Thursday, July 11, 2019

There's Something About Moving

Yes, it's a lot of work.
Yes, it's overwhelming.
Yes, it's a hassle.
Yes, it's tiring.
Yes, it's stressful.
And, Yes, it's sad.

But...

It can be joyous.
It can be exciting.
It can be cleansing.
It can be a fresh start.
It can be rewarding.

Moving is ALL of those things!!! In our 48 years, we've moved 8 times. I was excited every time. Now, I could be excited again if we found the perfect situation. Here's what's holding us back:
1. No place to move to--Butch says I'm too picky---and he's right.
2. The "kids" are having a fit that we are considering a move.
3. It's going to be soooo much work. A LOT!

When we moved from our very first apartment, we moved and were completely settled in one day---to the point that we had a poker game at our house that evening! Granted, we ordered pizza, but still! That's when everything we owned could fit in two pickup truckloads! Those days are long gone!

Still, I could get really excited to get a fresh start. Just like Sandy and family. We visited them this past weekend in their new home north of Atlanta. OH, MY GOSH, y'all! I could move right in! The house is gorgeous and NEW!! In fact, we could just move down the street into a new house of our own. But then, all three of the things holding us back above apply.

Instead, I'll live vicariously through Sandy!
They've moved in to a brand new neighborhood in Marietta, GA.
 View when you come in through the front door. The first thing I noticed was all of the walls had rounded corners. I've never seen that before. Love it! Through the windows at the back of the family room is the screened porch.
 The porch has a fireplace and big screen tv!
 The dining room is near the front door. 10 foot ceilings make it seem extra spacious.
Built ins on both sides of the real  fireplace---they've always had the kind of fireplaces that were behind glass doors and you flipped it on with a switch. You can't tell, but behind the shelves is shiplap.
 I love the open concept. The kitchen island is huge too--the kind you have to circle to wipe down!
This is the butler's pantry with shiplap too. Also there's a beverage center that the kids are calling a mini fridge. Sandy said that makes it sound like a college dorm! I love all the white woodwork and cabinetry---and so does Sandy. She's waited a long time for that!
This picture is looking down the hallway to the laundry room and outside door. It's a glass door, hence the glare as the sun shines in.
 I love all the tile throughout the house too.
The master bedroom is on the first floor. This room is huge! They just got a king bed and there's still plenty of room. The full sized sofa is from their old living room. They are not quite sure what they are going to do with it. It fits perfectly and is not crowded at all. I say keep it! One of the kids is going to need it sooner or later.
Master bath. I didn't want to be in the picture, but when you are taking pictures in front of mirrors, there's not a lot you can do about it!
 The other side.
Victoria's room---also on the first floor. Actually, since Victoria is heading off to college, I think I'll be using it more than her. So, let's just call it my room! 
Sandy might want to shoot me for this as the entire house was perfect when we arrived---but I didn't take the pictures then. This is real! This is Elizabeth's room. She offered to make the bed before I took the pictures. But, this is a real teenager's room! All the rooms are huge. She has a queen bed. One thing I especially love is my needlework on the far wall. I made this for the nursery before Mitchell was born. It's been through three babies. Elizabeth has claimed it for her own! Love that.
 Here's where she spends most of her time. She got to pick this out for her new room. While she was still in school in Charlotte, Mitchell and Victoria tortured her by sending them photos of them hanging out in her room and using her chair! Siblings!
Mitchell's temporary room---he's moving to Nashville and living with us for awhile as he starts his big boy, real life, job! I was so impressed that he made his bed on his own!! I asked him about that. He said he made his bed at Clemson almost all the time too! Good boy!! It's a great way to start the day.
 The house has 5 bedrooms. They turned this one in to an office. They don't really need an office, but what the heck. The room looks almost empty. I really can't believe how big these bedrooms are.
 This is the rec room.
 Stephanie and Nicky were there too. She has storage envy for sure!!! There are so many closets and storage everywhere. I love seeing organized and spacious closets. Mine are stuffed to the gill.
This is just one of their attic storage areas--all walk in. They are able to store all of their Christmas stuff on the first floor!! No pull down attic steps and hauling boxes from upstairs. I thought I loved my Christmas closet, but it is upstairs!
 And then you have this guy! Titan has his own suite---in the way of an empty walk in closet!!
It's a mini doggie apartment: starting from the left and going clockwise: bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen! Seriously, I want to decorate it.
Titan hanging out in his living room. When we were looking at it, he hurried up and went in---as if we were going to mess with his stuff!!
 Speaking of Titan, have you ever heard of a dog who hates to go for a walk?
He tries to dig in, but due to the slippery floors, he's easy to drag along!! Could it be since the vet says he's a pound overweight that he's too chubby and lazy to walk? Whatever! He mostly gets carried on his walks. Hmmm, that doesn't sound half bad!

