1983 - 1987
We must wait until the evening to see
how splendid the day has been
Sophocles
January 15 Ted and I took a ride along the Pend Oreille River and stopped at Usk. The weather being mild, I was able to walk up the hill and get to the Manressa Grotto cave where I placed one yellow rose. The significance of the rose was that it reminded me and my children of Bob, and that he used to sing "The Yellow Rose of Texas."
Opal and Bill sold their house located next to mine on Empire and bought a mobile home in the Dishman Hills area. Bill was wanting to make it easier for Opal in case anything should happen to him. He had had heart bypass surgery in 1979.
A hobby of Ted' s that he used to enjoy in Maryland was keeping tropical fish. We set up a saltwater tank. Into it we put a seahorse -- "Trigger," a passion of mine was to have a seahorse. He lived all of six days -- then we got Trigger II; he lived for three days. We gave up on seahorses, and later gave up on salt water fish altogether. Too risky! Too much expertise! And too costly!
Block Watch had a program at Franklin Mall in which Ted participated. A burglar spoke about the methods he used in a first-class home robbery. Very educational.
February 13 - Today I called Tom to see what we could do for Jay's 14th birthday. This was when I learned how they felt about us. Nikki said, "Tom thinks Ted doesn't like him." And she also said she thinks I ignore her. As far as we were concerned, this was all their imagination. We didn 't resolve anything and so began a long period of estrangement, having very hurt feelings all around. Barry told us, "let it go -- pray about it. God will let you know how you should resolve it. Wait on the Lord." Each time a suggestion was made for us to get together (usually by Gerri) Tom and Nikki would decline the idea.
Gary scrounged us a computer and Ted bought some of the necessary components. We took a short lesson on "Introduction to Computers." The course left us feeling we were the star pupils in this class, as we knew a little more than the others. I caught the instructor up on one simple program he showed us on finances which didn't allow for compounded interest! He just used the same percentage throughout the program and didn’t allow for accruement.
In March I had barium X-ray to see if there was a recurrence of colon cancer. It proved negative. Every year a barium X-ray was recommended to be alternated with a colonoscopy -- I hated this!
We decided to buy some Loon Lake property at Shore Acres Estates from Lonnie and Fred White. We signed the papers on Friday and moved our belongings in on Saturday afternoon. Lonnie told us the trailer wasn't cleaned out too well, "What you see is what you get!" But we wanted to spend the night there. And it didn't need all that much in the way of cleaning. They took our RV as part of the deal.
Bob's oldest half-brother passed away April 17 in Portland, Oregon. John Nance had been a role model for Bob and also for Paul. He was much looked up to, so very sophisticated and urbane.
 Laura and Amanda |
April 24 Doris and Larry had a baby girl, Laura. Having the lake place, we were always delighted to be all packed up with groceries and supplies so we could take off on Friday (getaway day) and relax. |
But, at Loon Lake, we began painting. Ted was not expecting any sort of project when I asked, "Do you mind if I buy some paint?" He didn't realize that we would be doing a lot of painting very soon. The skirting, eaves, shutters, and the posts supporting the deck were originally some of it green and some of it gold. I had to have it all the same color -- dark brown. The trailer was ivory.
Memorial week-end at Loon Lake, we were delighted to discover that Carol, Rick and boys were camped just next to us at the Shore Acres Resort.
Sunday we waited for Barry and his children to show up. B. J. was to be given water ski instructions. When they got there, B. J. had just come from church camp, and was beaten, and mosquito-bitten.
Memorial Monday we drove to Usk. Barry and the children were with us. We decided to hike to the top of the hill above the cave. After realizing it was much too steep, most of us gave up the idea. As I went rapidly sliding down on the gravely hillside, I noticed the horror and concern on the faces of my grandchildren as they saw me losing control. B J, undaunted, went on to the top and was out of sight. When he failed to appear after quite a long time, we became worried. But finally, he came in sight at top of the cliff and we were very much relieved!
We combined the flowers that we had brought. Katy wanted to be the one who "placed" them, so she gathered them up and tossed them down the embankment. Barry told her, "No, Katy, we need to get them and put them in the glass bottle and position them (respectfully and reverently) beside the cave's opening."
