Saturday, February 4, 2023

Good Riddance, January

 I know I said it was the end and I really think I meant it. I didn't have the peace that I thought would come though.

The moment I typed that closing post was very emotional for me. January was NOT a kind month to our family. No deaths or terminal illnesses, but there are things that can come at you so fast and hard that they are hard to process. I don't think I will recap January in the traditional way. 

It involved a flooded house, multiple flat tires, a swamp rat:), sickness, and more. That will just get you started. Like I said - no deaths or no terminal illnesses, but rather a bombarding of trouble. 

Arlene, Jeff didn't get to me...Lindsay did.

I sometimes feel with all the world's problems that me writing about stitching, flowers, and puttering around my house can seem somewhat frivolous almost. I am very aware of the world's circumstances but I go back to that quote by C. S. Lewis from this post about doing sensible things. Lindsay was the one who encouraged me to rethink the decision. I went back and reread all of 2022's posts. What a journal of the good things in our family's life! I don't write much about the bad, because we don't forget those things, but instead choose to focus on the good which Lindsay reminded me is what we need to hear.

I am sure any reading will think I have lost my mind and that is ok. I think the journal of our family's life is worth keeping up for now. I don't have nearly the time I did when I started this venture so I don't promise replying to comments all the time. If you want to read come along, because I feel compelled to rethink that decision.

What is going on now?

Still some turmoil... but things have calmed down some.

Jeff has been sick. An almost case of pneumonia I think. Palmer has been sick. Mother has been sick. She has been diagnosed with COPD. She has never smoked a cigarette in her life nor lived with a smoker. She has had asthma her whole life. She still doesn't think she has it, but that is what the doctor says so I think we have to go with it and prepare for the colds and sinus issues being a bit harder than normal. I have surgery scheduled for Valentine's Day. I know---not a fun way to spend that day, but I am ready to get it behind me. Oh and the pleasures of turning 62 get you an EKG and other tests to have surgery. I didn't know all that. My EKG was abnormal which meant cardiologist visits. I have been cleared thankfully. Remember January was not fun.

I am so ready for spring. Everyone who has ever read a winter blog post from me knows winter is not my season. I have coped with it by staying busy on house projects, but this year that was a no go having Lindsay and Tyler and 2 kids living with us. Oh that is more of the flooded house thing. I have not been able to do many of those January things that keep me grounded. 

Trust me when I say I am so over winter even if it is not over us. I have done some things in preparation for it. I lost a lot of plants with the Christmas deep freeze so I basically did a redo downstairs and planted some new roses.


I thought I had lost one of my old roses, but it has started budding from the bottom. Thank goodness. I will now have a white, coral, red, yellow and pinky rose. I can't wait to cut roses again. You may remember I could never grow them in the ground, but they do wonderful on the back deck with containers.

The day lilies replaced the roses up front and have been just the biggest delight. They are all popping through the ground right now. I can't wait. 

Lindsay and family gave me a hummingbird feeder for Christmas. It has been placed outside ready for the hummingbirds. 


I ordered a second one since I like this one so much. One will go in the shade of the side yard. I have been reading away on them. My bottlebrush shrubs are still up in the air on whether they all survived the freeze as well as the lemon tree. Time will have to tell us.

The spider lilies have started popping up out of the mush too.


Many of the camellias have been finicky. Some have popped on out while others have not. It has been a very different year for the plants in the neighborhood.



There is still many plants up in the air and I have had to replace several of my pots with new things so more to share outside soon.

I have been stitching on The Shepherd's Song when I could and reading an old book from the 1980's by Lewis Gizzard. That has been fun to see if from a perspective of living in 2023. He was one of my favorites in the 80's. 
I did pull out my ornament for February yesterday to keep up with my plan for one a month. A stitching post will come when I finish that.

As for family, I have said many thanks for this big old house which was large enough to welcome Lindsay and family for 3 weeks. 

I got to celebrate Tyler's birthday with them. Everyone else was sick. 

The boys sat with me for most of the meal at Outback, but they managed to get in the laps of their parents for these photos.



Tucker had his very first t-ball practice and LOVED it. I absolutely can NOT wait for the games.


Yes, besides all that cuteness in his baseball outfit, that is concrete floors. It will get back to normal or whatever normal is these days.

