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!

May 9, 2026 A.D.

Baseball season ended this morning. This has been my favorite season yet. I am not sure why, but I do think playing at the older fields which are smaller and renovated this winter made it seem a little nostalgic for me. We tried to go to one game a week each for Tucker and Palmer. Next year, Miles will be old enough to enter the games, so more of this is in my future. I missed another season of Auburn baseball. I am a little bummed that we didn't get up for a game this year and think that I am going to prioritize that next year. 

We have had a real spring this year. There have been many cooler mornings than usual. I have to give all credit for any flowers in pots this year entirely to Jeff. I just was not feeling up to it, but gave him a little freedom to choose colors. We will be a colorful house this year rather than my traditional "white is right for summertime." I have to tell you I am liking it. We have a mixture in each pot up front of pink and white vincas. I think I am liking it! Rather than pots of roses downstairs on the deck we have an array of colors and I am loving it as well. Sometimes I suppose we need change. Jeff has a good little salsa garden going to with tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro.

I shared I was walking in the afternoons like my past days. I am really loving it. It has helped with giving me some alone time to walk, think and pray. I don't exactly have the best location to walk in my neighborhood, so Jeff and Gus, the Springer drive me to parks around town and keep an eye on me for safety while I walk. We have so many wonderful parks around town. I mean really nice ones, but I still feel better knowing Jeff is around to ward off trouble if it should arise for a 65 year old female out by herself. I have been mostly rotating between 3 because 2 of them are by the Sound (water views) and all are shady. The shade will be important as the summer heat is coming. When school is out I will add the beach to my rotation. 

This is one of my spots. The Gulf is just on the other side of the buildings across the water, so I get a salty breeze.

Jeff bought me a FitBit which has been extremely informative to what is going on with my energy levels. For instance, it warned me I needed to rest on this day and I heeded that advice. 

I have noticed in the 2.5 weeks I have worn it that when I don't sleep I feel awful. Duh! Big surprise there, but I'm 65 and I do think my autoimmune issues haunt the sleep patterns. I knew I was off weeks ago which had me thinking I needed to make some changes. I am getting some beneficial information and am changing even my big cleaning days around and trying to even those out some. I was so hoping the doctor would change my thyroid dosage but he did NOT. I am trusting him, even though I know in my heart it is not all just right. I think I have to look at changing some other things too. As with any medication there are side effects -so adding a higher dosage magnifies osteoporosis issues. I do take supplements that benefit me and those were in accordance with doctor advice. I see so much out there, but I do know you can mess up stuff royally just going rogue with additions. For now, I am walking working on that stress relief and listening to my body on the days when I have done more than is considered beneficial.

I am oddly just itching to put all my patriotic decor out. I swore off rushing seasons years back. I usually put it out the week before Memorial Day so it is very soon. I might just go for it this next week. I did put out some ribbons on the swans and light pole to go with Jeff's new flag he bought. I ordered the ribbon off Amazon. I just didn't see any at Michael's quite like that. I also ordered my flags to decorate in the house with from Amazon. See, I am telling you I have the itch this year. I even ordered the kids some patriotic shirts.

I took my stitch to be framed. It should be ready on Friday. I can't wait. I took it in with one idea and completely went another direction with my choice. I hope it all works!

I finally got my 2 little pillows all finished up.

Feather Flock by Plum Street Samplers

Let Freedom Ring by Needle Treasures Nook

I am stitching 2 things at once. Breaking all my rules.

The first is what are called Animal Crackers. This is a whole series of animals finished up to look like animal crackers. I chose the rabbit Maggie Mae and started it. 

Then I saw the goose called Olive which I just had to buy the pattern. I told you my stitching mojo was back. I am so happy about that! Anywho, I like her way more than the rabbit, but I am gonna finish the rabbit. I am doing the rabbit on 28 count which is making it larger than the patterns intended. I felt like I needed to experiment with these before I did a small one and even if I enjoyed them. Stay tuned.

