Wednesday, August 31, 2016

The Hodgepodge Blues

Welcome to another week of Hodgepodge fun. If you've answered the questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. Here we go-


1. Are there any men or women in blue on your family tree?

Not that I know of. My sister has a brother-in-law who's a retired Detective and I will claim him as family by marriage. He's a good guy. And we do have a man in blue (retired) in our Hodgepodge family...if you have time today go say hi to Life SPR. We generally have a couple or three men link with the Hodgepodge every week, and I enjoy reading their answers.

2. Are you someone who suffers from the Sunday night blues? What helps you get over it?

Occasionally. There's something a bit wistful about a Sunday evening, particularly in the autumn and I can get a little melancholy if I choose to go there. Which I don't. Not often anyway. Getting up and out for a walk late afternoon helps. Also making a to-do list for the coming week, breaking jobs to be done into manageagble chunks, and putting them into my calendar. A good list and plan of action can help snap me out of a 'mood'. 

3. I read the color blue is an appetite suppressant sincer there are very few naturally blue foods out there. How do you feel about blue cheese? Love it or blech? If you're a fan, what's something you like that's made with blue cheese?

I'm not really a fan of blue cheese cooked into dishes, but I do love a nice blue cheese as part of a cheese tray or cheese course. I normally find blue cheese dressing too heavy, but don't mind blue cheese crumbles on a salad. 

4. We can't head in to the Labor Day weekend without a related question, can we? Complete this thought: I work best when______________________.

I have a set to-do and a plan of attack to see it through (see #2).  If the job is mental as opposed to physical then I work best in a quiet space. If it's physical labor such as house work or gardening then I work best with music in the background.  

5.  'Everything yields to diligence.' Antiphanes Your thoughts? (on this particular quote or on diligence in general)

'Most' everything yields to diligence. A person can be diligent in their pursuit of another, but in the end they may not be successful in gaining that person's affections. When it comes to work, life goals, dreams then yes I do think those sorts of things yield to diligence. 

6. The National Park Service turned 100 years old on August 25th. Have you been to many of America's National Parks? If so share with us a favorite or two.  Which National Park would you most like to visit before the next birthday rolls around?

I love our nation's parks, national, state, and local too. What a treasure to have so much incredible natural beauty accessible and protected. Acadia is probably my favorite (of the parks I've visited), and in my opinion is one of the prettiest places in America. I also love the Shenandoah area of Virigina and of course the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. 

On my to-see list? Definitely Zion, Yosemite, and Yellowstone. Hubs and I hope to do some sort of car trip out west while Daughter1 is living on that side of the country, but I'm not sure if it will happen before the parks have another birthday. 

7.  Bid farewell to August in seven words or less.

Still not living in my lake house.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I'd written a whole big long rant-ish kind of random here today, then grabbed the book I'm reading, soaked in a hot bath, came back and deleted all the words. I have some rants in me, but I don't want to be a ranter. The world has far too many as it is. 

As I was reading I remembered I wanted to share this book title with anyone who feels a bit burned by religion or by 'religious people' or by Christianity or who just needs to know that life isn't as complicated as we make it. 

Love Does by Bob Goff

The book was published several years ago and has been on my to-read list for ages, but I'm just now getting to it. I like opening a book and discovering it feels exactly right for the place in time I'm currently navigating. Love Does is part memoir, part something else and a big message of the book is saying yes to a life that is not ordinary. 

'I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I'm more afraid of succeding at things that don't matter.' Bob Goff

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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 279

I had a 'mishap' with my phone over the weekend and spent all morning at the Apple Store getting a replacement so I'm going to go ahead and post this week's Hodgepodge questions, and will worry about catching up and this run-on sentence later. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe the day after. Technology makes me tired.

Okay, here we go...answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow (Wednesday) to add your link to the party.


1.  Are there any men or women in blue on your family tree?

2. Are you someone who suffers from the Sunday night blues? What helps you get over it?

3. I read the color blue is an appetite suppressant since there are very few naturally blue foods out there. How do you feel about blue cheese? Love it or blech? If you're a fan, what's something you like that's made with blue cheese?

