I'm Alive!

I am just popping in to tell you that I am still alive...but battered, bruised and maybe hanging on by a thread! Lol

Except for the primary bedroom and bath, the house is pretty much ready for Halloween. So far it has taken four FULL days and every muscle in my body can attest to that! I thought I had come up with a brilliant idea of not packing everything "autumn" back where it belongs if it is coming back out for "Thanksgiving". I figured if I put that stuff in the empty Halloween bins it would all be there ready for me when it came time to make the next swap. There might be a few things I won't need and then they'll have to be put away but I think I made good choices and that that would save me a bunch of time...which it didn't as this swap has still taken more than 4 days!

I think a lot of my lag time came in the front yard. For whatever reason, everything out there had to be done differently this year and took soooo much more time-and EFFORT. The black garland that I hang over the front windows has pretty much met its maker. There is hardly any "fluff" still on the branches and I am actually wishing that I had bought two more of the "My Texas House" garlands to replace these this year. I am going to see if I can still find two more but my closest store was sold out so I'm not holding out much hope.

And, the trellis that I have used for pictures with the kids ever since they were all small has pretty much seen its last days as well. It is being held together with a lot of black duct tape and I'm not sure it will make another year.

And then, this year's "hospital" visits were more than usual-not for me but for the decor. LOL Every year things get broken in packing and unpacking and I keep the hot glue gun out for quick fixes but this year's fixes weren't quick. This frame was missing a "ghost" and I spent way too much time searching for that missing ghost but it still had to settle for a haunted house button as replacement and the broken seed bead trim on a spider on the lamp shade were just the beginnings of a long line of repairs that took way more time than usual.

 All of that aside, once I finish the last two rooms I will be ready for this year. I think I mentioned that once again, I will be down in St. Pete for a Halloween adventure with daughter #1 so I actually thought about maybe just leaving up autumn and then going to Thanksgiving when I returned. Oh how easy would that swap have been! But, after just gently mentioning that plan to a number of my grandchildren, you would have though that I was planning to pack up and move to Outer Mongolia! Lol Halloween has always been BIG in our house and those memories are huge in the kids' minds-even if half of them probably won't even see it this year. And, I will have to admit that I probably never could have gone through with that! I love Halloween and, now that I am almost done, I love it even more!! Here's just a quick peek to show you where I have been this week.

It looks like we are going to have a rainy afternoon. I'm hoping there are no storms as daughter #3 and grandson #2 will be heading up to CT again and I'm hoping for smooth flights. It seems as if lately there is always someone in my family flying somewhere at all times and since I am the world's WORST traveler, I am always worried until I know everyone's' feet are safely back on the ground.

Anyway, I am going to head into the last two rooms so I can be officially done and then I think I will sit down, put my feet up, grab some lunch and let the weekend begin! 

I'll be back to start our official tour soon but until then, stay safe and stay tuned.

Sigh....

 Just when it is truly feeling like autumn-temperatures cool enough for at least part of the day for windows to be open, not a cloud in the sky, sun dappling through leaves-I will be saying "good-bye" to autumn. It always makes me sad because I love my autumn decor so much but, if I want to enjoy the amount of time my Halloween swap out takes me, I have to get going on it! And, I think tomorrow is the day. And so, I am enjoying every aspect of the day today and thought I would catch you up before I go MIA for the 4-5 days that this next swap takes.

I spent yesterday morning re-painting leak spots on the ceilings around my house. I got everything done but the sunroom that needs an entire ceiling re-paint and for the moment is beyond me. Then I was off to daughter #3's house to watch the Gator game and then head out to the World Equestrian Center for homecoming pictures for granddaughter #5. Dances are all a lot bigger deal these days than they were when I was young. We were lucky to get a picture by the door as we were heading out. Lol I can't tell you how many pictures were taken of the girls (only a few had actual dates because most of the girls are seniors and dating boys who have graduated and are off in college) in varying states of silliness but I'll share the two that mean the most to me.

While we were here doing that, my son-in-law was up in the Nor'easter in CT for "Parents' Weekend" with grandson #1. They actually changed the game to Friday night but still had to play in a bit of a storm. They lost the game again in the final seconds when a touchdown was called back but they played hard and were probably just happy they didn't have to continue into overtime. Har got to carry out the flag this week and took some hard hits but that is what his position is all about!

