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

 



Rolling!!!!

Things are on a roll!!  The heat~wave rolls on, which means I don't cook huge meals.  Sandwiches ~ ham, roast beef, hoagies, hot sausage with green peppers and onions, hamburgers, hot dogs ~ yep, all on rolls!

My middle guy's District team for Little League is on a roll ~ two wins and hoping for win number three tomorrow night!  The first win was celebrated with a teammate's family, complete with celebratory dessert.

Rolling on to the celebration of game two...at the ER....

While catching, the batter somehow managed to get the bat all the way around to the back of his head (the batter may have thrown the bat) ~ catching him just under the edge of his helmet.  Since he was in a bit of pain and it involved the head/spine, it was off to the ER to make sure he was okay.  Thankfully, all is good ~ we were both worried and this smile is after we were told that all the tests were good and they'd have us rolling back home shortly.

Panzer is starting to roll again, although it's a slow process.  He became confused again when the new neighbors moved in.  People were around, but there was no Joker.  We will be visiting his mother and one of his brothers tomorrow, and hopefully, they will have some good playtime.  He's rolling!

 

My teenager ~ well, he's rolled into a different creature this summer...sleeping in, hanging with friends, rolling his eyes...need I say more?

The little guy is training to participate in a triathlon and hanging with his buddies...here is a picture my friend took of him jumping into the Chesapeake Bay.  Doesn't it looks like he is skipping across the top of the water?

 

 My stitching has been on a roll too!  The completed Pomegranate Study...

What an enjoyable piece to stitch.

I then rolled on over to Honeybee Hill by BBD.

Aren't the colors and the motifs great?  I'm hoping to have this one finished soon.

 

Oh, and when rolling down the highway this summer, watch out for this guy...

Kinda creepy, isn't he?

 

Here's hoping that things continue to roll on in a good way!

“If possible, try to find a way to come downstairs that doesn't involve going bump, bump, bump, on the back of your head.”
― A.A. Milne, Pooh's Little Instruction Book