It has been one year since I retired from 45 years of critical care nursing having spent all those years at the bedside caring for patients and their families.

Life is suddenly so much different now. No longer do I get my identity from my work.
It has been a time in my life to re-evaluate what is important... what is meaningful and a time to re-invent who I am,
and I am so thankful for being able to spend so many satisfying years in nursing, doing what I loved.

So... the day when I retired with tears in my eyes, the first thing I did was go to my car and put a "retired nurse" bumpersticker on my car.
I remember one of the doctors saying to me... "Don't you know that bumperstickers will decrease the value of your car?"
What's he think I drive... a Lexus?
I drive a 2001 Honda CRV with a picnic table in the back (ready for an impromptu party!).
That was one of the reasons I bought my car... had never before seen a car with a built-in fold-up picnic table!
Woohoo! It's party time!

For 45 years, I never spoke out about my political or religious feelings simply because of my professional status.
I felt I owed it to my patients and their families.
Politics do not belong in the work place. We all have a vote... vote accordingly!

And as far as religion is concerned... I was there as a nurse to support whatever beliefs that my patient had
and I would be the first to pick up the phone to call for a priest, rabbi, or minister in a time of needed.
I never wanted my own beliefs to interfere in any way.

But now, after so many years of being mum, I felt it was my time to speak out.
Please understand that I am in no way confrontational other than my stickers.
Once again, vote your conscience and live your life as you choose but I also want my choices to simply be respected as I will respect yours.
Is that really too much to ask in life?

So now, the back of my car is plastered with stickers.
Some are funny, some are dead serious, but every one of them carries a message.
One of my favorites... "Happier than a bird with a french fry!"
And how about... "I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested!"

My life today is consumed with photography.
Because many of the nurses wanted to learn photography and buy cameras,
I was silly enough to think I might be able to help them get started and give them a passion for the pastime, and this is how the Crazy Women's Photography Club came to be.
There are 3 pre-requisites to join: You must be female, you must own a camera, and you must be a little crazy!

This is a non-competitive club.
We go on outings to learn, as everyone has different schedules, and I cannot tell you how much fun it has been!
The comraderie is incredible!
It is my wish that they be able to use photography to help decrease stress in their lives and that this hobby will take them through a lifetime.

This venture then demanded a way to share our photos, and that led me on another learning curve in doing a blog to share our best photos as we learn together.
Here is the CWPC blog site: http://cwpcblog.wordpress.com/about/

I have never laughed so much as when the crazy women get together!

I have met so many wonderful people all over the world through my love of photography
and have found that I am happiest when hanging out with photographers.
They seem to have the ability to live in the moment and to appreciate the simple things in life that many tend to overlook.

I do not have a lot of money to spend on frivolous things but I can honestly say that life is so fulfilling and I have found myself laughing until my smile muscles ache!
I thank all of my friends near and far who have made this transitional period in my life so incredibly special!