Tomorrow is January 4, and that would normally be the signal to get back to work. This year will be quite different. I have officially retired, and now I will only work on special projects.

I am looking forward to getting back to crafting and pleasure reading in addition to restoring order to a house that has been neglected for several years. I have already started some of the clean up/clear out, but there is so much more to do.

My niece entered some thoughts on birthdays in her blog recently, and I look at this new phase in my life in much the same light. Retirement isn't really about leaving things behind, but more about looking forward to new opportunities. I am blessed to be able to retire and still plan to do some traveling without fear of poverty knocking at my door. No, I'm not wealthy, but I think I can live securely and comfortably, and that is truly a blessing when so many have lost jobs and homes over the past couple of years.

Here's to 2010-- a year that will hopefully bring greater peace, hope, and prosperity.