4. We can't head in to the Labor Day weekend without a related question, can we? Complete this thought: I work best when____________________. 

5. 'Everything yields to diligence.' Antiphanes Your thoughts? (on this particular quote or on diligence in general)

6. The National Park Service turned 100 years old on August 25th. Have you been to many of America's National Parks? If so share with us a favorite or two. Which National Park would you most like to visit before the next birthday rolls around?

7.  Bid farewell to August in seven words or less.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Things I Miss And Things I Don't

I don't have littles (or bigs for that matter) going back to school this year, unless of course you count the little peanut on the right who is back in school but as the teacher not the student.


Still I saw this picture and it made my insides turn to mush, and I didn't know what to do about that so here I am.

A friend posted a picture making her last first-day-of-school lunch for her son beginning his senior year and I thought, 'Now there's something I don't miss'. Which led me to thinking of what else I don't miss about school aged peeps in the house, which led me to a list. Two actually...

Things I DON'T Miss-

making lunches first thing in the morning every.single.day. 
a child remembering at 8:30 PM they need to make a poster for tomorrow
no posterboard in the house
math mad minutes
seventh grade
rushing
sleep overs
mean girls
strep throat, fevers, barking coughs, bronchitis, mono
'babysitting' a tamagotchi
the bus stop in rain or the dead of winter
selling wrapping paper, girl scout cookies, candy bars, cookie dough, holiday wreaths
group projects

Things I DO Miss-

this-

also-

school supplies
the night before the first day jitters
first day photos on the porch
sisters in the same house, same state
new school clothes
after school conversations
bedtime stories and prayers
ballet
snow days
fixing little girl hair
the family dinner hour
and this-


Especially this.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The It's Still Summer Hodgepodge

So much going on here at the moment, but nevertheless we've got a mid-week Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then run say hi to your neighbor. And by say hi I mean leave a comment 'cuz neighbors love comments.  Here we go-


1. It's National Waffle Day (August 24th)...what decision are you currently 'waffling over'? (or share one you've recently 'waffled over')

All in all we're pretty decisive round here, something the whole home build process tests on a regular basis. We like what we like and haven't waffled much on the big stuff. We do occasionally waffle on the 'small' stuff, and currently that would be the countertop edges. Not the actual countertops because choosing the granite was easy. But the edges? The edges are such a small thing which is why we waffle. 

2. It's the middle of August, but I'm already seeing lots of autumn-related posts. Do you think we rush the seasons? If so, does that bother you? I saw (here) an end of summer bucket list that included-

make s'mores, read a new (or favorite) book in the park, eat something delicious and bad for you at a state fair, have a pot luck picnic, book a last minute sumemr getaway, relax by or in the pool, take a hike to watch the sunset, have a day on the lake, try a new summer recipe

Which activities on the list might you squeeze in before summer officially comes to a close?

Yes we rush the seasons, how else do you explain Halloween costumes and candy in supermarkets in July? I don't get it. There's plenty of time to enjoy fall, to look forward to it even, but do we have to start the celebrating soooo early??? 

As far as the list goes...no to the s'mores, but I'll definitely read a new book or two. It will be part of my day on the lake though, since parks are kind of warm here in August. I'll relax by the pool, we'll take a boat ride to watch the sunset, and I'm sure I'll try a new recipe or two.  

As far as what I'd most like to do on this list? Book a last minute summer getaway. Will that happen? Not likely. It's all house all the time here until we're in, plus hubs has some work travel so I'll need to man the fort aka weigh in on any last minute decisions with the build and landscaping.

3. Your favorite summertime 'art' found in nature?

Oh I could never pick just one. Impossible! 

Sunlight dancing on the water-

 ...summer skies-


...and watching the sunset from the back of a boat all rank right up there on my list of favorites. 


4. Stephen R. Covey is quoted as saying, 'We judge ourselves by our intentions, and others by their actions.' Agree or no? Do you define yourself based on your intentions, your actions, or something else?

Agree. We can only guess at another person's intentions, which by default means I am making judgements based on actions. I do try to always see the best in people, and give them the benefit of the doubt when situations are murky. 

