Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

February 8, 2016

Honoring Mom

Filed under: Holidays,Life,Shop til ya Drop,Women — gardener @ 8:47 am

One of my life’s greatest inspirations has always been my mom.    Even though life has taken me thousands of miles from ‘home’, I still call her at least twice a day, sometimes more.   Then there’s always Facebook, WhatsApp and other means of interaction.     She’s been my greatest teacher, my greatest cheerleader and supporter, and my ‘go to’ person when I need an ear.   I can not imagine life without her.

She has always put others first, which is one of the many things I admire about her.    This year, I have been talking with my brother about doing something special for her.   I saw some beautiful  mothers rings from joyjewelers.com and thought it would be a wonderful gift for mom.     I’ve sent a few ideas to my brother and I’m waiting to hear his thoughts on my suggestions.   He may counter with a few of his own, but I would love to be able to give her something, that when she looks at it reminds her of my brother and I.   We both appreciate our parents so much and want them to know it through our every action.

What about y’all? What’s your favorite gift to give your mom for Mother’s Day?

January 25, 2016

Momentum

Filed under: Life,Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 11:39 am

I can’t believe that we’re in the last week of January. Last week we had a tiny bit of snow on the ground and several days of freezing temperatures, but today brought about full sunshine, blue skies and temps warm enough to actually have the doors and windows open. It was blissful.

Despite the beautiful weather, it’s been one of those ‘off’ days. It’s a true Monday if there is such a thing, and I’ve done my best to be kind to me. It’s the only thing we can really do when things seem to be out of whack. We can’t control those things, but we can control how we respond to them.

This evening- I have spent some time adding to my ‘to do’ list of things I need to accomplish in the next day or so. Now that we’ve finally finished painting, I’m slowly taking the time to purge things that I no longer use and we’ve give quite a few things away. We’ve also realized that we’d like to paint the doors and all the trim work- but since we’ve needed to leave the doors open to let the house air out- we’ll wait until later in the year when the weather is warmer and daylight hours are longer.

Tomorrow afternoon I’ll spend making 48 cupcake toppers for an upcoming order. I’m looking forward to it. Once I’m done- and get the other items checked off my to-do list- I’ll curl up with Big Magic and finish reading it- I can’t wait.

January 15, 2016

FitBit Resurrection

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Life — gardener @ 11:08 am

I spent some time resurrecting my FitBit- which mainly meant that I needed to charge it- add the app to my new iPhone, plus update it, since it had been so long since I’d used it. I have felt inspired and also very much felt energized since I’ve been working towards getting into a regular exercise routine again.

I have to ask myself (and have) why I ever got out of the exercise habit in the first place, and truth is- I don’t know. I stopped making it a priority- along with healthy eating, and it shows in my bootay. ha.. But no blame or woe-is-me here. I’m responsible for my choices- and I’m owning them. I’m not taking my good health for granted and trying to ensure that it continues as best I can.

Play it Again, Sam

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 8:08 am

One of my good friends has a son who has decided he wants to play the trombone in the school band. He loves music, and comes from a very musically talented family, so it doesn’t surprise me that he wants to play some sort of musical instrument. I will admit that the trombone did surprise me a bit. They are now on the hunt for a new trombone and a trombone stand to get him started. I’ll see him a little later on in the year when we go home for the holidays, and he’s already planning to give us a personal concert. I can’t wait.

It’s those little things that they remember and bring us all so much joy.

January 6, 2016

One Month & a New Year Later

Filed under: Food for Thought,Health/ Fitness,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 12:05 pm

Happy 2016 y’all- Six days into the new year and I’m finding myself on a good track to getting myself exactly where I need and want to be. Where is that, exactly?

Like many people- getting into a regular exercise routine is on my agenda in a big way. Finding balance in the busy and the various projects I have going on is a key for me this year. I really don’t love that discombobulated feeling, and I’m starting with- (in addition to the exercise) creating a schedule of de-clutter and getting rid of unwanted items, and creating a space that will encourage creativity, which I do believe is important!

Scheduling is BIG on my list this year- because I’ve realized that working with a schedule makes things happen fluidly. It doesn’t mean things don’t pop up from time to time, but I know that I’ll be ready to put plan A or B into action if that happens. I do it in my business all the time, but now it’s time to add it to my personal life as well.

This is only the beginning. What about you- What do you have on your list this year to accomplish?

