2014 - Bring It On

I think I'm glad to see 2013 move on into history.  I'm not usually one to wish time away, or particularly want time to move on.  But this year has been so strange.  Not in a horrible way, like someone has died...well, I did lose an Uncle...but more in a sometimes scary, lots of sickness kind of way.  But good can come with the bad right?   And, we are suppose to take the bad with the good, right?

  I haven't blogged since July....

August and September were scary months for me...a serious illness wanted to take me out...but I overcame.  God healed me...yes, I do believe it was a miracle...He was there...so close....I could feel Him.  When time is right, I'll tell that story.   The rest of this year has been spent recovering, being thankful for my family, being thankful for being here, being thankful to be here for Christmas.  If I've learned anything from this past year, it's thankfulness...gratitude.

My focus for 2014 is my health, and my relationships...with family, friends, co-workers.  That's all...no big New Year's resolutions...which I never keep anyway. 

I want to take a different direction with my blog.  I'm not completely sure what that is yet.  I'll figure it out as I go.  Until then...  HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Welcome 2014!

For the Love

Scarlett Love

Is there anything sweeter than a new baby?

Welcome to the world, dear one...

 

Daddy and baby girl

 

 



First Day.... and I cannot figure out why this picture is turned sideways?

 

 

 

Scarlett the Princess

 

 

Papa Bear

 





July and Random Thoughts

I've come to realization that I cannot seem to find the time to blog, at least in the manner and with the frequency that I once blogged.  I don't know if my muse has left me, or if its just a matter of time and too many other commitments.  I think its the latter, because I often feel that muse still there, and I'll think, "Oh that would make a great blog post!" and then I just don't get around to it. 

Its July already.  Its been a busy summer in our household.  Hubby and I have taken a couple of trips.  In May we headed down to Savannah, a city we both have deep ties too.  Last month we headed down to St Simons Island, a place where I spent so many summers of my childhood.  I simply must get to my island at least once or twice a year, to maintain my general mental and emotional health.    I have lots of pics to share from both places, and I'll try to get those posted here in the next few days.

We've also been busy with college planning.  Our youngest heads to the University of North Georgia in August.  Lots to do getting him ready to start.

Our second granddaughter arrives next week!  If not before!  We're excited to meet our newest addition.  Our home has been a flurry of activity with baby showers, and getting an extra bedroom converted into a sweet nursery for both of our baby girls.  I could post before and after pics of that too, right?  Although I haven't taken any before shots...before the gorgeous new paint color.  Castle Path by Sherwin Williams. 

Which reminds me...I read so many beautiful blogs about decorating, interior design, and renovations.  I love that stuff.  But I always feel so overwhelmed when I look at what other favorite bloggers are doing.  I feel like I put more pressure on myself when I look at what others have done, and feel the need to do it myself.  Does that make sense?  Pinterest does that too me too.  Although I love it.

Anyway...just random thoughts...  Happy Summer!  The 4th of July is here.  We'll spend it at the Lake, having cookouts, boating and swimming, the golf cart parade, and the kid's fishing tournament.  This year our darling Lena will participate for the first time in the kid's fishing tournament.  Her daddy will bait  her hook but I'll be there with my camera.  Another blog post, right?

See...its all there.  I just gotta get it posted.

A Milestone Day?

I don't know...is it?  Is it a milestone day when you realize this may very well be the last morning you drag a boy out of bed, make his breakfast, and send him off to school?

For 27 or so years I've been waking up a little boy or two little boys, in the early morning hours, making sure they had a good breakfast and got dressed, dropped them off at school or at daycare, and headed to work myself.  When Nicholas grew up and moved out, Neil was still at home, in middle school, and life moved on as usual, just with one less boy under the roof.

Today is Neil's very last day of school, as a high school senior.  He is my last boy at home.  As I sat in the early morning darkness, enjoying my quiet time and coffee, before all the "rise and shine" activity, I realized this could be a momentous day in my life.  No longer will I be waking a sleepy child to get to school on time.  How much longer will Neil be at  home before he discovers college roommates and trying it "on his own?"

I must admit, the thought of a slower, quieter morning sounds, well, very nice.  But the thought of some how being less needed...I'm having to get use to that thought.

Wow....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter. Please.

GO AWAY!!

We've had enough.

Now...be gone!

This has been a long, wet, hard winter.

In our house, we've

had the flu,

had pneumonia..still trying to recover,

lost a dear friend,

and are saying goodbye to sweet, dear uncle.

Time changes this weekend.

With it I hope comes Spring...quickly.

I need the

Beach,

a Margarita...

and a cupcake.

Hurry June.

I've Got It!

I've learned to avoid lofty New Year's resolutions. 

Rarely do I complete them,

and I really don't do disappointment real well, when I look back at the end of the year,

only to check off all those well intended resolutions that I didn't meet. 

Sure, I could resolve to do all those reasonable things,

like lose weight (which I need to do...badly).

Or, be a better mom,

Or be more patient,

Or practice one act of kindness every day.

But, aren't those the kind of things we do each day, anyway?

 

So, I decided to simplify my resolutions, and have just one;

one very simple resolution...

 

HAVE FUN!

Yes! Have more fun...laugh, and look for fun and every opportunity to seize it.

Hopefully this will not get me into too much trouble.

 

 

Sounds simple enough....

 

Well... maybe just one more thing...

Greece.  Visit Greece.

My brother lives there,

and has begged me for years to come visit him.

I think I will resolve to work hard to save my money,

and plan a trip to see him.

This is his view from his apartment in Athens.

 

 

 Fun...and Greece. 

Think I'll be disappointed?



A New Year

Tonight is New Year's Eve.

I have BIG plans!

I plan to spend the evening browsing Home Depot.

And, purchasing a new area rug for my dining room.

I'll be starting this new book....

And, popping open a bottle of my favorite red...

I know...

My life is so exciting.

Please don't hate me.

Seriously y'all...

I'm exhausted.

I've had a house full of guests since the weekend before Christmas.

Thank goodness, they all finally went home this past weekend.

But, I have more guests arriving this next weekend.

I should get the "World's Best Hostess" award.

All this festivity is killing me.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Beginnings!