Catching Up

Catching Up can be seen in two different ways: one is that feeling I have of playing a game of "Catch UP" over the last 2.5 weeks or two, it could be just letting one know what is going on over here in Blog Land. 

I will go with what has been going on here in my little corner. I finished my third round of antibiotics. This time I am much better. Something just kept holding on to me keeping me coughing which is an exhausting thing in itself.

The Christmas tree was stood in its corner on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I have bought one from the same place now for three years. They are the freshest and it smells so good. It didn't get decorated until the Saturday after Thanksgiving which meant Miles saw it on two occasions all bare, so that when he arrived the Monday after Thanksgiving he admired it much. He said, "I love your ornaments, Mimi," which made Mimi very happy. Palmer has been by also and admired it. 

These days there seems to be a lot of fretting over getting Christmas up early. I will admit the tree is a wonderful addition to the long dark evenings, but I hate being in a rush any more. In fact, I have just downright put my foot down about being rushed. It is not easy folks, but I am trying. Now, when I share all the catching up post you may not think I have succeeded but I am trying. 

I saw a book mentioned on Instagram called, Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey. A quote from the first few pages...

"Our national observance of Thanksgiving is unique. It is both distinctly Christian and exclusively American, a holiday for celebrating faith, family, and freedom."

She goes on to say it is a holiday of rest. "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessings"  is a line from the famous hymn sung at Thanksgiving when I was a child. I think it sums up Thanksgiving well and why I try to make sure it has its place before Christmas. 

Then however, this girl is ready for all the Christmas including the songs, the trees, the lights, the wonder of it all through the eyes of my grandsons.

As for Thanksgiving week....

there were beach visits...

Okaloosa Island the first part of that week.

There were 2 family gatherings at my house. The first was pizza on Tuesday night with the whole family. Kristan, our niece was here from Texas with her family. I didn't take one single picture. I don't know what that says about me!

Then we met again for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful feast. Again, I didn't take pictures, well one. My Lindsay was not here for the second meeting. She had her in-laws in town so I was supposed to send a picture of the spread.

On that day, I think I was just tired but happy. Lindsay usually coordinates pictures. She was missed on that account.

Let's just say, Kristin's twins will be unrecognizable to even long time readers the next time I post a picture of them. They are now freshmen in high school and are growing up fast.

There were more beach visits...

Gulf Islands National Seashore between Navarre and Pensacola.

Looking towards Pensacola. The Gulf was like glass two days later. Perhaps the most beautiful place on Earth.

The kids did come over for other times and loved fishing off the dock.

Miles tried to hand Tucker a shrimp to put on his hook, but Tucker said, "No way."

Palmer showed him how it is done. 

In the past couple of weeks, there have been lots of flag football games for Tucker. My goodness, these are fun too watch. 

There has been decorating.

Working on a few home repairs along the way. Remember all that water damage. I have been trying to restain the window sills and baseboards during nap times which means it is slow progress, but still it is progress. Nothing much to show yet. In fact, when I thought I had done such a good job, Jeff had the nerve to tell me it needed a second coat. Bah Humbug!

Fall is full peak in Fort Walton Beach. It always arrives in December and it is quite pretty, but most have moved on past thoughts of fall. I have been enjoying the walks and views though. Every tree is on fire. I didn't expect such a pretty fall since it has been dry this year, but it is showing off this year.

Again, no pics. What kind of blogger have I turned into?

December flew in here, but I have all the decorations up and the presents bought. I have one more to wrap so I am feeling quite good about that.

I am off to sell Mother's car on Thursday in Pensacola. That is a big deal and honestly will be a burden off my shoulders. That is all I will say there.

I will try to be back next week with more than just the diary of my life. I didn't mean to take a blog break, but I think I needed it. I am going to break a few more days and hopefully catch up with everyone midweek next week and become a more sociable blogger.

The end of year roses are sometimes some of the prettiest. This one is "Oklahoma." She was out there all by herself so I went down and clipped her so I could enjoy her on the counter.

Until next time,

Sandy