Saturday, March 25, 2023

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

19 comments:

  1. I love catching up with you and seeing pics of the little ones. It's hard seeing so much change and get older. I don't want to feel old but I do sometimes. I just want to keep going! Love your new slacks! I don't wear jeans at all and love the straight legs of the slacks. Hugs, Diane

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    1. Can we just slow that time down? I don't want to feel old either, but I did on that day. I do not care for jeans and even more so with time.

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  2. Fun post, Sandy! It really sounds as if you had a wonderful spring break. Shepherd's Song is gorgeous and I love the frame. It complements the stitch so well. Love your new slacks and the straighter legs. Very nice. Picking strawberries is hard for me to comprehend right now. We will not be able to do that until the end of June!

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    1. I know that strawberries are very early in Florida. I remember wondering why one of those monthly stitching patterns had strawberries in June. That is one thing I love about reading blogs from all over the country. It keeps me informed about what is going on regionally.

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  3. The frame on The Shepherd's Song looks beautiful! I love it. I don't know how to do that type of stitching but I am sure the pattern for it will be a blessing for those who are able to do such wonderful work. I hope your mother had a wonderful birthday. She looks so happy! The children look so sweet and I am sure you enjoy their company very much. I also enjoy clothes from Talbots. The purple top you selected looks beautiful! God bless!

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    1. Thank you for the compliments on the stitching and top. I love spending time with my little grandchildren. I am so blessed to have them close by.

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  4. Those boys are getting so big!! They are also so adorable!! I enjoyed this catch-up and am glad you got to enjoy a more restful spring break! I love your stitching projects! You and your mom both look fabulous!! Happy weekend!! xo

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    1. I think Mama looks great for 88 too. I remind her of that often.

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  5. Happy birthday wishes to your Mother! What a wonderful picture you took, Sandy! It sounded like being unplugged was a good thing for you all the way around. Your bunny finish is darling and your framed sampler is gorgeous. What a perfect molding for it! Thank you for sharing the pictures of Tucker, Palmer, and Miles; they are so precious. Hope you have an enjoyable end of March.

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    1. I really thought the frame selection was going to be good, but it really even shocked me how good it looked with the sampler. It really set the sampler off. I am enjoying March even if the weather has not been all that good. I am just glad we haven't had any bad weather. It was hanging on to the cool, but now it is just super cloudy, but I know it will come.

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  6. Great post! I'd be interested in the pattern - love that Bible verse!

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    1. Vickie, I would love to send it to you. I am going to start passing more of my patterns along rather than holding on to them. If you can send me an email with address to my email. To get me, go to the link under view my complete profile...top right of the blog. It will give you an email link to me there without me having to publish it for all to see:)

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  7. Hi Sandy: Your Mother is positively adorable, the shark reminds me of Saturday Night live way back in the 70s when the shark knocked on the door and said candy gram, the boys are all so adorable, i wish we had strawberries growing here, we still have snow, lots and lots of snow.
    Love your new outfit.
    Shepherds Song is beautifully framed.

    Catherine

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    1. Thank you. The snow is hanging on for certain.

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  8. I wish Mother could listen to a podcast too. She seems to have no interest. I even tried Audible with her. I think she has trouble staying focused on it.

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  9. Looks like you "made do" on spring break.lol So glad you were able to celebrate your mama. And those boys...I just want to squeeze all three of them. I do miss having a baby to love on. Loved seeing all the beautiful pictures.

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  10. Loved hearing about your week, Sandy, and I'm glad you had a little break yourself during Spring Break. As much as you love those boys, I think it's important to get out and do things for yourself now and then. That photo at the strawberry patch is so sweet--look what a blondie little Parker is! Love your new pants! Talbots is my go-to as I know they'll (almost) always fit me well. I live in white capris all summer--can't wait until May. I'll probably start wearing them before Memorial Day, though--ha ha! Such a silly rule...

    Your framed piece is gorgeous--the frame sets it off perfectly. And I love that little WTNT bunny. I pulled the chart, but doubt I'll get to it this spring. I'm currently in a more summery mood and I have very few summer pieces (other than patriotic) so I'm moving ahead with summer stitching.

    Happy Birthday to your dear mother. I think that's what life is like in your 80s and beyond--very up and down with health concerns. She looks wonderful and I hope her coming hear is a good one! Have a great week ♥

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  11. You had a full week! I do love your latest finished cross stitches. I agree that the frame you picked out for The Shepherd's Song is perfect for the piece. Your grandsons are all adorable, and changing so fast. I know the time flies and little ones grow so quickly. It's wonderful that you can spend so much time with them.

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  12. I felt I had not seen a post from you in a while. When I poked at that thought, I realized I had somehow missed this post from you. It's been longer than I thought since I'd heard from you, but it's my own fault!

    So many things to think about but I had to chuckle at the picture indicating the leprechaun had visited Lindsey's house. All the grandsons are precious. I understand the things you are saying about your mom. My mother is nearly ten years old than yours -- we have questions why our faithful older ones must last this long when life has lost so much of its luster for them.

    I hope this Easter Sunday (as I am writing this) is a day of blessing for you and yours.

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