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Friday, May 31, 2019

...porch vs veranda...

So it’s the last day of May. Sheesh. Time keeps marching on. Fast and FURIOUS. This afternoon, this OLD GRAMMY donned her bathing “dress” and went swimming with TLC and The Little Princesses.  It was COLD. The water. Yes. Also the temp. Well, cold for Texas. At the end of May. 75 degrees when we got to the pool. Un(or Non)predicted rain had showed up early this morning. It was quite surprising. Clouds lingered for hours. Despite the almost freezing (Okay. Okay. VERY cool.) water, TLC and I went in. With Little Leighton and Belle. We survived for 90 minutes. Long enough to satisfy The Princesses.

As we head to June and Summer reruns, I continue to watch HGTV. Alot. Beach shows. Lakefront shows. New shows. Old shows. Anything that interests this person who doesn't have HBO or Netflix. Yep. I realize that’s incredible. (Try to move on. Wink. Wink.)

A couple of nights ago, I was watching a Beachfront show that was filmed in St. Croix. A couple was looking at homes in the $500,000 range. I think. Maybe they had a million. That part I can’t remember. (My Sweet Hubby and I probably couldn’t decide to buy a $50,000 home there—if one existed. Just sayin’...)

Here’s my point: They were looking at a home that had—what the husband called—a big “porch.” The wife patiently corrects him: That’s a “veranda.” Porches are for drinking tea. On a veranda, you have “drinks.” (Clearly—aka—alcoholic drinks.)

How could I be 65 and not be aware of this difference in these two words?

On this Friday evening, I’d like to share three things:

1) There was no better porch ANYWHERE than the one My Sweet Hubby and I had at our country casa. It. Was. FABULOUS. We miss it.

2) Our new porch? Charming. Small. Cozy. Sweet. We’ll take it.

3) Whether you have access to a porch OR a veranda this weekend, and whether you have a lemonade, sweet tea, Coke Zero, glass of Pinot Grigio or a Strawberry Margarita, I hope you’ll sit and relax. I hope you’ll recharge your batteries and find peace. Quiet. Fun. Laughter. Happiness. Gratitude!

Hugs,
ELC

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

...mini update...

So, Monday began the fifth (FIFTH) week of our bathroom remodel. At this point, we only lack glass for our shower, switch plates (Home Depot AND Lowe’s have both been out of stock.) and my husband’s cabinets. We spent the majority of last weekend painting, as ELC mentioned. I also tried dusting my bedroom. Oh. My. GRAVY. There was dust everywhere.

I’m weary but can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Here are a few recent pictures I took yesterday:





I guess we also lack accessories, such as the towels and art for the walls. That’s all piled on my guest room bed. I’m super excited and think it’s all coming together brilliantly. I can’t wait to share a final reveal soon!

Happy Wednesday! It’s been quite stormy here today. Stay safe, wherever you are!

Sunday, May 26, 2019

...75...

My Sweet Hubby. Aka MSH. 75. Today. I forgot to tell him HAPPY BIRTHDAY as soon as we got up this morning. I’ll explain:

Friday afternoon we took two cars over to TLC’s casa. She’d ordered MSH three bottles of his favourite pinot noir. Little Leighton (aka LL) and Belle had picked out their cards for him. Signed them and decorated them. We wanted to see the progress on TLC’s master bathroom—so an early opening of MSH’s gift—which was actually from the four of us gals and TLC’s Hubby—seemed like a great idea. He was blown away!!! He’d been searching for this wine in a 30-mile radius for a couple of weeks. With no success. He’d recently bought a Weber grill he’d had his eyes on—which he wanted to be his birthday, Father’s Day and our anniversary gift from me. I had to promise I’d buy him nothing else. So the wine? EXACTLY the perfect present for someone who didn’t want a present.

That evening, my youngest sister came over for a tiny-mini-comfy Happy Hour. This is our third get-together on a Friday evening in the past three months and we enjoy it! (No pressures to dress up or be clever.) We reminisced about the night she met MSH—when I brought him home to meet my parents and her for the first time. She was 14. She could remember ALOT about that night and we had some happy giggles over her recollection.

Saturday morn, LL and Belle came over to spend the day and night with Grammy and Pa-Pa. TLC and Her Hubby were painting their bathroom and needed to focus all their attention on getting that accomplished. (It’s almost totally finished! Will have taken five weeks instead of the promised three. Of course. No one but TLC believed it would be completed in three. No one. Sigh.)

We had lots of fun with Our Precious Princesses. Belle slept all night! No crying. No needing me to sit on the floor by her bed. No getting into our other guest room bed with Grammy at 2:00 am! Sadly, LL was sick several times during the night. The next sleepover? We expect it to be the BEST one yet! With everyone well. Everyone sleeping.

We were all up early this morning. LL and Grammy had actually been up since 4:40 when we went in to see Pa-Pa and Buddy at 5:45. Belle was awake at 6:45. I got busy getting the little girls’ breakfast ready. MSH walked Buddy Bear. TLC arrived at 8:10 to pick LL and Belle up. She walked in and said:

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I burst into tears. I’d forgotten to tell him that FIRST THING. (I’m not sure at what point during the day I would have remembered it was his birthday.) I felt HORRID.

Yes. I’d been up all night. MSH understood that. Yes. He really could not care less about his birthday. He’s not one that expects fireworks or parties. He really doesn’t care if he gets texts or phone calls or cards. Still...I was ashamed.

We went to a WONDERFUL church service. We got home at 12:30. Had our sandwiches. And then sat the rest of the afternoon—on our couch/leather chair—watching  HGTV. Well, I slept for almost three hours. I’m betting he snoozed a bit, too.

