tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244306152024-03-17T10:28:10.988-04:00Pursuing LoveMargiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.comBlogger3734125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-11726813433706866932024-03-17T10:18:00.006-04:002024-03-17T10:27:37.201-04:00The Journey of Grief - Structure in meals<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;"> I've found that sometimes having structure helps me! and also... groceries... so expensive! I'm pretty good at getting good deals on things but I haven't been the best at meal planning but in the last month I've gotten better- shared ingredients, what's in the freezer... I've also been working on eating healthier and making good choices with more veggies and legumes!</span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;">one thing I also learned... is that I give myself choices for the week and then decide instead of having SUPER structure. </span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;">This week I've planned:</span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;">Hardboiled eggs/tomatoes/avocados </span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;">Egg Salad/GFree Toast (<a href="https://rumispassion.wordpress.com">Rumi's)</a></span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;">White Chicken Chili - recipe below</span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;">Chicken Alfredo with Aldi G-Free Noodles</span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;">Taco Salads with cheese quesadillas with corn tortillas</span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;">These choices are easy to prepare, provide lunches and dinner leftovers. With all the travel, it feels so good to have meals at home that are tasty and I know what's in them! (My tummy has had issues since I got home!</span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;">Also my daughter has been making soup/meals for people and every time she mentions it I think to myself "MMMMM that sounds good!" so finally I am getting around to making it!</span></p><p><b><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;">White Chicken Chili</span></b></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;"><br style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" /></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">4 Chicken Breasts, cooked and chopped or</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">1 Rotissiere Chicken, deboned, skinned and chopped</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">2 Med Onions, chopped</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">1 TBL Oil</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">4 Cloves, Garlic, minced</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">4 oz. Chopped green Chiles</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">2 tsp. Ground Cumin</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">1 1/2 tsp. Oregano or Italian Seasoning</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">2 (16 oz each) Great Northern Beans, drain and rinse</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">2 cans Chicken Broth</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;">2 Cups Shredded Cheddar or Monterey jack Cheese.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Saute onions in oil until transluscent, add garlic, chiles and spices, cook additional 5 minutes. In Crockpot place onion-spice mixure, chicken, broth & beans, cook on low *5 hours. 10 minutes before serving, stir in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"> cheese</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"> and stir thoroughly. Ladle up servings topped with additional cheese and sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips or serve with warm bread!</span></span></p></blockquote><p><br /></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-30411935140646075112024-03-03T21:37:00.001-05:002024-03-03T21:37:41.133-05:00The Journey of Grief - getting unstuck<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ67mCgyzUtm781ICF_vrP7F3hEHnQKuke1BIzcbBD8fZdErzG8gElr9gCzZKHl-E2zj5FHuvjfTUnViEXdrXOotx2s86faim_1qiQTyw4IpXyYOKIFSWzbehi0TSMnqD8cfrC6v5RAlMxqU9sYCxmklRksBTI8El6dQY-xT5w-CrOt3oryCS/s1494/4B862BD8-FE46-47FF-A8AA-72BE76A009AA_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ67mCgyzUtm781ICF_vrP7F3hEHnQKuke1BIzcbBD8fZdErzG8gElr9gCzZKHl-E2zj5FHuvjfTUnViEXdrXOotx2s86faim_1qiQTyw4IpXyYOKIFSWzbehi0TSMnqD8cfrC6v5RAlMxqU9sYCxmklRksBTI8El6dQY-xT5w-CrOt3oryCS/s320/4B862BD8-FE46-47FF-A8AA-72BE76A009AA_1_201_a.jpeg" width="241" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />A month or so ago I felt so trapped in grief. Overwhelmed by all the things that need to be done. The pressure of having the perfect “Celebration of life” for my dad was starting to suffocate me. Honor your father and mother, it’s the first commandment with a promise kept running through my head. Not letting anyone down. It was just so much. I even panicked at the last minute and order so much extra food (ain’t no one going hungry on my watch LOL).</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A few weeks ago I put on my FB “Grief is hard”. And an old friend reached out to tell me about a grief support group. And I joined. Yes. I am still shocked myself. I went last week for the first time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am here to tell you, I don’t even feel like the same person I was a month ago.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Signing up for the grief support group helped me to feel “unstuck”. I can’t stand being stuck. When I feel like I can’t get out of a situation it makes me feel like a caged animal. It felt like someone opened the cage so I could walk out to get to the next step.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Last weekend we had the big Celebration. It felt wonderful to honor my dad, and honestly the day seemed perfect. The pictures, the food, but mostly the people. People who loved my dad and love us. It felt so wonderful to be loved and supported by so many people. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides ~Thoreau<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I went to the grief support group (Griefshare) and felt so supported. I’d highly recommend if you are going through grief. It helped me to feel less crazy – that all the feels – many that are not sad, are all normal. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’ve been able to return to the land of the living in many ways and I’ve had to catch up on a lot of things that have not gotten done or that I fell behind (winter sowing)…. It feels good to get caught up! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was going to do a major front yard renovation but I decided to wait one more year. I decided that might be too much because also there is a major overhaul of the community garden at my church. So I am going to enjoy my yard the way it is this year <3 There is something about just enjoying life that seems so wonderful. I am also thinking about hosting a bible study in my yard this year. That seems dreamy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It sure has been a roller coaster of a year! But I’ve learning to live life a little more every day.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-91530978935979084562024-02-22T11:11:00.002-05:002024-02-22T11:14:26.865-05:00The Journey of Grief - living through it <p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpQj6ffJi1MvGzmb0Hz9LLhmlpIzpCTix6k2oGL7MjUT4L7mbEzI1ffGci80d83NE1iAamefsil0FrVIHkhnP1kw7nM38c178XVvxScfVlrYPyKA9hJbAoNVQY0h560sYhOqKrfiyZDS6oUT51MyRRkFfYRGhO00uA50cyWAsAQFRi-UoExJ9/s1125/IMG_9508.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1125" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpQj6ffJi1MvGzmb0Hz9LLhmlpIzpCTix6k2oGL7MjUT4L7mbEzI1ffGci80d83NE1iAamefsil0FrVIHkhnP1kw7nM38c178XVvxScfVlrYPyKA9hJbAoNVQY0h560sYhOqKrfiyZDS6oUT51MyRRkFfYRGhO00uA50cyWAsAQFRi-UoExJ9/w200-h186/IMG_9508.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">When my dad died the way i thought I'd get through it and how I've actually gotten through it have been two different things.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I spent most of my Holiday shutdown on the coach after doing my best to make sure my family had a nice Christmas. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've had so many times when I've gone to pick up the phone to ask my dad... ABOUT HIS HOUSE 🤦🏼♀️</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've had moments of depression and m thankful for Vitamin D, crying, and a whole lot of prayers. </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've joined a grief support group to meet with others, signed up for FindingJoy online. And I've decided to live life through my Grief. I've seen Wicked and a friend asked to go to another show, I didn't even hesitate! Let's go! </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bucket list item of going to see Jame Taylor with Phyllis ✔️</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I even signed up for a Women's conference! 2 of them Actually! What?!?</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Trips up North</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Trips overseas </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Trips to rest</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Im not going to put my head down and plow through things or feelings, I'm going to live them and any storm that comes my way, I'll be like a Bison and head through it , head up. </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm living my life through grief. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Life is meant to be lived </span></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-35113920431040600322024-02-18T21:28:00.003-05:002024-03-03T21:38:18.742-05:00The Journey of Grief - getting things done<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91ojAGnNlp6nkdDt6lML7tC6T-XdmbNKhubhXiaTPXIUUGJwhn5gJbYjFM_MD9KZvUDJfUpUvQJUL-Kdu6knBXTvUibbZG3l1jdQzeqwOePabikBcQvv42Y_iQtJs0yB-O2fFRVTYtPjivvtHx7Y1nnDIjn3gYc6Qyj_kWbUvNwQLG1dLA9ZV/s2509/IMG_9484.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="2509" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91ojAGnNlp6nkdDt6lML7tC6T-XdmbNKhubhXiaTPXIUUGJwhn5gJbYjFM_MD9KZvUDJfUpUvQJUL-Kdu6knBXTvUibbZG3l1jdQzeqwOePabikBcQvv42Y_iQtJs0yB-O2fFRVTYtPjivvtHx7Y1nnDIjn3gYc6Qyj_kWbUvNwQLG1dLA9ZV/s320/IMG_9484.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> One thing I really struggle with is expectations. This is no different than before my dad died. <p></p><p>This past week I was in Miami, I was working most of the days but I certainly did enjoy my share of fun!</p><p>Yesterday I went to see Wicked with my friend and her granddaughter and then celebrated my friend's son's birthday. It was a day of just fun!</p><p>But that means that all the things that need to get done... need to get done today. And getting things cleaned out of my dad's house is top on the list. </p><p>I made Breakfast sandwiches for the next three weeks for the kid's early bible study, made breakfast sandwiches for me too (instead of stopping!) and lunches for the community fridge but there just doesn't seem to be enough time to get things done. </p><p>Today I decided that I will deliver the lunches and I am going to go to my dad's instead of going to church. I know that there are many benefits to church but today my anxiety caused by expectations needs to be shut up by getting things done. </p><p>The expectation of making everyone happy - which who's judging for going or not going to church? No one. But previously I went to a church/cult that thought everything should come after church. and sometimes that weird church trauma rears its ugly head, and I have to cut it off. </p><p>I went to the house and cleaned out the cedar closet - which was previously a work room and it wasn't even that big and didn't "seem" to have that much stuff in it.... 7 39-gallon garbage bags, and 2 giant bags of donations. There wasn't much that I kept for donations. </p><p>The days that we clean a room out and there are tons of memories, those days are the best, even if we cry. But the days that it's just trash, those are the worst and the hardest. </p><p>About half way through - maybe 1/3 way through I was really overwhelmed. so I sat down... and took at nap to regulate myself LOL</p><p>and I had even gotten a text message from my Pastor checking on me since I haven't been in church in a couple weeks. and let me tell you, he wasn't checking because I did or didn't do something, it's not like me to miss church. I typically go every week. And all that church trauma (see above) had me feeling some kinda way... but then I just chilled for a second and reminded myself that he was really just checking on me! </p><p>Grief is so hard! seriously. sometimes I never know how it's gonna hit me or when. And I don't like it. I'm thankful for friends and a few books I've been reading. It's been really helping me to identify feelings and feel them.</p><p>Currently my house is a mess! I've got celebration of life stuff everywhere.</p><p>It's winter sowing time. </p><p>And I am trying to do a purge. </p><p>I literally just told someone to "slow down Lucy" that's what I say to myself when I got too many irons in the fire. and so I am Thinking the purge may have to wait. And that's ok. don't need to do everything.</p><p>and honestly, i don't need to do anything. LOL</p><p>Grief. </p><p>It's weird.</p><p><br /></p><p>******</p><p>And just for funnizies.... that pic is a pic of my gramma doing a Jell-O shot 😂</p><p><br /></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-47622412849726698542024-02-11T07:35:00.001-05:002024-02-11T07:35:13.076-05:00The journey of Grief - 1 <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZql7MUq866tqZEfCFqE5Rrg43IXD-uA8kbgw05yni55mQomnRe1gx9T1m9Gub07u1KNzvugJDGokYD8gjd9D2LzSeHjeh0QOIDvwPuP1pzLf8HQWCucKT9cMbkjLB8qRly6WZuV62XWVwUe59Ixp2uaP-HJ0tLGGR5k-FOFsD4TOtmd_AO2s_/s3530/IMG_8915.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3530" data-original-width="2668" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZql7MUq866tqZEfCFqE5Rrg43IXD-uA8kbgw05yni55mQomnRe1gx9T1m9Gub07u1KNzvugJDGokYD8gjd9D2LzSeHjeh0QOIDvwPuP1pzLf8HQWCucKT9cMbkjLB8qRly6WZuV62XWVwUe59Ixp2uaP-HJ0tLGGR5k-FOFsD4TOtmd_AO2s_/w151-h200/IMG_8915.jpeg" width="151" /></a></div><br /> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">It's been a long 3 months. Honestly harder than i thought they'd be. As someone who feels but checks boxes (gets things done) to cope (protect myself) nothing prepared me for the loss of my dad even though i had a feeling it was coming soon -</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"> </span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">But why i realized just 5 minutes ago, I've held my dad dying as a fear as a child. So maybe all this grief has been bottled up for 51 years</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I started listening to a podcast by Anderson Cooper about grief and Ashley Judd talked about when her mother died she also grieved death from a childhood loss and that hit me. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Top all that grief off like a cherry on top of a Sundae, i have a particularly stressful job. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It was a recipe for a depressive incident. I knew i wasn't doing well - I stopped wanting to eat. Went through <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the motions of what I'm called to do (i was really resenting making lunches for the homeless but God didn't say i could stop so i didn't), i didn't particularly like doing Margie Mail. But i thought there's kids that look forward to it. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I wanted to write but couldn't find the words.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">And i felt stuck in all of my grief and i think that was the worst. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to ask for. (Also as a reminder- if people are struggling in grief- don't ask them what to do, just show up with a meal, flowers, send a card, go on vacation with them - just show up) </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">So i posted "grief is hard" </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">And people reached out. One person runs a grief support group and invited me to join (send me a DM if you are interested). I received so much love in a moment that i didn't know what to ask for. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">A week later i feel so much better. Even though i don't start my support group until end of February - i have a plan and feel unstuck. My friends have surrounded me. I'm reading again, and seem to be able to</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Collect my thoughts to write again no matter how rambling it might be. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It's not that I'm not grieving any longer it's just that I'm living a little more. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">”Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.“</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Romans 12:15 ESV</span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-57082769752912843622023-10-28T21:31:00.005-04:002023-10-28T21:31:57.363-04:00Moments<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 28px; font-weight: bold;">I feel like everyone wants something different for their lives...</span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinWmSCxyH0oW_ICsexLr30bkNofSe7IUdIftrTB1RArW0pW6Ht7lXcX_n79N-JXlXZXZuaL6SnjY7p8nQWtQNLQ9zdAuklMWW-awqf1aqbCPOejD2um87T-CB23iS7t9FxGgyi0NXpOnqnDSVGcEgMQzjHZzQhtd2i9Da_yJGQdHjHXM27GZC/s4032/IMG_8561.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinWmSCxyH0oW_ICsexLr30bkNofSe7IUdIftrTB1RArW0pW6Ht7lXcX_n79N-JXlXZXZuaL6SnjY7p8nQWtQNLQ9zdAuklMWW-awqf1aqbCPOejD2um87T-CB23iS7t9FxGgyi0NXpOnqnDSVGcEgMQzjHZzQhtd2i9Da_yJGQdHjHXM27GZC/w200-h150/IMG_8561.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Married wish they were single </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Single wish they were married. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">As a people i think we are never satisfied which can be great or bad depending on how you look at it. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Sometimes there are moments in my life that no matter how much good I've done, i will never ever deserve. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Tonight we did a trunk or treat. The theme of my trunk was Encanto. My car was kind of "bad news bears-ish" because I'm not great at those things but i made it work and kids loved it so.... I was "Luisa" and nieces were all the other characters. In my normal fashion i had so much candy! Which, after all, is why we were there! </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZUS72yk1-V6Sl3ik4JNfeXLQsSReNZIWFA2po_BQOEmT32zoTA5HdB0Fu1LWs8gvUxBC-4V9eTKICkAovF8TmGuebUpDhdzJr_LUjfUXoYOXPznDGPd-N9g-UGdq2hbcKofTMdxySpkrkmMZenBVjIjHvXKbud_3403yqcUh98uMxm-AVjRr/s4032/IMG_8557.