New Spaces

The room addition at Paul Allen and Katie's house is complete. It turned out nice. Katie is still working on a few things to hang, but you can see how much space it added to their home. You enter through the door from the hallway. It is honestly right as you enter the home. Behind the wall that the bookcase is on is their laundry room with the new storage closet.

Pictured above is the desk (on the left) that Jeff had in his bedroom as a teen and probably before. They chose to keep it because it has great storage in it for their important stuff. I am actually ordering them a new kid's table and 2 chairs in white instead of the one above. That was is from a thrift store and one of the chairs broke. I told them I would get them what Katie would actually like as a Christmas gift. Christmas will be here before we know it.

Below is a loveseat they found at a thrift store and it is in fantastic shape. She has had to put blankets on it because the dogs love looking out that window to the road.

Then the cubbies were a Facebook marketplace find. It is going to be a great place to play and shut the door if you are too tired to make sure it all got picked up, and it will keep the actual living room much tidier.

I was just thrilled for them. Katie has a 3 day weekend this coming weekend and is planning to get the baby's room painted. I can't wait to see the color. She has shared her idea and I know it is going to be so pretty. Someone Paul Allen worked with just gave them a crib. It is gray and in perfect shape also. They decided to just leave Miles in his crib and I am certain myself that is a wise idea. He is not ready to give up his bed. There is no need to upset that apple cart.

It is coming together and January 21st will be here before we know it. I can't wait to share the name. It is lovely if it remains and I am thinking it will.

I am sharing another picture of our new fencing. It looks so nice. It won't be this color long, but this shot really shows how much brush is gone on the other side. The trees are all still there and our view like that hasn't changed, but no vines climbing up over the fence.

Here is a photo of the trees standing mostly in water during this time of year. The water level will recede quite a bit during the winter months, so hopefully we can tackle these during those months. The water was up a little the morning I took this. As of right now, they say the hurricane is headed west of us and will most likely fizzle out. Thank goodness.

Last Sunday, the kids got together to take the boys to the Fort Walton Beach famous Goofy Golf. It has been around since Jeff was their age and is a landmark in our area for locals. It is kind of off the beach path so very rarely do you see tourists there. Our family has played many games. A young couple about Lindsay's age who grew up here and have a local bait and tackle shop have bought it and plan to keep it going. They have redone some of it and are hoping to keep it very affordable for family fun. We will continue to support it. 

The three boys had their first trip there. Rumor has it Jeff got a spanking as a little one for trying to climb the dinosaur.

Those three have my heart. All are doing well and growing up so fast. I think I am going to love having a new baby to start the new year off.

That is really all I have this week. I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving. I need to get my mind wrapped around what I need to buy and do before then. We will be putting up Christmas before I know it. Most are doing it now, but I am not in that camp. 

I hope to share some more things as time allows me that are not just family and stitching. We will see. My days get away from me. I always have great ideas but I move slowly these days and couple that with seeing about so many for which I am grateful to do, it puts the brakes on blogging.

Also, this has been the warmest fall ---I am not complaining, but even the summer loving Sandy is thinking it is not like fall at all.

Finishing Up October

I finished up October with strep. I have no idea where I got it and fortuately no one else had it but me in the family. It was not fun and I am looking forward to feeling better as we move along in to November. I sort of feel like my immune system has been down lately and as someone said my stress has most likely not helped. I think that is very true. I have let a few things get me the last few months. One of which is trying to keep Mama upbeat. That is not my easiest job and at this point I don't feel like that is going to magically get better. I do what I can, but I am one who frets over it all.

In other ending October things, we got a new fence down. It looks amazing. The neighbors agreed to help out with it. There was an old chain link fence on the other side and vines and underbrush had just overtaken the other side and were so hard to keep off ours. Our fence was 40 years old, so Jeff approached them about cleaning it all up and they agreed. It looks amazing.

The guys that did it covered the posts on the other side leaving the neighbor's side looking more finished.

It was kind of nice having it open, but Jeff wanted a fence and with dogs and kids I suppose he is correct in wanting one.

The neighbor's gained a good bit of land back from all the underbrush and just overall mess over there on that side. Now, they do have just dirt and will need some of those spring leaves from the live oaks to cover it up. They are coming back in a week to work on it some. They have even agreed to let Jeff get some quotes on getting those gigantic pines down that are more in the water now that on land. They have to be some of the biggest pines left on Choctawhatchee Bay, so that makes me sad. As I said though, they are going to fall at some point anyway and they are frightening in a hurricane. Since I didn't take a picture for reference these are the ones right on the property line that you see outside my kitchen table area. 

