I'm Back!

Thanks for your encouraging comments about my retirement!  I finished work on June 14 and barely had time to breathe before we left for a two-week trip to Alaska and British Columbia.  Before we left, I had a dream that I had 25 minutes to take a shower and pack my suitcase before it was time to go to the airport.  Do you think I had a little bit of anxiety about getting everything done?!  Despite the packing angst, we have a terrific time on a cruise through the inside passage in Alaska and touring Victoria and Vancouver.  We were with my sister and her husband which was fun.  The weather was amazing as we only had one day of drizzle when we arrived in Seattle and then one brief rainstorm in Juneau.  In fact, the weather was so warm that I had to stop in the Hudson Bay department store and purchase a couple of short-sleeve tops because I had packed for 60 degree temperatures, not 80 degrees.  We have lots of great memories, including Sawyer Glacier in the Tracy Arm Fjord
the beautiful sunken garden planted in a former limestone quarry at Butchart Gardens in Victoria,
 
and the Dale Chihuly glass exhibit in Seattle near the Space Needle.

 
 
We've been home a week and I'm finding that it may be awhile before I develop a routine.  So far, I've filled my time with going out to lunch and dinner with friends, spending a day at Burkholder Fabrics near Denver, PA, going to the gym, completing some of the financial papers for retirement (that took a lot of time!), reading and doing a little bit of sewing.  I haven't had an increase in stitching time as I thought I would, but that will probably come as I complete some of the paperwork and household tasks that piled up during the last few months of my working life.  However, I do have one finish and I proudly present Quaker Christmas which is already at the framers.


 
Now I'm back to working on the Scottish Band Sampler (Scarlet Letter) and as soon as I banish the frogs that have been visiting lately, I may have some progress to show on that.

Comments

  1. MargaretJuly 12, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    Oh, how lovely that you had that trip with your sister and her husband! You've given me an idea - my sister will have an empty nest in a couple of years. We could do the same sort of thing! Yay! Love your Quaker Christmas finish! I'm looking forward to seeing your Scottish Band Sampler progress -- I love that one! I'm sure you'll settle into a routine, hopefully with more stitching time, soon!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 12, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    Hello Susan

    Sounds like you have enjoyed yourself very much!
    Lovely photos.
    Your finish is beautiful!
    Happy weekend (:

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jackie's StitchesJuly 12, 2013 at 6:35 PM

    Glad to hear you had a great time - though that wasn't a surprise! I'm interested in hear more about how how you adjust to retirement - 9 years to go for me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MysteryKnitterJune 28, 2016 at 11:58 AM

      I am happy you had so great trip! That glacier picture is awesome!

      Delete
  4. Jo who can't think of a clever nicknameJuly 13, 2013 at 1:23 AM

    I have that dream alot! I'm usually rushing around cramming more and more stuff into the suitcase too.

    Glad the trip was worth the bad dream though.

    Quaker Christmas is gorgeous, looking forward to seeing the framed piece now.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Samplings from Spring CreekJuly 13, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    Quaker Christmas is beautifuL Congratulations on your retirement--when you find a routine--please share. Time passes so quickly!

    ReplyDelete
  6. CatherineJuly 13, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Sounds like a wonderful trip!! What a way to start your retirement!

    ReplyDelete
  7. woolwomanJuly 15, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    Quaker Christmas is stunning Susan - WOW - and what a great way to ease into retirement and also to celebrate with a great trip to Alaska and victoria BC. Take care and enjoy Mel

    ReplyDelete
  8. KarolineJuly 23, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    Sounds like a wonderful trip

    Quaker Christmas is stunning, congratulations

    ReplyDelete
  9. MarthaJuly 24, 2013 at 4:32 AM

    Fabulous Christmas quaker! It does make an impression! Love the little details in gold and red added to the black stitches

    ReplyDelete
  10. JeanneJuly 25, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    Big congratulations on your recent retirement!! I was close a few weeks ago contemplating taking a layoff pkg but ultimately decided to stay and take a different job. I also look forward to lots more stitching & quilting time someday!

    Your trip sounds great and a perfect thing to celebrate your retirement. I am starting Quaker Christmas in August - thanks for sharing your - looking forward to seeing it framed.

    ReplyDelete

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