AND...THEY'RE OFF

Today is the day we had to say "so long, safe travels and 

we hope to see you very soon!"

California here they come......

I don't like saying good bye to my children

and I know I never will....

but, change is something that happens and 

you just have to adjust, right?

We enjoyed a great Friday night out on the town

at our favorite dining spot.....

This now becomes the place of many

celebrations and family memories....

We certainly will miss the cocktail hour with them....

Saturday morning I treated them to homemade waffles.....

I had ordered a new KRUPS waffle iron and love it.....

this one is so similar to Daddy's old Sunbeam.

Another change for me and not insignificant.....

I love weekend breakfasts don't you?

And. we find ourselves here on Sunday morning....early....packing.....

Bo knew something was happening.....

wonder when we will see him again.....

They plan on arriving at their new home

on Tuesday,,,,stopping to see the Grand Canyon

on their way.....

Good bye to Bo Bo......this feels srange already.....

Safe travels....we love you to the moon and back...

we'll leave the light on......

A BIG CHANGE....SAN FRANCISCO LIVING

If you're going  to San Francisco....be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..........

written by John Phillips and recorded by Scott McKenzie, 1967

Probably safe to say this was my all time favorite song from

my 60's teen years!

We are super excited (and also sad)
to congratulate son #1 on a very big promotion
and new job!!!!
It came about quite suddenly and this huge change
is in full swing right now....
they are relocating to San Francisco.

We are really beyond thrilled for them,
but for reasons as I am sure you can understand...
we will miss them terribly.
I think it's wonderful to live different places
throughout your life's journey....
experience new adventures....

I have never been to California, so this is
going to be a wonderful opportunity to plan
a vacation to tour San Fran and the Napa Valley!

If you have experience in California living,
especially SF....please share your tips with me!

DREAMS OF FLORIDA....AND THEN CAME THE HURRICANE

I so admired the decision Miss Irma made to relocate from Ohio

to the sunny state of Florida.

She was leaving behind the long winters and the mountain of snow

that needed to be shoveled each day.

Her new home had been remodeled and updated

all prettied up with new coastal colors and new furniture.....

She has traveled back and forth a few times over the past five months....

Her beautiful Ohio home is on the market currently......

so she still is a homeowner in Ohio....

Her new home is directly in the path of Hurricane Irma

(how coincidental her name is)...whatever happens will happen....

it will be OK.....perhaps the blessing was

she was not in Florida currently and is safe and sound....

God never gives us more than we can handle....

Let us say our prayers for those living in our beloved state of FLORIDA!

TIME FOR TRANSITION....ON THE ROAD TO FLORIDA

Life is about love and loss isn't it?

It is so important to capture the golden moments and celebrate whenever we can....

celebrate the good times....because changes come and the world as

we have known it.....is no longer what it once was. 

This post is about Luke the Duke's Ohio grandparents....

Miss Irma is one brave soul...she is saying goodbye to her Ohio home

and

relocating to a brand new life in Florida.

I will say also, she is in her 80's....looking marvelous

and willing to take on the transition.

The vacation times spent with his grandparents slowly turned into

dealing with the progression of aging and how to best care for

them during this time in their life. 

It has now been a little over one year, since her husband, Pat,

passed away and she was left with a lovely home sitting on

three acres of land, with a barn stuffed full of collectibles

and a pond....now you must imagine what that would be like

to take care of especially during those long, harsh winters.

While visiting her daughter in Florida, earlier this year,

she jumped in with both feet and purchased a home

right then and there. 

She purchased new "second hand" furniture that

would give her new home a coastal feel

and her daughter has already done several updated

renovations to make her new home fresh and airy feeling.

This past weekend with the help of our darling daughter

and most of Jay's siblings, her Ohio home was cleaned out,

auctioned off and prepared for sale.

If you have ever done this process with your own parents,

this can be an overwhelming event...emotionally and physically.

