Sunday, June 10, 2007

good-bye salt mines ...

today was the last time i drove past this little creek to get to the office ... it was a happy/sad type feeling ... during the past few days at work, my buds have taken me out to lunch every day, hosted a lovely little party, given me gifts and complimented me to no end ... so why leave? because it is time ...

i took the following pics today ... which i wanted to share with you guys ...









i am thankful that the Lord showed His kindness towards me by making the salt mines i toiled in, such a pleasant place!

19 comments:

Ginger said...

Beautiful scenery, Saija! Thanks for posting these. So, what's next for you, in place of the salt mines?

Corry said...

God sure has blessed you to work in such a beautiful environment! Thanks for sharing. :-)

God's Grace.

Susan said...

It will be interesting to watch what doors God opens up to you in this next stage. Life with our Savior is so exciting!
Susan

Saija said...

ginger ... i actually haven't thought further then the summer ... i want to take it off - then i'll see what the Lord has for me next! ... Leo's wish is for me to stay home and just get involved locally with whatever i want to ... so we'll see where i end up ... for the summer i hope i get in LOTS of biking & swimming - and just being near my sweetie ...

corry ... isn't it lovely? i don't get out into the park everyday, but it is soothing to know what is all around me!

Susan .... amen! Jesus always has something better for the next stage! and that amazes me to know end!

daisymarie said...

here's to imaging where God will lead you next! enjoy...

Anonymous said...

I've been thinkign of you lately, and keeping you in my prayers, although I haven't been able to check your blog in SO LONG, but I see I haven't missed much!

Pat said...

What a lovely place to leave! Can I ask what your job was?
I have 5 more Fridays - then I will be retiring also. I'm very anxious but like you will also miss the friendships. Also like you - it's time.
May God fill your every day with new adventures, even if that adventure comes in the form of a mid-day nap!

Terry said...

I have been thinking of you too Saija all day, and was feeling glad that this is your last day of work at the salt mines but then when I looked at the nice picture of you and all of these pretty Manitoba pictures, I am feeling a little sad about the whole thing!

Well at least you and Leo can visit once in a while there and have a picnic, eh?
That would be nice!

Have a happy first week of "freedom", Saija..Love from Terry

You know what Saija?
Now that I am not working, sometimes I am so busy that I wonder how in earth I had the time to work a 35 hour work-week!!

Catherine said...

Beautiful photos, Saija! Thank you for sharing them. Congratulations on your retirement! I am sure there are wonderful things in store for you around the bend.

Jammie J. said...

Ach! Change is so hard. Take your time, be patient with how you feel. It's okay to be sad, it's also okay to be glad. And a mixture of the two.

The pictures are lovely, I understand why you feel sad. :)

Anonymous said...

We have a painting in our house that we bought many years ago that reminds me so much of the last picture you posted. Although it is a fall scene of a single rustic cabin, it appears to be in the same setting as your picture (the trees, the rocks, the lake etc.)
You are indeed blessed to have worked in this lovely environment all these summers. May God continue to bless you in your retirement. It sounds like you will miss your work buds. I am glad they gave you a lovely send off with a party, complete with food and gifts. Did they have cheesecake for you?

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

You certainly live in a gorgeous place...If I could see all of that scenery going to work well it would be something else just to drive there and back. I am glad that you are home..ENJOY yourself with Leo now..Sandy

Saija said...

tina ... awww, imagining the greatness of God! :o)

heb 11:1 ... and i read a very encouraging note from you to terry ... blessings on ya!

pat ... i answered on your blog ... and i'm thrilled for you - 5 more fridays! yay!

terry ... i don't think i'll have a problem with what to do with my time either! just this morning i took a bike ride, tried to help a friend with a computer problem, took a little walk with leo ... all before noon! :o)

catherine ... thank you ... atleast the summer off ... and it feels like summer today - just lovely!

jeanette ... i will miss one work bud in particular, more then the rest ... we worked the weekends together and had so much fun - as we shared our lives ... but the friendship will hopefully continue past the work boundaries ...

nellie ... i DID get cheesecake!!! *huge grin* ... God is so full of grace towards me - i don't deserve it, but gratefully accept it!!

Sandy ... isn't it a lovely spot? and our little town is just as lovely - so double blessed ... thanks for the good wishes!

TO BECOME said...

What a beautiful place. The Lord did bless you and I hope you find those same blessings as you open the new door of your life, whatever it is. May the Lord be with you. connie from Texas

Maggie Ann said...

I'm glad for you Saija...even though change is often bittersweet. What a wonderful time of the year to be 'free' to enjoy it all. Your pictures are beautiful and you are too...=)

Pilot Mom said...

Saija, what beautiful pics of your work place! God indeed blessed you with beauty all around you.

Congratulations on your retirement. Those are bitter sweet memories I'm sure. They were for me when I made the decision to step down and take care of my parents.

But I know it's the right thing to do. And so do you, otherwise you would not be doing it. :)

Enjoy your new time with Leo. Make every minute of every day count! Blessings my dear friend!

Saija said...

connie ... you just can't beat the summers in this area ... i love the lakes, rocks, clouds ... just everything ... isn't it a lovely notion to be satisfied and content? *grin* ... praise God from whom all blessings flow ...

maggie ann ... thank you ... you are such a sweet encouraging soul ... i pray you have the best of summers!

claire ... the decision to leave a good job & good work buds sure is difficult ... but i am glad that i can be with my sweetie, flitting in and around, hopefully brightening his days ... :o)

G~ said...

congratulations on your new life of ease and leisure. *snicker* yeah, i know...it's probably not quite like all that, eh?

just came from terry's blog to say congrats.

AND i absolutely love your pictures! just awesome!

blessings---

Saija said...

g~... glad you enjoyed the pics ... :o) ... i tried to post a note on your blog but it wouldn't let me ... thank you for the visit here ...