Summer , you are here, but please don't go too quickly.

 June has been really good to me. Life stuff still has happened, but I have had some much needed rest. Rest can do wonders for you. I never in a million years thought when I retired from teaching in 2014 that I would have been as busy and my schedule seemingly not my own. I know I thought I was going to have leisurely days doing just what I wanted. Quite frankly, I don't think God's plans for me involve that kind of day at least not yet. I KNOW He knows best. 

I have been busy with some cross stitching and reading and puttering around in the yard when it is not raining. We are no longer in a drought. It has rained since my last post almost 2 weeks ago. It has made for very muggy days. I have still enjoyed all of them though!!! Sometimes rainy days force you to slow down.

I have completed the 3 of 4 stitches that I have been working on for the grandchildren. I hope to finish the final one soon. The first 2 I stitched were called We Are Blessed by Teresa Kogut.

The one on the left was stitched on 36 count Dirty Teacup. I had to outline the eagle's head and tail feathers. I think it turned out fine. I went with 36 count Vintage Country Mocha for the one of the right. I have both already laced and ready to put them on something.

The "something" has changed or maybe it has. Jeff said I should put them on a box rather than making an ornament type finish. 

I went searching on Pinterest for ideas. I still love Pinterest. It is the best place to store any idea you see and easily get to it. I saw these ideas...

Now, I have ordered some chenille trim to go around my stitch, but I could easily change that to cording that I make using the floss, but I think I can make it neater with the chenille trim. Anywho, I ordered some paper mache boxes from Amazon after looking at the 2 craft stores locally. It seems everyone is thinking like me on this idea. They are 7 inches in diameter and the stitches are 6 inches. I have played with the painting of the boxes this morning.

I am not the craftiest person, so when I return with the finished products there is no telling what I might do. I have stitched the third one and started the fourth one which is 250th Celebration by Teresa Kogut. They are the same size just a little different design, but they have the same floss colors. I am using the darker linen for these.

Stay tuned to see if I turn crafty or if I just go with what I know and do an ornament type finish. 

My plan for giving them to the kids who are really too young to care...? I am going to let them choose from the 4 in order of their age. Tucker gets first choice. I will not let the other kids see what someone else chose. I plan to do their choosing separately so they choose what they like. I don't really know if I will have them in their hands before July 4th because I don't rush myself anymore. I will just make a mess. I do have the boxes and will probably paint them today and tomorrow. The lacing is quick and easy. Trimming them is a little more time consuming. The oldest 2 are going to visit their other grandparents for the 4th so it may be after the 4th. 

Then it is back to the Pledge of Allegiance stitching. I have NOT grown tired of it yet.

*****

Jeff and I along with Katie took the boys on Friday the 19th before the daily rains to Goofy Golf. Goofy Golf is a local landmark here for over 60 years. A young family has bought it and restored it and once again families are taking their children and in our case grandchildren to play.

All 3 boys are quite athletic and their dads have taught them to play golf so they actually did really good and stayed together. I think the groundskeeper was surprised at such young ones doing as well as they did.

Valerie got a plastic golf club and made her own fun. She is the most self directed child I have seen. 

We had the place to ourselves that morning.

The dinosaur has been a big part of the park for all those years. Jeff always reminds us he got a spanking from his dad for trying to climb it when he was a young boy. Pictures are always taken by it ...I am sure there is one back in the archives of this blog.

Katie has pneumonia and has not felt well. She really didn't feel well that day. I kept Miles and Valerie yesterday for her to go to the doctor again and then rest.

***** 

I have been a little sad and really absorbing the loss of a friend and mentor. She was truly one of the most Godly women I have ever known. I have learned so much from her over the years. She would have turned 80 in September this year. She had some heart issues over the last couple of years and they had really weakened her. She fell during the night last week and had a brain bleed. She never recovered. 

You know how you sometimes just feel like someone is invincible. That was Nancy.

