Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

January 13, 2014

Twenty-Fourteen – Sparkle and Shine

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Home,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 7:45 am

That’s my theme for this year – Sparkle and Shine! That’s exactly what I plan to do- sparkle, shine and focus entirely on living my best life. Stepping outside of my comfort zone- taking lessons where there are lessons, and running with them.

It’s a process- just like anything in life, but I’m kicking bootay and taking names- one thing at a time. My business is going well, but I’m working on how to make it even better.

My health- I am healthy, and my focus is to stay healthy- and doing that by getting back into a regular exercise routine- eating well and giving my body what it needs- be it enough sleep, or a heart-charging work out.

Marcel and I are doing so great- probably the best we’ve ever done. It seems that the struggles we’ve had with his health and a few other things last year have made us closer than ever.

Friendships- How can I even begin to express how joyous and grateful I am for each and every one of them. When I look at the big picture- I know just how blessed I am. I plan to continue to nuture my friendships- and I look forward to all the adventures and fun we have planned, and have yet to plan for this year.

Yes- Life is good- and sparkle and shine is happening!

December 27, 2013

Christmas Gifts

Filed under: Holidays,Life,Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 8:27 am

Marcel and I decided that since we had bought a Smart TV in November, that it would seem somewhat silly to really go ‘all out’ and buy gifts for each other. Neither of us really needed anything major, and as much as I know he loves buying me jewelry, I have more than I need. So we decided that we would buy each other one gift and roll with that. After all, Christmas isn’t about the gifts.

I ended up picking up a shirt for him that he loved, and when he asked for suggestions of things I’d like- I knew there was one thing I ‘really’ did need, a new hand mixer. The one I have has seen better days, to the point of not always turning off when I turned it off, and sometimes getting ‘stuck’ in high speed.

I’d seen one a loved at a local retailer, plus it was twice the HP as the one I currently had, and the price was right. So that was my gift. I know some people may gasp at the idea of not having a ‘romantic’ gift under the tree- but the thought that he listened to the little thing I needed speaks volumes to me. On top of that, it’s a gorgeous sunny yellow, so everytime I look at it- I will smile.

How was YOUR Christmas?

December 25, 2013

Merry Merry

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 1:03 pm

I can’t believe it’s been several weeks since I’ve last posted here. In spite of buying very few Christmas gifts this year, I did do shopping for others- and also spent a lot of time with work. Since this is the year that we spend away from my family, it’s always one of those bittersweet things, but because of some really amazing friends, this is probably my best Christmas ever being away from family- so rather than my general melancholy feeling, I feel happy, joy and generally blessed in a big way. Sure, I miss my family, but the great thing is- I have family in both places- one I was born with, and the other I’ve chosen as my own.

Tomorrow is another day of fun and festivities and then I’ll have a couple of days of rest- then fun with friends. The end of the year is coming soon, and the beginning of a new year is upon us. I am pretty certain it’s going to be the best year yet!

December 8, 2013

Oh Christmas Tree

Filed under: Holidays,Home — gardener @ 9:24 am

Today Marcel and I made great use of our afternoon and went out on the quest for the perfect Christmas tree. I don’t generally like using the word perfect for anything, because I think that there is too much focus on the word perfect, which creates sometimes unrealistic expecatations. I knew our quest would mean perfect for us, and within moments of beginning our Christmas tree search, we’d found just what we were looking for.

The bonus- was that the store we’d purchased our tree from, was offering a 20.00 gift card for anyone who purchased a real tree over the price of 24.95, for use in their store at a later date! SOLD! It was really busy there today. There were plenty of people looking for Christmas decorations and other gift items, but everyone seemed cheerful. I love that, and of course, it only made the shopping adventure more joyful!

So now our beautiful tree is sitting in a pail of water awaiting it’s decoration day. We are a little late with our tree this year, but some things are worth waiting for, and a Christmas tree is definitely one of those somethings. Not to mention, we were traveling last week.

Let the festivities begin!

