Plumtickled

Angels

Three weeks ago, my father in law passed away.

Darren called me before lunch on Tuesday to tell me that his Dad was very sick and refusing to go back to the hospital.  I told him........ we have to go.

Later that evening, we were on our way to Tennessee thinking we would give him a good talking to and maybe even get him well enough to come home with us to stay.  It didn't work out that way.

When we go there we found out he was in ICU and that the girls wouldn't be able to visit.  This was heart breaking since he still had never met Avonlea and we told Amelia that she would get to visit.

He was already on a breathing machine and medicated to where he was unconcious.  Later that evening after getting us settled into a hotel, Darren drove back to the hospital to stay with his Dad.  His condition was worse and he was miserable. 

Ultimately, Darren made a decision for his Dad to die peacefully.  He wasn't going to improve and no matter what they did medically...... he was getting worse.  

Darren stayed with his Dad and held his hand.  He talked to him, told him that he loved him, showed him pictures of the girls and asked him to please watch over them as they grew.  He also cried, which he hasn't done since he was a very young boy.

He stayed for another 20 minutes after he passed just because he thought that maybe he would still be near. 

We ended up staying until Sunday since we needed to pack up his home and make arrangements.  It's funny what you learn about a person after they pass away, just by going through their home.  He had pictures of Darren, the girls and even of my boys everywhere.  He saved every card, letter, photo and even envelopes that we ever sent.  He had a coffee can full of quarters marked for Amelia Claire.  He saved newspaper clippings of Darren from high school and even his shot record.

I also found a high school reunion yearbook where he claimed to have seven grandchildren.  He truly only had Amelia Claire and Avonlea but added my two boys and his oldest son's stepchildren as well.

I believe that he saved these things and kept them close because he couldn't say or show the emotions he was feeling.  He was a hard/grumpy man most of the time but now.... we know better. 

 

 He was a man that loved birds, puzzles, cars and yardwork. 

Above all else, he loved his sons and enjoyed being a grandfather.

 

Toys bags

In between all of my Etsy sewing, I've snuck in some sewing time for my girls.

 

Remember when I told you about this?  I finally found an easy way to make them.  (I'll try to do a little tutorial on them when I make the last one.)  I have three made and will be making the fourth and final one as soon as I find the handles.  Yes, I've lost them.

Each bag has been assigned a type of little toy.  The turquoise polka dot bag holds the My Little Ponies.  The Michael Miller Watermelon polka dots hold ALL of the Littlest Pet Shop animals.  The Summer in The City Birds bag holds plastic animals and the last bag is Alexander Henry's pink & red apples..... it will hold leggos.

 

These four bags will be hanging from cute little pink drawer pulls that I bought from Target this weekend.  They will screw into the wall and hold these cute bags just out of the reach of the littlest one, in hopes to keep their bedroom slightly more organized.  At this point the idea is a bit entertaining, after all they are my children.

*Do you see how much I love & adore my girls?  I used my very last piece of Summer in the City Birds from Urban Chiks!* 

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The next project I have for their bedroom, is to organize all of the paint by number paintings that I've collected for them over the last few years.  I stuck to animals since Amelia Claire is an animal lover, as most girls are, naturally.

They all need new frames, except for these two cute panda bears.  The talented paint by number artist who painstakingly painted these two, adhered them to a piece of wood and also added a hanging thingy. 

 
(I have no idea how I cut off the edge when I cropped it!) 

I'll be sure to show them when they're all framed and hung.

Hopefully soon!

 

SCORE!

Today was a good day. 

It was a Target day.

It was a Target day with NO KIDS!

Sigh..

I actually tried on clothes without Avonlea opening the door on me.  I actually stood still while looking at random stuff without saying, "Sit down on your bootie Avie!" or "Just a minute Mia". 

Not one time.

I went to Target with my Mom and my sister Debi, my two regular partners in shopping.  It's always fun.... no matter where we go.  We talked about almost everything and almost nothing really.  Know what I mean?  We also planned our trip to Daytona that we will be going on in six days.  (Mostly it was about food, surprised?)  It's gonna be a hoot to be in a hotel room with Mom, Debi, Kavin, Amelia Claire, Avonlea and me. 

Crowded, but fun.

Back to Target..... I scored this dress for only $12.48!  It made me look a size smaller, I swear ya'll!

  I also got this for mine and Darren's bedroom..... it's gonna be awesome! 

This summer I am making my house pretty again.  I've sorta lost my mojo with decorating and honestly.... even caring.  I know that sounds horrible but it's so totally true.  With new little girls, sewing for a living and now school.... there's just no time to do what I want to do for my home.  I've come to a conclusion, that it can almost take a toll on how we feel in our home.

With that being said, I've already begun working on Amelia & Avonlea's room.  I'll show you a bit of that tomorrow!  Cute, cute & cute! 

Stay tuned!

*it's been a while since I've blogged and I'm pretty sure this entry will be scattery, I apologize in advance*

Going to school four nights a week took a toll on my family, my body, my home and my blogs. 

**********************

I will begin an almost daily blogging journey beginning tomorrow morning. 

I hope you will join me!

(I'll also be writing on my other blog, "A Day A Weigh" too)

Judi