In the dark cave the children became excited when they found a terrified baby frog.
The Fourth-of-July weekend was when MSC moved to their new building on Sprague which was very gorgeous! On July 5 we had to put our desks in order. Of course, the phone system was not working properly and it was a major part of my job.
This year July was the wettest ever recorded.
In September Ted began working full-time for Jobs Company, a placement bureau. Sadly to say, it didn't work out well. It was based on commissions only, and at that time Spokane was in severe recession. And Republican, Ronald Reagan, was at the helm! His plan for the Country we called "Reaganomics" which was supposed to give breaks to the rich, and they, in turn, would benovently provide jobs for the ordinary people -- thus the effect of "trickle down." It didn't happen!
Ted and I volunteered with the Lions Club to work at the Safeway store in Shadle Park. We took pictures and fingerprinted children for identification should they become lost. It turned out to be successful, but we just about froze ourselves, it was that cold!
I thought diarrhea was bad! but in October, I noticed a couple of spots on the right side of my back. I remarked to Ted, "I don't know what this could be unless it's Shingles!" And lo and behold! When I told Dr. Young at MSC about it, he said he had also had Shingles. He told me, "There is nothing to be done for it in its acute stages! It's the one most painful disease anyone can get. It could last up to two years or maybe even longer." I was in extreme pain for two horrible months. I kept working but it was a very, very trying time. I had to force myself just to get to work and stay at my desk all day. The Shingles spread around my right side and part way across my chest.
About December I began to feel some relief. It was the beginning of the end of it. Please don't wish this on your worst enemy!!!
It began to snow on December 2, and kept snowing hard all day. I was at work, and Ted came by to follow me home. The 11 miles took us one hour and ten minutes! December 23 the weather was reported to be the coldest in 50 years!
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For the weekend in March, we went to the Lions Club Northwest Regional Convention at the North Shore Hotel in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The most fun was the evening in which we modeled our costumes representative of the "Roaring Twenties." Ted and I had searched a shop called Nostalgia Corner for a flask, Oliver Hardy hat, tie, and spats. We got the flask and hat, but I had to improvise (with my sewing skills) the spats. We got him red suspenders. I wore a short dress; black, low-waisted, pleated skirt. With back-seamed, black lace pantyhose, a rhinestone tiara, and flashy earrings and necklace, I was pretty "roaring!" |
 Lions Convention
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We had a wonderful time--it was a fun-filled weekend.
April 15 Michael and Sherry entertained for Opal and Bill on their 40th anniversary. Granddaughter Stephani was there with their great granddaughter -- half Mexican -- named Raquel -- one month old -- a real doll!
 Katy and Katy
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Easter Sunday, Barry invited us to attend his church and have a little picnic afterwards. So, after services, we took Dean and went with Barry and his four children to picnic and egg-hunt at the Finch Arboretum. It was a little cool, and the area extremely wet and muddy. Katy, oblivious to the mud, happily slogged through it and almost ruined her new, blue, ruffled Easter dress and new white mesh shoes. I washed her dress and scrubbed on the shoes until both were presentable again. |
Bloomsday, May 6 . . . and this year, for the first time, I entered the contest. Katy and her little friend also a Katy (or Katie?) were with me. We finished in two hours 22 min.
After we picked up our trophy tee shirts, we saw Dean standing there having finished ahead of us! Dean said, "I won!" Also, we saw Michael and Sherry, Selene and Jeremy. I met up with Barry and he took me home. Ted stayed at our house and made us all lunch (hamburgers).
At Loon Lake, they had the first annual "Loonsday Walk." It consisted of 5-1/2 miles. Ted and I both finished and then had breakfast at Gene's Restaurant where we often went for meals.
