September 16, 2025 AD

First up...

I am done trying to come up with titles for my posts. I am over it! From now on, a title will only have a date, a holiday, month or season in it. 

I didn't mean to fall off the radar, but I couldn't have forced a post last week with the news had I not had good reasons for my absence. The news of Charlie Kirk just was too much to muster up any energy to write or engage about. Those things go in my paper journal which got quite a few pages of my jumbled thoughts.

Thank goodness for paper journals...they are my release.

In my last post I had mentioned I had to take Mama to 3 different doctor appointments (dermatologist, ENT, and pain doctor for an injection) the first week of September and somewhere in all of those I got myself a case of pneumonia. I have been down for the count on feeling so poorly and ringing in a birthday too. I was sick all last week and finally decided I wasn't going to get better on Thursday, so I called the doctor's office and went in. He gave me an antibiotic, some steroids, and cough medicine. I even thought I felt a little better Friday evening, but when I woke up Saturday morning I couldn't get a good deep breath. Jeff immediately said we were going to the ER, and I balked big time. He pulls out the oxygen meter and I made him change the batteries because I just couldn't register that it could possibly be correct. Not enough O2 to the brain I suppose. I lost the battle and he watched football that day on his phone.

I am just so weak now, but I am much better and feel certain with a few more days I will be fine. It has put a lot on Jeff. He had to take Mama to the doctor today. I have no idea what I would do without him. His knee is healing but he is still on a slow roll himself.

I promise to try and talk about only the good stuff in the blog which I would imagine we could all use some, so I will try to jog my memory for some of that stuff over the last 2.5 weeks and then I am going to do my best to go visit all my friends here in Blogville.

When we arrived back from Auburn on the 1st, I had an early birthday present waiting from my friend, Arlene. I mean look at all this goodness. Pattern, linen (gorgeous pinky color), floss, and the board to finish it. I dove in stitching on it right away. I am honestly very close to finishing the stitching but I will wait to share the finish. 

The pinky color doesn't show up. I tried twice. Hopefully, when I am done adding all the red stitching to it you will be able to see it. I will try another location to photography it. The linen almost resembles peppermint to me.

I kept seeing this fabulous card in the package too and finally figured that it popped it up and out and oh my....how cute it this?! 

It has become part of the fall decor that I am slowing letting come in. I always am reluctant to let fall in for some reason. I am not this way on any season other than fall. One would misinterpret it -if you think I hate fall. I really don't. I think it just means the year is going to fast and if somehow I hang on it won't go so fast. Once I accept it, I find it to very a nice season. One thing though is it that it remains warm here and it is harder to feel all the falls, but doggone it this September has been so mild. 

We have a fall blooming azalea flower that has been loaded with butterflies and dragon flies and the bottle brush shrubs have even attracted some hummingbirds. Those have been such rewards when hopping outside.

On another plant note, I planted the one geranium this year rather than going overboard. Usually by the end of August they are completely done. This year I kept it watered, but didn't fertilize it at all during the hot months of summer. I sort of let it go dormant. A couple of weeks ago, it just popped up with a bunch of blooms. September has been milder than usual and I guess it felt it could try again to produce some lovely blooms.

I managed to actually fully finish Valerie's Christmas ornament. It is all ready for her this Christmas. I backed it with the traditional tartan plaid that I have done the others' in but gave her an oval shape.

*****

I turned 65 despite spending the day before in the ER missing all the college football goodness. I have a good husband who took good care of me and what more could one ask for. 

I am truly so blessed. I learned long ago that birthdays and aging are to be celebrated ---not moaned over that one is getting old. I lost my dad at 32. I remember waking up to my 32nd and looking at Lindsay and thinking I would never ever moan about getting old. I would always look upon my birthday as a gift to watch my children grow and now watch my grandchildren grow. 

I accept wrinkles, saggy skin, age spots and all that with grace. I do my best to take care of myself but no one can avoid all germs and sickness. I have felt quite awful this past week, but I will be ok with some time.