Have y'all noticed the goose resurgence in the decor. I am gonna be back in style in so many ways! HA!

Then I got sidetracked when I saw the next pattern finished by someone on Instagram. I think it will be last patriotic stitch except for the Pledge of Allegiance which is a large stitch and I didn't plan to try and have it finished for this summer. I want to add it to my sampler wall but no timeline on finishing it.

Now I usually stick to one stitch at a time, but reading is a whole different story. I can and do most of the time read multiple books. I am reading 4 good ones at the moment. Yes, you read that right. 4 - I will let one really captivate me and finish and then go back until the next one grabs me, etc. I should have some to share soon.

The Bible study I picked and shared in the last post is actually very good. It Is Well I have enjoyed reading through it. Like I said, I didn't think it had any earth shattering information, but very good reminders to keep the mind on track with the coming times.

My last item of the post is the word discernment. I never ever pick a word of the year. I have read the book that inspired that idea and it is not that I don't think that is a wonderful idea, but I am just never put together to ever come up with one. My mind is all over the place! HA! However, the word discernment was laid on my heart at the beginning of this year with so much incoming information all over the Internet. Honestly, I miss the days pre Internet when I just had my library and the World Book Encyclopedias. I am a total researcher always loving to find answers and read about anything and everything. I think the Internet can be good and not so good for a "me." I do know this, there is some crazy stuff out there, so discernment is wise to pray for!!! 

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. I am expecting my family over tomorrow afternoon to grill out. We will celebrate the generations of moms tomorrow. 

Grands....

February 5, 2026

 I have not been in a writing mood, but I have accumulated enough information to put together a post. I finished the sandpiper stitch yesterday. I am taking it to the frame shop tomorrow.

It is larger than the one I stitched for myself last year about this same time. The new one to be framed is on 28 count and the plain linen you buy in the craft shops. The one below is the one that hangs in my guest bathroom and is stitched on 32 count linen. I can't remember the name of the color that it was dyed. I think when I get the above one matted and framed it will be lovely too.

Here it is in my bathroom. I love it! As I said in an earlier post, I love stitching all of the birds in the Crossed Wing Collection.

Speaking of birds....

Jeff gave me a coffee table book for Christmas, called Birds of Florida by Zach Jones.

I will admit to just kind of sitting it aside thinking it was just another bird book. When I finally picked it up almost 3 weeks post Christmas, I was completely blown away. I should have known if Jeff gave it to me as a present that it was going to be special. That man is absolutely the best gift giver on the planet. He knows me so well and has truly blessed me so many times.

The above picture is one I picked to show you because I pass this location at least once a week on the island. It is an old electrical pole left because it is home to a pair of ospreys that return each year to have their babies. How do we know it is the same pair? Well, the book does a wonderful job of explaining how their eyes are like a human fingerprint. They have dots in the yellow glowing iris that can be in different locations. 

The book has the most amazing pictures of all my favorite birds of Florida. I would only add the cardinal and the mockingbird, but most of his pictures are the water birds.

The clincher though was this photographer is a wordsmith too. His descriptions are literally amazing. I would only change the font. Font is important to easy reading. Take it from the old school teacher here.

He even has this cutie. I honestly can never get enough of these guys when I walk on the beach. They entertain me so well.

This would make a wonderful gift for your Florida bird lover.

What I have been up to this cold winter?

In an effort not to dread the days, I made me a list of projects especially for the early dark nights to keep me awake. Since, I don't have that much to declutter as in past years. (I still have much too much stuff, but I am not ready to part with those things, just yet.) You may remember that I already knocked one of those projects off my list with getting our ancestry books done. They are very nice and I am proud to have them completed. Of course, projects always lead to new ideas. In doing those books, I realized how in both sides of the family a church history had been an important piece of family history. 

