Coming Out of Retirement

Okay, my friends are right. I have failed at 'Retirement'. I am working harder than I ever did in the 'Real' world. The 8am-5pm five days a week world was a piece of cake. 

My Heritage Quilt
Double Wedding Ring
Hand-pieced/Hand-quilted

When I retired in 2005, I had a bucket-list of things I wanted to do that I didn't have time to do when I 'worked'. The problem is that there are too many things on the list. In order to get them done I have to change my mind set. Therefore, I am no longer retired. I am working as always, but my hours vary from day to day. However, I am working not retiring. My work is different. I volunteer at the library, quilt, paint, sell stuff on Etsy, blog, and read. The only way I can get it all done is to work at it.

Garvan Woodland Gardens
Hot Springs, Arkansas

We even take vacations from retirement. 
Sometimes it's a day-trip. 

Crystal Bridge Museum of American Art
Bentonville, Arkansas

Sometimes it's a longer trip to visit family or enjoy each others company.  














I already feel better. I spent today checking things off my list and still had time to read, watch a little (very little) TV, exercise, and nap.

I'M CHARMED

I recently saw an article about charm bracelets and started reminiscing about mine. My charm bracelets are more than decoration. They are a journal of my life, my family, and the trips I have taken. They are easy to find and easy to pack. They do not catch dust. 

My collection began when I made a trip to Williamsburg and bought a bracelet. The rest is history. The gold and silver ones are mementos from my life and travels. I started the silver one when gold got so expensive. 






Then, I branched out when I started collecting heart lockets and crosses. Each locket has a picture of a member of my family tucked inside. 

The one with the evil eyes was bought in a favorite antique store. I added the Scorpio and Libra charms that were bought from the same store. It helps ward of 'evil spirits'.

I still wear them from time to time and feel 'charmed'.

HERE'S MY PLAN FOR 2018

2012 Tags 

I started keeping a daily journal at the turn of the century, Year 2000. I haven't missed a year, but I don't always write every day. In 2012 I made art on tags and hung them on an old milk bottle filled with pennies from the Year 2000.

Last year I wrote one thing that made me happy that day. One year I made an Artist Trading Card each week. One year I collage an old CD for each month.

2015 A Collaged CD
for each month

This year I plan to actually use my blog as my journal. After all, it is Plaid Pages, a journal. We had a major move a few years ago and I have not kept up my Blog. I couldn't seem to make time for it. This year I am focused on those things that I really want to do. Play First/Work Later. All my adult life it has been just opposite. I am retired now so why not Play First?

Diptich-Under the Ocean
2 canvases with
shells, beads,cheesecloth

The things that will take priority are blogging, quilting,

collage,acrylics,alcohol ink. All of these boil down to making art in some form or fashion. Next in priority will be my Etsy Shop, Esmee Lynne. I have been in business for five years. My goal is to get rid of 'stuff', have a fun doing it, and make a little 'walking around' money. If any one of those things, goes away so does the shop. So far, beginning with the first year I have accomplished those goals. 

2012 An Artist Trading Card
each week 

I still volunteer at our local library, but only two times a month for a total of 8 hours. I love the library and don't want to quit. I still belong to an art club with my husband even though they do not do the kind of art I like to do. Participation in our Quilt Guild ties in with my quilting. Also, interacting with my neighbors and church friends is important to me. Oh, I forgot I read a lot. I'm going to that in my spare time.

I will still keep my house 'picked up' and the bathrooms cleaned. My husband and I share the cleaning and the cooking.

That doesn't sound like I am retired. My philosophy is to keep moving. I saw my mother sit down and she never got active again. The goal is not to do away with anything, but to make my hobbies my priority each day. 

This is not a resolution-making exercise. It is trying to retrain my brain to have fun and then work. My daughter writes down her plans for the year in January. Puts the paper in an envelope and seals it. It will be opened January of next year. Mine is done and sealed and ready to be opened in January, 2019.