The kids are so busy and both have had many challenges lately, but they loved on me well and we had a quick meal on Sunday evening, my actual birthday. Long time readers may remember that the past few years Lindsay and I have celebrated our birthdays together since we are about 10 days apart, but she felt I needed one alone this year for 65 I guess. I didn't argue.

I will be popping in trying to catch up but I am sure many of you are like me...

the current events have zapped  me. 

Sandy

Hello September

Here it is September once again... how can that be? It is a full month of birthdays and our anniversary. We celebrated 41 years together today. We are home from Auburn rested for all the busy days ahead. After so many health issues that try to paralyze one with fear, we are so grateful for 41 years of marriage. We know every day is a gift. 

The weather was spectacular in Auburn for the weekend. I am so grateful to have the home in Auburn. It is such a different setting than our primary coastal home. It is truly the best of 2 worlds. Auburn played away, but it was still bustling with energy in Auburn. Our little neighborhood is very close to the action, but yet very quiet and restful. It is surrounded by oaks, not live oaks like at home, but all kinds of other ones. It makes for a peaceful outdoor setting. 

I said I didn't decorate for fall right away, but I sat there looking at the built-ins at Auburn and thought they are just naturally a more fall look with the browns, cotton, squirrels and more fall colored items on them. It helped me get in the mood although I am still hanging on to summer a bit.

Auburn usually helps me prepare for the transition from summer to fall. It lends itself to a more fall setting than living at the beach. There is such beautiful farm land in northern Florida along the border between Florida and Alabama. In the summer the fields are so green and lush with crops, but this time of year the cotton has been planted. Once I see that I am usually able to start thinking about letting fall in. Once it blooms in a few weeks, it is like a rite of passage for fall to me.

I did quite a bit of stitching, walking, watching football and general easy living. We spent time with friends and ate out mostly while there, so tomorrow is back to reality of eating right. Mom has 3 doctor appointments on 3 different days this week, so as I said, September will start off busy. 

I did get my stitching mojo back and it felt so good. I started 3 new things in my excitement. All 3 are mostly small but still have lots of stitches in them. I will share more when I get farther along on them. I even sewed my latest stitch into a pillow. Need to trim it. Here is a preview of what it is to come.

I also arrived home to the cutest stitching present from a good friend. I will wait until my next post to share it. So good!

We went out to eat with good friends on Sunday evening and the restaurant was so kind. They brought out champagne for our anniversary.  Many of you know I don't drink alcohol (I don't think there is anything wrong with it- just a personal decision with a long story behind it), but I was so impressed that I smiled sweetly and had my picture taken. 

We don't look like those kids from long ago, but we are blessed indeed.

Lindsay and her family went with the in-laws over to Cape San Blas and had a fun weekend at the beach. The weather was supposed to be rainy all weekend in the south or so we thought. They had good beach days. I thought their picture was so good.

Paul Allen and family hung out at our house for a good part of the weekend enjoying our waters. Katie got a sweet picture of the kiddos in their Auburn attire. Valerie's outfit was one I got for her. 

I am so happy to have my turn keeping her. 

Back to reality tomorrow, but one last note. I think I have had many new readers and here we thought blogging was on the way out. Anywho, I decided to add a little more to my About Me page at the top of the blog. I added the characters you see here on the blog so you understand all the names.

Happy September,

Sandy

Savoring Late Summer

 I know everyone is thinking fall....

I am kind of leaning towards it, but not quite yet.

I have learned I really don't like to rush the seasons as I age (well, maybe winter) and to just rest in the moment a little more. 

I made a trip out to the beach this morning to stroll and have some prayer time with the Lord. It is my place to go when I have been pulled in a lot of directions or just tired. He met me there and comforted me. I prayed for my entire family one by one and thanked Him for our blessings. I really strolled more than walked because the water was gorgeous and the perfect temperature. I kept my feet in the water for most of the walk, so it slowed me down which quite frankly I think I needed literally and figuratively.

As you can see, I went fairly early. The sun had not burned off the cloud cover. It was just lovely. This time is often not seen by many because of back to school, but it is a wonderful time to be at the beach. The water is clear and warm, the crowds are gone, and it is truly such a beautiful time to beach it.

