Welcome September

     If I had written a post yesterday, it would have been sad...I hate saying goodbye to August these days. I love summer even with all its heat and humidity. It has always meant long days of freedom from the regular routine. When I was teaching, the last day before pre planning started is the day I would go into my sad mode. Now, I get the whole month of August to savor summer.

However, the calendar page turned to September (which is a good thing) and once it arrives I am able to move on, because after all, September is a good month in our family. Lots of celebrations. Honestly, other than school and busier days, it is still full on summer here for a good while. The light is changing though. Fall will arrive in other ways than cooler temperatures. At some point this month, I will make the change too.

The first celebration begins today with our 38th anniversary. We usually eat at Whataburger and that is the plan today. We are super romantic!

Rather than the usual wedding dress photograph, I decided to showcase the leaving outfit. It seems most of the girls today leave in their wedding dress, but back in 1984 we also had to find a leaving outfit. I still own this suit. I am certain only a portion of my body would fit in it. I think I weighed 95 on that day. 

As with all 38 years, Danny's (Jeff's brother that just passed away) birthday came the following day. He will be missed this year. 

Onto the September plans. I am planning to stitch on 2 samplers. I have never even followed any guidelines, but I guess this year I could be since it is Sampler September in Cross Stitch Land. I will share more about those soon. 

Let's just let the rabbit wander around the path.

First up- I purchased a new purse. A new old purse that is. I love purses and have whittled down my collection quite a bit, but this fall thing had me thinking about how I ALWAYS used to have a navy purse. I don't seem to have one. I sort of went looking, but saw nothing that just said, "Gotta have!" I pulled out 2 of my old brown Fossils which also led me to the desire for a new wallet. You can see how dangerous all of this is. I tend to carry a smaller purse these days than my old school days, although the purse I pulled out was one I once had and loved. All of my wallets just seemed so big. I had tried using a little Vera Bradley pouch to put my license and cards in, but doggone it those cards seemed not to like the registers. I would have to wipe them down a couple of times, so that was stoking the fires for a new wallet in itself. I have 3 wallets, but they are all large. 

I have been wandering around a few stores in town and online looking, but nothing caught my eye. I ended up at Kohl's on Saturday and I found the perfect wallet. It was only $7.50. They had it in several colors, but I ended up with a nice peachy color. 

I saw a few purses, but nothing great. I came home and looked on Etsy and found a just right old one. It looked better in person than the pictures even showed. I am in love. I will be using this sweet little gem starting now and for the next few months. 

We also had made a trip out to the outlets where I had no plans to purchase anything but stopped in J Crew and found a "Sandy" sweater. Jeff was in another store, so I come out with a bag. He asked what was in it and I said, "A Sandy sweater." I showed it to him and he agreed wholeheartedly. Now, I need some cool weather to wear it. I think I can be patient another month.

Speaking of fashion, I bought Lindsay the cutest little dress from Walmart the other day. I actually saw it on a video and thought that would look so cute on her. 

It did...

$20.00

September is full of birthdays, the start of football season (although Auburn's should be horrible) and all around family goodness. 

Miles is ready for football.

Palmer and Tucker are delightful. Tucker has nearly driven his mommy nuts since Artemis didn't get to launch on Monday. I, of course had pumped him, even letting him know Snoopy was on board. He has called me to explain what happened and only asked his mom a hundred times a day. I think she is hoping it launches on Saturday more than the engineers themselves.

Here he is with the only Snoopy space t-shirt Mimi could find him the night before the planned launch.

And here is his very laid back brother who I videoed after this just kicking his legs back and forth.

I have stepped way back on my "fall is coming early" prediction this year, but it is coming. The lemons are turning yellow, the last of the day lilies have bloomed. They are still green and above ground, but I think all the blooming is done.

I am embracing September and have added 3 bits of fall if you can call them that to the house.

First up - in the kitchen.

Second is I am moved all my sunflower and black eyed Susan stitches to one shelf in the sewing room.

Pretty boring shelf, but my wheels are spinning. I am going to return to it.

Lastly, I pulled out the two September stitches for my sewing room counter.

I turned the page to this lovely page in my calendar. Now, it isn't really true of September in feel and looks here in north Florida, but one of these September days I will just decide it is fall and I will give the house the look whether we feel it or not.

I am celebrating all seasons and plan to enjoy Labor Day weekend to the max.

Sandy

A Hodgepodge Post

A little stitching first...

I finished flower #3. This one is the Cherokee Rose. Sorry for my blurry dark picture. I will do better soon.

There is another flower planned for a total of 4 and then I will share all and how I came up with the four flowers when I love ALL flowers.

