Beach and Sand Dollars

Ran with no butt/leg pain. Go figure. 

Headed to the beach after breakfast. 

We talked to a woman who has a sister who's a docent on a beach in California. She taught her to find live sand dollars at low tide. You can dig them up, hold them, and put into the water without harming them (this would happen naturally when the tide comes in). 

Slightly different holes
from the crabs.
See how it's off center?

Purple on back means it's
alive. Looks like fur.

Little fringe around the outside.

How cool is that? We dug up one, put it in the water, and left the others. No need to disturb them.

Ghost shrimp chimneys.
Sometimes called mud shrimp.

Can't get too close
without flying away.

Birds in the tidal pools

Beautiful tidal pools at low tide.

Kids arrived in the afternoon. 

We played on the playground, watched the sunset, dinner at the pier. It was the best time (!!)

It's going to be a full and fun day today. 

Walking to al fresco breakfast (my favorite). 

Beach time.

Playground. 

Nap (and rest for Granny lol).

Heading to my cousin's for dinner with extended family.

The weather warmed up for today a bit unexpectedly. I didn't bring the best clothing choices for the beach and a dinner. It's going to be almost 80. Tomorrow it's back to seasonal temps. 

Hope your weekend is going well too. Later gators. 

Beaufort and Bluffton

Yesterday was as nice as expected.

I ran the path.

Turn around point at the end.
Always makes me laugh.
Glad they haven't moved.

As soon as I finished I had a pain in my butt/upper leg -- hard to put pressure on my left leg. It happened during the hike last week too. Comes out of nowhere. I walk-it-off for about 15 minutes and it's fine. I'm a bit concerned to push it because I don't know what's happening and definitely don't want an injury. It's a strange pain that's strong, and then gone.

We're walking the beach today, but I'm not sure about a run first. Our beach walk will be short and slow because hubby is coming along and his knee is wonky. I wanted to run this morning again, because mornings with the kids will be busier, but not worth an injury. Maybe a short run to test it out.

Anyway ...

We had breakfast and coffee.

Hubby in background waiting
for me to finish.

Headed to Beaufort and met up with my aunt and uncle for lunch at my favorite place.

Why my favorite?

Because of the one item I love.

GF toast

Goat cheese

Smoked salmon

Pickled onions

Hardboiled egg

Scallions.

I still loved it, but it was much smaller this time. I think this was my last go here -- branching out next time. I can (and do) make this exact toast at home. Everyone else's meal was hardy (it was almost like they were running out of ingredients for mine). 

The caramel apple and candy store went out of business. 30 years and owners decided to retire. Bummer.

We shopped a few stores. Kept it simple since hubby's not a shopper. I found some stocking stuffers for the kids and a couple of gifts for friends. Not the same walking the town with him hah!

Stopped in Old Town Bluffton on the way home. I've been wanting to check it out for years. It was an Art Walk night and is apparently an artist town. Very festive and such, but store owners weren't friendly and the vibe was pretentious. That said, it's a beautiful walking town. Looks so welcoming and chill, but not last night. I think the Art Walk probably influenced our experience. I'd try it again.

Packed, but nary a good book.
I had high hopes for the
pretentious town lol.

Just missed the sunset back on HHI.

Dinner was from the grocery store again. Neither of us was in the mood to venture out. We'll be out for dinner the next 3 nights with the family.

I'm very excited for the kids to come. Lots of fun things for our grandson and it's such a delight to watch him experience it all. He was sick this week, but feeling well now. Phew!

Big playground.

Trees.

Boats.

Pool.

Beach.

All short walks from our place. 

Lots of trees to touch.
(It's allowed)

He loves boats.

Hope you have a good day. Later gators.

Hilton Head

We made it. 

Odd route -- guess the main highway was congested. We drove for hours with nothing but trees, flat roads, power plants, and closed up towns. It was a little eerie. Full bladders (luckily also full gas tank) until just before the bridge to the island. 

We're giving the kids the main bedroom with this beautiful view. 

Harbor side.

Simple night. Hit the Publix for dinner and a stock up for our grandson. It was a long day and relaxing in the room felt good. I'm not a huge fan of the restaurant choices on HHI and it felt like too much work to get out and about. We didn't get in until 5:30 and lost light shortly after. 

Today's plan is right up my alley.

Run on the wooded path (it's so pretty).

Coffee and breakfast next door (charming historic cottage).

Drive into Beaufort (my favorite local town).

Kids come in tomorrow. 

Have a good day and happy Friday. Later gators.

Yellow and The Truthiest Truth

Yesterday ...

4:30 am -- 9 pm. Go, go, go.

All day. 

It was a total variety pack of a day. 

I made it. 

Still another packed morning, but then, a couple of days of ease before the kids arrive. Fun "work" running after a toddler for the rest of the trip.

I had a couple of errands in town (library returns and an in-person reservation for bookclub next month) so I walked. Rounded a corner and a sea of yellow. Picture doesn't do the yellowness-of-it-all justice. I absolutely love our little town, especially in the fall.

I'm going to be snarky for a minute. 

