Retirement!

My last day at work was Sept 1. Towards the end of the day, Marilyn ran into my office saying one of the kids fell off the bleachers, she can't get up and her leg looks bad. Well, I grab my wheel chair and we head to the gym. I walk in and much to my surprise the whole school all 850 plus kids and staff are there for a retirement celebration! I have never have been so happily surprised in my life. The principal gave a little talk about how long I had been the #1 school nurse for 21 years, etc and the kids hooped and hollered and stamped their feet. The teachers gave me a framed picture of a tree that said, "Nurse Ayraud, Thanks for being our giving tree." They said, "We know how much you love gardens and love teaching others about them. Madison #1 is going to plant a tree in your honor on our campus. We appreciate all your nurturing and giving throughout your years here at Madison #1. We love that your passion for growing and giving will last a life time on our campus." I could only remember what they said because they wrote it on the back. I spoke about how much I love this job and that I love all you kids and will miss you. I spoke of how blessed I have been to be here all these years, etc. I started crying and the kids kept cheering and stamping their feet. Then several teachers stood up and said that they wanted me to know that they won't forget my most famous phrase, "don't touch blood". Julian, Mom, Faye and baby Jules were there. It was the best retirement party I could ever have had.
Jules and Nana (that would be me)
Jules and Grandma Coral
Jules and Jules
Ryan and Jules. He changed her diaper right after this. His expression changed from this cute smile to apprehension to determination to surprise (when he realized she had a dirty diaper). He did a great job. Didn't even stick Jules or himself with the pin (oh, wait that would have been 30 years ago).
Here is Jules working on a pot which he gave to Larry as a thank you for bringing him wood last year and this year.
Beautiful, Huh!
The story about this rose is that he almost carved it off because he didn't like the first finished he put on it. He sanded all the old finish off and ended up using linseed oil and paste wax to get this beautiful finish.

Larry and Jules

We went to Flagstaff for Labor Day weekend. Mom went with us and this is a picture of a meadow filled with wildflowers.
Faye, Javier, Jules and Grandma
Here is our family picture in honor of Larry's visit. Notice me retiring on the table practicing for my retirement. I haven't really done the best job at relaxing so far but I can always dream.