Nephew D

There's someone new. Someone fresh and taking his first breathes of life.

There's Deacon. All fingers and toes accounted for. Two ears now hearing the same things we all are, and two eyes looking at the same things as I am. A wondering and inquisitive mind. A curiosity of what is all around.

Bundled up. Smiling at us smiling at him. A satisfying grin from a full belly or a fart. (What? Did you think I would make this whole thing cute and cuddly? Baby's fart and it makes them grin, which makes us laugh!)

I thought stress relief came from quiet and calm- which it comes from that too- but it can also come from holding a baby who looks up at you with big eyes and a button nose.

Deacon, grow up. Grow strong. But never grow too big to be held.
Love, Aunt Sarah

Pontoonin'

Jump on in. The water's fine!

Nothing will take cares away like the warm breeze off an evening lake! Or, seeing who can swim the fastest. Or, making the arches with water guns. Or, lake photos opps. Or, jumping in with no fears. Or, getting thrown off the tube. Or, having a 4 year old drive the boat. Or, watching the sunset and the water glisten from the moon....Or, or, or, or...

...there's nothing like the lake!

Life List in motion

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young." - Henry Ford

 "Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams." -Ashley Smith

I could feel, for some time now, something within me was changing. A creative side has been coming out like never before and I'm loving every minute of it! I give full credit to this blog and all the ones I've read the past year which have tapped into a place within me that is now runneth overing! I'm ready to close, but maybe not latch, some doors to my past. I've done and learned a lot for being only 27 years old. I'm ready for more. I'm ready to learn. So, scratching down on paper some time back, I created a Life List of what I'd like to do/accomplish/try/adventure into. When I turn 90 years old I'd like to look back, take a deep breath and say to myself, Damn, that was good.

This is a new phase of life for me...and it is in motion...


'The list' is made of simple, and humbling items. Nothing glorious. Only a few items are on it now, but I am not limiting myself to only these. More than likely I will branch off and explore different territories, turn around back to the original ones, and then branch off again.

Here are my first  're-dos, make-overs, and mess-ups' pieces. Two Adirondack chairs and an outdoor table. After power-washing, sanding, re-stabilizing, and painting them the color of 'Moonstruck', the chairs have become a treasured set! The table got a fresh spray coat of 'Dark Walnut' and new tiles. The perfect set for a lazy, country summer night, a glass of sweet iced tea, and a sweet pup! Sorry, I didn't take any before pictures (I know I should have. I'll know better next time!) but here is the final product.

Ahhh! What an awesome feeling to enjoy something from the work of my own hands! Like my garden, the reward just taste a little more delicious!

A shout out goes to my dad and brother who made these chairs about 17 years ago! They are like new again, guys!

For further adventures, here goes nothing...