Leaving work in a week and getting all the details done

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My final work day is August 6 and Diannes is August 11 (she thinks). I think we both have mixed feelings about leaving our jobs. I have been in mine for almost 15 years and have enjoyed the work and people. Sometimes though, it starts to become routine and you know it is time for a change.

If you are paying attention, you start to see yourself changing towards how you deal with people or tasks at work. Some of us realize it is time for a change (do I try something else or change what I do at work), or some of us start counting the days till retirement (6 years, 5 months and 22 days, but whose counting). If your one of the ones counting or waiting till you have enough $ to leave, I feel bad since you will probably wish you could of done something different with that time.

Having a daughter in NZ was a great excuse for a change. It gave us a goal to shoot for. We took the drastic step of selling our house, cars and most belongings. We are leaving our jobs and going for 3 months and possibly more. We are not retiring, just taking a break. Hopefully we will find new experiences, people and places in our travels that will give us new ideas about what we want to do when we grow up.

Dianne and I have always had the urge to travel. This will be our first long adventure since we were in the Peace Corps almost 30 years ago (seems forever ago). We are very excited as September 16th gets closer. Putting all the details of life in order has seemed like a never ending process. Having some time between the end of work and when we leave, has allowed us to come up with a seeming endless list of what that entails. Make a list, scratch it off, then do it again. I know, no one wants to hear it but I was just trying to give everyone an idea of what we had to do to get prepared for a prolonged time abroad.

I just want to really thank all our friends for the wonderful goodbyes and hope you will all come visit if you get the chance. If not, just stop by the blog to see (as Dianne would say) what shenanigans the Laydens are up to now.

Heres to adventure!

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Photos

Enjoying Lake George
Nena, Saskia and Maja

Senior Whole Health Party
Goodbye to Dianne

Grandma & Grandpa
We invaded there house to stay for the last two months

The daughter in New Zealand
The man she left behind

The other Grandma
She gets to use a bunch of great furniture while we are gone.

Eli and Saskia
He gets to babysit her while we are gone. If you see the two of them wandering along the road looking lost, please take them in and feed them. Thanks

Comments

[Doug]

movable feast - well almost
Kick the damn tires and light the fires already. I'm more excited than you!!

[Betsy Bates]

Jealousy
Well...thanks for the photos! Did you get any good ones at the lakehouse Monday? It was so great to see everyone; happy that we could be a part of your farewell parties. Keep safe, enjoy life and stay in touch. Good friends don't ever go away forever. You are in our thoughts and prayers. With much love, Betsy (and family)

[Américo Fabricio]

Hey that's nice!!
Hey Bruce, I hope that this new phase in your life be just great and brings you guys a lot of good moments and opportunities to learn new things and a lot to experience too. We must be brave enough to face a journey like this! I wish you guys good luck and all the best!! Take care! Américo

[Cindy Hirsch]

It has been too long since I've seen you last. You look sooo happy and grown up!

[Cindy Hirsch]

That is so nice that you had a goodbye luncheon with your fellow coworkers.

[Suzanne DeFruscio]

Dianne It was so good to hear from you and I am so excited for you and Bruce. Have a wonderful time! A lot of us dream of starting a new adventure but never do. I think it it is so great! I am sure wherever you go you will never have a problem getting a job. Please include me in your blog. I would love to follow your exciting travels. Have a safe trip and most of all ENJOY. Love Suzanne