Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

June 30, 2016

Color on Grey Days

Filed under: Food for Thought,Gratitude,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 12:29 pm

Today was one of those days where when I woke up I could hear the rain falling. IMG_5992 It wasn’t stormy, but a constant and steady flow of rain.   Some moments were harder than others, but it never really stopped.    It’s one of those days where you really would prefer to spend it in bed curled up with Netflix or a good book, both of which I happened to have on hand, but at the same time- I decided to get up and do something on my never ending ‘to do’ list.

My big project this week is to get my work supply room completely organized, but today didn’t seem like that kind of day either, so even though I had decided I wasn’t getting out today-  I changed my mind (as us women tend to do) and ran a few errands that needed to be done.   (That actually worked out well, because a package I was waiting on is going to be delivered tomorrow.)  Yay for good timing!

While we were out, we popped in to the local garden center so I could pick up a few things.   I saw this Cosmos in the store and even though I could hear the rain pouring on the metal roof of the garden center, the color made me smile.

It reminds me of life-   how even when we have days that seems dark and dreary- that if we open our eyes and look around, there is always something that can bring a smile to our face.

 

 

June 29, 2016

The Last of the 40’s

Filed under: Food for Thought,Gratitude,Life,Women — gardener @ 6:42 am

It’s hard to believe that in a few days my birthday month begins. One month long celebration of the month I was born. Also, this year will mark the last one in my 40’s. Nine years that have taught me so much, given me so many gifts, wonderful friendships & also hasn’t been without it’s heartache. I’ve lost people who I’ve loved dearly and deeply- been betrayed by people I would have never guessed would have done so, but through it all, I’m grateful for the opportunity to have known them, and also for the lessons that each experience has taught me.

This final year before I enter into the 5th decade of my life- I am going to honor myself in ways that I’ve learned over the past decades and enter my 50th with open eyes and a grateful heart. Life is good and I’m planning on making this last year of my 40’s amazing. Join me on the journey if you will. I’m always grateful for fellow travelers.

March 19, 2016

What a Difference a Day Makes

Filed under: Gratitude,Health/ Fitness — gardener @ 2:02 pm

I spent a little time the past weeks feeling somewhat down and deflated about the total lack of energy I’ve had. Sunshine didn’t help, vitamins haven’t helped, nothing has. I know that the flu so many have had this winter (myself included), has left lingering effects of tiredness long after the flu had gone, so I really felt that it was probably that.

I also started the Whole 30 five days ago, and have been following the plan to the letter. Today, I woke up feeling not much different than I usually do, although I didn’t have that immediate feeling that I wanted to sleep for another hour, nor did I feel groggy. I noticed, but didn’t attribute it to much.

As the day wore on, and I wasn’t dragging and actually felt like getting out and walking- I was SO excited! My energy is so much better today and I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me. I’m grateful.

Tomorrow, after I finish working, I may put on my running shoes and walk a little further. Little by little I’m going to rebuild my stamina.

If today brought this- I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

February 8, 2016

February- the Month of Love

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays,Home,Life — gardener @ 11:47 am

Febuary is a special month in our home.  Outside of the traditional Valentine’s Day celebrations mid-month-  it’s also our anniversary month (the 2nd to be exact), so it’s a great reason to celebrate all month long.   I am a firm believer that we should celebrate the love in our life-  be it family, friends or partners- each and every day but doing something extra special, always adds a little joy to someone else’s life.   If I can do that any day- my joy rises.

Our home improvements continue this month, and I have been creating some beautiful Valentine’s Day packages for people to order and spread the love with someone that means something special to them.    It brings me so much joy to be able to play a small part in bringing joy to the lives of someone else.

This past weekend, I spent the day- together with friends exploring the sweet world of a chocolate festival.    It was a great learning experience with the bean to bar process and I’m curious about possibly getting my own beans and a small machine to turn them into something special.   It”s an investment, so something I’ll have to do more research on, plus weigh the pros and cons, but I love the idea.   I also love seeing people so passionate sharing products they love.     Since I do the same with my own business, I can relate to their passion, plus it also is a source of inspiration for me.

Next week-   My mother in law will celebrate her 80th birthday.   It will be a special day for her and we’re all surprising her with a dinner out-  It should be a wonderful time together.

It’s definitely a busy month, but one filled with so much celebration, love and joy!

December 5, 2015

Oh Christmas Tree

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays,Home,Life — gardener @ 12:30 pm

To know me is to know how much I absolutely adore Christmas. I love the decorating, the madness, the festivities- and of course, everything that surrounds the REAL meaning of Christmas, and that’s the birth of baby Jesus.

This year, I went back and forth on whether we were going to purchase a large tree like usual, or if we would go with a smaller one that we could sit on a table and look festive, yet take up less space. In the end- that’s exactly what we decided to do.

Our small tree deserved small lights, so I picked up some of the Central Park LED lights and they add the perfect glow to our little three foot tree. Since it was too small to hold my usual fare of decorations, I went out and picked up a few new little things. It’s festive, and when I think about how joyous it makes me- I smile.

Marcel and I aren’t exchanging gifts this year- We have everything we need and that brings me much happiness.

