Sunday, March 13, 2022

Mosaic Monday #169: Two Anniversaries!


March 2, 2017 was my first ever blog post, and March 3 marked 5 years since my retirement.  My goodness, where did that time go?  I took the opportunity to review the nine posts I have made about retirement, prompting several observations and some resolutions.

In my first retirement post on March 13, 2017, I wrote: "I have paid my dues with hours worked over the last 28 years.  Let's do a quick calculation: assuming an average of 45 weeks of work a year and 66 hours a week, that is 32,670 hours more than a 40-hour week.  So, even though I have retired young by normal standards, I actually already worked the hours that equates to another 18.2 years."  In other words, I still have another 13.2 years to go before I recoup that overtime!!!


That post has been read 88 times and had no comments.  By the time I penned my next retirement instalment on March 27, 2017, I had picked up a few more readers (116) and two of them were commenting!  One was Tammy at 
T's Daily Treasures (tsdailytreasures.blogspot.com)Tammy was instrumental in leading me to many of the other bloggers that are an essential part of my blogging community today!  The other was a former neighbor in Cleveland - you know who you are!

Cooking and food have been consistent themes in my posts, and April 7, 2017 is a good example.  In perusing these posts, I have realized that there are several recipes that we enjoyed that have since gathered dust.  We will have to remedy that situation!

My fourth retirement entry, on May 27, 2017 was a popular post - 205 readers and 23 comments.  In re-reading the comments, I was delighted to realize that I "go way back" with so many of my fellow bloggers - Sallie of A Full Time Life, Miyako of Orchid's Daily Voice, Wren of Little Wandering Wren, Sylvia of SMD Paper Arts, Mary of Red-Shouldered Hawks of Tingsgrove and Beyond and LeeAnna of Not Afraid of Color.  It also made me wonder about some bloggers I "knew well" and have not heard from for quite a while - I want to reach out and see if we can reconnect.  By May of 2017, I had discovered Mosaic Monday and had begun linking to it - in that period, it was hosted by Maggie of Normandy Life - she has since changed her blog to turning the page (hazelbarn.blogspot.com) and does not post as frequently.


Faithful readers of my blog have become accustomed to my nicknames for the people in my life - #1 Daughter, #1 Son, Spousal Unit, Dear Neighbor Friend.  When I first began blogging, it was intended to protect our privacy.  In addition to avoiding the use of names, initially I didn't even include photos with our faces .... I am over that now, but these pseudonyms have taken on a life of their own, and I can't change it NOW!  This is especially true of Man with Hat, who was introduced in my fifth retirement post on July 14, 2017.  Some of my fellow bloggers, such as Phil of Another Bird Blog, join in the game.  Phil recently referred to my husband as Man in a Plane!  By summer 2017, Lorrie of Fabric Paper Thread and Kit of A Montana Life were regular commenters, and my posts were typically garnering more than 210 readers.

With my December 15, 2017 post, I paused to reflect on retirement thus far, utilizing recommendations from my work colleagues at my going-away party.  "Don't forget to start a new hobby, enjoy reading a book, stay active, laugh every day and eat, drink and be merry," they said.  I must have taken their advice to heart, because my next retirement post was March 3, 2019, a full 14 months later!  Along the way, I met Tom of Tom the Backroads Traveller, Margy of Margy Meanders, Carol of Comfort Spring Station, Eileen of Viewing Nature with Eileen, Ellen of The Happy Wonderer, and Lady Fi.


Yes, life was pleasantly busy in those 14 months - we moved into our dream log home, we were hired as Ambassadors at Whitefish Mountain Resort for the winter seasons, and several volunteer activities had landed on my plate.  I was also well on the way to becoming best friends with my dear neighbor.  So many blessings!

