Saturday, January 15, 2022

Stitching and Grands

 I took last January off from blogging. It appears I was doing that again. I hadn't planned to be away, but I have been busy and quiet. I have been ticking off those chores on my list but more about that in a minute. 

I will share my stitching first for those that just come along  for that. I pulled out my heron the last few days of December while we were in Auburn. It is the only stitch I took with me. I was so darn tired of those tail feathers with all of the grays and it was cloudy so I took off and started working on his body to get to the neck. It was rewarding. 

Here is where I am. Finish in 2022? Yes, it is my goal.


I had to stop to do Lindsay a Valentine's stitch. I have only one more to finish the year for her. I need to do something for May.

Last night, I put the last stitch in the hearts from the old Prairie Schooler month by month. I changed all the colors to purples. Purple is my V-Day choice of color.  I will fully finish it this weekend. Since it is a little smaller than the others I have done I may add some fabric to the bottom and do something to expand it. I did the clock for January from this pattern, but remember I added some fireworks to the top of the pattern.



I will share the fully finished product next time I blog.

What have I been up to? 

  • I have been very busy with taking care of Palmer and getting those routines set up.
  • I have been a cleaning machine.
  • The usual appointments of life and seeing about Mother...making sure she eats:)
  • Organizing and a little decluttering.
*****

Palmer is just the cutest little thing. I wake up everyday happy to go pick him up. 
What a job I have! 
He smiles constantly. 
He will be 6 months old next week. 
Where has the time gone? 
He loves his walker. He can't really go just yet, but he likes the toys on it and can push back on his tiptoes. He will rock back and forth to get it to go forward. 

One morning I was in the kitchen getting me something to eat and I looked down and he was on his knees in the little bouncer seat.


He had turned himself over which I saw coming, but then he scooted right out. Mimi is going to be on the run VERY soon.

We get outside everyday if it isn't raining. It has been cool a few days, but we bundle up and head out.
He already looks forward to this.

Tucker stayed with me the first day of work because it was a teacher workday and his daycare follows the same schedule. He was dying to take Gus for a walk. Palmer was asleep and Mother stayed in with him. That was our coldest day this year. We didn't make it too far, but as I said we bundle up and go. 


He insisted on holding the leash. I had to give Gus a stern warning about pulling. Both managed quite well to my surprise.

These two are my heart. It keeps me busy but I wouldn't trade the season for anything.

I have been cleaning like crazy every free moment I get. I think all the wheels on my cleaning bus fell off in 2021. Everything looked ok from a visitor perspective, but when I started that deep cleaning I realized I had let things go way more than I usually would. I think the past year like everyone else was just too much on the old noggin. I just fell out of some routines and then throw helping Lindsay out with Palmer even while she was off. Well, like I said - it was just a year when things fell apart. 

I think that I needed that quiet again this year too. I have tuned out and just plugged in at home. 

I have polished every stick of furniture, every door and frame, every baseboard. I have been going through and cleaning every drawer or closet. I have made a lot of progress and it has all felt so good.

The paint can is coming out next. I will have to do this on the weekends only so it will take me awhile, but I am going to paint some insides of closets and tackle what we call the fishing room downstairs. It is basically a storage room. It is not heated or cooled so I guess it is what you would call a utility room in some houses. It is used to hold all the fishing stuff and boating stuff. It has not been painted since the house was built in 1984. It needs freshening up. I may start there. I figure if I get that done I will really have accomplished the hardest task first. It isn't huge and pretty much a box, so it should go smoothly.

That is what I have been up to. Can't complain at all. 
Until next time,
Sandy and Gus



30 comments:

  1. Those little ones sure keep you busy and happy with their sweet ways. I'm so glad you live close and can keep them. We've had a few chilly days but it's been a good winter so far! Love that Auburn hat Tucker has on! Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. It has been a mild winter thus far. A few cool days but nothing to dread. The little ones do keep me busy but I am blessed to be able to help out. I remember how hard it was to leave mine for work. I know I give my daughter peace of mind.

