Sunday, January 9, 2022

Moving forward with grace..............

 





Hello, my friends and welcome to 2022.  Little Buddy and I have been busy on my few days off during winter break and the weekends, going to lots of parks and riding his bike.  It is gorgeous here, please don't hate me as it will be horrible here just as it is getting beautiful where you live.  

Today we went to the park for the playground and went for a walk on the boardwalk of Lake Tarpon and walked far enough we made it to the five-story lookout tower.  Little Buddy didn't even hesitate, up he went, step after step until we made it to the very top.  At the top we were above most of the trees with just a few pine trees still hovering above us.  It was so beautiful outside; I wish you could have all been there to enjoy it with us. Here we are, selfies I never take, but we were happy and having such a wonderful time I wanted to capture the moment, even not showered and make-up free. 

I have been knitting and buying yet even more yarn to really up my stash.  I found out that my favorite yarn store will be closing, they are retiring to spend more time in their home in North Carolina.  So of course, I have been buying more yarn for sweaters and now will go back to get some to make for baby blankets for the future.  My stash is getting quite magnificent!  

I know many of you pick a word for the new year.  I have done this in the past to just forget about it after a month or two.  This year I am picking a phrase, moving forward with grace.  I am moving forward on many levels this year whether I want to or not.  There will be decisions about new schooling opportunities for Little Buddy, selling our home and moving to a much smaller more manageable place.  There are years of things to sort out here before that can happen and a new roof that must be on before we can put this house on the market.  Many other changes are happening as well, but those are all in the future and no need to be discussed at this point.  Right now, one little boy is my priority, making sure he is in the right place for his education and transitioning him to a new home, none of which will be easy.  So, I am asking for grace in my life every day, to handle all of these major changes with grace, peace and ease, none of which I feel I have an abundance of.

I am still here, thank you Barbara for checking on us.  I want to wish you all a wonderful 2022, certainly it has to be better than the last two years.  Stay safe. Two family members of mine have had the latest version of Covid and they have been very ill.  Stay smart and safe. 

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely picture of you and Little Buddy. Life does keep throwing changes, doesn't it, and I believe your phrase embodies the best we can do. Happy 2022 and stay healthy!

-Polly

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Love the selfie. You are beautiful!

Araignee said...

Lovely photos! Moving forward with grace is a perfect phrase for the times we live in. Every day is a challenge. I hope 2022 brings you all those things you are hoping for and more.

linda said...

Love the photos Meredith it's a beautiful selfie. I'm sorry to hear two members of your family have had Covid, I hope they are recovering well. It sounds as if you have yet another very busy year ahead, I hope it will be an easier one for you. Good for you replenishing your stash we need something to help keep us sane in this mad world we're living in. Take care. Xx

Caffeine Girl said...

You must be on another planet! I can't imagine temperatures above 15 degrees or ground without snow! OK, I'm not complaining about the snow, but it has been awful cold here!

It sounds like this will be a big year for you. If you can, take your time downsizing. Our hands were forced by a bad decision made by the school district, so we moved in a hurry. Now I am going through all our stuff in a smaller space.

I know you will make the best choice for LB. Of course, you. are an expert. More than that, you love him and know him better than anyone else!

Happy new year!

Melanie said...

I love the selfie of you and Little Buddy...I think you look beautiful. No makeup needed! You and Claudia have the same smile. :-)

I'm jealous of your beautiful weather right now. It is currently 10 degrees here in northeast IL with a wind chill factor making it feel like 0.

That will be a big job, getting your house ready to sell and looking for a new place to live. You will have to keep us posted about all that as you go along.

I have quite a few friends and a couple of family members that all have Covid right now, but they're all doing well (just mild cold symptoms and tiredness), even the two that aren't vaxxed. (I'm NOT saying not to get vaxxed, just passing along how these two that I know are doing!)

xoxo

Judy S. said...

Happy New Year to you and your family, Mere. It was fun catching up with you, and it looks like you and LB had a fun adventure. The sun was out here today for the first time in days, so we took a nice walk. It was fun to see the distant mountains full of snow!

JoyM said...

Meredith thank you for posting today and sharing such a wonderful walk/climbing adventure. Adding wool for the future - more to share as you work your magic projects.
Hugs.
Joy (my blog disappeared and I have not been able to revive it so I went through my memory list and added everyone I could remember visiting to my Bookmarks)

Kim in Oregon said...

It's great to see you and I love that photo of you and LB. Enjoy your time together! I'm sure it will all work out, and this is from someone who needed plenty of grace of 2021~

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I enjoyed reading your latest post! Adorable photos of Buddy and you as well! I am glad you found out that you need grace in your life, as well do. Grace, peace and love from God helps me daily! His mercies are new every morning. We had frozen fog this a.m. but was above freezing when we left home to go to church. So thankful to see a cloudless sky and sunshine!! Yeah!! We were able to see Mt Hood and Mt. St. Helens on way home from lunch in Salem. I look forward to reading more of your posts. I like the sweaters you knit! Take care and have a blessed and happy, safe week!
Becky

Karen said...

Sending good thoughts your way as you transition to a new home, Meredith. We downsized seven years ago. It wasn't easy, but I don't regret it a bit, certainly nothing I had to let go of. The selfie is lovely - you both look so joyful and peaceful. And you have beautiful eyebrows!

Hugs to you, and Happy New Year.

Betsy said...