As I turned to head back to my car, it started sprinkling rain. We have been getting a good bit of rain coming off the Gulf lately. I noticed no one rushed in. It sprinkled on me for most of my trip back down the beach to my car. I didn't rush it. My shirt was wet, but I just continued on my stroll. There were no signs of bad weather, so I went with it. Time well spent to cap off some rather busy weeks.

As I was walking back to the car, I thought about something Jeff and I had talked about in our morning devotional. We have been doing the Bible Recap together this year. He heard me doing it much of last year and decided he wanted to do it this year, so we have gone through the chronological reading of Scripture and listened to the recap podcast together. We were in Jeremiah and it was talking about how rain was considered a blessing in ancient times. We often miss that thought in modern times. It reminded me of a song I heard back in college by a girl named Joy Krueger. To simplify ----She spoke of how the flowers need rain to grow, but we do too. Troubles/rain grow us too. 

*****

Summer is fading into fall in many ways. The intense heat doesn't leave us here for at least another 6 weeks. They are speaking of a cool front coming down, but I doubt very seriously it reaches us. I have some late summer decor that holds me off of the pumpkin decorating that usually takes place for most on September 1st. I understand as I decorate for spring on March 1st.

I will slowly add in my fall decor, but usually don't add a pumpkin until late September. I have some stitched pieces with squirrels, acorns, and leaves to start the ball rolling.

****

While on the seasonal change, I am wearing my white shorts today and my white pants tomorrow. I will wash and put them in the back of the closet until next Easter. I still adhere to my rules. We don't have huge seasonal changes in the weather, so you have to have the fashion rules to guide the seasons here. I know many roll their eyes at me. Go right ahead. You won't deter me one bit from following my rules! 

*****

I am slowly getting my stitching mojo back. I won't have much to show for a while, but it truly felt good to pick up my needle today. 

*****

School seems to have been a rocky start for many this year, but Miles is doing well, FINALLY.  His teacher is gifted! He got to bring home Dani, the dinosaur this weekend. They needed to document Miles's adventures over the weekend with "Dani." It will be hard to top this.

They went to a restaurant on the island for lunch. Look at Valerie holding it too. Oh my, she is going to have a big personality. I think at 7 months I can tell she will hold her own with Miles and the 2 cousins. I feel like I haven't take many pictures of her, but trust me they are coming.

They had a roller coaster simulator there too. Is not the face of pure joy?! It is so good to see after so many tears. Miles's parents deserve this. He had worn them out!!!

Tucker and Palmer are doing well with their new grades too.

*****

In an effort to get back to blogging again, I will share a few changes in the home this calendar year. I am way behind on sharing any of them. I might add too, that all of them have brought me such joy. 

I shared that we painted the guest bathroom, aka Lindsay's old bathroom. It now is the same color as the adjoining bedroom. I am telling you....PURE bliss. I also changed out the bedspread for the last time in her bedroom. I finally found something I really like!

I found this at Home Goods in Auburn a while back. I knew it would be a good match. I think it was just what this room needed. The print is more subtle than past tries. 

In the living room or family room (the room we do life in) I saw a leather chair in a fall magazine. I have missed my leather furniture. I really love my sea grass green couch, but I have missed the ability to wipe down leather. I had purchased a new chair for me to sit in and given Jeff my extra large chair that we bought when we got the couch back in 2020. The chair was like a chaise lounge with the size. I noticed though it was beginning to wear and stain with Jeff, so I decided he needed a leather chair. He really liked what I showed him and it was in stock in SanDestin so off we went. I could not love anything more.

I have been sitting in quite a bit myself. 

I wish I had professional pictures to show you how good it works in the room, but that will never be me. 

The extra large chair went downstairs to the big room. I have loved it down there. I have made me a little reading nook. I kept Jeff's brother's record player and honestly I love going down there to sit. It is one of my little hiding spots when I need quiet.

The painting is done. How is we love getting things done, but hate the process! It was so over stimulating to my already cluttered brain to have painters in the house, but it is finished. Thank goodness.  They had to come back for the garage. I didn't even want to tell Jeff that it was not sticking, but I knew I had to write that check and when he finally did notice it - it would not be good. It is due to the heat and humidity. He is thinking about getting a dehumidifier for the garage. 

