Lea's Daybook - Friday, March 13th

It's always fun to join Peggy for a Daybook entry.  A time to share the comings and goings of my day with you.  Enjoy!  And, I know, today is Friday, the 13th!  But, in spite of the rain it's going to be a great day. ~big grin~
 
FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it is still dark and dreary the rain continues to fall.  To say that I am sick and tired of wet weather is an understatement. Thankfully it looks like we are in for lots of sunshine next week and I hope Mother Nature doesn't throw a curve ball to change that.

I am thinking...that one of the really great things about Grandparenting is that you get to give them back.  We have had our time of full responsibility with our own children, so this is our reward.  ~nothing like them~

I am thankful...that we had the opportunity to have Clancy with us for 4 days this week.  He was able to meet his new cousin and play with Hanna Beth.  They are so cute together and enjoy each other so much.  They are almost exactly a year apart and are now 5 and 6 years old.~great ages~

In the kitchen...there have been a lot of hot sandwiches at our house lately.  I got a new George Foreman Grill and it makes the best!  We had an old, old one but this one has the temperature control, a timer and pre-heats and that makes a big difference. Of course, there are many other uses for it as well.

I am wearing...waders! I'm joking but everything is so wet around here that I could definitely wear some.

I am creating...a more streamlined closet.  I have been cleaning out my current closet(s) and keeping only those items that I really love.  I want my new closet to be filled with only those items.  I've finished the clothes and about to start on my shoes and accessories.

I am going...no where really.  Hubby and I have stayed close to home since our new house construction began last June.  But, hopefully once we get moved and settled we can get our "going shoes" on again.

I am wondering...when we will get to move.  It's looking like it may well be  June. I've just about reached the point where I can't pack much more until just before we actually move. But, there's lots of other things that must be tended to. 

I am reading...I just ordered Sophie Hudson's, "Home Is Where My People Are."  Sophie is the author of the blog, Boo Momma.  If you have not read it, you need to click here and enjoy a laugh or two. She was just in our area for a ladies event at a nearby church and I so wanted to attend but was not able to.  I'm sure it was a delightful evening and I'm looking forward to reading her newest book.

I am hoping...that my Dad's cataract surgery on the 31st will give him some increased vision.  Any improvement would be great as he is legally blind.  The Drs. have just now okayed the surgery for him as they didn't want to risk it but now his vision is such  that they feel it is worth any risk to possibly give him some vision.  There are no guarantees but we are so hopeful.

I am looking forward to...looking out our back windows in our new house and seeing water.  It's just a small pond but nonetheless, it is water.  I think there is  something so peaceful and calm about looking out at water. And, who knows, I may even be found fishing in it. ~chuckle~

I am learning....that there is so, so much to building a custom house.  It takes a construction crew, electricians, plumbers, flooring folks, cabinet craftsmen and on and on the list goes.  And, coordinating all of their work is a feat unto itself.  It's a pretty amazing undertaking for sure!

Around the house...the boxes are piling in around us. ~smile~

A favorite quote for today...

Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position,or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service and character.

One of my favorite things...is watching Andi Kate grow and develop.  She was a month old this past week and she has already changed so much.  I thought when she was first born she looked a lot like our son and then almost overnight she began to look like our DIL.  She now looks at us and especially when we are talking to her.

A few plans for the rest of the week...not really any big plans.  We've had a big week so we will likely "lay low" this weekend and prepare for the week ahead.  

A picture worth sharing.....

I can't believe that Easter is less than a month away.  I have been enjoying a book of devotionals leading up to Easter.  It's so easy to get distracted and just think of it as another day.  But, for Christians, it is the day our lives were forever changed. 
What a blessing!

The One and Only Hodgepodge

It's already the second Wednesday in March and Joyce is so faithful to show up week in and week out with questions for us.  What fun to answer and stretch our brains a little. 

1. What's the first image that comes to mind when you hear the word 'spring'? Which phrase best describes the season of spring where you live right now (today)-sprung! almost there, or still waiting?
Daffodils and azalea's budding forth.  Our daffodils have been peeking at us for about 3-4 weeks, even through the snow and ice and of course, if the azalea's bloom by Easter this year we'll be very lucky. We are definitely still waiting on Spring. ~boo hoo~

2. Bed, couch, stapler, garage door, computer mouse, recliner, flashlight, door knob...which household item containing springs most needs replacing in your home? Speaking of springs...did you ever own a Slinky?