Hello sweet Meredith. First, as everyone has said, that is a wonderful photo of you and Little Buddy. I always think no makeup is more beautiful anyway.
You shared some lovely photos of your time together. Thank you. For those of us in the frozen north, it's good to see them. Dennis's brother called tonight. He lives near Miami Beach and is constantly telling us how beautiful it is and that we should have moved there!
It sounds as if you have some huge changes taking place. I can attest that moving from a large home to a smaller one isn't easy, but I was ruthless in getting rid of the accumulation of 40+ years that we no longer needed.
Wishing you a lovely week my dear friend.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy

CJ said...

A beautiful picture of you both together. Change can be hard can't it, and uncertainty as well. I hope that Little Buddy is happy when he moves to a new school. I have an aged parent in hospital at the moment, so also in need of some grace. Sorry that you have family members who have been very ill, I hope they recover soon. My word for the year is progress. None made so far :) CJ xxxxx

Nance said...

I'm so glad you posted the photo of you and Buddy. It's perfect. You look serene and glowing. I'm happy that you both are enjoying such lovely weather and natural surroundings. Nature is a healing influence, as you know.

I wish you the best as you make such important decisions. I know you'll consider everything and do what's best for you and your family as you move through this next phase of your lives.

Covid--even this strain--is such a draining illness. I hope your family is soon recovered. Take good care.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Loved your selfie and what a beautiful day for a walk about! Change while not always welcomed, seems to be the constant in life, doesn't it? Moving forward with grace is a terrific phrase/mantra and I hope it wears well for you and your family in 2022. I also hope your family members recover soon and fully from COVID. Staying safe until the pandemic ends continues to be challenging. We can do it!

kathy b said...

A great se1fie. I wish your moving forward with grace, to be a rea1ity for you!
Pensive buddy, with his chin on the wood is a great shot.
You know I am happy you found good yarn prices. But, We hate to see a yarn shop go...
Covid...ugh. May it be gone fast.

Jeanie said...

What a wonderful experience to climb to the top of that. King of the world. I'm glad you've been able to feel pretty safe being out and about and enjoying the gorgeous weather. Michigan is mighty cold and I don't hate you for the sun. Maybe a tad of friendly envy, though!

I'm glad you took/shared the selfie and I hope you take lots more with him. One day, they will be not selfies but treasures and it is a glorious photo and wonderful memory of a beautiful day.

Grace is a wonderful choice. Moving forward or just BEING in it. You do have big decisions and choices but grace will help see you through.

Delighted Hands said...

Great climb together! the photo will be a cherished memory sparker for years and years...I know because I have a cherished one of my youngest and me!
Yes, go forward with grace--changes are easier to swallow when we are part of the process with that attitude. Hugs.

Jo said...

The photo is utterly beautiful and indeed already full of grace. Hoping for a peaceful year for you all. Jo x

Janice Smith said...

Wonderful photos . . . Loved the selfie, wishing you grace and calmness and the best luck ever as you move forward.
It’s eleven degrees here in Massachusetts this morning with a bitter wind chill; try not to be too envious. :-()

karen said...

good luck with the move, I just did one and it wasn't easy or fun but it was so good to be on the other end of the move :)

sewing green lady said...

I hopes all goes well with your sorting and house move, I know that can be a big time in your life. I am sure you will make the best choices for Buddy. It does look beautiful there, enjoy it. Take care. x

Crafty in the Med said...

Hello there such a lovely photo of you with little Buddy. Gorgeous blue skies and well done LB :-) Lucky you in short sleeves but March is just around the corner and we will be into Spring here and I'll be able to get rid of the heavy clothing. I am not complaining I am lucky to live it such a mild climate where winter lasts about 2 months only and even then we never get snow. That is a surprise to read that you will be moving house in the near future. Will you continue to live in Florida? Happy New Year Mere may it be a better one for all of us xx. Amanda x

Sandy said...

Wonderful photo's. Looks like you two had quiet a day. It's so good to see him advancing and enjoying it. Your selfie is precious of you both. Moving ahead with grace sounds like a good motto for the year. Good luck with house hunting and getting your house on the market etc. I did like you, added to my stash because my favorite yarn store was closing. She too was retiring.

Neighborhood Watch said...

These kind of changes can be so challenging, I know first hand. I love your words for the year. Take care! oxo

Mrs. Micawber said...

That is a good phrase. May it come true for you in all your decisions and activities.

I love the photo of you and LB! And he looks so mature and tall in that first photo.

I hope that your family members are doing better now. Stinkin' Covid. Will we ever be done with it?

Hugs to you, Mere!

Ellen D. said...

That was a beautiful day for you and Little Buddy. Glad he could make it to the top. How far he has come!
Best of luck with all of your plans and decisions. Hope all goes well and you stay safe!

TheAwakenedSoul said...

You are stunningly beautiful. Love that photo of you two. Glad to hear that you stocked up on yarn. Our local shop closed, too, and I did the same. Am knitting a warm, wool sweater right now. It's so satisfying.

Dee said...

That selfie is fabulous! Little Buddy looks so happy and what an accomplishment. Five stories of steps is A LOT of steps.

Have you ever taken Little Buddy to Lake Maggiore in St. Pete? It was one of our FAVORITE parks to walk around. They have sculptures made of metal "junk". I just love them. There is also a Birds of Prey area and an inside interpretive area.

I will never begrudge you the beautiful winter days. That was the best time in Florida.

Sandy said...

Me popping back in to say hi, as I make my blog rounds.