Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

Sometimes I feel so lucky it scares me. My husband reacts the same way – waiting for the other shoe to drop. I have a more optimistic outlook, but really have to stop and say, “WOW!” every once in awhile.

We worked all of our adult lives. Many times this resulted in having to live in two different places, meeting when we could. A lot of time was spent on the phone, trying to hold each other close.  The years passed and finally we were both working from home. I was doing medical transcription and my husband was a computer analyst, working for different companies through a man we knew in Vermont. We thought that was the best that could ever be.  My husband received less work, due to changes in the economy. He finally decided he would retire. I continued to work for a couple more years. Changes were made in the surgery department for which I worked, and I decided to retire, as well.

Since then, our lives continue to change for the better. We’re so busy now we honestly can’t figure out how we ever had time to work! Of course we have our have-to’s, and stuff we would rather not be saddled with, but – for the most part – we design our days around our errands.

Who knew that one of our favorite things would be to create metal yard critters and learn to make metal decorations for our mailbox together? Instead of having ‘heated discussions” about bills, problems, etc., WE have heated discussions when I don’t want to create something I consider in bad taste, or we can’t agree what colors to paint our newest creation. Right now, for example, we’re trying to come to a decision about how to paint our 1000 gallon propane tank…

I’ve spent almost 15 years now running Creative Artworks!  When I started it, I displayed only my own art work. My son and I figured out that I could add the work of other artists at no higher cost to me, other than the time and labor of adding their work and handling the business details. This was life-changing for me. I’ve never enjoyed anything more. I’ve met some really talented people, some who have become real friends, through doing something I love.

About 7 years ago I started a blog. I loved the idea of being able to show people what we offered on Creative Artworks. I also found funny or touching pictures I wanted to share. Artwork outside my website made my mouth water. The world is full of such amazing people. I’m proud to be on the same planet. I changed from Blogspot to WordPress about 6 years ago and have expanded what I’m doing with it. Instead of trying to come up with things to say or show you, I have to remember that I might be aggravating people by writing too much! I hope that people read my stuff when they have the time and the inclination, feeling free to delete it if they’re not in the mood, too busy, etc.

I had a setback lately when I reached the limit on the free part of WordPress. Due to a lack of communication, I discovered that by deleting images as they required, I had killed the links in my posts! The images weren’t retrievable. I’m now paying for unlimited space after having to delete 6 years worth of ‘stuff,’ – starting over.  When I considered just closing the blog down, it was really clear how much I love doing this. I discovered that it is a quality of life thing for me.

I also have a chance to try to grow some of our own food. I absolutely love having built a square foot garden with my husband. For several years now, I’ve been learning more about what NOT to do again, but I’m having a blast. Now we’re converting from the square foot garden to a RAISED BED square foot garden, and I’ll be trying it out for the first time this fall, depending on what plants I can find.

I have an art room that – even though it usually looks as if a bomb has exploded in there – is a haven. I can shut the door and immerse myself in wonderful art supplies and pictures that get my juices going. Right now I’m trying to make the time and energy to try to create some designs with buttons on tee shirts, and cut out a design on a gourd…

I’m one of the luckiest people on the planet. Although we’re fine, my husband would like for me to win the Powerball lottery or the Publishers Clearinghouse drawing. He has many plans to which he adds without limit if suddenly we had all the money in the world…

My health is better than it’s been in a long time. I have my husband, my son, two dogs, two cats, and a whole lot of happiness on my “permanent vacation.”