We bought a used kitchen range for $40. This electric range was an improvement over the propane gas one that was furnished with the trailer. But, upon obtaining estimates for wiring it in, we discovered the present wiring was inadequate for the electric furnace installed just before we bought the place. And, in fact, the wiring was illegal! Fire insurance claims wouldn't be honored. Originally, there had been an oil furnace, and the wiring was never redone to accommodate 72 watts. So, when we went to wire up our $40 electric range, we ended up paying $1,175 plus the $40. We had hired Mike and his wife-helper, Donna, from Clayton, Washington, to do the job. When we got up on the morning that the work was to begin, we saw outside of our window, two electricians in a close, loving embrace. Mike and Donna.
After the project was completed, we again went to enjoy our lake place. There had been a severe windstorm, and when we arrived, we were confronted with soot -- greasy, black soot -- on all of our floors and furniture. We cleaned and cleaned -- couldn't figure out how an electric furnace could produce soot! We didn't think the electrical wiring could have anything to do with it.
When I checked in the closet that held the new electric furnace, I saw lying there an old pair of cut-off jeans. . . ?
Later Ted was down on the dock discussing the soot problem with some of the cronies at the lake. They mentioned the gale wind the previous night and this got Ted thinking . . . Maybe the wind had blown the jeans out from plugging the old flu opening and soot from there was then circulated into the blower system. The original opening had evidently been stuffed with these old pants. The furnace blower had circulated the greasy soot everywhere! We cleaned up and went home. No fun!
The next time we returned, we were again confronted with more soot as the furnace had been on. We cleaned everywhere again. We put wet rags under all of the floor registers which cleaned out the system. Opal said, "Oh, the joys of owning a lake place!"
Coincidentally, Opal and I were reading the exact same book at the same time. It was, Sisters and Strangers!
On October 16, Leo had triple by-pass heart surgery. It was high-risk, and 60% chance of survival. They wanted to do five by-passes but had to settle on three because of the time involved. Leo made a good recovery, but the surgeon had said, "He is not out of the woods yet!" Very disconcerting!
Our children gave Barry and me a surprise party at Gary and Gerri's house. All of Ted's family and mine (except for Nikki, Tom, Jay and Dean) were there.
The big surprise was the specially made cake! Characterizing on it was a lady passing for age 39 and a young man pushing her aside. Thirty-nine was Jack Benny's joke. Whenever his age was mentioned -- he always said, 39! The words inscribed on the cake were:
We bought a waterbed thinking it would be good for Ted and his arthritis. Ruffie liked it, but our Sheltie, Misty, with one leap onto the middle of it, never got on it again.
After a hard winter, we went to Loon Lake in March to check on the property. The snow was up to the top of the 4' chain link fence, and was even bending the fence out of alignment. Ruffie could walk along on top of the crusty snow, but Ted, Misty and I would sink down into it about every other step.
April was again time to think about Spokane's Bloomsday. So I registered at MSC for a second attempt. My name and time was already in the computer from last year. The girl who was registering me exclaimed, "Look there!" and pointed out my age (60) -- "and look at that!!" and she indicated the year I was born (1925). All I could think of was that she was making fun of my advanced age. When I made no effort to correct her, she explained, "Oh, the computer has been in error in a lot of cases and I didn't think you would be that old!" The computer was set up in the lobby of MSC right below where I sat at my marketing desk, working up the difficult contracts and benefit booklets. It was often noisy and distracting. I found it hard to not look down and check on what was going on.
Opal had to have gall bladder surgery April 5. As when we were children, she made her fast, non-eventful recovery. I wish I knew how she does it! We had scarlet fever, measles, mumps, chicken pox, and I always came out of it the worse end of disease; such as our tonsillectomies when she ate toast the next morning in the hospital!
Thinking I might be ready to so some serious running, I went with Dorothy to enter the Shadle High School "Scot Trot." And having nothing more to support me than my ego, I came in totally last! My ego suffered!! Ted, Dorothy and Jim were almost as embarrassed for me as I was. Ted said, "I just felt so very sorry for you."
Ted went in April to a United Way Awards luncheon. He had the honor of being nominated "Volunteer of the Year."
May 1 Barry began a graphic design business which he called Viewpoint.