I have not mentioned it on the blog and never felt a need to share here, but Jeff and I stepped out in 2007 with 3 other couples and planted a church here in our town. It was life changing. It was hard work, but such a wonderful thing that has brought many blessings to this community. I sat down the month of January and wrote the story of its history. You know you added something worth while to the ancestry book when both kids stopped what they were doing and actually read it through and said thank you.

My latest project has been digitizing photos. I sent off our home videos over the course of 2 years a little at a time looking for sales on Legacy Box. 

I decided to try my hand at the enormous amount of photographs at our home. Outrageous numbers. My mom was a picture taker for her whole family. I have tried to send many of those to the respective relatives.

I have two very large albums of me from birth to high school graduation. I have gotten 1 of those done. Whew!!!!

That red checked tablecloth still comes out on occasion.

I can be a little Type A when it comes to getting things done once I start. I am forcing a little break this week before I start on album #2, but I would like to have them done by the time change.

I am hoping to maybe give my mom a digital frame to view these and current ones for her birthday next month.

All of this has helped me be productive this winter.

I am going to refrain from complaining about the weather because any long time reader of this blog knows I am a full on SUMMER girl. My goodness...the thought of NO electricity in below freezing weather put me in my place!

Oh photos again... I still love this hallway so much.

No matter how old your children get you still love seeing their younger pictures.

On the agenda for this weekend and next week is getting outside. I am going to be cutting back my bottlebrush shrubs. I didn't do it last year because I was trying to make sure they survived the 100 year snow event. They have and are getting a wee bit too tall, so they are getting cut back. It is also time to prune roses. In our zone, they need to be done by Valentine's Day. Can we believe it is almost Valentine's Day? I realized I could use a little Valentine's decor. Probably will look at the clearance when I go out to get my stitch dropped off at Hobby Lobby. The grandchildren notice Mimi's seasonal things.

That's a wrap.

Dreaming of spring for now,

Sandy

December, the month of family sickness. 

Christmas did come and go with me reminding everyone that all was  going to be ok and we have to keep the real reason for the season upfront in our minds: that we have had years when things were more challenging; someone was sick, we had to move things around, etc. Then old Jeff piped into the family group text reminding us that  Paw Paw Palmer (Jeff's dad) was in Bastogne on Christmas 1944. That will quickly put it all in perspective. 

We did all meet at our house on December 22nd but there was sickness. Stupidly I don't think any of us thought about the flu until we were all together. I think there was no doubt Palmer had it that night. I was sick, but I don't think I had it. When Paul Allen came down sick the next day Jeff thought to go get him a flu test. He was positive and missed Katie's side of the family Christmas staying home with Valerie who didn't feel well either. It didn't matter that he stayed home because it is running through them now. Tyler's parents came down from Atlanta and I did see them between church services on Christmas Eve. They were sickie too, so it was all around. All of the kids eventually were sick. 

Fortunately Mama has not gotten sick, but it is all in her senior living facility. She is going to visit her sister in the morning for the week so maybe she will miss it. 

I actually got up yesterday morning and called the Teledoc. I don't have the flu, but my whole side of my head is full of junk. I now have an antibiotic. The only other person other than Mama who hasn't been sick is Jeff. Thankful for that.

Here are a few scenes from the last few days.

I mostly took candid shots on December 22nd which are wonderful in my mind too.

On Christmas Eve, Tucker and Palmer set out their cookies for Santa. All of the kiddos are in full belief age. It is quite sweet to watch. I think Tucker has another year before he questions it all.

Lindsay took this picture of Palmer at church on Christmas Eve. He was on the upswing by Christmas Eve, while Miles and Valerie were on their way to the depths of the flu. The service was so sweet.

This was Miles coming back in from viewing the swing that he was genuinely excited Santa had brought, but no energy to swing.

He would get some fever reducing medicine in and feel good for an hour. He gave it a try later, but even today he was still feeling a little poorly.

