Saturday, January 13, 2018

Confessions and Catching Up

I didn't plan on staying away so long, but sometimes you just get caught up in other things.

After the long hot summer, I said I wouldn't complain about winter this year. Last year's winter was pretty much nonexistent. One cold snap last January that killed all my geraniums, and then I was walking on the beach all of last February.

This year it is VERY cold. I have a newfound appreciation of my northern neighbors who are hearty souls. With all that said, my idea this winter was to hunker down and take care of some household chores and reading. Just use the winter to nourish my soul.

I have been doing just that these first two weeks of January.

I have cleaned out closets. Still have a few to go.

I have taken care of my piles. I am a pile maker. I tend to clean up a room and make a pile of things that I am not sure what to do with ---well, get rid of the pile is what I should do, but I keep thinking of ways to I might need that or reuse it or just plain procrastination. It is a horrid problem. My piles are not necessarily eye sores. I am actually a clean and tidy person, but they are a BURDEN on the brain. This past week I decided to get rid of every pile, not just stick in a closet either. While I am confessing all my problems, I have another secret. My closets are probably one of the cleanest things in my house. I can organize and label things in the cutest tubs ever. I just can't get rid of stuff. Quite the sentimental girl.

Anyway, I got off track a bit. I have been a pile cleaning machine.

End result. There is not a pile in the house ANYWHERE y'all. It has been wonderful. I took a massive load to Goodwill midweek. It was quite freeing actually.
So much so, that I may have become a redeemed pile maker. At least I hope so.



I have made a list of things that need to be done like touch up painting and new curtains in the laundry area. I hope to start ticking those off slowly during these weeks of inside lock down.

I have also been reading, sewing, and stitching just a little. I will share more later.


On anther note for catching up, we have decided to sell our farm. I have known since before Thanksgiving, but wanted to make sure we were solid on the decision. It has come after prayer and realizing it is just too much to keep up at this time in our lives. I actually was ok with it first, but wanted to make sure my husband wasn't going to be too sad.

I guess nothing stays the same and life is pretty fluid. The work required to keep it mowed alone was enough. Those amazing pecan trees drop an enormous amount of limbs. I could go on and on, but basically Jeff worked all weekend this summer and well into September and October. I tried to help, but all I could contribute really was lots of mowing. I didn't hate it, but I wondered all along if it was what we needed for NOW.

I am not sure how long it will take to sell. I don't think a lot of people are looking for 90 acres everyday, but the decision has been made and that feels better and right.

I have plans for my furniture in the gathering room. I will save that for another post as this one is turning into an encyclopedia volume.



Gus is 7 months old. He is just the sweetest thing. He fits into the family quite well.



One thing I love about January besides the feeling of restarting is the bayou. Not something you would imagine, but it is quite lovely this time of the year. I snapped this picture earlier, but most days it is a bird festival out there. One day is for ducks, another pelicans, another gulls. Every January I love looking out to see which species is having their convention in our bayou. Right after I snapped this picture there must have been 30 pelicans fly by and land just a ways down.




This year I am trying to save my geraniums. I have some just inside the kitchen and a bunch more inside downstairs. We will see. There have been numerous nights in the 20's here. No ice on the bayou because the wind has been howling.


Lemony just needs to sunbathe so badly, that she is willing to sit outside with 40 degree temps and 15-20 mile per hour winds. I just shutter every time I walk out.

Through the window. Too cold for me.


That is what I have been up to this past week. I will be a better poster next week.


Staying inside,
Sandy


14 comments:

  1. Lovely pictures of the bayou! The color of it and the sky are simply gorgeous. Okay Sandy, now that you have gotten rid of your piles, would you come and get rid of the ones here? I like how you finished the Lizzie Kate piece. Way to go!

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    1. I do hope I can keep the no pile thing going. It is truly a bad habit of not dealing with things. I have the Lizzie Kate piece on my desk so I can look at it often. I managed to frame it without doing professional. I ended up liking it with something behind it.

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  2. You have been busy and I will add the sale of the farm to my prayer list. It is good to realize what is important and as we get older we need to pace ourselves and enjoy some leisure time. I found out today that an old nursing school friend had a stroke and it affected her right side. As she put it she is taking one day at at time, which is what we all should do more of in my opinion. I spend so much time fretting about the future. We will go to Grimmwood on Thursday. I miss seeing the pond, even in the cold it is pretty like your bayou. Just enjoying nature is so therapeutic. Have a blessed Sunday!!

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    1. I will share more about it later, but I hate it in one way but see as it as a relief in another. We have some different plans so letting it go will be a bit easier. I am trusting in God's timing. Jeff has his second injection Monday. So far it has been no relief. He is in lots of pain. Enjoy your time at the cabin. I think I like my cabin better than the farm.

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  3. Oh Sandy I hate to hear that about Jeff. I know from experience that having a husband in pain is so hard. Praying for him as well. Maybe the second injection will help.

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  4. Oh those piles! I've been working on getting rid of them too. I make piles and then hide them in the drawer. It's such a terrible habit!

    I know your geraniums will come back stronger and more beautiful than ever!

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    1. I love gardening like you. I just hate to lose a plant. I want to nurture them back. I enjoyed my no piles the end of last week immensely and hope to keep that up. I need to be more decisive and not let things build up.
      I really did plan to participate in the PERK project this week, but Hubby was home yesterday and he had a doctor's appointment and those plans just flew right out the door:)

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  5. Sandy, Now that the decision has been made to sell, I hope it goes quickly. WE have reached a point in our lives where we want to simplify and enjoy more and less work certainly helps.
    I'm a pile maker too but usually hide the piles in a closet! This winter has been brutal here in NY, I dislike the extreme temps we have been having, summer and winter. your bayou photos are beautiful!!! I love viewing birds and you are so fortunate to have such an assortment. Stay warm!! Mary

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    1. I can't even imagine how cold you have had it. We will definitely appreciate spring this year. I told myself going in I was going to use the cold months to be productive in the house. So far so good. Let's see if I can keep it up.
      I am really glad my hubby has decided to sell the farm. I am ready to simplify as well and watch birds!

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  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. Oh dear me, Mrs. T. I hit the wrong button and deleted your comment, fortunately I remember what it said. Gus had me distracted. I will definitely share more of my plans for the future. I have had plenty of time to process selling the farm and feel very good about it. You know the rest of last week was simply amazing not to have a pile in each room. I REALLY need to keep that up. I do know what you mean about having lots of other people's belongings to take care of.

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  7. Oh you made me smile about the piles... Your veiw of a back yard is amazing! May someone buy the farm and are really blessed by it. Your doggie is a sweetie...
    Hugs...

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    1. I am guessing I am not the only pile maker according to the comments. I will say it was really nice to have taken
      care of them. Now, can I keep it up???
      I do hope someone will buy the farm that will love it too.

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  8. Good girl on getting rid of those piles. I wish I had the same discipline. I need to do that badly. Love your photos of the bayou...serene and so pretty. And the boys look great...Gus is growing every day and good old Lemony is such a sweet boy.

    Good luck with the sale of the farm. Sometimes the hardest part is just making the decision to do it. RJ

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I am so glad you stopped by my little blog. Drop in again anytime.
Sincerely,
Sandy