I grab the calendar hanging on the wall to jot down another appointment. Sure, I’m a little old school using a physical calendar, and even though I do use the calendar on my iPhone, I prefer using the Arizona Highway’s calendar hanging on my office wall. The physical calendar is convenient, and the beautiful photographs serve as inspiration and motivation to explore more of my home state.
February 2, 2025 … As I glance down at the calendar, I’m dumbfounded by the year 2025…. 2025? How did that happen? I can still remember “Prince” singing “1999” when that seemed like some far off date. I’m officially old! You know what? I’m okay with that, but a year or so ago, I wasn’t.
2024, a year of acceptance
Have you ever read a book so good that you didn’t want it to end? Remember how each new chapter drew you into the story line further and further, and when the last chapter was read, a moment of sadness lingered as the book was closed. Well, that’s kind of how I feel about life.
When I decided to start this blog, Al and I were starting a new chapter in life. We became empty-nesters and decided to move into our RV full-time to travel more. I thought a blog would be the perfect way to keep family and friends up to date on our adventures and serve as a personal journal of sorts.
At the time, I wasn’t tech savvy (I’m still not) and knew very little about keywords, search engine optimization, or blogging in general and just came up with a random name that I thought would work, BUT the tagline, “Our Next Chapter” came from my heart. I’ve always felt there are chapters in life, and just like any good book, some chapters are better than others.
Not just one book but rather a series of books.
Going through my thousands of photographs stored on external hard-drives or stepping back reading some of my older blog posts, I’ve come to realize, my life isn’t just one book filled with chapters, but rather, a series of books and chapters. I believe I’ve ended another book in my life and just started a new sequel. Maybe the last in my journey. Time will tell.
When we closed our business, I was sad. When we sold the RV, I was sad. It wasn’t just the end of a chapter, it was the end of a great ride, a great book. How could the next twenty years (if I’m lucky) possibly top the last twenty? Perhaps, I was looking at things from the wrong angle.
Through the eyes of a child.
My two and a half year old granddaughter spent her first weekend overnight with us recently. This was her first overnight away from mom and dad. It went exceptionally well and just thinking about it makes me smile.
My epiphany happened somewhere in the midst of singing “Baby shark, doo doo doo doo” or watching a children’s show of some sort.
I realized, I was trying to either hold onto the past or find a way to recreate the past. I was trying to find the joy and excitement from the previous years all the while not realizing how much joy I was currently experiencing.🤯 I’m loving this new chapter in life, this new book, and although the adventure will look totally different than the last, I expect it to be equally entertaining but in a whole new way.
It is time for me to move on and close one book and start a new one. It’s time for me to acknowledge the stranger in the mirror. It’s time to accept those lines and wrinkles and appreciate a life well lived; a life filled with an abundance of special memories to be cherished. It’s time to make new memories and embrace this new chapter in life.
I’ve worn many hats and titles over the years, but my most rewarding and the two I’m most proud of is that of Mother and now Grandmother (aka Mimi).
I look forward to spending a lot more time with my granddaughters and exposing them to new sights and experiences. One of Lillian’s favorite activities is going to the park to visit the ducks. Am I creating a future birder? She is fascinated with birds and no visit to the park is complete without talking to the ducks, but that’s only after spending time on the playground equipment.
The future!
So, now that I’m onto my next chapter, I’m not sure how frequently I’ll post or even how much longer I’ll continue to blog. Since we aren’t traveling like we used to and I’m not going out and about on photographic missions either, I find myself at a loss for blogging material. The photo prompts do offer some inspiration. So perhaps I’ll continue to engage with photo challenges every now and then. Time will tell. 🙂
Thanks for listening to my ramblings.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.
Live Laugh RV 
97 responses to “Acceptance & Moving On!”
This is also our story! I want to stop our TumbleLees blog as I’m paying to not have “commercials.” Not sure it’s worth it! I’ve put our 5th wheel travels into a book….just too much to now finish the rest! We do like to review and remember!!!
congratulations on your grand babies!!! They are a wonderful chapter or two!!!
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Yes, this is indeed a wonderful chapter. Like you, we didn’t travel extensively in the RV like others as family always remainded our priority. No regrets! We haven’t given up on travel, but for now, we’re relishing in life’s special gifts.