Well, I can't think of a thing at this moment.  Hubby is such a stickler on all things being in right running order that whenever any thing breaks he's on it "like a chicken on a June bug."   Yes, oh, yes, I did have a Slinky and spent many happy hours with it as a child.  That was in the days before electronic gadgets and kids actually played with things. ~smile~

3. March is Women's History Month. Share a favorite quote by a woman.
 People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
This quote has been used time and time again but it is so true and one of my very favorites. 

4. What's a question that looms large in your mind right now?
When will our nation turn it's heart towards God?  I think of my precious Grans and the condition of our nation and world and want so, so much more for them as they grow up.  It's why I pray God's hedge of protection around their little minds, hearts and bodies every day of my life.

5. Are you a sugar freak? By that I mean how much do you love sugar? With all the bad press sugar gets these days, have you made any efforts to reduce the amount of sugar you consume?
No, I am not a sugar freak at all.  I like sugar but a little sugar goes a l-o-n-g ways with me.  I prefer moderate sweetness, sugary sweetness is "sicky sweetness" to me.

6. Would you rather have less work to do or more work you enjoy doing?
At his particular time I have just about the right amount of work to keep me happy and not feel overwhelmed and that's exactly how I like it.  I do not handle overload very well and I do all in my power to keep it from happening. Certainly it happens and sometimes there just isn't anything you can do about it but just bow up and get it.
  
7. Ever been to Texas? Of the top ten Texas tourist attractions which would you most like to see-The Alamo, The San Antonio River Walk, The State Capital, Dallas World Aquarium, Padre Island National Seashore, Houston Space Center, Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, Six Flags Fiesta Texas,  Moody Gardens, or Galveston Island?
Oh, yes, been to Texas more times than I can count but not to any of the places listed above.  I've heard so much about The San Antonio River Walk and think I would absolutely love it.  So, perhaps Hubby and I can put that on our list and plan to go there in the near future. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Mine and Poppa's little man has been with us this week.  Poppa met Clancy and his Daddy about half way this past Sunday and then we'll meet his Momma about half way tomorrow to give him back.  He's on Spring Break and while the weather has not been fit for any outside fun, he's had a whole lot of inside fun. He and Hanna Beth have had a great time together, and he got to meet his new cousin, Andi Kate. It will be awfully quiet around here tomorrow night for sure.
 

HELLO Monday....

Another Monday and some more HELLO's.  We did have a beautiful weekend until around noon yesterday and the rains started and looks as though they will be hanging around a couple more days.  But, the temps are up, so perhaps Spring is trying to get here by the 20th.  Let's hope so!

Hello Selfie Stick.....I kept reading about these little gadgets and began researching them and decided it might be a fun little item to own.  So, off to Amazon I went and ordered one.  It is a dandy item and I'll have fun when no one is around to take my picture or mine and Hubby's or ours and the Grans.  It has a bluetooth connection to the phone and a button on the black handle to push when you are ready to take a picture.  It extends out to over 2 feet so you can take a big crowd picture if you want to.  I don't know who are earth has the time to think up such creative gadgets.  I think it would be lots of fun if you were traveling. And, they are very inexpensive, I think this one was $19.99 and yes, you can take pictures both vertically and horizontally. Now, go order you one now!  You know you want one. ~laugh~ I mean, one's arm is only so long.

 Hello Mr. Clown....The Princess and her Daddy went to the Circus this past Saturday morning.  For the first time she felt comfortable interacting with the clowns and she enjoyed the face painting too.  It was a fun way for her and her Daddy to spend some time together.  

Hello my little Sweetheart....Windy dressed Andi Kate up in her pink frills and finery the other afternoon.  Can a girl ever have on too much pink?  I think not when they are as precious as this. It's almost more cuteness than I can stand. ~big smile~

 

Hello new house progress....our talented cabinet maker, Bryan Greenwood, began the installation of our Master closets this past week.  Our closet designer and Bryan worked closely together on this project and we couldn't be more pleased.  It is very difficult to do it justice through pictures but just know that every inch of mine and Hubby's closets will be useful.  We both have chests with drawers, adjustable shoe shelves, double hanging rods and we even have the new drop down rods.  We will have slat boards to hang such things as ties, scarves and such.  I have two large sectioned jewelry drawers.  I get so excited even thinking about setting it all up.

The not so exciting part is that our lot is still a huge wet mess due to all the rain, snow and ice. ~thank you Mother Nature~  Hubby is anxious to have the yard graded and leveled, and forms laid for the driveway but until we can have some intense sunshine for several days, that will not happen.  It is making it difficult on trucks making deliveries and has delayed deliveries.  But, not a lot we can do about it, just be patient and wait.  Eventually it will get done. 

Friday Letters

It's one of those letter writing days for sure!

