A Haven for Vee

Monday, January 30, 2017

Leaving Things on the Table

And I don't mean the clutter that happens to be all over mine right now. (Not sharing that scene, you'll be happy to know.)



What I mean are all those things that I have photos for, but have not shared. Some of these things go back months. I've been feeling guilty.




~Enjoying a burger and a shake at Five Guys in Brunswick, Maine~
I usually share when the grandsons have their respective birthdays six days apart in January. This year, I am late. They are officially 11 and 10 now. The night before the birthday party, the 10-year-old was my guest. My daughter generously agreed to take us to Five Guys about an hour away. It was a great burger. Probably the best I've ever had, but an hour is a long way to go for a burger and there may be other more worrisome concerns.


The following morning, Jake was trying to get dressed and I could hear him murmuring about not fitting into his pants. I don't know if he packed his own overnight bag or what, but he was right—the pants didn't fit and those from the day before also didn't fit. What?!  


We were in the middle of a little scene similar to Randy's being stuffed into his snowsuit from A Christmas Story when Jake quipped, "All I did was go to Five Guys and have one stinking hamburger and now my pants don't fit!" (It's the story of my life, Jake, story of my life.)





↑Some snow tubing in the future... And some cozy, winter nights between new fleece sheets from LL Bean.↓



~Eleven and Ten~




~beautiful banner from Kim~
This banner was a thoughtful gift from Kim who formerly blogged at Camp and Cottage Living. She is taking an extended break from blogging, though I keep hoping that she'll return. Anyway, this banner arrived last summer and I draped it across the mirror. It says, "Lo, I am with you always." It is wonderful to see it each morning. Even though John's photo is there, it does not mean that I think that he is with me always; I know better. I do not feel that way at all and feel very much alone in that sense. The Lord is with me always; John is safely home.


Finally, I shared a bit about this item recently when I was decluttering some closets. I found this little girl's vintage dress and jacket in a paper sack stuffed on a shelf. I washed it and ironed it and now wish to know who sent it to me. That's really all I remember...someone sent it to me. Abby? Kim? Kim? Michele? Help!






It's darling and I'd love to know whom to thank. Gosh, I am such a bad, bad blogger. 

Lastly, one might wonder why I'd move on to other pursuits or add other pursuits when I'm already not doing so well with blogging, yet I have added Instagram to my list of things to do poorly. If you'd like to see what I was up to over the weekend, you can check it out there on the Instagram button on my sidebar. I really need some lessons. I have inadvertently deleted my own posts, liked my own comments, and left comments on the table. Oh, that's where we started; good time to stop. (I removed all my comments about Victoria...a post for another day. Focus, Vee, focus.)
ETA: Decided, toward the end of the day, to give the Instagram button the boot because there is nothing there that would interest my blogging friends, though there may be something here that would interest my Instagram friends.  I will continue to link to the blog from there. Hope that this is not a problem for anyone...shouldn't be. 

Have a great week!



39 comments:

  1. Awwww...those kids are kids and clutter is something we all have whether we admit it or not.

    I think so many of us want to have all the pics in one place...like we did just awhile ago in albums and on video tapes. It's physical and tangible. Just a lot of work!

    Love the photos. Trying to get by more often..;-D

    Jane

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  2. Haha, the pants . . haha. Know how he feels. The banner is lovely, like the vintage sheets with embroidery in the middle. As for that darling little outfit, I can say with almost certainty that it wasn't me. Instagram - liking your own comments or photos might be a good thing. If you didn't like it, you wouldn't post it. Right? Guess it's time for our instagram tutorial. ~ Abby

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  3. Clutter is a part of my life and no matter how hard I try to get rid of it, I can't. I adore that little dress and jacket!!

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  4. Hi Vee,
    Hard to believe your grandsons are 10 and 11! We have to drive about 40 minutes to a 5 Guys Burger but it is one of our favorite places to eat!
    Wishing you a good week. xoxo

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  5. That's very funny about the pants that don't fit. Love the pretty banner and cute little dress and jacket. It's fun having blog friends that know just what you love! Hugs!

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  6. I know how that poor boy feels, I really do need to lose a few pounds. They grow up so quickly Vee, where has the time gone...

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  7. I've never had one of those burgers, may have to try one some day, though I would have to drive two hours for one. :-)
    Playing in the snow, whoo hoo! One of my favorite things to do, especially when I'm being pulled behind the snowmobile or fourwheeler. That tube is perfect for that.
    I love that little dress! Hope you find who gifted you.