The next home improvement project will have to be addressed by next July. July, August, and September are intensely hot months and with the removal of the pine trees by the kitchen it has been so hot in the kitchen and living room in the mornings. That  eastern sun coming up is steaming it up. I don't want to have to cover those windows with something year round, so we have to do some research on a solution by next July.

How's this for a more normal blogpost? Can I keep it up? Time will tell. 

Until then,

Sandy

Back to School/Routine?

 The past 2 weeks have been even more than I imagined, but before I give you a life update I need to share a book.

I have read a good many books this year and haven't shared, but this one is worth sharing. It is the best book I have read in a long time. I started out reading it slow and not because it wasn't good, but so good that I wanted to savor it. I had to give in and read the last third much quicker because it had a surprise ending. It is a beautiful story of age and loss and community and observing nature and people.

I loved everything!

The author grew up in Columbus, Georgia. It was not hard for me to see that he based the town of Golden on Columbus. I have lived there twice in my life and it holds special memories for me. I could see through his eyes the setting...the historic district, the college, the homes, the river and river walk. 

It is definitely worth your time. It is a bit of a newer release and I don't think it has gotten nearly the press it deserves. 

I have been in a stitching slump. I finished one of the fall things that I was stitching for a second time.

I now have this and Valerie's ornament to finish up into their final forms. 

I have started nothing new in 2 full weeks. I haven't had time to read or stitch for that matter, but I miss my needle. I just am in a slump over what to stitch next. I need some time to think and be inspired. It has been a long time -well almost 10 years that I haven't stitched almost daily. I have perused all my patterns and just feel nothing. I hope that changes soon!!!

I have been very busy as I said I would be in my last post and have learned a lesson as well as thinking through some things. Let me break that down for you.

I kept all 4 grandchildren 2 weeks ago. I had all 4 only 2.5 days but had some form of them the others. I learned a BIG lesson. I am too old for that. I really wanted to do it. I wanted to give the boys some special time together and a break before school started. I am here to tell you though I bit off more that I could chew well. Poor Jeff was recuperating and of little help. He is the enforcer and only has to say one time to quieten down where is I am the pushover. He did enforce, but it was still a lot. The energy and the noise and all of it let me know I will never do that again for a week. A teacher workday scattered here or there, yes, but never a week.

Next summer, I will spread out some special days with each one separately.

A caveat I didn't expect was little Valerie REFUSED the bottle from Mimi. It surprised and stressed me and her mommy. That made my first days with her very HARD and had her mommy worrying. I am pretty sure no bottle is ever going to be used. I am working on a sippy cup routine. It is getting better with each day. She will 7 months tomorrow. Who knew? I fed her milk with a spoon one day, but she is taking a cup much better now.

In all of that, Jeff got a painting company to come and do some things needed and then we added to that with things wanted and that amounted to a week of chaos. Just what we needed. I had gotten past the week with all the kids and then I have workers in the house for a week.

The bathroom that I hated the wall color got painted as something wanted.

It is the color that is one half the house and looks so much better and calmer. 

We got a refresh on all the painted trim and doors in the house which is mostly downstairs and in one room upstairs. They look amazing. The fishing room which I have shared before got a new paint job. It hadn't been touched in 41 years.

However, the garage which was the need is still going. It turned in to a BIG JOB and will hopefully be finished this week, but at least the workers are not inside the house anymore. The color on the fishing room and garage is Sherwin Williams Popular Gray. 

The workers got to hear Valerie cry if I put her down at all. The most I can get out of her is to occasionally sit her at my feet to play. SO once again, this past week was a lot! I have sat a lot with her which means I am physically ok, but the crying wore me out mentally and coupled with trying to get her to eat and drink from a cup. Of course, after she wins the battle with the cup or being picked up she gives me a big ole grin.

Meanwhile, her parents are having a rougher time with Miles. You may remember Miles didn't make it to daycare last August due to the crying and repeating over and over ---"Is DaDa going to pick me up?" or some version of that.