Myself though? I can be really hard on myself in terms of judging myself based on what I DO. I think it's important my actions are based on good intentions, but good intentions are only part of the equation. They have to be followed up with action and if they're not I feel disappointed in myself. 

5. Are you useful in a crisis? Elaborate.

I'm ususally good in a crisis, particularly if the people around me are feeling panicky. I might be a blubbering mess once things return to normal, but in the moment of crisis I can be level headed and useful. 

6. What's been your go-to dish this summer? Is it something you'll continue making as the seasons change?

B.L.T.'s  We eat a lot of them in summertime because the tomatoes are so delicious. Plus they're simple to prepare and you don't have to heat up the whole kitchen. We don't eat them very often once home grown tomato season passes and also because B.L.T's feel like summer food to me. 

7. Adult coloring books are a thing now. Have you jumped on the bandwagon? If not is this something you think you might enjoy?

I've always liked to color...it relaxes me. When I was in college I'd sometimes go spend the weekend with my sister who lived just one town over from the university. We'd buy coloring books and a big box of crayons and lay on her living room floor and color while we talked about life. These days I like to color when hubs and I are watching something intense on television. Like a tiny little gymnast sailing through the air in her quest for an Olympic medal. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Looking so forward to a weekend with nothing on the calendar. 
That's all. Carry on.



Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 278

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow and add your link to the party. See you there!


1. It's National Waffle Day (August 24th)...what decision are you currently 'waffling over'? (or share one you've recently 'waffled over')

2. It's the middle of August, but I'm already seeing lots of autumn-related posts. Do you think we rush the seasons? If so, does that bother you? I saw (here) an end of summer bucket list that included-

make s'mores, read a new (or favorite) book in the park, eat something delicious and bad for you at a state fair, be a tourist for the day, have a pot luck picnic, book a last minute summer getaway, relax by or in the pool, take a hike to watch the sunset, have a day on the lake, try a new summer recipe

Which activities on the list might you squeeze in before summer officially comes to a close? 

3. Your favorite summertime 'art' found in nature?

4. Stephen R. Covey is quoted as saying 'We judge ourselves by our intentions, and others by their actions.' Agree or no? Do you define yourself based on your intentions, your actions, or something else? 

5. Are you useful in a crisis? Elaborate. 

6. What's been your go-to dish this summer? Is it something you'll continue making as the seasons change?

7. Adult coloring books are a thing now. Have you jumped on the bandwagon? If not is this something you think you might enjoy?

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Thursday, August 18, 2016

A Post of Olympic Proportion

This should probably be about four blog posts, but instead I'm jamming a whole bunch of things into one. 'They' say you should have a niche when blogging, and I'm pretty sure that's mine.

My daughter2 and I were talking the other night about the back stories of some of these Olympic athletes. She mentioned one in med school and we both kind of decided we must be underachievers. I need some bigger goals y'all. I can't do two things at once anymore and I'm not talking saving lives and winning medals. I'm talking simultaneously pouring a cup of coffee while talking to my mom about nothing in particular on the telephone. I've also pretty much concluded I cannot build a house and do anything else period.

I'm not really building, but have mercy will the decision making ne-ver come to an end? I thought we'd made all of our selections, but in recent weeks we've moved into a whole 'nother layer of choosing. We picked cabinets several months ago, but more recently needed to look through 54 pages of hardware options to go with. We chose stone for the fireplaces back in the spring, but now what about those corbels? Turns out there's an entire catalog of corbel options.

Do I even know what sort of corbels were attached to the fireplace in my previous home?

No. No I do not. They were pretty though. And on it goes.

Some people are completely energized by the home build process. They get all jazzed about whether or not the garage door should have a V or an X (hi hubs!), but I'm more like for the love, just pick one. Which is why I'm so thankful hubs is a detail guy and our builder's wife is a decorator. Some people do this kind of thing for a living, bless their hearts.

I do have opinions and a look I'm hoping to achieve, but there are just far, far, too many choices about absolutely everything. When I begin debating whether we should have an ogee, extreme bevel, or half bullnose edge on our countertops I know it's past time for more people, less things in my life.

