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.
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.
Hi Sandy: Sounds like you took a break but still had a full schedule, which is good for the mind and body.
ReplyDeleteIn God I Trust is lovely, Valeries ornament is adorable.
I hope your Vincas get at least 6-8 hours of sun and have good drainage, this has been a hot summer here in Minnesota, all my plants are surviving so far.
Here in Minnesota we get the weekend warriors at the their lake homes, the traffic is horrible, no beach time for me. I bet Tucker looks adorable with a club, we live on a fairway and see many youngsters playing it is fun to watch them.
I am so happy to hear about Jeffs appointment, congratulations on the good results Jeff, sending Prayers your way for the knee surgery.
Thank-you for the Jackson Brown video, great song.
Catherine
I think the vincas get plenty of sun, but being in pots I think it is hard for them to get enough water with the heat coming their way. I may need to do a bigger pot next year. Everything in the ground gets hit with our sprinkler system so things have fared well there.
DeleteWe are expecting tropical rains starting tomorrow but no winds. We can use rain and hopefully it will cool it down a bit.
I am ready to get Jeff's surgery behind him. Not sure he feels the same way, but it is coming either way. I think it will help him immensely.
Thanks for stopping by.
So much of what you've shared I have felt, too: the mental journeys we take regarding family, hobbies, traffic, and so forth. You confirm to your readers that what we think and experience is not out of the norm. We have to give time to process all that goes on in our private world. Some of our pursuits turn out to be mistakes (or just a lapse of good judgement) and some are the opposite -- ingenious, even, to being successful in this season of life. But oft times we don't know that unless we try.
ReplyDeleteAnd then, of course, there are the factors that are absolutely out of our control: how the weather this year affects our plants and our energy, how people respond to us, etc.
It's always good to read your posts, Sandy. I do hope, with all that's been said here, that you will be able to discover more time to make those beach trips. The photos you share from your portion of the Gulf are always stunningly beautiful and calming to me.
Thanks Barbara. I think we all need to know we are fully normal or maybe close.
DeleteI have done things, but I have stayed away from the traffic as much as possible after 3 days of the golf trips. Oh my---it was insane that week. We did go on a boat ride Saturday morning. It was gorgeous. I have really enjoyed sitting out on the dock late in the evening. Tourists should settle down in a week or two with school going back. I do completely settle when I go out to the Gulf though. I always have. I am trying to soak up the days with a little slower pace of summer. I have had the kids a good bit, but not every day. They love coming and that makes me happy. We have been able to swim which they love.
We are about to get rain so maybe it will cool it down a wee bit.
I'm so glad you've had some time for stitching. I think that's very therapeutic for you! Also glad to hear the good news on Jeff's doctor visit and will say a prayer for you all next week. I've been away more from my blog than usual as well, but like you, I just sometimes need the little extra spare time I have to quiet my mind and tend to only the very necessary things in life. I can't imagine the nightmare the traffic must be during the summer. I see SO many people I know on Facebook headed to the beach. Some days I wish I could as well, but this heat has been pretty brutal lately! Great to see a post from you. Take care!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, it is hot and extremely crowded. I would always tell people wait until a little later to come. Of course, September can be lovely but you never know if you will have to cancel for a hurricane. July is usually the worst month. Building a new bridge that is the link has been a big kink in things. It has slowed things down even more. I really like the slower pace of summer so it just seems natural to slow down all of it and just enjoy things.
DeleteGood new from Jeff's appointment, hope the knee surgery goes well. We all need a break sometimes, seems like you made the most of yours. We are just at the end of yet another heatwave, unusual for the UK, but the kids break up for Summer holidays this week so of course it was going to rain! The gardens will be glad of the water though.
ReplyDeleteYour garden will love the rain. I wouldn't think you get the intense heat I get here in the southern part of our country. This one is hotter than usual because I actually like the warm weather but I do have a limit:)
DeleteWe were immensely relieved yesterday.
Seems like you are keeping plenty busy enough...I don't know how you would even have time for blogging even if you wanted to! Between caring for your little ones and situations with Jeff, etc., and your stitching (which are all beautiful, btw), I don't know how you have time to just rest and relax...or garden! It seems that we have spent much of this summer inside just resting because hubby hasn't felt well, and it's just too hot to try to do too much. Now we are finally getting some much needed rain, which will definitely help the flowers grow! Just take your time and enjoy your sweet family. Summer will be over before we know it and you will get back into some kind of routine. Take care and thank you for checking in with us. Always good to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteI don't think retirement was anything like I thought it would be. BUT, I have 4 little grandchildren that I wouldn't trade for all the "me time" I could have. This season of little ones will be gone in a flash and I am doing my best to keep up. When it is busy as it has been, I find it helps to push out some other stuff so I don't get worn down. I know it hasn't been fun waiting for tests and things. Been there done that. He does walk with us. My neighbors are going through cancer, so I have tried to take food once a week too. If you look around you will always find someone going through worse. I try to take each day as the gift it is. Hoping John is doing better.
DeleteGlad Jeff's appointment with the urologist went so well. Lifting him in my prayers for his upcoming knee surgery. What a beautiful round piece you stitched for your friend's daughter. Valerie's ornament is darling.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin. I hope y'all are doing well too. I have been able to read more than usual this summer. I have read some good nonfiction books but started a new fiction one that I will share soon.
DeleteWhat a blessing to have a great doctor's report! A brain break sounds like a very good indeed. Sometimes you just have to do it. And what a profitable way to enjoy your break. Your stitching is beautiful!!
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