*****

I finished up the Advent calendar. It has a white border rather than red like the one I did back in 2020. That was mostly because I couldn't find a red I liked. 

That feels good to say, "This is done." While I love stitching, I don't love quilting. Nope ---not for me!

*****

In the words of Palmer, the cutest little Mickey Mouse roadster you have ever seen. "I like Happy Halloween, not Scary Halloween." Me too, baby.

Here are the three grandsons in their costumes ...

First up is Tucker and Palmer. Tucker is Donatello of the Ninja Turtles. They are back in vogue. Palmer chose Mickey Roadster and I can wholeheartedly say he could not have loved his costumer more.

Miles was a pumpkin. They mostly sent me videos so I don't have a good one with his little pumpkin bucket. He loved it all. Really understood it this year.

I thought this next picture was so cute. You can see the excitement in his eyes about Paul Allen carving the pumpkin.

All done and super excited about it.

*****

The room is completed at Paul Allen and Katie's house. They enclosed their one car garage. A portion of was already enclosed to make a laundry one at some point. The room is going to be a multipurpose room. All of these were from last week before I fell ill.

This first one shows the new room closed in. As you can see the stickers were still in the windows. Her dad it all and it looks great. Looks like it was always that way. They have a huge lot and could build out to the right and the back and have a huge yard still.

The inside which Paul Allen helped with some. Katie's dad had the tile in his storage so that was a help on the expenses. The room has door into the existing hallway that Katie had prettied up a while back, but it still looks great.

Paul Allen took this one so you can see it is going to be nice. Katie can now get to work on the baby room. They needed to move stuff out of the bedroom for that to happen.

This is the laundry room that was once a part of the garage. Katie's dad built her a closet in there where the door had been to come in from the garage. It is going to be a nice addition for storage.

Again all of these were taken in the height of the building. Katie's dad poured them a sidewalk out that door that you see above that goes our to the sideyard were they have a storage room.

It runs to the driveway. I know they are ready to get it all cleaned up and have done lots since I got sick.

I am super excited to see it all finished. 

*****

I know everyone goes straight to Christmas these days on November 1st, but I so love Thanksgiving and quite frankly it is not until November that it even remotely feels like fall. It appears there is something tropical trying to form late next week which is holding in the warm.  I don't mind the warm, but want no more tropical. I do remember a tropical storm in November 1985. We got out of school early one day. Those things are important to teachers! I am not interested in too much rain, just some as it hasn't rained at all in October. It is pretty dry, so just some rain will do. No torrential stuff nor wind, please!

Welcoming in November,

Sandy

Let's Get Spring Started

 It has once again been a busy week. I really think this past week I was not in charge of any of my time. I told Jeff after church yesterday that I simply had to recharge my battery. He is the Energizer Bunny sometimes, and I am NOT. I retired to the couch much of Sunday. I am better for it today.

The children and grandchildren will be most of my post once again:)

First though is spring garden notes. Finally, it is showing up after a slow start. It was cool again Saturday morning and as I have always said it was the "Easter cool snap." I heard it all my growing up days....you would have a cool snap before Easter and then it will warm up after that. I have had many Easters to prove it with having to buy a sweater or pants for the kids.  Lindsay had a job fair to work on Saturday morning and she said one of the ladies in her office that is my age said the same thing to all the young girls talking about how cool it was Saturday morning. She said she instantly thought of me. I think I have passed it down to her as well. 

My day lilies are all above ground and the Stellas have been the first to bloom. I don't know if that is how it will be or if they are just the oldest and most established, but a few of the others are starting to have buds. 

I am so eager to see everything come to life again. It seems a wee bit late this year but probably not as I am just an eager beaver. The live oaks are in full on leaf drop mode. I think the little wormy blooms should fall this week and then it will just be full on good stuff coming. 

We took the kids over to Paul Allen and Katie's while Lindsay was working Saturday morning. Where was Tyler? Oh the boy got to go to the Masters'!!!  Not a practice day as he, Jeff, and Lindsay managed one year but the full on real day. A friend he went to high school with is actually a member of the place. I can't even imagine. Anyway, he had 2 extra passes in his cabin and for "Saturday", so Tyler and his brother flew in and went on Saturday. He had many tales to tell of life most of will never EVER see. I still have more to listen to. He flew back home on Sunday morning and met Lindsay and the boys at church. He said it was quite an experience.

Back to the kids and the visit to Paul Allen and Katie's.

A ride in the wheelbarrow with Dansby.

