RETIREMENT AND Think Christmas Day 2

HERE WE ARE!

In all our

 RETIREMENT GLORY!

Today marks the official beginning of a new phase in my life!  Yep, #1 Husband's LAST DAY of a 34 yr. Teaching/Counseling career is TODAY, July 31st, 2012.  I retired over 3 years ago in Dec. 2008 and must say it has been some of the best years of my life.  I too, was an educator and by Dec. 2008, I had developed a multitude of physical ailments one of which is Fibromyalgia.  The chronic pain and fatigue were becoming debilitating yet I got up and went to work everyday. Education was changing as it has and always will only I had lost my patience...my tolerance of bureaucracy...my ability to "change"...in other words..IT WAS TIME TO GO TO THE HOUSE! (That's an old football coach term)

Fast forward to 2012... These past 3 years have been stress free and I'm able to respond appropriately to the cues my body gives me such as stopping whatever I'm doing when I get tired, stay home when I need or want, take a nap if needed, sleep (I'm still in need of a sleep study), and best of all...pursue my passion for Quilting!

I was not able to be a stay at home MOM simply because it took both teacher's salary to put food on our table, shoes on the children's feet, and a decent car to drive.  However, at age 59, I'm FINALLY able to be a Stay At Home Wife and Grandmother!  Whoop Whoop!

 I LOVED LOVED my teaching career! Yet, as in everything, there is a time to pass the torch...time to move on...move forward...make new goals...pursue new passions...change your focus.

My FOCUS now is my life with Roger.  Yes, I said his name...not #1 husband or "the mister"...but Roger.  For today, Roger deserves to have his name proclaimed and celebrated as he enters this new phase of life.  His life with me takes a new direction.  Fortunately, we raised our 3 children to FLY so an empty nest is not something I've mourned.  In fact, our Nest continues to grow, change, fluctuate, while still being the HUB of the family.  This Farmhouse has roots and for now we can not foresee moving from this place.  Retirement means not only Just the Two of Us but Hillis Party of 12.  The difference is that WE get to choose WHEN we want it to be The Two Of Us or Party of 12!

Nov. 2010

We NEED a new family Picture!

Roger and I will pursue some travel and our love of estate sales, flea markets, yard sales, auctions, etc...  I will continue to enjoy time in my sewing cave while Roger upgrades his "man-cave" located in a large barn building.  In his fully lighted, heated, cooled, "man cave" complete with TV, fridge Roger can pursue his love of restoring tractors, trucks, cars, etc...  

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF OUR LIVES

Roger and I will live by the Matra

 and 

When all else fails?

Have

Pie and Coffee

**********************************************************************************

Day 2

Go HERE for schedule

Tuesday, July 31 

 Jane's Fabrics and Quilts

Quilting Fiesta

Scrapbox Quilts

From This to That 

Buzzing and Bumbling

No Loose Threads

Deborah B 

Judith Handmade Treasures

Gran-Knot-Y Embroidery Lady

Mrs. Pickles

Susie's World

Blessings