Get Gone September

 I can't start this post without acknowledging the devastation that is about to be inflicted on my fellow Floridians. I too am watching the news and I am just so sad for what is about to happen. I have been praying for them for days now. I not only hate to see the loss of property, but the ravaging of the land with a storm like this. 

My daughter was born on the 25th of this month. When she was born, the date became somewhat of a marker for many years of the actual start of fall for us. I remember going in hot as blazes to deliver her. We had had a nasty thunderstorm on her due date which was mid September, and it had knocked out power. I remember that September for its heat. Then much to my surprise, everyone was coming in with a light jacket either the next day or 2 days after. I looked at them with such wonder. That began what I actually noticed each year as the cool front approaching us and giving us much needed relief from the oppressive heat of August and September. Over time that changed and it seemed almost like our peak hurricane season moved to late September and early October rather than mid September. 

Well this year, I m looking at a cool 72 degrees at 10:30 in the morning with a north wind of 20 mph. It should be already in the 90s with high humidity and NO wind. I am thinking that the Panhandle got a reprieve this year from the wrath of Ian with this cool front. I will take it, but not without much sympathy for my Beloved Florida.

I need to change my tagline on my blog to say this is a blog mostly about stitching and little about the other items. I don't even have time to do that at this point in time, but it is true. I like keeping a journal of my stitching and only have a wee bit of time to include any of the other these days.

Here is a little of the stitching. First up is the ornament for little Miles and the stocking for my growing family.

I took a little deer from the French Christmas book that the stocking pattern came from. There is nothing in that book that I don't love. I then tried to keep it like the ones I did for Tucker and Palmer. It is backed in the tartan plaid.

Then I framed the heron. I only have my finished picture. Lindsay will send me a picture one day when she thinks of it or I will be out there and get one myself. It is hung in her home and it looks amazing.

You may remember I didn't have much margin on side. Big goof there on such a magnificent piece and that led me to want to frame it myself. It turned out well with my friend's frame that he made for me, BUT, there is a reason you pay big bucks for someone to frame your work. It was tedious and not easy at all on such a large piece. I did pay the money for some nice glass on it and I told Lindsay this one was one I hoped would be passed down to remember me.

Some of you asked if I would take Thirsty Hart to Auburn to place on my sampler wall. Well, it is back from the framers and the answer is no. I had to leave it here to admire its beauty. 

Next is a close up of the church.

I LOVE this piece so much that I found a place to hang it in my newly painted bedroom. Every time I walk in or out of the bedroom I look.  

September was supposed to be me working on samplers for September Sampler Month. I should have known better. It is not wise for me to even think about those kind of schedules. I have stitched on samplers, but I haven't stitched much at all. The month should have been a fine time celebrating my birthday and Lindsay's, but it has been one of the most challenging in a long time. The only reason I am even typing a post today is that Palmer is asleep and my uncle is down with Mama today.

September brought challenges that I really don't want to document. Some so traumatic I want to forget and no one wants to read. Let's just some them up in some quick sentences and phrases and move on...

-2 trips to Auburn leaving knowing that you would be heading to the doctor upon returning.

-1 trip to immediate care

-2 trips to ER...one was horrible, not because of any person. I felt so sorry for the ER nurses. They were working so hard. Such a need.

-1 ER trip where we stayed put for 20 hours due to no room in the hospital which was honestly due to a staffing shortage. We have a large hospital that is a trauma center and it serves a wide swath of territory. CRAZY night.

-1 hospital stay

-Mother has pneumonia. She is out and much better but has a road ahead to gain strength and recover.

-All of the above was just her.

Throw in both of Lindsay's boys with a case of RSV which is probably why Mama has pneumonia and a crazy allergic reaction for Lindsay that almost sent her to the ER in Auburn....

Let's just say again, September was hard.

I am exhausted and don't really want to elaborate on any of it. I may at some point tell you about the crazy allergic reaction, but for now we will skip it.

The days are just trying but I am grateful for so much. I have THE MOST AMAZING HUSBAND and kids. I couldn't have done any of the things I have done without them. I am only child, but when the going gets tough, my kiddos take up the slack and act as a unit like a sibling. 

In all of the craziness, the Lord answered a prayer that I had been praying about. I was so nutty it took me a couple of days to notice it and I stopped and gave Him even more thanks for walking through this life with me.

Mine and Lindsay's birthday celebration kind of got the boot like Jeff's and Paul Allen's did a while back but we are all good. I will share a few pics of my grands because they are worth sharing.

First up is Lindsay with Tucker at the beach. Tyler watched Palmer so they could go get some fun in on her actual birthday.

Next is Palmer on an ordinary day here playing with Grandma's walker.

Here they are at church on Sunday which by the way had the very best message...one I needed.