Palmer is in daycare now. I think he does like playing with the other children. 


He has been sick so he has had a few extra Mimi days.


Playing with his train. Astute eyes will notice a large fern is not in the window anymore. It had gotten so big that I needed to take it outside. It needs to be divided into 2 pots. I moved all the toys over to that spot and I like the change. I also moved some other plants around. 

I should have done this one ages ago. No more plant on the top shelf of the built -ins to climb up and water. 


I just spaced the existing items out a little farther. Like I said, I should have done that ages ago. 

I moved all but 2 of the plants out of the kitchen. I will take a picture of that soon. It looks so much better. I moved one plant into the living room to replace the fern but in another area and got rid of some.

Little Miles and I are falling into a routine and he is happy and thriving at Mimi's Daycare.

I pick him up...


We do our thing here...




He is 6 months old.

Gus is doing great..
He is my best bud.



Just the thought that it isn't January anymore cheers me up a bit.

I am not insane, but letting things get to me. I have way too many blessings to not try and be a light in the world.















30 comments:

  1. Oh, I am so glad you are back!! I totally understand all the ups and downs and trials and tribulations of life and how they can set you back a bit and disrupt your normal routine...but that is life, and we all go through those different stages of life...and we all rejoice when things calm down again. Yes, I am happy for February as well. Seems like we are on the upward swing when we get through January and up to February again. I pray your family will all start feeling better as the weather warms up a bit..and I hope your surgery isn't anything too serious? I will be praying for you. I love seeing the sweet and cute little boys again... they are precious and your are blessed to have them so close so you can enjoy them. God bless you dear friend, and welcome back!

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    1. Thanks Pam. After reading through the year of 22 and just settling down I knew I had made a hasty decision. It is good to look back on the good and reflect on our blessings which are always there even in the rough patches. I tried to comment on your blog the other evening, but I was on my phone and I don't think it went through. I always enjoy your little nature photos and said a prayer for Rose.

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  2. Welcome back! I didn't try to dissuade you from leaving because, your blog, your decision. But I'm so glad you've rethought.

    You can get encouragement here, and appreciation, so there's that. And, selfishly, I'm just so happy to read whatever you have time to show us. Thank you.

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    1. Thank you Boud from the bottom of my heart.

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  3. I am so glad to see a post from you. I am also so sorry that this winter has been a rough one so far. Many prayers that as the days get longer and gradually warm up, things will also get so much better for you and your family. I have you in my prayers for your surgery. Some years are just so much harder than others. I’ve had a couple of those in the not so distant past, healing from heart surgery and battling shingles. Some days I thought it would never get better. Just hang in there and take each day one at a time. I know it’s so hard when all you want is for things to be normal again.

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    1. Mandy, I can't even imagine all you have gone through with your heart surgery. My surgery is a significant sinus surgery but nothing really major. I should be up and feeling better in to no time. I think from now on I will allow myself when things are rough to not post and wait and be quiet. Sometimes quiet is what we need to hear the Lord. Thank you for kind comments.

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  4. That quote has kept me on the right side for many months, but January made me forget it. I think I had to get quiet to remember it. I think going forward I am going to let myself have breaks when life is coming on strong like that, but the blog is such a fun place to go for reminders of so many things from a recipe to when certain flowers bloomed to happy memories.
    Thank you!

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  5. It is so good to focus on the positive and happy things. Blogging should be enjoyable and only write when you want to. You have a lovely family and home. I hope everyone feels better soon. God bless you!

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  6. I am SO HAPPY to see you back, Sandy!! I just loved catching up with you, the boys and your pup. I am sorry for all the illness and anxiety in January. I write my blog to keep as a journal for me. It is good to go back in time and read so I get what you did and what you felt. Prayers for all, dear friend! Keep us posted, now! xo

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    1. Thank you Terri. That is the main purpose of the blog and although I may never meet all of you in person I do treasure your blogs and thoughts. I am in a busy season and that is good. Not the aging part but the family part:)

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  7. Sandy, I just saw this post and haven't even read all the way through it yet, but just had to say I am so very happy to see you back! Yes, the CS Lewis quote is such a good one for us all to keep in mind in these crazy times. I'm so thankful that Lindsay encouraged you to rethink your decision.