Here she is from the blog back in 2016 when she was a little away from 70 years of age. We were giving a shower to my bestie's youngest daughter. 

She was physically beautiful too. I have finally written in my journal some of the lessons she has taught me and how much I will miss her. It is really hard to fathom her earthly absence. I could go and on. Hug and check on often the people you love!!!!!!!!

If I can only be a fraction of her loveliness and love of Jesus I will be happy.

I will share some of the books read in a post soon.

Until next time. Gus and I are trying not to be too lazy.

Sandy

Cape San Blas '26

 We have made it home from our family vacation to Cape San Blas. This will be the 4th time since 2020 that we have made it over to the Cape. I have mentioned before, we used to go in the 1990's all the time, and then Hurricane Michael hit and it made me think it could really change it over there, so we decided to get back to make this a tradition for the little ones. I don't know if we will go every single year, but this unique location is a hit with our family.

My children took so many good pictures. I promise not to share all of them, but I am going to use some photos just to tell the story and document our family time. There was of course the crazy stuff happening which I suppose makes for interesting blog fodder.

We arrived in Indian Pass on Thursday afternoon and ate together while waiting for the house to be open for us. There is a place over there where you can take the dogs and we had Gus and my daughter's dog too.  While sitting on the screen porch and perspiring I say, "I do hope my chocolate frosting is not melting in the truck." This trip just like last year coordinated with Jeff and Paul Allen's birthday which are on the 10th and the 12th. Paul Allen offers to go out and check on it and maybe bring it in out of the truck. He calls me and asks where is the cake? He can't find it. ---- Oh and I am sure you are already guessing. Sandy left here beautiful delicious tradition cake at home on the counter. It was going to be my last thing to put in the truck. Something happened and distracted me right as I should have been picking it up off the counter.

It was sitting right there on the counter where I left upon returning today. Still delicious!

At least there were cookies that Lindsay had been in charge of. Since Jeff was turning 65, we decided to do a 1970's theme so that is what the decorations are all about. Don't worry, we didn't forget Paul Allen. We will get to that.

We did have them blow out a candle more for the little ones and ate pizza the first night.

But.....before we got to the pizza and birthday stuff, I took the boys out on the dock of the house. We were on the bay side again this year in the same house as last year. Lindsay had walked out to the end of the dock. The boys and I were going to go down from the dock walkway to look at the fiddler crabs that are literally everywhere.

Here is a picture of the dock so you can get a feel for the next story. Do you spy the stairs on the right going down to the grass?

Well, we went down those stairs and under the walkway to the area to the left. It was there that my story begins...

We were walking single file with Tucker in the lead, followed by Miles, then me and Palmer. Tucker steps into an area and says it is mushy. I then said, well we probably shouldn't do this. We should wait for the tide to go down more and then go in from the water rather than the grass.

Tides in the bay are extremely pronounced in St. Joe Bay. In the morning, you can not walk in many of these places because the water is way up. By evening, you can walk way out beyond the deck to a sandbar out there. There are grasses teaming with so much sea life in them too. Not scary ----

Because trust me, I am a very prissy girl and scared of my shadow.

Back to the story. Miles who is scared of nothing goes ahead of Tucker and ignores my saying we should go back. He really wanted to see the fiddler crabs up close. 

He gets out there and sinks into the mud. I didn't have time to be scared or anything, I just did what a grandmother would do. I went after him. I also sank. He began to cry and I am so glad he did because I was just in robot mode. His Mama heard him from the screened porch and came running. Just as she reached us, I was able to reach out and grab his hand and pull him out. Honestly adrenaline helped me pull him out. She gathered him up and put him on from ground and then had to pull me out. I was in above my knees and could not do a thing. It was like quicksand, only mud. My flip flops are deep in the mud and will never be found. I think they are a good 2 feet down based on the mud lines on my legs. 

The scene --- 

I took this the next day and you can see our sinking spots had filled in.

BTW, dishwashing soap gets mud out of white shorts

Lindsay finally heard us and was making it up the walk way. She said she thought I was doing a science experiment with the boys and sitting down. It would have been a likely explanation if it had not been a disaster. Paul Allen walked Miles back around all the places so he would not be overly fearful. 

It was quite a story. I promise other than all the things that happened to Tyler like flat tires, phone dying, etc. it was the most delightful vacation. 

On with the rest.

Friday was a day of boating. We always think we have the bay to ourselves. It is much less crowed than our area. 

We found all our usual sea life. 

Tucker with a sponge. Don't worry. We put it all back in the water.

Paul Allen was our captain.

Jeff enjoying Lindsay as we boated around.

The 3 Musketeers.

We picnicked. Valerie had a blast.

Large sand dollar find.

Valerie inspecting the finds.

Katie and I with starfish and a sea urchin.

Saturday we all did different things. Jeff and I went in to Port St. Joe for lunch. If you ever go there and you love seafood, you must eat at the Uptown Raw Bar and Grill. They make the most delicious steamed seafood anywhere.

I forgot to mention there were multiple trips to the Gulf side to enjoy the beach too. 

It was a full trip with lots of activities.

Tyler cooked for us on Saturday evening. He makes some fantastic Italian food which is my favorite and when you combine it with seafood...oh wow!

There were trips to get ice cream, card games after the little ones went to sleep and such good discussions with our children. 

The kind that leave you feeling so blessed.

Oh and Katie changed out the 1970's decor for Paul Allen's birthday. It has something to do with The Office (old TV show). Katie has learned about things she never could have dreamt with Paul Allen's TV shows. 

Oh on the boating day, we dropped Tyler back at the house before we took the boat back so he could go get the fish for his Italian dinner. He snapped this pick of the pups. They were being good dogs while we were gone.

It was such a good trip. I am refreshed and tired all at the same time.

One more cool thing about the Cape. It is mostly old Florida and only beach houses, no condos. Port St. Joe is an old Florida town too. I happened to walk Gus out in the middle of the night one night and looked up. The stars were amazing. There are no street lights or light pollution. It was incredible. I could see the Milky Way. That was a treat for me.

The trip is documented and I will be back soon with some stitching updates and other stuff. 

Sandy

Stitching Post and More

 I am back for a mostly stitching post.  For stitching almost everyday, I feel like I should have a lot more to show for it. I think that is because I am enjoying stitching again and there is just so much good stuff to stitch.

I have put the bunny aside for now. I am coming back to her though. She needs to be displayed by fall with her yellow sweater. This is where I am on it.

She is a cutie.

The reason for leaving her is I just am in the mood to stitch my patriotic stuff. I have a stack of other goodies that are calling to me as well, but red, white and blue is winning now.

I started the Pledge of Allegiance by Plum Street Samplers and was happily stitching ---although I did have to pull out some because I made a mistake in counting. Arghh...

This one is just so pretty. I really can't wait to stitch on it exclusively. It is all over Instagram and it is a beaut!

This is the pattern for the Pledge.

I set aside God Bless America too...

I honestly don't have much left on God Bless America. When I return it should be a quick finish.

What has happened you ask???

Too many to choose from ---

You see Jeff put an idea in front of me that I found to hard to resist. He suggested I stitch the grandkids a remembrance of America 250, so I knew just what patterns I wanted. I had already been looking at them. Both are by Teresa Kogut. They are similar and I thought they would be perfect.

My idea was to do one of each for both kids' families. Then the grandkids would have one of their own to keep. I want to maybe make them hanging like ornaments so they can hang them on their shelves or whatever down the road.

I ordered them right away and went to my stash for linen. I picked out the lighter linen shown below to stitch. This linen looks similar to the chosen colors on the patterns.

I kept thinking that light blue was too light, so I went back to my stash and chose one a little darker. Thank goodness for stash.

I have ultimately decided both are ok. I think the light blue is indeed light and the white of the eagle is very light. I have decided to complete both and outline in 801 anything that needs some definition. I think the trim on the finish can help with that too.

