Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

June 6, 2009

On Being True to Yourself.

Filed under: Gratitude,Quotes- Soul Food — gardener @ 12:02 pm

To be nobody but yourself–in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else– means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.

– EE Cummings, poet

I thought that while Marcel was watching soccer, that I’d turn MY computer on for the first time in days to check mail and watch last seasons Survivor that I have sitting here waiting for a rainy day. It isn’t exactly a rainy day, but he’s watching the game, so I figured now is a good of time as any.

I came across the above quotation while reading through my emails, and it really resonated with me on many different levels. It’s something I’ve been seeing alot lately- people trying to put me in the box that they want me to be in, but those who know me well know that I don’t conform well to being put in any sort of box.

I recently found myself in a position where someone else, who was thinking a particular way, about a particular subject, kept projecting these feelings and telling me that THIS was how it was. In reality that was how SHE saw it, but clearly I knew that it was NOT the case in my eyes.. It didn’t make it untrue, but it was not my reality. Eventually, this person persisted with this particular projection until I started questioning myself, and struggling.

This wasn’t from someone who was trying to manipulate or hurt me, but yet someone who saw something completely different than I did, and I allowed their opinion to cause doubt and make me question myself.

Eventually, I had to take a long hard look in the mirror, and with a little encouragement realized that we are all different and don’t see things through the same glasses. I knew that above all, I had to be true to myself, and the rest would fall into place. 

I believe we all need these little reminders from time to time.  I know I do.  After all, we’re only human.

My Gratitude List for June 6, 2009.

Today I’m Grateful For:

  • Marcel surprising me with a day out.
  • 4 1/2 pounds of the sweetest strawberries I’ve ever eaten for 4.00.
  • Finding the perfect pair of white sandals, for a great price.
  • A book filled with discount coupons for museums, which will be perfect for Samantha’s visit next month.
  • Finding my favorite Green Tea bags on sale, and stocking up!

Must Be Love

Filed under: Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 1:13 am

Either my darling husband is sick, or he’s feeling mighty generous today. Out of the blue, he just asked me if I wanted to go to a store that I love, that he hates to do a little shopping.

I thought I must be dreaming, but you know I said yes before he had a chance to change his mind. I also told him that I wanted to stop in at another store, because I’d seen a pair of sandals in their sale paper, and I still have no summer sandals. I tried on 5 or 6 pair yesterday when I was shopping with Desere, and nothing really fit the way I wanted it to, so I thought I’d try these.

He said ok, so I guess we’re off to shop.

Progress Report

Filed under: Health/ Fitness — gardener @ 1:10 am

Since I haven’t mentioned it much lately due to lack of time, I wanted to share a little update on my progress with my weight loss.

The scales finally started moving again after a time of stagnation, and I can’t tell you how happy I was about that. I had really started being too hard on myself, stressing about everything, and even though I was making the right choices AND exercising, the weight wasn’t coming off. I finally realized that there’s definitely truth to stress causing a stand still on the scale, or even a possible weight gain.

Eventually, I was able to work through some stress that I’d been going through on many levels, and like magic, the pounds started coming off again. Slowly, but there is a downward movement and that’s what matters to me. I plan to reach my goal this year, and it’s actually in sight. A light at the end of the tunnel, and it isn’t an oncoming train!

I’ve made some decisions for my life this week- things that are really personal, but something I’ll probably share more about later. It’s something I’ve been considering for a while, but a few days ago several things happened that seem to confirm my feelings, so I’ve got to make a plan and set it into action.

More on that at a later date, I think.

One funny thing that happened this week was that I was in the supermarket- one that I use to visit reguarly and haven’t been to in a long time. When I was checking out, I heard someone say, “You’ve lost alot of weight haven’t you?” and I didn’t recognize the cashier so I certainly didn’t think she was talking to me. I looked up, and she was looking right at me, and she repeated her question again.

She WAS talking to me. I know I blushed, but I responded with yes, I had- and she proceeded to say that she recognized my husband, but didn’t recognize me- She said she kept looking to see because she didn’t want to ask me, and it not even be me.

I couldn’t help but laugh. We talked a little while, and off we went. It was a good feeling, but I still feel odd about people stopping me and wanting to know how I’ve done it.

Ironically, not an hour later, we were voting, and one of our old neighbors (who moved and we haven’t seen since) walked in. She was talking to Marcel, and I was voting. When I walked up, she looked up at me, shocked, and practically yelled my name. She followed it with- Oh my gosh, I didn’t know it was you. Look at you. Then her face got serious, and she asked if I was sick.. I laughed, told her I was indeed NOT sick. From there, she asked if I was taking Fenphedra– again, No, I’m not. Are you taking other diet pills? Come on, tell me how you did it. Did you have surgery?? Again, No.

After about five more of those urgent ‘tell me now’ questions, I finally explained to her that I’d lost the weight with diet and exercise-nothing more, nothing less. That different things work for different people, and that’s what works for me. Then she wanted to know if I was going to the gym etc..

Luckily, she received a phone call about that time and I was saved by the bell. Marcel and I made a mad dash out the door before she could get off the phone and ask another question.

Right now, I think I’m going to have breakfast, and head out the door to enjoy the sunshine with my favorite guy. I hear that the strawberry farm is open today, so I want to see about picking our own. Nothing better than fresh strawberries.

June 4, 2009

Love, Love, Love

Filed under: Gratitude,Life — gardener @ 11:28 am

Even though I’ve been extremely busy as of late, the one thing that has been equally as busy is the gray matter. I’ve been doing alot of thinking (what else is new?), and the more problems I see arise in the world, the more hate, the more discontent, the more wars, the fighting, the INSANITY-

…..The more I’m convinced that the world needs more LOVE.  Not Hollywood, feel-good-ooey-gooey-unrealistic-love, but real, true love.