 Michael
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Bloomsday #9. I began it by walking with Carol, Rick, Michael, and Mary, a friend of Carol's. Finishing only one minute better than my time last year! Afterwards we all went to Carol and Rick 's for steak. Ted stayed at their house cooking the steak during the race as he had just had foot surgery, the removal of his big toenail. |
May 19 we went to Amanda's ballet recital at North Central High School. She was a cute little girl in a "mouse" costume.
Our neighbor in back of our duplex appeared to be interested in buying our place. Twice previously we had put the duplex on the market intending to move back to the house in the valley upon our retirement(s). On one occasion, a Realty group, having been through our duplex, left their cards. I was surprised when I noticed one of the cards. It belonged to Larry Kegley, the Larry Kegley I had known and liked in High School.
The neighbor bought, and before we were out of the place, a gate was cut into the fence between their house and our duplex. Their elderly dad was to live there and they wanted him close enough so they could keep an eye on him.
Memorial Day Barry went with us to Usk. At the cave we left flowers in memory of Bob. We held hands and said a prayer.
June 1 was the second Annual Loonsday at Loon Lake. Barry ran the five miles in 40 minutes, went to the trailer, showered, and came back to meet us as we came in over the finish line.
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Kevin graduated from Ferris High School June 9. The caps and gowns were scarlet -- very stunning. Carol had the families over for a lovely luncheon. Kevin joined the National Guard for the summer . . . then off to college at W S U. |
 Kevin
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On June 21 Ted's son, Kenny and his wife, Sara, arrived from Vermont to spend nine days with us. Most of the time they were ensconced in our place at Loon Lake, thoroughly enjoying -- boating, swimming, skiing -- and since the days luckily were all sunny, Sara got a nice tan. All of us were able to conveniently get together at the lake for the duration of Ken and Sara's visit. Sara was surreptitiously questioning me about maternity benefits and what I knew from my experience with medical insurance.
Gary made a business trip for ISC to Pittsburgh. He is really doing fantastically. Is now a Software Engineer! He and Gerri have three computers in their home. Again, on July 22, Gary was sent on yet another trip. This time to Atlanta.
At the lake the sewer project was progressing along. Our fence was taken down and the place was a mess! The grass in the front yard was all torn up. This was another added cost to our vacation place! Instead of a weekend stay, we just got back into the car and went home!
About now we were getting anxious to move back to the Valley. Barry said, "I always thought of it as "home." And Gary had been trying to convince us we should move back for a long time. He said, "I'll help you move." More about that!
August 15 we were getting ready for the move. Gary called and said he had broken his foot. This happened while playing baseball at ISC's picnic. So, he cannot help with the move. And, having gathered together his carpet-laying materials, he was unable to lay the carpet for us in the back bedroom as he had promised.
August 23 we had the movers from 9 to 3:30 p.m.. We got the phone put in, and of course, cable TV. Ted put the waterbed up. The next day we moved the smaller furniture and boxes. Barry picked up a rental truck. Rick, Carol, Shawn, Doris, Larry and their girls helped us.
October 14 Gary went to Des Moines for the week and then to Pittsburgh again.
Thinking ahead to my retirement, I bought a knitting machine. A very complicated (and expensive) contraption. And I would need that wonderful time of retirement to really get the hang of it.
We made many important improvements in this old house. The biggest of which were: installing a gas furnace, a new roof, deeper insulation, and having put up a beautiful cedar fence.
Ted had a case of pneumonia in December. We didn 't know until X-rays came back what the problem was.
Gerri and Gary invited us to church for a Christmas program that Mark and Greg were in. Gerri swore it was not a "put-up" job -- but while sitting there, I glanced around and saw Nikki, Tom and Jay a few rows back. Previously, whenever Gerri tried to initiate a reconciliation, the moment they learned Ted and I would be there, they declined the invitation.
December was a good time to let bygones be bygones. After the program, we walked directly over to them. It had been almost three years. Now it could be put into the past. I gave Nikki and Jay a hug and punched Tom on his shoulder. We asked them over to the house afterwards along with Gary and Gerri. We served coffee and Christmas cookies. I had an extra gift pack from Swiss Colony which I gave them.
