Thursday, October 17, 2013

Hiatus Rose Project

Just poppin' in to say "Hi, I miss you all!"

Since we spoke last I:

1) Resigned from my job.
This is the first time I have not worked (nor had an income) since I was 14 years old!
I think I am going to like it.

2) Enrolled in an MBA Financial Accounting course.
Goodness gracious, it's grueling. 
Today I finished the mid-term exam; hence, the break to write a blog post.
The course will be over on November 27th
 and then I am planning on taking a 100 hour nap;
the kind of nap one needs after 40 years of working,
and an accounting class...

3) Got braces on my teeth!
I will be 55 when I get my braces off.  haha. :-D

4) Am planning, tracking expenses, budgeting and cutting back like crazy
 to see how long I can afford this mid-life crisis break and still have fun.
It's been fun so far, I'm even thinking about a whole new blog about it.
Hmmmmm...what do you think?
Would you read it?
Any suggestions on what I could call it?

 and last but not least, for sure,

5) Started another crochet rose project:

 It's going to be a rug of all white roses!
I'm not sure how I am going to join them...
What do you think?
 Very simple. 
I've made so many of these darn things in the past six years that they crochet up so quickly
 and maybe even with my eyes closed!
I need simple right now.

They are made with three strands of white Red Heart Super Saver yarn,
 the HUGE crochet hook I used for the rag rugs from here,
and the rose pattern that can be purchased with an instant pdf download from my Etsy shop here.
I will post more details upon completion i.e., joining, border, etc.
 as I have not yet decided what to do.

This rug is for my new "at home" office:
It's really the dining room that I have converted into an office.
So...now we will begin to dine at the kitchen counter.

As you can see the office needs a rug.
So that's what I am working on in between debits and credits, EBITDA, FIFO and LIFO.

This new "office" is where you will find me most of my waking hours.
It's a sunny spot with a big window and that's a fireplace on the right. 
The fireplace will come in handy once the cold weather sets in.

Many items have been moved in here from my former office:
And this beautiful Italian heart paper weight was a retirement gift from a dear colleague.
(Flowers are from our yard and are courtesy of the holding Autumn weather in our parts.)
Ooooooo...and I can't forget the white stapler.

I'm still on hiatus but could not resist the excitement of sharing the rug project. :-)
I hope all is well in your part of the world.
I hope to see you soon.

28 comments:

  1. Congratulation on your sorta retirement from the business world.. I wish you the very best and i am sure you will love it as much as I do... Love the white roses.. Hugs judy

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  2. Red heart and white rose... so sweet...

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  3. So many exciting things going on. Enjoy your retirement. Love your home office and your rug project.

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  4. Lots of changes for you, but I'll bet you can handle it. Like the idea of the white rose rug. Can't wait to see the finished project. Good luck. xxoo. JO.

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  5. Whew! I'm glad one of those items wasn't trading in the NVO!!! ;-)

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  6. A lovely posting, Astri. So many fresh and luminous things happening in your life right now. So nice to read, through these images, the way things are going for you.

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  7. You made a lot of changes. Enjoy!
    I think your rug will be gorgeous.

    Groetjes, Monique

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  8. Det høres ut som du er inne i en spennende tid. Lyst og lekkert arbeidsrom. Deilig med peis. Jeg leser gjerne med på en ny blogg. Rosene er fine. Lykke til videre. Klem, Drude

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  9. well, if you resigned, it means you have had hard times there and i have to congratulate you for the courage of not taking this hard time anymore.
    can't wait to see the rug finished.

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  10. All sounds very exciting. If you are going to save money and still make things then I cannot think of a more beautiful place to blog about it than at apple blossom dreams. You could still show how pretty, saving money is. That rug looks promising but with my two children it wouldn't last 5 minutes!

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  11. OOh exciting changes Astri - not long til the end of your course!
    Great that you are finding time to wind down with woolly creations!
    Thinking of you and looking forward to hearing more about your new directions and more established paths!!
    Ali x

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  12. Ooh how exciting Astri! I hope the new possibilities that this new chapter in life offers will greet you at every turn. If you write a blog charting your exploration I'd love to read it - thinking of a few mid-life changes myself in the next while. Among them funnily enough, braces too! Never had them as a child and wish I had. Your white rose rug sounds perfect - can't wait to see it finished! Take care of yourself and enjoy all every moment of your new regime. Sending you a hug. E x

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  13. I love your wonderful office, Astri! Your rose rug is going to be beautiful. I can see that you are enjoying your retirement.

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  14. So many fun things going on, I am sure fun and a bit scary all at the same time. Good luck with the braces, the end of your course, the new rug and new beginnings.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  15. Good luck with your new endeavors. Your new office is beautiful and your rose rug is going to be gorgeous. :)

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  16. Hi Astri, it's so lovely to read your post have missed you too. Well done on achieving so much in such a short space of time and still find time to so some crocheting, your rug will be beautiful. Will you have the time to write another blog, one is time consuming never mind two, but if you think you can manage it then go for it and yes I would read it. Good luck with your exams! xx

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  17. Congrats on your semi retirement. Your rose rug will be gorgeous.

    Linda

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  18. Hope you enjoy your time. Your rug looks very elegant and that paper weight is so lovely :)

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  19. Hi Astri I have really missed you but what a come-back! I do envy you giving up your job and starting afresh on something so exciting. We do share something Astri - I too have a brace and am older than you - only 6 weeks to go to have it off for ever!!! I do love your rug it is going to be a beauty and will look glorious in your office. Astri whatever you do in life will be a success as you have the drive and determination. Lots of love and hugs to you
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  20. Congratulations! So many big changes, but they all sound positive. Miss seeing your posts :)

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  21. Astri, поздравляю! У тебя начинается новая жизнь, а это всегда хорошо. Рада снова видеть тебя в блоге. Я уже в ожидании твоего ковра из роз. Будет очень красиво. И мне очень понравился твой новый офис. Удачи!

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  22. what a lot of changes in your life! I'd love to give up my day job... especially if I had an office as gorgeous as yours to hang out in!

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  23. how brave to leave your job and start something on your own, I wish you all the luck and everything good with this choice. How comforting your new office looks already, but with those lovely roses it will be even more 'you' !

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  24. WOW! You're a tough lady! I was thinking about doing something similar, but I've decided to stay until my state pension plan is full. (Only five years or so left). I can still freelance as a journalist as much as I have time to,

    I'm looking forward to seeing the rug done, and I'm wishing you lots of luck with your studies :-)

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  25. Good luck in your course! The home office looks smashing and the white rug will be a pretty addition.

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  26. Wow, Astri, congratulations on a big change! How great that you could do this - having your house all paid off must have been a great help. Yes, I would read your new blog - just try to keep me away! :)

    Your office is gorgeous and the rose rug will be a knockout. Have you thought of joining-as-you-go?

    Good luck with your course!

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  27. Tu rivalises avec les plus grands artistes photographiques dans la façon de prendre tes clichés, superbes toutes ces photos !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  28. Hoppla! Just like that? Or maybe not just like that? What huge changes. Good for you to step out of your comfort zone. Face the fear and do it anyway. That is the way we grow. Would love to read about your baby steps into a new down sized life. Are you gonna work from home as your own? Put more time into Etsy , crochet and blogging maybe? I am curious. You really don't need a new blog for this. I am sure all your readers would love to follow this journey right here. Just title it somehow. Maybe Down size size your life or something like that. Financial and practical tips on saving a penny or two is always interesting. Good look with everything!
    xxx
    Annette

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