today

Ellie playing with sand dollars she found at the beach

My sweetpea brightens my mood. Things have been difficult lately in many ways. I was hoping things were looking up but we've had several household issues that are stressing me out. Waiting for the AC guy to come by and finish fixing the center air. It's been two weeks and hot and humid. The problem is a little more complicated than we originally thought. Then today I noticed a larger spot on the rug in our closet and a shadow of a spot starting on the babies carpet. I am concerned we are growing 2 spots of mildew. Ugh. We have a basement level condo with a cement basefloor. Never had a problem before but it appears to be starting? Don't even know where to start with that one. Hopefully the AC will be fixed in a day or two and we can get the humidity out of this house. Then I can tackle cleaning the spots. On top of all that for the past 6 months+ my car has had a reoccurring issue with stalling and it is happening again. We thought the problem was finally fixed after 2 mechanics having trouble diagnosing the issue. So that is going in the shop again tonight. I just want a week/day without a major issue. We are frugal with money and all this will be adding up and is concerning. So in an attempt to de-stress...here are some photos from my little green "space"and a layout or two....

First the layouts from the past month or so....

Easter: I did this one over the weekend. Just need to add journaling...

you & the budgies: Last summer/fall we went to the local zoo and they had these parakeets they call "budgies." The baby LOVED them! It was so cute to see her so fascinated. I just need to add the date and the journaling on this one. I really like how it turned out. I don't usually use super bold backgrounds but I loved this paper.

the fabulous lady in the big hat: I love this picture from last summer! I found this funny sunhat in the Gap on sale for her. She looked so funny and cute in it! This layout is very simple and finished.

And now some pictures from our little yard...

Thank you for looking and "listening!"

Happy Monday and Happy 1st of July!

wordless wednesday

Sailing on the harbor last night

gratitudes...a day late.

My uncle's yard (formerly my Grammy's yard)- beautiful backdrop for our annual family reunion

So this week it will be "Tuesday Gratitudes!" I'm a day behind. So far having an average vacation. Haven't been feeling great so far...so having a late start on fun. But we had an awesome family reunion on Saturday complete with boat rides, food, kayaking and fireworks. We have been going to the movies a lot and went out to dinner a few times. Today I'm hoping to get some groceries and some new flowers to replace the ones that are past their prime in my containers outside. Today our city has very low water pressure. Amazing how much we rely on stuff like that and don't realize it til it's not there!


Today I am grateful for:


1. telephones
2. family
3. seafood. Especially fried seafood.
4. living near the ocean.
5. cameras to capture memories.
6. playing computer games with my guy.
7. having a job and a steady paycheck.
8. Cary.
9. summer weather.
10. my car.

Here are a few more pictures from the reunion. I didn't take as many this year...and a lot less of people I noticed...though there are a few. My dad had 10 brothers and sisters so it is a huge family! It is held at my Uncle's house which was my grandparent's. It is the home where they all grew up and where us grandchildren played as kids. It is in the neighborhood where I grew up so I had the good fortune of spending much time there and have so many wonderful memories of that yard and the river...

Happy Tuesday!

sunday

A beautiful, windy and sunny day. Took some time to sit outside on my balcony and read. Waiting to see some hummingbirds at my feeder. But none yet. Also took some time to work on an Easter layout. Tried to just go with it and not think it out too much. I tend to do that sometimes and have trouble trying new things. So I just went with it. Not the best picture...but here it is...used ribbons, patterned paper, a ghost butterfly accented with pearlescent acrylic and some buttons.

Here's the baby card I made yesterday. They loved the sweater I knitted....I was so proud of it!

Having a relaxed, lazy day at home with Cary before he goes off to S. Maine overnight in prep for his early a.m. physical for the Army. One of his last preparations before he leaves for the summer in a few weeks. He even made me blueberry panckakes today...which is his specialty!

Now we are off in a few to take a walk and get some dinner before he leaves...

Happy Sunday!

butterfly

I spent a good portion of yesterday packing. On the way to the grocery store I took a side trip to Michaels ... and for the first time ever in an art store...left without buying anything! While packing took a quick break to photograph this butterfly. Doesn't do him justice. He was beautiful. Especially when on the orange tiger lilly because he has that spot of orange on him.

Today I will probably take a walk with Cary when he gets up. Otherwise not much. I don't have any other boxes to finish packing. Can't really do much til I start moving stuff over on Friday. I think I might go read a book on my parent's porch for a bit. Maybe I'll post again later. Happy Monday!