Two months this time instead of 3. I'm getting better. *smile*

Life has a way of sweeping me along and before I know it, a week, a month, and more have passed and I'm scratching my head wondering where the time went. I've been working on some cross stitch projects for the youngest grandsons. Poor James is 3-1/2 and I'm still working on his. I'm about halfway. I'm designing his and Sam's and it's always a trial and error thing for me. I am totally rubbish in the design department but I'm getting there. I have Sam's all lined out and have the parts and pieces ready to start. I've made changes to James' at least 4 times now and I only have the center section finished. I can't say much and I can't post a photo because I want it to be a surprise when it is finished and framed and as you know, Abby reads my blog. So I'll keep stumbling along and when it's finished, everyone will get to see it.

I did take that trip to GA I told you about last time. I went down on Monday and came back on Friday and enjoyed every minute. The girls are in school and Elijah didn't start Pre-K until the week after I was there so I got to spend some one on one time with him. That's a first. He's the baby and there's always been someone else around before. We worked puzzles and he sang and danced for me. He's 4-1/2 and a little mini me of his Dad. That white blond hair and those big blue eyes take me back to when his dad was little. The girls and I did some school work and I actually cooked supper (excuse me, dinner as I was repeatedly told by the grands) one night. My son loves meatloaf and Trisha claims she can't make it. I did some substituting because I didn't want to crush crackers so used Italian seasoned bread crumbs. I think I failed the Mommy test on that one!

Miss Ella - 7 years old. She just get prettier and prettier.

Miss Lilly - 5 years old. This child has the old soul of a kind and gentle person.

And this is Elijah - 4 years old. I tried to upload the video but it wouldn't work.

Elijah asked me on Monday afternoon how long I was going to stay. I told him I planned to leave sometime on Thursday. He wanted to know how many days that was so we counted and came up with 4. He said, "I want you to stay 8 days!" When I told him I didn't bring enough clothes to stay that long, he said that they had a washer and dryer. I love it when my grands want me to stay. Guess they love this old lady!

I have some other news I'm quite excited about. I have been doing books for quite a few years as a self-employed bookkeeper. In fact, August was my 30th year in business. I had stopped doing books for everybody a few years ago with the exception of a non-profit and one other account. I was actually out of business but did these two pro bono just to keep busy. The non-profit, due to some changes in the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) had to close and that has finally wound down with the exception of W-2's at the end of the year. 

The other account was actually my very first client and he will now be my very last client. That just seems fitting, I guess. I have been talking to him for quite a while about stopping and he kept telling me that he needed me and I couldn't stop. Now, his sister, who is a CPA, has moved to our town after a divorce and she's is going to take over the job. She is a great gal and we get along really well so it makes me feel better about turning everything over. I have to admit; I'm a bit possessive when it comes to work I do. I've really never wanted anyone else to work with me with the exception of my Mom and sometimes my daughter.

BUT, it really feels good to know that my time will be fully my time from the end of December forward. At 65, I think it's time to relax and take a deep breath and enjoy the peaceful quiet of home without the rush to get something finished by a deadline.  I have books to read, cross stitching to do, patterns to crochet, naps to take! That last one won't be anything new.

In a week and a half, (on October 6) the Hubs and I will be celebrating 44 years of marriage. That number just blows me away. I am truly thankful for this life I've shared with him. There have been downs (sometimes some really low, low downs) and there have been ups (higher than the clouds ups). But we have persevered and here we are 44 years later. 

Sorry for the rambling post. I wasn't going to write one when I sat down at the computer, but it just seemed like the thing to do. My thoughts seem to be scattered more these days. Too much to think about and try and do for this little brain of mine to deal with.

As always, thank you for being my bloggy friends. 

Hugs,

Sharon