Green

I am having spring fever as of this very moment. New plants are calling my name. I can not wait until the day that when I "go to work" it will mean going to my greenhouse or someone else's greenhouse or to the farm. I'm dying to have chickens and vegetables and cows and everything else. My head is full of dreams tonight and my heart is full of restlessness. I will have to post pictures of the new grow light I have and the progress my seeds have made since. Soon we will have lettuce and possibly several flowers along with succulent cuttings and cactus cuttings! My life is full of joy.

Here's a sneak peak! These little babies decided to grow after I left them sitting in a window like I read in one blog about succulents. Success so far! 

Until Your Love Broke Through

Have you ever been lost somewhere? So lost that you thought you may never find your way out or your way home? Maybe you lost hope and gave up on yourself. Maybe you thought you were too far gone. And maybe you didn't truly understand that there was a reason for you being lost. You couldn't see that the way was being shown to you so that when you meet another lost person you can help them find their way, not for self glory or to keep a score but because you have been to those dark places without hope and the commonness of the situation drives you to show the truth of how to escape "lost".  I have been lost before. I have felt lost and hopeless and selfish and disgusted with myself to a point where I could not see what else could come from it. "Beyond repare" is a thought that likes to sneak into the minds of such people. But this is not true. It was in that very moment when I thought I was so alone that the God of the universe called me by name to Himself. He wanted me. In the time when it looked as if no one wanted me, He did. He saved my life. And I am eternally grateful. So now I have a job to do. In this daily process of becoming more like Him, I am to show love and grace and mercy to the people around me who have yet to have their own "He wants me" moment. Not for myself, it has nothing to do with me. But my daddy told me once that we are just here to be beggars pointing the others to the food.

Waiting, waiting, waiting

I don't know if I've ever felt so lazy. Since moving to Colorado, my husband and I got jobs. His at a restaurant and mine at a pet store. He started his this week but my job has yet to begin. My days here have consisted of movies, cleaning, and texting or skyping or calling anyone who is willing to talk. I took a drug test for my job and the results have not been emailed to my manager. I have tried to call people at the lab and they tell me I can't do anything and that my manager has to call them. So until she decides to do that I'll be here. Blogging about feeling lazy! I better cherish this rest while I can! I have a feeling once I start I'll be working hard and long for a while. And I am so excited that I get the privilege to do that. I am so thankful for this job even if I'm not working it yet. I know there were several other people applying for the position I got but they chose me. I am so thankful.

My husband and I did get some goldfish though! They are nameless, sadly. Perhaps I'll think of some fitting names today? I have a feeling that I will be in trouble once I start working though. I went to talk to my manager and came home with two goldfish...only 13 cents each now. But later on who knows what I'll drag home. Especially since I will be spending entire days washing dogs. I love dogs. This could mean trouble. And as soon as it does, I'll post pictures and let you know! 

I can only hope trouble looks like this little guy!!

Im-possible

I woke up today without a worry only to have one thrust upon me. There are some days that I can feel the war around us raging inside my home, inside of me even. But the Lord makes it apparent to me that He is here. He aches to show me He is in control if I would only let Him. He continues to show me He will let me do whatever I want. If I choose to worry, He will let me. I will fill myself with doubt and anger and fear all by myself. It has nothing to do with Him giving me more then I can handle or anything like that. I do it all myself. But when I decide to let it all go, to throw the fear inside of me out the window and allow Him to take control He will do thinks I can not imagine. He could take control of me without my consent if He wanted, it's not that He couldn't do it. But He chooses to let me learn to give it to Him. Help, Joy, Peace, Love, Provision. All of these things come from Him. Every good thing comes from the Lord. I am still learning.

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says "I'm possible!""- Audrey Hepburn


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPLXIUOty1s
Faithful- Brooke Fraser

James Taylor

Let's see if you can guess what I want to talk about today. Yes, it is James Taylor. I dearly love his music. Since I was small I have liked him. My dad had a cd of his and I remember hearing it in the car. He has such a way of making music come alive and mean something special. There's just something about his songs that can make me feel at home and relaxed when it seems nothing else can.

