Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

April 10, 2010

Taking Off the Rose Colored Glasses

Filed under: Food for Thought,Life — gardener @ 3:45 am

Most people who know me know how much I love quotations. Sometimes, they offer the perfect food for thought, and sometimes they really serve to teach us something not only about ourselves, but also about others.

About a month ago, someone I consider a friend contacted me about a quote that I used on Facebook. She shared some personal things with me (which I won’t discuss here or anywhere else) and how that quote resonated with her. After that we talked a bit more and I shared one of my all-time favorites with her:

“When people show you who they are, believe them.” -Maya Angelou

That is a quote that I have had to remember on more than one occasion. I believe the thing with us is that we tend to want to make ‘excuses’ as to why people behave and react the way they do in certain situations. Maybe it’s because we want to think the best of that person or maybe it’s because we would prefer to wear rose colored glasses and see the person how we would like them to be, or how we thought they were.

The thing is- when we continue to make excuse after excuse for a person, the only person we are fooling is ourselves. When someone shows us who they are, time and time again, but yet we refuse to see it, what are we telling ourselves, and better yet, what are we telling that person about us?

I’m all about forgiveness, and this definitely isn’t about whether you should or shouldn’t forgive a person. I believe you can forgive a person without having to hang out with them or even interact with them. There is a difference between forgiveness and accepting bad behaviour.

At the beginning of this year, I made a promise to myself that I would definitely pay attention when people show me who they are and stop making excuses for them. Being a friend to someone is a privilege and not a ‘right’. I promised myself that in an effort to live a better life that I would slowly eliminate those toxic people out of my life and that I’d stop making excuses for them when they exhibit bad behaviour.

None of us are perfect. Lord knows I”m not. I make enough mistakes and I know it. I’m not talking about mistakes- I’m talking about a pattern of behaviour in a ‘so called’ friendship or relationship that continues to rear it’s head. At a certain point- you either learn that “the person is showing you WHO THEY ARE” or you continue to live in denial. At that point, you also decide if you will continue to be drained from that relationship or if you will finally “BELIEVE” who that person is, and move on.

That choice is never an easy one, but sometimes it’s time to take off those rose colored classes and move on.

Moving Made Easy

Filed under: Life,Seasons,Shop til ya Drop,Travel — gardener @ 3:29 am

Probably one of the most important decision a person will make when they decide to make a move is whether they will do the move themselves or whether they’ll hire someone. Doing the job yourself is definitely the most cost effective way, and once that choice is made, there are important factors to consider such as where to get moving boxs. Rather than traveling all over town trying to find boxes, it’s not only more cost effective but also convenient to order exactly what you want and need online and have it delivered straight to your door.

April 9, 2010

New Feature @ Simply Wizardress- 5 O’ Clock Fridays

Filed under: Inspiration,Life,photography,Techy,Things I Love,Travel — gardener @ 4:58 am

My alter ego Simply Wizardress has started a new feature which will begin today- at none other than 5 O’ Clock. It’s appropriately called 5 O’ Clock Friday’s and anyone can participate, blogger or non-blogger.

All you need to do is take a picture at 5 O’ Clock today and send it in. Or you can write about it or share it somewhere else and let me know where it is so I can link it. I think it will be fun, and you can read more about it by reading about it at simplywizardress.com.

The more participation the better- so come on’ join in.

Concentration Problems

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 4:41 am

This morning I had a really difficult time concentrating on my work because of this really weird nerve pain that decided to appear on the left side of my head yesterday. Sometimes it feels as though someone is poking me with a knife, which is far from a joyful feeling. In fact, I woke up a couple of times during the night last night to this pain.

I’m not sure what it is, but I think it is associated with an inner ear issue since I’m also having problem with some pain in my left ear.

I just hope it ends soon, otherwise looks like I may be making a trip to the doctor in the near future. Marcel thinks it’s the shingles, and all I can say is I pray it isn’t. It isn’t contageous so I can’t imagine.

Gotta Be Connected

Filed under: Life,Techy — gardener @ 4:37 am

For a while now, Marcel and I have been talking about how much we’d love to move to the area where my parents live. It is extremely remote where they are, and the one big argument Marcel has about living there would be that the Internet connection is a ‘dinosaur’ as he calls it. In other words, because the area is so remote the only option is dial up, which as we all know, is not the most reliable connection in the world.

Since I also use the computer for my work, and also to keep connected to friend and family via Facebook and email, I explained to him that a good Internet connection was also important to me and that I felt quite sure that there was something out there we could be happy with when the day came that we make the move. I did a little research and sure enough I found satellite internet service providers, which would offer us not only a stable Internet connection, but also a connection which is at a much higher speed than what we have in our current location. Marcel seemed relieved that he wouldn’t have to go back to the ‘stone ages’, so at least that one little problem is solved when the time comes for us to move. I wish it was tomorrow.

April 7, 2010

The “Eyes” Have It.