What about you? What makes your Christmas merry and bright?

November 10, 2015

Holiday Hum and Gratitude

Filed under: Gratitude,Holidays — gardener @ 12:03 pm

Life has been humming along at a good pace, and just as the holiday season starts approaching- I think I’ll have a few weeks to unwind a bit before life starts taking off again.   I’m excited though, because holidays mean time to share gifts with others-  practice acts of kindness and other awesome things.

This was my gratitude list for today-   as shared with my friends on Facebook.

 

Tuesday’s bits of gratitude.

1- Those who show up where they are- who are fully present and authentic. It says not only – I am ‘here’ and not distracted, big also I ‘want’ to be here.

2- Pulling out my plaid mug- which means the holiday season is upon us, and also makes me smile, because I adore plaid. Always have, probably always will. The gift that keeps giving.

3- Plotting acts of love and kindness for the holiday season. (I challenge you to do the same. Little things to us can be big things to others.)

4- Finishing my sugar work for this upcoming weekends cake and being satisfied with the results.

5- The beautiful threads of friendship and the tapestry of joy it adds to my life.

November 2, 2015

Gratitude in Motion

Filed under: Gratitude,Life — gardener @ 7:12 am

I can’t believe it’s November and in less than two months we will be welcoming 2016. Granted, I’m not one to wish away my days- so there is much to happen between now and then- such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and time with people I love.

I’m excited about all the potential that each month brings. I was sad to say goodbye to my parents at the end of October, but I’m grateful they made it home safe and are now settling back into their life. I’ve hit the ground running with work, and feel energized as I continue to grow and expand.

It seems fitting that I would begin to share my gratitude lists again on this month of Thanks-Giving. I’m grateful every day, but I want to make a shift of my focus and start doing them again, rather than thinking about them.

Today I’m grateful for:

  • A business that continues to grow and thrive.
  • Healthy parents whom I love dearly.
  • The understanding that some endings are beginnings for great new chapters.
  • Sunshine after the fog.
  • A great night of rest.

What are you grateful for today?

October 27, 2015

Filed under: Gratitude,Life — gardener @ 8:51 am

Life has been moving at a fast pace, but boy have we been having a BLAST with mom and diddy. We have done so much traveling and I can’t wait to share photos and about the places we stayed- the adventures we’ve had.

Right now though, I have a few days left with them before we have to say goodbye, so I’m soaking that up. My time on the computer has been limited, because my biggest focus is quality time with the people I love.

I did want to share something that I posted to Facebook yesterday. When I work- (and I had some work to do for some upcoming orders) I do a lot of thinking, and this is what was on my mind.

Words are so powerful. They can build a person up, or tear them down.

The same applies to our thoughts. What we tell ourselves can encourage and inspire us, or it can feed negativity, fear and worry.

Be authentic not only with yourself, but with everyone around you. It doesn’t mean you may always be adored for it, but people will always know you walk the talk.

Yesterday, a friend I’ve known for many years said something to me that had me crying tears of joy.

We don’t talk that often, but we keep in touch, and had shared a few exchanges over the weekend.

She said: ‘It means so much to me to get to have the gift of you in my life.’

I was humbled and deeply moved by those words which I knew were from her heart.

It also gave me pause to realize that we ALL have the power to show up and use our God given talents to lift others, to be real, and yes- to be vulnerable.

Authenticity matters, y’all. Honesty matters. Integrity matters.

We are all human and make mistakes, but even those matter, because it’s the biggest opportunity to learn.

September 30, 2015

Brainstorming

Filed under: Gratitude,Home,Shop til ya Drop,Travel — gardener @ 11:12 pm

Part of having mom and diddy here means inspiration flowing for home projects. Painting (finally), window treatments and even the thoughts on building me some cabinets with 60 inch drawer slides for my business supplies.

It’s fun talking about it and sharing it with not only Marcel but the people who gave me birth.

Today though, we travel. Next week too, with much fun, laughter and good times.

Enjoy the little things- as one day they will be the big things.

September 14, 2015

Gratitude in Motion

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 7:47 am

As I sit here with the doors open- the crispness of fall present, the sound of drizzling rain falling- I feel content. The past few months have been a whirlwind of one thing to another, with quite a few tragedy and sadness in the mix. It wasn’t without a blessing though, because it allowed me to consider a few things not only about myself, but also about others in my life.

I was reminded once again that in life there is no certainties and the importance of living in the now- and also in doing so, the importance of not holding on to anything that doesn’t serve you, including bad feelings- toxicity or anything that can hinder our potential in being our best selves.

I wrote a few letters- to a few people that I felt I didn’t have closure with. Not because I needed something from them- but because I needed to give myself the gift of knowing that there were things I needed to say- and wanted to do so while it was possible. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and I prefer to live life without any regrets.

I am grateful- for the big and the small- and for the absolute amazing people in my life. We inspire each other, love and respect each other and that is a beautiful gift.

Wherever you are- if you have something that needs to be said- Don’t wait. Say I love you- mean it- Say I’m sorry- mean it. Tomorrow, or even two hours from now- may be too late.

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