I was looking back at my recent posts and they're pretty much all Hodgepodge all the time, and I guess that's because life here lately has felt a bit 'hodgepodge'. Here's some of what we've been up to in February.
Well there's been no down time lol.
We pretty much just drop where we are these days. The 'kid's are still here with us, and while I'm not in charge of the littles there is still so much that needs doing on a daily basis. I know my daughter manages all the everyday type of household and childcare chores on her own on the regular, but we're all here together so we're trying to help where we can help.
They're somewhat unpacked here, but they also have bags in the garage and some stashed in the storage room, and things in the attic all of which hey've needed to access since the weather has warmed up. Everything else they own is still in storage and I know they are just so ready to be settled into a home of their own.
In other news...I'm buying a lot of groceries. A lot. The first couple of weeks the total was shocking, but now I'm just like whatever. We're not eating out much so I'm sure it all balances out in the end. My daughter and I have been going to the store together and sharing the cost and when we finish paying and combine our two receipts we both kind of gasp.
Besides all the meal planning and meal making and meal clean up there's laundry and our usual weekly commitments with volunteering, real estate-ing, dinners with friends now and then, and grandchildren wanting our attention. It's nice that we can fill in whatever gaps need filling. We can keep an eye on the 2-year old while momma showers, make breakfast for the whole big hungry crew, I can be available to stay with the kids while the parents run with hubs to look at a house or two, that sort of thing. My son-in-law has a birthday this week and we told them to go out to dinner one night. Alone. Happy birthday!
Speaking of real estate...there's not a lot on the market here currently. They found a house they wanted (mostly). It wasn't perfect, but we've all let go of perfect, and the house was warm and lovely and only 2 miles from us. It was overpriced and the seller wouldn't come down enough to make it make sense so it wasn't meant to be.
Hubs and I have bought and sold a lot of houses over the course of our married life, and whenever we house hunt I tell myself if it doesn't work out for whatever reason then it's not our house. It can still be disappointing though, as you really need to imagine yourself living in a place before you make the offer, and once you do that you can't help but get excited thinking a place might be yours.
Typically this is the time of year where the market picks up and we're hoping that's the case this year too. I've enjoyed seeing some of the homes they've considered and we've taken the kids to a couple too. As my daughter says, 'it's good to know the kids can be happy in any house' ha! While mom and dad don't mind a few projects some of these homes are in need of far too much reno. One was also in desperate need of a thorough scrubbing (shudder!), but the kids look around and claim bedrooms and check out the outdoor space and declare it all GREAT!
Besides all the busy-ness with extra peeps in the house, hubs and I have been working to wrap up our tax organizer, secure a beach house for a summer holiday, track down the covers we need for our outdoor furniture before the pollen really falls, finalize plans for a wine dinner for 20 we're hosting with another couple, manage a huge tree removal from the backyard (these tree guys are amazing)...
...and honestly about a hundred other 'things' both large and small.
We've also had some friends dealing with a really hard thing that's left both hubs and I feeling a little bit down. And then there's America, mad all the time and filled with so much bickering and whining my brain hurts from trying to understand how we've gotten to the place we're in and can we even find our way out? Is this the new normal???
Daffodils are blooming.
It needs to be said. Spring is a reminder of so much goodness...hope, beauty, warmth, light, forgiveness, new growth, fresh starts...
Last week some friends invited us to join them for a couple of days in North Georgia at an Air B & B they'd rented in a pretty little vineyard (Buckley for anyone local reading this).
What a fabulous get away and a beautiful venue! The cabin was so well appointed and the view could not have been nicer. There's a screened porch that overlooks the river and you can make the short walk over to the tasting room if you feel like it.
We drove down on Tuesday and once we'd dropped our bags we headed in to Ellijay for lunch.
We sat outside and had a fun waiter who loved to talk. Hubs and I split a salmon BLT and an order of Brussel sprouts and the summer-like day called for a glass of Rosé.