This year the country was busy with the repairing of the Statue of Liberty for our 100th year anniversary. The July 4th ceremony was impressive, and celebrated with beautiful fireworks.
Dr. Eastwood reported to us on Ted's X-rays and there showed a spot on his right upper lung. Lung surgery was scheduled for February 4. Ted had been a cigarette smoker for 50 years.
B.J. was in his high school play at Lewis & Clark, Arsenic and Old Lace. He played the character role of the nephew who thought he was Teddy Roosevelt. Naturally, he was excellent!! The star of it all. He wants to go into acting when he graduates in 1987.
The first part of this year was not good. Leo was hospitalized with a suspected heart attack -- it was a false alarm. He was still in the hospital when Ted was admitted in the same hospital for his lung surgery.
Ted 's surgery took from 8:45 to 2:30. Dr. Bonvallet, the surgeon, told us Ted's cancer was the type that generally does not spread! But the surgery was very serious. One-third of his right lung was removed. He had a very slow recovery, being 66 years old. It took just about 12 months for the constant pain to finally ease. But from that surgery, he never smoked another cigarette.
Ted had been employed with Youth Employment previous to this operation. When he made an effort to return to work, the woman who was in charge had grown used to the income he wasn't getting, and evidently needed it for her own family. He wasn't up to working anyway.
Our winters are severe as a rule. But, in February, we had 50o highs for a week.
This year was supposed to be a chance to view Halley's Comet. In order to get a good look at it, we bought a big telescope. The comet should appear in our area in April. But we were not privileged to see it as our winter skies were too cloudy. My mother had always told me about "Haley's" Comet. Now, it is pronounced "Hall-ee."
I want to insert right here a cute story my mother told me about this comet when it was seen in Oklahoma 72 years ago. I accept this story to be true! She said:
 Bloomsday
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In May, I entered the Bloomsday '86 race. In my age category (61) I finished 86 out of 362 women runners. I went alone this time and moved myself along pretty fast for an old girl. |
Loonsday was fun this year, and no strain. I took all of one hour and 39 minutes to finish. I had to wait out quite a long time for a train to pass through our racetrack!
In June we bought a Plymouth Voyager van. This would take the place of our car and pickup as we couldn't afford to keep both cars when I was to retire next year.
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Julia Tyler Norcross was born July 6 in Vermont. Kenny and Sara are first-time parents. They sent lots of pictures from Vermont of this very beautiful baby. |
 Julia
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Labor Day weekend we had a great family reunion in our back yard. Tom Keener visited from Alexandria, Virginia, and Cindy Keener Loftin came from Martinet, California. Leo, Opal and I did the planning and we had a fantastic time doing it. We had name tags which were color-coded to show which side of the Keener family was represented.
Tom and Cindy were very comfortable staying in our lake place. Tom said, "It was so quiet out there at the lake that I thought I had gone deaf." He works in Washington D.C. with the DIA, Defense Intelligence Agency.
Tom and Cindy were hilariously amused by the Stevens County road sign -- "flying Rocks." They made some wings from paper and attached them to a rock which they held by the sign and took a picture.
The only second generation children not able to be here for our reunion were Opal's son, Ricky, from Mesa, AZ; Dennis' other two children, Colleen Keener of Santa Barbara, CA, and Darlene Salowitz, San Jose, CA.
Katy, aged 12, was spending the school year with her Aunt Ann in Whitefish, MT. Barry was taking on the care of the other three children. Susan was in Seattle trying to find out what direction her life should be taking. Dean Heck was being placed in another foster home, this time with a lovely lady, Joyce Tucker. Joyce was very involved with Aging and other Self-help Groups in Spokane. She kept Dean busy and involved in various activities, and also had him working. He was able to ride the bus by himself, although he did get into a bit of trouble with acting up while commuting. He was in the Special Olympics for the young handicapped and we went to watch him play in a basketball game. He was on TV later that evening and was "interviewed" along with some cute cheerleaders.