A view of the back with PaPa and Palmer sitting. Katie and Tucker in the hammock.

A view of the side. An orange tree is finally taking off and tomatoes and peppers are in the buckets.

A little more of the family.

If you haven't seen too many cute kids on Palm Sunday carrying their palm leaves I will share a few more:)

I took this one as they were coming out into the lobby.

Could he be any cuter? 

The children's director texted me this one later in the day.

Oh how precious!

Lindsay and Tyler had a friends' egg hunt yesterday. 

I snitched the next one from Instagram. These little ones you have heard about on the blog. They are daughters of long time friends of Lindsay's.  The one in the middle, Lindsay and her mom met in kindergarten and I taught her mom in 3rd grade while Lindsay was next door. The one on the right - her mom met Lindsay at the start of high school. You may remember they lost their home to a house fire a couple of years ago. It has worked out they are closer now in Destin to Lindsay and the other mom. Much more fun for them now.

Speaking of good friends. Well- we have a new baseball team to root for. Now, I am still a dedicated Braves fan and love baseball season so bring it on, but now we have a friend who has made it to the Big Leagues. 

Lindsay met her longest and dearest friend in the crib at their babysitter's house. "Carol" only kept teachers' kids and lived close to the school that they would eventually go to and that both of us moms would teach. Chelsea and Lindsay became friends as they grew together. 

Lindsay and Chelsea on their first day of preschool. 

They would go to preschool together at the vocational school where Chelsea's granddad was the principal. When they got old enough for that I would drop Lindsay off at Chelsea's, and her dad would take them to school and the grandpa would drop them back at Carol, the babysitter's where little brothers, Paul Allen and Bryan would be. Cathy and I each taught the other's kids. Little Bryan is all grown up and has been in the Leagues for awhile. He got called up at the end of last season to the Blue Jays. Cathy and Steve hopped onto a plane and made it to see him pitch a no hitter. He is now with the Baltimore Orioles and pitched on opening day which is a while different level of pay and all. I have learned a lot about all this. Anyway, we are super excited for Bryan and his whole family. He is a top notch young man and I enjoyed him as a 4th grader. Super smart and well behaved. We will love following along and cheering for him and so happy for the Baker Family.

It is just so good to see young people who worked so hard and are such good kids do well in life. Trust me, he will do well no matter if he plays a lick of baseball.

It has taken me nearly all day to get this post typed. Lots of interruptions and as I mentioned at the beginning of the post I snoozed Sunday. Much needed. 

Gus is at the groomers' today. The house is way too quiet without him. He was getting pretty shaggy and the weather has warmed so he wants to swim a lot. Shorter hair is easier to dry. I will share a picture of him soon.

I have been reading and stitching. I haven't read a book worth really noting although I have been back in reading mode. I do have a stitch to share soon.

OH and I have a day trip planned for Jeff and me in May. I can't hardly wait to go. I will share more later.

Happy April and spring...Let the flowers bloom, the grass green and let baseball commence.

Dog Gone Good Days

 Kids and grandkids are the focus today. 

We will start with my youngest child who has grown up, and his story amazes me so much at times. My little faith would be big in that story. Oh, he still has room to grow, but a baby coming in July will probably propel it forward at lightening speed. He and Katie have taken a little home with a giant yard and with every project make it cuter. I know to them it seems slow, but to me it is just a heartwarming process to watch.

Katie is still painting doors and adding such sweet touches. She creates ideas and I think Paul Allen is her muscle at times. This is their dining /living room. She created the mirror.

Every time I go over she has done something so cute to this little house.

They have been working on the baby room. I only one have 1 picture and it doesn't do the room justice. I promise to share more when she is finished. She painted 3 walls a gray and one room a dark green. I didn't get the combination of the walls which is just beautiful, but here is a picture of the focal wall.

Katie found the crib on FB Marketplace for a $100. She is a deal finder.

AND in looking at my pictures I do have a picture straight across from the crib. Her dad took the sliding doors off the closet and put in folding doors. He did a smashing job.

You can see Dansby, the Bluetick  giving his seal of approval of it all. You can also see the stained old doors from the 70s and they have slowly been painting all of these in the house and adding trim which I have shared before. 

They also got one of Uncle Danny's dressers and painted it white to make a changing table on top. Lots more to share.

They got some new patio furniture for their back porch. I am sharing 2 pictures but I will share more of their backyard later in the summer. They have a large backyard that I have shared when Paul Allen first got this house. The fence around it was in need of a new one but that would be a huge expense so he has been slowly redoing it. There was a county easement behind their fence and the county has deeded it to all the property owners so he has torn down the back fence and extended it 10 feet. It was amazing to see how much more it added. He has been hard a work for weeks.