    Enjoy your day, Vee~~

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  8. I love Five Guys and Steak n Shake! You can go to pinterest and find copy cat recipes for five guys....just in case you crave on and don't want to drive and hour ;-)

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  9. Five Guys is a favorite with my grands! I agree that their burgers are really good and those fries! They give you enough to feed an army. Happy Birthday to your grand boys. They are really growing up too fast. I seem to say that a lot these days about my own. We had a heavy dusting of snow this morning---just enough to paint our world a lovely marshmallow color. No shoveling for anyone today around here. Hope the same for you! ♥

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  10. Great pictures of the boys and birthday time. ~ John might not be there in person, but he is forever in your heart. The beautiful gift that hangs on your mirror has double meaning for you. Blessings! ~ Instagram, too? You amaze me. I haven't dared venture beyond blogging and a custom FB page that allows me to stay in touch with kids and grandkids. ~ What a beautiful little dress! Although vintage, the care to keep it white is amazing. . .a labor of love.

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    1. ❤️That is so sweet, Diane. Thank you.

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  11. We have a Five Guys around the corner from us and my mom ALWAYS wanted to try it but I never took her...I regret that....now I feel guilty going without her...soo dumb I know, but there it is. My pants are a constant source of trouble, lol. Happy birthday to your little cuties!

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    1. 🍔Make a date and GO! Grab a sister and go! Make a new memory around that one that is giving you guilt. Your mother has Heavenly food now and she would not begrudge you a burger from Five Guys.

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    2. That's some good wisdom right there! I'm with Vee! Go there and celebrate! Don't let Satan steal your joy!

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  12. Oh! and I LOVE INSTAGRAM....I will be following you for sure...I am on at least once everyday!

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  13. Aargh! I lost my entire comment just now! I won't try to recreate it. This was such a fun and interesting post. We've never been to Five Guys, but we do happen to agree that the best burgers in the world are in Brunswick, Maine -- at the Brunswick Diner. Even though we limit our red meat intake, if we happened to be in Brunswick again we would be eating burgers. The strawberry shortcake we got for dessert was pretty fantastic, too.

    Instagram, I have yet to figure out. I'm "on" Instagram, so I could, for instance, follow you there, but I have yet to post anything there or even figure out how one does that. Life's too crazy right now for me to try and figure that out.

    Loved seeing that banner. Do you think she embroidered the verse right over the top of a floral vintage embroidered piece? That's how it looks from here. Nifty idea and one that I may borrow. The little dress and jacket are adorable too. My first thought was that they are handmade, but I'm thinking that they sort of have the hallmarks of the "made in the Philippines" clothing that used to be considered very special gifts for babies and toddlers.

    Have a wonderful rest of the day and week!

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    1. So sorry about the lost comment. Frustrating!

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  14. Your instagram seems fine to me, so maybe it's me who doesn't know which end is up. But I do think you will learn more as you go. I like the quickness of it.

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  15. Or you could always do what I do and NOT have instagram or FB, haha. I just know myself and having another techno thing will kill me, this I know.

    Though I am told daily that I am crazy not having instagram. So I may decide to one day.

    I like your snacks in your sleigh - glad you liked, sweet friend.

    I sent a pretty linen little girl dress to someone years ago but I don't remember it having two pieces so don't think that was me who sent that beauty. And it had to be at least 2 or 3 years ago.

    Hang in there - bet there's classes (online or at adult ed for free in area) who can teach about instagram and such if you are interested.)

    Oh I had Five Guys burger once and it was awesome. Only once - we have one about 10 minutes away but hubs wasn't a fan so we never go. I kinda forget about it when in the mood for a burger, I have to try and remember it on those days. : - )

    Hugs. ♥

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  16. Vee, Your poor grandson...should have squeezed some gas out of him. :):) You did make me laugh thinking of Randy and that snowsuit. Love your little gifts. Blessings to you and your sweet family, xoxo, Susie
    p.s. happy birthday to the boys

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  17. Oh yes, I understand the whole I only ate one (fill in the blank). We have 5 guys way to close to us. Our boys are 2 years apart with January birthdays. Haha. I was just thinking Instagram is better than Facebook since there is less political yuck on there and now some of my dear young liberal friends are messing with Instagram, too. Planting trees, marching, etc. etc. Calgon take me away. So many out there are quoting Jesus these days, too. Interesting. They haven't followed Jesus for years but now all of a sudden they are Jesus' best friend. I only wish they really were. Hope your week is going well.

