A Time of Settling in, Slowing Down and Reconnecting...

 I love this time of year, a time of settling in, slowing down and reconnecting ~ those were words I used in my very first blog post three years ago on the 6th, and they ring so very true to this day! 

Lee, The Lake Stitcher, had a great post the other day, asking, "Why have we stopped writing?"

 

Well, I have three reasons for my lack of writing and stitching...My oldest, my middle and my youngest....and their crazy baseball schedules...

This past weekend was the final tournament of the fall season.  And despite it being crazy, I know we will all be missing it in another week or so.  Tryouts for spring have already begun and practices will begin in December.  My youngest will most likely take this spring off from travel ball and will be training over the winter so he can participate this spring in some Triathlons.  Considering he has a dream of becoming a Navy Seal, this may be more up his alley!

 

I have been working at the elementary school for three hours each afternoon since the middle of September.  They called me in as an aide to a special needs kindergarten student ~ what was supposed to be a five day job has turned into the end of November.  Once they have completed his evaluations and figure out his placement, I may be finished....or, they could ask me to stay for the remainder of the year.  It is a challenging and even exhausting position, but there is something about this boy...and even though it means I haven't been able to help out at the LNS, The Strawberry Sampler, I hope I am making a difference, not matter how small, in this boy's life. 

 

This past month has been tough ~ losing Cathey was hard for so many of us.  In the following week, my husband's aunt passed away, as well as a wonderful woman I knew growing up.  One of those women you look up to as another mother figure.  Although I am not one to wish time away, 2013 has been a tough year, and I am looking forward to the coming holiday season to reflect on all the changes life has brought and to dream about what 2014 may bring.  Taking the time to enjoy the beauty all around is a great way to soothe the mind and the soul...

My little guy is quite creative....these are a couple of his recent masterpieces...

 

I did manage a tiny bit of stitching...still working on Dog Lessons...

I had to add the blue around the bone ~ it just wasn't showing up well on my choice of fabric.  I also changed the heart following Forgive to red...couldn't bring myself to stitch a green heart...

And of course, I had to make the dog look more like Panzer...

Now that the schedule is settling, I hope to get back to stitching on a more regular basis...fingers crossed.

Sweet Myra gifted me with this adorable candy corn coaster for my favorite brew ~ isn't she clever! 

The fabric on the back is adorable!

A special thanks to Myra for the pumpkin candle you see on my sidebar...for Cathey, and so we always remember Pumpkin Day...you can read more about it on Myra's blog...

 

I am still trying to learn crochet.  Don't look at the bottom right corner, or you'll see I dropped a stitch or two!  Oops!

 

And of course, I can't leave you without a dose of Panzer...

 

The following seemed an appropriate choice, considering the end of the fall tournament season...it was a great season and I'll miss watching the boys play and the friendships the families have developed..

“And by and by Christopher Robin came to the end of things, and he was silent, and he sat there, looking out over the world, just wishing it wouldn't stop.”
― A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner

For Cathey...

I have tried a few times to write a post, but my words just don't seem to convey my thoughts.  I have been reading every one's beautiful posts and tributes for Cathey ~ all of them so beautiful and bringing tears.  What an amazing and inspirational woman Cathey was to have touched so many of us through her blog and emails.  

I can only begin to imagine the loss her family and close friends feel.  My thoughts and prayers go out to them all.  

I will forever think of Cathey and her family when it's pumpkin season!  I asked her friend, Katie, who took so much time to contact so many of us individually, if Cathey was able to see and read our Pumpkins for Cathey posts.  I hope it warms your hearts to know that she did....

“Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would, I'd never leave.” 
― A.A. Milne

Pumpkins for Cathey

Happy Pumpkin Day, Cathey!!

The thoughts, prayers, and love of so many are with you today and everyday.

Please hop on over to Daffycat's (Sharon's) blog to see the list of all that participated in this special surprise for Cathey.  And, if you aren't familiar with Cathey's story, please hop on over to Pumpkin Patch and Co.  Be prepared to cheer her on, cry with her, pray for her, and most of all support her with all your heart!

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”
― A.A. Milne

Fall?

I know that fall is not officially here, but in my mind, fall starts after Labor Day.  Yesterday and today, I am not so sure what happened ~ we've been having wonderful early fall-like weather and then bam....the heat and humidity have returned.