This year has been no better. He went 4 days and has cried most of it and all evening as well. Paul Allen ended up staying home with him Friday. It is the worst case of separation anxiety I have ever seen. No clue what they are going to do. I had Paul Allen get him over here Friday about noon and got Miles to nap here and sent Paul Allen down to sleep in his old room. 

I questioned whether I would even log this into the old blog, but it is the main focus at this point in time.

Lots of things are being tossed about as solutions and I am glad I am not the parent and only the grandma who is praying like crazy.

Tucker and Palmer went to their respective places just fine. Thank goodness.

1st day outfits.

Tucker is in 1st grade and Palmer is in VPK. You will hear me say Palmer is in VPK next year too. His birthday is late July and the plan is to start him to school a year late. That has put him in church with Miles. I think that is the only reason Paul Allen and Katie have been able to take him to church is that he is with Palmer for that.

Lots to figure out.

Lots to figure out.

I am doing remarkably well despite all of it and add Jeff's knee and Mom and all her issues. 

Which led me to a thing I finally worked out in my head. 

I have taught some age group since I was 25 at church. I know that serving is important. I have taught young ones for so long, but I have realized I just don't want to anymore. My joy is gone for it. I decided this week to put in my 2 week notice and call it quits. I should have done it in May, but I just kept feeling responsibility more than anything else. I don't have the patience needed to do it. When I finally made the decision and let them know so much peace came over me.

I still open my home to a small group Bible study each week and Jeff and I lead Starting Point at church for people who are seeking. I have shared about that too here. 

But, kids ---no more after tomorrow and one more. Like I said, I have peace. 

That is my 2 weeks in a nutshell. Hoping to get in to a better routine this week. Or course, I have no clue what will happen with Miles, but we will work it out.

Not exactly the most fun post, but such is life sometimes.

Gus said it all after each of these 2 weeks by going to his kennel when the noises of the day quieted.

Stay tuned for more fun things like a new chair and hopefully a freshly painted garage and ceiling repairs....

Sandy

Life Lately: Busy and HOT

Yet another 2 plus weeks have flown by too quick for me. This has turned out to be a VERY busy summer and all my thoughts of relaxing on the beach or even on my back deck have gotten away from me. Of course, it has been August heat for all of  July so you would have to be sitting with your toes in the water or inside with the most wonderful invention ever...central air. I honestly don't know how we lived without A/C. We did though! In school as well.  

Hank Heron hiding in the grasses.

Jeff is a week and a half past the knee replacement. Other than the initial first few hours, I would say he is doing exceptionally well. Apparently, the nerve block they give you these days did little, so waking up to the pain was a lot for him. I have been through many surgeries with Jeff including a hip replacement and a revision. The knee was exponentially worse.  I do think he is recovering well, and he seems to be on the good side of a recovery timeline.  I will take that win.

I took Mother for another round of nerve ablations in her back. I thought they might help. That is to be determined. As of now, she is complaining a bit more. I think the side they did them on feels better, but the other side hurts worse. I am hoping it is just due to the way she was lying and with a few more days she will feel better too. 

We have celebrated 2 birthdays over here since my last post. Pre knee replacement we did Palmer's party. Palmer didn't have the usual party with friends since they had just gone on a cruise with the other grandparents. Lindsay and Tyler  talked him into a day of him getting to choose things like where to eat and where to go for fun on his day. We had the family over here for hotdogs and hamburgers on the day before his birthday. He wanted hotdogs. I did a quick decorate for it with a Pluto/Mickey Mouse theme.

I made the usual cupcakes but this time I put the fudge icing that Mama always makes for a 7 layer cake on the cupcakes. Not as pretty but overwhelmingly everyone agreed tasted much better. 

Tucker and Palmer before everyone else arrived.

Palmer was very pleased with his presents. One present was such a hit that while I didn't get a picture of the fun that took place after this picture, you will see it down below. I ordered it again for Miles.

If you have a grandson aged 3-8, stay tuned for a perfect gift.

Also notice Battleship was out. Tucker had stayed with me that day. I can't even remember why now, but I taught him to play Battleship that day. 

Before we move on to Miles's birthday, I loved this picture. So many things are going on here.