December 1, 2013

Tis the Season

Filed under: Holidays — gardener @ 12:29 pm

I don’t know about you- but I can’t believe that the first day of December is upon us. That means one thing- Christmas! Deck the halls and fa-la-la-la-laaa and all that fun stuff.

We are keeping things simple in terms of gift giving, but one thing is for sure- I’ll definitely be shopping local where I can, and looking for online coupon codes before I buy anything online. I know- I say it every single year, but I can’t tell you how much I’ve saved over the years, simply by doing a quick Google search before ordering online.

Not just during the Christmas season, but ALL the time. It definitely makes a huge difference..

So where do you buy most of your Christmas gifts? Online or in the stores?

Help When You Need It

Filed under: Inspiration,Techy — gardener @ 12:21 pm

Not too long ago, I was talking to a friend of mine whose daughter is absolutely swamped in school. She’s a senior in high school this year, taking advanced classes, plus she’s also been taking a couple of college courses at the local Junior College. She said that right before mid-terms her daughter has four essays due, plus still has to study for her exams on both the high school and college level. We were both in amazement as to how she was managing, with all the late nights and early mornings.

She confided to her mom last week that she isn’t going to be able to get it all done, so she’s found a professional who will write your essay for you. This is her second time to use the service, and she said that she’s convinced with her full schedule it’s the only way she’ll make it though.

I, for one am so glad that these services exist. They definitely make life easier.

Back to Gratitude

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 12:20 pm

I’ve decided that even though I think of the things I’m grateful for daily-  it’s important for me to keep a visual account of those little things that add up to big things in my life.

So, in addition to sharing them on my Facebook page, I’ll also be sharing them here.  No time to start like the first day of December.

 

Today I’m grateful for:

1-  A great cup of coffee.

2-  Marcel helping me finish the goodie bags for the Ladies Night.

3-  Little glimpses of sunshine.

4-  Watching the ducks get excited about the bread I gave them.

5-   Left overs, which means no cooking for me today!

November 30, 2013

Gratitude

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 11:26 am

For the month of November, I decided to share a daily ‘something’ that I was thankful for- in honor of Thanksgiving month. Today, the last day of November, I realized how easy it was for me to share things I’m thankful for, because it wasn’t just a November thing for me, but a way of life.

It doesn’t mean that life is perfect (a word that shouldn’t exist in my eyes), it means that no matter what I am going through- that there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for- and that’s where my focus is.

It’s life changing- and for that, I’m grateful. <3

On the Eve of December

Filed under: Food for Thought,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 11:11 am

This afternoon, as the sun was sinking and the air starting to get cooler, I decided to brew myself a cup of coffee, and go sit outside. It was that quiet time of the afternoon, where darkness isn’t far away- a great time for quiet reflection.

As I sat and sipped my coffee, I couldn’t help but smile thinking about how great life is. Is everything exactly how I want it to be? Nope- but I know that I have the power and will to set change in motion, so I am grateful for that. I know the power lies within me, and me alone. I know that no one else can make me happy, that it’s a do-it-yourself project. There are those who bring a ray of sunshine to my life, but they enhance the happiness I already have. I’m happy and content, plus so excited and grateful for all that is to come.

Tomorrow is the first day of December, and while I see people rushing out to get the perfect gift, and already feeling the crunch and stress of the holiday season- I find myself smiling knowing that every moment I spend with people I love will not be based on what I can give them that they don’t need, but rather sharing moments together that is authentic and ‘real’. I will surprise a few strangers- and spend time with the people I love.

That is what the Christmas season is all about.

Visions and Goal Setting

Filed under: Food for Thought,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 9:12 am

Now that the ‘busy’ of November has passed and the Christmas season is upon us, I can actually kick back and enjoy this time of fun and festivities. It’s also a time for me to think about my business and what I would like to accomplish next year- a little goal setting and tossing around ideas with people I care about. I want to best utilize what I have already done, but optimizing Web 2 Print and other services are great options for me in 2014.

On my ‘to do’ list for December is make a business vision board for next year. Let the fun begin!

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress