Last day at work tomorrow

I'm writing this now as I don't know how I'll feel tomorrow.  Upset probably, oh I don't know.......I might even surprise myself by joyously skipping out of the building (we all know that's not likely - I can't bloody well walk properly never mind skip).

I have little home made gifts for everyone because we couldn't possibly hold the traditional collection for a present, and all signing of the massive card.  You see, five of us are going - it would be impossible!  I've been saving my jars and cans for a while to decorate up into small flower vases, tea light holders, pen pots or make up brush pots.  I missed the opportunity to give them to the charity intended so I'm wrapping them as little parting gifts for the fabulous people that are my 'work family'.  Each and every one are special to me in different ways, for their humour, empathy, patience, kindness.  I will miss the camaraderie and banter, but as I mentioned in a post a few months ago, we group together with ex-staff and form The Happy Old Bags.  Can you imagine the lunches and the laughter????  There may be even more get-togethers than we have now.  I do hope so - I love a filthy innuendo and there's only The Happy Old Bags to appreciate that; we are as bad as each other.  Someone only has to mention Hugh Jackman or David Gandy's name and then it all begins!

There's a bit of resemblance between them.  Looks like we all enjoy the same type :-)

However, we've all agreed that it's going to be strange being at home all the time.  The others are a lot younger than me and will find other work, but our leaving tomorrow coincides with the end of the summer term and we'd all be off for 8 weeks anyhow.  Perhaps it will eventually feel like we're still on summer break, and just haven't gone back.  I think that's how it will be for me.  The others, I'm not so sure.  Some are angry at the circumstance that has brought about this redundancy situation, others are fairly philosophical, and I'm the one who doesn't give a shit.

Looks like I'm in a good place then!

Happy Old Bags Reunion

I consider myself to be lucky.  Very lucky.  I have the most wonderful set of girlfriends whose ages range from 30 something through to 60 something.  They come from all walks of life, some are old chums from my school days, there are a few who share my hobbies and interests, others I have kept in touch with from the various jobs I've had, and latterly the lovely colleagues from my present job.

It's the latter that ended up with the dubious group title of Happy Old Bags.  I'm not sure which one of us came up with it but it formulated years ago and still makes us smile, even now.  Just to quickly put you in picture, there is a shortage of parking spaces around our campus, therefore it was necessary to arrive extra early for work to get parked.  This in turn meant we'd gather up in the office with at least 30 minutes to spare, so whoever was in first would have the kettle on ready and waiting for the rest to arrive.  Over coffee before work we'd put the world to rights, have a little moan here and there, and very importantly share a confidence or two that you can only do with trusted friends. That said, most likely we'd be laughing at some story one of us had to relate because we were (still are)  terrible pervs.  Age has no barrier to women perving! No-one could mention Hugh Jackman or a bare chested David Gandy without 'phwoar' noises being emitted round the room followed up by a plethora of smutty innuendo's.  We'd set off snorting with laughter once again and I think it's this that earned us the name 'Happy'.  We're still wondering about 'Old Bags'.  You might have a theory on that!

Hugh Jackman

David Gandy

A few of the group have left for reasons of redundancy or retirement, but we gather up occasionally for a gossip-fest and leisurely lunch and this is what we'll be doing on Tuesday next week.  It's the Easter break and we all work term-time only (one of the perks of working in education) so it's an ideal opportunity for the Happy Old Bags to convene.  I know we'll all come away with our spirits lifted and glad we met up.  It's a known fact that laughter is the best medicine, and I know that better than most.