{tears}

Yesterday was particularly difficult for me regarding the family

members that are no longer here on Earth with us.  I still found myself

making each of their favorite dishes. Strange, I know.  I had to turn off the Macy's
 Day Parade as that was what Grandpa and I watched together
every year since  I was tiny.  Even when I cooked for the whole
 family, I always made sure that

was on for him when he was here waiting for me to finish up. 

To see the boys play football in the backyard broke my heart knowing

that my dad never got to see them.  It was a great day but with many

apple in the throat moments with a few tears. 

 

We had an unexpected visit from my youngest brother who had dinner

with Shawn and his family.  Although he was warned re: the

stomach bug, he said he couldn't be this close in proximity and not

see the boys.  The boys were thrilled.  Then, I was thrilled as he

went to the storage unit with me to load up the car with

my Christmas tree and decorations.  Well, at least all that would

fit in one trip. {wink}  On the way home we talked about

our grandparents mostly and he asked me about the spring.

 

The spring.

 

I had heard about the spring my whole life but I guess

I never realized how close it actually was.  One

Thanksgiving while driving Grandpa home, he asked me

if I would like to go see if we could find it.  Well, of course.

And, it was between my house and his.   It was a day that

is completely priceless to me.  The conversations we had.  Seeing

how being in that spot took him back in time 60+ years.  We

found the spring without any difficulty and it was full and overflowing;

we both drank out of it.  Then, we ventured through the woods

to see if we could find the old home site.

 

This was where my grandmother lived as a girl.  This is where my

grandfather would walk miles and miles to see her as often as he could.

It was an old mining area, an area which is now reclaimed.  The

spring was the community watering source.  He walked there with

her on many occasions and gathered water for her family. We also

found the foundation of the home site.  I simply cannot

put into words how precious that day will always be to me.

It was to him too as he talked about it all the way up until he died.

 

So, yesterday James told me he had never been there.  I had just

gone back about two months ago and was in a complete panic as I

couldn't find it and I was fearful the land had been purchased due to

new fencing that was up with no trespassing signs.   I decided to

go back after some of the grass and growth died down. 

 

We found it almost immediately, a tree had fallen over it.

It was dry, but it was beautiful.  Because it had been

so full and overflowing of water the day I had been there

with Grandpa, I had not been able to see the rock work that

virtually turned it into a well.   There was a brick that

was not supporting anything, so I now have that.

 

A brick.

 

That brick is one of my most prized possessions now.

I know that sounds crazy, but to have a small

piece of something that was so dear to his heart, made

my heart really happy. 

 

Even though we miss them all terribly, it is amazing

how they are truly all still with us.  

{happy thanksgiving}

Before this day is completely gone from the calendar, I wanted to jot down some of the moments purely for my sake. 

Because we were hit with some sickness {okay, the worst stomach bug I have ever witnessed one of my children go through} and Thanksgiving had to be "cancelled", we opted to enjoy every ounce of it, despite.   And, in the whole scheme of things, once I dried some little eyes over the fact that we wouldn't get to see our family, we did just that.  We had a great Thanksgiving.

Since I had not set foot off the property since we arrived home on Monday, I got a list together of favorite requests and headed to the craziness of Fort Smith at oh, about 6 pm on Thanksgiving Eve.  I know.  But, I didn't have much of a choice. 

And, by the way, a certain unnamed friend left a sweet surprise on the gate for the boys that I retreived on my way out.  And, just so you know - they have played and played with that and absolutely love it.  Thank you once again does not do justice.  But, a sincere thanks.  It whisked away some boredom in a badly needed way.

Okay, back to Sam's on the eve of Thanksgiving.  That really says it all.  So, after a quick run into two more grocery stores, a quick run home to unload and then portrait deliveries, I returned home after 10:30 pm.  Exhausted. 

This morning, knowing it would just be the four of us, allowed me to move at a much slower pace than the norm.  I actually stayed in my pj's as did the boys.   Cleaned as I went.  Listened to a blaring radio.  Donned my new Vera Bradley apron.  And, enjoyed cooking each of their favorites.  No rushing.  

I then lit the Christmas lights on the pergola.  Set a table with what I had on hand and made it "fallish".  Gathered wood, lit the outdoor fireplace and then we actually had probably the best dinner we've ever had together.  The leaves were beautiful.  The temperatures perfect.  I could hear the chickens chirping.  The conversation was silly and great. It was one of those freeze frame moments for my  heart. 

What started out to be a disappointment turned into a perfect day for us.  Very simple.  But, one I will never, ever forget. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! There are no words for how thankful and grateful I am. 

And, now, my house looks like Christmas exploded.   More on that later! ;) 

{it's a toss up}

I'm swimming.

 

Or, drowning.

 

It completely depends on the perspective at the moment.

 

Or, the moment.