One interesting note, Katie did end up taking Valerie to the doctor since her fever was so high. Turns out Miles and Valerie each had a different strain of flu. One A and one B. Go figure.

Christmas morning, Jeff and I made it out for what has become our annual stroll on the beach. Someone took our picture after watching me try to get a selfie.

I am one to pack Christmas up right away. I know I am making some of you cringe. I can't wait to put it out right after Thanksgiving, but I am also eager to put it all away and get the house back in order on the 26th. I do the tree last. 

I love Christmas but for some reason I like the order that comes after Christmas. 

I am in  full on reflection mode now and hope to be back in the new year with some ideas for 2026.

2025 was crazy for us in many ways. I really try to focus on the positive though. Life can be even nuttier if you only focus on the bad. There is plenty of good.

I have listed all of my books in Goodreads the last couple years. I really like the digital footprint of my reading. I know many read way more than me but considering how many people I care for and things I do I felt very good about the 21 books I have read. I have two I am reading currently, but I am pretty sure both will be finished after December 31st.

I read 11 fiction and 10 nonfiction. The nod to fiction is a win for me. I am the girl who read the World Book Encyclopedia for fun as a child, so making sure I read as much fiction was a goal I had. I need more of that.

My 2 favorite fiction books were Theo of Golden by Allen Levi and The Last Twelve Miles by Erika Roebuck. I want to add more of Erika Roebuck this year. 

I honestly can't choose a favorite nonfiction book It would be a tie between at least 5 of them. I read some good ones this year. 

Honestly, I rarely read anything anymore that I don't like. If it is not hitting me right I move on. Don't want to waste the time.

I stitched 7 things; Valerie's name, small hornbook with Christmas/winter sampler, Valerie's ornament,

my little multicolored dolphin, the sandpipers, the Bible verse with flowers (round), and the 12 Days of Christmas.

I still need to share the 12 Days of Christmas finish. I will...I ended up not gifting it. The sickness, the rush, all that just led to me saying no to the gift. Maybe later. I will share it in January. It is cute.

I am a few days away from finishing the Bible Recap again this year. I really do love this. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I am not doing it again this next year as I want to slow things down. I am putting my reading plan together for '26 over the next couple of days. I want to slow the pace, but I truly love having a reading plan all set and sitting down to Scripture within the first 30 minutes of waking. It is a good habit to have a starts my day off well. 

I can truthfully say one thing has worked well this year. Keeping up with the house and having organized or decluttered so much over the last few years. I don't need to hit January 1st and go crazy decluttering. I will do many things, but not like I have in the past. I still need to let go of much in my sewing room, but I have many wins in the remainder of the house. Woohoo for me.

About a year ago, Jeff and I went through one of our closets together that contains small appliances mostly. I felt there was much we didn't need anymore. We did purge that day but we agreed to put some stuff that we were unsure about on the top shelf of that closet. I am here to tell you not one item was touched since the day we put it up there. I would say that is full evidence that the shelf can now be cleared out. It is on my winter list.

Speaking of winter... fall and now winter have been very mild here in northwest Florida. Much to my liking. Winter is swinging in for a day right as 2025 is leaving, but it seems to only be for a day. I will take that.

We are heading to Auburn to ring in the new year. I will ring it in before midnight as always. I am going to rest the remainder of this week and put together my goals for 2026. 

See you next year,

Sandy

November 9, 2025 AD

It is predicted to be cool when I wake up in the morning and even colder (34 degrees) on Tuesday morning. My bottlebrush have still been blooming and even today when I took this picture a little bee was happily flitting around the blooms. I would prefer to keep the mild temperatures we have had, but I guess it is time.

This week kind of wore me out physically and mentally. I am much better with all the sickness thankfully. I love days when I don't have to leave the house other than to pick up little Valerie, but those don't happen very often. There are always little things to keep me hopping all around. 

