Nine Years Ago on this Day ~

I am not sure where the last nine years have gone.  It feels like just yesterday I retired . . . but my day job seems like a lifetime ago.  It may not have been the smartest move financially, but it was the best decision for me and I have not regretted it for a second.  If you are thinking about retiring, I say JUST DO IT!!!  I have yet to be bored and there are never enough hours in the day.  How did I ever have time to work? 😁

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Five Years Ago Today ~

Holy hell 😁 It was five years ago today that I retired.  I have no idea where the time has gone.  I truly believed I would be hooking and creating for hours each and every day.  Most days, I am lucky to find an hour.  No complaints, though.  I am truly loving retirement.

Happy Labor Day

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Four Years Ago ~

 

Time is just flying by.  I can't believe today marks four years of retirement.  I questioned whether I was making the correct decision.  After four years, it is a resounding YES.  I have loved every day of it and can count on one hand the times I have been bored.  Retirement may not be for everyone.  I'm not sure what people do who don't have a hobby.  I don't have that problem.  There are just not enough hours in the day.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Catching Up ~ This 'n That

Total randomness today ~

Every 9-11 I post asking that one NEVER forgets what happened to this great Land of ours that day.  I was out of town on the 11th, so better late than never.

Tomorrow fall will officially arrive.  So not happy (like I can do anything about it).  Picture snagged from the internet.

Yesterday was a near perfect day.  A little hot but with a wonderful breeze, hooking on the shores of Lake Erie for the day was heaven.  A small hook in put on by an individual, it is always a first class event.  Thank you, Rita, for this wonderful day.

She kindly asks me to vend each year.  It is so nice because I get to sit and hook all day and people track me down if they want to purchase something :)   A  couple close ups of my goods.

I did some goldenrod dyeing.  I forgot to take a picture before soaking, so here is one of the wet wool.

It's hard to see the difference, but the wool is a subtle yellow color.

After having been MIA for quite some time, my frog has returned.  Marly reports that it's a lithobates clamitans and by its coloring is a female.  Thanks, Marly.  Glad she is back :)

So hard to believe but it's been THREE years since my retirement.  Time flies when you are having fun and I'm having a ball :)

Last but not least.  I have a guest today.  She loves to follow the sun around the dining room.  What a cutie patootie.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

One Year Ago ~

Time is flying by.  I can't believe I retired a year ago today.  Where has the time gone?  I don't understand people saying they are bored.  They need to get a hobby.  Volunteer.  Anything.  I haven't been bored a day and wish there were more hours in the day or less hours spent sleeping.

 

 

I have kept busy.  (Most days, too busy.)  Two trips to California ~ one a three and a half week road trip west and the other by jet.  A few days in Chicago.  Several quick trips to Michigan.  Five days of hooking heaven in West Virginia.  A couple other hooking classes.  LOTS more hooking time with friends.  Guild meetings.  Hook ins.  This Friday and Saturday I will be attending the Woolkeeper's Hook In in Danville, Indiana.  There are several places where I will be vending in the next two months, so busy getting ready for those shows.  Never a dull moment.

 

Retirement may not be right for everyone, but it sure was right for me :)

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

A New Chapter of Life Begins ~

As of 3 pm Tuesday, I am retired.  Was it the smartest decision?  Only time will tell, but I was ready.  Too bad most people have to get old to retire . . . lol :)  Perhaps I've just read too many obituaries of people my age or younger dying unexpectedly.  I want time to enjoy life (and hopefully not have to eat cat food too soon).

It is going to be a busy few months, so it probably won't hit me until after the holidays.  (I just can't say the "C" word yet, Saundra.)  It will be nice not to have to squeeze it all in after working full time.  First thing to get through is Saturday's show.  Lots more on the schedule after that.

I told my co-worker that I did not want a party, and that was not just lip service.  I really didn't.  I don't like to be the center of attention.  They instead planned our "end of season" steak fry.  They had a cake and gave me this wonderful hooking basket (and some $$ to buy wool). 

Pillow reads "hookers have more fun"

a gift from my niece :)

My boss had our sign guy make this for me.  Working in a department of 30+ guys and only three women, they got a kick out of the fact that they worked with a hooker.

Last Friday I had the pleasure of being serenaded by two delightful 13 year old twins with the most beautiful voices (daughters of a co-worker).  They sang "Forever Young".  How sweet was that?

My last day the Parks' guys sent me flowers. 

The Traffic Tech guy gave me lottery tickets.

My boss and co-worker got me and my sweetie tickets for Cirque du Soleil in November.

How ironic that I never felt appreciated until I was leaving.  Everyone was so kind with words of praise.  It was good to leave knowing how people felt.  I am feeling a bit melancholy. 

There seems to be two schools of thought regarding retirement.

1. I don't know how I ever found time to work!
2. I got more done when I worked!

I sure hope I'm more like #1.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren