Garden Therapy

Last weekend we got in some much needed garden therapy.

A few months back, we’d pulled out all of the shrubs and dwarf palms that were haphazardly planted in the beds in front of our new house. We’d also added some retaining wall blocks for more definition between the beds and the lawn. We transplanted some of our succulents in one of the flower beds but before we could do anything with the other side, the 100 degree-plus summer temps came in with a vengeance – not the ideal weather to be doing any manual labor in … if one doesn’t have to.

So this time around, we tackled that second flower bed. Again, transplanting more of our succulents (and there are many) and re-potting others. Aaaand as a nod to the official start of Fall, we tried our hand at planting some garden Mums. (Wish me luck because I seem to only be able to keep succulents alive.)

The project proved to be a real work out … moving a ton of heavy decorative garden rocks and stones along with all the digging in order to even out the bed. I’m not one for manual labor or working out (ha!) but I was rewarded with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment once the labor came to an end. Not to mention … it looks so purrrrrdy.

As I said, we removed all of the previous owner’s idea of landscaping that seemed as though it had been neglected. Cleaned it all up and tailored it to our liking (which does not include dwarf palms). I’m feeling pretty satisfied with how it’s turned out.

I just love a good before and after …

As for this weekend, well … I’ve traded my garden gloves and worker bee mentality for the couch, a Kindle, and the HGTV channel.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Change of Scenery

“I need a change of scenery,” I told my husband … repeatedly over the course of a couple months but more so just the past few weeks. “Let’s go for a drive.”

When we lived in Monterey County that would have been as easy as a 25 minute drive to Carmel Beach or through Pacific Grove to Lover’s Point. Or a nice hike at one of our favorite spots, most of which were less than 25 minutes away. But we now live in the Central Valley – which is surrounded by pretty much everything from lakes and rivers to forest-covered mountains and rolling hills. The only hitch is – everything is about an hour or more away.

My hubby’s eyes lit up with the thought of a drive which, in his mind, meant a trip to his recently discovered fishing spot – a lake about an hour and a half away. Fishing. Great. Not at all what I had in mind. Not even close. I was thinking more along the lines of a drive to Tahoe. We decided, though, that was a little further than what we felt up for and settled on the lake.

It took me a little to get over myself and my lack of enthusiasm for a fishing trip. But once I did, I was able to enjoy my surroundings and – I caught a fish! The first time I had fished since I was a little and I was successful.

Not only did we catch two fish of our own, a couple came up to us with their catch for the day (three more trout) and asked us if we’d like them as they already had a freezer full at home. The hubbin was stoked since he eats fish (I do not). As for me, I was happy about something entirely different – human contact.

It’s hard for me to explain but let me try …

Ever since this whole pandemic business started, life has gotten somewhat lonely. Boring even. And it’s really taken a toll on me mentally and emotionally. I’m very social. I love people (for the most part) and I have a great need of human interaction. But the fear of getting sick has just changed people. Everyone seemingly hesitant to come close or get together. So the fact that this couple came up to us and made conversation without treating us as if we might infect them … well, it was everything to me.

We spent a beautiful day together in the sunshine (I have the sunburn to prove it) surrounded by lovely wild flowers, trees, rock formations, and the rippling waters of Lake McSwain. I needed the day away. I needed the escape from the ever-present reminders of this pandemic with its masks and social distancing and weirdness between people.

We set out for a change of scenery and I’m happy to report: mission accomplished.

The Rolling Stone Blogger Update

Okay so look … I’m a flaky blogger – a rolling stone of the blog world, if you will. I know … I know. I’m not proud of it – but I admit it. And for some strange reason I always become inspired around the start of Fall (which just officially started – so I guess I’m right on time LOL). I don’t know why but it’s always around this time of year that the creative mojo gets all stirred up. Sooo … here I am. Again. If you’ll take me back.

SO much has happened since September of last year (and oh if we could just go back to 2019 when life was “normal”). Let’s see if I can catch you up …

I was waxing on about missing my hometown … in that valley of indecision – to move back or not to move back home. Little did I know that 3 months later we’d be moving! Yep that’s right – moved back to my roots. So much happened in such a small time span that I’m not even sure how I made it out of it all in one piece. Quick run down:

Interviewed for a job in October … got said job in November (to start JAN 2020) … found and put an offer in on a house in December … moved in with the parentals (eeek!) for a few weeks until house was ready and started new job beginning of January … quit horrid, horrid new job 3 weeks in and went back to work for old job remotely (before working from home was made cool by the ‘Rona) … moved into new house officially in February … hubby started new job and moved into our home in February (a month apart was NOT the biz). **takes a breath**

Then (cue dramatic, climactic music) – COVID reared it’s ugly head and overshadowed every good thing that had happened up to that point in March.