I usually walk out on the deck when I get up and get dressed and then sit back down at the kitchen table for my Scripture reading. I like to walk out even in the cold and look out at the sunrise and peacefulness of the water. The sunrise has moved way over to the right at this time of year. It is always amazing to me to see it in the different seasons. While we don't have the typical seasonal things, it is the little things like the location of the sun in relation to the water that lets you know the time of year.

The setting and the time with the Lord always help start the day off on the right tone.

I didn't take too many pictures this week, but there was some fun things mixed in with the other. I left Valerie with Jeff and scooted over to Tucker's school to watch him in a Veteran's Day thing. His grade level sang patriotic songs and in between the songs some of the kids shared history. Tucker had a line for his class. He did well and I loved watching him. 

I must say walking in to the school, I couldn't help thinking of aging. My goodness, I am a grandma. I spent so many years teaching and doing little performances like his and there I was walking in white headed and wrinkled and in a completely different stage of life. Unsure of how life has moved so quickly, but I do love being his grandma.

I am still stitching away on the 12 Days of Christmas. It is taking longer than I thought. Sometimes, those little small stitches have way more stitches than you expect. I have thoroughly enjoyed it though. Each one takes about 4 days, so my goal of having it done right after Thanksgiving was a little ambitious. I will keep at it, and I am sure it will get to the person at the perfect time.

I am still reading away this year. I started Jan Karon's Beloved and had to pause to read another book. Let's first talk about Jan Karon and her fictional town of Mitford. My mom first shared them and the author of the other book I will share today. I tried reading the Mitford books before I retired and couldn't get in to them. I will tell you why ---- I spent all those years teaching reading voraciously in the summer. I think I chose books that could be read in that manner. Page turners if you will. I don't think Jan Karon's books are meant to be read like that. It wasn't until I had been retired for about 2 years that I picked them up again. No hurry---just slow methodical reading. I saw the beauty of the characters and the town and fell in love with them.  Beloved is not meant to be read quickly and I am enjoying connecting again with all her characters.

My other book that I read in a few days was Karen Kingsbury's The Christmas Ring. I had a surprise when I realized the setting for the book was Columbus, Georgia. Long time readers know I have lived there twice in my life and have a strong connection to the town. Anywho, KK has made this one into a movie. I will say this movie is a sappy love story. The book had more depth, but both were classic Karen Kingsbury. Her movie last year held Jeff's attention. This one not so much. I warned him, but he insisted on going :) I took Mother to this one and she enjoyed it much. If you are a Karen Kingsbury fan, I absolutely say go and read the book but take your girlfriends.

Jeff's back issues have returned so a phone call will be in order in the morning. I am guessing once again, we will schedule a surgery. The severe spinal stenosis probably won't go away and couple it with the Parkinson's makes it even more troublesome. I am very sad about it. He just can't catch a break. It is sometimes overpowering and heartbreaking to think on for too long. I have learned a lot about living one day at a time over the past few years.

I have also learned a lot about focusing on the good and the blessings too. 

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Until next week,

Sandy

September 28, 2025 AD

It is almost the end of September and again I am wondering how it has passed so quickly. It hasn't been the kindest month to me (lots of appointments and sickness), but yet I can't complain too much about it. It has been very mild in terms of heat. Heat is still lingering, but not oppressive heat like usual.  I have slowly added some fall decor which comes in waves for the entire season. I like to add it slowly based on the occasions of the months. For instance, 

my kitchen table usually has placemats, cloth napkins, and candles adorning it, but they change with the months of fall beginning with burnt orange and navy to start football season (it looks like it will be another long non fun one for us). Then it moves to a more orangey look for October and more browns and greens for November. I have no pictures to share of that, so you will have to use your imagination.

I did add the pumpkins on my dining room table. I still love the pumpkins I picked up at Joann's about 12 years ago.

