What a (mostly Fantastic ) Year this has been!

    It doesn't seem possible that just a year ago, I was counting down my last few days until retirement!  and yes, I had to count it down on an ordinary calendar, not a fancy one like the Christmas countdowns that I made so many of this year.  (Gee, there is another occasion for a special CC!).   It has for  the most part been an absolutely fantastic year for me--I do believe one of the best in my life.  At last I am doing exactly what I want, when I want too. 
    Let me first say, I never looked back--I've said it before--40++ years of nursing was MORE than enough!  In my next life, I will Not be a nurse, for sure.  It was a good career, but  it was just that--a living, a career.  Yes I loved it for the most part-more good times than bad.  However, it was really not my passion and often times got in the way of the things I really wanted to enjoy.  I do not miss it--not one minute of it!
    So on to this year--M y passion is creating--whether it's a scrapbook page, a card, a Countdown calendar, a Kids class project--I have been totally free this year to just be my creative self and in the process, have been so honored to do it with some of the most amazing people ever!
      My Memory Bound Family are some of the most creative people ever--they include the MB staff, the customers that have some of the greatest ideas, and our GNO group where creativity is so exceptional.  I have gotten so much closer to some of my bestest (yup, bestest!) friends ever, as we get together not only to crop and create, but to shop,  have lunch or supper, go to craft and junk shows, or just hang out!  I now have basically a free calendar to pencil in my own days of enjoyment.
    Yes I still "work"--if you want to call it that--I "work" at MB, with all those amazing people, having so much fun creating, learning, laughing.  They say laughing is good for your health--well, my health should be in tip-top shape.  How fun it is when you so look forward to going to "work" every single day --something I was starting to lose in nursing.
    My only regret--I wish I would have done the "saving" thing a little better (we didn't really think about it years ago), so I could have done this retirement thing several years ago.
     The other plus side is family time, tho I must say, everyone is so busy, I didn't really get a lot more of that.  I have had time to stop a few times and celebrate occasions with some of them.  My goal is to spend more time with my Brother and Sis-in Law, as we are all retired now.  I was able to enjoy Paiges graduation, Kristi and John moving into their new house, Todd and Ali's engagement, the county fair, Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day!  I didn't have to work around a schedule!
   So to everyone who's been a part of my life this past year--thank you for a great first year of retirement.  The whole world would retire if they could have a year like I've had.
     As I finish this post, I just want  to remember the 20 little angels and thier teachers that lost their lives in Newtown, Ct. last Friday.  I don't think there is anyone who has not shed many tears---nothing like this should ever happen--NEVER!  Rest in Peace little Angels.