Boy Oh Joy

I've decided we have two speeds here. On and off. Go and Stop. Busy and Still. 90 mph and 15 mph and there is no in between. While there are days I feel a teensy bit guilty about a lazy nap on the porch or a Saturday binge watch on the telly I mostly don't. Those slow down days are rare and necessary and add balance to a life that is full full full. 

Hubs and I spent three and a half days with daughter2 and her little man last week, returning home Wednesday afternoon. I volunteer on Thursdays which meant Friday was for catching up on laundry and groceries and online cards with my mom. On Saturday we waved the white flag and hung out on the couch. 

Not the whole day of course, but man we were tired. 

Baby boy (who does not have a blog name yet) is as precious as precious can be. Babies change so much so fast, and we are grateful to finally have one close enough geographically to see somewhat regularly. He had been to church the day we arrived, wearing this outfit his Daddy had worn some 35 years prior. I love it! 

My son-in-law was traveling for work early in the week so it was a great time to visit and be those extra hands all new moms can use.  I had (still have him lol) a husband who traveled a lot for work and I can remember how long the days felt when it was just me and my baby and hours to fill. 

So nice for a new mom to be able to have a leisurely shower, wash and dry and straighten her hair, and get dressed uninterrupted. 

We had a really nice lunch out on Monday and little guy was a trooper (aka- slept through the whole thing). Winning! And then his Momma had a dental appointment Tuesday morning and hubs and I were able to stay with the baby while she took care of her teeth. 

I'm telling you, thirty+ years later that baby hip sway comes right back to you. 

We had plans to run out to a local shop we love on Tuesday afternoon so the baby was fed, we got the diaper bag loaded, the baby strapped into the car seat, the car seat snapped into the car, and lastly the stroller collapsed and into the trunk and whew! Off we went.  

Only about half a mile though, and then we pulled over because there was a noise that sounded suspiciously like a nail in the tire which was indeed a nail in the tire. Bother. Their neighborhood is new and there are several homes still under construction so I'm sure there's more where this came from. 

Back home we went to unload the stroller and the car seat and the baby from the car seat and then I followed hubs to the tire place because they said they'd work it in sometime in the next two hours and they did. They didn't charge a cent for the patch either so shoutout to businesses who do small kindnesses as part of their everyday operation. 

I was so glad we were there to help with all that because it would have been a lot to do with a one month old in tow. 

Even one who smiles like this and makes your heart melt and who grows sweeter by the day. 

Takin' Five In The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. According to author Gary Chapman there are five love languages-words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service, and receiving gifts. Which one is yours? 

Words of affirmation and acts of service. I love words but if someone's actions don't align with their words then what good are the words? 

2. What are five foods you eat every day? 

Coffee. Is coffee a food? I'm going to say yes. 

Also cheese, fruit, salad, and pretzels.  I don't know about every day, but most days for sure. Except the coffee which for sure is every day. 

3. Five places you'd love to visit?

The Grand Tetons, Banff, the English countryside, the French countryside, Ireland

4. Something you've done recently that deserved a 'high five'?

Swaddled baby boy like a pro. His momma went to the dentist and I got him wrapped up like a little burrito, which is how he likes to sleep. 

5.  Give us five 5-letter words that describe your July. 

tribe, chums, merry, miles, humid

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

I like to write my grands a letter on my blog when their birthdays roll around each year. Today is the mancub's birthday and you can read his letter in the post linked here (Five)

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Five

 Dear Mancub, 

Today you are five, a most magical age, and one that has always been Nana's favorite. 

You are full of wonder, curiosity, sweetness and joy. You are 1 special little boy who still asks a million jillion questions and who never lets a new word go by without asking 'what's that?' Still never satisfied with a simple answer, always drilling down to understand completely every new word you hear. 

He's one-Tacoma Washington

You are wonderfully smart and too 2 sweet. Tender hearted and sensitive, in touch with other's moods and feelings. You love your family and your friends, a gentle tone, goodnight kisses and big hugs, Hunley-Bunley, and Hudson the bear who has been beside you since you were a tiny tot. 

He's two-South Korea

You are the oldest of our 3 grandsons, the one who made us grandparents, and we thank God every day for the gift of you. You gained a cousin this year which is pretty exciting. 'What's a cousin? We love the way you've learned to embrace the role of big brother (and biggest cousin)...the way you always call little brother by his full name, the way you lay your head on momma's belly and then when baby sister kicks you laugh with delight. Sissy is so very lucky to have big brothers who I know will protect, tease, and love her as she grows. 

