Blogging from A to Z April Challenge- Letter R

WELCOME, EVERYONE:

 to my second year in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.

Since I plan to retire shortly, I thought an alphabetical look back at my paying library career and a look ahead to my crafting and writing career would be a good use of my 26 days in this challenge, 26 wonderful words for retiring me. Hope you enjoy. I am looking forward to reading whatever you share this month on your blogs, too.

LOOKING BACK: 
Redraw- (to draw again.) 
"Sometimes you have to redraw the lines in order to stay within the lines." Quote from the tv series White Collar.
If I no longer feel I fit in the lines that have been drawn for me at work, then I am redrawing them to include a graceful exit door for me.

Looking ahead: 
Rubber Stamps and Romance Novels- (some of my loves.)

Just my Stampin' Up! sets. I know I'm addicted.

As far back as I can remember, I have crafted. I was trying to think of what my first rubber stamp might have been- maybe Winnie-the-Pooh stamps for the kids. My recent love of stamps began more than 20 years ago with flower images, probably from Stampin' Up!, to color and now I have hundreds of sets and individual stamps. Rubber, cling, clear- they all have a home with me. Some of my favorite companies are Papertrey Ink, Flourishes, Stampin' Up!, Tim Holtz, Memory Box and Hero Arts, Stamps by Judith and Penny Black; many more too numerous to name. I use them in my cards, scrap pages, collages, journal pages. I seasonally decorate my craft room with them.

My love of romance novels goes back to teenage years. Mom didn't have them in our house but I babysat a lot and found books to read after the kids went to bed. Sometimes it would take two or three sitting jobs before I finished the book.

Using stamps as decoration in my craft room.

After I was married, I always had a romance on my night table or propped on the table as I folded the wash. Some of my old favorite authors have been Nora Roberts (of course), Jude Deveraux, Amanda Quick, Joanna Lindsey; I always like a little mystery with my loving. I have recently found Stephanie Laurens and am making my way through all her books. And my mystery author list is lots longer- but that's another letter.




And now, miracles of miracles, my own daughter will be a published author next month. Although I have proof-read her book several times, it will be with great joy and expectation that I will read it in its entirety.

Thanks for stopping by.