We came back to 'our' winery after lunch and enjoyed a tasting there in the sunny sunshine of the vineyard.
We had dinner 'at home' both nights we were there, courtesy of our friends as she had done most of the prep work at home. Easy peasy, for us anyway. Tuesday night we played cards after dinner and talked and it was just so nice to be with friends we've known since college. We've lived a lot of life with these two and they are definitely our people.
Wednesday we drove into the nearby town of Blue Ridge and meandered through some of the stores we enjoy. I bought these imported Italian chocolates with balsamic which might not sound good but trust me, they are super delicious!
The center is soft and nougat-like and the balsamic isn't overpowering but it's definitely there. The taste is somewhat similar to a chocolate covered cherry, not as sweet and minus the liquid you get with those.
We grabbed lunch on yet another patio, sharing a charcuterie board and a small flatbread pizza. The weather was absolute perfection both days.
After lunch we made our way to a hillside winery called Roo Mountain Vineyard.Their tasting room is beautiful (no kids allowed here) and their outdoor space has an absolutely gorgeous view.
It was hard to peel ourselves away, but we eventually managed that and spent the pre-dinner hour sitting beside the fire pit behind our sweet little cabin.
There were more cards after dinner and we crashed pretty early. Everyone was up and on the road to head home after breakfast on Thursday.
It was a perfect little break.
When the noise in your head grows a bit too loud tell it to hush and get yourself outside...
With friends you've known forever.
I highly recommend.
This post is linked with the Hello Monday party hosted by Holly and Sarah. Hop over there to read more or add your own weekend recap to the blog list. Also, because I haven't spent much time online this past week my reading list is long. I likely won't get back to read the posts I've missed so if you wrote something recently that was great, newsworthy, funny, or even only slightly interesting let me know and I'll hunt it down. Enjoy your day!
Such a fun wrap up of all that's been going on! Here's hoping your daughter and husband can find a house soon. It can be hard to house hunt but that mentality of it just wasn't meant to be is one we keep in our family too.
ReplyDeleteGreat catch up post! I would love to tell you that I've written lots of great, interesting, funny material but, well, that wouldn't be true!! There are seasons for reading and writing; you're in a lovely but full season right now. That two day getaway sounds so nice. Perfect weather, great friends, those mountain views- sounds incredible. Loved the sentence about when your head gets too loud- so true. Have a great Monday!
ReplyDeleteYour little getaway looks like perfection! And, your attitude about life right now is really healthy. I think it's nice that you are still getting away and going out with friends and that gives daughter's family a little space, too.
ReplyDeleteSo much happiness in this post. The picture of you and your granddaughter baking together, gets me excited about all the cooking and things I'll get to do with my granddaughter as she gets older. So exciting!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great explanation on waiting. Waiting rooms are difficult. Saying a little prayer that your kids will find their home soon and be able to get re-established in the 'states'. What a sweet getaway with friends. Happy March to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you managed a short break. I know how much you love your grandkids and family but having a constant presence in your home is exhausting - even if those staying are good at pitching in/taking care of themselves. Your break sounded perfect. Hopefully the right house will come up soon for the kids.
ReplyDeleteThat little getaway looks wonderful and so great to enjoy time with friends! You were definitely in my neck of the woods, about a 30 minute drive from me. I need to check out those vineyards! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHi Joyce, it was fun to catch up.
ReplyDeleteYour words regarding America is exactly how I feel... I actually ask my husband and kids "how did we get in such a mess and how will we get out of it?" Hate, hate and hate.. not stopping to just listen to reason or common sense. My heart hurt for JD's family Saturday, those little ones who have to witness all this anger. Praying for our leaders and families.
We too are having a tree project happening... we received the estimate and now it is go time, you are right, those who do this tree work are AMAZING!!
Nice that you could get away! Looked peaceful. Your life sounds super crazy right now but I always say that if I wasn't so busy, what would I be doing? You also brought me a sense of calm, knowing that God always has a plan and I have to trust in it. We all get so bogged down with the day to day that we do need to sometimes just sit back, breathe, and believe.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a great mom and grandmother- I am sure you will all love looking back on these times together-it can be stressful but the joy, I am sure, will outweigh the stress. What a fun getaway with your friends too!