Karma's probably excited. 

Validating gossip.

The person I'm taking space from sent a strange and aggressive text to our group (added softeners like "have a wonderful week BS and love you all, BUT"). No one responded. She called me while I was hiking and didn't leave a message. Guess to get support or complain? It didn't have to do with me, so I expect it wasn't a jack-me-up-call.

Here's me being snarky. 

I loved it. 

I love feeling validated that I'm not imagining her behavior (she's dealing it around apparently). I love that I didn't call her back. I love that it didn't make me upset. I love that I won't add support (I don't agree with her). I love that no one responded (me being snarky).

Of course, maybe people sent her individual messages. But this group responses to EVERYTHING (I have notifications off for the group for this reason) and flatly ignored her left-field directive. 

I'm really, really proud of my reaction. No interest in calling her back. No interest in talking to her about it. Completely staying on the sidelines. Totally feeling validated in my decision on this relationship. This isn't a person I want in my close circle. 

I would've expected it would take me longer to make the emotional break. But it hasn't. It's a lesson that's been a long, long time learning with a lot of heartache. 

There's something to notice in this situation. I don't get upset when I'm not invested in holding a relationship. When I don't care about the direction of relationship. When I'm not clinging to an ideal. 

When if this happens again, maybe I'll recognize why I'm accepting behavior that doesn't work for me. I can ask myself what's underneath. Because it's something. The truthiest truth (as Glennon says) is lingering below the surface. 

I have an idea about what was lingering underneath for me in this situation. Too long and too deep to go into today, but it's important I see and acknowledge it.

Speaking of lingering ... best finish chatting and get packing. Have a good one. Later gators.

Friendship and A New Word

I have 2 "revelations" to chat about this morning. 

Up first ... a prickly bit. 

Remember the friendship I realized I needed to back off? I saw her last week (we had something scheduled already) and we had a great time. Laughed, chatted ... not one bit of any issue. AND I didn't think that meant everything was okay again. I was solid in my decision.

I saw her yesterday in our group dynamic and her other side came to play. Unkind comments. Rude. Aggressive. 

The revelation: I experienced both sides again, and it reenforces how much we aren't a friendship match. I will continue to see her AND (here's the best part) it doesn't bother me. The unkind bits yesterday washed over me. The fun time last week didn't entice me. 

Why? 

Because I'm no longer pursuing a friendship. I'm not trying to get "us" back. We'll see each other socially and that's fine. I'm not taking her personally, nor am I rolling over. 

I edited myself as I said I would. Didn't share things because I don't want her joining in that part of my life. Quiet boundaries up and functioning. 

There's still some disappointment lingering when I see her -- I really wanted a closer friendship. I really like her happy side. 

And I'm proud of my growth. I've learned enough to know it's not possible and I stopped myself before I spent way too long trying to make the impossible work. It's where it is and I'm not putting energy or mental anguish into it anymore. 

And I don't have to "cancel" her in my life. She's around and sometimes it's great and sometimes it's not. We have a history and a relationship and a shared friend circle, but boundaries are protecting me. 

I imagine we'll see each other a lot less now that I'm not pursuing her. It seems she's found her next honeymoon friend from our group. This is her pattern. 

Progress. 

Yeah, ME. 

Second revelation is more fun. 

I've found my new motto for 2026 (word, phrase, or some combo). 

Last year I had a motto (The Little Blue House) 

AND a word (COLOR). 

I hadn't had a word in several years. 

This year, looks like it's JUST a word. 

Drumroll ....

SPACE

I hiked solo for a while before the group hike yesterday and thought about what's the essence of my focus next year.

I like what I'm doing and I like that focus still. 

Feels like there's more room to grow in The Little Blue House way. 

Still feels exciting. 

I actually thought about not changing it. 

But ...

I asked if there was anything that needed an adjustment. 

A little change.

A little improvement. 

Yep ...

I want to be more intentional with the little things. 

Little is where the magic happens (for me). 

Little is the icing on the cake.

The glitter (thanks, Chat).

And, that requires deliberate space. 

Heading to coffee.

I want SPACE to walk to the coffee shop (not drive).

SPACE to chat with people (linger a minute).

Bookclub.

Space to share my garden (takes time and effort).

Space to come up with new ideas (quiet times).

Wrapping a gift.

Space to be creative.

Space to write a nice card. 

Anyway, you get the idea. 

SPACE feels better than TIME. 

It feels more intentional. 

Holds a different meaning for me.

AND, I'm working on the SPACE in my house so it feels like me.

AND, I want a seat at the table too -- take up SPACE,

AND, I care about my body SPACE -- fitness, health. 

It works on multiple levels and that's when I knew it was the one.

BTW, speaking of house space, I got this book from the library and promptly bought it on Amazon ($10). It's really helpful, no matter your personal style. Excellent ideas. Worth revisiting as I decorate.

Today is the hardest day before vacation. I've been baking cookies as I chat this morning. "Work" started at 4:30 and I still don't know if I'll get everything finished. Some things might be pushed for an early morning tomorrow. I didn't do a great job with my list distribution -- or SPACE, for that matter. 