So how about we do that Thursday Thirteen thing today, 'cuz that's pretty much all I've got. And random is likely all I'm going to have here until we move because I cannot coalesce enough brain cells to come up with something profound unrelated to home building. See paragraph #1.

1. NEEDTOBREATHE's new album (Hard Love) is so good. I love it, and was excited to see they're coming to our town. Also hugely disappointed to discover it's a date we're away. Why is our calendar so full three months out?

2. Speaking of three months out, can we just make a pact not to go full on fall-wild in August? It's summer people! Get a grip! There will be plenty of time for apple-pumpkin-cool weather talk in another month, but it's the middle of August so let's stay on task. Bare feet- sun on my face-lots of daylight. Why do we have to rush everything?

3. For the record fall is my favorite season. I felt I needed to clarify.

4. My Daughter1 wrote a post recently that was chockablock full of wonderful wisdom. If you know a young married, newlywed, soon-to-be married or anyone married read this.

5. I bought new bedroom furniture this week. Our bedroom furniture is over 20 years old and has been moved from pillar to post, so it was time. I know people who change out their furniture fairly regularly, but we are not those people. We buy good furniture and keep it for-evah. Or at least for 20+ years.

6. My cabinets are in-


7. And they've got hardware-


The lighting (or bad photography) make them look almost white or gray, but they are not white and they are not gray. They're a slightly distressed creamy color which I call oatmeal and I'm positively over the moon with how they've turned out.

8.  Hubs dad celebrated a birthday on Saturday so we trekked over to Tennessee to celebrate with him. Daughter2 came with us, which made Grandpa's day just about perfect.


9. When my girls were little and we'd visit the Tennessee grandparents, the first thing they'd do upon exiting the car was make a bee line for Grandma's jewelry box.


Time marches on, but thankfully the sweetness remains.

10. Many many years ago, I baked an Italian Cream Cake for my father-in-law's birthday, and he loved it so much a tradition was born. That tradition lasted for many, many birthdays, then I had two disaster years in a row, decided something was off in the recipe (it couldn't possibly be me???) and declared it the end of an era.

Hubs suggested this year I bake the cake as a surprise for his dad and-

Surprise!

11. I was not going to Tennessee without that cake, and managed to work a minor miracle with the icing. Voila! Trés delicieux! French makes even an imperfect cake sound fabulous, don't you think?


12. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate fine china? I have a theory that much of the rudeness-ugliness-impatience in the world today stems from that moment we started drinking coffee on the run in ginormous disposable cups.


Something so soothing and civilized about a china cup, a cloth napkin, and a slice of cake on a pretty plate. If you visit me in the lake house I'm going to serve you tea in a china cup.

Unless we're on the dock and then it's all plastic all the time.

13. Finally...hubs and I walk pretty often at the nearby university, and on Monday we passed a mass of yellow flowers in bloom. They were absolutely covered in butterflies. Covered! There must have been fifty butterflies on these plants.


I neglected to snap a photo of the entire garden because I was walking, and if you'll remember I can't do two things at once, but you should know it was amazing.

'If nothing ever changed there'd be no butterflies.' Author Unknown 
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Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Sprinting Through The Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Please only link here today if you've answered this week's questions. And don't forget to race over and leave a comment for your neighbor, after you read my answers of course! Here we go-


1. I read here four creative activities to try this month. They were-calligraphy, make your own cookbook, dance or learn a new type of dance, and letter writing. Which activity on the list appeals to you most? Will you add it to your August? 

I have a calligraphy program my girls gave me for Christmas, but honestly the house build has consumed (and continues to consume) so much of my time I haven't wanted to add anything new to the mix. I'm anxious to try calligraphy, but want to give it the attention I'm sure is required, which means I need a clear head and space to work. How 'bout you ask me again in November? 

2. Bertrand Russell is quoted as saying, 'To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.' Agree or disagree? Explain.

Who asked this question??? It's a toughie. I think I mostly agree. Is having everything we want whenever we want it true happiness? Don't we need that period of wanting to help measure happiness? I think wanting is an essential part of what makes us happy with the eventual getting.  

3. August 17th is National Thriftshop Day...are you a 'thrifter'? If so, tell us about one of your best or favorite finds.

In a word, no. I'm not a thrifter. I've tried to like it but nope, still don't. I admire people who can take something in less than stellar condition, clean-paint-redo in some way and make it fit their home and style, but that's just not me. Nor am I someone who can weed through stacks of clothes and find something I absolutely must have. I've got oodles of patience for lots of things, but this is not one of them. 

4. On a scale of 1-10 (1=almost none and 10=loads) how would you rate your sense of wanderlust? What kicks your wanderlust into high gear? 

I'm going with an 8. What kicks my wanderlust into high gear? Pretty pictures of far away places, friends living in far away places, travel websites, travel quotes, scrolling through my Passport, Pinterest, and most of all actual travel.

"I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world."
~Mary Ann Radmacher

5. Has life felt more like a marathon or sprint so far this month? How so? 

Going with a sprint this month, since we're on the last lap (so to speak) of our house build. Suddenly it feels like the finish line is within reach. Overall the process has been definitely more of a marathon, but we're sprinting through August. 

6.What do you need to get a jump on before fall officially arrives?

Y'all will be glad when we're through building because then I can quit using it as my answer for every single question asked, but...I still need a few things to make the house feel like home. Our build should be wrapping up about the time fall officially arrives. 

7. What's the last thing you did with friends or family where you lost track of time?

Swimming in the lake

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Daughter2 and I celebrated her first day of kindergarten last night with that quintessential summertime treat-the snowball. Our local stand has 100 flavors including dill pickle. Haven't tried that one yet, but I'm definitely tempted. This one is a cantaloupe/honeydew combination. 


Have you had a snowball this summer?



Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 277

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then race back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!


1. I read here four creative activities to try this month. They were-calligraphy, make your own cookbook, dance or learn a new type of dance, and letter writing. Which activity on the list appeals to you most? Will you add it to your August? 

2. Bertrand Russell is quoted as saying, 'To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.' Agree or disagree? Explain. 

3. August 17th is National Thriftshop Day...are you a 'thrifter'? If so, tell us about one of your best or favorite finds. 

4.  On a scale of 1-10 (with 1= almost none and 10=loads) how would you rate your sense of wanderlust? What kicks your wanderlust into high gear? 

5. Has life felt more like a marathon or sprint so far this month? How so?

6. What do you need to get a jump on before fall officially arrives? 

7. What's the last thing you did with friends or family where you lost track of time? 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

A Gold Medal Hodgepodge

Welcome to the 276th Edition of the Hodgepodge Games! If you've got a blog you qualify to play along. Also, I might be working that theme a little too hard today-ha! If you've answered the questions add your link at the end of my post, and be sure to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. Here we go-


1. Are you watching the Olympics? Your favorite summer Olympic event? I read recently a list of the most iconic Olympic moments in history...what stands out in your mind as a great moment from some past summer Olympic games?

We're watching. Like everything else under the sun these days, there's been quite a bit of controversy, but still we watch. A lot of the events I only half watch. I confess to hiding my eyes when those divers do an inward move or those gymnasts triple flip across a beam the width of a credit card.

My favorite event is probably swimming. I love the gymnastics but I just cannot relax while they're performing so the swim races are more enjoyable for me. 

As far as great moments...I loved watching Mary Lou Retton in the '84 games.  

2. Have you ever been to Rio? How about the place that started it all-Greece? Have you ever been to any of the Olympic Games in person? Is that something you'd like to do? Have you ever met an Olympian in person? 

I've never been to Rio, and it's not necessarily on my list of must-see cities. Sure I'd be up for attending the games in person sometime. I have been to Greece and we all enjoyed the trip so much. One of our favorite family travel memories. 

At the Olympic Stadium in Athens-

c. 2005

I've 'met' a couple of Olympians. Kerri Strug was at one of hub's work events back in the late 90's. She was really friendly, and chatted with my girls. I remember she had a warm smile and seemed so genuine. We also got autographs at Wimbledon one year, Andy Murray and Serena Williams were two of them. For some reason I don't immediately think of professional tennis players (or basketball, etc) as Olympians.

3. The ball's in their court (tennis), cross the finish line (track and field), on target (archery), make a splash (diving), on a roll (gymnastics), out of one's depth (swimming)...which Olympic-related idiom best applies to your life right now? Explain.

The house build is on a roll, finally!! so I'm going with that one. We're counting down the days to completion in weeks as opposed to months now. 

4. What have you earned a 'gold medal' in recently?

Nothing spectacular comes to mind. How about reading? I've read a lot this summer. 

5. What is it (or who is it) that motivates you to eat right, exercise, and do what you can to be healthy?

There are several things that motivate me to eat right and exercise, but the biggest factor is probably my age. No matter how young you feel, there comes a time when you can no longer take good health for granted and you do what you must to stay fit and healthy. 

6. Are you young at heart or an old soul? Explain.

I think I'm young at heart. I'm shocked on a regular basis to realize how old I am. I just don't feel it (most days). On the other hand I've always been a bit contemplative and that lines up more with an old soul. Maybe I'm a little bit of both. 

7. It's National S'mores Day (August 10th)...are you a fan? Will you celebrate with a s'more today? 

I prefer a deconstructed s'more. The traditional s'more is way too rich and sweet. Give me a perfectly toasted marshmallow with a side of chocolate and you can skip the graham cracker. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

The sunlight in Greece is magical. 

c. 2005
Or maybe it was the moment. 



Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 276

The Hodgepodge is back in action this week, and here are the questions you need to answer in order to participate. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. Here we go-


1. Are you watching the Olympics? Your favorite summer Olympic event? I read recently a list of the most iconic Olympic moments in history...what stands out in your mind as a great moment from some past summer Olympic games?

2. Have you ever been to Rio? How about the place that started it all-Greece? Have you ever been to any of the Olympic Games in person? Is that something you'd like to do? Have you ever met an Olympian in person?

3. The ball's in their court (tennis), cross the finish line (track and field), on target (archery), make a splash (diving), on a roll (gymnastics), out of one's depth (swimming)...which Olympic-related idiom best applies to your life right now? Explain.

4. What have you earned a 'gold medal' in recently?

5. What is it (or who is it) that motivates you to eat right, exercise, and do what you can to be healthy?

6. Are you young at heart or an old soul? Explain.

7. It's National S'mores Day (August 10th)...are you a fan? Will you celebrate with a s'more today?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Monday, August 8, 2016

Unimportant Stuff I Forgot To Tell You

Sometimes I'll have a thought and say to myself, 'Oh that's something I might mention on my blog', and then I'll jot it down in the notes section of my phone so I don't forget about it.

Then I forget about it.

Until sometime later (much much later) when I return to my notes to jot down something important, like furniture measurements, paint colors, the boat engine serial number (yeah, that's a real thing), and then I'll say to myself, 'Shoot. I never blogged about that.'

The other scenario that happens a little too often when you're me is you jot down that thing you might mention on your blog, and you do remember it's in your notes, but when you look at your notes a quick day later you scratch your head and wonder what in the world you meant when you wrote 'Billy hero' Hmmm???

Yeah, that's also a thing in my notes.

I did eventually remember that hubs and I were having dinner with Daughter1 and she piped up with, 'Hey, they're playing Billy Don't Be A Hero', and I thought Wow! That's some fine parenting we've done there where my 20-something daughter hears a few notes of a somewhat obscure 70's song over the noisy din of a restaurant and recognizes it by name.

I guess I thought someone needed to know.

The same sort of thing happens with photos too. I recently ran across this one while scrolling through a trillion photos to find that one picture of my living room rug snapped fourteen months ago just before it was rolled up and loaded into a storage container.


It's a ginormous peach in case you're unsure. ahem.

Officially it's dubbed The Peachoid and holds a million gallons of water, but it's also a much photographed landmark around these parts. If you watch House of Cards you may have heard mention of it there. Daughter2 and I trekked to the outlets in this little town a while back, and had to stop and take a picture for my blog.

Then I forgot I took the picture, but it's no less peachy now than it would have been several weeks ago. Actual South Carolina peaches are super delish.


That same day we drove past an adorable one room school house. Daughter2 was up for hiking across a great big field beside the Interstate to get a closer look and...you guessed it...a picture for my blog.


