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Monday, June 10, 2013

House of Flowers


Friday was my last day of school!

We partied through the night Saturday to celebrate our new life.

Several friends were snapping photos all night, but I don't have any yet.

I do have photos of the beautiful flowers everyone brought


My dining room windows are decked out in vibrant hued orchids.


Flowers add color in corners throughout the house.


A colorful anthurium (I hope I got the name right) fits perfectly on my green chair.


The party invitation should explain why the stake with "on your graduation".


More orchids decorate the living room adding height to simple displays.


A beautiful hydrangea sits on the porch cut out, but the wind has blown it off several times - it will join my other hydrangeas in the garden later today.


Flowers adorn my house, new flip flops are on my feet, a gorgeous scarf is around my neck, gift certificates for mani/pedis and gift cards are burning a hole in my purse.

Now, what should I do?

 go for a long walk on the beach
sit in the garden and read
 clean out the garage
work on my 30 Days of Pinterest list

Unbelievably, I actually have time to do it all.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Join me over at

The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

 Little Red House - Mosaic Monday

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40 comments:

  1. Jemma@athomewithjemmaJune 10, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    Congrats on retirement! You are about to embark on an entire new way of living, breathing, relaxing and laughing! Enjoy-a toast to you!
    jemma

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  2. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleJune 10, 2013 at 12:47 PM

    CONGRATS!!!!!!!!! Now you have plenty of time for it all or at least you think you do.

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  3. bobbieJune 10, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    Happy Graduation!! Why not take some time to just enjoy having time? :)

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  4. Castles Crowns and CottagesJune 10, 2013 at 1:07 PM

    I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU CAROL! Middle school...God bless you...I was a fourth grade French immersion teacher full-time for nine years, and spent this past year subbing all grades. I have to however, return back to full-time teaching, but after a year of "leisurely" working when I wanted, it will be hard to go back. NOW, to get a job! I have put in so many applications and I haven't heard a thing from any of the schools except one.

    Wishing you the most wonderful walks on the beach and your home, OH DEAR, your cottage is just glorious! HUGS, Anita

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  5. Manuela@A Cultivated NestJune 10, 2013 at 1:07 PM

    Congratulations! It must feel so freeing to be able to decided how to spend your days!

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  6. Jeanette@Creating a Life StudioJune 10, 2013 at 1:33 PM

    Congratulations, Carol! What an exciting new chapter for you. So many beautiful flowers to enjoy!

    Jeanette

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  7. TriciaJune 10, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    I'll bet you feel just like a kid on the first day of summer -- only more so! Enjoy this new-found freedom!

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  8. MaggieJune 10, 2013 at 2:29 PM

    Woohooo, Carol! Happy retirement to you. Enjoy your free time...anxious to see your 30 days of Pinterest progress. That's a great goal. I know I'm waaaaay better at pinning than DOING!

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  9. PaulaJune 10, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    Carol, I am so happy for you! I hope you are enjoying your first official day of retirement! I love all the flowers, especially the orchids. I got my first orchid plant for my birthday last October, and I despaired of keeping it alive, but it survived and is blooming again. I must repot it as it is pretty root bound.

    I am like Maggie - I am much better at pinning than doing. However, I did buy some vegetable starts for our plot in the community garden, and I am going to paint some molding to put in the bathroom (finally! We remodeled our bathroom about 4 years ago and this is the final piece...see what I mean about procrastination?). Charles would much rather be painting in the studio than working on the house, and I would rather be reading a good book than doing anything! But the sunshine won't wait and I must paint before it starts to rain.

    Have a wonderful evening!

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  10. JunkchiccottageJune 10, 2013 at 2:52 PM

    Carol,
    Congrats my friend. You are so deserving of some freedom!!!! I bet the party was so much fun. It looks like you got a lot of beautiful flowers. I hear with Orchids you just put an ice cube in them once a week to water!! Is that true? They are beautiful. They probably do really well in your California Dreaming weather. Enjoy your freedom.
    Kris

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  11. Sunflowers With SmilesJune 10, 2013 at 2:59 PM

    Enjoy your retirement. Your flowers are so beautiful too! Now you have no set structure and can make up your own schedule, sounds wonderful!

