Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Footloose and Fancy Free


Hello friends!
This week is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.
Mr. Flea decided to take advantage of an early retirement incentive.

Yes, that's right...
I left my career in March and now Mr. Flea and I are both
footloose and fancy free.
...so to speak.


What to do now?


Well, Mr. Flea has lots of ideas.
Some of them even sound fun!

High on his list is to get our home organized.
That means cleaning out a lifetime accumulation 
 of  junk er...treasure.



And that's OK with me.

It's time.



This little sleepy time Christmas mouse is a Pat Castka original.
We woke him up while we were sorting
 through our Christmas boxes.
 He helped us move some of our many stacks of books!


Another Pat Castka creation and a favorite of mine
 is this sweet little sewing angel
who is sitting comfortably
 on top of a collection of red children's books.

And so in the midst of this most beautiful Christmas season,
we are beginning the next chapter of our lives.

Any advice?
:)

Update on Mom...
She is happy to be resting in her own home today.
 We thank you for all your kind words and for keeping us
 in your thoughts and prayers!

43 comments:

ShabbyESP said...

I love the little sewing angel and the cute mouse,
they are ever so cute!!!

Happy Holidays!
Suzann

Mindy said...

Prayers continue.

In the meantime, congrats to you both! I have no advice. I imagine you'll do just fine! ~Mindy

Angela said...

I'm continuing to pray for you and your mom.
I think you and Mr. Flea will find plenty to keep you busy and well satisfied! My sweetie is a little less than 2 years away from retirement...we are looking forward to it!!

north pal said...

good for God. i am happy to hear the best gift of all this season, that your mom is relaxed and resting. praise Him! :) Bestest,Denise

Grannys Attic said...

Glad your mom is doing better. I love that little mouse. Advise honey you want need any! You will be so busy you just wait and see! I retired two years ago this Christmas and I don't know how I worked and did all the things I do now. Believe me there want be enough hours in a day (someday's)to get everything done. I have been so amazed but love every minute of it. Congrats!!!

Beach House Living said...

Sounds like you will both be busy and have a great time enjoying the holidays.

Glad to hear your mother is on the mend.

Laurie said...

Embrace the change and have the time of your lives!!!

Anji Johnston said...

No advise what-so-ever-! So just enjoy every minute. This is what we all strive for - can't wait for my turn!
Love to your mum. So glad she is home.

Annemary said...

bonne et longue retraite à vous deux les Flea 52!!!love love and kiss
je commence aussi vie différente ....je rentre à l'hôpital aujourd'hui pour by-pass gastrique !!!!ma Vie va changer youpie à bientôt

Yvonne - Frl. Klein said...

Dear Laura, what wonderful things you have! your mouse is so lovely and beautiful!
Have a wonderful day,
Big Hugs,
Yvonne

Rose Garden Malevik said...

LOVELY Mouse :)
and I wish you a

H
A
P
P
Y

H
O
L
I
D
A
Y

Hugs from Håkan ( The Roseman)

Rose Garden Malevik said...

Maybe not Holiday is the right word :)
But I hope you will enjoy yore free time together :)
be Careful to each other,,,
Håkan

kristine said...

Nice for your mun.
And for your new chapiter's life, i'm sure you will find with no problem :-) Why not a turn in europe ?
Have a nice day.

G-STYLE said...

What a wonderful christmas items from that artist Pat Castka , I looked on his side already , beautiful things he made .

I'm glad your mother is good now , hopefully she feels better every day !

wish you a nice week , warm greetings from Gea

Unknown said...

What a beautiful little mouse,great job to make such a litle one.

greeting karin

Tallulah's Antique Closet said...

I must agree with the rest that mouse is too CUTE! ......TALLULAH'S

KKvinneblogger said...

What cute mouse and angel :)

The French Bear said...

Awww. you will have adventures together...my hubby retired early, so far I am still working but he is enjoying himself...and I have a hot meal every night!!! Love your Pat pieces, charming!!!! So happy for you.....spend time together!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

trash talk said...

My advice? Enjoy the being.
Debbie

decorator to the stars said...

LAURA, YES, IT'S A LITTLE SCARY AT FIRST DECIDING TO RETIRE. MY HUBBY WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING IN AUGUST. INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR HIS 3 MONTHS TO KICK IN HE JUST CALLED & SAID HE RETIRED :)IT WAS A LITTLE WEIRD TO HAVE HIM HOME DURING THE DAY UNDERFOOT, BUT IT'S WORKING OUT GREAT, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE CAN PICK UP & GO ANYTIME & NOT WORRY ABOUT A WORK SCHEDULE. ALTHOUGH THE DAYS ARE CONFUSING, TO REMEMBER WHAT DAY IT IS. IT ALL SEEMS LIKE THE WEEKEND TO ME BECAUSE HE'S AROUND. WE'RE ALSO SORTING & DECLUTTERING. HAVE FUN IN YOUR "NEW ADVENTURE" AS I CALL IT & STOP BY & SAY HI! GIO

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear Laura,
Such happy news about your mum. It's lovely to hear that she is in her own home....there's no place like it, is there ?
So, Mr Flea is retiring.....I'm a bit worried about the cleariing out of trasures......will you be OK or do you think medication will be required !!!! haha
I'm afraid that I don't have any advice to offer but, I don't think that any is needed.
You will both fill your days easily and have many happy times together.
....oh, and I adore your little mouse and sewing angel. Perfect in every detail. XXXX

Theresa said...

