{ If only I had a camera back then..... }

Oh boy, it is so dark and cloudy outside, I'm just waiting for the rain to start.  It's been such wonderful weather here lately, clouds, rain, cooler temperatures, wind (though I could do without the high winds) and just nice all around.

To say I've been enjoying it would be a huge understatement.

So, how was your Tuesday?  Got anything important done, anything fun?  And speaking of which, have your kids started back at school yet or are they starting soon?

We officially start back up on the 25th, so not a lot of time left to our summer, and before we know it, Fall will be here and then the bitter cold Winter.

Ohhhh as I am typing this I hear thunder outside, just wish it would hold off just a little longer, at least until Curt is back home from work.

Nope, it has a mind of it's own and it's pouring down.....

Anyway, I had a very productive, busy, puttering around kinda day, as any homemaker does.  Got things reorganized and moved around a little in the living room, got things done in the kitchen, transplanted some of the veggies to bigger pots and put them outside, cleaned out the deck area, swept, mopped the whole downstairs and moved a chair into my bedroom.

Then we had to go to base.  Hubby had work to do at the commissary and the kids and I walked around the BX for a little, then drove to the post office.  It felt so strange driving around base with the kids, or should I say, on this base, as it brings back a flood of memories from when I used to drive around with them in their car seats.  Time flies!

I got all my stuff mailed off and then met the hubby up at the library where he was setting up his proctored exams for this week.  He just has two exams to take, an Algebra and a Geology and he is done with his Bachelors degree in Management.  So proud of him, he has worked very hard for this.

I'm sure by now you're wondering why on earth my blog title is called "if only I had a camera back then...." and then I've basically said absolutely nothing about that thought.

Well, let me tell you.  As I've been reading my old blog posts, as much as I love reading every single word and remembering my children growing up, and even reading things that I had completely forgotten about, so many times I think "if only I had a camera back then, I would have been able to take daily photos of my kids, shared them here, and enjoyed looking back at our house."

I think it is one of the reasons why not, I take as many pictures of my daily life.  It may seem silly at times because for many of you, I'm sure you could care less what I'm planting, what I ate or drank, what my house looks like or what my children are doing.  But for me, I just think that in a few years, when my children are both married and raising their own children, it will be such a wonderful treasure to have.

They will be able to show their own children what they were doing as little ones, and for me, it will give me a place to come and reminisce.

So excuse me while I snap every single thing that catches my fancy, it really is for a good cause, at least I believe so :)

The past two days I have been waking up around 6:30am and ready to start my day.  It's so weird, I know usually we complain that we don't get enough sleeping and we like sleeping in, but for some reason it is the opposite for me.

I do enjoy the moments where the whole house is fast asleep and I'm the only one awake.  I get my coffee, I read my devotionals and I sit and just watch the sun start to peek over the mountain.

Isn't it just gorgeous?  And what is it about lace curtains that makes everything so pretty?

When we first moved in, we had just plopped the two chairs on either side of the fireplace and called it good.  Usually in a move, I like to get everything unpacked and taken care of, but this time there were a few things that I just didn't get to for a while, I was busy with other things.

This morning, after hubby left for work, I opened all the blinds and the windows in the living room and got to work.  I moved the shelf into this little corner, and moved one of the chairs to my bedroom.

It makes it look a lot less crowded and I think when winter comes around, I will be sitting right there in that little corner with my crochet, or a good book and a cup of tea or coffee.

And speaking of crochet, my V-stitch blanket is coming along nicely.  Such a different color palette than my usual Cath Kidston inspired ones, but I'm liking it.

From my deck we can see the church steeple across the street, isn't it beautiful?

Beautiful trees too.

I filled the bird feeder and set it on the deck for a minute, I come back and see this.....

Someone thinks he's a bird.  LOL   He kept eating, ate some more but always with an eye on me, and then scurried off into the tree.  Silly squirrel!

I also got a beautiful birthday card in the mail, from my sweet friend Tamy.  Thank you so much Tamy, I am always so touched with your sweetness :)

Before I end this post I have to tell you that I'm so excited to have re-found Paperbackswap.  I can't believe I forgot about that website, I used to go on there all the time when I first started blogging and was able to get rid of a lot of my old books and in turn get many ones that I was looking for.

I signed back in a few days ago, posted 6 books and within an hour I had a request for one of them.  That went in the mail this afternoon and now as soon as the person gets it in the mail I will have a credit to use towards a book I want.  Can't wait.

Alright, well I am about to go visit with the hubby as he just got home, we'll be watching some Face Off on TV and I'll be working a little more on my blanket.

Have a very good restful night and I will see you all back here tomorrow :)