ReplyDeleteYour last about being absent... me too, for the last three weeks! Getting pretty caught up now, though. I enjoyed your post!! Wine tastings are so fun! So are old friends!! xo
ReplyDeleteSo glad you guys were able to enjoy a little time away with your go-to folks at the Air BnB. And how nice that they made the arrangements and you just got to enjoy. Enjoy the scenery, the wine, the card playing, just an easier, quieter pace. I have missed how your family has come to stay with you and your hubs for a time but I know that you are making the most of the precious time with the kids and their kids. Groceries are just ridiculously high here, too. We used to go to the military commissary but are finding the shelves there bare. And the meat selection, which was once good, is sparse.
ReplyDeleteWith spring approaching, I am sure the right house will become available for your children. This is the best time of year to be looking as school winds down and folks think about moving during the summer. Praying almost-perfect comes up and they get a great price and can move in in record time.
"Patience is grown in seasons of waiting." That is so insightful, Joyce. Not something most of us want to hear or even agree with, but true, nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteHeck, mine are always Hodgepodge. Without it I don't know what I'd be posting. You do have a houseful and even if your daughter is handling the kids you are definitely involved with them. That was sweet what you shared with your grandson on waiting. Yes, it is a gift having them there. All that you are doing exhausts me just reading it. I'm glad you got away for awhile and had time with your friends. The photos are wonderful. Take Care.
ReplyDeleteI love so much about this post. Before we moved into this house, about 12 years ago, we lived with my parents and my in-laws for an entire year. Was it bonkers? Yes! Was it stressful? Yes! Was it also wonderful and lovely? Yes! My boys were 1 and 3 at the time and the bond they cemented with their grandparents still holds so strong today when they are 13 and 15. I am sure my parents and in-laws enjoyed the chaos and the quiet when we were at the other's house, but it was pretty great for all of us. I also enjoyed spending time with my parents as their grown up kid.
ReplyDeleteGroceries are off the charts expensive right now, but we've got to feed them somehow. Good luck to your daughter and her family finding the right house!
I agree about Spring and what it brings. So nice y'all had that trip in the midst of so much going on at your home. So fun to use lemons from your own yard!
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, I'm weary just reading all this. :o)) Sure hope the kiddos find just the perfect house to call home. Have a great new week!
ReplyDeleteIt seems crazy now but you are making some wonderful core memories that will stay with everyone for a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteYou have so much going on -- and I am envious you have such nice weather to enjoy while handling it all so well!
ReplyDeleteHi Joyce... I have a friend in Colorado going thru the same thing. Her daughter and SIL have been living with her for awhile and have lost out on 2 houses. It's not easy. On another note... for some reason I don't have your email. About those sea sick patches. They worked for me with a combo of the wrist thing. I put the patch on the day we set sail and it stayed on through showers and swimming. Two days after we were home the Mister pointed out that I still had them on! There is nothing worse than motion sickness. I would give them a try.
ReplyDeleteWow - life is full for you right now! Your getaway looks amazing...and just what you needed right about now. Hope you are soaking in all the great memories being made:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely getaway you had! The setting, the friends, the time away together... perfection! I pray that your daughter and family find the house that makes the most sense for them soon. What a blessing that they can be with you now and what a treasure to have this time together. I just returned from 5 days with my daughter and her family (including our 2 Littles and.a grandpup) and the energy and snuggles filled our days. But I also welcome and treasure the quiet moments my husband and I enjoy these days, too! Wishing you and your family a wonderful month of March!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like y'all had the perfect getaway - just long enough in a great place with special friends!! Regarding one of your other statements - I hope this is not the new normal. I'm tired of ugliness and bickering and whining and choosing sides and not realizing that even if we are on different sides, we can still be friends.
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