Organizing

Didn't make it to the state fair, so got to work on my craft room. My husband calls it my 'crap room.' It is probably justified, it's become a catchall for everything. Should have taken a picture, but it was too embarrassing! Still needs a lot of work, but progressing slowly.
Moved the Christmas decorations out for a start. Found the closet actually has a floor! Better get back at it.

Adding another pic of the projects I made for coworkers.

ShirleyJo

Getting Crafty

While working at the library, many donations came in every week or so. Some were moldy or dusty from being in garages and basements for years. Most of those had to be discarded.
Some were really outdated, old computer books, solar system books that still have Pluto as a planet, etc.
Some were added to the collection, a great set of quilting books from a local quilter.
Some were sent to a company that sells used books online, then sends money to library.
Occasionally we received something valuable, usually not.
Just before I retired we had several boxes of old books that looked really interesting. A hundred years old, or older. Not any great value, but beautiful bindings and pictures, and perfectly yellowed pages.
I left a donation to Friends of the Library, and brought home the falling apart leftovers.
These are great resources for craft or art projects. Picture above is a gift I created for one of my coworkers. Not completely original, I have been searching websites and blogs for ideas, and thanks to the creative skills of others, and their willingness to share, I have many hours of fun ahead.
I'll post more later as I complete them.
Hoping to get to the state fair this week.

ShirleyJo

September 6, 2011

Home from Colorado.
I absolutely love the mountains, but they don't seem to love me anymore. Hard to get enough oxygen, and my bum knee doesn't like going up and down hills or steps. What I hate, is slowing down everyone else, so it's nice to find a bench or rock to sit and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and cool breeze. And the views are wonderful wherever you look.
People watching is one of my favorite activities. Young families with strollers or toddlers in tow, dog walkers, couples taking pictures of each other, and happy to have an old woman take their pic together. Everyone enjoying the last big summer holiday.
Family get-together was the main reason for the visit. A possibly volatile mix; myself, my husband, my ex-husband and his new bride, our three children, two of their spouses and one new grandchild. The oldtimers got along fine, the siblings were all a little tense. Hopefully they will work out their insecurities and disagreements with time, or at least learn to hide them better.
Do parents ever get to relax and feel like their job is done?
Well, back to enjoying my retirement! The dogs are home from doggy jail, as happy to see me as I was to see them. Lots on the schedule for the next month, cataract surgery, pacemaker replacement, some days at the state fair with oldest daughter, and all those projects I haven't got to yet.
Time to get busy!
Looking forward to a great Fall!

ShirleyJo

A New Day

Well, here goes one of my projects! I've been retired for a little over a week, so far loving every minute! My coworkers gave me a wonderful send-off, my family has been very supportive, I'm rested and relaxed and ready to take the Next Step!
My sewing, craft room (crap room as my husband calls it) is a bigger mess than when I started, but it always gets worse before it gets better, right?
Working on gifts for some very good friends, hope they won't just think they are junk. Brought home some old 'throw-away' books before I left the library. Using them to make fun crafty stuff. Would like to think I'm an artist, but crafter is better description. Maybe someday it will be considered Outsider Art! Whatever, I am having a great time doing it and thinking of the friends I'm making it for. They will ooh and ah over it because they love me whether they like it or not, and they will be envious that I'm retired and have the time to do this.
Tomorrow, I'm going back early, before it gets too hot, to pick up the plants I left there. I hope they aren't getting along too well without me, but I'm sure they are.

Houston

Travel is exhausting!
My son and daughter-in-law gave me a wonderful retirement gift, a plane ticket to visit them and their new baby, Kathryn, in Houston. It was great to see them, especially baby Kate. She is seven weeks old and beautiful and brilliant, of course! Perfect size for cuddling, singing and reading to. She loved my silly songs and the Georgette Heyer mystery I took for the plane trip.
If you saw an overweight grey haired woman in a tie-dye shirt running through the Atlanta airport with a little red carry-on bag wheeling along behind her, that was me. Only I don't run, more like fast waddleing. Made it to my connecting flight with 5 minutes to spare! Only took about 15 minutes to catch my breath.
It really was a great trip, but is good to be home. Almost finished all the chores, tomorrow back to my Creation Room!
ShirleyJo

Plants came home

Today my plants came home.
I've been working in a basement room at the library. A walkout glass double door for staff and deliveries, which I had the good fortune to sit near, gave light in addition to the overhead fluorescents. Over the years several plants accumulated around my area and thrived, much to my surprise.
I've never had much of a green thumb, but the plants weren't told about that, they just liked the atmosphere. They received many compliments, which they seemed to appreciate by putting out new leaves and occasional blooms. Many cuttings were taken by passers by.
Returning after eight days into retirement, my coworkers greeted me warmly and helped load my car for the trip home. The last part of Me has now vacated.
Hopefully they will adjust to their new home. A flat surface in the dining room near a large east window was prepared, they all got a good drink of water and settled in. Hopefully they won't be too lonely for all the attention.

Hopefully, I won't either.

ShirleyJo