It is what family does.....out of love......

This change in someone else's life, always gives me pause to

think what I would do if faced with this decision....

my answer is,'''I have no idea!"

I think of aging and starting anew in a brand new state

where everything is going to be vastly different

than what you are accustomed to.

I will tell you she will not be totally alone,

as her daughter is going to be with her....

this should make a huge difference....a good outcome I believe.

So, I applaud Miss Irma for making her life choice

at this age and moving forward....

I would love to know how you feel about this coming time in your life.....

 The grandparent visits are now over for little Luke...

I have no doubt he will hold these glorious times in his heart

and carry them through his adult life.....

Life is about change....how gracefully we deal with that change

and hold dear the memories of family.

Happy trails dear Irma.....

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN MAINE....THINGS CHANGE!

Shortly before we began the journey from Maine back to Texas a few years ago, one of our darling sons flew up to Boston to surprise us for a holiday visit. When he arrived at The Maine House and casually walked in and said, "Hi Momma!".....well, I thought I was seeing a ghost. It was the most surprised I think I had ever been and simply could not take it all in.

 I remember just standing there frozen, thinking for a second..."How could this be? Is it really Nick? No....how could Nick be in Maine?" It was like receiving the best Christmas gift ever!! He was a tremendous help in preparing The Maine House for our showings and moving furniture to storage. We left most of our belongings in our home until it sold while we headed back to Texas to our corporate apartment. We simply could not have done it without him. 

During his brief visit, we spent a day in Freeport Christmas shopping and enjoying lunch at The Jameson Tavern. It was cold, rainy and a perfect day to savor this joyous day! Merry were our hearts!!

This gorgeous sleigh was right outside the main L.L. Bean store!

 I could spend most of the day in each section of this store....except the hunting area....

didn't even go there! 

This was THE cutest couple! Isn't she fashionable in her fur coat!

I certainly do hope it was "faux!"

Did you notice her little Christmas socks?

The red felt Lobstah tree!

The Jameson Tavern!

Perfect for our lunch on that cold winter day!

This dining room where we ate, was so warm, cozy and intimate!

Oh, the warmth of the Christmas holidays!

Window shopping in Freeport! Precious! My daddy was a model train enthusiast!

 Whenever I see a train display, I think of how much he would have loved it! 

The Nicholson Inn is on the edge of the entrance to this darling town! 

NOW.....turns out...nothing stays the same!

February 19, 2013: Historic Jameson Tavern, the downtown pub first opened by Samuel Jameson in 1801, abruptly closed “until further notice” 

Apparently, there was a huge dispute between the Inn's owner and the restaurant!

The Inn was on the market for $2 million dollars and apparently went under new ownership in July, 2013. 

In 2014, there were some very controversial write-ups in the local newspaper which revealed some disputes between the new restaurant owners and the landlord/owner of the Inn. Freeport is a small town which has been taken over by retail stores and shops.It lost the appeal, I am sure, to the long time residents of the area. It's a fabulous place to shop and dine however. But as quaint and charming as many of these seaside towns are, things have been changing over the past few years. Kennebunkport was experiencing painful changes when we moved back to Texas. Old historic homes were being torn down or remodeled into modern looking restaurants. It was sad to me and heartbreaking to the residents. I am so glad we experienced such good times at The Jameson Tavern! Who knew what was going on behind the scenes! 

HELLO AUSTIN!

The Ties That Bind

It all happened so quickly. A discussion. Questions about goals and thoughts for the future. Possibilities. Long time friends moving on with life. Then came an interview. Have you ever had to interview for an important job while at the same time, being under the weather with the flu? Well, he overcame that and then came the offer, the very next day. WHOOP!

Here we go. Packing, planning, shopping, traveling, long work hours at the current job.......finding a new place to live...a tad overwhelming. Yet, it is all positive. Decisions in life, along with those rare opportunities that come along, can change our future. Perhaps what matters most is your support group which surrounds us. Family...it's everything!