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I a,m moving forward with Jesus
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I hope you do find inspiration to continue blogging, if only from time to time. I’ve seen too many blogs go quiet and a miss some of my blogging friends, despite having never met them!
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I too have seen way too many of my blogging pals disappear which is sad. Whenever I do take a lengthy break, I start missing the engagement and find reason to jump back in. Thanks for commenting. 😊
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It seems that you were telling my story Ingrid. We traveled in our RV, downsized our home and looked forward to the grands visits. We are in our 80s now and slowing down. We will see what our next chapter brings. I hope yours brings you health and joy.
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I sure loved our RV travels. As much as we think about getting another RV (something small and nimble), I believe our RV days are sadly behind us. Coming to terms with our new reality isn’t always easy. However, we were recently informed there will be another grandbaby at the end of the summer. Thus, we are in the right place at the right time and it’s time for me to focus my thoughts on tomorrow instead of wanting to return to yesterday. I’m sure many of us in our senior years can relate 😊
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You’ve got the right attitude Ingrid. Relax, spoil and enjoy your grands!
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Thank you, Anne. 🙂
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I for one, hope you continue to blog. You are a great photographer and bring inspiration to many of us who want to get better!
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Awww, thank you Jim. Always nice hearing from long-time blogging friends. I think it’s those friendships forged via blogging that keeps me wanting to stay engaged.
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The Book of Life contains many different chapters, all with their own individual and intriguing plots. That’s what makes it such an interesting read. Enjoy this chapter without regrets or apologies, Ingrid – those grandkids won’t stay young for long. 🥰
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Thank you, Mary. Those grands are already growing fast, and I’m doing my best to enjoy each little milestone. Hmm, shall I hint that there might even be a third on the way 🤫
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Love your musings here Ingrid. I too, do not frequently write as I once did, but haven’t given up the blog as of yet. I still love to write when time permits and I feel inspired. A post coming tomorrow!
Enjoy every precious moment of being a grandparent. It is an absolute gift💕
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Hi Lynn. I think those of us that have been blogging for a while deal with either burn-out or lack of inspiration or perhaps both. Those times when I step away, I miss the social connections. I’m sure there’s a balance. And yes, being a grandparent is a gift!
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Wonderful musings on life, Ingrid. Sounds like there are a lot of us in a similar chapter of life (or book, as you said). There are times that I still miss our RV lifestyle, but I also love our new tiny home lifestyle and our part-time travels. I’m glad you’re enjoying your new book. 🙂
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It appears, those of us that connected here on the blogosphere years ago sharing our RV lifestyle have moved onto new chapters. Change is good but not always easy. I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be at this stage in life. We might be experimenting with some new form of travel this summer. 🤞
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Beautiful being a grandma, best thing that’s happened to me.
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I agree … it’s one of the best things that has happened to me as well. 😊
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We go from frenetic posting when we travel to silence of the lambs. Feel you! We travel less, but like you say just a new book.
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Haha! I can so relate. When we were traveling, I was cranking out the posts and now ? Well, that’s a different story. 🙂
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good
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A moving and inspiring post, giving me food for thought. We’re currently still able to travel, thankfully, but that won’t last for ever. We don’t have children or grandchildren, so our next chapter will look different from yours, but I hope I’ll be able to approach it with the same positive spirit!
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Thank you, Sarah. Children/grandchildren have a way of naturally swaying one’s goals and motivation. I am enjoying this new chapter in life more than I anticipated. It’s all good! 😊
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You’re speaking straight to my heart with your thoughts on acceptance and moving on. You’re an amazing Mimi.
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Thank you. I know there are many of us going through similar transitions in life.
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Embrace the new chapter Ingrid, take care.
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Thanks! I’m sure you have a few new chapters in your story as well.
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Oh yes, and we’re travelling much slower these days. Though I must say, thanks to blogging I discovered sketching and have found that art is the best medicine. Of course there is one side effect, and that’s a fetish for art supplies! Thanks for your inspiration and vibrancy, blogging is such a wonderful way to meet like minded souls. Take care, stay as healthy as you can and enjoy life.
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I love your sketches… very inspiring.