Here is their new patio furniture.

Now, let's visit my daughter's home. I have stitched Lindsay several seasonal small ornament like things to hang from a knob on their TV cabinet. She stores them in a drawer. Tucker got them out and hung them all around on the other cabinet and around and told Lindsay he was decorating for Christmas. 

It is those little things like that will be just the sweetest memories. 

Y'all know I am a space fanatic and as we approach the new trips to the moon and the preparations for all that I decided it was time to raise my grandsons up right. I have purchased the first patch of Artemis for Tucker, Palmer, the one coming in July and even an extra if I have another one:) I am going to start them a scrapbook maybe or just collect them to they can frame them. I am thinking on that.

Artemis I's mission is similar to Apollo 8's mission.

Also thinking about that space love, Tucker loves my Snoopys. I have two that have an astronaut helmet and some on bookends in my little sewing room. He always notices them. I have come to realize my Snoopys are expensive. I tried to find him one on eBay like the ones I had and my stars ---apparently they are quite the collector items. 

SOOOO, I ordered Tucker a Snoopy shirt which is way too big. It was the smallest they had so he will have to wear it as a sleep shirt or beach shirt and a little Snoopy thing to hang on his backpack. I have given him the t-shirt. I am holding the backpack hanger for a later gift. He very much liked the shirt. Who knew? What is about Snoopy that makes you just love him?!

Little Palmer has learned to crawl. I had quit putting him in the walker because he was too fast for me and into things - well now, he is crawling everywhere. He got into Gus's water bowl before I could get him. I have my work cut out for me this next week.

We sent Mommy a picture of him and his waiting for his clothes to be washed.

Oh April, I am so happy to see you. The question is with Easter so late, will you behave and act like spring? I have planted my vincas in place of my pansies. Those are the only pots I change out. All my other pots have things that unless we have a once in a great while cold winter - they will make it. I occasionally have to slide them over to shelter or cover them, but mostly they survive.

They have already really hopped up since I took this picture, so I am loving that. I am waiting on all those day lilies I planted last year to pop too. They are all above ground and some with buds. I am watching daily to see which one blooms first.

I have so much outside work to do, but I enjoy that. It will get done in time. I didn't get much done this weekend due to some other obligations and I have been fighting a spring cold this week. I have not enjoyed that at all. I think I am going to beat it though without a doctor visit so I am looking forward to next week.

That is about all I have for this week. 

Hopefully enough positive and good to keep the mind off the crazy in the world.

Looking up,

Sandy

A Random Assortment

 Before we get to Christmas decorations in the coming days, I thought I would document a few other items. 

Little Dansby, Paul Allen and Katie’s dog decided to romp through some woods behind their home. They have a county easement behind and Dansby slipped through the fence. When he returned he had cut his ear. This was him night before last with Katie trying to get the bleeding stopped.

He made  a visit to the vet yesterday where Paul Allen said Dansby was sure he had died:) H did not have to get stitches but got an antibiotic which was probably a good idea since they don’t know what he cut it on. 

Speaking of them, I never shared more of the work they are doing in their home. Katie is really doing a nice job of updating it amd I should say both. She has the ideas and Paul Allen just does what she says:)

They got the new kitchen counters and they actually put the backsplash in. This is not the finished product. She was cleaning and putting everything back in place when I was over there so I didn’t bother her to take pictures, but it looks so good. She is now working on the eating area so I will continue to share as they update the home.

The above pictures were before they had finished the grout.

I planted some broccoli in my pots downstairs. I was downstairs checking them yesterday morning before I went to pick up Palmer. It was so pretty. Here is the water views from a different angle. 

I will share some Christmas in the house soon. I am slowing getting it altogether this week and am just about finished. I have a sweet baby who slows me down for good reasons like needing to be rocked or strolled down the street all of which are wonderful.

And a pup who isn't going to let me forget he needs attention.

I heard a line from "The Messenger" that said Christmas is a love story which changed BC to AD. In the year of our Lord. May we never lose sight of that in this time of trying to change BC to Before Common Era. Diligent to spread the true life saving Gospel we must be.

In His Name,

Sandy

A Little Update

 I didn't plan on being gone as long as I have been but life just has me hopping right now. I don't think it will ease up for a while. I hardly get to read comments let alone read other blogs. It is just how it is right now. It will ease up with time I hope anyway....