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZUS72yk1-V6Sl3ik4JNfeXLQsSReNZIWFA2po_BQOEmT32zoTA5HdB0Fu1LWs8gvUxBC-4V9eTKICkAovF8TmGuebUpDhdzJr_LUjfUXoYOXPznDGPd-N9g-UGdq2hbcKofTMdxySpkrkmMZenBVjIjHvXKbud_3403yqcUh98uMxm-AVjRr/s320/IMG_8557.jpeg" width="320" /></a>I had started the Soundtrack over and the girls all started singing while i was restocking <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>everyone's <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>buckets! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The girls all started singing and my heart was overwhelmed. In that very moment my heart was full and i thought "there's no way i deserve this beautiful moment"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">There are moments in my life that i sing the song "i could not ask for more". Today was one of those moments. Surrounded by people i love, doing things i love. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I could not ask for more! </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYC7mKiUgxBrwpHpXWSEubt1NHLNGlMFOrpy90bkLTwiTibmRQI1QuwylF0HlK6KyyzxzpQyD02Kxn256ZTZC1qwZL-4WlGvfID1sJaESxb8mZcUd1cqk4C8Y-0iI1ooZciPZYgzUMIdU_NkkCLTOPVvQhfiN1ZNMqlpKi78RQHISzlJTSxllw/s4032/IMG_8549.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYC7mKiUgxBrwpHpXWSEubt1NHLNGlMFOrpy90bkLTwiTibmRQI1QuwylF0HlK6KyyzxzpQyD02Kxn256ZTZC1qwZL-4WlGvfID1sJaESxb8mZcUd1cqk4C8Y-0iI1ooZciPZYgzUMIdU_NkkCLTOPVvQhfiN1ZNMqlpKi78RQHISzlJTSxllw/s320/IMG_8549.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-15386000509691639422023-10-27T19:00:00.001-04:002023-10-27T19:06:03.855-04:00LITGWM: fall prep <p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: bold;">How do you know spring is coming? Because we are here now.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc5vJBRekJr_jN26xz0rJidweTKrMOI9DREBcJnIxIO6rtER7TxcZF4VXCc3Lj38W-GZRCSBE-srjKcDksZqUpLLDmiIQNQQ38Wve4OKVin193i8zvIJi10myQ-ghOhP84uWXS3_sPbltckiIBPDhj8dmLrNz0IZYyqBpV5gn1pwKeTTA12zv/s4032/IMG_8531.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc5vJBRekJr_jN26xz0rJidweTKrMOI9DREBcJnIxIO6rtER7TxcZF4VXCc3Lj38W-GZRCSBE-srjKcDksZqUpLLDmiIQNQQ38Wve4OKVin193i8zvIJi10myQ-ghOhP84uWXS3_sPbltckiIBPDhj8dmLrNz0IZYyqBpV5gn1pwKeTTA12zv/w150-h200/IMG_8531.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2POSvK2VvE_s9ELlg9xHOV8YucBxQFHYSqWYVffpmjbMb17tTKoCmBfEZ3VfJckXS9uwcRVvvKKPNnT9LWYcPL4KmZDo9x-bUS5U29_MDrPwOIWDfwVlFgZpRWExgxIO6K_2G754S-2x_H9CufrXRlxgXTabrQV2jTq14bTm8uy1bVWFFtcA3/s4032/IMG_8530.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2POSvK2VvE_s9ELlg9xHOV8YucBxQFHYSqWYVffpmjbMb17tTKoCmBfEZ3VfJckXS9uwcRVvvKKPNnT9LWYcPL4KmZDo9x-bUS5U29_MDrPwOIWDfwVlFgZpRWExgxIO6K_2G754S-2x_H9CufrXRlxgXTabrQV2jTq14bTm8uy1bVWFFtcA3/w150-h200/IMG_8530.jpeg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2">I often put off today what i can do in the spring and every spring i say "why didn't i do this in the fall?" <span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span><span class="s3">🥺🤔</span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Big changes coming to the garden. I'm taking out two beds and donating them to the community garden. I'm thankful for the opportunity. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /><br />I took the dirt out of one bed and topped off two so they are ready for spring. I'm out here shoveling dirt after a long day. A long week. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U5pK25vrijYY8iTKv2jrEyD4JT82wuQ9cNsy779kBv9Pdjsav7mS1XgcfVMuLLCDkY05Lm5OP3-Zw5AzsV5gtrjDyU-LB5DNgppM_X73UbnKD10Pk6ZqVQuRwAkpiX-ggHpwFNfuOVjookD9WW8HWNshKOrKnoX-vZOlW0tijhlyTe79aAZG/s4032/IMG_8532.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U5pK25vrijYY8iTKv2jrEyD4JT82wuQ9cNsy779kBv9Pdjsav7mS1XgcfVMuLLCDkY05Lm5OP3-Zw5AzsV5gtrjDyU-LB5DNgppM_X73UbnKD10Pk6ZqVQuRwAkpiX-ggHpwFNfuOVjookD9WW8HWNshKOrKnoX-vZOlW0tijhlyTe79aAZG/w150-h200/IMG_8532.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The marigolds reminding me how great it is to be a late bloomer. How the wisdom that comes from waiting sustains you. The heat and the cold teach resilience. The protection of something beautiful can bring a joy i can't even fathom. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Love is hard. The love of the garden, the love of people. Bugs and animals and the same sun that the plants reach for to grow can kill them without water. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZhnyB8nEtxnwtdlbwHNYUlB9XMOvgNbnhtzMvCEw6eq0nQo4ZJRFpNH1x_iqV4YWqEwDoXkIu-I6pU54puFmqPeIiuBQ6ltkhV_ojFXfNESvPlIIPpuJvA2LxmzP7yT8djmNQUhdbS_615LJFfxhSer5CcYcNOZrXvXaJOlWo_Rq2rZm7M1i/s4032/IMG_8533.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZhnyB8nEtxnwtdlbwHNYUlB9XMOvgNbnhtzMvCEw6eq0nQo4ZJRFpNH1x_iqV4YWqEwDoXkIu-I6pU54puFmqPeIiuBQ6ltkhV_ojFXfNESvPlIIPpuJvA2LxmzP7yT8djmNQUhdbS_615LJFfxhSer5CcYcNOZrXvXaJOlWo_Rq2rZm7M1i/w150-h200/IMG_8533.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Soon the beds will be covered in snow resting the earth for the new things to come. </span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I thankful for this season. It's been hard and hot and humbling. It's reminded me why the steps of growth. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thankful. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thankful for all it's brought to me. </span></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-1628420600457577972023-10-15T18:23:00.001-04:002023-10-15T18:23:47.501-04:00LITGWM: fall clean up <p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdciBtxgPOJch5nO3oFXYFUg0rDacNIoD7ayXwHqw86G17zlx6pZ3RkSYVA0g21xiIDRPhpClsBokdJWV2RlqQIHMmcGNxGaiqKLmwKLxkOd1vdGPcOsZv7KqOjmaZvMYMJSWHG7soyV66hhrPnqyweDeo-yHjuhv1iVSEMo5NvfyoD5ah2YD/s4032/IMG_8402.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdciBtxgPOJch5nO3oFXYFUg0rDacNIoD7ayXwHqw86G17zlx6pZ3RkSYVA0g21xiIDRPhpClsBokdJWV2RlqQIHMmcGNxGaiqKLmwKLxkOd1vdGPcOsZv7KqOjmaZvMYMJSWHG7soyV66hhrPnqyweDeo-yHjuhv1iVSEMo5NvfyoD5ah2YD/s320/IMG_8402.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I'm an accidental garden, i go with my gut and i mess tons up!</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When it comes to fall clean up EVERYONE has an opinion! </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some say leave your flower stalked and seeds for the birds and bugs. And some say tidy it up.</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will tell you that if I'm on my game, I'm "Team Clean Up". I understand all the reasons why to leave it, and i used to be "team leave it" but it gives me anxiety because of the way it looks! </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So... if you want my opinion about what you "should do"... this is the advice i have for you... </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2">Don't Should all over yourself, do the research and do what you want </span><span class="s3">❤️😂❤️</span></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-12348785624114093732023-10-11T04:07:00.001-04:002023-10-11T04:11:29.667-04:00Gentleness and Humilty <p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LTZwJoUrfbA70iihIptcQ3Tw6f8WIFPxpTKEao2e6ynueRDojG1FhjddEXF-I6wmdJqDeIot39YsgPJwp7PwhcBrjLpraHNEkWkq5F44AMqaC3dSbWWgjHqjF157bc6v0Ak1NvjkqZRzpt49_35JbJtLtB9pRW1G_NI6D-9pU759XW2o-fZZ/s1125/IMG_8356.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1125" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LTZwJoUrfbA70iihIptcQ3Tw6f8WIFPxpTKEao2e6ynueRDojG1FhjddEXF-I6wmdJqDeIot39YsgPJwp7PwhcBrjLpraHNEkWkq5F44AMqaC3dSbWWgjHqjF157bc6v0Ak1NvjkqZRzpt49_35JbJtLtB9pRW1G_NI6D-9pU759XW2o-fZZ/s320/IMG_8356.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Years ago i worked on the Fruit of the Spirit and I'm not sure I've ever stopped.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This past week the Holy Spirit really spoke to me in so many ways "where's My gentleness in you?" </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">💩</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've also been working on humility. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I feel like I'm on a race against time. Get all the things done, send all the emails, don't get yelled at. It's me.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia;">100mph most of it in circles. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I bare a lot of responsibility. I take it seriously. </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;">All of that being said, I've done a lot of reflecting this week. And it's been a little ouchie. I've tried to slow down, take a breath. </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Every week I'm reading, writing, and meditating on a scripture. I don't do some deep in depth study, i just really think about what God is trying to say to me. This weeks scripture was </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV</span></span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s3"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was writing it out and i didn't really care about the exalt part, what really got me was verse 7 "“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have found myself anxious about messing up and making mistakes. I'm bound to make them and i have, everyone does. But there are two things that hit me. Humble yourself- i must be teachable that how i will grow. I can learn from anyone and will learn from everyone. A humble heart is necessary. I cannot think I'm better than anyone else or more important (because I'm not - everyone matters). I've got to cast my anxieties on to the Lord and know that He cares for me and is working it out for my good. </span></span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s3"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've got to remember that if i say I love and follow Jesus that i must obey His</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Commands- love Him and love His people.