I don’t care who you are, we ALL need love.

My Gratitude List for June 4, 2009.

Today I’m Grateful For:

  • People who notice, and by doing so inspire and encourage.
  • An afternoon spent shopping with Desere.
  • Unexpected blessings, both large and small.
  • Homemade chicken soup
  • New life- Sheila’s baby was born yesterday.

Nerves

Filed under: Uncategorized — gardener @ 12:18 am

Looks like we’re going to take the plunge and buy a car this morning. We’ve been looking for the past several days, and Marcel just made an appointment with the guy at the dealership. I’m a little nervous about it- I guess the thought of handing over so much money to someone, but it’s a great deal, so I feel very confident about it.

If I could bottle this feeling in my stomach, I think I could corner the market on weight loss pills, because right now I don’t feel like eating anything. I must though, as we all know breakfast is the KEY meal of the day, and as much as I’d like to skip, I know better.

Thank goodness for fruit smoothies on days like today- I can drink my nutrition. That coupled with a few almonds should keep me going for a while.

Gotta dash.

June 3, 2009

Start to the Day

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 1:24 am

Finally, this morning I have a few moments to relax before I have to get started with the busyness of the day. The temps are slightly cooler than yesterday, the winds a little higher, but the sun’s shining and that’s what matters to me.

I should be having breakfast, but instead I’m sitting here, hoping to catch up on a few things. I’m boiling some eggs, that will later become part of the beet salad that I’m making for tonights dinner. I’ll finish it in a little while, and keep it in the fridge all day to combine the flavors from the ingredients.

Somewhere along the way, I need to get a work out in, a bath, and attempt to do something with this new hair style. I think she cut it a little shorter than usual, and hopefully it will look better when styled, right now it’s a mess- but then I haven’t been out of the bed that long, so it’s to be expected.

This afternoon, Marcel and I are headed to a nearby town to continue our quest for a new car. I’m hoping that the visit will prove fruitful, but time will be the only true tale.

Marcel also wants to look at gps systems. A couple of my friends have been doing ‘geo caching’ and I think it would be fun to have one for that, plus it always makes navigation easier- provided my dear husband actually listens to it. He tends to not listen to the ‘voice’ when he thinks he knows better. I have to wonder if that’s similar to the men not asking for directions thing.

Guess I’d better go run some cold water on the eggs. I would hate to overcook them.

How are you spending your day?

June 2, 2009

Busy Days

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 10:59 am

Another busy, but productive day.   Tomorrow, Marcel and I are going car shopping, but thankfully I’ll have some time in the a.m. to hopefully write, and catch up on a few things before heading out for the day.

The rest of the week should actually afford me some time online.   I know I’ve been absent, but the great weather wins out everytime.

My Gratitude List for June 2, 2009.

Today I’m Grateful For:

  • The trip to the stylist, which resulted in a new ‘do’ and no-more-grey.
  • “Spa feet” morning with friends, which resulted in Happy Feet.
  • The headache I had earlier being gone.
  • Marcel helping me not only with dinner, but also with dishes.
  • Fresh strawberries.

June 1, 2009

I thought…

Filed under: Uncategorized — gardener @ 7:33 am

I thought while I was sitting at the computer checking ALL my emails, that I would type out a few words before I head out the door to spend a little more time enjoying the day.

I know I haven’t been around much, but the weather is far too beautiful to spend time inside if you don’t absolutely have to, and since I was able to do a few chores this morning after we came home from our bike ride, I’ve had the rest of the day to do whatever I want- which has been spending the afternoon sitting in the shade, enjoying the gorgeous weather we’ve been blessed with.

We had a busy, busy weekend, which included a 6.5 mile walk along the beach yesterday, and a 10+ mile bike ride this morning. Couple that with a 3 pound weight loss when I stepped on the scales earlier, and I would have to say- life is good.

Tomorrow and Wednesday I have plans which will also require me to be gone most of the day, but Wednesday morning should afford me some time to write, if I don’t write before then. I’m definitely going to try before then, as I have so much to tell.

My Gratitude List for June 1, 2009.

Today I’m Grateful For:

  • Gorgeous weather and time spent with Marcel biking this morning.
  • A 3 pound loss on the scales this morning.
  • A baby donkey that I had the pleasure of meeting this morning, and giving a hug.
  • Sitting in the shade, writing letters and enjoying the day.
  • My brothers 40th birthday bash, being a smashing success.

May 29, 2009

Moi?

Filed under: Techy — gardener @ 10:55 am

I sometimes have to ask myself where people get the idea that I’m this all-knowing computer guru. Granted, I know a little, or maybe even more than a little, but I’m by far no guru. Geek maybe, guru not. Just as I saved the last entry, I saw an email from my dear brother asking me if I knew anyone who could help his friend Michael with software development on a program for a business the two of them are starting up together, or if I could even do some developing myself. Boy oh boy, he thinks his sister is far smarter than she is. 🙂

Looks like in addition to calling Jules, I’ll be calling bro as well.

Friends

Filed under: Uncategorized — gardener @ 10:53 am

I have so much to talk about, but right now I need to head to the kitchen, pour myself a tall glass of Coke Zero, and head outside with the telephone so I can call one of my dearest gal pals, Julie.

We haven’t talked in a while via the phone, and it’s time. She’s not feeling well, so I hope she’ll be ok to talk, but I’m definitely looking forward to it. Yeahhh for friends! Hearing from friends is always a day brightener isn’t it? It is for me!

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