It was built in 1880, and is one of the few remaining one room school houses in the state. You can't be a teacher and pass by without a picture, can you? 

We'd practically planned our shopping trip around where we'd go for lunch because that's kind of how I roll, but also because every time we travel the Interstate I note the sign declaring Daddy Joe's a 'Southern Living Magazine Favorite'


In my book that makes it worthy of a stop, and we both agreed it was. We never miss a chance to have great BBQ. 

And now I think that's all the unimportant stuff I meant to tell you but forgot. I will add a link here for anyone with a substandard education in 70's music. You're welcome. 

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Feeling All The Feels

So much has been happening here that trying to condense it into something readable feels a little overwhelming. Still I'm gonna give it the old college try. Where did that expression come from anyway? I googled the phrase and it goes back to Babe Ruth or maybe even further to the evangelist Billy Sunday, but that's got nothing to do with what's been happening here so let's carry on...

Daughter1 has been here visiting since a week ago Wednesday, and then her hubs was able to join us several days later. He is conveniently attending a medical conference in the Palmetto State which allowed him a couple of days to see his family too. So very glad we live near his parents and don't also have that layer of complication to work around.

The distance is hard. In a funny way I think I feel it more when she's home than when she's actually on the other side of the country. Somehow the nearness of her, the happy knowledge that she's sleeping in the other room, sitting beside me at the pool, baking cookies in my kitchen, it all makes me long for more.

If you have children who live far from you I know you understand. You anticipate these visits to the nth degree, but you're also acutely aware of how quickly you'll be sending them on their way once more, and it takes an act of will not to let that overshadow the time you do get to spend together. We do our best.


Arrival day Daughter2 went with me to the airport to collect her sister, we had a leisurely lunch in town, then hit the Teacher Store because the start of a new school year waits for no man mother-daughter-sister reunion.

The three of us have a deep and abiding love for paper products and school supplies so we were happy to help Daughter2 find some fun things for her new classroom. She's moved to a different grade this year, which essentially means completely re-doing classroom plans, organization, library, everything.


We met up with hubs later in the day for a fab dinner downtown.
Made me ridiculously happy.

Him too.

We spent Thursday at the lake because suddenly there are a million and ten things happening with the house, and we needed to make some decisions on big giant boulder placement, drainage, and paint colors.  I know! Can you believe it???


We also had to sort out garage doors, check out the trim and ceiling progress, and then meet the landscape designer to figure out a plan to lay down some grass and concrete in place of the mud pit we've got going on. Rain y'all.

In between all that we swam and hung out on the dock.


We took a late day boat ride and Daddy let her drive (name that singer) which only made the day sweeter.


She has always loved the water.


I feel like these sunsets are made especially for me right now.
God knows I need pretty sunsets.


Friday morning we walked around the lake at Daughter1 and 2's alma mater.


Weren't we just moving her in to this dorm?

We stopped by the in-laws to say hello and pick up some eggplant, but really that was just an excuse to see these girls-


Ha! They are super cute! Also a tiny kitten appeared out of nowhere and I can't be certain my daughter didn't put him in her suitcase when she left there today.

We baked cookies because kitchen time with a daughter ranks high on my list of favorite things. Peanut butter cookies rank high on my son-in-law's list of favorite things so I like to have some in the house when he's here. He wasn't actually here yet, but we also took a dozen with us to have for dessert at my sister and brother-in-law's house that night.


Cousin time and southern BBQ make for a picture perfect Friday night.

The next couple of days were spent at the lake and they were splendid. Yesterday Daughter2 went to work in her classroom and Daughter1 went furniture shopping with me.


Hubs and Daughter2 met us for lunch then he went back to work and we followed her to school to check room progress.


There are some lucky, lucky kindergartners meeting their teacher for the first time next week.

We all went to dinner together last night at a favorite local spot, and let me just state again for the record how happy I am we're living in the same geography as the in-laws. We have a nice time together and it was fun sitting around a great big table sharing a meal and our kids.

The Mr. and Mrs. left for the conference today, and only a few
hundredtears were shed. I'm almost recovered from the goodbyes and the see you soons and the can't wait til next times. Almost. 


But hey, how about that sunset?