My father-in-law gave me a cd of his that I didn't have yet when my husband went on a trip to another state for a week. I listened to it every night when I had to go to bed by myself and it made me feel as if I was a kid at home again. I'm going to go ahead and share with you my favorite song of his. You deserve the truth so here it is. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qyJg4d8Ioc

Go now and soak it in. It'll only do you good. I should probably give you the link to my dads favorite song also. I love my daddy very much and every time I hear this song now I think of him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSkaEP2ZqbY

James wrote the song "Sweet Baby James" for his brother's new baby boy. And I love that about him. He said he needed a cowboy lullaby. I approve. I don't know if you heard or saw but Taylor Swift got to sing with him recently in one of her shows. I don't know if she realizes how lucky she is. I would LOVE to sing with James Taylor. That would be on my bucket list if I had one. Perhaps one day I will at least get to meet the man! Until then I'll keep listening and keep dreaming. 

Catching-up

So much has happened since my last post. It makes me laugh to think of who I was then, only a few months ago, and who I am today. Let me tell you what has happened. This will be a quick explanation so keep up please. I took that family vacation to Colorado that I so desperately didn't want to go on and it confirmed my worst fear! I was in love. So I came home from this trip. Then he came home to and asked my dad if he could marry me. My daddy said yes and we got married several months later.

Photo credit to Scott Cotton

So, was getting married enough to make this year crazy all on it's own? Probably but we wouldn't want to stop there! We have since moved to Colorado. We have been here for about two weeks and it is absolutely the most wonderful adventure I have ever been on. We have a new church, new jobs, and we are hoping soon for some new friends. I will admit there certainly have been some lonely days, but no regrets.

I was also able to bring several of my children. (plants) They have occupied a lot of my time waiting for my job to start and helped fill the void of friends for now. I say for now because one can only talk to their plants for a while till they realize they do not talk back, no jokes or advice. Nothing. 

So, to sum things up I will be picking this blog up to run with it as the wife of a soon to be fireman (more on that later) and a mother of the only children I have and will have for a while. There is a picture of all of the little boogers right up there. ^

Thanks for reading!

There's gold in them hills.

Life offers so many challenges. From trying to read people to trying to balance a dang check book. I'm taking this blog to vent the steam that has been created in me all day today. Called in early to work this morning, which was not bad. But scared me to death because I expected the call to be telling me I was late to work or something. Getting creeped on by a guy who came into my work about seven times today. Check book does not match what the check book online says. Whatsoeveerrrr. Who's idea was it to put me in charge of money? And also, conformation that I am vacationing in the one place in this world that I do not want to go. ok. Now that I am done wining like a small child, I will leave you now. Thanks for being a listening ear.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DncGOPzkAns

This makes everything better, I promise.

only the young

How does one deal with growing up? It's not how I expected it would be at all. Though, I am just as excited as I thought I would be. Lots of things are changing, so many good and a few bad. That's just how I like it. I don't enjoy the times where the bad out weighs the good. I'm thankful for all the days I have had for the past month or so. So many new and wonderful friends made. A few old friendships brought back to life. Who am I to want anything more? 

And have I even mentioned my garden yet? No! It's still a work in progress but has several flowers now. It's lovely. It is a place of rest for me. I recently found a picnic table and benches at a flea market that now reside in my resting place. Thanks to my job, which I am so glad I have. It's been interesting actually having money to spend on things. Every time I buy something now I think of how it's probably going to be in my house when I get married. I also dream of that often, as well. There are so many exciting things in store for the future.

It can be very scary to think about and try to plan for but when I look at all of the things I have gotten through and all of the people who are here for me my fears leave. Bring it on.

