~September Summed Up~

September. I blinked and it's gone. Another one for the history books- Another full month of living life. And here, a few captured moments to remember it by before we run full-speed-ahead into October.

There was lots and lots of sanding and staining- more baby steps toward a longed for dream . . . (more on that in another post)

There was a bit of antiquing and finding fall inspiration . . . don't you just LOVE these books turned pumpkins? I'm dying to make some, but how on earth did they cut books into that shape? If anyone out there knows, please tune me in!

There was lots of clothes shopping. More sweaters and layers for the coming cold weather. And new jeans to make way for my ever-expanding waist line. (there's no pictures, but that would be due to the baking I've also been doing)

A new, badly needed haircut. (and in case you were wondering, I'm not smiling in this picture because I've come to realize that no matter how hard I try, my left eye always ends up half shut when I smile causing me to look either intoxicated or mildly disfigured. I'm just accepting that some people are photogenic and I am not one of them!)

There have been daily drives to and from cross country practice for the Youngest- and to weekly meets as well. Last week he came in 2nd place for 7th grade boys and we were very excited for him- he pushed himself so hard, and he found success!

I've been stitching felties again. Makes me happy, happy, happy- and keeps me calm! (looks like 'franken-kitty' with all the pins, poor thing!)

And I've also done a little book-cover making for a birthday present.

And not to forget the kids, they've done lots of growing, growing, growing . . .

(and eating, eating, eating!!) This was the month that the Oldest surpassed me in height!!

I spent a day freshening up the laundry/mudroom with new shelf paper, art, and a rake hanger.

And I celebrated the first day of fall with my favorite fall coffee mug and some straw flowers. 

The 'fall' curtains also found their way into the kitchen . . .

September's weather was really warm and lovely nearly all month.We rambled just about everywhere-

from a graveyard . . .

To a waterfall. And everywhere in between. We took lots of walks in the neighborhood, along the river, in the arboretum and out into The Gorge . . .

And, of course, there were many, many more moments . . . lots of gardening, chats with friends, school papers to fill out a mile high, long and boring teacher presentations, doctor appts, ebay work, a week of miserable allergies, a couple dates with the Husband, soups simmering and new tires for my car (!!!!) As always, a patchwork of life being lived . . .
and, all in all, a lovely September.

10:13 PM - By Unknown 0

~It's That Time of Year Again~

 We had our last cookout of the season . . .

and finalized everything needed for back to school . . .

And then today the backpacks went on and new shoes were tied . . .

The boys were marched outside for their annual torture picture taking . . .
The Youngest went for silly.

The Oldest went for the modeling look. "Hey Ladies, check out this action . . ."

And then, because I'm really cruel, they had to pose with each other.
Don't they look thrilled?

Ah . . . much better. I think.

And off they went . . . and I am dancing jigs around the house!! ;)

The Youngest started seventh grade today . . . and his brother is now a ninth grader. Yes indeed, high school is upon us! Trying to soak it all in . . . wondering where time went and HOW DID I GET THIS OLD?! I remember my own freshmen year like yesterday (actually, better than yesterday. I really can't recall yesterday too well). Crazy stuff . . .

I would normally be way more emotional than I am on this first day of school, but it's also that time of year for the germs- and they seem to have gotten to me extra early this September! So I'm way too tired fighting some bug to make any more of it than it is. And that's probably a good thing. 

So lots of this today . . .

And tea, too . . .

And then it's early to bed for this mama.
Here's to hoping this is all the illness it's gonna be this month!

Happy September!

5:39 PM - By Unknown 0

~On the Phone~

So, I've been MIA lately and the above is a big reason why. After 10+ years with my old flip phone, I am finally the owner of a smartphone. Though I'm still trying to decide if that was 'smart' on my part. After three weeks, I have already been through 2 phones (the first one stopped working after a week and had to be exchanged for a new one . . . and I lost all the data I had painstakingly put on my first) and I have had countless hours of frustration trying to a.) sync it to my computer, b.) download a ringtone and c.) remember I no longer have a landline to go to if I forget to charge it. 
But . . . I believe the kinks have finally been worked out and now that I'm starting to get the hang of it and of texting (my first ever text I ended up accidentally sending a stranger a rather suggestive message instead of my husband! . . . oops!) and I've even joined Instagram which I am loving!
So, all that to say, I will be in this space a little more often now (hopefully) and please do follow my on Instagram HERE! 

Hope y'all are having a wonderful end of the summer!
Thanks for stopping by!

1:15 PM - By Unknown 0

~Whimsy Weekend~

The Husband is gone for the weekend up North for a special family event . . . meaning? 

I sorta have the weekend to myself.

Yeah, the boys are still here, but at 12 and 14 they kinda aren't all at the same time. They've got their own things going, and for me? Well, the clouds have rolled in and garden work is on hold.

