A Quick Update....

I know most of you think that I have fallen off the face of the earth, but truly, I haven't.  :-)

Life has been a bit overwhelming and has literally been turned upside down since the loss of my dad a few months ago.

My youngest son moved to Florida to live near my oldest son.  While I hate that they are both so far away, the good news is that when I visit them in Florida, I will also get to visit with my sweet friend Dewena.

In addition to the loss of my dad and getting my youngest son settled in Florida, I had the flu for almost 2 months...yes 2 very long months!!  I thought it would never leave...it was attached like a leech!!

Soon after the flu departed, we found out that we have to move back to Texas.  Yes, our sweet home that we spent so much time searching for and decorating will have to be sold.  It is officially on the market.


If I could move this house to Texas I would move it...and be quick about doing so....it would sure save time having to look for a new one and doing all of that decorating again.  But here's the biggest rub....after all of those years trying to grow hydrangeas, I finally have them...a large bush full of beautiful lush, white blooms....and I have to leave it behind!  Life just loves to kick you in the knee sometimes!

As much as I dislike the life changes that have taken place over the last few months, I do know that this is how it is...a roller coaster of the grandest proportions and we are only along for the ride....you better hold on tight!

I do hope to be back writing regularly before too long, so please bear with me!




50 comments

  1. Glad you did not fall of the side of the earth! Wishing you the best with all that life is throwing you!

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    1. LOL….me too girl and thank you! Hoping all will settle down before too long!

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  2. What a happy surprise to see you posting today! I do so hope that your roller coaster ride smooths out for awhile, Benita. Life is a lot to handle sometimes... Keep us updated, ok? Hugs to you!

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    1. It felt bizarre, that's for sure. I couldn't remember where all the tools were and had almost forgotten my password...LOL Thank you so much! It is but we just move through it and get back into peace eventually! :-) Love and hugs to you sweet friend!!

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  3. Hope you and hubby weather the storm and your life will soon be back on track.

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    1. Thank you so much Marie. It will all settle down before too long...I'm just ready for some boring! :-)

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  4. Good to see you post! I was worried about you. Why do you have to move back to TX? Did you ever get internet? Remember I told you you'd probably be moving before you got it???
    Brenda

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    1. Thank you so much! Good to see you also! The hubster's work...he has to go back and take care of things in Dallas. It took us all by surprise. And no, we still do not have internet...LOL. You predicted it perfectly!! :-)

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  5. Wow,no words, only positive thoughts and energy being sent your way.
    XOXO,
    Rita

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    1. Thank you so much…it’s been crazy, that’s for sure! I’m slowly finding my footing again…just going to take it slow! Love and hugs to you sweet friend…I’ve missed you all!!

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  6. I was just thinking about you last week, so I'm not surprised to see you're back. (That kind of stuff happens a lot.)

    I can relate to being sick for a long time. I can't shake this infection. Sometimes it's best to just take a step back and relax and eventually things fall into place. Maybe not exactly as we had planned, but they will.

    I assume your sons are in northern Florida? I hope to be visiting Dewena next winter, so maybe we'll make it a threesome?

    (Just realized that sounded kinda kinky).

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    1. Bless your heart, I do hope you feel better soon and I presume that you are tucked safely back at home! I had to just get away from the blog for a bit…it was so much all at one time and I just couldn’t add one more thing to my plate. And yes, it will all fall into place. :-)

      Yes, the boys are in Jacksonville….and yes, we most definitely can! HA…it does, but that’s okay…someone besides us will get a kick out of it! :-)

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  7. Oh boy! I sent you an email and then saw this post! Having to sell your house is just not fair! I hope for you a quick sale and then another perfect house with lots of hydrangea's in the garden in Texas. It will all work out for good and you will look back and see that, even though it was so hard, it is where you are supposed to be. ((hugs))



















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    1. No, I'm sad about leaving our home..I do love it so and we have already experienced so much in this home! I hope I get some more hydrangeas also....this bush is blooming like crazy and I've been so excited. I almost cried when I noticed the first bloom...LOL Thank you so much AnnMarie...I know it will all work out like it is supposed to also...just keeping the faith right now! Love and hugs to you sweet friend!!

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  8. Woo hoo! I'm just telling ya there are lots of us bloggers here in the Dallas area and you'll be welcomed with open arms. We are all having so much fun getting together regularly. In fact, we have a get together Tuesday if you are going to be here. Did I send you my phone number?

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    1. I hope our house sells quickly so we can get the move behind us…I do not like moving across country. It seems we are stuck in the “T’s”…Texas – Tennessee – Texas….LOL I will not be out there on Tuesday, but so wish that I could be there. Send me your number please ma’am and I am so looking forward to meeting you all when we get moved and settled!!

