Six Months Later . . .

I hadn't really planned on writing here today but, lo and behold, here I am.  Instagram is where I've been hanging out these last six months.  Truth is, I've been thinking about some of my favorite bloggers that I've met thru the years and wondering how they're doing.  I've noticed some of them on Instagram as well now.  Seems to be the thing to do. 

These two have been building sand castles together for half their lives now.  : )

Best friends since they were two.  : )

I feel so blessed to say that things have been going well.  A few changes.  Mostly good ones. The kids are all happy and healthy.   Family dynamics are changing.  Son #1 moved to New Hampshire at the beginning of the year after receiving a great job offer.  It's tough not being able to see him when I want to but I know he's happy and that makes me happy too.  His girlfriend also found a job in Massachusetts so they're just an hour and a half from each other and planning on moving in together when both of their leases are up.  Probably going to settle in Mass.

Roots and wings.  Roots and wings.  💕

We spent a week in North Carolina at the beginning of July.  We stayed on Top Sail Island again.  We had visited there two years ago but only for two nights and really fell in love with it.  It's our paradise!  Son #2 couldn't join us this year due to his work schedule.  This worked out well for son #3 and Megan though.  They each got to bring a friend along. 

Brendan and Jakhai.

Meg and Cybele.

My honey would move there tomorrow if we could.  I could definitely get used to the lifestyle but not quite ready for that yet.  Maybe when Megan is headed for college.  There are some great colleges in NC.  I really don't like to look that far ahead quite honestly. 

One day at a time.  : )

Soaking up the sun.

These guys were taking crackers right out of our hands!!

Huge fishing bridge next to the Inn where we stayed.

 I have to admit, it's nice to sit at the computer and blog again.  Not sure if anybody still remembers me though.  Lol!!  I also look forward to catching up here in blog land and hope all is well with everyone!! 

You can also find me here:  https://www.instagram.com/crickleberry_cottage/

~ Wendy xoxo

Sunday Sayings and My Word for 2018 . . .

It's been so long since I've blogged.  I've been posting on Instagram almost daily for the last month or so.  It's become a bit of an addiction in all honesty.  I've noticed a good number of the blogs that I follow post less frequently now due to Instagram.  If you'd like to follow me, I'm Crickleberry Cottage there as well.  : )

Have you picked your "word" for the new year?  This is something I've done for the last several years, ever since I saw it popping up all around "blogland."  It took me a few weeks to come up with a word that I haven't used already.  I always seem to be drawn to the same few words.  This year, I've gone with . . .

. . . "FORWARD."  I feel like it's the perfect word for me right now.  : )


Have you picked a word??


Many blessings to you.  If you're living in the northeast I hope you're staying warm.  We're in the midst of cold weather like we haven't experienced in a few years in my part of  New York.  It's actually been in the negative digits.  I haven't left my house in five days.  I even told my husband that I'm rethinking moving north when he retires.  I little warm weather with the sun beating down on me while sitting on the beach sounds good right about now.  That would last for about five minutes though and I'd be looking for a beach umbrella and air conditioning in no time.  Who am I kidding??  : )


~ Wendy

Keepin' Busy and Saying Goodbye . . .

I've sat down to blog so many times this last month and then, in one way or another, got distracted.  There has been so much going on.  Mostly good thankfully.


This girl of ours has been kicking butt and taking numbers on the soccer field!!  I think she found her passion.  She loves lacrosse but she REALLY LOVES soccer according to her.  We couldn't be any happier about this.  It's such a fantastic sport.  I played in high school and my dad was varsity goalie all four years of high school.  I know he's looking down at her games with a big smile.  : )

We had our annual village-wide yard sale last weekend.  I sold a lot of stuff and bagged up most of the rest of it and dropped it off at a local thrift store that raises money for homeless animals.  Our goal is to be able to fit our boat in the garage this winter.  Slowly but surely we're getting there.   It used to be so difficult for me to let things go but not anymore.  My husband is thrilled!!  : )

Sold.

Sold most of my baskets.

Sold.

Sold.

Sold.

Gone to the thrift store.  : )

We've been gearing up for Halloween with lots of fun activities at Megan's school and in the community.  On Friday night we attended Megan's school "Spooktacular."  The kids got to dress up in their costumes and participate in a bunch of fun activities.  Everyone donated things and the PTO put it together.  They really did a great job!!

They even had a screening of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!!"  One of my all time favorites.  Takes me right back to my childhood!!

 We finished up the decorating.  I like to keep a mix of scary and funny for the kids. 

On a sad note . . .


On Columbus Day, we had to have our beautiful boy put to sleep.  Brady became a part of our family at a very sad time in our lives.  My three sons had lost their grandfather, their dad, and then another grandfather (my dad) all within two and a half years.  I wanted them to have something happy in their lives so we brought Brady home.  He was just 8 weeks old.  Smaller than my oldest son's foot at the time.  : )  

Don't let that innocent face fool you though.  He was a great escape artist.  If there was a way to get out the front door or into the neighbor's yard he'd find it.  No matter how many times you called him he wouldn't come in until he was good and ready.  He'd run around the neighborhood, bark at neighbors (while his tail was wagging!!), chase cars and roll around in the smelliest pile of whatever he could find.

He also adored the snow and wanted to be out in it all the time when it was on the ground.  He'd bury his nose in it and make tunnels around the yard. 

Last winter during our big snow storm.  Two feet of snow fell and he could barely get around.  He LOVED it!!!

Sparky, Brady and Megan a few years ago.

 Sparky still seems to be sad.  For the first few days he carried around his "baby" wherever he went. 

Now we have my mother's dog, Seamus, for a while until she's recovered from surgery so he's pepped up a bit. 

Seamus.

 Rest in peace my beautiful boy.  Until we meet again. 

I'm looking forward to catching up on all of my favorite blogs.  You all feel like friends to me and I really love to see what's going on in everyone's life.  xoxo


Happy weekend everyone.  ~ Wendy

A Quote and a Cottage . . .

Quote of the day: 

I don't care whether people like me or dislike me. I'm not on earth to win a popularity contest. I'm here to be the best human being I possibly can be. -Tab Hunter


Amen to that.  Thanks Tab Hunter.  : )



On a completely different note . . .

I reeaallyy want to live here!!!  : )

Happy Saturday ~ Wendy  xo

Fluffin' the Nest for Fall and a BIG Birthday . . .

I'm praying that I don't forget this guy is on the porch if I come home late one night.  I can guarantee my screams will wake up the entire neighborhood!!  : )

Say "CHEESE!!" 

The spiders are doing an excellent job of helping me decorate the outside.  I didn't have the heart to take down all of their hard work.  They really are quite elaborate webs!!

Sorry for the blur.  This is the only shot I took of the wreath on the front door.

My favorite decoration of all!!  : )

I'm finally getting into the mood to decorate.  It's been so darn warm here but the long term forecast is showing that cooler air is in store starting this weekend.  Oh happy day!!!  I've decided to go straight to Halloween decor this year since it's taken me so long to want to decorate.  This is my favorite time of the year and I'm not normally procrastinating with the decorating.  I think it's the combination of the heat and all of the devastation with these hurricanes this last month that has me feeling like it's just superficial and not that important.  But it is important.  It's important to celebrate life and it's important to keep things happy for the kids.       

 Speaking of celebrating life . . .

My handsome honey turned 50 on Monday!!  We celebrated with friends over for dinner and lots of cake.  He and I had our own celebration over the weekend with dinner for two at one of our favorite little restaurants in town.  I am no longer his cougar until January!!  : )

Happy Thursday!! ~ Wendy  xo