December 5, 2015

Oh Christmas Tree

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays,Home,Life — gardener @ 12:30 pm

To know me is to know how much I absolutely adore Christmas. I love the decorating, the madness, the festivities- and of course, everything that surrounds the REAL meaning of Christmas, and that’s the birth of baby Jesus.

This year, I went back and forth on whether we were going to purchase a large tree like usual, or if we would go with a smaller one that we could sit on a table and look festive, yet take up less space. In the end- that’s exactly what we decided to do.

Our small tree deserved small lights, so I picked up some of the Central Park LED lights and they add the perfect glow to our little three foot tree. Since it was too small to hold my usual fare of decorations, I went out and picked up a few new little things. It’s festive, and when I think about how joyous it makes me- I smile.

Marcel and I aren’t exchanging gifts this year- We have everything we need and that brings me much happiness.

What about you? What makes your Christmas merry and bright?

Spreading the Love- Music Style

Filed under: Holidays,Life — gardener @ 12:23 pm

As I was listening to a good friend practice on his porch last night with the band he’s a part of, I couldn’t help but smile at how far they’ve come in such a short time.      They started out with sub-par equipment and as they would do local gigs and save money, they would buy new things-  one at a time with their latest being the telecaster style guitars. The sound is clean and it makes it very obvious just how much they’ve grown and continue to grow.    I can’t wait to see where the journey takes them.  One thing I do know, is that it will be taking them to a local winter festival and I will be there to show my support.

November 2, 2015

Gratitude in Motion

Filed under: Gratitude,Life — gardener @ 7:12 am

I can’t believe it’s November and in less than two months we will be welcoming 2016. Granted, I’m not one to wish away my days- so there is much to happen between now and then- such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and time with people I love.

I’m excited about all the potential that each month brings. I was sad to say goodbye to my parents at the end of October, but I’m grateful they made it home safe and are now settling back into their life. I’ve hit the ground running with work, and feel energized as I continue to grow and expand.

It seems fitting that I would begin to share my gratitude lists again on this month of Thanks-Giving. I’m grateful every day, but I want to make a shift of my focus and start doing them again, rather than thinking about them.

Today I’m grateful for:

  • A business that continues to grow and thrive.
  • Healthy parents whom I love dearly.
  • The understanding that some endings are beginnings for great new chapters.
  • Sunshine after the fog.
  • A great night of rest.

What are you grateful for today?

October 27, 2015

Filed under: Gratitude,Life — gardener @ 8:51 am

Life has been moving at a fast pace, but boy have we been having a BLAST with mom and diddy. We have done so much traveling and I can’t wait to share photos and about the places we stayed- the adventures we’ve had.

Right now though, I have a few days left with them before we have to say goodbye, so I’m soaking that up. My time on the computer has been limited, because my biggest focus is quality time with the people I love.

I did want to share something that I posted to Facebook yesterday. When I work- (and I had some work to do for some upcoming orders) I do a lot of thinking, and this is what was on my mind.

Words are so powerful. They can build a person up, or tear them down.

The same applies to our thoughts. What we tell ourselves can encourage and inspire us, or it can feed negativity, fear and worry.

Be authentic not only with yourself, but with everyone around you. It doesn’t mean you may always be adored for it, but people will always know you walk the talk.

Yesterday, a friend I’ve known for many years said something to me that had me crying tears of joy.

We don’t talk that often, but we keep in touch, and had shared a few exchanges over the weekend.

She said: ‘It means so much to me to get to have the gift of you in my life.’

I was humbled and deeply moved by those words which I knew were from her heart.

It also gave me pause to realize that we ALL have the power to show up and use our God given talents to lift others, to be real, and yes- to be vulnerable.

Authenticity matters, y’all. Honesty matters. Integrity matters.

We are all human and make mistakes, but even those matter, because it’s the biggest opportunity to learn.

August 26, 2015

The Power of Focus

Filed under: Inspiration,Life,Travel — gardener @ 10:27 am

It’s hard to believe that we are almost to the end of August- and tapping on the door of September.     This month has been a challenge-   mostly because it has been filled with a lot of pain for many people that I love, myself included.   Through the tears, uncertainties, life questions- some that were answered and some that weren’t-  there has been one constant.   Love.   The love of family, friends, and in some cases- strangers.

It has included great opportunities, but also a time for many blessings.     Through it all, I am grateful.

I have learned the importance of focusing on the things that matter- and letting go of what no longer serves, as it will only serve to hold us back.

September promises cooler temps, and a time of fun and festivities with people I love and adore.  I, for one, am ready.

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