Knowing I would be super busy the rest of the week, I made a grocery run this morning so I could make a big pot of my favorite soup for the coming week and decided to make a quick stop in Walmart to see if Christmas was out yet. Some of it was and I picked up a few things to get my thought process going when I have time.

I love the Santa and the Santa/sleigh picture. The other one is actually from "My Texas House" and I like the frame but I'm really not a fan of the color of the frame or the picture inside but, I'm thinking I can probably zhuzh it up to my liking. And then because I am sad about autumn leaving my house, I decided to brighten my spirits with some pretty flowers. My husband used to bring me flowers for no reason all of the time-almost weekly-and they always brightened my day so when I saw these beauties, I went for it.

That catches you up with me. I will be silent for a bit but as soon as I can, I'll be back to fill you in on what comes next. Daughter #3 dropped by a little bit ago and insisted on helping me get down the really heavy Halloween boxes from the top shelves so, unless I want to live with Rubbermaids around me for awhile, I have no excuse but to start tomorrow. Stay safe and stay tuned.

Happy Wednesday

Happy Wednesday.  I was hoping that by today I would be able to share photos of my house with its beautiful new roof. Sadly, that is still not happening...yet. This is day 4. The shingles did finally get delivered yesterday afternoon but not the first one has made its way onto the roof yet-and it is almost noon. 

I have a fairly large house-there is about 3200 square feet under cover. Most of it is under a roof that slopes in 4 directions and is shingled but, the sunroom, full office and garage are under a flat roof that is not shingles but has some sort of "rubberized" coating on it. The last time the roof was redone, the flat roof was relatively new so it wasn't included. I guess I forgot that "small" but very IMPORTANT part. And so, when I signed the contract for the new roof with all of its technical mumbo jumbo, I failed to ask if the flat roof was included. 

I have now found out that it is...and, apparently that is where the most of the issues lie. It seems as if every square inch of that has to be repaired and all new wood is being added. YIKES!! I am grateful that it is happening because I know that if it hadn't been included in this repair and replacement that I would be facing more issues down the line-probably pretty quickly down the line-but I honestly wasn't expecting it right now.

They have been working on this thing for soooo long. I am ready to finally have it done but, we are getting there.

After they left on Wednesday, I was happy to see some progress with shingles beginning to happen.

I will say that I thought the color I picked out was darker than this but I guess just having such a small sample to look at that I must have misjudged it a bit. I like a dark roof even though I know people say it absorbs heat and, being here in Florida that is probably the last thing I would want. But, lighter roofs seem to get "dirty" looking much faster because of all of the live oak overhang that we have.

In any case, it's too late now so I'm good with this and just happy that it is finally moving along. Hopefully all of the wood repair is done and tomorrow will move a little more quickly.

!!!! We interrupt this blog to give you a distraction from ROOFS! LOL !!!!!

Thanks to the cameras I got for Christmas-which I really wasn't sure if I needed them but boy have I used them since and come to rely on them for so many things-but, I digress-I have been able to watch much of the roof goings on and at this point, I am ready for a change so I looked around and realized that I still hadn't made the ornaments from our girls' trip to Charleston back in the spring and, since I had kind of decided how I would do them back after I first got home, I had everything right here in front of me in my office.

I actually found the perfect items in the City Market when we were there but instead of ornaments, they were magnets and I knew it wouldn't be hard to give them a change up.

I started by prying off the magnet and luckily discovered that if I could wedge the tip of a screwdriver underneath the magnet I could maneuver it off even though it was on there pretty tightly.

I had debated using Christmas colors as backing but I think the general consensus was that since we weren't there at Christmastime, I should just stick with the burgundy, black and white scheme.

I simply made a loop with the thin velvet ribbon and using hot glue-mostly because of the weight and the fact that I was gluing metal- glued it all together. My plan is to come up with the appropriate wording with dates, etc. for the back and then print if on a white oval before I glue it on.

I hung it on this little tree I have out in the sunroom to see how it looks popping against the green and I like it.

Got those done, ate lunch and STILL waiting for the roof to be done...and, four hours later it still isn't!

Happy Fri-YAY-of the longest blog post ever...but, at about 7 this morning the trucks and equipment all pulled in again and I was preparing myself for another long day until...at a little after 9 I heard a knock at my door and was told that the roof is now officially done!!! Woohoo!!!

This was day six and the contractor did confirm to me that it had been a BIG job and that it was definitely time to have it done! I have no regrets and am looking forward to enjoying our next rain with no worries but, until then, I am happily enjoying today-a day I have waited for for over four months. Our temperatures this morning were in the sixties. It will go up a bit as the day goes on but nowhere near what it has been...at least for today. And, on top of that, the lawn guys just left so I have windows open with the wonderful smell of freshly cut lawn and the gentles breezes are wafting in. I am more than excited!

Oy! Every time I see the house from the front I am once again reminded that the hedges are in desperate need of attention. I think they have reached their lifespan and probably just all need to come out but those decades old roots are probably going to be more than I can handle so this chore just keeps slipping down the list! Lol

And, now that the whole roof is done, I am more than happy with my color choice. 

I actually just realized that October will arrive next week. Every year I am amazed at how quickly September goes. I think if it felt more like autumn I would appreciate it more but, never-the-less, September will leave us soon and I need to move on. I think I am going to give myself the next three days to do only what I truly want to do to enjoy the last of my autumn decor and then hit the ground running on Monday to get things swapped out for Halloween! That is a BIG one and I'm getting tired just thinking of it so I think I will run and grab some lunch and then start making some lists. There is definitely much to be done but the better temperatures will definitely give me the push I need to do those things.

I'll be back. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.

Visions of Sugarplums!

 Happy Monday! As expected, the roofers have been on the roof since 7:15 this morning and by the sounds of it, they are getting MUCH accomplished. They don't need anything from me so I am free to do whatever I need but, for whatever reason-maybe the constant banging?-lol-I just can't seem to really focus on anything. I've been ironing a few tops that needed a bit of crispness so right there you know that my mind is at odds. LOL I very rarely iron anything any more. And, I have put on a load of wash and now I am at a stand still. And so, I was perusing different sites and I started seeing some beautiful framed Christmas prints coming soon to HL, Target, Walmart, etc. And that got me thinking back to my decor last Christmas. I remembered that I did buy a few prints and, of course, I got my new tree 

That new tree kind of started a change in my family room decor because it is pre-lit. That's the first one I have ever had. I am not usually a fan of a pre-lit tree but I will admit that putting lights in a tree is one of my LEAST favorite chores and this tree not only has clear lights but it has colors and twinkles. I just heard so many good things about it that I caved.

It is incredibly EASY to snap together-and it is LIT! And, the twinkle lights are mesmerizing. They are gorgeous. But, this is the room where I always had colored lights. It has always been the "kids'" Christmas room and we all loved it for years. But, the colored lights on this tree have that "blue" LED shine to them and not the nostalgic Christmas colored lights look so I ended up not using them and just leaving on the clear twinkle.

Because everything else in this room still kind of screamed traditional old-fashioned Christmas, I kept the colored lights on the mantle and the large Santa picture hanging above with the mercury glass Santa on the mantle. For whatever reason, it just wasn't "doing" it for me but it was too late to start thinking about changes.

And that is my short story made long that brings me to this. I think I might be ready to get rid of the colored lights altogether this year and go to something a little more simple. That might mean getting rid of the Santas as well which would be a total "if you give a mouse a cookie" adventure because I have collected them for so many years that there would be almost no decor without them. I am at a total loss as to which way I might go.

I looked at a few images on Pinterest that caught my eye-now I just need to figure out why and see where that takes me.

This one still has the Santa but he is a bit smaller and still seems to read a little more subdued to me. There is a LOT more greenery in the garland here so that might be what is catching my eye.

On the other hand, this one that is devoid of all color speaks to me as well but maybe it is too elegant for my family room-not as childlike?

And then there is this. I actually have that exact Santa sign that I bought from Decor Steals a few years back and I have a window frame a bit like this. Perhaps I could go more this way? Then maybe my other Santas could still be interspersed throughout the rest of the room?