Well, my friend... I retired EIGHT years ago and My Honey retired in April:) All is well with us, we are still happily married! I suggest you keep your own routine and let him keep his! One of the complaints I hear from OTHERS is that their retired spouse is always up under them and that doesn't work for me! I just continued my retirement routine after he retired and it worked for us! Have a blessed day and enjoy this new chapter in your lives!

savvycityfarmer said...

after you clean out the garage and the attic ... hit the road woman!
come see us in chicago!

I'll take you to all of my secret shopping venues!

congratulations all around!!!!!

Jill said...

No advice but Congratulations to both of you! May you have years of retirement bliss!

Anonymous said...

Lauren, congratulations and best wishes in this new phase of your lives together. It's a wonderful time! Been there...still doing that! Thanks to the Good Lord. Just enjoy each other and have fun!
Hope your mom is doing better.
Hugs, Diane

Pilgrim at Kerjacob said...

hello to you again.
I LOVE the mouse.
Great about the retirement.
Your husband will very soon realise , how did he have the time to got to work !!
Remember to keep doing your own things and keep your own friends and to give each other " own space".
It takes readjustment to be together all the time.
Have just been in hospital for a camera down my oesophagus and tummy -seems there's nothing horrid which is wonderful.
Hope things continue gently and comfortably with you Mum.
Love to you.
Diane at Pilgrim and Pie.

WhiteWhispers2u said...

How exciting ! Best of Luck to you both, may you enjoy your free time.~Cheers Kim

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

How exciting is right!

Enjoy the holidays then take some time...the direction of the next chapter will come to you!

Jamie said...

Congratulations - what exciting news. New adventures ahead

La Petite Gallery said...

This is going to be the best of times for you.
The post is darling. Glad all's well on the homefront.Guess you will be blogging about
all the fun things you are doing. Happy Holidays
yvonne

Les Cotrions said...

Hello Laura! I'm happy you'll be able to spend so much time with Rob now!!!! You can do lots of things together and I'm sure you both enjoy this new chapter of your lives! I'm glad your mum is getting better...because of my absence I didn't know she didn't feel well...sorry!!!!
Very nice post as always! The oven paper is the one you use to bake and it's probably the same you say! Be sure...it's very easy!!!!
Big hugs
Vale

Suz said...

Laura,
I am so glad to hear that your mom is resting comfortable in her own home. I hate to miss keeping up on your news. I am so gad your husband took early retirement. My advice would be...travel. We have so enjoyed our trips together. My other advice would be...be sure and have your own lives, too. I am sure you have had much practice in that one!
Love,
Suz

Beatnheart said...

joyful days ahead...

Cath said...

What to do....
E
N
J
O
Y
the extra time to do what the two of you love!!

(P.S. where might I find the red/white twine on the spool? I was in 2 craft stores yesterday but no luck.)

Andy's Attic said...

I am so glad your mom is home. There is such comfort in being in your own space.
Love the little mouse!!
Advice? Hug and kiss and love and take care of each other. And have your separate things to do so you still have new things to share. Retirement is an opportunity.
Annette

LizlovesVintage said...

You guys are so lucky! I envy you! Now, take the time to have some fun. You deserve it:)
Hugs, Liz
Ps. I will send you my sewing! Hey, what are friends for!

Chemin des Muguets said...

Greetings Laura,

That is one adorable mousie, and I love the red books-So Cheery!

Congrats to Mr. Flea.

Sending love and prayers from afar,
Marjorie

Carole said...

Togetherness can be a beautiful thing but tell him to take it easy on you. lol
Happy to hear your mom in her own home where your dad can be with her all the time.
You are always in my thoughts though I have been absent of late.
Looking forward to your visit.
xx
C

Prior said...

Oh, good for y'all! Have a great next chapter! Enjoy and Merry Christmas! Lezlee

Carol R said...

I retired at the end of 2007 and now I don't know how I ever found time to work. Hubby retired in 2009 and at first got underfoot but I'm getting used to him being around all day now!

Good news on your mom.

I love love Mr Mouse - the link to Pat Castka didn't work. Where can I get a mouse like yours?

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Awesome news, Laura. Just love these photos with Mr. Mouse - precious! p.s. I'm curious to know what kind of ideas Mr. Fancy-Free Flea's has...?

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

How fun, Laura! I hope there'll be lots of new adventures and freedom ahead! I'm so glad your mother is able to be home recuperating! XO
Oh~ the little mouse is SO adorable...

Anonymous said...

I'm a FAN of American Pickers too!!!!
Good to know there are others just as interested in it as I am.