He's three-still South Korea 

You love building robots, building anything, reading books, rough housing with brother, playing ball, outings with your Daddy, coloring inside the lines, riding your scooter, fishing, and most of all-the water. You had swimming lessons this year and your skill has grown by leaps and bounds. You spent a week with us at the lake where we held hands and counted 1-2-3 4-5 before running off the dock with a great big cowabunga!! 

Back in the US of A

And now you're 5. A whole hand. Still willing to be little but also wanting to be big. Soaking up the world like a sponge and digging yourself deeper into my heart with every passing day. Happy birthday mancub...

Keep shining and remember always Nana loves you deep and wide xo

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 471

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

1. According to author Gary Chapman there are five love languages-words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service, and receiving gifts. Which one is yours? 

2. What are five foods you eat every day? 

3. Five places you'd love to visit?

4. Something you've done recently that deserved a 'high five'?

5.  Give us five 5-letter words that describe your July. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Hodgepodging On The Fly

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. Last time you drove more than 100 miles from your home? Where did you go? 

We were out of town this past weekend, driving roughly 1100 miles roundtrip. We went to a wedding in Northern Virginia and stopped to visit friends and family on the way up and the way home too. I recapped the trip in yesterday's post (linked here) 

2. Something that drives you batty? 

SPAM calls, the dog licking his paws, boaters who motor into no wake zones way too fast, or come way too close to the dock creating a ginormous wake, advertisements for a show you're not watching running along the bottom of the screen of the show you are watching, sometimes even blocking the content

3. Do you feel like you're 'on track'? For what? 

I think 'for what?' is a good question. What am I on track for? Or not on track for? Hmmm... taking life one day at a time, keeping negativity (and negative people) at bay, and finding joy and beauty in the small things is the track I want to be on in this season of life. I'm there most of the time. 

4. Your favorite car snack(s)? 

My favorite car snacks or my favorite permissible car snacks lol? Hubs likes few things better than a super clean car so he'd prefer I not eat crumbly snacks while traveling. I did have pretzels on this most recent road trip and there may be a crumb or two in the passenger seat as a result. I also like grapes, dried mango, and Twizzlers which are all on the list of approved travel foods. 

5. Something you've done recently 'on the fly'? 

We often have houseguests on the fly. Someone is traveling and realizes they will be in the near vicinity and ask if they can come for a night and we say sure. Happening this week actually, spur of the moment overnight guests, friends we haven't seen in several years so we're excited about their visit. Just passing through on their way to visit family, but it will be fun to catch up in person. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Summer sunshine...

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Weekend Wanderings

We had us a little 1100 mile road trip this weekend and are in recovery mode here today. Recovery mode means an extended coffee hour on the deck before tackling laundry, grocery shopping, an oil change so the truck is ready for the next road trip coming up quick, and then maybe a nap in the summer sun. 

Friends from way back when had a daughter getting married in Northern Virginia on Saturday so we hit the road Friday to join the party. We drove as far as Richmond stopping for an overnight visit with hubs brother and sister-in-law who live there. We had a lovely dinner out and caught up on all the things which was fun. 

Saturday morning found us on the road again, driving the (supposed!) two hour trek to the D.C. suburbs. We lived in the area once upon a time so we know traffic, but ya'll! The traffic north of Richmond into D.C. is completely ridunkulous. We are truly country people now lol. 

I had booked a hair appointment for Saturday afternoon, and while I should have been there with plenty of time to spare, I barely made it. Whew. Afterwards we checked into the hotel then rode a shuttle out to the wedding venue with some of the other out of town guests. 

So fun to see friends from our girls growing up years...

Hubs and the father of the bride also worked together for three decades so having in person time to catch up was really special. 

Sunday morning we were back on the road, heading just past Richmond to spend the night with some college friends who live in the beautiful Virginia countryside. I took not a single picture but these friends are so precious. We spent lots of post college time with them in the early years of our marriage when we too were living in Richmond. The mister even helped us find our first house back in the day. They built their current house in the country about the same time we built our lake house, and while they've visited here we'd never been there. 

One of their now grown sons lives nearby too, so we got to meet the granddaughters and life just felt so very sweet in the way it comes full circle. 

Monday meant another day of driving with a stop for fresh from the orchard peaches and then another at the kennel to collect the pup. We listen to books on Audible while we drive and are currently listening to Napolean by Andrew Roberts. Kinda makes me wish the French countryside was my next road trip destination. 

Although visiting our newest grandbaby will be pretty great too. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 470

Welcome to another week in the Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Answer the questions on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to share answers. See you there! 

1. Last time you drove more than 100 miles from your home? Where did you go? 

2. Something that drives you batty? 

3. Do you feel like you're 'on track'? For what? 

4. Your favorite car snack(s)? 

5. Something you've done recently 'on the fly'? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.