Now, onto storms. Seriously 2020 ---just stop this nonsense! I am usually a positive person, but I am tired like everyone else of the crazy. No one on the northern Gulf Coast needs another storm. Saturday is at the anniversary for Michael over to our east. Those people would probably surely don't need one on the anniversary of a hellish night two years ago.

 To our west in western Louisiana they have had one already that was really really bad. However, I know from experience (Erin and Opal ---1995) they will come to the same place in the same year. Alabama and Pensacola haven't even gotten cleaned up from the devil, Sally. 

My street still has debris from it as well, but I drove to Pensacola yesterday for a doctor's appointment and trust me a storm in there would be disastrous. The street sides are loaded with limbs, logs, wet carpet and the like. I did hear on the local news this morning that they were sending out more trucks to try and get as much as they could up from over there.

I can't take my eye off of it because quite frankly the NHC has gotten intensity or landfalls right to well in the past two years. 

So, I am on full alert and ready to spring into action. I haven't pulled things in yet, but watching closely.

Now, onto another happier topic...PURSES.

Now, my philosophy has always been if you are feeling sad a new purse could do wonders for you. I lived by that sentiment for MOST of my life.  However, with retirement I quickly realized I didn't need to buy a new one every time I turned around. I did a post a while back where I pared them down to 10. Now, I don't have all those and I will admit I have a dozen, but that is it. You hear ---I mean it.

Seriously I can't even use 12, but some of them I have for sentimental reasons and with this story you will see sometimes it isn't a good idea to quickly get rid of things.

I pulled out one the other day when I was cleaning out a closet and pulled one out to get rid of, so that meant I could have a new one.

After some really long thoughts I decided on an eBay purchase. I needed a medium size more fall/winter purse. I have more spring/summer.

I ended up ordering one and get this...I had this same purse in the early 2000s. I got rid of it and kind of always missed it so when I saw this I knew I would like it. 

I don't think the picture does it justice, but it is in great shape and for $20 rather than a $100 + I was pleased. IT is clean and no wear. It has some leather fading, but very minimal.

I chose this one for its medium size.  It has three compartments.

I have actually been using a much smaller purse in retirement because if I travel I carry a tote bag with more stuff in it, but just around town I need my basics. However, with all those virus stuff I have my masks and hand sanitizer stuff so I felt like a needed a wee bit bigger than my smaller fall/winter purse.

Here is my small fall/winter purse.

I also have a large fall/winter purse, but things can get lost in the cave. This one is a knock off brand that I got at Dillards. I really like, but don't like those short straps.

I found the perfect purse a few years back. I have used this purse more than any other purse EVER in 60 years. I have written how I love purses several times on the blog. I loved a purse even as a very small girl...way better than a doll. You never saw me without one.

You can see my near perfect purse here. I still love both of the purses in this post.

One more topic before I start supper. 

I finally did a DNA test. I am completely overwhelmed with all the information that it sent ---not necessarily the test but the people who have contacted me and sent me further information. I will be down this rabbit hole a while. I really wanted to put a family book for the kids for Christmas. ---don't know it I will accomplish it.

One surprising thing...not a bit of Irish. Let's just say I feel like the guy on the commercial who thought he was German, but found out he was Scottish.

I have a lot of Scottish... 

Ok... I am shutting it down for the day. Need to go cook supper.

On a serious note, add the Gulf Coast to your prayers. I would love to see this thing just fizzle out and disappoint the Weather Channel.

A Little of This and That

Popping in a for a quick post.

Hubby has been on spring break this week so my so called schedule has been interrupted. We have helped out at my son's place. I will try and do a post next week on the progress with the house. He is getting some furniture tomorrow - a gift from Grandma. He is pretty excited. More on that next week.

My daughter had a tree cut down yesterday. I don't remember what kind it was, but it was an all above ground roots kind of tree. No easy walking, so they replaced it with a palm tree. The kind I can't recall. Two of the neighbors came out to help them plant it. They have been so excited to be in a neighborhood with friendly people who walk the sidewalks and just stop to chat.

Hubby helped them plant azaleas and olive trees last week. Sod is next. This is the side yard. They are kind on a curve so they have an angled lot.

My son-in-law also got some free pavers so the did the corner in the back yard.

We went to see The Shack last night. Y'all it was so good. Octavia Spencer is amazing!!! She is my new all time favorite actress. If you read the book it is a must see movie in my opinion. 

I got an email that Spartina 449 had a new line of purses out. Oh my...

I love these three.