First, is the storm cloud. They can pop up after heat laden days. The past 2 weeks we have had upper 90's with at least 2 at 100. That is not the bad part. It is the humidity which has had the real feel near 120 for far more days than I would like. 

I love summer. I make no bones about it. I love the long days full of fun and adventure, but also a slower pace. Although mine has not been slower paced this year. This summer has taken me to the max though with that kind of heat. Gus thinks he wants to go out to walk, but we go just a bit and his tongue is hanging out and I am drenched. I am not ready to call and end to summer, but will gladly take some low 90's for sure.

Back to the picture. We keep binoculars handy for nature sightings on the water whether that is the occasional alligator or just birds. Paul Allen grabbed the good ones out of reach of little ones and headed out to look for what he thought was an alligator. Of course, he didn't say that to the little ones. They don't generally hang out in our bayou because it is a little too salty for them, but they can and have been. Usually word travels when one is out there.

I keep 2 pairs of old binoculars for the kids to use handy to do the same. Little Palmer saw Paul Allen (who he adores grab and go), so he did the same. I thought this was just the cutest picture.

Post surgery, we celebrated Miles in the same manner as Palmer. He got his usual party for all of the family on both sides the next day, but with Jeff and Mama being down we didn't try to go and celebrate. 

Same cupcakes but with Star Wars. Yes, Paul Allen has introduced Miles to Star Wars. Paul Allen is an encyclopedia when it comes to SW and Miles is on board.

The food Miles chose--- chicken pot pie. He loves them especially the peas. I don't know if all the adults were on board, but it actually turned out pretty good. 

I only had a video of Miles with his cupcake, so I had to do a screen shot.

Now for the present that was a hit- Lindsay has to get credit for thinking of it. She had told me to order it for Palmer. That blue thing 

rolled up is a race track for hot wheels. It is a winner with parents in that it takes up a small amount of space, but a hit with the boys in that it really makes the cars go fast.

You can place it anywhere. It has suction cups to attach it to a window. Lindsay had it attached to their front door and the boys were rolling them down their long hallway. Here it is just on the coffee table and rolling into our kitchen. You can make hills with the box which they did. Something is slick about it because they will roll down and over a hill and keep going.

Every grandma out there knows nothing makes us happier than our families together having fun. 

Most of the month since my last post has been just taking care of people, trying to keep up with my chores, and staying cool. Not much to share. I am coming back soon though---said the ambitious person.

Jeff got a cute t-shirt from a friend yesterday, so I had to take a picture to send them.

I have probably bitten off more than I can chew, but I am keeping lots of kiddos next week. It is the week before school and I just felt like Tucker especially could use a break before school starts the following week. Katie is headed back for preplanning so I have Miles and Valerie too. 

It should be a hip hopping roaring place over here. We are calling it Camp Mimi. I have made stations downstairs in the big room. I have got all kinds of activities planned and Jeff will be able to help me with Valerie.  I think Wednesday is the only day I will have all 4 for the whole day. There are some other things going on during the week that will take one or some away, but yes, I know I am nuts.

Nuts like the nut grass in my flower bed is making me. My flower beds look bad for me, but dang it is hot out there. I almost passed out one day trying to work in them.

I have so many things on my to do list that I wanted to get done pre start of school. Just didn't happen. Jeff has a painter coming Monday to look at some things that need painting inside. Things I normally do, but you know what? I am no spring chicken and have lots going on, so I am going to let someone else do it. It has been hard to let some things go like yard maintenance. Wish you could find someone to pull weeds...those don't exist. No one does those things as well as you would like, but I am learning that I have to give up on some of my perfection and get help. Like I have said before, we are't world travelers. Our home and backyard are our playgrounds so I am going to let someone paint and scratch those things off my list.

I am trying to make a list of all the things I want to blog about...the new book I just read that was so good, stitching and just random things of life...like things come and go. I hope to be back blogging soon, but I have at least another week and probably one after that to recover. I have seen so many blogs closing. I feel like most are giving up and I have seriously thought about it, but I am hanging in there because I am not the best at social media. The blog is much more my thing.

Little Valerie is growing so fast. Mimi is looking forward to having her here everyday.

