Flies & Heat!

So, this afternoon's porch date!  Beverage compliments of the Folta's for watching this sweet angel, Lana, over the weekend.  She and Charlie wear each other out and we are happy to have her here.  We welcomed Claire home from Guatemala at midnight Friday night and we sent Noah & Paige off to St. Simon's, GA at 7 am Sunday.  Needless to say, my sleep schedule is a little off right now!  To add to it, I worked at REI from 6 pm to Midnight last night for inventory.

Sweet Lana

I started this post yesterday, Monday, however finishing today.  And I have to say, I slept over 9 hrs last night!  Interrupted, restless sleep, but still feel quite rested this morning . . . yea 😊!

So back to our porch date yesterday; another one with not so many words.  Charlie relaxed in the grass.  We endured the heat and way too many flies!  Our aim now is to figure out a way to repel the flies who want to sample our IPA's . . . not okay!

Our next porch date will be at our flat (Homestay) in Richmond or on the porch/patio of a Richmond brewery; looking forward to it!!

Simple Life!

Karen

Busy Lives, Still Porch Datin'!

Good Monday morning!

We have had a busy month!  Put our youngest on an airplane to Greenville, SC to visit my brother on the 4th for 9 days.  Sent our oldest off to Guatemala for 12 days with her HS Spanish teacher and 9 other PAHS students/graduates on the 10th!  Picked up youngest on the 14th.  Will pick up oldest this Friday night, late.  Meanwhile our middle, the boy, has been working, volunteering, painting his room and being lazy!  To keep it real, I suffered some rather seroius lower back pain last week, starting on Monday while kayaking with Rich, lasting through Friday and still feelling mild discomfort.  Ready for some yoga, not ready for a run yet.

Yesterday was birthday celebration day for our 14yr old, Paige.  After church, she and I rode bikes to Starbucks on 31st street, via back roads and through neighborhoods.  She enjoyed her free birthday drink and chose a Venti Pink Drink.  We proceeded to walk through the shops on 31st street as though we were tourists.  Unfortunately, the Funky Monkey: Antigues and Vintage store was closed; we'll have to catch that one another time.  We decided to take the bo, ardwalk home and then realized why we rode through the neighborhoods on the way out.  The beach/boardwalk was crazy busy!

Claire skyped from Guatemala, perfect timing. Paige was able to open her JMU Dukes t-shirt from Claire, with Claire on skype.  She is having some expected emotional roller coasters, but having a great time!

Before heading out to spend some birthday money at Hot Topic before it expired, then birthday dinner at Jose Tequila, Rich and I were able to manage a . . . wait for it . . . yes, Porch Date!  Charlie was greatful, too.  Thirty minutes, with cloud cover and a little breeze after an extremely hot & humid week in Virginia Beach.  It was a good, good day!

Finished with presents, Coldstone Ice Cream Cupcakes and a movie.  Grateful to have had a great message at VB Church in the morning and quality family time throughout the day.

Blessings!
Karen

Making time/room for friends!

So finally you have a picture of our "porch." Yep, we don't actually have one in the front of the house, although that might change soon.

This Sunday afternoon porch date  was a break from yardwork and mild house cleaning, along with yoga and prepping food for family get together, yes we are social!! Getting together with friends is probably the one thing I struggle with the most.  So many things compete for my time, however I value my husband,  families and friends. Therefore it is crucial to me to carve out that time!

My tip today, no matter house busy you are,  please take time to nurture your relationships!!

Living with joy!
Karen