A Stitch and a Little Update

 I finished a little stitch for Lindsay. I used the Prairie Schooler months. I changed the colors to look more like a grandfather clock. I added some fireworks on top and some confetti on the side and Happy New Year to the bottom. 

I gave it to her and forgot to take a final picture so I will do that in another post.

We are in Auburn for a little R and  R. We took in a basketball game last night and enjoyed that immensely.  

Reflections on Christmas around the house this year. 

I think I got it right or at least for this year. I always get a little tired of the decorations before it is over and the red can do me in sometimes, but this year it all felt right even the red. I think starting decorating a little later and not being in a hurry to put it up helped. I also think I learned that although red isn't my favorite color I am traditional, so red and green it is. I actually tried to change out the dining room to some blue but it felt so wrong. 

I loved the sashes on the banisters this year. That was a fresh update that suited me well. They all fit in the same bin so that was good when putting them away. I did keep my bin with the traditional garland and white lights should I get the notion one year to do that again.

Time to get started on January.

January has become a month I don't necessarily dread like I did when teaching. It is deep clean and purge month. I am already making my cleaning list and for the first time since retiring in June of 2014 I feel like the purge is really at a much better place. I have thinned out so much. 

My one room that is probably going to get a real purge is the sewing room. I have held onto craft stuff that I am now realizing I will never use and it is taking up valuable space that could make that room much more functional, so that is the room that I am going to heavily purge. I will make a pass through all the other closets and drawers but feeling good this year. 

The big thing on the "January list" is a lot of polishing and deep cleaning and some closet painting. Yes, you read that right...closet painting. I know we are the only ones who will see that, but slowly I am going to repaint some closets. The house is 37 years old and it is time to freshen some spaces. 

I also wanted to share an Advent reading I did this year. I had a plan and then changed at the last minute. Literally the last minute. Melanie Shankle self published and online read this year for $10. It was called Waiting on Wonder: an Advent Devotional. I felt a strong desire to read it as I have loved many of her books. Often they are geared to a little younger than me, but this one was just so perfect. I know God led me to it. If she still has it available next year, I strongly recommend it. Every day touched me so much. I love it when the Holy Spirit guides you to something. 

The update on Lindsay. 

We were heading out on Monday when we got a call that they had to change the appointment to Wednesday. She insisted I go on to Auburn. Katie and Paul Allen kept Tucker.

The diagnosis is that, it is muscular. She has significantly weak pelvic floor muscles. I still contend the situation that occurred with the birthing led to this. I don’t think any doctor has disagreed with her but are careful not to indict the hospital. They do believe with continued physical therapy that she will continue to slowly improve. She is sad that she is not further along than she is but she has seen improvement and is grateful that no one feels it is permanent.  Between that and the post partum issues this was a difficult birth. She is on the mend though and for that we move forward with thanks that it was no worse. I have told her 2022 is the year she has to take time to take care of herself. 

Everyone that reads along with me, I often wonder what in the world are you thinking, but I love getting to know all of you. See you in the new year.

Have a wonderful start to the new year and remember God is with us,

Sandy