</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And to do that i think Humility and Gentleness are absolutely necessary.</span></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-64614501407107788612023-10-02T06:11:00.000-04:002023-10-02T06:11:11.578-04:00Lessons in and out of the garden <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUz-dfriRC-f51ahrVdFQj1JvtgGIo1U28Sj1ebeZ1QyZhIrOGjoBjf1oYJ7ANypH6hyphenhyphenP0X5gpVKjUlqlQaNokNbdVfm0JLaeRSs443f0xNa1md6TDDGpMmZ0u6STLKISpeIxpHHS5t42Z9wgdRl2DloEKc5R9Hq9Iu7UYVhxbMfRSUretP2M/s500/68ABE0EA-396E-420B-9788-4356FAEAFC56.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUz-dfriRC-f51ahrVdFQj1JvtgGIo1U28Sj1ebeZ1QyZhIrOGjoBjf1oYJ7ANypH6hyphenhyphenP0X5gpVKjUlqlQaNokNbdVfm0JLaeRSs443f0xNa1md6TDDGpMmZ0u6STLKISpeIxpHHS5t42Z9wgdRl2DloEKc5R9Hq9Iu7UYVhxbMfRSUretP2M/w200-h200/68ABE0EA-396E-420B-9788-4356FAEAFC56.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: georgia;">Today i went out to the garden to start cutting the flowers back</span><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: georgia;">😭</span><p></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are lots of opinions of what should be done at the end of the season, and what I'll say to that, is so what works for you. For me, it's better for my mental health if i cut it back now. </span></span></p><div><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">As i was cutting back there was still some sweet flowers that weren't ready to give up for the season. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I went to Costco and got beautiful fall flowers. </span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 9px 0px 8px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLILhQ632QED5H_2GHo2t0tr96Y3qHn7x7UyZ86VcL-5QYyT24wCb-mHcJpOt_zJLCFTsSKTHsrNSHgMLIUrPVQGq7uVlAFFjEJ2bMxNGYigGTCv7y-ZXwk7UtpcH-8LerqpQiZ0_f3YrMlB85zWvuEnmtK1wHysYehaeM4sidFF05kmo_Ajt/s4032/IMG_8292.jpeg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLILhQ632QED5H_2GHo2t0tr96Y3qHn7x7UyZ86VcL-5QYyT24wCb-mHcJpOt_zJLCFTsSKTHsrNSHgMLIUrPVQGq7uVlAFFjEJ2bMxNGYigGTCv7y-ZXwk7UtpcH-8LerqpQiZ0_f3YrMlB85zWvuEnmtK1wHysYehaeM4sidFF05kmo_Ajt/w150-h200/IMG_8292.jpeg" width="150" /></a></span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 9px 0px 8px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">but the flowers i picked from my garden, i cut and put the flowers in the bathroom. The flowers looked more like spring or summer flowers. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwBaP4IYgyR8kOeNqY06-M5pUa1EgCabK9LMuHTgleVGtL5kpF-5ucHxDx1AD31iCe7BXZMRbQEK-m07DLzVPEmwh1B4frU4_1seoony276K11XfK77Zw1cS76eWs4mDHZ9WsorcCyl2wCsRNKYGIRAy_oRUukqUKOFKSKm_Uh2OS-0Fw0rn8/s4032/IMG_8293.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwBaP4IYgyR8kOeNqY06-M5pUa1EgCabK9LMuHTgleVGtL5kpF-5ucHxDx1AD31iCe7BXZMRbQEK-m07DLzVPEmwh1B4frU4_1seoony276K11XfK77Zw1cS76eWs4mDHZ9WsorcCyl2wCsRNKYGIRAy_oRUukqUKOFKSKm_Uh2OS-0Fw0rn8/w150-h200/IMG_8293.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 9px 0px 8px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I was thinking about how sometimes our</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Lives don't look like we expect or what others lives look like. And they aren't supposed to. Everyone has different experiences and that's what makes us beautiful - even in our brokenness. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I learn every time i am in the garden i learn <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>a lesson. God whispers to me. I see the beauty of every flower and every life i encounter. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Today i went and dropped off a lunch to a young man who was sleeping behind a dumpster (don't worry, someone went with me) and it really broke my heart. You see, that young man, at some point, i hope someone looked at him and saw great potential, <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>but today when i looked at him, he looked wore out. Yes, he was sleeping, but he just looked wore out. It made me so </span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Sad. I thought about my friend Grady who used to pray before we'd serve at a soup kitchen - "let us be mindful that the people we are serving are made in Your image Lord, just as we were".this young man has a plan for his life, it might not look like everyone else's but he has a plan nonetheless. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The life in the garden makes me think of the life on earth. Always a lesson in beauty. </span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-14740267555333922932023-10-01T12:17:00.001-04:002023-10-01T12:17:17.204-04:00Feed my sheep <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fwtJhJwc6MmeAZaGagyoHkxLPHCgBVgmBdZAx8T5TKuoYHwuLK2IpVUa35d4tTPVv-kSTP73GvfEnrQd8N4ApPZoYOtao6iSPKNjkvPs4wOuwsfrInSN9pZ2CcQN7nPEhFPD37aMaVsk8CYQQXXIbi-bDwVybBepsrPtqQaTZfxOZBqDdkHb/s500/peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="500" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fwtJhJwc6MmeAZaGagyoHkxLPHCgBVgmBdZAx8T5TKuoYHwuLK2IpVUa35d4tTPVv-kSTP73GvfEnrQd8N4ApPZoYOtao6iSPKNjkvPs4wOuwsfrInSN9pZ2CcQN7nPEhFPD37aMaVsk8CYQQXXIbi-bDwVybBepsrPtqQaTZfxOZBqDdkHb/s320/peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">When i started going to Santos Church i started making lunches based on lunches i made for AWOL except now i make sandwiches too (pb&j).</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Every week i make them and take them to the community fridge. I take the verse when Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep - really seriously. It's a true gift to be able to feed people. Especially after lacking meals for myself in my past.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"> </span><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I'll be honest sometimes when I'm out of deodorant for the hygiene kits or it's a big month of ordering i think "man, can i just skip them this month" but considering how much my own shampoo costs, the answer is always yes... and i order them. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">And i can't believe the cost of cookies & Rice Krispie treats now! Stupid pandemic. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I don't do any of that because I'm nice. I promise you, I'm not nice left to my own accord. But I'm obedient. I do what He says. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">During worship every week, M & O help me put the lunches together- i do it during church so the sandwiches don't get smashed. A few weeks D started making the lunch bags together with us. Today D was waiting for me to make the lunches! i saw a homeless guy so i was going to take a lunch but i needed to make the lunch right away. I sent him in to get the stuff. He knew right what to get! We all put the rest together. I can't tell you how happy it</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Makes me to do this with them all! I can't believe God chooses me to do these things. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Sometimes when i serve i get to meet the people i serve, they become friends and i miss them when they aren't around. And sometimes i don't get to see who i serve. I'll be honest sometimes it's harder not to see the happiness of filling someone's belly. I don't get to see the need being met. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It's hard to remain faithful when i don't get to see their faces. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">But today i was reminded we never know what seeds we plant when we are faithful. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.”</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">John 21:15 </span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-61899613829763592842023-09-30T20:26:00.002-04:002023-09-30T22:19:33.381-04:00Be free <p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> My friend Stephanie always says to me when she knows I'm in turmoil about something "be free" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: bold;">I'm making decisions to be free.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Last weekend i made the components for lunches for church and i dropped them off for someone else to assemble for our community fridge. I asked for help and spent the perfect day with my daughter. That is not something i would have done before but it seemed the perfect way to spend the day!</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then today instead of doing all the work in the backyard, and thinking about all the things at home that needed to be done, i hopped in the car to meet my family at the campground and celebrate Halloween a little early. </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp7tl_naGEnVOQcb9M-xO152tX4D3AWPrbR59QjO-AYE-Xy9-xL67yz4hiM3PhCMXZBrzVDJO_O5Ypr0PpXY_sScLnhzFBZRy7fKB6FwtMVd2pXtU9-V1mZ_V9Jslc3ouMwK_uo2OgxsFNhhYkXj63cfljziBQK9n5TVeJZskaZEzAYW3ZoCP/s4032/IMG_8271.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp7tl_naGEnVOQcb9M-xO152tX4D3AWPrbR59QjO-AYE-Xy9-xL67yz4hiM3PhCMXZBrzVDJO_O5Ypr0PpXY_sScLnhzFBZRy7fKB6FwtMVd2pXtU9-V1mZ_V9Jslc3ouMwK_uo2OgxsFNhhYkXj63cfljziBQK9n5TVeJZskaZEzAYW3ZoCP/w150-h200/IMG_8271.