Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

July 10, 2014

Quiet Evenings

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 2:11 pm

Marcel is working this evening- so that means after a busy day- that I actually have the evening to myself. I know- some people think it’s horrible to actually relish in the alone time- but truth is- I need it. Without it- I would probably be impossible to live with.

Since Marcel hasn’t been doing great- the doctors actually have him working half days now- so he’ll be home at 2 a.m.- long after I’m in bed (or that’s the plan, anyway). I spend some time working outside today- after doing my ‘paid’ job- so I’m ready to take a cool bath and curl up with some mindless television.

First- I’ll give mom a call. I talk to them daily- and I wouldn’t have it any other way. There will come a day when that luxury isn’t available, but for now, I’m cherishing every moment.

It’s Beginning to Look….

Filed under: Holidays,Seasons,Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 2:06 pm

Someone posted on Facebook earlier today exactly how many days it was until Christmas. I found myself groaning a little, not so much because Christmas isn’t ‘that’ far away, but because people are starting to post x days til Christmas. With that being said- I will admit that I’ve already started thinking about Christmas and have opened my passworded gift app- and started adding gift ideas, links on where to pick up things- and prices. It’s the best app ever for gift buying. It keeps everything all tied up in a neat little bow, which I love.

Marcel has expressed wanting a pair of the new beats, and while I personally think the pair he has is perfectly fine, I know that it’s one of those little things that would make him happy. He is constantly listening to music with his current pair, and I know an updated version would sound even better. So- it’s on the list. Along with a new pair of shoes- and the Abercrombie training pants he’s been eyeing for a few months now. That’s all so far- but I know the list will expand as the days pass and inspiration strikes.

The Garden of Life

Filed under: Food for Thought — gardener @ 2:02 pm

Life has been buzzing along here at a great rate of speed. There have been so many great things happening, that often- I don’t take the time to turn on the computer and pound it all out on the keyboard to post here (although, I definitely should). I reminded myself a little earlier that I ‘do’ indeed have a WordPress app, and that I should probably be using it- as it would make life much easier to type out a few words and share a few thoughts, for the times that I don’t get on the computer. I’ll just have to remember that.

Work has been really good- and continues to get better. I’m grateful beyond measure, and I find myself feeling inspired. So much has happened, and through all the struggles we’ve dealt with over the last year and a half- there have been so many wonderful lessons- and I’m filled with joy- abundant joy- Does it mean life is perfect? Nah- that is a word that shouldn’t be in the dictionary- but this life is ours- it’s fantastic, including the struggles along the way- they serve to teach, and I’m always a willing vessel to learn. After all- that’s what we are here for.

June 24, 2014

Simplifying

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Life — gardener @ 11:07 am

I love when weeks are a great mix of work and pleasure. That’s what this and the coming weeks are full of- and that’s a lot of happy in my world. In spite of a health scare from someone I love back home- which landed said person in the Emergency Room of the local hospital a few nights ago- all is bliss in my world.

Marcel has stopped smoking and is doing amazing. Thus far he’s been a week smoke-free, and I’m so grateful he’s made this choice for his ultimate health, in addition to the amount of money it will save us annually. (Enough to take two small week vacations- yay!!) We’ve already decided to save the money and use it for a few localish trips. It’s like having free travel and who doesn’t love that?

I’ve also really been simplifying and streamlining many aspects of life. I’ve started going through my Facebook friends lists- when I have some time to do so- and deleting people that I don’t talk to on a regular or semi-regular basis. I know people tend to get touchy about these things- (something I don’t quite understand, but I don’t have to) but it’s not that I’m ‘mad’ at anyone or ‘dislike’ anyone, but it’s all about keeping things simple. It works for me, and I love it.

Life After Divorce

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 9:07 am

I saw on Facebook (that seems to be my only source of news) that friend of mine changed her name and ‘status’ to single. She had posted a few ‘vaguebook’ posts about relationships- and letting go, but I’m not one to ask people about their personal situations. I figure if they want to share, they will. (Unless it’s Samantha, and I’ll ask her. haha) Sadly, a few days later this person was asking if anyone knew of lawyers in raleigh nc and said she was about to embark on a divorce that was going to get nasty. I felt bad for her- but I do believe that some things shouldn’t be on Facebook, but that’s just me. I still haven’t reached out to her, but I do hope that someone was able to help her, and that things won’t be nearly as nasty as she anticipates. Sadly, sometimes divorce is the only way, but having been there- it’s definitely not the end of the world.

June 21, 2014

Time Flies…

Filed under: Life,Sands of Time — gardener @ 8:33 am

You know the old adage- time flies when you’re having fun. We’ve been doing exactly that. My little garden is in full bloom and my first zucchini is making its way into the world, along with my tomatoes. It’s my first attempt at growing anything outside of herbs, so to see each blossom turn into something that will end up on our table, brings me more joy than I have words to express.

On top of that- the weather has been out of this world amazing- and I’m committed to getting back into a regular exercise routine, so I’ve been walking daily. Part of the time with friends, other times with Marcel, and I suspect the days will come when I walk alone- It’s great for the soul.

It’s hard to believe that in a little over a week- that we will be entering July- also known as ‘my birthday month’. A month long celebrating the year of my birth. Yes- that’s my kind of fun.

How is your summer going thus far?

June 4, 2014

Summer Fruits

Filed under: Food — gardener @ 12:04 pm

One of my absolute favorite thing about summer is fruit. I love ALL summer fruits- Mango, strawberries, pineapple, cherries and the list goes on. This past weekend, I went to the farmers market to pick up a few things, and I noticed they had a box of 9 ‘ripe’ mangoes for 4.00. It doesn’t take long to do the math to find out this is a fantastic price, and since they had some sliced and were allowing for samples- I grabbed a sample, and then chose the box with the mangoes that all felt perfect, and I bought them.

I brought them home- used my mango pitter tool, and within 15 minutes I had them peeled, chopped and portioned into 2 cup portions in freezer bags. Delish!

I mentioned it on Facebook, and a friend that I grew up with, mentioned that she has a recipe for ‘mango bread’ that she got when she lived in Cuba with her husband, (who is now retired Navy). I asked if she was wiling to share the recipe, and this morning she sent it to me.

Needless to say- I am itching to get back to the market this weekend to grab some more- so I can make some of this bread. It sounds too good to pass up.

I’ll be sure to share a photo when I make it- which will probably be sooner rather than later. I may not be able to wait and end up pulling it out of the freezer and making some puree and going with that. I can almost taste this bread- Summer bites of happiness.

May 21, 2014

Let the Planning Begin

Filed under: Travel — gardener @ 12:56 pm

Technically, the planning has already started, but now it’s ‘official’- I’ve started looking at plane tickets for our trip home this coming holiday season. Ironically, I’ve even started getting little notes here and there from people asking if we would please reserve some time for them, because they’d really love to see us- That alone makes me smile.

This is the time of the year when we usually book our flights. Generally there is a flight sale around Memorial Day, and with the price of airline tickets going up,up,up we need a discount. With that being said, discount or not, if all goes as planned, we’ll be booking our flights in the next few days- and heading home in time for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and of course, to ring in 2015.

Much to anticipate and look forward to. I’m ready!

May 1, 2014

Happy May!

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 11:13 am

Here we are- The first of May, and life continues to surprise and amaze me. I love it, and wouldn’t want it any other way, to be honest.

The time that my arm has been healing- has given me a great deal of time to really stop and think about so much, things that are working great in my life, and also things that aren’t necessarily working the way I’d like them to, but rather than just getting ‘stuck’ there- I’ve taken some time to think about the changes I would like to make, and how to best implement those changes.

That in itself was a lesson in learning that sometimes the ‘pause’ is necessary to continue the growth. It’s a beautiful thing in many ways.

More than ever lately- I have realized just how very precious life is- and I plan to continue living, learning and growing to be the best me possible, and I’m so grateful for the people in my life who share the journey.

April 9, 2014

Party Planning

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays,Inspiration,Life,Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 8:16 am

One thing is for sure- this ‘free time’ I’ve had because of my arm, has given me an abundance of time to party plan. This year is composed of many wonderful elements, and one of those is that this year is the year of parties.

Not only am I hosting a few myself (which I can’t wait for), but we’ve also been invited to several, which I know are going to make the year even more fabulously fun than it already promises to be. After all, who doesn’t love a good party?

Something that also excites me, is the fact that plans are already being made for gatherings and parties when we get home later this year for the holidays The fact that people want to see and spend time with us makes me happy enough, but the fact that they want to have special gatherings in our honor, makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside- beyond words.

My upcoming party- I’ve finally got the cake idea sketched out and ready to ‘create’. It’s going to be interesting to see if the sketch and idea I have in my head matches the actual finished product.

Sometimes, like this morning- I was feeling a little down, but I need not do more than look around me to realize just how blessed I am and how awesome life really is. That, in itself is worthy of a party- of gratitude for the awesome people in my life. Thank you!

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