I think we can all agree that we could have done fine if 2020 was just skipped over entirely. That most of it should never be spoken of ever again. It’s literally the most I have ever struggled emotionally and spiritually in all my life. The struggle, to find peace and to find joy … to even seek out the Lord for those exact things, has been what they call – “real”.

However, I would like to take a moment and highlight some of the pretty cool things that have happened despite 2020’s best efforts to bring me down:

• bought a house
• started back at my job with perks of working remotely from home and a raise
• the hubbin started a new job and is excelling and winning awards for his work after just 7 months … aaand his schedule is amazing – we actually get to see each other every night and he has more days off than he knows what to do with!
• decorating my home has brought my Pinterest boards to life
• though fewer and far between (due to the stupid pandemic), the visits and lunch dates with my mama and gam-gam have been memories made that I will always cherish
• we got a puppy (though the jury is out on whether or not that should be on this list of good things that have happened)
• very dear childhood friends walked out of my life due to differences of opinions (can you believe that?) HOWEVER – God has brought into my life new and wonderful people … even old friendships rekindled. And of course the solid relationships of my two best friends remain.
• the Lord has shown Himself mighty on my behalf through it ALL! Despite my struggle at times to seek Him in the painful and lonely places – He’s been ever faithful in holding me up, setting me back on course, and growing and blessing me beyond all I could have asked or thought.

So, while 2020 has been very ugly – it’s also been oddly fabulous. I suppose it just depends on your perspective.

I’m going to try to maintain some level of consistency with this blog. Sometimes, I just get caught up in living life that I don’t stop to write about it. Bear with me.

Happy Fall everyone!

My Story … Our Story

Should we stay or should we go? That’s been the biggest decision plaguing my mind and heart for quite some time now. The thing that, no matter how many times we run the pros and cons list, we still come up empty.

Go where, you may ask? Back to my hometown … the place I was born and raised … the place where all of my family and friends are (and where the homes are affordable).

My hubby is more than willing to relocate so that’s not an issue. And while relocating involves the stressful task of finding new jobs and all of the joys of moving (insert eye roll and heavy sigh here) – we’d put in the time and effort … in fact, we’ve already be on the hunt. So what’s the hesitation at the idea of of moving back to the place where my story began?

 

Where we are currently … it’s where WE started. This is where OUR story began.

Our life is here … the life we’ve created together. The places we hike … the beaches we stroll … the ocean-side date nights at our favorite haunts … the restaurants we frequent … our camp sites on the river – how do we leave behind the all of the things that have made our story what it is?

a guy and his dog … well, my guy and our dog really 🙂

When we visit back home, it’s so hard to leave. Feels like I have to tear myself away from my mom and my grandma and the rest of my family … like I’m going to miss so much of my nieces growing up between then and my next visit … like I need just one more hour with each of my childhood friends before leaving. But when we get back to our daily routine (and our own bed) in the county I’ve called home for almost two decades – I can’t imagine being anyplace else (well, at least not until I start looking at Zillow and see the difference in home prices between both counties).

I know that no matter where we end up that it’s the being together … doing this life together as we have been, that is the main thing. Everyday of our journey together is precious to me whether it’s here, there, or someplace completely unexpected.

No matter where we go – we’re still us. It’s the simple things that make us the happiest. Our dream is to own a home and lay down roots. There is something very comforting to me in the idea of permanence.

I suppose for now … until we know for sure what we want – we stay put. Ever the safest-bet girl. Though so tempted to just fly by the seat of my pants … take a leap … see what happens. So long as I’ve got my babe – it will all work out.

 

 

Time – Life’s Greatest Investment

From the restaurant window, I watched a man sitting on an outdoor bench. Despite the newer looking shoes and bicycle, his appearance was a little on the scruffy side. Homeless? Perhaps. (It’s a rapidly growing epidemic these days.) If nothing else – maybe just a lonely guy who had zero issues with rummaging through a garbage outside of a bakery / restaurant while people-watching the patrons of said restaurant.

He kept to himself … not approaching anyone. Didn’t ask for food or money. Seemingly content to just sit and watch.

And I watched. Not just him but all of the people who passed him by. No one acknowledging his presence. No one really seeing him. Or at least if they did, they didn’t make the eye contact that could potentially invite the dreaded question, “spare a dollar?”.