Beautiful dreams

     This life is moving so quickly. It wont be long until I graduate. Probably about seven days, I think it is. This is fine with me. So many good things have happened. So many dreams have unfolded in my heart. Inspiration is hitting me like it's never done before. I just hope I can find the modivation to put action to all of these dreams! From selling things I make, designing, getting a job, and marrying a boy. So many dreams.
      I've found much of this inspiration from "A Beautiful Mess". A blog from a local girl who owns a little shop called Red Velvet. It is'nt even just that red velvet cup cakes are my favorite, either! Feel free to visit her page. http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/about-elsie.html  Her drive to make dresses, having her own shop, and just being herself on her website makes me feel like I should do something. Journaling has grown these idea's and passions so much and I'm thankful to my art teachers for inspiring me to do so. It's something I will never give up for the rest of my life.
     Speaking of the rest of my life, a thought came to me today about that boy who's gonna be mine some day. I act like a baby, in a way, thinking that something is not real because I can not see it in front of me. Because I can not see this perfect man I sometimes fear that he isn't real, which is silly since I have not met every man on this planet. Thoughts like these give me peace and help me wait just a little bit longer. He'll be here soon, I'm sure.

Spring's flinging

     It is here. Spring has finally come. Sundresses and shorts are coming out of my closet more and more as the days get warmer. I have spent as much time in the sun as possible. I can't get enough and neither can my chickens. Today we spent the day digging in the dirt together. I was preparing for my garden as they were eating all the worms. I like to think they do it so I won't have to deal with the nasty little things but they probably don't put that much thought into it.
     Also, as the days get warmer we get closer to my graduation. Time for a life change I guess. I usually don't care much for change but this time I can't wait. I'm ready to be finished with this school and get on to whatever is next. For me, a lot of outdoor time, swimming, gardening, etc. There will also be work in my future. Something I care about and can do well. Lots of thinking about that will come before I graduate. Planning, here I come.

Winter evenings

Winter has been a delight. Christmas was spectacular, but as of tonight...my heart is longing for warmth. I've been dreaming of summer all day long. The sun was out today but frost was on the ground to remind me it isn't quite time to play outside. I've been to my Aunt Debbie's house today to clean and talk about things. I love visiting her because she shares many of my interests. Jesus, plants, cooking, etc. She sent me home with home made and canned tomatoes (I helped can those in the fall), grape jelly, apple sauce, and relish. I wish there was a way to not have to go to school or work and just grow things, can them, and give them away to people you love all the time.

So when I got home I went to my room and started working on my plants. I have a new terrarium with hens and chicks in it as you can see. But that wasn't what I needed to work on. I repotted a few plants that were getting too big for their pots. It's such a delight to get to see them grow every day. I then went online and read and took notes in my journal about cactuses and succulents and vegetables and wrote recipes for peach lemonade. I have a happy summer to come.

Did I mention I have baby cactuses now? My precious boyfriend's mother gave him some seeds from California and he gave me some. Sweet, right? I put them in my terrarium and they just sprouted up! I am excited because I don't know if I've ever actually grown anything from seed until now. I'm so happy. They will be nice additions along with the succulent and the other cactus that my boy also got me for christmas. They'll all add to my big happy, green family.

Wait, who's got mail?

There are nights when you don't need to think of anything. Restful evenings of pure delight. Tonight will be one of those nights as I sink into an arm chair and gaze upon the splendor of You've Got Mail. My favorite movie by far. I was recently asked why I like this movie so much and I wasn't certain how to describe my feelings. I just want to clarify. Characters are always key. When you put Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in the same movie you create something that is both lovely and sweet (Meg) plus humorous and charming. (Tom) And now the story. I know this movie is based off of a book that I have still not read because I can never remember the name of it. I don't know how different the book is from the movie. The movie is an ingenious story of two people who are both in lothe and love at the same time. It portrays how love can cover wrongs and change someone for the better. It can open someones eyes to the worst of themselves and urge them on toward making things right. All of these precious things combined with quirky elements added from the directors sense of humor and classical songs put into the soundtrack come together and make a perfect blend for entertainment. And one more thing, you know those emotions you get when you reflect on things from your childhood? Certain things have certain familiar feelings. These feelings are what fill my heart every time I watch this movie and I'm happy. It's time now. Meg and Tom are here to share their love story with me. I hope you can now understand a little better why this is my favorite movie.