Dear Mother Nature, I don't mean to complain, but myself and many others are so over Winter and you can bring Spring on any time you so desire.  And, you can bring it on, even if you do not desire to. ~I'm serious~

Dear Thredup, I can hardly wait to get my "clean out bags" from you.  I have several piles of clothes to send to you.  I look forward to my first time experience with you and I think your idea is plain genius!  For those of you reading this, if you do not know about Thredup then you need to click here and find out about it.  It is an online consignment shop and they mail you bags to send them your items in, free of charge.  Go check them out! 

Dear Selfie Stick, not sure what I'm going to do with you but I had to have you.  I mean, who knows when I may need you.  And, you are the neatest concept and I'm sure whoever patented you is laughing all the way to the bank now. ~what will they think of next~

 Dear Ice and Snow Days, even though I have not liked you, I have gotten so much accomplished this past week.  I have a freezer full of meals, cleaned out closets and more packed boxes.  At least I was productive while I was confined. ~chuckle~

Dear Google and Facebook, between the two of you there is not one thing I cannot find out.  In fact, sometimes it can be too much information. ~big smile~ Some folks need to realize that not everything needs or should be posted on FB. ~wink~

Dear Lord, sometimes I still need to be reminded that there are a whole lots of things that no amount of fretting can change. It's all about leaving it in your hands.    

Dear New House, we've been building you for 9 months now, that's long enough to have a baby but apparently not long enough to build a house. ~laugh~ We are still probably 3 months out but don't give up on us because we're sure not giving up on you. If we could get some warm days with a lot of sunshine then we could get the yard leveled out and the driveway poured.  That would be a HUGE help!!!

Dear Latest Fashions, I do believe I have seen some bell bottom pants on the racks for this Spring.  Talk about bringing back memories, I well remember your first "go around" and you were hip hugging as well. I may could carry off the bell bottoms but not so sure about the hip hugging anymore. ~laugh~

And, I leave you with this........

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. 'In like a lion, out like a lamb'...does the first part of this saying describing March weather ring true  where you live? 

Well, I would have to say yes.  It was 72 degrees yesterday and humidity was probably 110% and today is predicted to be in the 70's as well and then drop tonight to the low 20's with wintery mix and then tomorrow's high is supposed to be only 34.  My youngest brother is suppose to fly in tomorrow from Des Moines and it remains to be seen if he will actually make it.  Between our weather and their weather it could be tricky. ~yuck~

2. March 4th is National Grammar Day. What common grammatical error bothers you the most? 

It grates against my last nerve to hear someone say I seen or I done rather than I have seen or I have done.  

3. William Arthur Ward says- 'The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.' Which one are you?
I have been all of them at times in my life but as I've gotten older I think I have become more of an optimist and a realist.  But, I think some folks often think a realist is a pessimist. ~just sayin'~
  

4. What's something you need to 'march forth and conquer' this month? In our current home I have about 3 closets with clothes in them.  None of the closets are huge so I have my clothes divided out between them.  In our new home I have had a professional closet designer design our master closets and I refuse to use any other closets in the house for my clothes. Our master closets in our new home are what I would call moderate size, but they are plenty big enough to hold all the clothes, shoes, etc. that I could possibly ever need.   In the coming month I am going to have a huge closet cleaning, anything that I do not love is not making the cut for my new closet.  So, I am definitely going to "march forth and conquer."  It could be a rather difficult job but I am looking forward to it. Look out thrift store and consignment shop, here I come!!!
 
5. An ongoing debate around here...do you dust first, then vacuum or vacuum first, then dust? Of the two routine household chores, which do you dislike the least? How's that for wording? 

I dust first but I do not think it matters a bit, I do it first to get it over with, I detest dusting!!! ~no joke~

6. According to thrilllist.com, the ten most photographed sites in the U.S.A. are- Cinderella's Castle in Orlando, Southernmost House in Key West Florida, The Space Needle in Seattle, The Site of the Boston Massacre in Boston, The Bellagio Lake/fountains in Las Vegas, The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Coit Tower in San Fransisco, The Art Institute of Chicago, Niagara Falls, and snagging the number one spot-The Guggenheim Museum in New York City. 
How many on this list have you photographed? Which on the list would you most like to visit and photograph?
I have photographed 5 of the above but have never been to Niagara Falls, thus have never photographed them.  But, hopefully I will have that opportunity in the future. 

7. Fifty years ago Monday (March 2, 1965) The Sound of Music premiered at the Rivoli Theatre in NYC. Have you seen the film? Do you own a copy? On a scale of 1-10 how much do you love it (or not)? Ten=best movie ever. If you're a fan, what's your favorite scene or song from the movie? 