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Thanks Ingrid.
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Oh, the fun of being a grandmother!
Recognizing the stages in life is a blessing. How wonderful that we wake each day to see the beautiful sunshine. How fun for you to be a MiMi.
It was so good to see you last week!
I hope we hear from you again with a great photo challenge!
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I never expected to be swept up in being a grandmother. What a wonderful surprise in this new chapter in life. We’ll need to get together when you return from your visit with your precious little guy. Special times!
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I’ve tried twice to comment 😦
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The same thing happened to me numerous times today on a few other blogs. What is going on with WP????? 😒
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Beautiful
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Thirteen years of sharing your good life – congratulations! Enjoy the next chapters, your granddaughter is a real gem!
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Thank you and yes she is a little gem. I’ve certainly shared plenty of travel tales on this blog over those thirteen years. I really should print more of them. Ah, priorities 🙂
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A lovely post and congratulations on your blog anniversary! 🌵
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Thank you, Michele. Hope you’re enjoying our lovely weather.🌵
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Oh, my goodness! Today was splendid! Thank you. 🌄
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Well, I had a whole comment typed out, and it said it couldn’t post. Drat! The upshot was that I agree with your overall point of going with the flow and letting life’s changes astonish us as we go.
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What’s going on with WP? I tried to comment on three other blogs and it wouldn’t let me?????? Now I wish I could’ve read your orginal comment. Life is interesting. Sometimes what we think we want isn’t always what we need and things turn out exactly how they were meant to in surprising ways.
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It was very much what you just said — that there are things we think we’ll always like or want, but life changes and we change. At first, sometimes, we feel committed to continuing to like or do something because that’s the way we’ve defined ourselves. But if we relax and open up to newness and difference, we actually get a much more fulfilling life. It’s complex and beautiful!
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I’m in love with Lillian.😍😍 So adorable. I think your life is now more beautiful and fulfilling spending time with your granddaughters. It’s like your day is always exciting. It’s an exciting sequel, for sure. I love this chapter, indeed, ingrid
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Hazel. Spending time with family is always a joy and especially now with grandchildren. 😊
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You’re most welcome, Ingrid. I love family time, too. Enjoy your week! Stay lovely.
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We also sold our RV just recently and live in Arizona. We also sold our tow car, so we are also now a one car family. So many changes, but my husband had several medical issues in 2024. He is much better now, but we decided we can do car road trips and air flights to travel. We are in a new chapter also. Enjoy those cute grandchildren. Before you know it, they will be adults (which my grandkids are). They’re still a lot of fun, but now I relate to them as adults–who ever thought that would happen!
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Time does go by fast and I know my little ones will be teenagers in the blink of an eye. We too have some summer trips we’re organizing. It’ll be interesting to see how we feel about a different way of travel after RVing for so many years. Where in AZ do you live?
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Heart-warming feelings you shared, Ingrid! I loved the photos, too.
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Thank you Egidio.
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Enjoy this next chapter/book Ingrid. It’s been fun following your journey from when we were newbie RVers in 2017. No more months in a row in the RV for us after this year. We want to mix things up starting this year. We spend lots of time with our grandkids when we’re home. We love that! They are used to us being gone part of the year. It’s what we do. We are keeping the RV for summer camping trips and maybe a few more longer excursions, but we know the years are ticking away and our bucket list isn’t done. Life is one Big Adventure and we aren’t done adventuring yet. It’ll just be different than the past 8 years. But I’m excited. You probably still have a few more books to go!!
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Well, I don’t know about a few more books at this stage in life, but one never knows. Al and I go back and forth on getting a small nimble RV of some sort for short getaways. We’ve looked but nothing feels right which leads us to wonder if we are indeed done with RV travel. We have some tenative travel plans this summer which should be enlightening. 🙂
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Ingrid, I can relate to many of the things you mentioned in this post. Yes, grandchildren change hour lives in so many wonderful ways. I agree with you about not sharing their faces for privacy reasons. I am way ahead of you in years and grandchildren’s ages. We have two in college, one in high school, and one in middle school. You are lucky to live close to yours. Enjoy every precious moment. They will grow up in the blink of an eye. Enjoy this next chapter!