I have enough of both linens to do all four so that is not an issue. Anywho, I am stitching away on these and then I can't wait to get back to the Pledge stitch.

***If all that is not enough patriotic for you, I have another pattern someone gifted me that I am wanting to do as well. My goodness.

Thanks, America 250 for getting me back in the mood to stitch.

That is just a little look at where I am in the stitching department. I am not one to skip around, but I am breaking my rules. Let's see how long I last at jumping around before I go crazy.

*****

I have enjoyed my first week of no grandkids. I have slept a little later, like 30 minutes later. Nothing to sing about. I know many think I am crazy for keeping the littles everyday, but it truly is good for me. It brings life and purpose to me. 

I have a lot of sadness around me with a 91 one old negative mom (who just doesn't seem to know she is negative) and a hubby with Parkinson's. Children keep things in perspective. 

I needed June to reset my mind, but I will be ready to go back to my routine. Even in one week I found time to think and plan and change plans, etc. Week one proved fruitful.

*****

Jeff and I drove over on Thursday to Falling Waters State Park  near Chipley to see the state's only waterfall. Nothing like living that close to something and never once going to see it. It was a small park so not a lot of hiking or anything, but very much the Goldilocks moment for us.

Not Yosemite, but pretty cool for Florida.

Jeff had bought tickets to go see a comedian in Mobile last week on that Thursday night. I knew from the moment he told me that was a terrible idea. So many reasons... it would not be a quick trip to the car in a safe location like something in Pensacola. It would not be an easy drive where I can do it with my eyes practically closed. I was kind of fretting over it, but had let it go. 

Tuesday morning I walk into the living room and he announces we aren't going. I didn't really need to ask questions. I knew it had been too much.

Lindsay was none to happy about it. She thinks we need to travel the world which is not what we want nor what he is able to do. She has a very hard time watching her dad. Paul Allen seems to accept it better and just do everything and anything he can. They both love him immensely. They just deal with this ugly diagnosis differently.

He came up with this ride over to the park, so I said yes, instantly. That is more my kind of thing anyway. Quite frankly, I have learned that too much and too many people are hard for him. He has always been the outgoing one, but he struggles with a large crowd.

You never know when things you once did routinely will be LASTS. I don't think he will ever be able to go to an Auburn football game. I am so grateful for all those years we had season tickets. My thoughts are as the grandkids get older I will take one of two of them to the less crowded games myself so as not to stop all things for myself. Maybe Tucker and I will go to one this year. 

All those lasts are not just hard on Jeff, but myself AND the kids.

The progression of it all is difficult. I have moments. Like the other Sunday he came in after me to sit at church. The gait he was using almost teared me up. We are so blessed and I do my best to focus daily on all our good, so a little drive over to Chipley was a good day for us.

Lunch in the railroad southern town of Chipley with a cup of coffee from the Boxcar Coffee Shop was a special treat for us. He even went to a war movie with his friend Mike who he and Cindy were supposed to go over the comedian with us. Thankful for good friends!

We have our family trip to the Cape (Cape San Blas) soon and going to make the best of it. Mama is going to stay with her sister while we are gone. Praying all with be ok, but resting in God has us.

I had planned to get outside today and wash some windows or even sun, but I guess I am going to get to stitching on my patriotic things.

Sandy

Welcome June

 We made it to Auburn for Memorial Day weekend. It was a quiet trip with nothing big to do. We just went up to check on the house and rest. I rested some, because Jeff usually wants to go go go. It was overcast mostly but not that rainy while it was raining here in Fort Walton. That meant the kids didn't really get much sunshine outdoors time. I did which I really needed! I sat outside and read a good bit. We watched a movie one night and lots of SEC baseball on TV. 

On one of my walks in the neighborhood, I noticed how much larger and taller the daylilies were in Auburn versus here. I would guess that has to do with the richer soil vs the sandy soil here.