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I also spoke words of life over a friend that I've often needed to hear myself "walk in your calling" when the world seems so... oh i don't even know. I prayed for God to bring us peace and joy and He sure showed up! Even brought extra buns when i mis-calculated! </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I carry a lot of weight on my shoulders and I've never remembered a time that hasn't been true. Sometimes i want to get in the car and drive to the west coast or drive out east. </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But today i chose sunshine and sweet voices that said "Margie!" I chose smiles and books, i chose family, i chose peace, and i chose joy. I chose the me I'd most like to be. Fun and free! </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I showed up with nothing but myself. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And it seemed like it was enough. I never feel like enough. I'm thankful for my family that loves me, I'm thankful for peace and joy, I'm thankful for days of serving others. </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2">I'm thankful. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thank you Stephanie I'm listening <b>❤️</b></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><br /></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-13062770278439903602023-09-18T06:23:00.003-04:002023-09-18T06:52:45.699-04:00Lessons in the garden - till the end<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHiC-s-Wh8YhU03iGUN7Ep45sc9ujxD9IEFPucPKEOSekIrH-S9PStHOjSONpwL8fKSvqaE1qyH3ZR6yoaYWEYzQlm2bipW2Gf7_8PCHZZJuHVuCUS8IToG_5HDtp_1WOfNaoLied_y85oYGPrsRbm3U4ZAWiJeKvbwHA2nNretHyFKCE8SGs/s500/68ABE0EA-396E-420B-9788-4356FAEAFC56.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHiC-s-Wh8YhU03iGUN7Ep45sc9ujxD9IEFPucPKEOSekIrH-S9PStHOjSONpwL8fKSvqaE1qyH3ZR6yoaYWEYzQlm2bipW2Gf7_8PCHZZJuHVuCUS8IToG_5HDtp_1WOfNaoLied_y85oYGPrsRbm3U4ZAWiJeKvbwHA2nNretHyFKCE8SGs/w200-h200/68ABE0EA-396E-420B-9788-4356FAEAFC56.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Get it till the end 😂😂</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I got back from Mexico on Saturday morning (2am) after a long week. I couldn't wait to get in the garden.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The garden is winding down. People ask me about gardening all the time and this year i feel like i could have written a MasterClass about what not to do. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Planted my beds to close together (actually taking them out and donating them to the community garden) and planting blueberries in the spot. Didn't water as much as i should have. Watched too many reels about over planting which might work for some people but did not work for me because i don't have time</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv3pgOOW229OZru_mdtkWaWv697Aek3tr72bcZFSN2iTUydSDFSrdbLtXf6ND-dUUnQykNH_WOHfN14l367CYzx20K4gr-uoaaDQYBJ76p-eUPaNZVf3KDvDPOL0HpkXW3gMhZf0nMZJ1kEq0F7xg-K6emLhKGa_RkJ0g2aVxZjzA-OOacd1R/s2048/C54378D2-D6A5-4B34-8E67-DB72DE0694FA.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv3pgOOW229OZru_mdtkWaWv697Aek3tr72bcZFSN2iTUydSDFSrdbLtXf6ND-dUUnQykNH_WOHfN14l367CYzx20K4gr-uoaaDQYBJ76p-eUPaNZVf3KDvDPOL0HpkXW3gMhZf0nMZJ1kEq0F7xg-K6emLhKGa_RkJ0g2aVxZjzA-OOacd1R/w200-h200/C54378D2-D6A5-4B34-8E67-DB72DE0694FA.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span>To devote every waking moment to pruning for space and this is saying a lot because I'm already an over planter. I tried using stakes instead of cages and then didn't have time to "train" them and didn't get near the harvest i usually get - which might have been good- since I wasn't home. Spoon tomatoes are adorable but not practical. Critters. Vine borers. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I say all that only to say... i had a great gardening year! I learned so much. I </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo28EqrT4IrYcJw4nlHcBVoyFtHTSfequSfUaLtS5xp7ELqClxYRA0PLV4IP5_-lT_fN6pXJrYwBcd2ga6nidyMof8AEB4JkEgF3UOmxa6jqqaOjV9lrujdLPlEI5XbYj787euB8rbSMWzyppCD-I9nfuh6e8zUXOJPVAKIGEVcZEx-b6iqa8/s4032/IMG_8137.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo28EqrT4IrYcJw4nlHcBVoyFtHTSfequSfUaLtS5xp7ELqClxYRA0PLV4IP5_-lT_fN6pXJrYwBcd2ga6nidyMof8AEB4JkEgF3UOmxa6jqqaOjV9lrujdLPlEI5XbYj787euB8rbSMWzyppCD-I9nfuh6e8zUXOJPVAKIGEVcZEx-b6iqa8/w150-h200/IMG_8137.jpeg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Started earlier this year and didn't stress myself out. Planted a beautiful stretch of flowers along the fence that greets me every day and planted most of it from seed. Planted a beautiful stretch along the driveway that brings color and joy to me (and hopefully my neighbors). I also fixed my lamppost. My hanging baskets made it to September. I learned a LOT of lessons. I found peace and rest in my garden. I relaxed in the hammock. I had friends over. I harvested and shared the harvest. I even saved a blueberry plant i almost killed. I even taught a winter sowing class.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2">I've got a better plan for next year - which means I'll have a plan </span><span class="s3">😂</span><span class="s2">. I'm clearing out the beds and preparing now for spring so there is an easier spring. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HlZSGIUPZoDNMrZTtTkWTR0is3srar0KviFxPNJgc4qO_2SZ70844ggVZ-FERAKsvP3wyM0skMy7CTpj9x2sWJTju6XJCsgvzfygVngvY9MmeXMSrd0ZHxak2KIjs9O-rzA-D_FBPuKcW7xiOGcjiAwbCqKCrR-bKi0cJxPsV6svX0WvGlT8/s4032/IMG_8135.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HlZSGIUPZoDNMrZTtTkWTR0is3srar0KviFxPNJgc4qO_2SZ70844ggVZ-FERAKsvP3wyM0skMy7CTpj9x2sWJTju6XJCsgvzfygVngvY9MmeXMSrd0ZHxak2KIjs9O-rzA-D_FBPuKcW7xiOGcjiAwbCqKCrR-bKi0cJxPsV6svX0WvGlT8/w150-h200/IMG_8135.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't ya just love bee butts?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I learned the joy of faithfulness and perseverance. I learned to be teachable and to listen to Gods voice. My prayer life was deepened. The lesson to growth in harsh conditions was taught to me so well. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I learned it's not always all or nothing and that is beautiful in itself. I learned to let go of the things that don't matter (my mulch in the back doesn't all match). </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've got a few more weeks of gardening done as it winds down </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Every year, win or lose, i become a better gardener because i learn. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-60359765620772207692023-09-09T11:14:00.001-04:002023-09-09T11:14:53.785-04:00Harvest 🍅<p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCf6wTTZ7WFDKOZLo8w_QHhm87BJ11d1hlTjRTUo_1l0kIIGUREBS5PdZDgAoYpIcce5tyWcn1v37jP5QIbCMxRWoeIa1qL0_3E3zaUWrLaQgE7JYw1C04q_ntFSWsLOlZAlLfzjGE3os8SN5unmqeutyZme-gg-MUOLuZMGy9OS3YLfLC4EGI/s500/68ABE0EA-396E-420B-9788-4356FAEAFC56.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCf6wTTZ7WFDKOZLo8w_QHhm87BJ11d1hlTjRTUo_1l0kIIGUREBS5PdZDgAoYpIcce5tyWcn1v37jP5QIbCMxRWoeIa1qL0_3E3zaUWrLaQgE7JYw1C04q_ntFSWsLOlZAlLfzjGE3os8SN5unmqeutyZme-gg-MUOLuZMGy9OS3YLfLC4EGI/s320/68ABE0EA-396E-420B-9788-4356FAEAFC56.png" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If I've told this story once I've told it 100 times about my "little tomato plant"</span></span></b><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2">When i was leaving for Mexico in June and it was going to be hot when i left. I planted this one little beefsteak tomato plant that was about an inch tall. There's no way he was gonna make it in the winter sowing so </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">I had to plant him. I said to him "this is the only way you're gonna make it, so grow big!" When i came home a week later, he was about 3 inches tall! I honestly could barely believe it !! So every time I'd water the plant I'd say "I'm so proud of you!!"</span></span></p><div><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2">Every day i go out there and I'd see the green 'maters but none turning red. Today i went out there and i found this beauty of a tomato </span><span class="s3">🍅</span><span class="s2"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think back about so many instances i shouldn't have survived, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer WHILE she was pregnant with me! Sheesh! But i had</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">People who encouraged and believed in me when I've been planted in place i might not have grown. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiOtztgP-E9Slp4uZu-wbHH9qygwatKe9lHODp9Xyv3qFtMhgshSMXQHJ-EzPCx4CZolt-_JtGuuI_yDvRvSgVT7CAiMnYpY_sjdLOccSeUmtQ8d1t4C8w1Wv-hkXtTsZQTt9BFX58eJ0tW3BErZ0iXvhbsxJOGZEqigKfDcdZoj9wz-Sgmah/s4032/IMG_8038.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiOtztgP-E9Slp4uZu-wbHH9qygwatKe9lHODp9Xyv3qFtMhgshSMXQHJ-EzPCx4CZolt-_JtGuuI_yDvRvSgVT7CAiMnYpY_sjdLOccSeUmtQ8d1t4C8w1Wv-hkXtTsZQTt9BFX58eJ0tW3BErZ0iXvhbsxJOGZEqigKfDcdZoj9wz-Sgmah/s320/IMG_8038.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Planting and gardening reminds me of "the long haul". It's easy to be excited in the beginning but it takes hard work and faithfulness to get a good harvest. And sometimes it's different than i expect. But it's always good </span></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-17264469022433100052023-09-04T10:51:00.006-04:002023-09-04T11:08:34.406-04:00Vacation and Goals<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was walking down the perfect little road this morning, it’s a perfect mile to the end and back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNTkxO5OfCmdnHtP3fmZFRiuovJCwGukdBs6eCh_7IVkGJ5amzj5SLvgXgR1cWmu3e68z8DFAo6qUKXRsjeBwV7LFOaG9MMo5IeZ_fcF-rgLZrRObPFFxlpfp6CTlSGoAQ2gvPbxhQ2AUcB-NQP9fBCG_L5gSp6p9gLtbS9XAGn56K5Md16Zj/s4032/IMG_7977.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNTkxO5OfCmdnHtP3fmZFRiuovJCwGukdBs6eCh_7IVkGJ5amzj5SLvgXgR1cWmu3e68z8DFAo6qUKXRsjeBwV7LFOaG9MMo5IeZ_fcF-rgLZrRObPFFxlpfp6CTlSGoAQ2gvPbxhQ2AUcB-NQP9fBCG_L5gSp6p9gLtbS9XAGn56K5Md16Zj/w150-h200/IMG_7977.jpeg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I called my friend and then when our call ended I had started to listen to the book for Book Club, and since I am up here to relax and set goals, I took my earbuds out because the world is so loud and I really needed to spend time praying about what is next for the coming year. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was so beautiful, the sweet flowers, and a funny Big Foot statue!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I set goals every year, except last year, I needed to rest. I think this year will be a little “restie” but also the time to do some work. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cQUv0vPfKbAJs0FnzhoJ18fC9o7BG4fqLr_WbcCtrzG8ioD0ZCSG7qQy1-Xyn30jx-fMICy4Bl_Iy-iDVq2a2N-kuAd0iGcg_k2BvDc9f51G0byAxm_4h9B_dysunBPVd_yuAWJiBnMwxEiN1sDVrCpzRbQGggAYv6SBOF6USOxweVK8r69J/s4032/IMG_7972.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cQUv0vPfKbAJs0FnzhoJ18fC9o7BG4fqLr_WbcCtrzG8ioD0ZCSG7qQy1-Xyn30jx-fMICy4Bl_Iy-iDVq2a2N-kuAd0iGcg_k2BvDc9f51G0byAxm_4h9B_dysunBPVd_yuAWJiBnMwxEiN1sDVrCpzRbQGggAYv6SBOF6USOxweVK8r69J/w150-h200/IMG_7972.jpeg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’ve been thinking and praying about what the focus of the year should be! Faith, Finance, Health, and some personal goals. I have so much to work on LOL I need to narrow it down.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I actually was working on my <a href="https://www.ynab.com">YNAB</a> and finances and I fell asleep. It was the thing I needed to get done first! I woke up and finished it. I didn't really want to LOL but I got it done! If you need help budgeting and finding financial freedom, here is a <a href="https://ynab.com/referral/?ref=BaS5DAnjN2vEwfrW">referral code</a> :). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4cLB-c5jZgDwKihWvLIllk3DR11P5_5P37wKaOJt4-JF3bfa1uCc1DuPVHkSiWwOe930xpW_RpwYfxo_SWrrF9Cbu3dpWqVQphUna49yPEBUiwcetDHyOfbrvfJ3mrdWECOngWr_fB34TafVyoG9HGiakxIR-eueWuFm5G3csvdnR_sFSDpt/s4032/IMG_7978.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4cLB-c5jZgDwKihWvLIllk3DR11P5_5P37wKaOJt4-JF3bfa1uCc1DuPVHkSiWwOe930xpW_RpwYfxo_SWrrF9Cbu3dpWqVQphUna49yPEBUiwcetDHyOfbrvfJ3mrdWECOngWr_fB34TafVyoG9HGiakxIR-eueWuFm5G3csvdnR_sFSDpt/w150-h200/IMG_7978.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I hope that this coming year, I hope I see beauty around every corner! I plan on planting it as well! I brought up a bag full of daisy seeds for up here 💛 to throw in the other wild flowers 😂 </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here are some pics from my walk 💜💚</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBojOd7qbB933Oqw_BypdIim9Ds9UNdwJfXxH-Kb6--xgx4PiDyJgE4NQ1Od6WZeSMSyWEGuHEwgUnRuGqGW-58vmdqSir54hRrJaTGx2lDyPjvcT2KYvugfk-rLh6WatOoz2t4g_YrnbSbk_R3Rn3-6sD05uPDStS0v6sbRUuNd8LoQszmkKG/s4032/IMG_7979.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBojOd7qbB933Oqw_BypdIim9Ds9UNdwJfXxH-Kb6--xgx4PiDyJgE4NQ1Od6WZeSMSyWEGuHEwgUnRuGqGW-58vmdqSir54hRrJaTGx2lDyPjvcT2KYvugfk-rLh6WatOoz2t4g_YrnbSbk_R3Rn3-6sD05uPDStS0v6sbRUuNd8LoQszmkKG/w150-h200/IMG_7979.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVS-6LKkDjcvxri8_Ns9gGB9VVXWlgeh7c5druEj2bGaGsQxj6-D2nWII4qj7UkZN7flQ8xErKJ5MthwNjTNPm6ftCYmLMk_r7L-2O4WWhC79nOFNtLCuzsp0PjBw79LEX8x5G0Ky6HNYAlToDfFTg7VmPYcy-ZpU4P9svbHrnskCu7TGGCDU/s4032/IMG_7980.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVS-6LKkDjcvxri8_Ns9gGB9VVXWlgeh7c5druEj2bGaGsQxj6-D2nWII4qj7UkZN7flQ8xErKJ5MthwNjTNPm6ftCYmLMk_r7L-2O4WWhC79nOFNtLCuzsp0PjBw79LEX8x5G0Ky6HNYAlToDfFTg7VmPYcy-ZpU4P9svbHrnskCu7TGGCDU/w150-h200/IMG_7980.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucSQFDcLbUH-1UhOFxleknAeGvhtGDSFskP4p8xaf_a6XLpJSSZPLYe7Yw58RakUQHCznfwYtB_iuXyXOFHpkVaSxEFzGYHe9iWIF7ZYtUiktFjEldPhWc8dHfkbfIPNUEDNW_AP2PY3jmdjHRx-1Yhrvxp0hBmjKiW2UwzqAfhatvsYTuRV1/s4032/IMG_7981.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucSQFDcLbUH-1UhOFxleknAeGvhtGDSFskP4p8xaf_a6XLpJSSZPLYe7Yw58RakUQHCznfwYtB_iuXyXOFHpkVaSxEFzGYHe9iWIF7ZYtUiktFjEldPhWc8dHfkbfIPNUEDNW_AP2PY3jmdjHRx-1Yhrvxp0hBmjKiW2UwzqAfhatvsYTuRV1/w150-h200/IMG_7981.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big foot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUA6mZ1VlZxeISrkhuxFlTZpalzWi1cq9LCU3dZIiORjNnMvNdwEy9U4KLAdunzjJPNbmFqJZGHDlV4EEAT0QlRQI0XBxfoj3xB3bafVs7Zfq3J-k8t4h5_t16pHveshWTUcOJz190ecHpe2UmtDsc4Ba7n4e61IhbetP2Y03IcRqW5JNeaUsI/s4032/IMG_7983.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUA6mZ1VlZxeISrkhuxFlTZpalzWi1cq9LCU3dZIiORjNnMvNdwEy9U4KLAdunzjJPNbmFqJZGHDlV4EEAT0QlRQI0XBxfoj3xB3bafVs7Zfq3J-k8t4h5_t16pHveshWTUcOJz190ecHpe2UmtDsc4Ba7n4e61IhbetP2Y03IcRqW5JNeaUsI/w150-h200/IMG_7983.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzhQhip6l6jZ5Se6lIPQxp_amgp9Fgzqdt9PMYDCC4fNdFpJ9A874GxkJA-tDkzvWq6qvev-ghbYRFFJkGSVyCIzo3iW-XyXOKeC8smSaIYI1AJuXdlL3MYyt2NbynL1si8LoxAiD1kE4ZWFWQ2SNvv7oLhqu33_4MSpD5MyyI0I9LpRsiEHI/s4032/IMG_7984.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzhQhip6l6jZ5Se6lIPQxp_amgp9Fgzqdt9PMYDCC4fNdFpJ9A874GxkJA-tDkzvWq6qvev-ghbYRFFJkGSVyCIzo3iW-XyXOKeC8smSaIYI1AJuXdlL3MYyt2NbynL1si8LoxAiD1kE4ZWFWQ2SNvv7oLhqu33_4MSpD5MyyI0I9LpRsiEHI/w150-h200/IMG_7984.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFN3Trmg61IVDf41W-hZxh8LziKO_pBKiZ2eILL2sJk-W-yF-2CR4CperMQBdxz1vMnLOGVPInUQdyxVmnIL9mRHcd6f23Vt1H-NT9vclaWKXxks97xSDGE58n7C1tCHpwyngd7JTrPGdV0l2cgDtoCECQqRdgNCO--ipJaTZE0_HGeuTIqW6/s4032/IMG_7985.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFN3Trmg61IVDf41W-hZxh8LziKO_pBKiZ2eILL2sJk-W-yF-2CR4CperMQBdxz1vMnLOGVPInUQdyxVmnIL9mRHcd6f23Vt1H-NT9vclaWKXxks97xSDGE58n7C1tCHpwyngd7JTrPGdV0l2cgDtoCECQqRdgNCO--ipJaTZE0_HGeuTIqW6/w150-h200/IMG_7985.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a beautiful tree, I could grab a book and go sit under it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTgLq5jWDGiFGk1Npbway7Pr9_DzgGPMQkIB4jp2pWw43-rPgPbrbUokh4oyNLnRL-vFar2y1UQL5FzNEfKwvqek41JL96Jy-OC8IDs1LC0MYatZfz3FGuWWPQDcadU2svbD11QUV-Zaff0cZt0f6eACXfWOVdXVLoyNJUQcJm7sHyFbryfv8/s4032/IMG_7986.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTgLq5jWDGiFGk1Npbway7Pr9_DzgGPMQkIB4jp2pWw43-rPgPbrbUokh4oyNLnRL-vFar2y1UQL5FzNEfKwvqek41JL96Jy-OC8IDs1LC0MYatZfz3FGuWWPQDcadU2svbD11QUV-Zaff0cZt0f6eACXfWOVdXVLoyNJUQcJm7sHyFbryfv8/w150-h200/IMG_7986.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dandelions always remind me of my nieces</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74y7uGmKsxn8KK-eGHoj6x-_zXKKAxCtiUU9a9_idoK5f6XPX69Cblw-IcTK6MYD6S2O8WKi0UtOAcBFUKy6q1fyZo5XPdwDQGQ4bDDob6a0k-gfYRqHW8A6zqUWlcxG-G8rylhORSVlDJlI2_2uk1Lrk3QlI0no3IZkDZ2fgspp_WNfCnhZN/s4032/IMG_7988.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74y7uGmKsxn8KK-eGHoj6x-_zXKKAxCtiUU9a9_idoK5f6XPX69Cblw-IcTK6MYD6S2O8WKi0UtOAcBFUKy6q1fyZo5XPdwDQGQ4bDDob6a0k-gfYRqHW8A6zqUWlcxG-G8rylhORSVlDJlI2_2uk1Lrk3QlI0no3IZkDZ2fgspp_WNfCnhZN/w150-h200/IMG_7988.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aYl5CSpW2TLqh1X8wbRFuQgKw3Ymy6D0lKgC3mHpFAeSJ2GZXkYpkeLdisx7UsLgf7sBfXga0Ag6tdR_NAabkEArNngJKeMu3GBPOrl3633x9n2BLOkQvvI444gLMb9xDGRyMLWLstVgh7G3zFjSjz-AZ1NhWP5HP1mTirhauqmLcD6VipPk/s4032/IMG_7989.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aYl5CSpW2TLqh1X8wbRFuQgKw3Ymy6D0lKgC3mHpFAeSJ2GZXkYpkeLdisx7UsLgf7sBfXga0Ag6tdR_NAabkEArNngJKeMu3GBPOrl3633x9n2BLOkQvvI444gLMb9xDGRyMLWLstVgh7G3zFjSjz-AZ1NhWP5HP1mTirhauqmLcD6VipPk/w150-h200/IMG_7989.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Road flowers </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-42006410364144508042023-08-02T05:47:00.002-04:002023-08-02T05:48:53.815-04:00Lessons in the garden.... the good and the bad! <p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZudyLPHJrzcvv6FD3b8DTey9BvLKY22Lio-Q8ZzchMT2bNvVI6S1W1brsjQIID5Pm7am5Z4LtsFI3c7vr86mluWWxKdRaAoMhfFNMffOsUhW97hVFlFMQCKOuflmou66UQQCWejrjR0ZqLebJbCN-cmXUnhFfqyHUPwGcDgW8DSKkpHZn5NG2/s500/68ABE0EA-396E-420B-9788-4356FAEAFC56.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZudyLPHJrzcvv6FD3b8DTey9BvLKY22Lio-Q8ZzchMT2bNvVI6S1W1brsjQIID5Pm7am5Z4LtsFI3c7vr86mluWWxKdRaAoMhfFNMffOsUhW97hVFlFMQCKOuflmou66UQQCWejrjR0ZqLebJbCN-cmXUnhFfqyHUPwGcDgW8DSKkpHZn5NG2/w200-h200/68ABE0EA-396E-420B-9788-4356FAEAFC56.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Sometimes i have to accept defeat!</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What the hell is with vine borers and loving my zucchini plants and breaking my heart. Stupid mofos!! </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Every year i plant zucchini and i get some but the vine borer just gets in there and destroys every plant. So I'm giving up. I've tried everything. Next year the vine borers CAN STARVE! Jerks</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let's talk radishes. Easy crop, right? Nope! They have bolted early, this year they are hollow. Not gonna waste my precious garden space! Every year there are issues. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The thing is i don't consider these things mistakes - because i learn.