I am definitely facing a fork in the road. I know I still have time and I haven't seen what's coming into the stores yet so I guess I will just see what happens. Everyone knows I have a hard time with change. If anyone's a betting person, you will probably bet that it will all be the same again this year! And, you might be right. At least this year I am giving myself time to think about it and also permission to change it up even if all of the grands will not be happy. They seem to love coming back to Nana's and having it exactly as it always was. They all spent so much time here that they definitely consider it their second home...and I love that...and that is why change is so HARD! sigh

Guess I'm off to see what else I can do to take my mind off of the noise over my head. I think all of the prep should be done today and hopefully shingles will appear tomorrow. I'm excited. It's been a long time coming. Until then stay safe and stay tuned.

Wrapping It Up

 I had planned to be back with this post a bit sooner but, once again, "life" filled up when I least expected it to. So many fun and exciting things came my way and my empty calendar was no longer empty.

The first was the call from the roofing company telling me that they were ready to start my new roof bright and early on Friday morning-and, they were true to their word. Literally within five minutes of sunrise, they were here! And, I might add, rightly so because I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a roof in this heat that we are still having once the sun was really out.

They worked on Friday and then got it covered up tight just in case...and will be back bright and early tomorrow to start back up. I think I picked almost the exact same shingle that I had before-you all know that I am a creature of habit and not fond of change-lol-but I'm sure it will start out looking different than its twenty something year old predecessor so I can't wait to see it.

The night before I got a call from daughter #1 and she said she and granddaughter #4 would like to use my house as a swap off site for some stuff my granddaughter left the last time she was home and they were hoping I would be free to go out for a nice lunch while they were here. Being one to never turn down a free meal, I was all in.

We ended up running some errands and then having lunch at one of our favorite downtown restaurants. We had a nice chance to catch up a bit although it really hadn't been that long since I had seen them but, they both have very busy, active lives so there is always something to talk about. And my grand dog came along for the ride so it was fun to see him again too.

Soon after they all left, I was kind of planning my weekend when I got a message from daughter #3 inviting me to their house on Saturday to watch my grandson's football game. Once again, I am not one to say no so I got out early Saturday morning to run to Target and Publix and then I headed over. And, I got a bonus when both my other grandson and his sister were there as well. We had a fun afternoon-and a nail biting game-but a WIN none-the-less accompanied by two of my daughter's best treats-"funeral sandwiches" and bruschetta. I seriously ate enough that I didn't even need dinner later that night.

And so, here I am finally getting a chance to finish this tour up. Let's head outside and look at the porch now that the mums have finally burst into full bloom.

As I look at this picture I realize that I have repainted both the "welcome" sign and this metal pumpkin...as I so often have to do with the things that spend time outside. I had noticed that the flag for this season also could use a refresh. I have repainted a number of my other flags but this one feels like it might give me a challenge! It has a lot of shading and detail that I am truly not sure I would be able to replicate. We'll have to see where this goes. All it will take is for me to see it with those pesky "new eyes" for what it really looks like and my paints will be out. Time will tell. LOL

I would so love to do more with this garland and perhaps another but the door doesn't face the front of the house so it is really only visible if you come all the way up to the door. Perhaps some day...

I mentioned that I made a quick run to Target yesterday. I hadn't been there in a bit so I wanted to see what was new for autumn and, can you believe that I completely forgot to go back and check out Halloween? Not that I need another thing but....????

In any case, the only things I did pick up were totally autumn. Like I said, a creature of habit-one of my favorite Yankee Candles scents now available here, two Mrs. Meyers autumn dishwashing soaps (that I probably buy more for the label than the scent-lol), that sweet little pear picture that goes perfectly in my kitchen, the small terra cotta pumpkin shaped vase and the candle in the urn shaped container.

I put the picture here...

And the other things here...

...and here.

I know that neither one is brilliant placement but I just wanted to get them out so I could head off to the game and get fed-lol so... They will be back for Thanksgiving and probably find better homes then. We shall see.

And even though he doesn't look it in this picture, this guy went back to campus pretty happy with the win! 

So that's a wrap for this year's autumn tour. I am hoping to enjoy the house as it is for a bit longer before we go full steam to orange and black. Daughter #1 invited me down to her house for the week of Halloween so I could actually just leave autumn up. That would make the swap to Thanksgiving so much easier but even though that makes perfect sense since I won't be here for the holiday, I think I know myself well enough to know that that will never happen so I'll see you soon surrounded with orange and black. Stay safe and stay tuned.

