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

Getting Motivated a Bathroom Update

I am stitching away and working on some finishes to share next week, but I have a post for you today. Some many weeks ago I painted my guest bathroom. I do have an update to share, but it has some explaining to go with it first😉 so hang on!

First, let's talk weather. I am so loving spring. It is actually feeling like a true spring. I truly need to be outside working on those windows, but other things have kept me from that this week. I simply must schedule some of that in this weekend before the real heat gets here. 

The mornings have been awesome. I have to share a truth moment here.

It is a must that I eat by my prescribed diet and exercise for my health. I don't want to go backwards. I just can NOT go back down that road again. SOOOOO.... with keeping Tucker I was letting the exercise go. IT doesn't take too many weeks (and mine has been months) before the not so feeling good creeps back in. For the last three weeks I have been trying to do better, but knowing that as the heat comes on...evenings at the gym or walking weren't going to cut it. 

I had to find a way to go in the mornings. 

I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON.

God has such a sense of humor. My husband is... he wakes up the roosters.

I just don't rise and shine very well. 

I sing the song to Tucker though. Anyone remember "rise and shine and give God the glory glory. rise and shine and give God the glory glory. rise and shine and give God the glory, children of the Lord.

I am getting off topic. 

I thought I would try and set the clock for 6:00 (some of you are just hooting) and head to the gym for two days a week and go do a good swift walk outside on the other days while the weather permits.  I have to pick up Tucker at 7:00.

I will just be honest. For two of those weeks I made it two days a week getting up.

This week I made the decision to get serious, so I wrote me up a plan and decided to give myself stickers for doing it. I know y'all are just falling out laughing, but I needed some motivation. I feel like a three year old with a chart on the refrigerator with stars. 

I made it this week. Two days in the gym and three walking days. Woo Hoo!!!

Now, let's talk bathroom.

I may have sounded like a spoiled brat when I posted about painting my guest bathroom and not liking it a while back.

I certainly didn't mean it. I am beyond grateful for all I have. It is more that this bathroom is a bit too luxurious for this simple girl.

While I was taking my sit and wait approach, I noticed luxury baths are maybe making a comeback or maybe I just had my mind on them. I did look at quite a few books and perused Instagram.

Anyway the bathroom is what it is. Terri from Your Friend from Florida called it stately in the comments I believe😀

My goal had been to maybe make it a bit more understated. I am not sure I did that, but here is where I landed.

After taking a two week break and not moving forward the paint color kind of grew on me. I almost went back to a neutral, but Jeff and Lindsay kept saying how much they liked it. Jeff is really good with color things, so I decided to try and see what they saw. 

I don't know it I do, but certainly nothing has changed my mind in another direction.

I think the bathroom is just always going to be big and bold, so I decided to accept it and just move on.

So without further commenting here it is with just words to describe the layout.

Coming in from the hallway we use everyday (the garage to kitchen) you can see that the bathroom has three doors. That is a whole story unto itself. The one on the left enters Lindsay's old bedroom and the other one goes out into the long hallway coming from foyer by my pool table and dining room.

Tucker's seat is in there. That is a story too. Got lots of them.

There are new towel bars here and by the sink.

The above one is now over by the doors you were looking at. There is a great closet in this picture. I do have lots of storage. 

That big old tub has been used once since Lindsay moved out. You can see Tucker and me:)

And the final view is the vanity.

Oh there are new rugs. They were much needed. 

Now for some closeups.

Try to ignore the toilet and see the cool school of fish.

The other rug ---Gus is sitting on the cute starfish.

Oh and the lights. Cute but a bear to clean. The overhead one one is similar to this. Same shell like figures coming out in a bowl like configuration.

Well, that is it for me.

I have to go with Jeff tomorrow to pass out awards at the beach for a small fry fishing tournament for youngsters. I hope to wash some windows and just enjoy life.

Stitching too. I will be back hopefully with some finishes to share next week.

Sandy

Weekend and Today's Declutter Session

We made our annual trek to Pensacola on Saturday for the home show of the Blue Angels. It is truly one of my favorite things we do all year. I love watching the Blues, and I think watching them from the bay is the best ever. If you are on the beach side, the main focal point is at the Pensacola Beach ball. Just beyond the ball is where they consider their focal point. However, they fly all up and down the beach and over the bay. They fly right over you in the bay.

Just beyond the beach ball is the Gulf of Mexico.

As you can see we had a great location. We got there later than we normally do, so we were not able to get up to the shallow water, but floating in the water works fine. Mom, Jeff, Paul Allen and Katie went on our boat this year. Lindsay and Tyler took their boat, since Tyler's cousins (brother and sister) were visiting. It was their first time seeing the Blue Angels.

The negative this year was the weather. I realized they flew about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. We knew why soon. A thunderstorm popped up, so we didn't get to hang around leisurely at all after they were done. We were packing and moving out at the same time. That little storm cloud was relentless. It was traveling in the same direction and same speed as home returning home. It was a rough ride and we were all drenched. I never felt we were in danger because we would have stopped and gotten out along the way, but we were like the Minnow in Gilligan's Island. Mom is 82 and I was sure this would be her last year to go, but she was saying today something about next year. Oh my!

I always feel like the weather is crazy about once every 5 years.

In other news, I was lazy after church yesterday, but a busy bee today.

I deep cleaned my bedroom and bathroom along with washing clothes and a few other chores. I have been on a decluttering kick for some time. I am very slow with it, but determined especially after having to move Mom here.