An evenings dream

It is on this night, October 17th, that I have decided that I want my wedding to be a yellow wedding.

Yellow is the happiest of all colours. Weddings are the happiest of all days. Actually I don't believe my wedding day will be the happiest day of my life. If I am marrying the man of my dreams, there had better be happier days to come. =] I belive there will be.

I also decided all the girls will have flowers in their hair and we will all drink lemonade.

 I want yellow and white flowers on strings rainning down and spread out everywhere.

"I love daisies. They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flowers?"- Cathline Kelly in You've Got Mail. (My favorite movie) She's so right. So for tonight.. I'm dreaming of MY Joe Fox and our happy day.

Fall mornings

Somedays just start off in a negative way. Like today...not feeling well. But dreams of fall and Christmas coming quickly around the corner flood my heart.  I'm so glad it is cold outside today. I went out for a little walk around my yard and found unusual flowers growing. (fall flowers, of coarse)  It really is time to wear sweaters..as of today. Thank goodness. Next comes fall decor. Win.

Some insiration from my favorit blog, An Apple a Day. =] http://emersonmerrick.blogspot.com/

I went to Elsenore over Labor day weekend to attend my families 50th anniversary, where I was able to spend time with the worlds most fantastic people. My family reunions are the best place to be if you ever feel sad or bad about yourself or anything else. Which is how it should be, families build you up. Once I was there, my cousin Olivia and I spent the night at my aunt, Betty's, house and in the morning attended the yearly parade, meeting a new friend on the way. =]

Now, none of you have been to my aunts house. She and her husband collect things. I'm not sure of what I should call that...but Olivia and I had fun looking at all of these kept treasures! 

Ok, so not many of you will probably care much about this but I thought this pot was adorable. It expresses, both, my love for chickens and plants all at once. Who could ask for more?

While venturing through the yard full of such things, Olivia and I spotted an abandoned house behind the property that we immediately needed to visit. So what did we do? We found out who owned it, got permission to use the golf cart, and went on over! It was a scarry experience, just the two of us girls, once we got on the front porch. So we left and brought Uncle Doug and Aunt Sussie (Olivia's parents) with us this time! (Safety first, kids.)

All of this being said, there is too much about this reunion to tell you about in one blog! More to come.

The shaddow does prove the sunlight. =]

The other day I woke up to the greeting of the sun shining through my windows.

This picture was actually taken later in the day, as you can see from the placement of the light source. It had been a particularly beautiful day. So I promptly took a walk through my yard, camara in hand!

There's something about sunlight that makes things happier, so much more than unnatural light.

My favorite place to go when it's sunny out is my backporch off the basement. It's so sweet back there.. and this is where my new project is taking place. As you can see, this is a stack of bricks. But not just any stack of bricks, it is also a flower pot display. (Soon to have many more flower pots I hope!)

These pictures are just a glimps of what my flower pot garden is going to look like. There will also be a rock garden, which I am particularly excited about. Who would think an 18 year old girl would have an interest in growing moss on rocks? Probably not my botany teacher!

Another lovely day

Yesterday, after a great lunch with my best friend, I hit some flea markets and third street book store where I found some sweet little pots for my new garden and picked up Kia. Also, probably my favorite part of the day, I found my first terrarium. Besides the ugly foam "plants" hot glued to the bottom (now removed), it's precious.

 One of the "pots" I found (it's actually an antique bowl) is adorable to. It's vintage, yellow with little red flowers on it. =] It excites me, really. Today I put a yellow mum in it!

For those of you who don't know, I've recently started a project which involves growing flowers in pots. More on that later! =]]