Barry took me to see Phil Gober 's house on the Spokane River. Phil and Barry worked many hours at my kitchen table designing all the aspects of it. It is a beautiful home, and Phil did a lot of scrounging of all sorts of materials to make it as economical and livable as possible. This modern, octagonal house was located on the Spokane River.
Speaking of houses, this year the house on Trent in which I was born was torn down. It no longer exists. No monument to commemorate that momentous occasion.
We had Dean for the night of January 1. On the third, we asked Nikki, Tom and Dean to dinner.
I cajoled Ted into trying out for a play at the Civic Theater. They needed several male actors in parts for men of various ages. It turned out that the casting was actually sewed up, and it was just a formality left of putting the old-timers in the roles they were to play. Ted had a hard time forgiving me for putting him through this.
My work review finally came up, and I was told I was a "perfect employee." This was not contingent upon a huge raise, and I knew they planned on phasing out my job in a couple of months. My supervisor suggested "early retirement" and I told her I couldn't afford retirement on account of my medical insurance premiums which I would have to pay on my own until I became 65 and could have Medicare. I didn't hear any more about this until I brought it up later.
We went to the Civic Theatre play, "The Foreigner." It was very good, as was usually the case at these plays. Greg invited Ted to the Father/Son Dessert which the Boy Scouts were having. Mark had asked Gary.
On January 16, the day before my 62nd birthday, I signed up to begin my Social Security benefits. I thought to be out of work in March. They (at MSC) weren't ready for me to leave at that time, however, so I kept working. I began getting Social Security payments, but had to pay back what I got until I really retired.
Carol and Rick had us over for dinner for my birthday. Barry, Aaron and Robbie called me, and Barry, Gary and Gerri came by to wish me "Happy Birthday."
January 31, which was Saturday, I worked for 3 hrs. 45 min. in order to catch up on my work so I could retire.
I had my annual physical by Dr. Eastwood. I was watching carefully as he examined me, and, by gosh, he did forget the essential breast examination. I hated to do it, but I said, "Doctor, you forgot the breast exam." Whereupon he informed me that he had done that; and Jan, the nurse, exclaimed, "LETA!" As if I really liked that part of the physical!
Ted began volunteering at the Valley Hospital and Medical Center for two hours a week; and also began a 20-hour training in order to volunteer for four hours each week with the Crisis Center.
Katy was still in Whitefish, Montana, and she sent a cute towel which she had done for us in counted cross stitch. It was a Valentine gift. Barry and the three boys brought us a gift when they delivered Katy's thoughtful present.
February 16 was a day off (Presidents' Day) and also Jay's birthday. We went over to see him.
February 18, 19, and 20 I worked one hour overtime each day, and on Saturday, the 21st, I went in for three hours overtime.
We went on February 24 to Mark and Greg's Blue & Gold Boy Scout Banquet at the Millwood Presbyterian Church.
 Robbie
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April 3 we went to see Robbie in the play "The Wizard of Oz" at Ferris High School. Robbie had one of the leads -- the tin woodsman. Real cute. |
Saturday, April 4, was the Annual Nance "Kite Day." This was a day in which Gary and Gerri generally went off to fly kites along the river below our house. The boys were along, but Mark said when they came back, "The river ate my kite!"
Ted got patching compound to fix the fish pond, and three days later we got our big goldfish from Gary who had kept them for the winter. Three days after we put them in the pond, they all died. We thought it was from the uncured patching material. What is it with us and our fish?
By the middle of April there was a big crunch to get the March contracts out although the deadline for winding it up had passed. The whole crew of office girls -- Ann, Michelle and Debbie -- were "helping" me. These girls supposedly were being trained to continue my work when I retired.
April 22 was B.J.'s play at Lewis and Clark High . It was "You Can't Take it With You". He had the lead part of the Grandfather. With his hair gray, he was a most convincing and charming old man. Of course!
We went to Jay's Central Valley High School Concert at the Opera House. He played tuba. The C V director was excellent -- his music included a variety of styles, even some Jazz.
Ann Kula was being harassed by Debbie, our Supervisor. I didn't know how bad it was getting until Ann had to take sick time off. It seemed that when you got older (as Ann and I happened to do inadvertently) you were not exactly necessary. Ann had worked there for probably 20 years and understood the medical benefits as well as or better than anybody else in the company.
