk.

Yes, I am her "Card Carol".  We had a great time catching up over lunch. 

Really Interesting Stuff

Probiotics

Why baseball managers wear uniforms - CNN.com

Why baseball managers wear uniforms - CNN.com

Happy Halloween

I love JibJab - Turn up the volume.

 

First one starring Julia, Jake, Grandpa, Shelly & Sara

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/R8ym1RPWErIb1MFk

 

Second one starring Chris, Nic, Mike, Jamie & Grandma

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/lFTGfndXCUrqjAAO

 

 

Frying Cheese

Last week when I returned from a business meeting in Chicago, my colleague who was driving asked if I would mind if we stopped at the Mars Cheese Castle.  We did, and she suggested I try "Frying Cheese".  I bought some, took it home, and prepared it.  It is FABULOUS!   I prefer to slice the cheese about 1/4" x 1 " slices, then fry them.  Because I bought the "plain" cheese I added some hot sauce before popping into my mouth and it is truly delicious.  They do sell it in other varieties like Garlic or Jalapeño which might be what I try next time I'm on I 94 South.

Preheat a nonstick frying pan or a lightly oiled skillet.  Slice the cheese into 1/2" to 1" cubes.  Drop the cubes on the heated pan and fry about one minute on both sides until golden brown.  Cool slightly and serve warm.

Mistaken Identity

It sounded like maybe our next door neighbor started up his lawn mower.  We're not sure because this neighbor hasn't cut his grass for 2 months, so we hadn't heard that particular sound for awhile, but we were pretty sure.  Ended up to be much louder than a lawnmower...it was the Goodyear Blimp going from Timmerman Airport to Miller Park to cover tonight's Brewer Game.  "Go Brewers!"