I Guess This Makes Me A Retiree?
January 23, 2010
Tonight I finished my very last web design. Part of me is overjoyed and excited to be moving forward with my plans to go to nursing school, obviously.
The other part of me is kind of sad. Years ago, I started blogging as a way to share stories about my kids, and eventually my family history, to find like-minded moms and have fun. All of that happened and more. I not only found an enormous tribe of mothers who thought outside the lunchbox, I learned more about myself in the last 5 years than I ever could have predicted. I found friends in the unlikeliest of people, from a Sunday School teacher who calmed me down on a muggy day in Chicago, to a pink puffy heart of a dear friend right here in my backyard. I have walked this path with so many amazing people, there is no way in the world I could list them all.
Along the way, I taught myself everything I know about graphic design and blog development. I created websites, both big and small, and made a lot of people happy with my interpretations of what they wanted for their space on the internet.
It’s kind of cool to look back on this mini-career I built while my babies grew.
Amazing, really.
Here are a select few of the sites I designed. Some I can’t show you for various reasons (too local, too nsfw etc.) Once I designed a blog for a call girl in the UK (oh look it’s still there. Eep!) Okay well that one is nsfw-ish!
Here are some others:
Thank you. From my very first client to my last, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Some of you are more than clients, you’re friends for life.
(don’t forget to change your passwords, kids. If you need any assistance and you have yet to receive a Choose Your Own Adventure Designer email from me yet, or have yet to be assigned a new designer, email me at karenrani@gmail.com.)
Viva La Nursing School!
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:20 am
Yes, viva Nurse Karen…the sexiest nurse in all of Canada, eh!
.-= Hilly´s last blog ..The Day That The Lights Went Out In Florida… =-.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 10:27 am
Great sites! Super Web skils….
Enjoy “retirement”
.-= DOC´s last blog ..Motivational Poster of the Week 1/23/10 =-.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 10:30 am
Damn, I didn’t know you did that kinda stuff. Crap…I’d have asked for your help with mine. It’s needs…..ideas.
.-= Hockeymandad´s last blog ..Blogging Necessities =-.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 11:37 am
That’s a pretty impressive portfolio, kid. You should feel very proud. And have I ever told you how much I LOVE nurses? I think they’re amazing and you should know that I’m totally cheering you on as you begin this new phase in life.
.-= kdiddy´s last blog ..underground railroad =-.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
I am sad to see you go. I know you’re still here, and always will be, but yanno?
I think you’re doing great things Karen. I love you.
.-= sam {temptingmama}´s last blog ..Run Down =-.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Congrats on your retirement and all the best in your new adventure!
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January 23rd, 2010 at 5:31 pm
You are certainly very talented in your website design field.
Best wishes for your new career.
Just out of curiosity what made you choose nursing? As a retired careers adviser I can’t resist asking!
.-= winifred´s last blog ..Great Expectations! =-.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Congratulations, Karen. That is awesome that you’re going to nursing school.
.-= SciFi Dad´s last blog ..The Movie Confessional =-.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 11:08 pm
While I’m all for the nursing school, and totally understand why you’re hanging up the design stuff… just remember that there are nurses that blog too… so I wouldn’t go hanging up the notepad just yet!
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January 24th, 2010 at 2:39 am
Gorgeous portfolio! I hope mine someday looks half as good as yours!
.-= Elizabeth Kaylene´s last blog ..How to get it all done in one day =-.
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January 24th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
You’re like Seinfeld… going out while you’re still on top, huh? You’re amazingly talented, and I’m sure that will be true of whatever you do. But, you can blog about becoming/being a nurse, RIGHT?
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January 24th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Congrats, yo! Nursing school is awesome. And you know where I am if you need a shoulder to cry on or someone who has been there. I’m always around.
And you best be blogging, yo.
.-= Aunt Becky´s last blog ..Go Ask Aunt Becky =-.
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January 26th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Me too!!!!
But you’ll love it. <3
.-= Nanna´s last blog ..Enough is Freaking Enough =-.
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January 27th, 2010 at 3:52 am
yeah for nursing school!!!
i’m surprised but then again i am not. there is something about what you reveal here that makes me think, yes, this lady will be an awesome nurse…way more awesome than i am or ever was in my nursing career.
may i tell everyone that i inspired you?
thanks!
good luck and yes, i’ll help you dream up amazing creative nursing diagnoses and care plans.
.-= laura´s last blog ..I just can’t wait… =-.
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Floriant Reply:
July 11th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
@laura,
I’m agree with you..
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January 27th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Love your work. Always have. I was honored when you did up a banner for ZB back in the day. You rock at this, and you’ll rock at nursing to boot. Game on, lady!!
.-= The Zero Boss´s last blog ..Human-Heated Beds? Eh, I’ve Seen Worse. =-.
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January 29th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Yeah, nowadays people are going through retirement more than once I think! Good luck embarking on your new career.
.-= Chris´s last blog ..Bridgestone Motorcycle Tires =-.
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