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  2. You sound ultra industrious to me. And those boys are lovely. Palmer will suddenly stand and amaze you! Then look out, running will soon follow. Is your mom doing ok? I always like news of her.

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    1. She is doing well. A new lady moved into her little neighborhood and is walking with her some. They don't walk far but it is good for her health wise and socially. I am so happy about that. Your comments don't come to my email so I sometimes miss them. Sorry:(

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  3. Both Palmer and Tucker are precious. Can't believe that Palmer is almost 6 months! Glad you are able to get out in the sunshine even on the cool days. The Heron is looking good and your Valentine is sweet. Enjoy your weekend, Sandy.

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    1. Thanks Robin, I had a little time to stitch on the heron today. It is cold here so I am guessing it is really cold where you are. We need a little bit of that cold because things are going to bud too early without some cold.

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  4. January is such a good month for refreshing and decluttering. After the excesses of December it feels good to get back to a routine. I am enjoying some time at home. We do not go back to Chatsworth until the 31st. Like you I have tried to get some things accomplished. I love that PS year chart. I did a sampler of all of them and that stitch hangs over the coffee bar at Grimmwood. Today I plan to sit in my cozy chair and stitch and I will not feel guilty at all.:)

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    1. I did a little sitting and stitching today as well. It is rainy and cool so that says stitch. ARe you getting snow?
      Laura was so pretty. I missed your blog when I saw the pictures because I thought oh we would have seen more. I get it though.
      How is Mom doing?

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  5. Oh forgot to mention the boys....I always enjoy seeing them!! I miss having little ones nearby.

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  6. Six months, already escaping to try to roam around, and a handy dog walker! Your life sounds like fun.

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    1. Well it is full for sure. I am blessed to live near and be able to help out with the little ones. I fear Palmer is going to be on the go very soon.

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  7. Beautiful stitchery. I adore my grands. Lived near the girls in Indy for three years and now here in Florida two little boys. They are so busy with school and parents and hobbies...we do work together often, but I don't babysit. Can't imagine at my age...you are amazing.

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    1. I rest well at night or at least most nights. That is why my word of the year was discipline. If I am going to keep up then I have to eat right and so forth. I do want to do it until they all get older then hopefully Hubby can retire and we can be a little lazy together.

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  8. I wish I could say I have been a cleaning machine of late...not true though. I do think I've made headway with some organizational cleaning though. Cute pictures of the wee ones. The Heron is looking great.

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    1. Thanks Sandy. I was able to add a few more stitches to the heron on this rainy day. Organization cleaning is good too.

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  9. You have been busy, but good busy! Oh how I need to do some deep cleaning. Next month is five years in this house and most of the furniture has never been pulled out and cleaned under and the same for some of the curtains needing to be washed and rehung. Time does have a way of speeding by. The boys are adorable and maybe Palmer will walk before he crawls!! Happy weekend! xo

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    1. Those chores can get away from us because we want to enjoy life too. I think the past year I let a few too many things go though so I am getting it back in shape and hopefully will keep it up so I am not scrubbing again.

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  10. The heron is a huge project, one I could never attempt but boy, it will be stunning. You have made great progress on it. the Valentine is sweet, I like your finishing choice of fabric. Tucker and Palmer are just too adorable, I can see why they bring you so much joy in your life. Good job on the cleaning, I wish I was as ambitious!!

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    1. I have been motivated for some reason. I have been just a working. It is cool here so I try to save those chores for winter. The boys are so much fun. They are going to have fun together as Palmer gets older. They were both here Friday afternoon. Tucker was pushing him around in the walker and Palmer loved it. Lindsay is going to have her hands full in a couple of years:)

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  11. You and Gus are doing an excellent job of taking care of Palmer. He is such a cutie, just like his big brother.

    Cleaning machine -- you embarrass me. I should be so active!

    Love you, girl!