I can't explain why that March 3, 2019 post had 409 readers, but I won't dig too deep!  Perhaps it was the fact that I included the speeches my kids made at the time of my retirement.  Or my reflections on the fortune cookie fortunes I have collected over the years.  Or that I had begun hosting Mosaic Monday by this time, which drew more readers.  Who knows?  I had made some new blogging friends, such as the delightful furbabies at Brian's Home, Jenn of Cottage Country Reflections, Pat of Mille Fiori Favoriti, Heidrun of Soul and Mind, Riitta of Floral Passions, Jill of Life Images by Jill, Su-sieemac of Barefoot Susie, Melbourne DailyMy Desktop Daily, Jan of Low Carb Diabetic, William of Ottawa Daily Photos, Linda of  The View from Squirrel Ridge, David of Travels with Birds, Bob of Birds and Nature in the Forest of Dean, Debbie of Its All About Purple and Bill of Somewhere in Ireland.


A year later, in the March 8, 2020 post, I reported that I had become over-involved.  "Looking in the mirror ... I have not succeeded in letting go of perfection and structure, and, despite my desire to enjoy more time crafting, these activities continue to get deferred because I have jumped head-first into volunteering, working and many other activities, which I give priority."  Sadly, in the two years since that post, this has not changed.  If anything, I have even more on my plate now.  This time, I AM resolved to make changes/room for craft projects, jigsaw puzzles, and flying my drone!  

My last retirement-themed post was March 21, 2021.  Montana was starting to emerge from the pandemic, but not to the point of throwing a party!  Serving as my own DJ, I spun up 5 songs/videos that represented freedom, "rocking through the wilderness", good friends, "lighting a fire for the silent and broken-hearted" and the desire for new experiences.  I reflected that "if I want to have freedom, I have to choose carefully where I invest my time."  As much as I prefer to know my schedule, I also regret the times when I have turned down an invitation to hike (or some other event) because I am committed.  So, my friends, as I enter the sixth year of my retirement, most activities are candidates for the chopping block.  I may give up volunteering at the Museum.  I am actively recruiting a replacement for my role on the Carnival Board.  I have even thought about how much time I should be devoting to blogging!!!

I am resolved to honor our family motto:


Watch this space!

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All of the pictures above were from the last 12 months.

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In the last two years, a few more bloggers joined my cherished circle: Sally of Crafts, Cavies and Cooking, Sue of Kiwikids Page, Diane of Lavender Dreams, Maria of Love the Planet Productions, Alan of Yogis Den, Sharon of Sharon's Souvenirs, Monica of Nature Footstep, Gillena of Verses, Jocelyn of Canadian Needle Nana, Judy of Life in Kentucky, Yoko of Stardust Talk, Raewyn at Stitching Farm Girl, Traude of Rostrose, Daniela of My Little Old World and Kim of Sarah Lizzies.  I apologize if I have inadvertently left anyone out!  Thanks to all in blogland that have made my blogging journey so fascinating and inspiring!


Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Tuesday (U.S. Mountain time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us. 


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

38 comments:

  1. Congratulations! This is really fun.

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  2. ...after working for 50 years, I enjoy my 7 day weekends. Thanks for hosting the party, Angie.

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  3. And thank you for all you do and all you share! I think of your original blog title often when I'm in the kitchen not quite as figuratively "letting go of the bayleaf" (especially that happened during the pandemic order food on line phrase. Improvising was the key.) But I digress. The thing is I respect your ongoing quest to let go (of whatever) but I am happy you've shared all the activities you have not yet deleted from your busy life. Thanks for all. (And I love being retired!)

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  4. Angie, this was a wonderfully reflective post! It is wonderful to know you through your blog. I always enjoy reading it and envisioning life in Montana. I have been blogging since 2007. I have tried to never let it overwhelm me and the once a week post routine I have now seems to suit me best. I look at blogging as both mental exercise and keeping a journal of my experiences and most of all sharing friendship with other bloggers around the world. So often I will tell someone how I know someone here, there, and everywhere because of their blogs and I feel my life has been enriched because of that! Thanks for hosting Mosaic Monday every week--it is much appreciated! xoxo

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  5. wow, you had a great year :)
    Apart from the gorgeous shot of the spiderweb I love the waterfalls and the coyote. :) I hope you will have many more years to celebrate with family and nature, and blogging of course. :)

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  6. At some point I'll have to think about retirement, beyond what I'm already doing in putting money into RRSPs.