 

When I last posted, my older boys were starting a break from baseball and my youngest had one more tournament.  I am proud to say that they played hard, had fun and placed second! 

The face of a boy that just scored a run!

After a few weeks off, we are back to practices and tournaments.  My two oldest competed this weekend.  The middle guy getting the job done...

My oldest was in the care of his teammates, so I have no pictures of him this time ~ the team placed 2nd out of 20 teams!

My middle guy also celebrated a birthday...

And the boys returned to school ~ I can't believe I have a 8th, 7th and a 4th grader!

And with the boys being back in school, my husband and I can enjoy some dates on the days he has off.  The first week, we ventured to Longwood Gardens.  It is definitely looking like fall there!

 

I can also return to getting some much needed girl~time by helping out at the Strawberry Sampler every now and again.  I was also able to see all the wonderful new things from market, and wow, my wish list has grown!

My stitching time and mojo has been running on low.  My latest start...and that's all I have to show...

And, I started to teach myself something new...

When my mother~in~law passed away, I became the keeper of her crochet hooks.  I decided it was time to get them out and give it a try.  I've got a long way to go, but hope to at least be able to make a few cloths and scarves.

And because I am ready for fall, here are some oldies, but goodies....

 

No post is complete without Panzer!

Our handsome boy needs a bigger ottoman...

Still missing Joker, and now missing his boys....

 

One thing I definitely learned this summer, is that teenagers are a mystery...and this quote somehow fits what I found to be true many times this summer...thanks to those of you that tell me there is a light at the other end of teenager~hood!

 “If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh



Summertime Fun

I had all intentions of posting more often, and look what happened...it's been over a month!!  YIKES!

The boys finished up with baseball and we have a few weeks off before they start up again with school and their fall teams.
My middle guy's Little League team finished 2nd in Districts ~ they were hoping to win and move on ~ maybe next year!

My oldest played in what was the hottest baseball game we have endured yet.  How hot is too hot to play baseball ~ well if you are wondering, this apparently was not...

Yes, that's right, 117 degrees!  And that was the temp on the turf during the game as well.  I don't care to repeat that experience!

My little guy has his final tournament this week ~ so oops...not done yet!  In the meantime, he found this book and told me he needed to get it....hhhmmm....

And attended a birthday party for a special friend.

I made this for her to go along with the gift card he picked out.  She loved it, and now all the other girls want one.  I have a feeling he may be invited to some more girl parties!

And most recently, he thought his life was over when he chipped the side of his front tooth.  Seems like this is the summer of accidents for us!  The dentist fixed it right up and you can not even tell.

 

We managed to take some much needed family time and head to the House of the Mouse ~ always a fun time ~ and if you follow me on Instagram, you have already seen these pics among others, sorry...

The first morning after breakfast at O'Hana....yummy!

The rides ~ Mt. Everest is a favorite....

The beauty at night...

The nightly shows... 

The food...these were taken in the new part of Fantasyland at the castle from Beauty and the Beast.  The restaurant, Be Our Guest, was fantastic!!

The monorail rides...

Some relaxing time at the hotel...

The man (who rarely smiles in pics) that made it all possible...

And the boys...every time we have gone, this is a must for a picture.  I will have to make a collage of all the times we have gone.

 

I did some more stitching.  Honeybee Hill from BBD was a fun and relaxing stitch.

 This is Rebecca's Primer from Summer House Stitche Workes.  I have completely gone off on my own with the colors ~ going from three to two.  I'm not having fun with this one so far ~ not sure why, but I'm not giving up yet. This one may end up in the never-going-to-finish pile, time will tell.  It is all about relaxing and having fun, right?

 I have missed another tusal date.  Here is my jar for the month...

This is a solar lid and I love how the light seems to dance at night.

 

Of course, while away, we missed Panzer...

He followed pretty close the first week we were back...

Waiting patiently for treats...

If you leave your seat for the bathroom, don't expect it to be there when you get back! 

Living where we do, we see a lot of Amish and their buggies, but this scene perplexed my little guy and myself... 

Until next time...be safe and find time each day for yourself...

“They're funny things, Accidents. You never have them till you're having them.”
― A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner