My Last Friday...

and the sky looked like Hiroshima.  I hope this is not an omen for my future.  After Monday I will no longer be an employee of the United States Postal Service.  I am retiring.  Thirty-nine years is long enough.

I was proud to be an employee of the postal service for many years.  I began as a PS3, to a PS5 to a letter carrier, to a supervisor to a postmaster in three different offices.  I have helped in every section I was needed and I did a good job.  I shall repeat, thirty-nine years is long enough.

Thursday this followed me home.  The weather said it was going around but I grabbed hold of it with my mind and dragged it to the farm.  I did not measure the rain.  I was simply grateful it came.

Marcy has had a second opinion and is having more tests.  If you will, please pray, that it can be taken care of in Mountain Home and is not major.  It is a very curable cancer.  Maybe with prayer and healing thoughts we can make it smaller.

Hubby's papers have been processed so maybe after two years, he may have a pay check.  Talk about blessings!



Don't Even Ask About Yesterday...

 It was tax day at the postal service. While I am extremely grateful that people still use the postal service, why wait until the last day to mail your tax return? 

I took care of each person with a smile and the patience of a saint but I sure was exhausted at the end of the day.  Tax Day plus Monday equals chaos and craziness.

I am grateful I have a job.  This was not my favorite day but pay day is and I guess I'll stick around.

Rare pictures of Ki Junior being still.

It didn't last long.

Too many things to see and smell.

Progress in his training by the other farm dogs.

Another dead Copperhead,

one Cotton Mouth torn to bits

and I think Junior has almost got it.

Sometimes Telling The Boss Off...

is good.  I fired an email to him a couple of weeks ago, implying I knew my job and did it well.  I also stated, rather eloquently that chewing the whole group, instead of the one who messed up, was not the way to run a business.  I stated a few other things not so eloquently.  I believe the word ass may have been involved.

Well, today he showed up!  We had a nice visit, talked about letting bygones be bygones, talked about the unsure future of the post office and of people we had in common.  Here is the announcement he sent out to every one after he left my office.

"It was with great honor that I presented today a 35 year service award to Mount Pleasant Postmaster Sheila "Gail" Williams.
Gail began her career as PMR of Guion Arkansas.
Gail transferred to Melbourne as a clerk where she served until transferring to Batesville as a city carrier. Gail worked in Batesville not only as a carrier, but as a clerk performing a multitude of duties to include POA, 204-B, and various other administrative duties.
Gail has served as postmaster in Locust Grove, Brockwell, and eventually winding up in her current assignment as PM of Mt Pleasant in 2005.
Please join me in congratulating Gail in achievement of this noteworthy milestone in her career.
Thanks for your service Gail!"

I didn't mention that it was due last November nor that I really have thirty-seven years.  Sometimes, you just have to take what you get and be glad of it.

I did think it was strange that there are multi-colored rays of light beaming down on me!

A View From The Edge

I have always wanted to use your title, Pat

Pat has asked if I have worked for the postal service all my life and if so, did I start as a mail carrier?

I worked through high school for the county assessor's office.  After we got married, we moved to the big town of Guion Arkansas, right on White River.  Hubby's job was there and we were ready to raise a family. 

The post office in Guion needed a clerk and they were giving the test...the BIG test, not the little one they have now (The test has been simplified because not enough minorities were passing it, not my words).

The owner of one of the general stores stayed after me to take the test.  Got tired of listening to him so signed up.  Five people showed up to take the test, three passed, one went to another office and I was chosen from the two left.

Worked there a couple of years, Melbourne needed a clerk so I transferred.  I worked in Melbourne for over five years and started working at Batesville nights.  When a city carrier position opened, I slipped right in.  Yes, Pat, I was a street walker with the little blue shorts and the whole nine yards.  Did that ten years until I got hit by a truck when I was crossing the street, lady ran a red light.  That brought me inside and I supervised and clerked and waited for an opening to leave. 

Became postmaster in '93 in Locust Grove and became Brockwell Postmaster in '97.  About five years ago I received a promotion and have been postmaster in Mt Pleasant since then.  I am now only nine miles from my home.

I have seen many changes.  It has been a wonderful career but I think the best part will be when I retire.