Okay look – I’m not judging. I’ve done it. Quickly walk by while intently looking at my phone, pretending not to see the homeless person looking for a buck or two. I also know that you can never really be sure if they’re genuinely in need or if it’s a scam. And there are so many scammers out there. I get it – we work hard for our money and some of these people look to be able-bodied people, capable of hard work too … if they’re so inclined.

But how do you ever know which scenario rings true in each instance?

I began to wonder about the man outside the restaurant. Maybe he was homeless. Maybe he wasn’t. Maybe he was lonely. Maybe he wasn’t. But something about him just stuck with me. I felt stirred in my heart about him … about people in general who I see in need out there on a daily basis.

Like many of you, I’ve given money to those in need – either directly or through a church ministry. I’ve given clothing and have fed those living in the streets. You give as you are led and you give of what you can. Giving is a beautiful thing! But the thought occurred to me …

What if it’s time to take giving to the next step?

If you have money to give … then giving money is easy. If you have a ton of extra clothes to give … then giving clothing is simple. If you have the the means to make food and feed the hungry … then feeding people is uncomplicated. It’s all an investment in people.

But what about the investment of … TIME? Yeah, that one isn’t as easily given up.

What if, in addition to the spare dollar or the free meal … what if I stop to make conversation? Introduce myself. Ask for a name. Shoot the breeze for a minute or two. What if, once the art of monetary giving is mastered, we’re supposed to graduate to the next step … go the extra mile?

Stopping to make conversation with someone, using eye contact and their name – it makes people feel important. Like they matter (because they do). Makes them feel valuable (because the are) … less invisible.

I’ve been struggling with this ever since. Maybe not struggling per se but – definitely rolling it around in the ol’ think tank for a few days.

The gift of time will only cost you … well … time. Time is so valuable and yet so often wasted (I would know). Why not turn it into an investment in the lives of others? Specifically those who society often deems as worthless or less than.

Or maybe this is just what God is working on me with right now … maybe this is just my personal challenge. I’ll tell you what – my nerves go into overdrive at the thought of going up to a complete stranger and just sparking up a random conversation. But for some reason, my spirit it so stirred over this.

So, I’m stepping up to the challenge. Going to take every opportunity to reach out to those whose paths cross with mine … those who are in need of just knowing that they matter … that they are loved.

“Let all that you do be done with love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14

 

Another One for the Books

Yet another birthday has come and gone

with not a lot of fanfare surrounding it but celebrated nonetheless. If anything, I am left feeling extremely loved and blessed.

From the early morning texts from my Day 1’s (childhood friends whom I remain tight with some 30-plus years later) to the Facebook posts dedicated to me and messages of birthday wishes – I was definitely feeling the love.

From the perfectly selected gifts by people who know me to a T to those who were just present – my heart is full.

So here’s to 43 (gulp). I’m not sure when I got this old but I’m thankful for the years I’ve been blessed with.

And now to sum up this past birthday weekend with a little something called 5 Senses Monday (borrowed from a friend who borrowed it from a friend … and now Tuesday because I fell asleep before actually posting lol) where you sum up your weekend via the five senses:

HEARING: screams and laughter from little kids to big kids on the Boardwalk rides … the click, click, click of the roller coaster making its way up the track to the top before the much anticipated first drop … seagulls … the recorded message played over and over to keep your hands in the ride at all times (I got it – thank you)

SEEING: a swarm of tan (and sunburnt) bodies playing on the beach … sail boats on the horizon of the Pacific against a bright blue backdrop

TASTING: corn dogs, roasted sweet corn, and churros … homemade lemon cake with lemon curd topped with lemon frosting (de-lish!) ... homemade corn tortillas … tacos (needless to say this was not a health-conscious birthday weekend)

SMELLING: seaweed and ocean air … citrus-scented sunblock … weed – at every turn (it’s Santa Cruz … and legal so to be expected) … freshly baked pizza

FEELING: sore from all of the walking and standing in long amusement park rides … the light-headedness and stomach-lurch with each drop of the pirate ship ride (my fav) … full from all of the delicious junk food … warmed – not just from the heat of the sun but a warmed heart by loved ones who made a lengthy drive just to spend a few hours with me for my born- day … appreciative that my hubby made it all happen because he loves me the way he does

**my heart is full**

 

What a Week

If not a vacation perhaps a nap like this?

It’s been a looooooooooooooooong week … for like several months.