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We decided to get a kitten, and brought home from the pet shop a tiny, majestic, black kitty. (Egyptian ancestry?) Her name was Casandra. I had just read Uncle Tom's Cabin in which there was a black woman by that name. I thought it fitting to call her "Cassy." Ruffie had to compete with her for attention; Misty could constantly ignore her. Misty's only concern was for Misty's food. |
 Cassy
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Bloomsday was not in my agenda this year. We were invited to dinner at Carol, Rick’s after they and Michael had finished the run. It was also in honor of Ted's birthday.
We went to an award dinner at the YMCA for Ted's Crisis Workers.
Mothers Day, we had luncheon out on the lawn and had Nikki, Tom, Dean and Jay over. Later Leo and Phyl came by and we served some pie. Barry brought me a Gerbera Daisy plant. Gary, Gerri and boys were here later, also.
I had three days off. We went to Loon Lake to meet with a Real Estate Agent in hopes of selling the property. When I do finally retire, we will not be able to afford the expense of keeping it.
On the 15th, our sixth anniversary, we had dinner at a Deer Park Restaurant, "Shagnasty's."
We toured the Riblet Mansion. It had been my life's desire to see inside of that place, but our tour included only the grounds. It was now owned by Arbor Crest Winery, and we only got a little sample of one of their wines -- but no inside tour!
We had Dean with us for three days beginning May 23.
On May 28, I made the big decision to give my notice to the Company. It had been harrowing work those past days -- waiting for the other shoe to drop -- it had almost been two years of this being told my job would end, and no one was yet trained to fill in for me. I was 62, and when I told my little friend, Debbie Skinner, that I could retire anytime, she said, "Then, why don't you, Leta?" This seemed to me to be the most logical thing I had heard in quite a long time.
So, I set an exit date of June 19. On my exit interview I asked for them to pay my medical premium until I could be on Medicare. This was given to me. It made retirement much easier. In my interview I got in the reference that "there was obviously age discrimination in the Marketing Department."
June 3 Jay graduated. He got a $6,100 scholarship to WSU. At his graduation, he was filmed on TV as he walked across the stage to get his diploma.
The Marketing Vice President talked to me about my decision to retire. My Supervisor, Debbie Holsapple, said of my retirement, "It is good for you but not for us!"
On June 6, we attended B.J.'s graduation also at the Opera House. We saw Susan, and she asked me if she could give me a hug.
June 12 Leo had hip replacement surgery. He had a good recovery.
 Dinner at Stella's
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June 17 my good friends took me to dinner at the Moose Lodge and afterwards we went to Rosalyn's for dessert. Isabel brought me yellow roses and Rosalyn gave me a pink African violet. For Christmas we had dinner together at Stella's. |
On the 18th the Marketing Department gave me a farewell luncheon at Otter Bay. All of the Department were there except Jeff and Woody. They had commitments with clients. I was given a corsage.
Later in the day we visited Leo at Sacred Heart Medical Center.
The big day had finally arrived! June 19, 1987! The Department gave me a $75 gift certificate and a planter arrangement. I had pretty well cleaned out my desk. So, at noon I was told I could leave at that time -- if I wanted to.
Like a bird set free, I sped home! I wondered how it would feel to have time to do whatever I wanted -- to learn my knitting machine -- to do some volunteering -- to take classes in watercolor and not the least of all -- to write my memoirs (another class).
I went home and unloaded my loot and went back to lunch with friends at the Town & Country -- Lonnie, Rosalyn, Doreen, Sandy, Marcia, Stella, Mary, JoAnn and Isabel.
On the following Monday I heard that the Vice President of Marketing, Dan Greening had resigned or was fired? I really sincerely hoped it was due to my remarks at my exit interview.
The feeling you get at retirement is maybe bittersweet -- I don't know -- I didn't find it so! I intended to use the time fully. In Benjamin Franklin's words:
Do not squander time, for that is the Stuff life is made of.
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