Believe it or not, The Sound of Music was the first movie I saw in a movie theater.  I had only been to a drive-in before then.  I have probably seen it 5-6 times and have enjoyed it immensely  each time but I do not own it.  I would give it a 10 and it's really hard to name a favorite song or scene, I love them all but "Climb Every Mountain" gave me chills.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Andi Kate and I are having our first "one on one" visit today.  Her Mommy is going out for a little while and I will have the privilege of  keeping my little Sweetheart.  She is 3 weeks old today and we can't imagine our lives without her.  She is growing and changing daily and wrapping us tighter around her little finger. 
~that's what little girls do~

HELLO Monday..............

The first Monday of a new month.  March is definitely roaring in like a lion here and we are so ready for Spring to roar in with it.  But, enough on the pitiful weather and on to some HELLO's.....

 
HELLO little basketball players....We drove over to Mt. Pleasant, Texas this past Friday so that we could watch this little fella play basketball on Saturday morning.
He plays on a Upward team at one of the local churches.

If you are not familiar with Upward Sports then you need to be.  Their motto is, "playing with a purpose" and that purpose being to bring glory to God.  They begin each game with prayer (above left hand photo) and during half time they have a brief devotion led by their coach.  At Clancy's level they do keep score but instead concentrate on all of the kids learning the game and having a good time.  Clancy absolutely loves it and it has been a great first time experience for him.  We were so thrilled we could share in one of his games this year. Note: aren't their blue Gatorade mustaches the cutest? And, can I just tell you that it is one of the cutest things to see these little 5 and 6 year olds playing basketball.

HELLO new house progress..... in spite of the terrible weather last week there was still quite a bit of work accomplished. ~thank goodness~ The columns were installed across the front porch and the back patio.  They really made a difference in the look, each thing they do now on the front really brings the house alive.

Work on the inside included more cabinetry work. #1 - this cabinet is at the end of the hall going to the Master Bedroom.  The doors in the top section with have glass and it will be lighted. #2- the inset for the gas logs ~wish we had those in our current home~ #3- this is a "catch all" cabinet coming in off the garage.  A great place for my purse, the mail and such. And, a "charging station" for our phones and Ipads. #4- this is a corner cabinet in one of the guest bedrooms.  This was not planned but after the studs went up there was this triangular area that screamed for something and my decorator suggested this and I am so pleased with it.

I guess it's quite natural, at this point, for us to be growing a bit weary of this building process.  The details at this point can be so overwhelming but we are at one of the most important stages of the process and it's all hands on deck and Hubby is overseeing more than ever.  He doesn't know if it's a curse or a blessing that he knows as much as he does about construction.  Sometimes ignorance can truly be bliss.  I say it's a blessing because he has caught many an issue before it became a problem.~and that's a good thing~ But, I'm betting once we are moved and settled that all of the building process will  fade into a whole lot of enjoyment for us in the years ahead. ~I'm sure hoping so~

And, I'll leave you with this.........
 

Friday Fragments

Today felt like a fragment sort of post day.  I didn't have enough to make a full post but had a few fragments that I thought might be of interest.  Hope you enjoy these, mostly, wintery fragments as I join up with Mrs. 4444 over at Half-Past Kissin' Time.

Our week has been filled with all things wintery, especially the weather.  We've had cold, cold, sleet and then quite a bit of snow, at least for us, quite a bit.  Hubby and I got out and went riding the afternoon of the snow and rode by the first house (picture on left) we built (and only one until the current one) and I thought it might be fun to do a collage of our homes over the past 41 years.  Our babies were born in the first house and then when they were 2 and 5 we moved to our current home.  And, we shall be moving into house #3 sometime in the next 3 months.  I thought our current house made a really pretty picture with the snow.  And, sitting here looking at it sure does evoke a lot of sweet memories over the past 33 years.  But, I'm so looking forward to a lot of memory making times in our new house.

This was the look going out of our current sub-division this past Wed.  
~~~~~

 
These two cuties had more fun in the snow.  I just hate that there is just enough distance between them that they couldn't get out in it together.  They both played their hearts out  and aren't their hats the cutest? And, of course, they have little to no school this week but I think they are both back on regular schedule today and I imagine their Momma's are glad of that. ~smile~
~~~~~

Our church had a Valentine Banquet a couple of weekends ago and we had entertainment provided by various members.  The "hit" of the night was when our dear friends came out as none other than Sonny and Cher.  They were absolutely fabulous as they took us down memory lane singing, "I've Got You Babe."  I'm really thinking they could probably "go on the road" but they'll probably keep their day jobs instead. ~chuckle~  It was a fun, fun night for sure!

And, for now I'm remembering this........