Monday, July 6, 2015

A Little of This, A Little of That

I have made just a bit more progress on my current Town Square piece, but the real reason I am posting a photo is to keep the memory of the process a la the new computer fresh in my mind.  Use it or lose it, as the saying goes.  This Town Square piece is moving along almost as slowly as the last two pieces.  You'd think that with less detail, fewer color changes, 30ct rather than 32 ct linen, this would be a quicker stitching experience.  But, no, I expect it will take me two weeks of stitching [roughly 14 hours] to get this one done as well.  When will I learn?  In any case, the ABeCeDarium has a first and second floor.  The roof has an alphabet stitched on it and will slow things up again.

Last Sunday, there was parish reception to mark my retirement.  The pastor said a few very kind words and presented me with a lovely watch.  Many of my catechists attended and were astonishingly generous in their gifts.  The deacons, comedians that they are, commiserated with my husband who will now have to share his leisure time with me and made jokes about chasing the guy with the truck for two blocks in order to purchase my watch.  I wanted to remind them that the event was a reception, not a roast, but held my tongue.  The 11:30 Mass was said for the intention of a happy retirement and I was given a corsage before Mass began and was presented with a bouquet that would have done Miss America proud just before Mass concluded.  It was lovely, made with white roses, two different varieties of red roses, white hydrangeas and lilies, ferns and other greenery.  The blooms are now gracing my entry hall.  I put them in a nice tall vase immediately upon arriving home.

Thursday was my last work day before I can enjoy four  weeks vacation.  I come back to the office for the month of August to help my replacement acclimate to this parish.  She is a certified coordinator and I have every confidence that she will be a good fit for the program but I just want to help her over that initial hump of getting to know what is unique to this parish.  She'll need to know which families need a little extra TLC, which families are high maintenance and demanding, what the pastor expects at the Tuesday meeting, how we do parent orientation, how we handle family catechesis , etc..  The first year, the pastor wants her to follow my model and my calendar.  After that, she'll be free to make the program her own, tweaking it as she sees fit.  After twenty years of my way, I think it's about time for new blood, new ideas and new methods.

10 comments:

CalamityJr said...

What beautiful recognition the parish gave you, and I have no doubts it was well deserved - well, other than the near roast part. Even that, though, shows they think highly enough of you to know they could tease you as well as honor you. Congratulations!

Maggee said...

How great that they gave you a nice reception. Never mind the goofs that joked about you... shows their insecurity in knowing you... :)

Berit said...

"a very few"? Unless I'm mis-interpreting, it sounds rather too bad of him. :(

I'm glad to hear that you took things in stride and stayed classy even when a few others rather forgot themselves. We as a culture are trending toward a dearth of events that both teach and require "appropriate" cordial civilities. Alas, I myself am far from immune to the deleterious influence of same!

It sounds very nice indeed to get a watch and some truly lovely flowers, however, and how nice to receive some surprisingly generous gifts from unexpected quarters--such a good feeling, I imagine. :)

Enjoy your nice long vacation before the knowledge transfer wrap-up! Congratulations on your retirement!

Linda said...

Nice progress Regina.

Linda

Justine said...

Lovely stitching Riona and congratulations on your retirement!

Julie said...

It sounds like all that you have done has been very much appreciated. Wishing you happy times in your retirement.

Anna van Schurman said...

Congratulations! Now your needles will fly. :)

Dani - tkdchick said...

Congratulations on you retirement! I find they always turn into a roast, don't know why.

Isn't that always the way that you THINK a piece won't take long to stitch and you're still at it a few weeks later!

Melody said...

Congratulations!! Just think of all the stitching time you will have... :)

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Congratulations on your official retirement, apart from next month! You need to devise a code for your replacement so she can put initials next to the HD (high demand) families!

I think we often resort to humour rather than over sentimentality on occasions like this. Especially male colleagues. My former team leader was horrible at doing presentations, quite inappropriate at times. When I left I expressly forbid my team from letting him do mine and requested that our manager do it instead. I'd worked with him for much longer and knew he could be humorous while remaining respectful.