My old self would have immediately chosen one to order. Bing Bang Done. My new self is going to think this out ---do I really need it...or what am I going to get rid in order to have a new one.

Oh well, we are going to Auburn and the cabin for the weekend. We will go to a baseball game on Saturday. I am hoping it is warm. I am so ready for the temperatures we had in February to come back. The past few days have been awful. I know my northern friends just roll their eyes at that.

I will not be back to posting until Tuesday next week. I know I will need to catch up at home as well as finish a few things at my son's house. I also am caving in and going to the eye doctor on Monday morning. I think it is time for more than readers's. Pooh!

Have a great weekend everyone,

Sandy

I Got a New Purse

 Source

Well Bloggie Friends, I have written before of my love for purses. I purged upon retirement and gave myself a limit of no more than 10 in the closet. I know that sounds like a lot to some. Remember, purses are my Achilles heel.

I have made it 2 and 1/2 years with kind of no purse purchase. I broke about this time last year and bought a bag at Marshalls for dirt cheap, so I kind of thought a cheap one didn't count...right?!!

I spied this latest one quite a while back. For the life of me, I can't remember where I saw it the first time. I am sure it was a blog. I was trying hard to keep my promise of restraint.

Anyway, it popped up on Pinterest a couple of weeks ago, and I just succumbed.

I am so glad I did.

The bag is from an Etsy shop called infusion.

It is a bit different from my usual purchases.

This shirt does nothing for me. I almost redid the pictures, but I was just hanging around the house, so big shirt it was.

It is much smaller than I usually carry, but I liked it for that reason. I thinking of it as my shopping bag and run to the grocery store bag. Life is different than when I was working and felt as thought I needed everything but the kitchen sink with me.

It will be a great Christmas shopping purse.

It actually has so many compartments that it keeps me organized, 

AND, although I don't have my wallet in here, it will hold it. The wallet I carry often is the Turnlock wallet by Vera Bradley.

The front pocket holds my cell phone.

The stitching and quality is amazing.

The shop owner has over 2200 reviews and ALL of them are 5 stars.

I can't overstate the quality of the purses.

Well, y'all...I normally carry a tote style. I just couldn't get my mind off the tote I saw on there, so when the satchel came in and it was so incredible....well, I did the unimaginable. 

I bought another in less than a month.

Remember, I haven't really bought any in so long.

I had already been looking at my new favorite purses Spartina 449, so I knew I was going to let myself get a new one, just not two.

I am love with the second one as well. I call this my "take to appointments bag", or maybe "my inner Nancy Drew bag".

It holds all my stuff, little Veras stuffed with supplies, books, stitching, etc.

Same quality and attention to detail.

I even ordered the big strap so if I was traveling and needed free hands I could make it a cross body.

One side has a slip pocket.

The other has a zipper pocket. 

Both are very deep and can hold literally tons of stuff.

I am so in love with both.

Source

I would definitely recommend the shop to you. The owner Abby responds promptly and her bags are well made. I am not surprised at the 5 star reviews. That definitely made it easier to order the second one.

Now, I truly am on a no purse buying hold for a VERY LONG TIME. I think it will be easy with these new ones. They are a little different than my usual purchases, but with age I am changing. I don't like heavy bags for sure.

Oh, and I did get rid of two to keep my closet in order.

Not, that anyone who has read me for any length of time would think, I did not get paid for this. In fact, the shop doesn't know I did this review. I should probably send the link to her. I just love my new purses...bags...

Happy, happy, happy,

Sandy

The Purse Tour

I shared earlier this week how my obsession with purses began early in life. I do love them.... too much in fact.

I did a purge last year and sold about 10 in a yard sale with my mother. I also have given Mama probably 7 or so in the last two years. Earlier in the week, I decided I had not purged enough after I made an impulse purchase last Saturday. It was the wake up call, that I needed to STOP the madness.

I went through and pulled out 6 to put on Ebay. As of now, I have sold 3 of them. 

My goal was to narrow down the purses kept to 10. I couldn't do it at this point. I have 11 left and tons of totes. That was another obsession. Teacher totes.

I have to convince myself that I do not need another one, although I am really wanting a new one for the winter.

So, in no particular order, here are the 11 left in my closet, PLUS my current carry and what goes in it.

Hmmm, let's start with the current one I am carrying around and what I have in it.

I have some items in there that I could probably lighten the load, but the truth is I always want to carry more than that. I am full bag toting kind of girl. You never know when you might need this stuff. I have kind of solved some of the load carrying a tote with me when we travel, alleviating the need for so many things in the purse.

Here is what I put back in after I tidied up.