So for now I'm takin' it for what it is . . . a Whimsy Weekend.

No plans- and no car, 'cause The Husband took our only working one. 

Just home to putter about as I please. :)

So far . . . I've gone on a walk, and explored a nearby rose garden I didn't even know existed. 

Got home just before the rain.

I watched an old home video of my boys from 7 yrs ago. Gosh, they were little!

I showered and tried out my new, two-dollar aqua eyeliner (The Youngest wasn't too keen).

I watered my neglected houseplants and filled in the May calendar.

I drank lots of coffee. :)

 And for this rainy afternoon . . . ? Kitchen cleaning and scone baking? Purging and organizing? Perhaps it's time to pack away the Easter decorations? Or clean out the Oldest's closet! Or do some feltie stitching? And I could really use a pedicure!

Who knows what way the weekend will go? 

Hope yours is full of whimsy as well!

1:38 PM - By Unknown 0

~Courage~

Something I've been meaning to share- my "courage" necklace, ordered from this lovely lady earlier this month.

I would say that this is my 'word for the year' except I have a sneaking suspicion that this is really a word for my lifetime.

Right before Christmas I read this passage from the devotional Jesus Today, and the words fell hard and powerfully. I knew they were for me:

Be of good courage, and I will strengthen your heart. I want my children to be brave- not cowardly. In fact, the Bible contains warnings for "the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers."

. . .

Though your circumstances may indeed be painful and difficult, they are not worthless. So muster the COURAGE to say yes to your life, trusting that I am in control and I am with you in your struggles.

Come to Me with a courageous heart, hoping in Me, and I will bless you in many ways. Moreover, I will multiply your small act of bravery: I will strengthen your heart.

And after reading this, the word 'COURAGE' would not leave my mind. 

Confession time here: I know I'm a big chicken. I have dreams and lots of excuses for not pursuing them. I avoid confrontations like the plague. I hide if I can- both from people and hard situations (I would make a great hermit if I could get away with it!). I struggle with making most decisions because of fear of getting it wrong.

Fear is my greatest enemy. 

And it comes in more forms than I've realized.

And something else I've come to realize? It's not okay for me to be a coward. I was made to live life- not run from it.

So that explanation may be a bit long-winded but it's the reason for having 'courage' bound around my neck.

And funny enough- knowing I would need the word 'courage' this year, kind of put the fear- and excitement-  of "what is going to happen in 2014?" into me. And as if right on cue, just last week, in the midst of the crazy busy, I got the call from my Mom telling me my grandfather has pancreatic cancer . . . and five days later, we find out my grandmother (his wife) has cancer, too. 

Yup, God knew what He was talking about when He said I would need courage this year. I was kinda hoping the courage would be needed in other areas -like taking steps to pursue my artistic dreams- and maybe it will, but right now courage means facing the nitty-gritty-hard-stuff. With grace, I hope.

Cheers!

9:10 PM - By Unknown 0

~Blue Skies But Cloudy Within~

Proof that there was sun and blue sky this morning . . . if only for a little while.

Agh, I'm tired today!!

Though at this point I'm quite used to being sleep deprived, this tired is a little different than my norm- more of an emotional tired than a real physical one. And coffee makes no dent in it- though I've tried.
. 
This is the kinda tired where you want to see no one, do nothing, and try nothing and not even your favorite occupations can distract you from it. You're cranky and pouty and annoyed with yourself for being so. It's the tired that finds you unable to start the creative project you planned, because in the mode you're in you know you'll just screw it up.

A tired where instead of enjoying the morning's blue sky and bright sun you spend all morning angry at your husband because during the night you dreamed that he cut down the blue spruce tree that used to be in your grandparents' front yard . . . years ago. And worse, he did so without asking you. And further more, when you confront him about it as he lounges on the couch, he answers you nonchalantly that you have no right to say anything about it because you're not the type of person who makes quick comebacks. 
Huh?!

Exactly.
That kind of tired.

So here I am, trying to put it out there so I can start moving upward and onward. There are banana muffins to bake and though I am still incredibly sore all over, I'm thinking that if I take it in small stints I may actually get them made. And I'm kinda thinking muffins and Earl Grey could make things a wee bit better. Especially paired with the book I've been reading . . . The Blue Hills, by Elizabeth Goudge. Does anyone else read Elizabeth Goudge? She's out of print but I adore her books. This one I happen to be borrowing from my mother as they're hard to come by. Yes, I'm definitely thinking a long stretch of reading and some muffins may be the answer here. 
I'm off to the kitchen- the sun just came out again. :)

Cheers!

2:32 PM - By Unknown 0

~Catching Up With June~

Oh, June! Where have you gone? How can you run off and leave me stuck still in May?

Why, oh why are you always so full?

Our fifteen year wedding anniversary . . .

and a trip to celebrate it with . . .

School presentations, conferences, graduation parties.
Sunshine and flowers and gardening . . .

A tea party for friends . . .

And a week of virus-fighting within the family. 
Father sick for Father's Day. The Oldest's last day of seventh grade.

Somewhere in between it all time slipped silently by. And a personal achievement was gained- one without recognition or fanfare. No ceremony or cap. Just an empty 'school' room left in a thoughtless jumble as the final day ended in a blink of an eye- our final day of home school. 

My final day of teaching.

After eight straight years of home schooling my sons through elementary school- it's over. The Youngest has finished fifth grade and next year he'll join his brother in middle school.

 Eight years.

And it came suddenly too- a phone call one morning saying our paperwork was done. Everything was satisfactory and the final conference I had been expecting wasn't even necessary. Goodbye.

 So I stood there- in the middle of our school room- just stood there among what had in a moment become a remnant of what has been.
And I cried.

I can't even explain all that I feel . . . exhaustion for sure. And the bittersweet. And the relief and excitement for what lies ahead. I'm grateful to be done. Happy to finish what I set out to do.
And yet . . .

how do you mark eight years of your life? How do you cap it off, nod to it with respect and then lay it down forever when there's nothing there to do it with?

At each life transition there seems to be something which celebrates what was and welcomes in what is to come . . . graduations, marriage ceremonies, bridal showers, baby showers, housewarmings, anniversaries and even funerals- they all mark a person's story. But parenting . . . ?

As I stood in that room and cried I realized I was grieving time passing and my children growing up and I thought how this moment was only a little taste of what is to come.
It seems so strange that we should give so much of ourselves and then it is suddenly done.

And I thought-
No wonder so many parents suffer with 'empty nesting'! We celebrate our children and all they've accomplished, but do we celebrate what we have given, as well? Do we allow ourselves to pass with grace into this next chapter of our lives? Because our story is part of their story.

So, as I've been pondering this all week I'm thinking two things . . .

1. I need to do or create something that will celebrate what I have given and received over eight years of teaching my sons. Something personal and meaningful so I can lay it to rest in peace and enjoy the next thing, and . . .

2. We need to start a movement for those parents whose children have grown and are on there way out- 'Empty Nest' showers! Seriously- it's time to celebrate parents. We do so before the children even arrive, so how much more do we deserve a party once they leave? Wouldn't it be wonderful to throw a party for one another to celebrate not only the rearing of our children, but also who we've now become through the rearing of those children? Might that not help us demystify our own identities and separate ourselves once more toward dreams that so often get put aside as we parent? 

Anyway- it's a thought. I have five more years to go until my Oldest departs, and without a doubt we will celebrate all his achievements to the fullest. And two years later, we will do it all again with our Youngest. But the partying isn't going to stop there . . . though, I do think we will put it off until September since June is quite full enough!

Cheers!

8:45 PM - By Unknown 0

~Last Weekend~

 The house was cleaned from bottom to top.

And decorations were hung.

Back in '99 The Husband, myself and The Oldest (in utero) moved here to our present city of residence for the sole purpose of furthering The Husband's education. But, as it so often does, life took over . . .

Now fourteen years, two children, two homes and multiple jobs later, he has finally finished his four year degree. 
He now has his Bachelor of Science Degree. 
His B.S. 
And let me tell you, this man is full of it. ;)

But seriously, there is so much to be said for finishing- Though, I am convinced that no kid four years out of high school with the same degree has an education equal to that of a grown man with half-grown children and life experience on his side. There is so much richness added with every passing year. And that richness doesn't come from text books. 

We spent the weekend partying hard! There was a graduation ceremony we all tried to stay awake through. A late late night with friends and family at a local Portland pub. And lots of time spent with the Husband's side of the family. . .

 Our niece. (crunching the Oldest in a bear hug- LOVE this picture!)

His dad.

His sister.

 

And his mom. (pictured here with our smirky Youngest)
They all came to stay and celebrate with us.

We spent the rest of the weekend out and about . . . visited the farmer's market in town, went out to lunch at Red Robin, played frisbee in the park, had ice cream at Dairy Queen and drank amazing home-made margaritas.

And this cutie and her Aunt Jennie had lots of fun together as well!

There was swinging in the garden, reading Brambly Hedge cozy on the the couch and lots of 'My Little Pony' make-overs and matrimony. A crash course in life with a six-year-old girl and I loved every minute of it!

It was a fun but very packed weekend- I've spent all this past week just trying to recover from it. But we memorialized something important to our family and that was worth every second!

Cheers!

7:24 PM - By Unknown 0