Two things I have worked on in my home decor this year (really starting back in December) is trying not to buy anything new and really liking what I keep.

I am over having a bunch of stuff that is trendy. By this I mean, I want what I have out to really stand the test of time for me. I know we all get the notion to change things out every now and then, but I don't want to find myself wanting to change things every time the latest thing comes along.

I have really stopped and talked myself through anything I see as to whether I really need it and what I am getting rid of to get it. Mostly I have talked myself out of purchases.

Today, I tackled a few things in the bathroom. I don't really like the bathroom, because it is my opinion well over the top, but I can't change the big ticket items. Shoot- if I wait long enough some of will be back in style. Maybe?!

I am also trying to make things simpler and easier to clean which is hard because I don't get rid of things easily, but I am getting much better.

Here are a few things I changed today.

I got rid of the palm tree candle sticks that once sat on the bathroom counter. I truly have no clue why I ever bought them in the first place. I have never really liked them. I have moved them to clean for far too long. I moved them out of the room while I was cleaning and it was like amazing how relieved I felt that they were gone. That led to moving some palm tree towels and thinking ---yep, glad they are gone too. I replaced them with some others I had.  Palm tree overload gone.

This was the only picture I could even find of the palm tree candles and yes, I have a door back on my cabinet now:)

Having less in the middle was so good, because there is a certain amount of real life that just has to be handy in the bathroom. I have a tray for both of us on the sides. I even took the palm tree plate out that housed my makeup and replaced it with a plate that belonged to my grandmother. I love it and will be using it instead of it sitting in a drawer.

Moving on - there is so so so much gold in the bathroom area that I took down the gold vases and greenery. Not only is there too much gold, but too much green also. I shopped the house and did another vignette, and while I like it I still may move it and leave nothing there. Easier to clean. I am going to mull that one over for a few days.

New more toned down look.

That led to moving these bird pictures with the gold and green. I swapped them out with some dog prints that I had in the bedroom.  I love them. There are two more palm trees in there that I think I will move eventually. I think something I have cross stitched would look better there😉

I realized this picture doesn't do the dogs justice..they really did look better.

I had moved the dog prints out of the bedroom which led to me moving something I hadn't found the right spot for up until today. The old dog print location now holds my Books of the Bible stitched piece.

That is a few changes for today, but I am gradually working on decluttering and making it look a little lighter in each room. Easier to clean as well.

Today's declutter session netted a set of bird prints, a trio of palm tree candle sticks, two gold vases and greenery, a coral candle, and a palm tree plate. No new purchases and a set of palm tree towels for just real use, not to look at anymore.

Guest Bathroom Refresh

I have changed up the guest bathroom a bit. It is not my favorite room, and it is not because it isn't pretty. The bathroom is not my style which probably makes it hard for me to see the glamour. It is dated for sure. When the home was built in the early 80's it was a wow room. It contained lots of wallpaper in a very busy pattern and looked like you had walked into a Roman sauna (do they have saunas?). I quickly toned it down, but never knew quite what to do with it. Bathroom renovations are expensive. I really still don't know what to do with it.

I have taken the plants down from the columns. I decided they were definitely not my style. I changed up the art work and so forth.

It doesn't have a shower. I have lamented before about that. Our daughter had to use our shower, since this was her bathroom growing up.

Here is the tub area minus plants at the top of the columns. Not much else has changed.

Then, I replaced the art on both walls.

These are from a local store. I am not so sure about the mats yet, but I will let it settle on me for awhile.

The opposite wall got a print that I had in the closet. I shopped the house and moved the lantern in here.

I changed out the old candle vase and shells with some new pieces. I ordered the jars from Amazon. They were much cheaper than the set I saw on Pottery Barn.

99% of the shells in the house are real and from beach walks here or at Cape San Blas. The sand dollars are from Cape San Blas as well as most of the larger ones. That starfish is not though. Probably a purchased piece. 

The jar that contains just a few pieces in it is for collecting white shells only from my beach walks in 2017. Collecting has begun and I did add two white feathers.

One more room refreshed with a coastal flair.

You can see snippets of the before here.

I will be back on Wednesday with a few pictures of spring in the home. I have to take Mama to Pensacola for an eye and dermatologist appointments tomorrow. 

Lucy, the Springer is much better. We will see the vet on Thursday. She has come out of her manic state and we are going to give the new medicine a chance to work.

Mama's best friends are finally making it down from Brewton to see her new digs. She is so excited, so I am off to lunch with five 80-somethings. Should be some wisdom to be gathered.

Cleaning up after several days of craziness today,

Sandy

Adding Summer to the Decor

I have many coastal items that stay out year round in my home since I live on a bayou of Choctawhatchee Bay. They don't seem like summer to me, but just part of our natural environment. Lately though, I have added a few new items to the decor.

I saw these herons in Ross the other day. I thought they would look cute in my foyer since I had changed up things in there the other day. I thought the gold in them would match the gold in the candlesticks. I think they will be so cute at Christmas with red bows.

These walls are opposite of each other.

I added a dough bowl with shells to the guest bathroom. I am not sure I completely love it where it is placed. I am in love with the dough bowl and the shells, but haven't quite found the best place for it.

Other coastal things are in this bathroom year round.

Of course, I had already added the shells to the dining room table when I changed out the lamps on the buffet table. I am really loving the silver tray with the starfish.

Like I said, there are coastal things all over my home that stay up all year, as you can see in the clock in our stairwell.

I love the coastal life and summer even with its sweltering heat.

Sandy