 

Because it changes rapidly.

 

It's that time of the year that is very difficult

to juggle and balance, but I love it so.

 

The weather gave me havoc this year.

But, I think I will have everyone covered. 

 

My eyes are fixed.

 

On the weekend ahead. 

Three days away with nothing but my three boys.

A very generously, sweet client gifted us with a

weekend away.  Tucked in a lodge for three days.

 

My perspective at the moment causes my

heart to palpitate just a bit because three days away

seems LONG right now.  Too long. 
 But, I have a feeling when

I'm in the midst of them and come Monday

those three days will have flown quickly. 

 

Although I'm busier than a bee right now and my

head screams with all the reasons why I shouldn't go,

my heart is pulling me more.

 

I'm thinking the timing could not be more perfect.

 

And, I'm pretty certain that when I get back, all

 will fall into place simply because of the

much needed rest and time away.

 

For now, I'm back at it.

 

But, looking forward to Friday.

 

and, Saturday,

 

and, Sunday.

 

 

 

 

{out of sight......}

Yes, once again I have been snatched by aliens.

 

That happens alot around here.

 

It is 10:39 am

 

I actually got FULLY dressed with makeup this morning. 

That took awhile.

 

I have dropped the boys off.

 

Celebrated a Student of the Month breakfast with sweet E. 

{congrats!!!;}

 

Purchased a few groceries as the cupboards were bare. 

Looked for essential pieces for Halloween costumes.  Strike.

Now, a trip to Ft. Smith will occur at some point today.

Or tomorrow, after all, I have one more day. 

 

Dropped the hubby off at the in-laws.

 

Unloaded MOST of the groceries.

 

Answered emails and messages.

 

Started laundry load #1.

 

Taken both dogs for walks separately.

Don't ask.  It's a time killer though.

 

Tried to find a bellering cow.  Decided

she was having a near death experience in

birthing.  Did I mention it is calving season?

 

Called the hubby and in-laws.  No answer.

It is also wheat and rye planting season here on the farm.

 

Jump in the car to just go get hubby.

Return home, drive through some fields learned that

George {who is actually a mama cow, don't ask} had

escaped her confines away from the herd and left her

baby fields away.  But, she decided to lounge in the sun for a bit

before resuming the search.  Crazy cows.  That's exactly what

I'd do if I left my baby somewhere I couldn't remember and

had been distraught just minutes before?  Sun. 

 

Return home to discover the dogs had gotten into the trash.

Lovely.

 

And, now, I am chopping apples and steaming veggies for myself.

 

NO, that would be for the chickens.

Because this girl is out of chicken feed.  

 

Now, to start my day.

 

Coffee, please. 

 

 

 

{snippets}

* I always, always, always want to remember to have the faith of a "corn seed".  My heart melted.
* Lots happening out there in the barn/studio - I'll try to remember to take pictures tomorrow.  I  need to take pictures of a lot of stuff but it has been a constant state of rain over the past two weeks.  I've had a total of NINE cancellations due to rain and/or sickness in the past two weeks.  It is almost impossible to get them all rescheduled. :(
* Hung new pictures of the boys up.  It's been over a year and a half since I've taken any that I wanted to blow up that weren't beachy.   LOVE. 
* Big wedding in NWA tomorrow.  And, the next weekend.  And, the next weekend.  I'm turning down a Dallas wedding.  NWA is far enough.
*I love my boys.  Just wanted to put that out there.
*And, I love my Scott.  I've voiced his praises many times this week .  I am amazed at what he has had done for me out in the studio.  Amazed.   I tried to buck it countless times saying I didn't need it.  Well, I'm so happy he ignored me on that one.  He has given me one of my biggest dreams.   Thank you Honey!  I'm pretty much speechless on this one. 
* I think I want to learn how to sew again. Long story.
* We have started thinking about the decor for the upstairs.  To make both boys wants mesh will be the feat of the entire project.
* I discovered I love roasted pumpkin seeds.  Another reason to really have that pumpkin patch next year.
* I am way past ready for some Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer.  If I can get my hands on some, I'll need to make a delivery to SC!
* Sweet card from a sweet friend this week.  I  need to text her but my phone was lost more than half of the day.  Now it's dead. 
* Last year I was dying to decorate for Christmas.  This year, not so much.  Strange.

Talk soon! 
 
    

{planning}

an "experience" for the boys.

 

D Day:  Christmas morning.

 

And, they will be wisked off for

the biggest surprise of their life. 

 

Let the drastic budgeting begin! :)     

{laundry detergent correction}

 

ugh.

 

 

I left out Borax in the recipe.

 

It was there?

 

But when I read T's comment {thank you T}

 

I was immediatenly hhhmmmmming because I knew I had typed it in.

 

But, it was gone and should have been there.

 

I've corrected. :)