Until next time,

Sandy

July 15, 2025 AD

 Shortly after I wrote my last post which has been almost a month ago, I felt like I needed to take a brain break. Back when teaching, I called a brain break for the kids after we had done some heavy learning; when the brain might be tired from all the work the students had done. Sometimes the brain break involved physical activity which is what most 4th graders needed, but for this older lady brain I just needed some quiet from the noise that life can throw at us. I will give a life update after I share my stitching.

Stitching

I mentioned I was stitching something for a family friend's daughter who just graduated from high school. These friends have 2 of the sweetest girls who are just precious to us. I had no idea that either would want something stitched. The older put the bug in my ear that "Laura" would like it. Trying to do something quick I looked for a quick download PDF from Etsy. That pattern had way more little x's than I could have imagined. I did finish it.

The pattern was from Yvonne Sewing World found on Etsy. I did change the outer edges of the flower to a darker color since the called for DMC Ecru just wouldn't show up on my linen. It has been framed in a round matted frame and delivered with notices to both girls when they move out from home and acquire a place of their own that I will stitch them something really cool. After all my home is full.

I immediately switched back to stitching grandchild #4's Christmas ornament. That is now stitched.

I plan to finish it with the tartan plaid for the back when I get some time. 

I haven't had as much time for stitching as I wanted since finishing the verse, but is there ever enough for this wonderful hobby. I have started some fall stitches that I have previously stitched. I did them shortly after I retired and while I love them, I have hated the linen that I stitched them on. I don't know if you even call what I used linen. I was just getting back to stitching after a long break and didn't know how much things had changed and modernized. This stuff was super stiff and hard to work on for finishing. I just loved the stitches and have had it on my mind to redo them for ages. Why not now? There are 2 of them to redo. I started the first this past weekend. 

I also really want to do some Christmas smalls...maybe even as gifts for some really good friends who have held my hand through the trials of the past couple years. We will see how much I can pull off with my plans. One thing is sure -  I love stitching. I have been stitching in my little sewing room as of late. I have discovered that I can lay out all my stuff on the sewing counter. There are overhead lights right there and then the natural light and view of the water are added bonuses to the relaxing feeling of the needlework.

Gardening

Well, my green thumb seems to be taking a break too. Anything planted in the ground is loving life - my daylilies have flourished this summer. Everything is so lush and green. My dwarf bottle brush shrubs have come back from the January snow. They haven't bloomed yet, but from the looks of them I think they will be blooming in September just in time for all the butterflies and bees. 

That clematis that I went crazy over this spring are a big ole dud. I bought 3 of them. When will I learn to just buy one of something and try first? They look absolutely no different - well maybe worse. No blooming. I have tried everything...locations, fertilizer, etc. You name it---I have read and studied. Nope ---just a big letdown. They aren't dying, but not much to get excited about. Jeff thinks it is the humidity. 

It has been very hot and humid even for this summer loving girl. The heat index high for today is 114. 

Even my vincas which I have grown for years are not happy this year. I have lost my edge I think. I think it is just a reminder that I need to not try to do so much. Less is more in this case. A few things to nurture is better than a ton that look sad.

Speaking of heat...

Tourist season has been a doozy this year. So much that I have not been to the beach as often as last year. The last week of June I had to help out with getting Tucker to a golf camp out in Sandestin. He loves golf and is quite honestly good. They signed him up for this camp since he needs things to do in the summer while Mama works. The traffic with tourists AND the fact that we are getting a new bridge out on the island has led to a jam up and jelly tight situation out on the beach road. While it a wee bit of a drive it should not have taken an hour to go and an hour to get back. I got to listen to a lot of podcasts on the drive. So much traffic...just standstill ---at least the views were good. Oh and hot! Tucker was wiped out each day after it. I kept him that week at my house so that he could cool down and rest afterwards. 

And helping with the kiddos has been a lot of what I have done this summer. I am grateful that I can do that. It has kept me hopping for certain.

My leave from the blog was a combination of busy with the kids and just feeling like the world was so noisy. I can read myself when there is just too much going on ---those times tell me to step back and quiet everything but the important stuff which is my faith and family.