Then there is the sweet little munchkin.  The first one is some professional pics that a girl Katie works with made.

Here is now. As Lindsay says, I have 3 adorable grandsons. Oh so blessed.

One more and then I am out. Here is a quickie of 62 year old me not dressed up in anyway and about an hour before the allergic reaction happened.

Rough month, but seriously God shows up in the hard and reminds you HE is with you and loves you.

Sandy

Welcome September

     If I had written a post yesterday, it would have been sad...I hate saying goodbye to August these days. I love summer even with all its heat and humidity. It has always meant long days of freedom from the regular routine. When I was teaching, the last day before pre planning started is the day I would go into my sad mode. Now, I get the whole month of August to savor summer.

However, the calendar page turned to September (which is a good thing) and once it arrives I am able to move on, because after all, September is a good month in our family. Lots of celebrations. Honestly, other than school and busier days, it is still full on summer here for a good while. The light is changing though. Fall will arrive in other ways than cooler temperatures. At some point this month, I will make the change too.

The first celebration begins today with our 38th anniversary. We usually eat at Whataburger and that is the plan today. We are super romantic!

Rather than the usual wedding dress photograph, I decided to showcase the leaving outfit. It seems most of the girls today leave in their wedding dress, but back in 1984 we also had to find a leaving outfit. I still own this suit. I am certain only a portion of my body would fit in it. I think I weighed 95 on that day. 

As with all 38 years, Danny's (Jeff's brother that just passed away) birthday came the following day. He will be missed this year. 

Onto the September plans. I am planning to stitch on 2 samplers. I have never even followed any guidelines, but I guess this year I could be since it is Sampler September in Cross Stitch Land. I will share more about those soon. 

Let's just let the rabbit wander around the path.

First up- I purchased a new purse. A new old purse that is. I love purses and have whittled down my collection quite a bit, but this fall thing had me thinking about how I ALWAYS used to have a navy purse. I don't seem to have one. I sort of went looking, but saw nothing that just said, "Gotta have!" I pulled out 2 of my old brown Fossils which also led me to the desire for a new wallet. You can see how dangerous all of this is. I tend to carry a smaller purse these days than my old school days, although the purse I pulled out was one I once had and loved. All of my wallets just seemed so big. I had tried using a little Vera Bradley pouch to put my license and cards in, but doggone it those cards seemed not to like the registers. I would have to wipe them down a couple of times, so that was stoking the fires for a new wallet in itself. I have 3 wallets, but they are all large. 

I have been wandering around a few stores in town and online looking, but nothing caught my eye. I ended up at Kohl's on Saturday and I found the perfect wallet. It was only $7.50. They had it in several colors, but I ended up with a nice peachy color. 

I saw a few purses, but nothing great. I came home and looked on Etsy and found a just right old one. It looked better in person than the pictures even showed. I am in love. I will be using this sweet little gem starting now and for the next few months. 

We also had made a trip out to the outlets where I had no plans to purchase anything but stopped in J Crew and found a "Sandy" sweater. Jeff was in another store, so I come out with a bag. He asked what was in it and I said, "A Sandy sweater." I showed it to him and he agreed wholeheartedly. Now, I need some cool weather to wear it. I think I can be patient another month.

Speaking of fashion, I bought Lindsay the cutest little dress from Walmart the other day. I actually saw it on a video and thought that would look so cute on her. 

It did...

$20.00

September is full of birthdays, the start of football season (although Auburn's should be horrible) and all around family goodness. 

Miles is ready for football.

Palmer and Tucker are delightful. Tucker has nearly driven his mommy nuts since Artemis didn't get to launch on Monday. I, of course had pumped him, even letting him know Snoopy was on board. He has called me to explain what happened and only asked his mom a hundred times a day. I think she is hoping it launches on Saturday more than the engineers themselves.

Here he is with the only Snoopy space t-shirt Mimi could find him the night before the planned launch.

And here is his very laid back brother who I videoed after this just kicking his legs back and forth.

I have stepped way back on my "fall is coming early" prediction this year, but it is coming. The lemons are turning yellow, the last of the day lilies have bloomed. They are still green and above ground, but I think all the blooming is done.

I am embracing September and have added 3 bits of fall if you can call them that to the house.

First up - in the kitchen.

Second is I am moved all my sunflower and black eyed Susan stitches to one shelf in the sewing room.

Pretty boring shelf, but my wheels are spinning. I am going to return to it.

Lastly, I pulled out the two September stitches for my sewing room counter.

I turned the page to this lovely page in my calendar. Now, it isn't really true of September in feel and looks here in north Florida, but one of these September days I will just decide it is fall and I will give the house the look whether we feel it or not.

I am celebrating all seasons and plan to enjoy Labor Day weekend to the max.

Sandy