Hey Maren

What are you making these days?
(I admit I'm having way too much fun (spending way too much time) at
lampwork etc.)

I've mostly been making a mess Seriously, bouncing around from
project to project and not completing much of anything serious. Last
weekend, I found a stash of earrings I'd made and totally forgot about
so I cleaned them up with the idea of getting pictures and putting them
on my etsy site. Then the workweek started again and the earrings are
back in a box. I'm generally too wiped out after work to do much of
anything.

And I wish I was as close to retirement as you. - And then I don't.
I'd love
the extra time, but I also enjoy my work, and for the time being we
can
make good use of the paychecks.

I wish I enjoyed my job but the work-load is just way too much for one
person. More often than not, it's frustrating and demanding and
exhausting. Since I'm taking early retirement, I'll have to find a job
after retirement (which will probably be difficult in the current job
market), but it has to be something a lot less demanding.

I'm hoping to work at least part time
where I work now for another 20 or so years. Yes, that's past full
social
security age, but most of the time I love that job.

You're a lucky woman, really

And I hope to cut
some
hours way before then and make more beads, jewelry, grow plants, etc.-

I definitely want to make more beads and jewelry, but I'd like to take
some classes, too, like in precious metal clay (that stuff is too
expensive to experiment with g), and art/design.

It's good to see you here, and I'd love to share another "death by
chocolate".

Say the word and I'm up for it I'd even go off the "healthy eating"
for a day Last summer, my doc told me I was borderline diabetic
(it's in my family) and needed to lose 15 pounds. Since then, I've lost
40 pounds, walk a couple of miles a day, and dropped my blood sugar
about 30 points. But "death by chocolate"...that's special

Hugs,
Carla