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  7. Happy Blogoversary and Happy Retirementaversary from all of us!

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  8. This is a wonderful post on your blogging journey. Congratulations on your blog anniversary! Not everyone can continue writing a blog. I hope to read future posts as well!
    Have a great day!

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  9. The best is always left to last. =) Just kidding!! Visiting your beautiful place, Angie is always filled with delight. Why, I get to visit the world with you, hike up and down mountain trails, take in breathtaking scenery, swim in raging rivers, ski down slopes covered in snow...all from the comfort of my armchair with a cup of tea in hand. I cannot remember when I happened upon your blog but I am so, so happy I did. Visiting you is akin to visiting a dear friend. Just a little aside, revisiting the photo with your dear mom has once again touched my heart....so precious. Many congratulations for the anniversary of your blog. Here's to many, many more visits to your delightful place.

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  10. Angie ... congratulation and please, go on for many more years. 🌷🌷🌷

    To visit each other week for week was ... is (!) always a great pleasure.

    But especially in this hard times.

    To read about your lovely Family and see some nice things from the nature around your house is a good time for me, a Moment to forget the sorrows. To discuss, to get some nice visits is a highlight Highlight of monday.

    Thank you, dear Blogfriend.

    Hugs by Heidrun

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  11. Thanks, Angie, for the mention. I just revisited that post from 5 years ago and read my comment. :) Blogging truly has been a great experience and a way to reflect on and document our lives. I've made so many friends via the www but unfortunately have not been so faithful to blogging in the past many years. Just looking at my stats, my highest number of posts was 2011 (294) and my lowest was 2021 with only 33 posts. I keep intending to do better but ... only one post so far in 2022. :/ I definitely cherish my down time. During the pandemic, there's been frustration especially because of the lack of travel but hopefully that is easing and things can feel a little more open and free. Take care. Thanks for being a blog friend. Take care.

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  12. Congrats Angie and Happy Anniversary! What a fun post, thanks for mentioning my blog. I see some old blogging friends, that have gone missing. I hope they are all well. I retired back in 2014, it was the best decision I ever made. I have enjoyed your blog, your beautiful photos and mosaics. Take care, enjoy your day and new week ahead.

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  13. Congratulations and Happy Anniversaries.
    Thanks for hosting us through all these Mondays

    much❤love

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  14. Dear Angie, Congratulations on both anniversaries and many happy returns of both of them. Your posts are always thoughtful, but also peppered with humour, delicious virtual morsels of sustenance, and seasoned with a whole lot of travel to gorgeous places accompanied by delightful photos. It is a pleasure to have met you and to be allowed to participate in the happy life you have. Thanks for the mention of my two blogs.

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  15. PS: And as always, Angie, thank you for being such a gracious and kind host! Your efforts are appreciated.

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  16. It's fun to look back and see what the past few years have held. It's so true that we only have so much time so we better use it wisely! And I know you have! Thanks for all the Mosaic Monday fun! It's one of the highlights of my week! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  17. Dear Angie,
    your family motto is also absolutely mine / ours. And the fact is that above all, people who are committed to a variety of things manage to live a lived, fulfilled life. I worked for more than 40 years in a job that I didn't enjoy for the last 20 years, with colleagues who were mostly problematic - but luckily not 66 hours a week. First it was 40 hours, after starting a family 20, finally 25. And I love, love, love my retirement, which is just as unsettled as yours. And I only have time for half of the things that I enjoy or that seem important to me - but I try to "divide" myself into the most important interests. Most of the time I manage that quite well - and yes, it's a wild ride :-) Wonderful!
    Happy weekend!
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/03/kleine-auszeit-mit-hindernissen-in.html

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  18. Happy Anniversaries to you!! Blogging really affords us a history of our days for sure. I've really enjoyed the blogging community over the years. You are truly an outdoor enthusiast in all kinds of weather and terrain! Here's to many more bloggy years!

