A Few Thoughts

Jeff and I slipped away for Veteran's Day 3 day weekend. The extra day was sooooo good as Little Palmer says all the time. We were able to stay up there for both days of the weekend and rest and enjoy, then drive home on Monday. Just what I was needing before the holidays get going.

As we move towards Thanksgiving and Christmas. My mind begins to plan and think, but somehow it is always a time where I am very reflective.

Last October, I pulled the journals out again. I always use Moleskins. I prefer unlined paper, but the one I started with then was lined. I guess it keeps from getting larger and larger as I pour out those emotions. I filled up one and started a new one this week. 

A lot has been thrown at me the last couple of years and there are a few things that keep me grounded. Morning Scripture within the first half hour of my day, walks outside in nature with Gus of course, going downstairs to sit and listen to music and peruse an old magazine (I don't buy new ones anymore), puttering in the flowers, lots of prayer time, and getting the thoughts out of my head via a journal so it doesn't get too cluttered to name a few.

I really really want to blog some Treasures' posts. I want to write about some things that are special that I can't hold on to like my mom's china for one. Those posts are coming. Lately though, I have just had more in a day than I can do. Hopefully, after the new baby is born and I get a little time from babysitting (which I love doing) will leave me with some time to do some of that.

The other day as I was writing I was thinking how much I have decluttered and how my generation has been the generation of keeping things. I am the household of so many family things that I have been left with. I do love them, but I realize I can't continue this forever. I was chatting with a couple who are our friends. They were saying the same thing. We just chuckled and commiserated together.  Now, if I stayed put, it would not be a problem other than thinking my kids would have so much to go through.

I have worked on the sentimental things and have made much progress. I still have a ways to go, but....

this morning....

Jeff went off to a meeting. He has allowed himself to be on one board and it has been just enough I think to keep him busy. He also has church duties. He needs a little, but not too much.

While there, my sister-in-law, Donna's bestie called Jeff. I can just hear her now. "Jeff, I have a house for you to downsize too." 

I didn't even know she knew we were thinking of it. To be honest, the fact that she knows puts terror in me. She is go getter.

Anyway, I truly felt a very anxious half hour before I got hold of myself. I was thinking there is no way I am moving at Christmas!

This home is 40 years old next month. Jeff and I married in September 40 years ago, and his parents moved in our current home in December. The tree was up and boxes were all over, but the first of 37 Christmas Eves have been spent here for our family. The only 2 that we haven't spent here were the one before my mother-in-law died and the one just after her death . The first one, she had full time caregivers and she was able to come to our home around the corner. The next year she had passed in October before Christmas and we were in the process of clearing the house and deciding what to do with everything. 

This year will be the 38th Christmas Eve here. I know things will change, but my heart for about half an hour couldn't even register something like that.

I think it was the nudge I need to probably get serious about some things. I am going to pull out the things the children can look at over the holidays and have them go through some items. 

Now, the lady does not have our idea quite down because while the home she wanted us to get is waterfront, one story, smaller and all that, it will not minimize the taxes and insurance one deals with in Florida. I was able to relax for the moment. Oh and while I get up every day and enjoy my view I don't think waterfront will guide our next home. Smaller, one story, newer...things like that will be important. 

Change comes whether we want it or not.

On that note, I am going to go get cracking on preparing my home for the holidays and then as '25 comes in I am going to try and be realistic about some things. Lots of prayer and reflecting will continue through this next month.

That is it for now,

Sandy

BTW, Blogger is at it again. All comments are coming in as no reply bloggers. I even saw this on another blogger. So I can only comment back on the blog. Hopefully, it will fix itself.

New Spaces

The room addition at Paul Allen and Katie's house is complete. It turned out nice. Katie is still working on a few things to hang, but you can see how much space it added to their home. You enter through the door from the hallway. It is honestly right as you enter the home. Behind the wall that the bookcase is on is their laundry room with the new storage closet.

Pictured above is the desk (on the left) that Jeff had in his bedroom as a teen and probably before. They chose to keep it because it has great storage in it for their important stuff. I am actually ordering them a new kid's table and 2 chairs in white instead of the one above. That was is from a thrift store and one of the chairs broke. I told them I would get them what Katie would actually like as a Christmas gift. Christmas will be here before we know it.

Below is a loveseat they found at a thrift store and it is in fantastic shape. She has had to put blankets on it because the dogs love looking out that window to the road.

Then the cubbies were a Facebook marketplace find. It is going to be a great place to play and shut the door if you are too tired to make sure it all got picked up, and it will keep the actual living room much tidier.

I was just thrilled for them. Katie has a 3 day weekend this coming weekend and is planning to get the baby's room painted. I can't wait to see the color. She has shared her idea and I know it is going to be so pretty. Someone Paul Allen worked with just gave them a crib. It is gray and in perfect shape also. They decided to just leave Miles in his crib and I am certain myself that is a wise idea. He is not ready to give up his bed. There is no need to upset that apple cart.

It is coming together and January 21st will be here before we know it. I can't wait to share the name. It is lovely if it remains and I am thinking it will.

I am sharing another picture of our new fencing. It looks so nice. It won't be this color long, but this shot really shows how much brush is gone on the other side. The trees are all still there and our view like that hasn't changed, but no vines climbing up over the fence.

Here is a photo of the trees standing mostly in water during this time of year. The water level will recede quite a bit during the winter months, so hopefully we can tackle these during those months. The water was up a little the morning I took this. As of right now, they say the hurricane is headed west of us and will most likely fizzle out. Thank goodness.

Last Sunday, the kids got together to take the boys to the Fort Walton Beach famous Goofy Golf. It has been around since Jeff was their age and is a landmark in our area for locals. It is kind of off the beach path so very rarely do you see tourists there. Our family has played many games. A young couple about Lindsay's age who grew up here and have a local bait and tackle shop have bought it and plan to keep it going. They have redone some of it and are hoping to keep it very affordable for family fun. We will continue to support it. 

The three boys had their first trip there. Rumor has it Jeff got a spanking as a little one for trying to climb the dinosaur.

Those three have my heart. All are doing well and growing up so fast. I think I am going to love having a new baby to start the new year off.

That is really all I have this week. I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving. I need to get my mind wrapped around what I need to buy and do before then. We will be putting up Christmas before I know it. Most are doing it now, but I am not in that camp. 

I hope to share some more things as time allows me that are not just family and stitching. We will see. My days get away from me. I always have great ideas but I move slowly these days and couple that with seeing about so many for which I am grateful to do, it puts the brakes on blogging.

Also, this has been the warmest fall ---I am not complaining, but even the summer loving Sandy is thinking it is not like fall at all.