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Life,Shop til ya Drop,Things I Love — gardener @ 10:39 am

Not too long ago, mom and I were talking on the phone and she mentioned that she and dad had appointments to get their eyes checked and that it looked like they would both be getting new perscriptions for eyeglasses. She commented that she really wasn’t looking forward to the new prescription because last time she and dad both had to have new glasses, they ended up spending close to $400.00 for two pair. Since I don’t wear glasses, I almost choked when she quoted that price.

My first question to her was why they didn’t get them from Zenni. She asked me where it was located and I explained to her that it wasn’t a ‘store’ that she could visit, but instead it was a virtual store online and that she could get glasses for as low as $8.00. Her first thought was that it was some sort of gimmick, but I assured her that the only difference was is that Zenni doesn’t sell designer frames, but that the quality is as good as if not better than some of the designer frames out there.

I explained that by not having physical store locations, it allowed them to keep their overhead lower, which ultimately meant savings in the customers pockets. Mom was impressed and said that for those prices she and dad would be giving it a shot. I told her that she would need to make sure and ask the doctor to measure their right and left pupilary distance and write it down for them, and the rest would be easy-peasy. I also told her if she needed any help, she could always call on me, after all- that’s what great daughters are for.

April 5, 2010

Fork in the Road

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 7:55 am

Well, I’ve reached a point where I’m ready to start making some different choices and part of that means that I’ll be creating a new space to totally focus on health and weight loss. It’s about my journey to a healthier and “lighter” life, but also about realizing that as long as I believe in myself, I can do anything.

I’ll be sharing the link to the site as soon as it’s up and running, but in the meantime, I’ve come to the proverbial fork in the road. I have a choice- I can take the easy way out and do what’s least painful (in many ways), but that doesn’t come without it’s own set of risks, or I can take the road less traveled and beat a trail through the woods as I travel through uncharted areas and push myself to new limits.

You’re welcome to join me. It won’t be easy, and I won’t be sugar coating it, but it will be real, and I can assure you, not only will my life be changed, but if you join me and commit yourself 110%, so will yours.

The choice is yours.

April 1, 2010

Planning and Goal Making

Filed under: Life,Techy — gardener @ 11:27 am

This morning I was thinking about how in order to be successful at anything, I need to have goals, and lately because of all the things that have been going on in my life and in the life of those I love, goals have been the last thing on my mind.

As I was on the elliptical today, I was thinking about business hosting and how there were several companies that would meet the needs for the possible business venture that I am maybe going on with someone very near and dear to me. Before I chose the hosting for my sites, I also read about which sites offered what and made an informed (or what I thought was informed) decision based on the different reviews I read about the sites. The same will apply before making any business decisions.

As I was sweating away on the elliptical, I realized that aside from a few hosting ideas, and research I’ve done about that, I really don’t have the plan written out. Granted, it’s thought out in my head, but I need to put paper to pen and start creating some plans, and goals. Not just in this aspect, but in all aspects of my life.

It’s the only way I’m going to get where I need to be. Care to join me and start making a few goals of your own?

March 31, 2010

I Needed This

Filed under: Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 4:30 am

I’m having a pretty difficult day today. As one of my friends mentioned to me a few days ago, I’ve really had a bad month. Truth is, it isn’t me that has had a bad month, but those around me in the things that have happened, but I guess it has really taken a deeper toll on me than I thought.

Today, in spite of getting my work done, I find that there isn’t much else I feel like doing. I don’t want to do anything but cry and I’ve shed quite a few tears. I haven’t eaten a bite of food, drank a drop of water or even coffee, and as most of you know, that’s a staple in my diet.

As I was browsing my new email, I came across this little article from SparkPeople, and it couldn’ have come at a better time. It’s just what I needed to see and hear, and I think when I finish this, I’m going to lie across the bed and reflect on it for a while.

“Suffering is the tuition one pays for a character degree.”– Richard M. Rayner, M.D.,

What You Really Learn from Hardships

“Perhaps you think this isn’t very ‘positive’ sounding, but I find it helps people (patients and friends) put hardship, which is inevitable, to good use,” says Richard. “People can use their suffering either to gain character or become bitter. The ones who choose bitterness live a long, slow death. The ones who choose character truly live.”

Richard is right on the money. Happiness and sadness don’t happen to us–they come from within. The story of your life will be written with or without your help. The next chapter is happening while you read this. Will you wait to see what it says later, or will you help write it?

March 25, 2010

Heroes -vs- Villians

Filed under: Life,Things I Love — gardener @ 12:49 pm

I just finished watching last nights episode of Survivor that came on last night and it was one of my favorite episodes ever. This season has the “Heros” vs the “Villians” and some of my favorite players ever are playing, including J.T., Rupert, Colby, Russell and James. Hmmmmm, I just noticed when I was typing this that all of my favorites are guys.

Last nights episode was hilarious and I caught myself “LOLing” (Laughing out Loud) several times during the show. I can’t wait to see what happens next week. It’s going to be a good one. That’s all I’m sayin’, especially since I know Mom and Diddy haven’t watched it yet.

I’ve been watching Survivor since the first season and I have to say that I think this is my favorite to date. Anyone else out there watch it?

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