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    1. Thank you. I had such peace upon hitting publish today. HE isn’t through with me or this tool yet. Thank you for your kind comments.

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  8. My BFF in Denver has said for years, "The best thing about January is that it comes to an end." Yes, you had a remarkable month (one that does not need to be repeated). I've been praying for you, and in particular that your upcoming surgery goes well.

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    1. Oh she is right on! I don't want a repeat at all. Yesterday was so sunny --cool, but sunny. It did so much good for me. Thank you for the prayers. I am not looking forward to it, but yet, I am ready to get it done.

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  9. Prayers for everyone's good health, and more on Valentine's Day
    Children to care for is a blessing for grandparents. The brightness shines up even dull winter days.

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    1. Yes, grandchildren will brighten the day. Thanks for the kind thoughts.

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  10. I'm very happy to see you back too and catch up with all your news. I think it's a good way to share photos and we've made so many good friends this way. I have to take time off from time to time but then I'm anxious to get back and read what's going on with everyone. Welcome back my friend! Sweet hugs, Diane

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    1. I think my month was just so rough and I put pressure on myself, but I am back at it when I feel like doing it. You are one of those I would miss seeing as well.

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  11. Well I enjoy reading your blogs...so I am glad you are back! But I also understand the pressure bloggers feel sometimes and if you only blog when you want to, that is a difference. I think I had put so much pressure on myself ( first born problems) and like I told you, I still miss posting every now and then. It is a wonderful community. Praying that February will be a better month!!

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    1. I think that only children have some of those same tendencies of the oldest children. I know I put too much pressure on myself.

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  12. Sandy: Believe it or not we would miss you if you stopped blogging even if for a short period.
    I am happy to see you back and love all your photos, I am so sorry about all that has happened to you and your home.
    I hope Jeff is feeling better soon.
    Gus is such a sweety, what an adorable face he has.
    I hope your surgery goes well and you recover quickly.
    Have a great week

    Catherine

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    1. Thank you Catherine. We are slowly slowly getting better around here although Lindsay had to stay home today because both boys had a stomach bug. She is the one that just can't seem to catch a break. 

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  13. Oh Sandy, it was so good to see your post. I am sorry that January was such a downer for you and your family. I do pray everyone is back to good health. The grandboys all look so adorable and precious. Thinking of you and praying for your upcoming surgery, Sandy.

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    1. January kicked my tail and there is still a little of it left but not the overwhelming of it. I have calmed down considerably. Thanks for your friendship!

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  14. The good part about retirement is travel and come and go…we raise our kiddos…then we work…then we play…enjoy

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    1. I don’t think I have gotten there since Jeff is still working but it is coming. Hopefully, the little ones will be a little older too and not in daycare.

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  15. Well, what a fun surprise to come home to (I was in Florida working on the flooded house again). So glad you are back :) Just post when you want to--I try to do twice a month and it seems to be a good plan for me right now. Any more often, would be stressful.

    I'm so sorry about your difficult January! There are some months (or years!) that just seem filled with more worries and sadness than normal for some reason. I hope your February is going better so far. Loved seeing little Miles with his fluffy hair--reminds me exactly of my youngest son's head of hair :)

    Take care now, Sandy... hope your mom is doing okay ♥

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    1. I am definitely going to take the pressure off of me on posting. I didn’t have it in me to post in January or even relive the calamity of errors in a post. For now, just when I feel like it. Little Miles definitely has a stand up hairdo. It will not lay down at all. Paul Allen’s was like that when he was born but quickly grew and lay down. He is all smiles though.
      Hope you were able to accomplish a lot in the house. I know it is still sad down there. I follow a guy from the University of Florida (boo hiss) that keeps up with the foliage and agriculture studies they are doing. I have found that so fascinating.

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  16. I found your blog a little while ago, but I haven't commented. I so enjoy reading about your family, home, and stitching. I was sorry to see that you had decided to stop blogging, so I was surprised and delighted that you've reconsidered. I think it's a great idea to only post when you feel like it, and don't put pressure on yourself. I'm sorry that January was such a tough month for your family. I hope everyone is doing better, and things are settling down. I look forward to reading your posts whenever you feel up to writing them.
    Mary

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