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    2. Benita,
      I was about to write the same comment as Stacey. Texas bloggers are getting together periodically, not on a schedule, in the Dallas area. Love that you are growing hydrangeas.... My mother's are blooming just in time for us to see them before her house is sold. My sister is bringing some hydrangeas from Mother's house to my house in Texas. Fingers crossed they survive.

      Judith

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    3. Oh, I do hope they survive -- they are just so beautiful! I will keep my fingers crossed with you! :-) Hydrangeas are one of my most favorite flowers but I've never been able to get them to grow. The one bush I have is thriving at this house and I have to leave it behind. In Midlothian, where we lived previously, hydrangeas would not grow because of the soil. I do hope that wherever we live when we move, that they will grow.

      I look forward to being able to get together with you girls!!

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  9. Hi Benita,
    I totally know of that roller coaster ride. We have been on that ride for over a year. So I can relate. I wish you a fast sell of your pretty house and a easy move (lol like moving is ever easy!) to a new place in Texas. I know you will find just the perfect place. Glad your son's are close to each other in Florida. Write when you can so we can catch up.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Kris, honey, I know you have been up, down and all the way through it! I hope things are settling down for you both!! I'm so glad you have a new cottage to design and am so looking forward to seeing it all! :-) Thank you so much...we are wishing for the same thing! :-) Love and hugs to you and an email will be coming your way!

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  10. Hi Benita,
    Well, I'm happy that you're coming back to Texas but sad that you have been going thru so much. That's a lot on your plate. I'm hopeful that things will settle down and that your energy returns- you'll need it! Texas is a big place so I selfishly wish you were moving my way, but we'll take you any way we can get you! Take care of yourself, B. Sending love and hugs to you, T.

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    1. Hello sweet friend!! Our plan was to eventually be back in Texas, but just not right now. God always has other plans, right?? I’m ready for things to be settled and calm for a bit, most definitely! Where do you live in Texas? And yes, it is a mighty big place…but everything’s bigger in Texas…LOL Thank you so much and maybe we can all plan a GF trip for a weekend! :-) Love and hugs to you too!!

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  11. I have missed you! Here's wishing your house sells quickly and you find what you want in Texas. Wishing you a smooth and uneventful move...if you weren't so far away and I wasn't so old and decrepit, I'd help you pack up. Sorry you were puny...some things just seem to hang on forever. Hope you are all better and rarin' to go. Do you need to brush up on your Texas speak? ha!

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    1. Oh Donna, I have missed you too! I've thought about all of y'all while I've been away from the blog and have been so blessed with all of the kind words and friendships I've made! I'm glad to be getting back in the swing of things and am hoping to keep these friendships growing! You are so sweet and I would most certainly let you help and would probably send you home with armfuls full of things I just can't bear moving again...LOL Honey, I seriously doubt for one single second that you are old and decrepit!! :-) And yes, I do need to brush up on my Texas speak...I hope they can understand this TN accent I seem to have picked up while living here...LOL Love and hugs to you sweet friend!!

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  12. Hi Benita,
    Thank you for the update.
    My aunt lives in Texas, which part of Texas are you moving to?
    Sending lots of hugs, love and prayers,
    Carla

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    1. Hello chick! Thank you so much!! We are moving back to the Dallas area….not sure where yet. We will get serious about finding a place when this house sells. Where does your aunt live? Love and hugs to you!!

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  13. I'm sorry for the life roller coaster you've been on but I am glad you are moving to Dallas! Like Stacey and Judith I look forward to meeting you ate the blogger's get togethers! Good luck with selling your house (I know it will sell quickly) and finding a new one(I bet your dream home is in Texas).

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    1. Thank you so much Lisa! I am so looking forward to meeting all of you girls and joining the get-togethers! I sure hope so! The hubster and I are ready to be settled for a while! :-)

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  14. I knew some of this...

    But not the 2 month flu!!! Oh Babe, it can be a bitch. Even with meds. Hope you have gotten rested, since, because it also takes a lot out of our body, when we have that long an illness.

    Best, with all the changes in your life.

    Yup, it's a roller coaster ride and we have to hang on tight!!!

    Hugs,
    Tessa

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    1. Yes, the 2-month flu kicked my butt….I couldn’t get up for days. Fortunately, I caught it on the front-end so that I could take the meds, but you are right, it still took a lot out of me. I did ask the hubster to shoot me several times.…but he wouldn’t…I could tell he thought it over for a minute though…LOL

      Thank you so much sweet friend…it will definitely smooth out before too long! Have you talked with Tam? Is she getting her blog site fixed from the dastardly bug that invaded?

      Love and hugs to you!!!