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You are so right about grandchildren changing our lives. I never thought I’d be ‘into’ the whole grandparent thing but I sure am. If I go two weeks without seeing those little ones, I start missing them. I’m glad we RV’d when we did because I wouldn’t want to be away months at a time. I’m trying to enjoy each of their milestones because I know they’ll be teenagers before I know it.
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Oh, how I can relate to this post…we are in the same place, trying to spend as muh time as we can with our 18 months grandson (waiting for the first sleepover). We haven’t sold the RV, but are spending less time in it and we are okay with it. We adapt to the changes in our lives but also the changes in our children’s life. Enjoy!
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Yes, we do adapt. I usually embrace change, but I struggled when we sold the RV even though I was more than ready to give up full-time RV life. We keep looking at small nimble RVs for the occasional road trip but nothing feels quite right yet. I see you’ve stepped away from blogging. I’ll step away, and then I seem to jump back in. The photo challenges keep me engaged.
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Yeah, I am taking a break but do plan to come back. I have a huge stockpile of photos and trips to share 🙂
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Enjoy your break and I look forward to reading future posts.
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A timely post, Ingrid, as, just this morning I told Mark how I feel like I’ve lived so many different lives already. So, I totally get the chapters in our books of life. Obviously there was my Belgian life and my nomadic life, but there are so many different sailing and RVing adventures in different vehicles, different periods in our lives, and different focuses, businesses, jobs, and people. Surely, life remains exciting! For you two and for us. We won’t have it any other way! Enjoy this next chapter!
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There are days I miss the traveling around and exploring, but at this age and stage in life, I’ve realized I’m enjoying a less adventurous lifestyle. I loved my years traveling in the airline industry, and then later, via an RV. Although we barely touched the surface exploring this wonderful world, I’m finally content with where I’m at in life and enjoy following others on their explorations.
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It’s good to see you again, Ingrid! Lovely photos, and time please stand still for a while.
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I hear ya on the time, John. It does seem to be going quicker each day. I’m hoping to maintain my strength and health into my eighties so I can go on a road trip with one of my grandchildren.
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I hope you will
achieve your goal, Ingrid! That’s wonderful. ☺️☺️❤️❤️
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Thank you! 🙂
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You are welcome! 🤗
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I’m nearly sixty and I have had a hard time accepting that age has caught up with me. My age and I have settled it, though, by and by.
I’m not as agile and strong as I used to be and I am depending on reading glasses more than everything before.
I have been enjoying being called Mzee and some folks bowing for me as a senior because of my grey hair but I hadn’t realized that it has come at a price of loosing some or most of the youthful features that I possessed in the years gone by.
Like you, I too have been with WordPress for about fourteen years now. Before I joined WordPress, I was with MSN blogs which advised to migrate to WordPress. Something I but without my photos.
My kids wonder why I blog and if anybody reads what I write. My simple answer is, I write for them and anyone out there who loves life, and perhaps somebody might come along the way searching for my footprints.
Thank you for sharing and continue to age gracefully.
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Happy soon to be sixty. I surpassed that number a few years ago and only now am I getting used to the gray hair. I still don’t like it but I except it. One of the great things about blogging is connecting with people from around the world. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your thoughtful comment.
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Great post Ingrid! The reason you want to keep blogging is so your family will have a journal/record of your life and adventures 40 years from now. They will be able read and see what an interesting life you both have led, regardless of the kinds of adventures they might have been. Remember “don’t let the old women (or old man) in” 🙂
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Thanks. I appreciate your comment, “don’t let the old woman in”… great advice. I’ll remember that. I hope my grandkids will be interested in reading about the adventures of “Mimi & Papa”. Fingers crossed 🤞🙂🌵
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congratulations on the new “book”. So many of us in our 60s+ seem to be starting new books. Challenging and exciting at the same time. Good for you!
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Your photography is gorgeous. Congrats on 13 years of blogging and being a grandmother!
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Thank you! I hesitate to stop blogging all together due to the lovely friendships made via this plateform. If you’re ever interested in joining our blogging meetups here in the valley, let me know. We just had a meet up at The Grotto in Cave Creek. There were nine of us.
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I love The Grotto and would love to meet fellow bloggers. We’re by Pima and Stagecoach, so Cave Creek and Carefree are close.