Before I get started with the life updates, I promised pictures of Gus last time. Get ready as he has been quite photogenic with his haircut.

I think he knows how to make himself comfortable.

Here is a little bit of what has been going on.

We played tourists by going on one of the boats in Destin. The large pirate ship has captivated Tucker's attention since early spring. He always looks for it in the bay and in the harbor, so Lindsay decided to check in to it for his birthday. This is the kind of thing we would never think of going to here locally but would absolutely have done it on vacation. I highly recommend it to those visiting Destin with elementary age children. Tucker did enjoy it, but I think the kids who were 6 or 7 is the best age for it. It was family friendly and kept the kids busy for the entire time on the boat. There were tons of activities and the kids basically never sat except for a few minutes to hear about the treasure that they were to find shortly. I wish I had more pictures to share but I was busy holding the baby to let everyone enjoy Tucker. Tucker had both sets of grandparents on board with him and we were by far the oldest people on board. 

The pirate ship ride was on Friday afternoon and then Tucker had a race car themed birthday party at home in the backyard on Saturday afternoon. He was so excited. He had such a busy weekend that he went to bed at 6:45 that night.

Lindsay used simple decorations but Tucker loved them and was showing them off to Kyleigh (Katie's little cousin). Kyleigh was spending the weekend with Paul Allen and Katie and was so happy to get to come to the party. She was amazing with the little ones. 

Uncle Paul Allen and Katie's gift was some capes and masks for playtime. There was enough to go around for the attendees so they were a huge hit.

Then boys both were sick in this absence of mine but both are better now. Tucker got his first antibiotic ever and Palmer's sickness lasted about 48 hours. He ran a low grade fever which just made him feel awful and he didn't have his sweet smile. He is about to receive the nickname Smiley because he smiles all the time and is really cooing these days. I am so glad they are feeling better. I had to keep Tucker two days one week and then 2 days the next as he had a fever as well. In between that Mom got sick as well and is on another antibiotic. She is halfway through taking it. Praying she makes it before it does her in. On the upside to all of that, I have not been sick at all. Whew!

I have been busy with a few other things which aren't exactly blog fodder but they have kept me away and will for a few more weeks. 

In gardening notes, I decided I loved those day lilies so much that I planted in the spring that I would order some more and I planted them around Labor Day. I knew they would have time to get settled in before any cold weather came. They have popped up and should be gorgeous next spring. One of them has been so happy that it bloomed. Bayou Bride she is called. I love her ruffled edges.

Isn't she lovely?

This plum color was this year's choice of color for my pots on the side of the garage. They just arrived this week. Pansies are a winter flower here in my neck of the woods.

I also planted some broccoli that has beautiful leaves so we will see if they actually produce. 

The peppers are still going strong and there are three pots of broccoli.

The weather the past two weeks has been amazing. Not necessarily fall like - maybe fall like in Florida. I have enjoyed strolling Palmer and walking Gus AND just sitting out on the porch.

The following pictures happened in the past two weeks. I was sad to see it. 

The bulldozer arrived and took all the trees at the water's edge.

Below is today's view.

Nothing lasts forever.

The lot across the bayou that has been wooded and provided me with a great view of trees and wildlife was cleared to make room for a house. The animals and me are sad. That lot was the only real sign of fall leaves anywhere other than an occasional Japanese Maple in someone's yard. The second week of December each year it would look like a mini New Hampshire. 

The moonscapes on the bayou have been so pretty this fall. The sunrises too. I suppose it is time to share with the builders of the new home across the way:)

This morning just before 7 AM

Let's see some pictures of the other little munchkin who has my heart.

Palmer is 3 months old today.

Lindsay has started putting a number on her healing and getting better to keep me informed. She says she is at 85% and hopes by January when she has her appointment that she will be at 100% and won't have need of it.

Tucker now has all the Paw Patrol pups. Adorable.

I am blessed!

My days are busy so I pretty much sleep well. I have been trying so hard to stay awake to watch the Braves in the NL championship. We are at 3-1 right now and they are headed back to Atlanta. Can they pull one more game off and put themselves in the World Series? Our family is hoping so!!!

I have fallen asleep while trying hard not to for more than one game.

Oh one more thing to this very long post that has taken most of the day to write:)

Katie and Paul Allen redid the doors in the entry way that I shared in the last post.

The doors before:

And after they added some trim and painted.

Seriously, how cute?!!!

I will try and share some stitching soon. I am so motivated to stitch but almost too tired and too busy to get much done. 

Happy October,

Sandy