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  15. Oh, sweet Benita, wow, what a life you've had this year! Please, God, it will improve from here and you will be able to find peace and happiness in a new home. PS did you have them test you for Lyme's?? Sounds strange to have a flu stick around for 2 months....xoxoxoxo

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    1. Honey, it has been one heck of a year indeed!! It is going on the upswing since I'm able to function like a somewhat normal human being now...LOL It was a bad strain of flu this year. My sister works at a hospital in Birmingham and she said that intensive care was full of flu patients this year...some even developing meningitis from it. I considered myself lucky after hearing that. Hope to be visiting and writing regularly before too long...love and hugs to you!!

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  16. Hello Benita! I was so happy to see your comment yesterday and even more thrilled to see your post today. Crazy is not even the word...yikes, you have been a busy, busy girl. I had that flu. It was awful and yes, leech-y for sure! And for sale!?! Oh boy. We'll chat. Off to email you now. xoxo

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    1. Hello sweet lady!! Yep, I feel like a ping-pong ball…that’s for sure…bouncing all over the place…LOL. I hope to be back to visiting and posting regularly before too long…at least until the move. Then I will be MIA for a bit again but with pics of a different house…LOL Love and hugs to you…look forward to catching up!

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  17. Benita, you didn't tell me you had been so sick too, but it's not surprising. Our immune systems do suffer when we're under stress. Gosh I wish you could transport that beautiful house to TX but I'll be praying for the perfect place there for you both.

    And yes, you better save me some time when you visit your sons next! Y'all have to come see us! And if Doreen and the Fisherman are down here at the same time, what a time we would have!

    So let's plan on it!

    Dewena

    P.S. And thank you for the visitors you sent to my blog, that was so sweet!

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    1. Thank you so much Dewena! And you are right....we do suffer more from illness when we are stressed. I will be glad to have some normalcy again! :-)

      I do look forward to seeing you and Doreen as well...that would be so much fun if the timing worked out!

      You are so welcome sweet friend! I hope you have a wonderful day and please keep me posted on Tammy! Love and hugs to you!!

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  18. You really have your head on straight with all of these huge changes in your life. I admire you so. I wish you all the best and hope things get settled soon for you. I've missed ya!!

    Jane

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    1. Thank you so much sweet friend! It only looks like it is on straight! It spins around on my shoulders daily…scares the hubster to death!! I’ve missed you too!! Love and hugs to you!!

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  19. oh wow, sounds like you had a lot on your plate. take it slow. and come back here whenever you are ready :)

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    1. Thanks so much Petra! Miss seeing you!! Hugs!!

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  20. Benita,
    Sounds like you are a very busy miss, but truly your heart has always been in Texas:)
    Welcome back my friend-we never did get that lunch date!
    Wonder if you will be around the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex?
    We are going to have our first Art/Craft retreat at my house tomorrow. I tell you I have making pasta salad, a secret dessert (later on the blog) and cleaning!
    Wishing you the best and hope to see you soon too!
    xo
    Jemma

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    1. Thank you so much Jemma! We will be moving back to the Dallas area…the hubster said Ft. Worth is even a possibility. I’ve got to get back out there to do some serious house-hunting! :-) Sounds like so much fun…I know you ladies will have a most wonderful time. Hopefully, I will be able to join you ladies before too long! :-) Have a most wonderful day – it all sounds so yummy!!! Love and hugs to you!!

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  21. You've been served a full plate, Benita! Not sure what to send you, virtual tea for the lingering flu or just a big big all purpose hug.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. :-) Thank you so much! I would happily accept both! :-) Love and hugs to you!!

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  22. 2016 ... can only get better! I hope it does for you, life can certainly be a roller coaster at times.
    Sending good wishes and positive thoughts

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks so much Jan! I appreciate it greatly!

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  23. Benita, I can't believe that we were sick at the same time and now going through a move at the same time...well I guess being Birthday Twins makes for some life similarity! ;)
    I am wishing you a quick sale and an uneventful move, your home is gorgeous and I know it will sell quick! And I can't wait to see your next home in Texas!
    Take good care of yourself at this stressful time and know that your friends are here for you!!
    Great Big Hugs to you!! xo Kimberley

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    1. It is still so crazy how much our lives intertwine when we are so far apart....birthday twins for sure! :-) Thank you so much for your sweet words and I hope your stress level settles down soon. Praying the closing goes well tomorrow!! Love and hugs to you and will be responding to your email this week! Thinking of you sweet friend!!

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  24. Benita, don't want to whine, but miss your witty blog and hoping you will be coming back soon. your bloggy friend Sharon

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  25. First visit, so sorry to hear you are selling that beautiful house. Moving to Texas sounds aweful. I was born in Houston, it is the last place I would want to live. My best friend moved from Fl. to Dallas, I was there a few years ago, not so humid. Well, drop by some time yvonne

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