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Change is in the Air

Today was a good day overall. Nice, beautiful weather and a pretty easy day at work. But deep down I have a sense that something is about to change. It is about time though. I think a change would be pretty nice right about now. Things have been running smoothly but now I need some excitement in my life.

I can’t help feeling that with summer around the corner an indoor job is not going to cut it. I have always wanted to try something unique for work even if it is only for a few months. Last year I wanted a break from the bar scene and the south. This year I want a break from the office environment and the nine to five. In fact I would like a break from having a boss at all. I think that might be what the next change is going to be about. Self employment and running my own company. I get excited thinking about it. It makes me feel motivated. Time to get to work and start planning my new adventure.

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Easter Weekend

Why is it that some holidays seem to be more popular than others? Some are talked about for months or weeks before actually arriving and others are not talked about as much until the actual day arrives. It seems strange to me that holidays such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day make headlines in the news and others such as Easter and Good Friday are kept secret.

That is why I feel so blessed to have been brought up in a Catholic Church. Where all of the Christian holidays were celebrated and made into a big deal. As I was sitting in church listening to the sermon I realized how lucky I was to be brought up with the parents I had and the religious upbringing that has been part of my life ever since. My family had planted the seed and my faith and devotion has grown ever since. What a blessing it is to be part of a Christian community.

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Life is Strange

Life can be so strange at times.  One day you can be on top of the world and then the next thing you know, a news story or an event takes place and then you’re down and out.  I’m  bringing this up because it just happened to me.

Yesterday was a great day, filled with a lot of love and laughter.  Today, when I woke up, I felt that same happiness come over me.  I started driving to work, thinking about all of the things I needed to get done today. These included wishing my sister a Happy Birthday, paying a bill or two, and finishing up a couple of projects at work.

Then around 9:30 a.m. the news came.  A close relative told me that a friend of their’s had died.  This wasn’t just any friend, either.  This friend I had met over the holidays and had been at the same Christmas party with him, sat next to him while we ate dinner, and talked with him. This was a matter of just a couple of months ago.

The sad thing is it was an accident.  A motorcycle accident that killed a thirty year-old man with his whole life ahead of him.  I quickly forgot about my to-do list after reading the email.  Everything seemed different in my world.  The sun wasn’t shining as brightly.  The disbelieve and lack of understanding soon followed.  Such a horrible and strange thing accidents are.  The next time I’m on a motorcycle I will definitely be thinking about you, Fernando.

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Learning to Grow Watermelons

It is April 1st and a beautiful, sunny day.  The temperature has dropped a little bit, but it is still warm enough to do some work on the garden.  I am feeling adventurous so I have decided to start planting watermelons.  I have all day so I think I am going to get on-line for some advice before starting my new adventure.

Advice is what I was seeking and wow did I ever get some.  The first thing I learned is that watermelons are suppose to be planted in the Fall.  At first I was disappointed but then as I read further down it mentioned that you can begin to sow watermelon seeds indoors.  I thought I would give it a try.  The directions called for using peat pots, which can be planted in the garden with minimal transplant shock.

The other interesting thing that I learned was that you should always give a little more time then the seed packet suggests to reach harvest.  The typical number of days for maturity can range from 80-90 for baby bush varieties, and 90-100 days or more for the larger variety.  I love learning new things and I can’t wait to plant these peat pots in the garden.

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Reaching Goals

The end of the month is drawing near.  I always love the beginning of a new month.  It encourages new beginnings, new goals to be set, and new activities to take part in.  Looking back over the past month I’m very excited about how far I have come and how much more there is to discover and learn.

One thing that I am proud of is the way my garden is coming along.  A women at work is helping me with all of her wisdom and knowledge regarding gardening.  She even gave me some bluebonnet seeds to plant around the trees in my yard.  The growth that has already occurred is amazing.  The tomatoes on the other hand have not come out of the ground yet.  This will be my focus for the month of April.  Eating healthy and exercising have been coming along great too.  I have been eating  a salad everyday, taking vitamins, and at least walking for thirty minutes if I can’t make it to the gym.  It’s amazing the results I’m seeing in such a short period of time.

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The Home and Garden Expo

With the weekend slowly approaching I decided to buy a paper and see what is going on in and around the city this weekend.  I noticed a Home and Garden show was being held at the Expo Center. Although I hoped to spend some time outdoors I also knew that missing the Home and Garden show was not an option.  With my new home and new garden I knew they would be selling things that I could use.

I think by planning ahead and deciding on what I really need before heading out there is the best thing to do.  I have also decided to take $200.00 and work with that.  This is a big step for me since planning ahead and spending only so much money does not come naturally for me. With the new home and being on a budget I am starting to realize how grateful I am for what I have.  Being able to spend time at the Home and Garden show and pick up a couple of things means so much more to me now. In the past when I never had a thought about money I didn’t appreciate things as I do now.

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The big, beautiful, yard

I know I had mentioned earlier how big the yard is.  I think we have about 2 acres with beautiful trees surrounding the house. The thing I forgot to mention was the fact that this yard belongs to us which means the upkeep belongs to us as well.  Which means another purchase from the Home Depot or Sears.  This yard calls for a large lawnmower and I don’t mean one that you push either. For a yard this size you need a lawnmower you can ride on.

I decided to get on-line to see the different brands of lawnmowers and the different price ranges.  Sears seemed to be the only site that offered reasonable prices and a huge selection of lawnmowers. I chose one that was roughly $2000 with an extended warranty.  I figured you usually get what you pay for.  I made a good investment and I’ll have the best looking lawn in no time.

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The Neglected Garden

It’s the first day of Spring and I just realized that I have been neglecting my garden.  I haven’t looked at it in over a week.  Life just takes over sometimes and a week can go by with it feeling like a day or two.  Gardening really is like having another job that you work when you have the time and energy.  For some reason I don’t seem to have much of either one lately.

Besides gardening I’ve become interested in a whole new project too.  It’s not home improvement either.  It’s eating healthier and working out more.  Living a healthier lifestyle has become really important to me lately.  I think the garden has played a part in this, as well as, the new neighborhood I’m in.  I’m excited about taking walks and meeting the neighbors.  I’m feeling this need to spend time outside either relaxing or gardening.  I’ve also met one of my neighbors who sells Mary Kay.  I invited her over for lunch and she is going to give me a free makeover.  I really am loving this area.

 

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My Plumber

Have you ever wondered what life must have been like when only outdoor plumbing was available?  I don’t know about you but I feel as though I get up once or twice in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.  I wouldn’t be too happy if that trip included putting on shoes, maybe a jacket and walking out behind a shed or garage in the dark in order to use the toilet.  I think at that point the tub would have looked pretty good instead.

The reason that I’m bringing this up is because I had to call the plumber this weekend.  I accidentally flushed one of my small lotion bottles down the toilet.  It was the middle of the night and I was sitting on the toilet.  I grabbed my lotion that was on the tank lid, used it, and threw it back over my head.  Instead of landing on the tank lid it went right down the tank!  I mean I flushed the toilet because I didn’t even realize it landed in the toilet and down the the tank it sailed.  The plumber practically had to take the whole toilet out to find that lotion bottle.  Oh the lessons in life are sometimes like the little things that make you go hmmmm.

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Sleeping through the Night

What a difference a good night sleep makes.  I haven’t been sleeping very well lately and decided to try something out.  On my way home from work tonight I decided to stop at Walmart and pick-up some new sheets and blankets for my bed.  I knew they would be expensive but I figured it would be a lot worse if I got into an accident if I fell asleep behind the wheel.  Or I could possibly be so tired that I would fall asleep at my desk and lose my job. Those reasons helped me rationalize my big splurge at Walmart. If there was such a thing.

To my surprise and shock of horror there is such a thing as a splurge at Walmart.  I ended up walking out of there with $250.00 worth of things.  I got my sheets, my new pillow cases, a couple of blankets, towels, and a few other necessities.  I don’t know about you but shopping is great therapy for a lonely heart. I bought things that reminded me of the south.  Things to help me feel at home right here on the east coast.  Plus they were things that will help me get a good nights rest. So tonight will be the big experiment.  We will see if new sheets and blankets can cure insomnia.