I’m so mentally exhausted from work that it makes even the thought of being productive at home all the more exasperating. But I wanted to pop in anyway so that I can get into the habit of writing … although my poor tired brain and heavy eye lids have joined forces against my efforts (hence the short post).

I don’t think I’ve never been in such desperate need of a vacation. Time away. Time to de-stress. I crave it.

Alas, the closest I will get any time soon to the jungle of Costa Rica or the peaceful calm of Kauai is tonight … when I lay my head down to sleep.

Sweet dreams.

Time Flies

Has it seriously been over two years since I’ve posted on my blog?!

Oh my wow!

Well, I’m gonna take another crack at this and try to maintain some level of consistency. Which should be much easier now that I’ve upgraded my laptop and home WiFi (lol). In the meantime, let me catch you up on the ol’ Cliff’s Notes of the past two+ years:

Hmmm, let’s see … I’ve made a new “bestie” (though I’d sworn off making anymore new friends haha) but spent more quality time with my Day 1’s. Reconnected with two specials cousins (we didn’t grow up together but it’s all love). I’ve paid off all my credit cards and started a home-savings account (being out of debt is UH-MAZING). I’ve gained weight … lost weight … and gained it back (lol … currently trying to lose it again – once and for all). I’ve truly forgiven someone who crushed my heart and I’d cut out of my life (perhaps a progress report in due time). I’ve become obsessed with Saturday night backyard bonfires accompanied by my hubby, my furbaby, and a glass of Malibu rum and pineapple (ahem – several glasses). Discovered new Facebook Messenger filters (hours of entertainment … it’s the small things). I updated my resume and did my first interview in seven years (a panel interview at that – no pressure).  I got into a car accident (totaled my car but not me – thank God). Got another tattoo (hubby-wifey anniversary tats). My godson turned 16 (not sure when he grew up but it happened). I mourned the death of two friends within two months of each other (rest easy Booker T and John John). I celebrated one of my closest friends starting a new life with her soulmate (Team Tafoya). I mourned the loss of my grandma June (good night grandma – see you when I get there) and celebrated my grandma Bonnie’s 90th birthday (90 is the new 70).

Through all the ups and downs of the past couple years I can say that … I’ve made more effort to spend as much time with my loved ones as I possibly can. I’ve cherished the time that I’ve had with them probably more than I ever have. It’s been a good two-going-on-three years – even when it hasn’t been … if ya know what I mean.

Here’s to yet another attempt at recording this crazy MixTape life type of blog of mine! Do stay tuned …

Simply Succulent

There are people in this world who can talk to a plant or just walk by it and it brings forth the most beautiful foliage and blooms you ever did see. In fact, I know one such person – my mother-in-law. She’s amazing! I’ve seen her take an orchid, reduced to just the leaves and a couple sticks with one shriveled up flower left, that someone discarded into the trash can … only to re-pot it, love it, and watch it bloom into the most gigantic, thriving orchid ever!

Then, there are people like … me.

I could walk by a plant and I swear it will shrink back and shrivel up within minutes. Like my mere presence is toxic to plant life. Needless to say – I’ve never possessed the proverbial “green thumb”.

But then one magical day – all that changed. It was the day that I discovered … SUCCULENTS!

It is nearly impossible to kill succulents. That’s not the only reason I love them (though it’s seriously the front-runner of reasons). They are just beautiful. And there are so many different varieties. So many, that I’m beginning to run out room on my porch. This calls for a new, creative approach on where to grow / plant them.

Yeah – I’m feeling like a champ over here with me and my succulents. Though, I am going to challenge myself to once again try my hand at regular flowers as well as some of my favorite veggies (a bitter disappointment of the pas that I wish not to speak of).

So, while everyone else was spending the 4th of July holiday BBQ-ing or poolside – I was planting, re-potting, watering, and relaxing with these beauties …

not a succulent … but my attempt at growing other stuff too

this little bitty is growing thru the wood cover leading to beneath the house!

**swoon**

Summa-time Feels

From summer blooms to BBQ’s, beach blankets to camping trip prepping underway … I’ve got them summer times feels.

I live near the coast, though. So even though the calendar says the official start of summer kicked off over a week or so ago – the sun peaks through the marine layer only when it feels like it.

However, while I may never put away my winter clothes around here – I stay flip flop ready!

Bring on the the cherries n melon … beach bonfires … blue skies … playing in the garden … roller coaster rides on the Boardwalk … sundresses … toes in the sand … camping … river hikes … picnics n BBQs … strappy sandals … SPF 1,000 (ha!) – and let’s get our summer on!