The sideboard will get its Pilgrims and Indians with the cornucopia in November. That is one of my favorite decorations. Now, my mom would pull out her turkeys in October because I don't think I ever saw any Halloween decorations at our home growing up. For now, our doggies decorate the top. 

I have been in a ribbon mood this year. I have no explanation for it because that can happen some years and others I find them detestable.

It is a brown gingham that has been sprinkled all around the house this year.

I had grandiose plans for September and quite frankly not much of it happened. That just comes with the territory sometimes. I have stitched and read good books so that is a win. 

We kept Tucker and Palmer for Lindsay and Tyler to go out to eat Friday evening for her birthday. Normally, Lindsay and I share a party for our birthday but as I said, my plans have all been turned upside down for this month.  Jeff and I along with Valerie did pick her up from work to go to lunch this week. I do plan to celebrate with a dessert and all the family over in October when we have our normal weekend all together in Auburn. We have been doing this in September for the past few years, but we switched it up this year. I will probably just keep that surprise a secret. 

On Friday evening, I took some owls that I got at the Dollar Tree to put together. I wasn't sure they would have any interest in doing them, but they surprised me and loved it. We played outside until dark. They were getting along and coming up with things to do without any arguing. Mimi enjoyed herself immensely. We then came in and played some games before the parents got home. I wasn't even tired at all...reåson?... they got along. I told them so too.

I finished my Christmas gift stitch. Isn't it cute? I will love bringing this out in December.

I buy entirely too many books but I have tried to allot that in to my budget. I figure if it is one that Mom, the girls and I will all read, it is worth it. I have 3 to be delivered in October by 3 of my favorite authors; Sean Dietrich, Karen Kingsbury and Jan Karon. I should have plenty to read for the remainder of the year. I keep my list of books read on Goodreads. I really thought I had read more fiction this year than nonfiction but they were close in number. Fiction will win out with my 3 latest books coming. I have made an intentional effort to add more back into my life and it has been a good and positive thing.

I did read the latest Fannie Flagg book which is a collection of short stories called Something to Look Forward To. I enjoyed it and definitely think it is geared to the older more mature :) reader. I would probably say wait until you can get it at the library though. My favorite book of all time of hers is Standing in the Rainbow. I can only say that it is quirky and reminds me of my childhood which had a lot of hard times with so many deaths in my family, but the book hugged me in that the descriptions of things such as Christmas decorations made me think of the good in that decade of my life. I choose to think of standing in the rainbow rather than all the sadness...if that makes sense.

The picture below is testament that I gave the door and the surrounding casing a new coat of paint. I chose to share the full setting of said door to show you the dilemma with that door.

The tower would seem as though rain wouldn't be an issue since the overhang on the tower is pretty far out, BUT the tower doesn't have an issue with rain. Rain in northwest Florida is hardly ever a sweet little shower. When it rains, the bottom falls out and we get torrential downpours. Literally almost every time. What happens is the rain comes pouring around that tower and is supposed to go into those gutters. The rain is usually too much for those gutters and it just comes down so hard that it wets the windows to the left of the door and the door. This will be the second time in 12 years we have had to replace the casing around the door due to water damage. This time a composite material was used and I have often suggested a storm door might help. Jeff will not hear of the storm door idea. For 41 years we have mostly agreed on every issue, but this one not so much. The window casings had to repaired and the door now. It has been caulked multiple times and no one really has a great idea to help the situation.

Soooo.... I repainted the casing and gave the door a fresh coat of paint. Looks pretty nice at the moment, but for how long?

Valerie is officially a crawler and that has actually made her a little happier. She can now move around and entertain herself more. She gets places quickly which has me on guard.

We went out to the beach Saturday morning and the Gulf is still very warm, so we can't let our guard down for hurricanes just yet. 

September is about to move on out and October is coming in. I see no sign of fall temps in the extended forecast. Time will tell --- I just don't want anything stirring in that southern Gulf so I guess I need fall to come on and get here.

Until next time,

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