I feel like my daylilies have struggled this year. They were getting ready to put on a show when that last cold snap kind of bit them. They are starting to bloom, but they have been very slow getting started.

Jeff took this picture and sent it to the kids. I forgot what he said to them, but it is proof I rested:)

Gus did too.

I thought this picture of Mama was really good taken at her senior living facility. She is truly the most photogenic person I know. She looks amazing, but that picture doesn't capture the truth. She is good and  probably will live to be a 100, but she has her moments.

She got some injections on Monday of this week and I am hoping they will give her some back pain relief. They have in the past. 

Now, for June plans.

I don't have to keep the grandchildren mostly for the month of June. We have a family trip to Cape San Blas, but for the most part June is open for me to hopefully reset. I need long walks, beach time, etc.

I don't want to have too much on the calendar other than just time to let my body and MIND rest. 

I headed to the beach on Monday after I had gotten Mama home from her procedure. I have tidied my house for now, so really no big plans on the horizon. That is such a nice line to type.

Last week I had to keep multiple children each day so I am more than ready for a little downtime.

Last night, our niece Kristan and family joined us for pizza night. Our family is very small. I have no siblings, and Jeff only has 2 one of which 1 has passed. That one had no children, so Jeff's sister only has 1 ---Kristan. My brother-in-law, Kristan's dad had one sibling who died young so that means Kristan, Paul Allen, and Lindsay are the only cousins each has.

If one of us is not at our family celebrations it is noticed. Kristan lives in Texas, so we have her here at Thanksgiving and in June. Last Thanksgiving they didn't come and it was awful for us. The kids are now in high school and had sports that made it difficult for them to come home. 

Thanksgiving also highlighted how much Jeff has gone downhill with Parkinson's. Parkinson's stinks big time. It made it just sadder than normal.

It was so good to see them all. We had such a good time together. Much laughter and good times.

Now, that Kristan, Lindsay, and Paul Allen have become the adults the picture taking goes to the next generation. I would have forgotten to do it, but Lindsay rounded them up for a shot on the couch. Tanner and Katelyn are now almost 17.

They are completely grown up. When I first started this blog, they were the little ones pictured at Thanksgiving. Valerie was real uncertain about the picture taking.

Katelyn has combined some college visits with this trip. She wants to head back to Florida for college really badly. The twins were born in Tallahassee and moved to Texas about the time they started school. She is a Florida girl while Tanner seems to be a Texan. I think she is eyeing Florida State the most. She makes an official tour later this week. 

I have been reading and finished all 4 of the books I was reading at the same time. I loved Liberty Island by Virginia Hume. I chose it because I had loved the author's previous book, but I think this one was outstanding. It was set in the late 1890's through the 1920's in America. It followed 2 generations of women and covered the Suffrage Movement. I would not have thought I would like this one based on the time period so much, but the characters were so well thought out and I would give this one high marks.

My space book was one I liked but not sure if you aren't a space nut you would like it.

I enjoyed the Camino Trail book too. It didn't make me want to walk the trail at all. I like hiking, but I like to know what I am gonna eat that night and where I am gonna lay my head that night too. It was a good read if you have followed the author's story. If not, you might now like it.

The final one would make a great gift for a college graduate. The author shares 31 life lessons or legacy letters as he calls them. He intended them to be for his grandchildren, but ended up writing the book. I thought all of the 31 lessons were wonderful and on point which is why I think it would make a good gift. He recommended you read each of these letters over 31 days (obviously a month) and then choose 11 of them to work on over the next 11 months making it a year of application of the book. I read it like that and have chosen my June idea to work on throughout the month.

I am stitching away and think I will leave that for a separate post soon. I am way behind in blog reading and responding to anyone due to keep more than one kid everyday last week. I was so dang tired each day that I just fell in to bed. 

I hope to catch up this week with everyone.

Summer has arrived and I am here for it. I told y'all we had a spring this year, but the Tuesday after Memorial Day I walked outside and knew with 100% certainty summer had arrived.

YES!