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    1. Oh I have heard some of their rhetoric. Just listened to a very hostile Liberal call to a Conservative Radio Host. She began by asking a question...always good. Then she said that she was protesting. The host asked her if she had protested in 2011 when the former president had the very same policy. No, she had not. "What's the difference?" the host continued. "The man!" the caller said quickly followed by a moment of clarity..."ohhhhhh, I see what you're saying." It was great! 🙂 Why can't the minority calm down and realize that this is a new era and Donald Trump is the President now and he is following through on those things that We the People expect him to do. Why does anyone have a problem with slowing down enough to vet people thoroughly as we used to do? Oh, I know...the man...him...President Trump.

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  18. I LOVE Five Guys french fries. Don't eat there very much either because ours too is about an hour away.
    Wasn't the kids name Ralphie in A Christmas Story?

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    1. Yes, but his little brother Randy got the stuffing. 😉

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  19. Five Guys sounds like a fun place to visit - with stretchy pants! Your grandson's comment the next morning is something I can sadly relate to.
    What a sweet banner from Kim. Love the photo of John on your dresser as well. John may not be with you, but he is forever in your heart and one day you will rejoin him in heaven.
    Oh dear. More and more bloggers are going to Instagram and leaving blogging in the dust. I just don't get Instagram. Ah well, I guess I'm getting old.

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  20. Happy Birthday to your dear grandsons, Vee! Loved the comment about the "stinking burger" and the pants not fitting! The sweet gifts are just so dear, and I do hope you find out who gave you the darling vintage dream and jacket. I don't even know how to do Instagram, Vee!!

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  21. Aw - your grandsons are so adorable and just 1 year apart!! Those were some busy times during the baby, toddler days!!! Jake's tight pants and comments made me giggle. I DO understand his dilemma all too well. Love the banner and feel your, still so raw, loss Vee! Hugs to you.

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  22. I can surely relate to Jake's dilemma...and I didn't even get to go to Five Guys! I'm pretty sure it must the dryer setting. ;)

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  23. I love our 5 Guys letting us know where and on which farm their potatoes were grown. Usually just a bit away up in Idaho.
    I wish you were on Facebook. Easy to select your audience and tune out or in to whatever one wants.

    Happy your two grandsons continue to increase in wisdom and stature! And btw, our third grandson arrived safely on Friday evening. We are blessed!

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  24. "Amen" to the scripture, "Lo, I am with you always..." I count on that truth often!

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  25. I got a chuckle out of the result of the Five Guys visit! All our little guys are growing up - Kyle, Sam, Jake.

    I am on Instagram with my own name, are you on with A Haven For Vee? I'm going to look you up!

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  26. Good grief! I lost my long comment but it was my own fault! I hope to catch up on Victoria! I miss Downton Abbey and only Alaskan Bush People and Alaska the Last Frontier are filling that space for me! Amber and Mike bout Five Guys to go for all of us back in the early days of Quadville in Katy, Texas. They were really good!

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  27. Happy Birthday to your grands! Two of our girls have birthdays one day apart in July, we always celebrated them together. Now, they do there own thing for the most part. What sweet gifts you received! The little dress and jacket are adorable and that banner is so sweet. Well, really who can resist pretzels and doritos, right? Hubby and I go to Five Guys once in awhile, love their burgers and fries. Pants....I like them stretchy! Have a delightful day Vee!
    P.S. I deleted Google+, so we shall see! ;o)

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  28. I have never been to Jimmy Johns and I guess I had better keep it that way! I already despair about getting into some of my pants! Happy Birthday to the boys, they do insist on growing up don't they? The baby dress and jacket are beautiful! You're on Instagram? What's your handle?

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  29. Happy birthday to Jacob! His pants dilemma made me chuckle!
    I have an instagram under my blog name, Vee, so I'd love if you follow me so I can follow you. I don't use it often but I enjoy it when I do--I need to catch up on it and post some photos from our trip.

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  30. Happy Birthday to your lovely young men!! What a great time you had. I would follow you on IG, come and follow me - I am of course lovemademyhome and then I will follow you back, it is a lot of fun and good for when you just want to do something quickly, and there is no right or wrong so don't worry about it!!

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  31. ahhh, the boys are so cute and growing so fast...(right out of their pants)
    I can't do IG since I don't have the phone for it...can't post photos off my blog..boo, hiss...

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  32. I must admit that I did laugh OUT LOUD at your grandson's quip about one stinking burger!! I must also admit that Five Guys is all about the fries for me! ;) What a beautiful baby/toddler dress.

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