Life Lessons and CNY

Gaye's challenge this week is to write about a life lesson. Her blog was fantastic, so I have hesitated to even do this. I then read Amy's blog about this weekend at CNY and that was fantastic, too. Maybe my life lesson is that I can write a piece that won't be as wonderful as the two I've read, but it is mine! So here goes...

The much anticipated CNY8 retreat is over. There is so much build up before the event. It lasts 3-4 days depending on when people arrive. Then it's over and that is a let down.

My retreat starts on Thursday with people coming to my house for dinner. This year my dear friend Sharon arrived at 1:30. Our beautiful granddaughter was here so Sharon got to play with Anna before anyone else arrived. Eventually the house was filled with 17 talking, laughing, happy women. Some are old friends while a few were new to the group. No one would ever know who had never been here before. Of course I stress about having people at my house hoping it is clean enough, nice enough, and the food is good enough. But when it is over, I look back and all I see in my mind's eye is how much they all enjoyed themselves and each other.

Friday is the official first day of the retreat and it lasts until late Sunday afternoon. This time thirty-eight women gathered together to scrap their life. Some got 60 pages done, some got no pages done. But everyone finds friendship.

It still amazes me, after attending many retreats, that this many women can come together for a weekend and find so much joy, laughter, love, friendship, and happiness. Those who are "newbies" fit right in like they've been there since the first retreat four years ago. Everyone goes home a little more mentally healthy than when they arrived.

My life lesson? People are amazing. There is so much good and sometimes we overlook that because there is so much bad. Bad is louder than good. This is my life lesson from the CNY8 retreat.

Dij ye scrap?

Another never say never. I thought I'd never do digital scrapbooking. But, I've had a few customers ask me about doing Storybook Creator so felt I needed to learn - or at least be somewhat familiar with it. I took a class yesterday for Memory Manager - a computer file/editing system for photos - and Storybook Creator Plus - scrapping online. I love the Memory Manager, but I still have a lot to learn. I don't know how many albums I'll ever do digitally, but love the other things I can do - make a page, postcards, and I'm sure much more.

We joke about "digiscrapping". My daughter has changed it to "dij ye scrap".

Another new adventure and another thing to spend money on. The first thing Jay asked was how much this is going to cost him. I said not much - just all the downloads and a new 12x12 printer which I'd wait for as a Christmas gift. How am I going to fanagle getting it sooner? I'll have to work on Anna who will be able to get anything she wants (for me) from her grandpa.

There's been too much lately

Don't
Ruin
Another
Moment
Anyone

Retirement can be a curse!

We are in our fourth year of retirement. It has been heaven from the beginning. We've done a little traveling, remodeled the kitchen, built a stone patio, built a barn (that could probably be a house!), had two weddings - our son and daughter 2 years apart, became grandparents to the most wonderful little girl, and basically done whatever we've wanted to do.

The curse? Well, I'll give you the perfect example. Today I did my income tax for my Creative Memories business. I did the whole year in one day. It has been a boulder on my back for the past few weeks, but I just couldn't seem to get to it. I never touched my paper work all year. You see, there is always tomorrow when you are retired. Maybe the software for Storybook Creator arrived and it would be more fun to play with that. Or there could be a Law & Order marathon to watch. Sometimes Jay will think we need to take a trip to Syracuse and how can I say no to AC Moore, Michael's, and Wegman's?

Most people have heard the saying: Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Our retirement motto is: Put it off until tomorrow and do something more fun today.

I am promising myself that I am going to get on my paper work so I am not in this spot next April. I will catch up on January, February, and March. Then I'll keep up each month so my income tax is ready January 1st. There are a few things I need to do before I get to it, though.

I have a bunch of pictures I need to print. So, after I do those...........................

Anna Baby

The new love of my life is my granddaughter, Anna, who is the most precious little girl. I do believe we have a special bond. I was there when she was born and took her first picture! When she was 18 hours old, she was taken to an NICU facility 45 miles away. She spent 16 days there and I didn't miss one. I got to spend a lot of time with her and our daughter there.

Our daughter quit her job and was going back to school to become a teacher. When she went for testing and an interview, she was asked to consider occupational therapy. We encouraged her to do that and her husband was very supportive. This program will take her a year more than education because of under graduate courses she needs. So, we are babysitting 2-3 days a week to help out. This summer she is taking a course that is every day. We will have Anna 5 days a week all of June and July. I am in heaven!

The most wonderful feeling is walking into the house and seeing her smile when she sees me. She is only 5 months old, but I know she knows who we are and that is worth more than money. Of course we are putty in her hands and she knows that. Anna and I have a special song - Grandma's made-up verses to "Rubber Ducky". When I sing "Anna Baby" she lights up.

Tomorrow is a babysitting day and I can't wait!

Shame on me!

It's been almost a year since I've written anything. I know how much good it does to unload and unleash feelings. I should have been writing all along, but life side-tracked me. Hope I am better!