Spring Break

 I somewhat unplugged this past week. It was spring break in the school district, so Jeff doesn't actually get off, but he and Lindsay took days off. Katie was off so I didn't have any kids for the week. We had planned to go to Auburn, but it was going to be very cold. I don't think Jeff nor I were up for cold dreary weather, so we opted just to stay here. It was not exactly pretty weather here, but it was warmer than Auburn. I just decided to spend my days relaxing and spending time with him.

I did go pick strawberries one morning with Lindsay and the boys. Palmer caught on very quickly and loved it. Always love spending time with my girl.

I went shopping with Jeff one day for fishing stuff. I slipped off to Talbots and bought me some pants and a top. I love the new straighter leg chinos and like wearing chinos much more than jeans.

Here is one pair of the new pants and the top. I also got some navy and white. The white ones will be on repeat between Easter and Labor Day.

The picture was taken in Apalachicola at a fishing camp. Jeff and I took a day trip over to just get away. He wanted to stop by the old camp that he used to go to lots. I think he is thinking he will do this again when he retires.

We then drove downtown and ate lunch and window shopped. We walked down to the docks on the river which empties into the Gulf at Apalachicola. It was a quiet kind of day. Just 2 old folks strolling along. I suppose this is what retirement will look like:) It turned out to be a pretty day even though it was overcast much of the week. AND warm which was nice.

I took Mama to Brewton, Range, and Monroeville another day. We visited her sister and bother, the cemeteries, and ate lunch in Monroeville. I was a lousy picture taker this week which is a byproduct of unplugging. I think the unplugging was good though. 

Now, I will be honest I found this trip to be kind of sad compared to my usual visits to "home." I am not sure why, but I felt Mama was feeling it as well. My aunt's husband is doing very poorly. He has given up but I am not sure one can pick the time they die. It is hard on my aunt which kind of made it sad for me and Mama. My cousin was home with him that day which did give her the chance to go eat lunch with us.

The other thing that struck me so hard this trip and I am not sure why ...maybe it was clouded by the sadness at my aunt's house. Normally, my uncle would porch sit and tell me all the signs of nature by the things that are blooming. He didn't get out of his chair. One thing that struck me was how old things are looking. I mean old...Brewton, Repton, and Monroeville are just showing their age in the buildings. I agree with Lindsay in that Brewton has done a much better job of trying to keep the small town pretty. All of the downtown area is lined with flowers and hanging baskets. The color of choice this year was white and purple and they were stunning. However, the buildings are looking old. I think it was a stark reminder that I am aging too.

Mother turned 88 and we celebrated with a fish fry one night with the kids. I think she enjoyed the attention. Jeff and I took her to eat on her actual birthday. I took her picture outside the restaurant to document her 88th birthday.

I am scared to even type the words...she is doing pretty well right now.

She is. She has good days and not so good, but she gets around good, still cares for herself. She does repeat herself and honestly is bored a lot. She can't see much to read or either she can't keep up with the story. Not sure how much of it is; can't see or can't follow along. There is nothing on TV for someone her age and she won't get any additional subscriptions, and I am not even sure she could get on them if I got them for her. She is not computer literate in the least. But, for now she is ok. 

Jeff had to change out her shower head which broke and I have to get someone over there to replace an outlet which didn't look like Jeff should mess with it. Looked a little deeper than just a quick replace. There is kind of always something to keep us hopping, but that is life.

I puttered inside the rest of the week. The weather was just not motivating at all to doing all the much needed yard work. We will be getting a new seawall this year, but that is at least 2 months out. I need to put some new straw down in the beds, hit some stone with a pressure washer, and paint a table for just a few of things on my list.

I am trying to hold on to my pansies until Easter. They are quite leggy but still having in there.

I stitched a little rabbit that I displayed in my Easter basket.

The pattern was called The Rabbit and the Rose by With Thy Needle and Thread.

I also got The Shepherd's Song back from the frame shop. The frame is just gorgeous. 

If anyone is interested in this pattern, I will give it away. If there are more than one of you then I will just do an old fashioned pencil and paper drawing from a hat. Just say you are interested in it in the comments. I will take care of it before my next post which will be 10-14 days from now.

This framed piece will go to the Auburn house for my sampler wall when we do decide to go.

That is pretty much it around here. I do have a few more cute pics of grands. I had bought Tucker and Palmer St. Patrick's Day shirts.

The leprechaun visited their bathroom.

Miles is growing at an exponential rate. 

He looks huge in this picture, but he is bigger than Tucker or Palmer were at that age. He has the cutest rolls and is always smiling. Well, not the last 2 days before spring break. He wanted to be rocked all day. Turns out there was a tooth coming in. It has barely broken the skin, but I am sure that was the reason for his fussiness.

Pretty tame around here. Gray skies are predicted for the first part of the week, so I doubt I will be very motivated to do much outside work, but it will come in due time.

That is about it for here.

Sandy