A big sister who has cared for him like her own child. Twelve years difference in age and yet, so very close. She is like a mother lioness who has always been fiercely protective of her brothers. She has been known to "take her earrings off" on a few occasions when it comes to "the boys!" He knows he is loved.

Oh lawd...those boys! They constantly kid each other and no matter how old they become,

 they never stop entering "the gauntlet!"

They have been known to act civilized on a few occasions!

As life moves forward, we realize what a significant change this is in the family.

 I marvel at what good siblings they are to each other..especially

 how the three older children have taken care of the baby brother.

He has been blessed with Jenn and Cat, who have certainly taken care of him as their own,

especially while we were living in Maine.

And so, we're off!

The Texas Bluebonnets were gorgeous!

The closer we got to Austin, the more plentiful they became!

We have arrived!

Love the view from the balcony! Green space can be good for the soul!

 Packing somewhat completed, it was time to celebrate. North Austin is so beautiful!

Jenn used to live in Austin, so she knew just the place for an evening of relaxing,

 meeting old friends for happy hour and a celebratory dinner!

We did not mind a two hour wait with this festive atmosphere and view of Lake Austin!

This was such a fun and festive atmosphere with incredible views of the hills of Austin and

those lovely lake homes tucked around everywhere!

Music, watching the boats and ducks swimming on the Lake...it was all so fun!

Who wouldn't want a boat on the lake and docking right up on the restaurants on the lake?

Good times remembered!

We did it! The move is completed, all safe and sound. Yes, there will be a period of adjustment to a new city, a new job, making new friends.....but perhaps it will be a little easier knowing and remembering you always have the safety net of family!

From the wise words of Mr. Happy......

You Are The Best

Be Happy

We Love You!

MOVIN' ON UP....AUSTIN CITY LIMITS

 HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!

It's always bittersweet when you're a mother. Congratulations are in order for child #4, boy #3 and the youngest of the family. He is off to Austin to begin a new career and a fantastic job which I think was worth waiting for. College grads don't necessarily begin their dream job right after graduation, so at last, it's the opportunity he had been searching for after receiving his degree from Texas A&M. He was able to develop a fantastic work ethic for the past five years at his current company. Our personal journeys are never without purpose. The weekend was dedicated to finding a new home in our state's capital....the exciting city of Austin, Texas!

We have traveled this road many, many times going down to Waco for soccer tournaments and visiting the children down at Texas A&M. First stop has always been at the Czech Bakery in West, Texas! The car automatically pulls into the parking lot as we begin to anticipate those delicious kolaches they are known for!

You can see this is one busy bakery. But the service is fast and the wait is short!

Decisions, decisions.....sausage and cheese or apricot cream cheese.....maybe both!

I should have picked up a jar of the German Sauerkraut! Next time....just days away!

Yes, it was a gray day.....spring showers and humid

After viewing a few "make do possibilities" (not really thrilled with them),

THIS WAS THE PLACE!

Third floor....moving furniture....again......to the third floor!

Love the complex and very well kept landscaping....

green belt view from his balcony.....all good!

Yes, I took a picture of this tree...it was huge.....and....it was lovely!

Pondering his decision 

Lovely pool area....quiet and upscale

The decision was unanimous

Late afternoon.....we were tired, hungry, happy and relieved!

Did we celebrate? Of course.....new job, new city....

so different than sending him off to college!

This is a big move, but time marches on and it's all going in a good direction.

Austin is an exciting place to live and even better, only a few hours away from family!

 We love this kid!
This move is going to be different....for him and for me.
I wish I could hit the rewind button.
I hope I can hold it together when it comes time to say good-bye.
I made the Darling promise me we would be going to
 Austin once a month and as he always does, he agreed!

Time to eat!

Ah.....now we're talking......a successful day....

we accomplished our goal and now it was time to head home!