I think you will see that I like patterns. It is the sewing girl in me that loves a fabric store full of possibilities. It carries over to the purses which I noticed lately is not so vogue anymore. This purse is a Spartina 449. I really like it and could get attached to their bags very easily. 

This is it packed. I have a few things I consider when purchasing a purse. It must open wide...no cavernous pits that things can get lost in, so not too deep. I prefer higher linings as I think it helps me see things better. My wallet must not stand up on its side. I don't know...that just sends me over the edge. One other thing that has really become a thing with me lately is that my sunshades thing needs to be standing up near the edge of center for easy storage and access.

Now, onto others. You will see I have had, ok still have a slight obsession with Vera Bradley. I have many totes too, and all of the ones given to Mom have been Vera.

Vera #1

This is a style I really like. I purchased it in a spring color and really like the shape, but not the color. It is the sell pile. Lots of looks at it. I bought this color because I thought it would work for fall. The thing to love about a Vera is they are so lightweight allowing me to add more to the bag! Good shape. Pocket for keys and phone outside. Easily carried on arm or shoulders. I like it!!!

Vera #2 and #3

The old standby Mandy. I need to purge these as I have not used either one in a long time, but these are  two of very favorite patterns. I have lots of luggage, make up bags in the navy one... very Auburny...you see! I have iPad covers and things like that with the purple. These are two of the greatest purses ever. I loved Mandy and have had lots of these in different patterns. It is a dream inside, but has one small drawback. If you pack it full, then those straps don't exactly stay on your shoulders. 

Just can't part with these yet.

Vera #4

This is my shopping purse. If I am doing big time shopping with daughter, I will pull this one out because it holds enough of the essentials and it is a cross body for security and easy access. The flaw though is the wallet has to stand on its side. 

Vera #5

I also LOVE this style. IT is a perfect organizational purse. I gave Mom one in a pink color. I think I REALLY just need this one in NAVY....don't you agree? It has a wonderful place on front for phone and a great zippered place on the back for keys and more.

Yep, this one is favorite. The pattern...not so much...hence, the reason I need another one!

Others...

#6

This is one my daughter gave me for Christmas one year. I really really like this bag. IT is not pink or orange, but kind of a coral, so hard to match with things. (like that should matter with all of that pattern in VERAS.) The color is called geranium which is one my favorite flowers. I like the inside; the way it opens, the size, etc.. The drawback...it is HEAVY. The purse itself is heavy. I love it, but it is not good for a trip when you have to hold it tons. A lunch outing?, yes.

#7

This next bag kind of has a story which lets you know I am really crazy.

A couple of months before my daughter was married and I was making regular trips to Pensacola for my stepdad's chemo treatments, I purchased a VERY SIMILAR one at the Pensacola Dillards. That Dillards has a wonderful purse and shoe selection I might add. It is very near the chemo center, so I made a dash in for something else on my way home one day. I walked by purses and they were on sale. They lured me in. I bought a Kate Landry purse, (I had never heard of them) in same shade and style. I had no time to change out purses as I was dealing with wedding and cancer. The DAY OF THE WEDDING, yes you read that right, I decided to pull that purse out of the bag and use it. It was completely different from all other purses I had. It wouldn't really be seen by anyone but it was large and I figured I could throw a ton of stuff in there and have it in the car. Daughter handed me her car keys as they arrived at the reception because they were leaving in that car. I threw them in the purse. Hubby comes later to ask for keys so he can pull it up for them to leave in. 

IT WAS A CAVERNOUS PIT. I am standing at the car digging pulling things out left and right as he was tapping his foot.

The next day I threw it aside. Daughter says a week or so later she wants it. Then she proceeds to tell me it is the greatest purse ever. What?! Yes, the three compartments keep you so organized, so off to Dilliards I went and bought one. The only difference? 

A big one. The straps on the previous one fit on the shoulders. These ----NO.

She is right though... Great on organization and I do like it a lot.

#8 & 9

Ok...onto trips to Auburn purses. I have two for this. One small and one homemade. I use both depending on my mood. 

The small one is great for games because it is a cross body and holds just the essentials, money, tickets, etc.

Adorable

The homemade one carries essentials only too, but it can be washed easily and no big deal if it gets messed up from a spilled coke.

#11

Ok, the last one is anther Spartina 449. Like I said, I could easily get obsessed with these. I really like this one and used it most of the summer.

yes, I like this one...

If I could get rid of one the Mandy's I might get it down to the desired 10. Then I must never look at purses again. Probably not going to happen.

Oh, and I have purged the totes down to 10, but those don't count as purses.

Hope you enjoyed my stash,

Sandy