Moving Along

 This week is turning out to be one of those "life happens" kind of weeks. They are never quite as fun as weeks full of exciting happenings but they are necessary none-the-less. And, I will say, they leave me feeling accomplished when I survive them. Of course you know that when I have weeks like this I like to start early and go full steam until I am done but, unfortunately, that couldn't happen this week.

I hit the ground running early Monday morning and started on the far side of my pool where the rains from the summer storms gave new life-and strength-to weeds. Because of the weather, I haven't been out to that side of the yard as often as usual so I will admit to "overlooking" the beginnings of the weed growth. But, I was actually quite shocked as I got out there. Every year I seem to come upon a weed I have never seem before-it's almost as if the ones I am beginning to close in on call for the reserves-LOL-and this year was no exception! I have never had carpets of weeds extend so far that they are actually going up into my privacy fence.

I will admit to almost throwing in the towel before even beginning because it looked like it was a never ending fight but, I got down there on the ground and, after about two hours of constant pulling in that one area, I saw some headway so I continued! Thankfully the pool is only a few steps away and I will admit to at least three trips into the water to cool off a bit as I was working!

Of course, then, one thing leads to another and by the end of the day I had put a bit of a dent into everything that needed to be done. And, I would have been a very happy camper if I could have repeated that process on Tuesday morning but I had a hairdresser appointment. And so, by the time I was home from that and my hair was looking all nice and clean and coiffed, I wasn't about to head back out.

That brings us to today where I am currently running in and out and catching a few things between doing this. Right now it's looking like maybe one or two more days and I will be caught up-probably just in time for all of this year's leaves to start falling and new weeds to start popping up. Lol

In any case, let's catch the two bathrooms and then we will almost be finished with this year's autumn tour. I feel as if I might have gotten lazy by just keeping this lantern in the same place through the last number of decor swaps but I love the twinkle that the candle gives this end of the house at night so I'm going with it until I can no longer justify it. 

This is where this picture ended up this year and I like it. I bought it last year to hang in the living room under the shelf but I was actually never really sold on it for that spot. It was just the best that I could do at the time until daughter #1 surprised me with the pretty painting that I have there now. It's not that I don't like this one-it's that the other is more what I wanted for that spot.

The living room now...

And, as always the nod to the season in the primary.

I am off to grab a quick lunch before I head back out to see what I can finish up today. The weatherman is promising us a "hint" of autumn-not necessarily in a temperature drop but a drop in humidity. I will take it any way I can get it. We have had a few days if mostly dry conditions so I am hoping that maybe my new roof will get started soon! I don't think I've been so excited about spending so much money ever before in my life. Lol With the most worrisome trees now gone and then a new roof, I should be good to go for a bit-fingers crossed. Stay safe and stay tuned.

No Surprise!

This will probably no longer come as a surprise to you but, my plans for today have changed once again. When we last spoke I think I said I would be working outside all day but, it is dreary, humid, hot and just not pretty out there right now and that is the last place I want to be. And so, let's go catch the rest of the family room.

Sorry-I forgot to close the TV doors in this shot.

 

I can vividly remember making this pallet sign. It might have even been the first that I did-or the second? I wish I could remember the sites where I used to get these ideas. They not only blogged about the things they made, they gave you instructions and many times the image that you could use any way you wanted as long as it was just for your personal use. 

I actually just saw my post for this the other day as a memory on FB. It has so many layers of color all sanded back to look nice and chippy and old. I had so much fun making this that I was sad when I was finished.

It's hard to see here but this candle holder has almost all of the same colors as the sign does-serendipity? Lol

I bought the large gray pumpkin at HL a few years back and then, again form another blog I no longer have privy to, I downloaded the sign and customized it for an "Ocala" patch.

And, once again, my beautiful "coffee" tulips still making an appearance.

So that is the family room for this year. I'm off to watch the rest of grandson #1's football game-we're at half time right now. They are in Milton, CT playing against Curry College who just redid their field in "purple"! It is a bit distracting but, I will say, it does make picking out numbers a bit easier. And, for whatever reason, this school's cameras are mostly right down on the action so I am seeing Harrison like I am right there. He is playing tons today and even though he has been doing this for years, I still get nervous until its over and everyone is safe. 

I'll be back. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.