Today is the Day!

Well, dear Friends and Family, today we went to work, turned in our badges, parking passes, keys, and computers and walked out hand in hand to our vehicles with smiles on our faces.  Wow, we did it together, it was the neatest feeling. 

My department just wowed me with their warm send-off; so many people came to the cake and coffee that I was truly overwhelmed and I think Dave was also moved by the turnout.   We received a beautiful Native American Pendleton blanket, my "Leaping Deere", cards and a gift certificate that will be used probably towards my week long camping at "Camp Gone to the Dogs" in Vermont this fall.  Everyone was so nice and complimentary!  I am so moved by it all, I just can't express my feelings for the wonderful group that I have been fortunate enough to spend my last years with at John Deere. 

Here is our blanket:

 

Just as I was snapping the picture, Nacho had to jump up and try it out.  :)  Also notice in the first picture the beautiful bouquet of flowers that John and Shan presented to me at our meeting last week.  They smell wonderful!!!  So thoughtful of them!!!  I worked for wonderful Managers!!!!!  I have been blessed.

 

 



This is my "Leaping Deere".  Dave will be receiving one also, but they had the wrong number of years and start date on his, so it is being redone.  Very sad, they couldn't present it to him and have the correct information on his with his many years of dedication to the Company.   Well, he will receive it soon.

Last night we had Dave's retirement dinner with his departmental co-workers at Ferrari's in Cedar Falls.  It was a small turnout, just as he requested, but it was very nice.  They made a thoughtful presentation to him with his "Leaping Deere", memory booklet, work history and a few gifts of a JD fishing hat and lure.  What I think was moving for him is that the last couple weeks he has been receiving emails with the warmest wishes and congratulations, but also very flattering and overwhelming compliments (which as his wife, I think he strongly deserved), of his knowledge, his help to so many over the years, his friendships to people all over the world, and his commitment to John Deere. In particular, the JD employees from India and China were so nice and thoughtful in their presentations to him.  I think he was overwhelmed and a bit surprised, but I know he will be greatly missed, not only for his wealth of knowledge on foundries, castings and processes, but for his willingness to share that knowledge and the friendships he enjoyed developing with fellow John Deere employees all over the world, and suppliers also from around the world. 

Now it's time to get prepared for our weekend.  We are heading to SE Iowa to spend some time with dear Friends from Edgewood Baptist church.  We love these couples, they have been a blessing to us over the years and we highly value their friendships.  We laugh, eat and talk for hours, and walk around their beautiful property in the hills of Bonaparte. 

I wish you all a wonderful Memorial Day as we remember those who have gone before us and those who have served this Country in their dedicated years of service and many who sacrificed their lives so we could have the freedoms we enjoy in this great Country.  Hopefully, people will become more aware and truthfully informed of the corruption in this wonderful Nation and return it to the values and morals with which this Country was formed.  God has blessed us and we should remember that without HIM the USA would not be here.

Hugs to you all!
Candy and Dave