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  12. beachcomberJune 10, 2013 at 3:05 PM

    congratulations on your retirement.. enjoy!!
    x

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  13. chateau chicJune 10, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    Congratulations on your retirement!! Knowing you, you'll never wonder what to do with your time. So wonderful to be celebrated by so many of your friends.
    Mary Alice

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  14. Acorn to OakJune 10, 2013 at 3:30 PM

    Congratulations on your retirement! :-D

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  15. MerlesworldJune 10, 2013 at 4:15 PM

    Retirement pretty good just keep busy it is what you make it.
    Merle....

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  16. Leslie HarrisJune 10, 2013 at 5:15 PM

    i'm so happy for you Carol--congratulations on your retirement. Somehow I still think you're going stay nice and busy because of all your creative energies.
    I can't wait to see some of the photos and wonderful memories you've got now. Just think. NO more school. Wow, can you believe it?
    hugs,
    Leslie

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  17. Something Nice and PrettyJune 10, 2013 at 5:15 PM

    Congrats to you! You will love it and all the time that goes with it to do what YOU want to do:)

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  18. DawnJune 10, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    Congrats, you must be loved to receive so many beautiful flowers:)

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  19. Daniela @Frugal Aint CheapJune 10, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    congrats on your graduation...better later than never. Glad you got to retired. Relax and enjoy your new life

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  20. farmhouse-storyJune 10, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    congrats to you, carol! such gorgeous flowers!

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  21. ~Lavender Dreamer~June 10, 2013 at 5:56 PM

    I am so happy for you my friend! I know you'll love the freedom to decide what to do first! I stay busy all the time and I know you will, too! It's GREAT! Happy retirement my friend! Wish I was there to take a walk on the beach with you! Hugs!

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  22. StaceyJune 10, 2013 at 6:10 PM

    Congratulations!!

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  23. DebbyJune 10, 2013 at 6:44 PM

    Congratulations. Now enjoy yourself. Sleep in and make your own schedule. I am excited for you.

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  24. ANNEJune 10, 2013 at 7:08 PM

    Congratulations!! Sending big hugs your way - enjoy every moment!

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  25. Lindley @ The Grinning LabradorJune 10, 2013 at 7:17 PM

    Congrats! How exciting!! Enjoy every moment of it!

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  26. LisaSJune 10, 2013 at 7:32 PM

    Congratulations on a new life!

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  27. MelanieJune 10, 2013 at 7:39 PM

    Congratulations on your retirement! I'm sure you will love being able to sleep a little later and having time to work on all your projects!

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  28. Linda @ A La CarteJune 10, 2013 at 7:46 PM

    So happy fr you! I love all those gorgeous flowers and yes you have time to do it all!

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  29. Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow June 10, 2013 at 7:55 PM

    Congratulations! It sounds like it was so much fun! I love the framed, beach scene painting.

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  30. My Garden DiariesJune 10, 2013 at 8:46 PM

    I'm tearing up over here! So very happy for you! I am sure you are experiencing a flood of emotions......congrats to you!!! Your flowers are so beautiful and now it is YOUR time!! Rock it out friend!!!

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  31. R's RueJune 11, 2013 at 3:04 AM

    Congrats and enjoy!
    Beautiful flowers by the way!
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  32. AnneJune 11, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    Congratulations on your retirement! I bet you will have lots of fun projects to keep you busy!
    xx
    Anne

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  33. My Little Home and GardenJune 11, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    Enjoy your next chapter!

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  34. Vickie @ Ranger 911June 11, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    I wish you all the best in your retirement, Carol!

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  35. fiona andersonJune 11, 2013 at 2:06 PM

    Looking forward to seeing party pics - the orchids are absolutely gorgeous.
    Enjoy every moment Carol x

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  36. DianeJune 11, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    So nice that your can finally retire, Congratulations. I love all your colorful flowers, such pretty pics!

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  37. Sherry at The Rusty PearlJune 11, 2013 at 7:52 PM

    Now the fun begins sister.. HUGS and God bless you on your retired journey. I feel like I will be working another 40 years... Hugs

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  38. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseJune 12, 2013 at 4:38 AM

    It was about time you graduated middle school! I'm sure the next chapter will be even better.

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  39. Flowers for LoveJune 24, 2013 at 5:26 AM

    Amazing Arrangement of Flowers.. Loved it.. :)

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  40. CarlaAugust 6, 2013 at 2:41 PM

    I'm jealous. I never thought I'd say that to someone you retired but I'm looking forward to that day. 5 years from now. ugghh. Congratulations and enjoy yourself. Can't wait to see what fun things you'll be blogging about.

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