Overview: EES & the Trip

It’s time to update friends and family as to current events in my life. Many of you already know that in December 2006 I was notified that my position of 9 years at Ethicon Endo-Surgery (EES) was to be eliminated....long before the infamous economic crisis. Well, it turned out that I have probably gone through the longest separation process from any corporate position in the universe. Finally, 2.5 years later the powers that be at J&J and EES have set my end date... my last day with EES will be 6/25.

So, its not all bad, because of my age and my 12 years with the company I will retire from J&J with my medical benefits, pension and 401k, and will get 5.5 months of severance; full salary until 12/10.

Given the advance notice I’ve had lots of time to think about next steps. I’m not really ready to retire, so am planning to try and start my own home-based business doing what I’ve always done....office operations/management and talent development. We’ll see how that goes. Anyway, that’s not the reason for this blog.

Earlier this year, my dear friend Karen asked me to join her this summer for a trip to Anchorage, Alaska. As almost everyone knows Karen and I met when we were both living in Fairbanks, AK in the mid-1970’s. Karen was very excited about this trip as she was going up for her daughter’s 40^th birthday celebration.

I first met Karen and Gretchen when Gretchen was 3 years old, so the idea that she was turning 40 was mind-blowing. First, that this darling little girl was now a woman of 40!!!! This meant that Karen and I have been best friends for 37 years!!!! Which led to the realization (which was nothing new) that we were 37 years older than way back then!!! Let me add the cliché, ‘It seems like yesterday....” The photo to the left is one I took of Gretchen shortly after I met them.

My first response to Karen was, ‘No’! By then I knew my end date with EES was set at June 25, and there are no guarantees for my next employment adventure. I told her I couldn’t possibly do the trip knowing I will have no job, my fears are that I will turn into some kind of horrible ‘bag lady’, and I was just plain anxious.

But, she was persistent, every time we talked she asked. Every time she asked, I said ‘No’.

However, one day on Facebook, I was reading Gretchen’s account of her volunteer experience on this year’s Iditarod Dog Race. She had posted her story and some photos. The photos of the scenery and Mt. McKinley in the background got me going. I made a comment. She responded. She invited me to come up and stay with her and her husband, Ben, during Karen’s stay. I fussed. I fumed. Finally, Peter looked at me and said, “Just go!” I think he got tired of all the drama!!!

After I booked my air I started thinking about a former colleague at work who a few years back took an extensive trip to southeast Asia. During the trip she posted a travel blog, keeping her friends and family up to date on her location and adventures. That got me thinking about doing the same thing.

Every time I talk about Alaska, everyone is so curious, they ask lots of questions and just want to know more. So, for this trip I’m going to do the same thing. I’ll have my laptop with me during the trip and staying with Gretchen and Ben should make it easy to journal every day.

So, I leave for Anchorage on June 24 and return on July 5. Each day from now until I leave I’m going to try and post background information just to get any reader geared up and ready to enjoy the trip with me. Feel free to comment and ask questions.

I hope you enjoy!!!