I just took this time to slow down everything and be quiet. 

I have made use of my back deck and dock in the late evenings. I am so blessed to live where I live. I really can't complain when I can walk out there and sit and just listen to the sounds of nature and the water moving with the tides. 

I have nothing much to share other than it has been a ton of family time with me just not having to think about what I might blog about. 

The kids are growing up so fast and I love that I get to spend time with them. 

I also had in the back of mind that yesterday was Jeff's 3 month visit back to the urologist. It has been 3 months since the surgery. It was time to check for a recurrence of tumors. I can shout that he was all clear. 

Now we move on to his knee replacement scheduled for the 23rd next week. One thing at a time. So grateful for yesterday's test result. 

We have 2 little ones with birthdays coming up soon and before I know it school will start. I am looking forward to having Valerie then. She is adorable. I am ready for her.

I don't have a ton of pictures to share because part of my brain break has been not thinking too much about stuff like that. 

I think I am ready to get back in my groove.

Sandy in the summertime!

Oh I did see a thing on Instagram to share a song that said high school to you. I chose Stay by Jackson Browne. I can visualize that song on the tape or radio while sitting on the bridge to get to Pensacola Beach between junior and senior year. 

Trip to Cape San Blas

Since my last post, our family made it back to Cape San Blas for a weekend. After one trip was canceled and trying to find a house for another weekend, Lindsay said why not just go sooner than we had planned. I feel like it was a fast decision, but we were lucky enough to find a house. We just planned and packed quickly. This time we stayed on the bay side rather than the Gulf side. 

One thing is for certain, the bay will win out for future trips. We always went to the bay when the kids were little, but when we went in 2020 we got a Gulf side house. Hands down all loved the bay side, so Sandy will just have to walk over to put her toes in the Gulf side. Now, the bay is actually just trapped Gulf water so really I am getting my salty experience on either side. If I am honest, I liked the bay side too. The one who didn't or maybe he did was Gus. Gus was a bad dog though. He couldn't relax because he could see everything from the window so no one was leaving out that back door without him. He didn't understand the salty taste of the water. He threw up all the salt water that he ingested despite my best efforts. Next time, he will stay home with a sitter.

Other than that we had a marvelous time together soaking up the quiet life the Cape holds.

Here are a few photos of the trip.

Sunrise and you can see low tide. The tides are very prominent in the bay and bring with them loads of sea life. We didn't keep any of it...just enjoyed seeing it. All of the sanddollars and starfish are alive.

Tucker did reel in a small shark. He was quite proud and asked if anyone his age had ever caught a shark before? HA!

View from the porch. The water you see is wonderful for swimming. Shallow and clear. Pure Gulf water. Lots of patches of grass for finding starfish and sand dollars and other things too.

Jeff and Paul Allen's birthdays were last week but we waited until we got to the Cape to celebrate. I felt like I rushed their birthday a bit, but I think they would have chosen the trip over the regular day we usually have.

The boys put each one of those candles in the cake. I also felt he cake was rushed. It is the fudge frosting that I know is popular in the south. Not sure about other parts. It is time consuming and I didn't even clean up the cake pan. I was making it the night before we left.

I failed to get a better picture of the birthday boys. When you have 3 little boys around, the mind doesn't work as well as it once did. They did however get the candles blown out and the cake was delicious! All that icing was cleaned up off the pan before we left for home. Paul Allen is 33 and Jeff is 64. I have 9 months on him.

I am back worn out and spent most of yesterday moving slowly. Grateful that we got to go and now there will be a knee replacement for Jeff in July and of course the usual with Mom. I am still planning a day a week for tutoring Tucker. I am also doing something each week with the kids. It is a busy season, but I am grateful to be able to share time with them. 

In my next post I will share more about what I have been stitching on and a book I read. I have 2 new books sitting in my stack ---deciding which I will start today. Both look like they will be great.

The stitch is a gift for a family friend that graduated from high school this year. I had no idea she would like a stitch, but I got word she would.  I am just trying to finish it by the end of June. More details later on it.

 

Tired, but oh so grateful for time with family making good memories. 

Sandy