HAPPY 75th, MSH! I’ve been with you for 42 of those 75. You are as CUTE as you were on your 34th birthday. No. You’re CUTER.

Y’all have a WONDERFUL week wherever in this world you are! (Don’t forget to tell your spouses, significant others, family members and/or friends “Happy Birthday!” That is—IF it is their birthday.)

Smooch,
ELC

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

...fabulousness...


“Fabulousness Resumes Tomorrow!”

This is what Little Leighton’s new-to-her sleep mask says! Grammy ELC found this amongst her boxes from storage. LL snatched it up and now faithfully wears it every. single. night.

This week is nothing short of BANANAS. It’s LL’s last week of school, and we’re in, what I HOPE is, the final stretch of bath remodel. I’m worn flat out. Physically. Emotionally. Send coffee. And WINE. Maybe vodka, too.

Here’s to my fabulousness resuming someday!

Thursday, May 16, 2019

...ready or not...

So this happened today. Grammy Nanny was staying with Belle while TLC ran a gazillion errands. We’d done it all. Played ice cream store in the playroom. Watched two Daniel Tigers. Played with her playhouse (formerly Little Leighton’s playhouse) in Belle’s room. We’d had lunch while Belle watched a couple of Disney Jr. shows on the iPad. Now it was time for Hide-and-Seek.

Belle wanted to go first. I closed my eyes and started counting. Belle headed into the dining room. I knew this because she had her Rapunzel shoes on. They’re plastic—(Duh—they’re plastic “Princess” shoes)—and they light up. They are VERY noisy on wood and tile floors. The click-click-clicking sound stopped. Yep. Dining room.

I finished the requisite count to 10. Opened my eyes. This is what I saw:


Before I could even head in there, she said—really loudly:

I’m under the table, Grammy!

She. Cracks. Me. Up.

(By the way: I decided to pass on putting TLC’s Charmin up. It’d been an exhausting day. Wink. Wink.)

Happy Friday Jr., SWEET Friends EVERYWHERE!

Hugs,
ELC

Saturday, May 11, 2019

...the hip saga continues...sigh...

So my hip saga goes on. It’s a long story I honestly don’t want to get in to. But let me say this:

I’m going for a second opinion in two weeks. Not because I really thought I needed one. However, I’m a tidbit glad the circumstances that caused this new kink happened. We shall see what we shall see...

Meantime, I’d like to remind You Younguns to take care of yourselves. Eat as healthy as you can. Exercise. (Or, at the very least, walk.) Care for your skin. Use sunscreen! Hats! Sunglasses!

If you’re blessed to be here at 65, like me, it all may not look/feel/be pretty. (I am PROUD of every wrinkle I have...I’m serious.) But you’ll be grateful for doing everything you could to not just survive. To THRIVE. Bloom where you were planted. Right?


(Maxine: I’ve adored her since she came on the scene 30-ish years ago. She’s crabby. Cranky. Honest. Brave. Fiesty. A HOOT! Was happy to find this calendar for 2019. I needed her humor and wisdom. Wink. Wink.)

Have a SWEET SATURDAY, Friends...

ELC

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

...storms...anchors...victories...

As TLC goes through destruction and construction, My Sweet Hubby (aka MSH) and I continue to battle our medical issues. I’ve run up against a wall of doctor “politics.” I’ve been put between a rock and a hard place and may be forced to start over in finding an orthopedic surgeon.

I’ve lost the clear direction I had concerning my probable hip replacement. But I am determined to let my faith guide my head—and my heart—to peace.

This was my devotion this morning from Every Day in His Presence, 365 Devotions, by Charles F. Stanley:

May 7
Anchored

“My word...will not return...without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

Isaah 55:11

Anchor yourself to God’s word. No matter what storms arise, His truth always stands firm and prevails. Every form of earthly security may disappoint you, but Scripture will not. It cannot. Backed by the awesome power of almighty God. His promises are fully accomplished and absolutely victorious. (1 Kings 8:56).

..., as you cling to God’s promises during the storms, eventually you’ll come to a crisis of faith; either you’ll accept what He says and put it to practice, or you’ll sink back into your stare of helplessness. Keep your eyes on the Savior and your heart anchored to Scripture. His Word doesn’t fail, and neither will you when you trust Him.


First, if you’re looking for a wonderful, inspirational and compelling book of devotionals, MSH and I highly recommend this one. There are alot of great ones out there—including and especially Jesus Calling. But truly any book Dr. Stanley authors is amazing.

Second, this is my plan: to cling to God’s promises during my storms.

Wishing each of you a week of faith, hope, clarity, happiness and PEACE.

(Wishing TLC a week full of remodelers who stay focused and complete her master bathroom promptly. All of us who have lived in the midst of dust and loudness and confusion can relate to her anxiousness to get ‘er done.)

SMOOCHES,
ELC


Friday, May 3, 2019

DUST

So, we started remodeling our master bath on Monday. I will admit, despite ELC’s warnings, I wasn’t fully prepared for the sheer amount of dust involved in this process. Y’all. So. Much. Dust. The contractor we are working with has been great. His team has tried to keep things as clean as possible, yet, here I am, night after night, mopping my floors. Will it be worth it? Absolutely! I can’t take too much credit for the design. It’s mostly my husband’s doing. He’s endlessly creative. In fact, he’s building new cabinets for both of us. I’m so anxious to see this all come together. (And for the, literal, dust to settle. LOL.)

In the meantime, I’ll share some “during pictures” with y’all. At the end, I’ll do a big before/after reveal. We’ve had them gut the entire bathroom. Move plumbing. Add new lights. Build a half wall around the shower. I’ll even give you a sneak peak of our floor tile! However, I’m most excited for my new shampoo-bottle-holder-thingy! That’s being built into the little half wall.





Happy weekend, Dear Readers!