I can do better for myself. 

Have a good day. Later gators.

P.S. Just realized I want SPACE from that friendship too. This word is working for me. 

Creativity Comes When it Comes

I'm cruising through my to-do lists, but life likes to ADD, so in the worst timely time, I had a burst of creativity around fixing my bedroom and a problem with the front door. 

I've been trying to fix both and the ideas weren't coming or were duds. 

Then inspiration at the most crowded of times. 

The front door problem:

The door is mainly glass and it gives a bird's eye look into the house.

But, we want to be able to see out during the day.

A shade will be too bulky to cover the entire length of the glass.

Frosting will block the view out the door when we want it. 

Enter a portiere -- curtain covering an entryway. Vintage problem solver for drafts.

Behold the front door fix ...

The pictures don't do it justice. It looks so pretty -- closed and opened. Opened, it softens the hallway and looks so cozy. Closed, it looks so nice from the outside -- decorative and soft on the front door glass.

Inexpensive curtains and rod. I can't believe how well it works. 

This is in the entryway ... an antique ornament from my great aunt (my aunt gifted it to me last week).

Next up ... the bedroom. 

What's the problem, you ask?

That. 

I don't really know. 

I know it's wrong and not cozy and not me and not working. 

One of many problems that suddenly occurred to me yesterday:

It's too crowded (with the wrong things).

Took out a sofa table and moved it to the basement. 

It looks very nice here.
It's a beautiful drop-leaf.

Another problem:

THE RUG.

Broke down and ordered a rug from Anthropology. 

It's a bit of a color risk. But I'm taking the risk and building the room around it. 

Fingers crossed because no easy return option. 

Once the rug is set, I'll build the room around it. 

It needs color. 

It needs whimsy.

It needs character.

The room is dark (and boring). 

I like a "happy" and bright bedroom. 

Lights off, shutters closed and it's fine for sleeping. 

During the day, sitting in bed reading ... I need happy, fun, pretty.

It feels good to move forward on the bedroom. Not as easy of a fix as the front door and A LOT more expensive, but it's important to me. I've tried, really tried, to like it. 

I'll be decorating in layers. 

Rug.

Bed.

Walls.

Reupholster an antique chair.

Once I get the rug (and love it), I'll relax into decorating and have some fun with it. 

Anyway ...

I tried a new-to-me Korean cafe a few blocks from me. It's delightful and delicious. Opened about a year and off the beaten path. It's going to be a new favorite.

Happy.

Inclusive signs.

Inclusive for food sensitivities too.

Friendly.

The silverware alone!
Gorgeous.
Bowl was outstanding.

Cute. Immediately googled.
ETSY.

Colorful.
Creative.

Charred tea with coconut milk.
It was really good, not sweet.

I'm hiking with the Tuesday group today and I need to drop an attitude.

 

The time got pushed back last minute because of the temperature and it's stupid. It'll be in the high 30s moving very quickly to the 40s. Big girl panties, ladies. This puts pressure on my afternoon timing (the reason I'm annoyed). This temperature has been in the forecast for about a week.

I haven't hiked with them in weeks. I can't hike again until December. And, I'll probably have a good time. And, and, and ... let it go (I'm trying and failing).

But, dang, it's ALWAYS something with this group. Group dynamics without consideration to the group.

Change hike.

Change time.

Change distance.

Change pace.

Change lunch.

Be late. 

Always because ONE person wants it to be different and ALWAYS last minute. Never when the plans are set the week before.

But I'm the outlier who cares ... so it's a ME problem, not a THEM problem. That's why I'm hiking with them infrequently these days. It's not the match it used to be. 

Okay, I've chatted long enough and the rant is getting me going in the wrong way. Hope you have a good day. Later gators.

Love Language

Top bookclub meeting yesterday. 

Thank you, Priya Parker and the Magic Question gathering. 

Re-read a childhood favorite book and discuss. 

Everyone was interested in what everyone picked (we kept it a secret). 

Everyone loved thinking about what they read in childhood and why.

Everyone enjoyed re-visiting the book as an adult. 

The conversation was a banger and we talked for almost 3 hours (could've gone longer). It was most excellent. So, so, so good. 

It was so interesting to folks, we had 5 people come (one dropped at the last minute). This is a big group for this Little Engine Bookclub. 

Thank you Priya Parker. 

First freeze of the season so I shared my garden with bookclub. Not sure what will survive these few days.

New love language category:

Garden Sharing (both ways). It's a delight that never seems to get old. I picked beautiful Thai basil that has purple flowers and put them in spice jars for everyone plus a big bag of salad greens. And, if you share your garden with me, we're friends for life. 

This is the garden this morning. Wind and low temps. Eeeek. 

Covers blew off.
Temps are above freezing
since the sun came up.

These next 3 days are turn and burn kind of days. Jam packed ahead of vacation. So many balls in the air. Tackling one thing at a time and leaning heavily on to-do lists for each day. 

It's a Monday. My favorite day of the week. Hope you're set for a good week and a good Monday. Later gators.