Blogging from A to Z April Challenge- Letter F

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: 
Frankly, annoying person, I don't give a damn-to misquote Rhett. 

That felt good. I am finding that writing all this down is very cathartic. Thank you for listening.

Looking ahead: 
Fussy Cutting- (using sharp, pointed scissors to cut out intricate images.)

I love to fussy cut the stamped images I use on my cards and pages.The tulips in this card are stamped on two pieces of paper. Then one set of the blooms are fussy cut and laid on top over the first image, held in place with foam tape to create a shadowed effect. I stamp and color a whole bunch of images, put them in a sandwich bag, stick them in my pocketbook and then cut to my heart's content riding in the car, waiting in the doctor's office, sitting at meetings. Looking forward to lots more time to devote to this and other things I love to do.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge- Letter E

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: 
Epiphany- (Sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.) 

So I woke up one morning and said, "Hey, I don't have to stay here. I can get books at my home library, (or, shudder, on Amazon.").

Looking ahead: 
Exercise- (bodily or mental exertion especially for the sake of training or improvement.)
I have promised my doctor that once I have my days to myself I will start walking daily to lose weight and strengthen my muscles. I have been sitting at a desk for too long. If I want to be sitting to write and create, I have got to make time to walk. I promise.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge- Letter D

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: 
Detritus- (loose material such as rock particles, organic particles, that result directly from disintegration.) 

Started going through my files, drawers, shelves at work making an inventory of what is mine and what is theirs. I've found some old photos of really good people and times that I love. Found notes on  2 unsuccessful building campaigns to enlarge the library; I played an integral part. Taxpayers said no and life went on.
I am organizing my work. I am revising the job descriptions of our 20 employees, creating procedures on how I do my job, knowing the next person will rearrange the work and make it their own.
Loose particles floating around me every day. It's ok with me.

Looking ahead: 

One of my first attempts at Zentangle and an uncooperative camera.

Doodle- (a design made by idle scribbling.)

In the meantime I have become interested in Doodling, Zentangling. The work is anything but idle scribbling. It is an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns; fun, relaxing, increasing focus and creativity. So says Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, the creators.
I agree, it's just what I need. As I create curls and wavy lines into patterns I can feel myself unwinding , unfurling. I do this at night during commercials or in the tense parts of the tv shows when I don't want to look at the screen. Or at 4 am when I wake up because of  worries from work.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge- Letter C

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: 
Courage- (the quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., with firmness and without fear.) 

Wow, when I look at the definition of the word, I am humbled. It has taken courage to come to this spot. This is actually the 3rd date I have set with my husband (who is retired) in the last 18 months. For whatever reasons those other 2 retiring dates were postponed (I partly chickened out hoping work would get better), mentally and emotionally I'm tired. I feel like the boy who cried wolf. I need to move on to....

Looking ahead: 
Celebrate- (to observe or commemorate, to to make known publicly, proclaim.)
"Hey, celebration time, come on." With that tune in my head, I'll go to my great little craft room where I work on greeting cards, scrapbooks, do a little painting, take online classes, write, create poetry, stare at my garden and dream. I need to let some fresh air in my brain so I can be inventive.
After much hard work, my daughter is publishing her first book. Maybe there is a book in me, too. My poems and articles have been published in the library newsletter, who knows, they might appeal to a wider audience. All I can do is fly....

Thanks for stopping by.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge- Letter B

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: 
Bittersweet- (pleasure mixed with pain or regret.) 

What did I enjoy most at the Library?

• Availability to books, books and more books. 49 local library's collections at my fingertips.
• Good friends to discuss life's problems with on a daily basis. We have always been there for each other.

What least?

• Communication breakdown with the Library Board.
• The loss of purpose, appreciation and reward.

It is time for me to go.

Looking ahead: 
Blending- (to mix smoothly and inseparably together.)

Once I stop working out of the house, I'll have some work to do blending my life back together. I 'll need to put house cleaning, gardening, crafting and writing together in a way that keeps it all interesting and gives me the sense of purpose and accomplishment that I feel I've lost.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge- Letter A

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: 
Achievements- (something accomplished by superior ability and social effort.) 

I worked 18+ years in a small town library. For some years, I was the head of the children's and teens department. Story times, crafts, summer reading programs, you name it, I did it for kids from 2 to 18. Loved it and the kids I worked with; I excelled.
I was asked to move up to Assistant Director. I wore many hats: record keeper, bookkeeper, human resources admin, expeditor, planner, committee member for 2 unsuccessful building expansions, peer coach, you name it, I did it and did it with excellence.
Lately, a black cloud has moved over the Library; anguish, anger and arguing are the words of the day. It is no longer the place I want to be.

Looking ahead: 
Anticipation- (realization beforehand, foretaste.)

Been humming Carly Simon's song Anticipation for months now. Been counting my days. You should be able to see the count down listed in the right column over there. I've got a bucket list of things I want to do. I am so ready.

I'm including a very big THANK YOU today to Arlee Bird, the founder of the Blogging A to Z April Challenge. What a wonderful way to spend the month of April- creatively sharing with 1000+ bloggers. 

Happy Bunny Day...

Just wishing everyone a lovely day with family and friends.

For the month of April, I will be participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. Each day (except Sundays) I will be entering an article on here corresponding to the letter of the day. 26 letters of the alphabet, 26 days in the month.

This is my second year. I plan to use the content this year to help transition myself out of my job into retirement. Hope you will join me to see what words I use.

Thanks for stopping by.