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  19. Thanks for the shout out! I recently received a comment from a blast-from-the-past blogging friend. I've been blogging since I was an illustrator looking to promote my artwork. Now my blog is simply about traveling. It appears that you have found the perfect hobby! Life is definitely a mosaic of many things, just like your blog.

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  20. I've enjoyed your journey! Congrats on all you've accomplished since retiring...keep it up! Your life is full, happy and content...what more could one ask for! Love you.

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  21. What a fun post, Angie, about retirement. After being retired for a year I took a 5 month teaching contract. I'm 7 weeks into it now, and know that when it's over I will NOT take another one. I enjoy the freedom of a looser schedule so much.
    I enjoy your posts so much and hope that you continue on with blogging.

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  22. Happy anniversary and bloggiversary! I may not comment often, but I do enjoy your posts. :-)

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  23. Hi Angie, thanks for the reflections! They definitely shed some light on your life. I'm not necessarily new to your blog, as I've visited the Mosaic Monday posts occasionally before, but I didn't know much about your background. I completely understand your wish to let go of some of your commitments. I hope this doesn't mean Mosaic Monday is going to stop, as I've just joined in for the first time. Thanks anyway also for giving a shout out to some of your bloggy friends. I'm definitely going to check those out too!

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  24. Happy anniversaries. And continue to enjoy your retirement!

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  25. Congrats on five years of blogging! If you want to save time, make your posts short. Some bloggers do, and I do when blogging from my phone because it is hard to do long posts on it. Thanks for the shout out!

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  26. Congratulations, Angie! You've created such a fun and friendly space here, I always enjoy my visits.
    Amalia
    xo

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  27. Beautiful photos Angie, and a nice look back over the last 5 years! Congrats on both occasions! ☺

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  28. Happy anniversaries! Congratulations!

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  29. Oh Angie, what a fabulous post.
    Many congratulations on both occasions.
    I always enjoy visiting your blog and reading your posts.
    I do hope that you will be able to continue with blogging for many more years.

    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  30. Whoot, whoot! Anniversary cheers to you, Angie. I’m honored being mentioned, thank you very much, :-) I’m slowly getting back to blogging. Once I find an app to make collages, I shall be participating in Mosaic Monday again. Cheers!

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  31. I enjoyed that post Angie. As I have remarked on a number of occasions, you are such a busy person with so many interests that I am amazed how you find the time and energy to do so much. Thanks for the mention as me as Man in The Post! Are you packed yet? It's getting warmer here.

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  32. At the risk of being a curmudgeon I am on the exact end of the spectrum when it comes to pseudonyms, or (supposedly) cutsie-pie names, and I abhor things like hubs, or the hubber, or the warden, or the micro manager. Miriam's name is Miriam and that's what I call her. One of the very first thing that attracted me to Jeanie's wonderful blog is that she calls, Rick, Rick. Give me the real name any and every time!

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  33. Happy anniversary, Angie. A nice lookback on how you got to where you are. Enjoy the day, everyday.

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  34. Retirement is pretty cool. I'm still a novice at it but I recommend it highly.
    I love all the blogging friends I have made over the years. I mourn the ones who have passed and wonder where some of the others went.

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  35. Happy Anniversary! What a fun post and a veritable who's who in the blogging world I'm glad that I was there so early on. This year is my 10th Anniversary blogging. Something I love to continue as everyone in my part of the internet is lovely and fun, it's my happy place. I love seeing you pop up my posts, thank you so much for hosting! Wren x

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  36. Wonderful post Angie. Life can get very busy in retirement! I have made lots of wonderful friends thru blogging, am going on a retreat next month with some of them.

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