Anyway, the house is gorgeous---all new smelling and perfectly organized. I want that!!! Not likely, so I'll just have to visit Sandy--because---well, it's only 3 1/2 hours now!!! So much closer. We're so excited!

There's just something about moving!

Thursday, July 4, 2019

What I Buy Wednesday


Well, it looks like I bought beverages!! I was introduced to Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle gin when I was in London last September. After much aggravation, I finally found out that we could not get it in the US. We can get Sipsmith, but not any of the flavors. So, this time, I was determined to bring a bottle home.

Butch surprised me with the Liverpool Starbucks mug for my collection. We were on our way to the train station and Butch was afraid we wouldn't have time to go to Starbucks. As it turned out, we had plenty of time at the station. He said he was going to browse around. When we were on the train, he surprised me! I couldn't believe he left the station and walked all the way back!

And of course, I always buy tea. From Twinings, I got the London Strand brew. From Fortnum and Mason I got the Queen Anne. I was going to buy some tea from Selfridges, but the only thing they had in their own brand was peach or something. I'm not really in to fruit teas unless they are iced.
I'd say I'm all set for tea for awhile!! Plus, I still have a couple of the "Sip" boxes coming from my Mother's Day gift from Stephanie!

I was pretty busy sightseeing this trip to do any shopping. Really, I don't need anything anyway!!

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Travel Tuesday

Here was the itinerary--we cram as much as we can in to our vacations--all the things we saw, found or toured--I'm going to break it up as there are almost 500 photos for me to go through and organize--many will be deleted. Certainly, I'll be sharing only a select few!

Thursday: Our flight was late getting in, so we had to modify our plans.

Kensington Palace--we didn't really love this self-guided tour. Low on our list of palaces. We just didn't think it was all that interesting. We did agree, that maybe we're getting sort of tired of touring houses!


Ye Olde Mitre Pub (2nd oldest in London operating continuously since 1546). We stopped here and had a drink. Plus it's a block from the church we had planned to go to for Mass on Sunday.

Walked around Covent Garden
Dinner at Prima Sapori d' Italia--really good Italian food---not fancy at all.

Friday:
We had breakfast every morning at our hotel. They had a really nice spread with just about everything you could want.
Old entrance to London near St. Pauls and our hotel.

Tyburn Tree marker where most of the hangings took place.

K2 Telephone Booth---first phone booth in the original location

Embassy of Texas marker---way back before Texas was a state, it was a republic and had an embassy in London.

St. James Palace--this is not open to the public, but the park behind it is.

Smallest police station--located in Trafalgar Square. It's kind of sad---they're using it like some sort of janitor's broom closet now. Still, it's pretty cute. It's called the Lilliputian police station.

Twinings---of course I had to buy tea. I asked if they did a commemorative tea for Harry and Megan. They did, but it was sold out soon after the wedding. Instead, I got "The Strand" which is the street that Twinings is located on.

Temple Church

 Great Fire monument at Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market---we had wine and cheese for lunch. One of the cheeses was called "stinky bishop"---and it was. I didn't like it at all. It tasted like dead fish---not that I've ever tasted that, but like dead fish smell! When I asked the waitress what it was called, she asked if I liked it. Since I said that I didn't care for it, she brought us two others of her favorites. They were both good. We enjoyed sitting outside and people watching. We noticed that most of the business men still wear suits. Butch noticed that the older men wore ties, while the younger men wore open collars with their suits. This was fun and we would definitely do it again!

Old London Wall--I wanted to take Butch to the area where last September my friends and I just happened upon the old wall. This is what we found, but it was clearly marked.
 When I was with my friends, we happened upon this.
I tried to find this exact area, but couldn't. I wasn't really sure how far from out hotel we were. Still, I thought it was pretty exciting to just happen upon something so old and significant.

 Down the street from our hotel, we went to the Blackfriars Pub---really old.
 We shared the fish and chips. I really like the mushy peas---just smashed peas.
This is what goes on outside ALL the pubs. These old pubs are really small. So, everyone stands outside with their drinks. It was the most amazing sight to me---all these people standing around--and not just on Friday night---every night!

Okay, I'm going to stop here. Since I am still limping along with my computer, the hardest thing to deal with are pictures. They just don't cooperate. As a result, this post has taken forever. That's why I'm going to break this up in to smaller bits.

Anyway, this was just the first day and a half, so now you know why I was so tired!!!


Monday, July 1, 2019

Mystery Monday

Well, this one is about a mystery solved!
I lost one of these earrings--ironically on my way back from England last September. I guess it's only fitting that I would find it on my way back to England last week.

Sadly, I had already gotten rid of the other one when I thought I'd lost this one! Darn! I really liked them too!