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I thought you were in that neck of the woods. I’ll keep you posted next time we plan a get together. 🙂
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Thanks! I appreciate it.
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Enjoy the next chapter!! Most every rv couple we met through blogging is onto another chapter, as you know our chapter will be changing in September. So thankful for all the adventures we’ve had with y’all and hope there are a few more in our future.
Faye
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Blogging enhanced our RVing days and led to some amazing friendships 😉 I cherish those connections and look forward to future encounters. Wishing you much joy in your next chapter. I’m sure another phone date is in our future 🙂
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I so enjoy hearing from you! Blogging can be as simple as the birds out your window. Enjoy this next chapter in life and the blessings that come with it!
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We just had four coyotes walk through our yard this morning but I couldn’t reach for the camera quick enough. There are always plenty of things to photograph, I just need to be more mindful. – a goal for 2025 🙂
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I’ve been wondering where you have been wandering. When we met for breakfast in ‘23 we talked about this…I am stubborn about what’s next for Making the Days Count. I am still working but looking ahead to retiring from teaching and that is what got me started blogging in the first place. It’s the connections that has kept me going. I’m gonna miss your photos and your stories and your adventures. But being a grandma is the best job in the world. Keep being curious and full of wonder. All the best and peace
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Thank you Clay. It’s the friendships forged through this blog that spurs me on to stay somewhat connected in the blogoshpere. It’s so much fun connecting with folks from around the country and world.
Being a grandparent is indeed the best job. Just wait until your little guys hit 2 … so much fun. 🙂
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Awesome blog post!!!!!!! Inspirational!!! I needed that!!!
Peace and Love. Enjoy your little ones!!
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Thank you. Seeing life through the eyes of a toddler makes life feel a lot simpler.
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Excellent post. Wonderful photos. Cute video. Officially or not, we’re still crazy. The Economist calls us old folks the new problem generation. Gen Zers are quite tame and boring compared to what we were all their age.
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Oh, how funny that you would say that about Gen Zs. Al and I were just having a similar conversation about this same subject this morning. We are indeed crazy and I wouldn’t want it any other way.🤪
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I just posted a music video called “Still Crazy @ 66!”
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Delightful and thoughtful. Acknowledging and appreciating the stages of our lives is so important and you’ve captured it so beautifully. I haven’t blogged for a few years, keep thinking that I might get back to it, but I enjoy the blogs of those I’ve admired for years – like yours.
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I totally understand stepping away from blogging. I find myself sharing less and less since we ended our RVing adventure. Like you, I do continue to follow others. Thanks for stopping by.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ve been thinking the same sort of things lately – what are the possibilities for my next chapter in life now that I am this age!? My children are almost retirement age and my grandchildren are all grown. We have seen all the places we wanted to see, done many of the things we set out to do!
It has been a month since I started my blogging break and I am still trying to find a new focus… but like you, I need to remind myself of how much there is to be happy about!
Speaking about birds, a Great Horned Owl woke me this morning. It sits on our chimney and the hoots are amplified. It sounds like it is in my living room. The Harris Hawk family often sits on my fence. The quail family is amusing… so I understand your granddaughters interest in ducks!
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It’s nice to hear I’m not the only one feeling a tad lost at this stage in life. We just had four coyotes go through our backyard one of which went right by the patio door and the quail and bunnies were in abundance a mere thirty minutes earlier. Nature in a big city… Love it! Are you visiting AZ this winter?
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Yes, we got back about a week ago. The season of visitors starts shortly – family escaping winter!
I was fine with coyotes until a few months ago when a coyote attacked my grand-dog and I while walking on the rural road where we live in Alberta. Fortunately dog is a big dog… now I view coyotes with some skepticism…
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It seems the coyotes are getting bolder and I remain suspect. We have small dogs around here attacked all the time.
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It seems the coyotes are getting bolder and I remain suspect. We have small dogs around here attacked all the time.😢
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You go, girl! 😉😘🥰😍
From one grandma to another
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Thanks Janet. I love that my little girls live barely thirty minutes away, and I get to seem them regularly.
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I’m glad we’re this close to Southern California and that I don’t mind driving. 😁
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