Tuesday, April 07, 2009

A New Era

Well, I officially consider myself a Senior Citizen now. I turned 66 years old today. This past year and a half has been a real experience for me. I retired from nursing and have had to discover a whole new way of living. Some of it has not been fun, but the majority of it has been a blast. Initially, I learned that I can exist on a very tight budget. Fortunately for me, I don't have to do that. Once I got myself and my finances organized, I'm in much better shape than I thought I would be. Just knowing that has made the past year more enjoyable.

What am I doing with myself? I volunteer at our local bead store which is owned by one of my dearest friends. I work 2-3 days a week for her and love doing it. I teach, run the register occasionally and help the customers. What a joy it is to share my love of beading with others. Each day is a new experience. We have everything from new beaders, to fishermen making lures coming in on a regular basis. What fun it is to talk to them and learn about their beading experiences.

When I'm not at the shop, I bead and read a lot. Both things bring me enjoyment. While I do beadweaving and teach the same, my obsession is bead embroidery. From the moment I learned to sew beads on a piece of fabric, I was hooked. Having such bead embroiderers as Robin Atkins, Larkin Van Horn and Sherry Serefini to emulate is wonderful. Through them and blogging, I have met so many wonderful beaders and learned so much from each of them. I love the work of my fellow Bead Journal Project beaders. I've discovered how to put myself into my bead work and find that very satisfying. I can always tell when my emotions are not involved in my work. It is usually very pedestrian and I find I don't enjoy working on it nearly as much.

One of the things I have enjoyed most lately is corresponding with the friends I have made online. It's great to learn more about each of them and share beading stories. Sometimes they make me laugh and sometimes they make me cry, but I wouldn't trade these friends for anything. Each one of them adds joy to my life. You can't ask for better than that.

11 comments:

Doris said...

Happy Birthday, Arline!
I hope the coming year will be as good and fulfilling for you as the past year has been and I'm looking forward to many, many more of your wonderful creations.

abeadlady said...

Thank you, Doris. You know me. I just can't keep my hands out of the beads.

Ellen said...

Happy Birthday girlfriend! I hope you day has been full of joyous moments, sprinkled with sparklie beads & friends ;)

abeadlady said...

It was indeed that kind of day, Ellen. My beady buddies took me out for Mexican food and a couple of Margaritas.

Ellen said...

Sounds like my kinda day out!!

Anonymous said...

You are not a senior citizen, yet. I'd say around 100....lol...that's when you qualify. Happy Birthday...again Hope this year brings you the best of everything.

Jeanne

artandtea said...

Happy Birthday Arline! It sounds like you are living your best life these days and enjoying it very much. Thanks for sharing your stories and your beautiful beadwork. I wish you much joy and magical beady adventures in your retirement!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Happy Birthday a day late.

So, 66 is the "I am a senior citizen" birthday. I wondered. Luckily businesses around here give you the discount way before that.

I'm so glad you are having a good time being retired. How perfect, spending your time with a good friend, playing in beads and talking to people with the same interests as you.

I do miss seeing all your newest cabs, though. You and Grace are my measure of excellence.

abeadlady said...

Carol,
What a nice birthday present you just gave me. What a nice compliment and to put me in the same catagory as Grace just made my day. Thank you.
Thank you, also, to Jeanne and Karen for your kind wishes.

mAtilda said...

buon compleanno, Arline.
matilda

Timaree said...

Happy very belated birthday! Hope you had a wonderful day and this whole year is too.