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    1. Thanks...you have other things to occupy you other than cleaning:)

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  12. Oh you are so blessed to have those sweet little ones to enjoy. They will keep you young! And Gus too! What fun you must have with Palmer all day long! I don't know HOW you manage to get anything else done, especially stitching and cleaning! I have no grandchildren to take care of, no dog, and don't do stitching, and I still don't get much else done. Our house is in very bad need of thorough spring cleaning. I hope I will soon feel good enough to do it. One day at a time. Just don't anyone come calling with a white glove. LOL. have a blessed day.

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    1. No white gloves allowed! I am not that good. I have been just a cleaning and it all feels really good. Makes the old look good too. I know the years with the grands now are kinda hard and taxing but will be over before I know it.

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  13. Oh, that sweet baby face--Palmer would have been the perfect Gerber baby on the baby food jars :) How wonderful to see him each day. And Tucker sure is getting big--just look at him walking Gus all by himself.

    Your heron is looking so regal already, Sandy--I'm sure you'll have a finish this year. And good for you for your indepth cleaning! I've done a bit here and there this year, but really should buckle down and clean out my closet. Then there's the matter of removing the border in our bedroom and repainting... always something in a 50 year old home :)

    Hope this last half of January goes well for you and the family ♥

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    1. I am excited about the heron. The tail feathers have been the hardest part, but I think I found a way to get them done. I think when I knock them out the rest will be a quicker stitch.Painting is not my favorite thing to do. I painted this entire house after I scraped all the wallpaper off when we moved here in 2003. Most of the wallpaper was pink and powder blue and terribly busy. It was a huge chore. The closets have an odd color and finish to them or trust me they would stay the same. I have gotten one done and it looks so good but it will take me several weekends to do the ones I want to do. The hardest part is getting started.

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  14. Sandy: You are a busy Lady, first I have to say those too cutie pies are adorable, where has the time gone, I remember when Tucker was an infant now his brother is six months old, wow time flies.
    It looks like Gus really likes having them around.
    The Heron design is amazing, so regal looking, the purple hearts are lovely.
    We have been getting rid of all kinds of stuff, it does feel good, and the cleaning is so refreshing, after next week I can get back to doing chores, my next step is to dust wall and ceiling, that is the one that will take time.
    Krissy says hello to the handsome Gus.

    Catherine

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    1. I am busy. Almost a wee bit too busy, but I knew going into this year that it was going to be that way for awhile. 

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  15. Hey Girl!!!! Seems like it's been too long since we've talked...um, typed!!! I cannot believe how big Tucker is! WOW...and the little one is a doll too. Aren't we so lucky to have these grands? I never believed it when people used to tell me about the special bond between grandparents and grandbabes...I always thought there was no way I could love a child as much as I loved my own boys!
    I'm having a hard time blogging these days. Just losing the motivation but trying to get it back for my kids do LOVE the blog books I make for them each year...and girl....would you plz come motivate me to clean my house????? I just cannot get into that either. I did just finish remodeling my sunroom, which was fun, but the rest of the house???? not so much!!!
    Hoping to get down to panhandle first of Feb but my BFF who is there from spokane at her beach house just test positive for covid so keeping my fingers crossed I still get to go. I need to get my feet in that sand. NOW!!!

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    1. I remember my friends having grandchildren and oohing and ahhing over them. I truly had no idea until the first one was placed in my arms. They are amazing and I am so attached to them. It is cold here at the moment and is supposed to be all week but it is pretty at the beach regardless. I hope you get to come because as I always say the Gulf is good for the soul. We are in a very busy season of life and I treasure getting to keep the baby. My mother is doing well but she is slowing down too so I have to see about her. My husband's brother has lung cancer. Heavy smoker all his life and is not married. That has started the roll downhill, so as I said we are busy. My blogging time gets cut into a lot and like you it is a nice journal of our family. I hope I can keep it up for that purpose, but I don't know:)Take care and hope you can stick those feet in the sand next month.

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  16. Palmer and Tucker are sure growing, and are still adorable. :) So glad to be seeing the heron growing again, too. The detail on this stitch just amazes me.

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