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know people normally post about success but sometimes we gotta be real and let people know they aren't alone in their defeats! </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I'm not going to focus on what's all bad! My tomatoes are doign great, my tomatillos are growitng crazy and their little balloon jackets are just the cutest! </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My cucumbers are delish and are ready to</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Start my autumn crop!</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I planted Kohlrabi for the first time and I'm loving it!</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2">Tomato crop is coming in! Yesterday i got two tomatoes from plants that came up from last years seeds that just fell in the dirt! Don't ever estimate how much you can grow in accidental places </span><span class="s3">❤️</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Also planning some new projects! Even though i said NO NEW PROJECTS! I know you didn't believe me, i didn't even believe me ! </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Happy Gardening! </span></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-48923203080616332682023-08-01T07:27:00.004-04:002023-08-01T07:33:25.311-04:00Lessons in the Garden: Strawberries<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-1cPiotN7JsLrg3RUPHOmGTC6oF-Mc9blC6rUUTpNmwxlLh1oj-jWUGtGJ_mrTTjt7i_fhCo7SHR0GH8xSs_67AZ3ym4JfbAL2NBU4X4MyJLI3Jcb3U7oVnf8Z6sQG2WwFtdzzaUhqUVKfIHllY9qGeXeOXFGoQyS0ctq3AcQqwdR0LEkPB9/s500/47BC9BFF-15AE-4223-AD17-52D7D05E9878.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-1cPiotN7JsLrg3RUPHOmGTC6oF-Mc9blC6rUUTpNmwxlLh1oj-jWUGtGJ_mrTTjt7i_fhCo7SHR0GH8xSs_67AZ3ym4JfbAL2NBU4X4MyJLI3Jcb3U7oVnf8Z6sQG2WwFtdzzaUhqUVKfIHllY9qGeXeOXFGoQyS0ctq3AcQqwdR0LEkPB9/w200-h200/47BC9BFF-15AE-4223-AD17-52D7D05E9878.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>Yesterday i pulled three strawberries from plants that had to be transplanted after i accidentally pulled them out with weeds from the bed i affectionately call "the berry patch"</span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I laughed because when i moved the plants i thought they'd be pissed and not grow anything this year. This really happens, one time my dear friend Angela transplanted her peony and gave me some and they laid on the ground like a teenager who was just told they couldn't spend the summer with their boyfriend at his lake house - "how dare we!" </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Back to the strawberries! </b></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq0Vmw-UFlMBzs2VybrVxY1ToTy_vwV73c19PTQZqpiGw9fjKRH22sbcs_w4uWXTjDV6vB5Heg0pHs0N3m0qWOGPwzj8RUbs119iR4j7FpcW7s5Rs3a49Yxa4rrPvCOWNHYm97wDWhG9pv1l5RGx0SD1t4XuYcjpONJLUX-Axba4IzBRG8jEM/s4032/IMG_7705.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq0Vmw-UFlMBzs2VybrVxY1ToTy_vwV73c19PTQZqpiGw9fjKRH22sbcs_w4uWXTjDV6vB5Heg0pHs0N3m0qWOGPwzj8RUbs119iR4j7FpcW7s5Rs3a49Yxa4rrPvCOWNHYm97wDWhG9pv1l5RGx0SD1t4XuYcjpONJLUX-Axba4IzBRG8jEM/w150-h200/IMG_7705.jpeg" width="150" /></a></span>I was out cleaning the beds yesterday and looked over and saw red. I thought "NO WAY" but yes way, there they were. I could barely contain myself not to eat them. But after all, i didn't have my camera/phone to commemorate such an occasion </span><span class="s3">😂😂</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My garden mimics my life in a way. Sometimes we get moved to something we aren't good at or even if we are, we are comfortable amongst our friends. It's difficult to do something new or to try new things.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think about moving to my new church.</span></span></p><ol class="ol1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I thought after i left Woodside I'd be done with the whole church thing. I love God but sometimes the inner workings of a church are more difficult to navigate than an ocean with Gail force winds. For the record, i did not have any hurt feelings or issues why i left, i was just really tired and needed rest. </span></span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I only knew two people (and their kids) which can make me feel lonely and that i don't fit in, but soon i found my place and started putting down roots. All while resting (the best i can). We have a community fridge and garden, both are things i can serve at with people or by myself, i find while by myself, I'm praying for the people who will be eating the food, or if I'm serving certain things, it reminds me of people, so i pray for them.</span></span></li></ol><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I feel like I've found my new place and there is "fruit". I just needed some rest and encouragement which is what I've gotten at my new church. </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I guess i want to encourage you that if you've just been moved into a place of uncertainty (or you're about to take a leap!) , great things can happen, and they will happen. Some rest to get your barings, some sunshine, some water (always good to drink your water!) and you'll be producing fruit before you know i</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">t! </span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-4551907375842416052023-07-04T14:50:00.003-04:002023-07-04T14:52:33.973-04:00Do your part !<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Kv6v-KjEjPXeEWxmgNfC838SPcfCEmjhnvFneMXql3GNc51Qc0kaCy8hn5K2kpOZzkEqAA-faXs8Jple8RyL6Fp-VfGX5EjUzGOGQuufNgKe0ii0qyn3zxoV8sy7vzT_N3HUcYbhl0db2uMdDwIARdsbSvlBJet0X4k7FxUVjc5ZzGFWNCKS/s500/47BC9BFF-15AE-4223-AD17-52D7D05E9878.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Kv6v-KjEjPXeEWxmgNfC838SPcfCEmjhnvFneMXql3GNc51Qc0kaCy8hn5K2kpOZzkEqAA-faXs8Jple8RyL6Fp-VfGX5EjUzGOGQuufNgKe0ii0qyn3zxoV8sy7vzT_N3HUcYbhl0db2uMdDwIARdsbSvlBJet0X4k7FxUVjc5ZzGFWNCKS/s320/47BC9BFF-15AE-4223-AD17-52D7D05E9878.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1BLbpKRSHblmRgf7qks0hP1Qb2-Nh-veHUHNeyccAYFRZ_f6g_LYL6bK3c6N6vNmFI7XsL00ScKQB8G4td-q6giX5fMyDQdjcFOk_VhR0bZvP8BZ2UiEUuJGgfEaf-H8ajOAm7UGQpPbJm0gCP-R7LCjzbBKa3xYUc8clka_lY0-HLwYV-ff/s4032/0813018A-44C4-41CF-8D08-1C826676C171.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /> I'm not sure it obvious how much of my neighbors tree i cut back but it was A LOT!! I filled about 8 yard waste bags but ran out - have at least three more to go! <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwq4vEwT5NOQXCj0cPBK2ySb5ZQbk2YbbhG9mTR7PGFvFK-xLq0vThUPozQdLrcnUD_lhlJPhT53ZUFo8j6-o94dVJ94SLFj1evc6eiodq_QqaaRetU7ezF2k1DjsMVNL8irpcRZTuvCnl42B2CdhYhEaOPRunTBP1hdcgF_5R3mY_4yK_gBP/s4032/A640F2D1-C26A-4EE1-857E-FEF27E2D8653.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwq4vEwT5NOQXCj0cPBK2ySb5ZQbk2YbbhG9mTR7PGFvFK-xLq0vThUPozQdLrcnUD_lhlJPhT53ZUFo8j6-o94dVJ94SLFj1evc6eiodq_QqaaRetU7ezF2k1DjsMVNL8irpcRZTuvCnl42B2CdhYhEaOPRunTBP1hdcgF_5R3mY_4yK_gBP/s320/A640F2D1-C26A-4EE1-857E-FEF27E2D8653.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I was thinking about how when i don't take care of my things or myself how it effects others in a bad way and when i take care of myself and my responsibilities how it effects others in a positive way. <p></p><p>In this case, this "junk" tree is not taken care of and it shades my garden from the warm morning sun and it keeps my veggies from producing the kind of fruit that they should. And how because of someone else's neglect i had to do a LOT of extra work. </p><p>I've had that at work when someone else doesn't do what they need to do it makes more work for a lot of other people. It's a lot of work and clean up if only one person or one group did their part it would be better for the whole group. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTVH0gIz__2F85RUduA2y5dSS656rit8pXHLwe-m6-i8RusI1yP8L3bzyciuo8lo5zzyL1Kc-0coG92vnP3LcWlDjOic2ip8aYY4dEdwGu8_73HeAaShXNIliGHGlfOW3LxtHXbPNXe1IHlIbeDksdU7tfitVSeorMA6G-FYEdFxhmioMrWZj/s4032/98B0644D-AF97-4BE3-8CA2-684921F6C983.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTVH0gIz__2F85RUduA2y5dSS656rit8pXHLwe-m6-i8RusI1yP8L3bzyciuo8lo5zzyL1Kc-0coG92vnP3LcWlDjOic2ip8aYY4dEdwGu8_73HeAaShXNIliGHGlfOW3LxtHXbPNXe1IHlIbeDksdU7tfitVSeorMA6G-FYEdFxhmioMrWZj/w150-h200/98B0644D-AF97-4BE3-8CA2-684921F6C983.jpeg" width="150" /></a>And that's a lesson in the garden with Margie 🍅 </p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-62916215238744256862023-06-16T08:27:00.001-04:002023-06-16T08:27:25.119-04:00Growing in Storms<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhadKe-4a0OOCXE_YruuTw07A49zxqJNs-W8M9GVHCOTohJ8hcAPbjMQtmlGFFMycO-WKODX3hTAmODZpfPuu90u4UTZY3-F6XHUcTtcu7-b73k9l9wn9JZbBf7q3gOSZfw4ZG2_ifivKOPN4Tx8rz4DpgFGkTeS1yBWy7V0F387xKo180jXg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="641" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhadKe-4a0OOCXE_YruuTw07A49zxqJNs-W8M9GVHCOTohJ8hcAPbjMQtmlGFFMycO-WKODX3hTAmODZpfPuu90u4UTZY3-F6XHUcTtcu7-b73k9l9wn9JZbBf7q3gOSZfw4ZG2_ifivKOPN4Tx8rz4DpgFGkTeS1yBWy7V0F387xKo180jXg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />So if you know me, you know that you can say a word or a phrase and instantly i will probably start singing a song.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Storms - Storms, will come, this we know for sure, can you stand the rain?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Also if you know me, you know you can find me in my garden... lately pulling weeds and watering. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was looking at these beautiful Coreopsis and noticed how after the storm some fell and some stayed standing tall after the rain. The reason? I don't really know. It got me thinking though that storms can affect us in many ways. We can get knocked down by a storm in our life and just lay there or we can work on our foundation and stand back up OR we can ask for help to get back up. I did shake off these flowers with the extra water left behind so they can stand back up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was also thinking about how our blooms and showing off can knock us over and sometimes we need to be pruned to humble ourselves so that we can be stronger and bloom even more. I planted those flowers last year from seed, and they didn't grow more than 18" tall and this year after a hardening of the roots after I cut them back in preparation of a winter and the new sun of spring, some of them are nearly 3 ft tall and there are more of them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">To everything there is a season. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've recently started a new job and i was really good at my previous job. Everyone I talked to before I started told me i was going to do great, but I was nervous and knew I had a lot of learn. In the past I would have probably used the protection of "getting big" and been too afraid to admit i don't know a lot of things. But I didn't. I just admit when I make a mistake because I didn't know, and i learn from it. I have tried to ask a lot of questions, make myself small, except when needed. I am the leader of a very strong, diverse in knowledge team, and I can say I've probably learned more in the last two months than i did in the last two years and I love it! I want to be a life long learner and encourager of others!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My garden reminds me of so many things, be willing to be pruned, it only makes you stronger and produce more fruit and blooms</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ask for help </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And shake it off and keep growing</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Storms will come, this i know for sure. I can stand the rain.</span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-6850963055763466372023-06-15T06:57:00.002-04:002023-06-15T06:57:09.666-04:00Hair towels <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3nTq85TJVZom7sqow4WTuNUEVlRwY-ov2Da1nhp27KEMCiptYxt75OHVYyWgk2lDUkv-atlxn-g0_CW_Hx5dLmOVdF2m2dmvz545EhWCov2_8_y0q8CqdFYEbOSTcqLHId8Ej9hPp8wVAGCStOXeP6uB3Ir15kiqXtdIHugajjbk2PnxGw/s4032/2E243E35-02AB-48B8-B461-E5C5D7E5B750.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3nTq85TJVZom7sqow4WTuNUEVlRwY-ov2Da1nhp27KEMCiptYxt75OHVYyWgk2lDUkv-atlxn-g0_CW_Hx5dLmOVdF2m2dmvz545EhWCov2_8_y0q8CqdFYEbOSTcqLHId8Ej9hPp8wVAGCStOXeP6uB3Ir15kiqXtdIHugajjbk2PnxGw/s320/2E243E35-02AB-48B8-B461-E5C5D7E5B750.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: bold;">The perfect hair towel is a treasure to be had.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I love a big fluffy towel after taking a bath. I rarely take a shower, usually it's only a bath. It stems from my teenage years at my friend's house. Her mom</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Said that if you take a bath there is less clean up on the tile. Also in my second apartment there was a leak behind the shower plumbing so the tile fell off. Getting them to fix it was clearly impossible. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Baths it was. I just love a bath even if it's 5 minutes. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I still have a towel from my gram's house i use for a hair towel. The perfect hair towel is big enough to wrap around your head with the perfect fold. I remember learning to fold it perfectly. It's thin enough to not be too bulky but absorbent.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2">I have hair towels that are over 30 years old that i paid $2.99 at Aco back in the day that are still the perfect hair towels - i think i got my money's worth. I bought them for my "hopeless" chest (instead of a "hope" chest </span><span class="s3">😂😂</span><span class="s2">). This particular towel has cute pansies on it, it is from my gram's house. I can close my eyes and be transported back to the hallway closet to get the towel for a bath when i was a child. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The creek of the door opening and how the closet was accessible from the hallway and the bathroom with some cute shelves that my gram kept her toiletries in as well. </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When she passed away i took the towel, no doubt needing towels because we needed a lot of things at that time. Extra towels were always needed.</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The towel makes me thankful for a lot today. A home that is full of peace because that is what I've worked towards. Friends that last a lifetime, a gram who loved me. I know a towel is just a thing, however, sometimes things have memories. And they help us begin each day with a grateful heart. </span></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-50147922078692200272023-06-09T10:10:00.003-04:002023-06-09T10:26:12.083-04:00Update! <p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeH64AcQSxfzy2hWtSAVm-qLJfM7ycP5ep-b073IyvYlkycuGK0SrGjTfJ1PCDGagQJoBGszOXgZCMs0dVAX324RMqRwkSPjAlVjyCwSsAki8OYN0E7dNVG-fSuhPo4dNvbTnikugdQNsBzQUYUo5_bAA3dB8rDtnglywbN9QQhW7llq5eg/s2048/6FC8F53C-875F-4177-9555-9D8DD46529F9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeH64AcQSxfzy2hWtSAVm-qLJfM7ycP5ep-b073IyvYlkycuGK0SrGjTfJ1PCDGagQJoBGszOXgZCMs0dVAX324RMqRwkSPjAlVjyCwSsAki8OYN0E7dNVG-fSuhPo4dNvbTnikugdQNsBzQUYUo5_bAA3dB8rDtnglywbN9QQhW7llq5eg/s320/6FC8F53C-875F-4177-9555-9D8DD46529F9.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It's been a long time since I've written.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've been thinking lately about how much i really like where I am in my life. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've gotten rid of someone who (looking back) said they loved me but did nothing but shackle me. I'll never be sorry I loved (my life's motto) but good riddance! Free at last!!</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've worked hard in my career and certainly i have not arrived but i got a new job in January and it's hard, but i really like it, and I'm learning so much!! </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've learned and embraced the simplest things in life. I've created peace and sanctuary for myself in my own home. Most of my life I am structured and there are rules but in my home and yard, it's a free for all! In my life i love black and monochromatic things but at home... it's colorful and there is beauty everywhere.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've even learned to say no and do what's best for my own mental health and unashamedly say "I'd love to, but i just won't"</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm working on not apologizing for who I am and my strengths even if they look different than anyone else's - and I'm working on growing them. I'm learning strength isn't about being the loudest but in being the small still voice. But let's be real, if the bear is poked, I'm coming out swinging and I WILL defend justice! </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm so thankful. That is the biggest thing i my life. I'm so thankful for God and the gifts He has given me to have and to give away. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sending love. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-39634820092727824442023-02-07T12:28:00.001-05:002023-02-07T12:28:13.394-05:00Small things really do add up<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx8mmwgcRxlXhVGp4-5xHewMXdaL3qps0o-uu55PqrJvtPNIHBFeyXOryKS-rQfEqNXkaY24yVY8X8Ujp-PmupGRcBIaQpEawYCy_W_mbRkX7_pF1yyXX0eCxVql0W347RXEaK6zOF_eJ_0eytLxMubXOkXTK3tserl45OLVDZO-HXQOgow/s4032/F8551569-E3D2-4F1B-A0CD-26278347A29F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx8mmwgcRxlXhVGp4-5xHewMXdaL3qps0o-uu55PqrJvtPNIHBFeyXOryKS-rQfEqNXkaY24yVY8X8Ujp-PmupGRcBIaQpEawYCy_W_mbRkX7_pF1yyXX0eCxVql0W347RXEaK6zOF_eJ_0eytLxMubXOkXTK3tserl45OLVDZO-HXQOgow/w150-h200/F8551569-E3D2-4F1B-A0CD-26278347A29F.heic" width="150" /></a></div>I’ve been in Miami for a few days and its been great to relax and just be. Even stayed in bed longer today instead of doing a 5K. Because rest is important.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Yesterday, we did this really fun thing, we cleaned the trash off the beach in the morning. Now, I know what you may be thinking… cleaning trash off the beach IS NOT FUN. But it was a beautiful morning and I had turned on my latest book I’ve been listening to “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott and was inspired by some new things to try. I’d really recommend this book if you are a leader/manager in your organization or if you have aspirations to be a leader/manager.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZGH_nUk-2ym4UyCZHpE_xMSNHlBO763iTNBZcmlvprSKQEEjuVJgIASWHJ4eDrzOlul3F8MOCZXLXgb-0tsM96VfDIe3cCwaNU5kB82dARtnfwlmvkJsTVo_RTosfZvGa4otfCNBxHPJZh7rwrhXYk6vqp-406fj7VIrC524ZWXHSr0f7A/s4032/A5E64BD7-D8E4-4197-B9B3-D4411FAB98F4.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZGH_nUk-2ym4UyCZHpE_xMSNHlBO763iTNBZcmlvprSKQEEjuVJgIASWHJ4eDrzOlul3F8MOCZXLXgb-0tsM96VfDIe3cCwaNU5kB82dARtnfwlmvkJsTVo_RTosfZvGa4otfCNBxHPJZh7rwrhXYk6vqp-406fj7VIrC524ZWXHSr0f7A/w150-h200/A5E64BD7-D8E4-4197-B9B3-D4411FAB98F4.heic" width="150" /></a></div>I was cleaning out the beach, and most of the pieces I picked up were very small pieces of plastic. I had a large bucket I was carrying and it was probably a third of the way full, not packed but enough. Now originally, when I looked at the beach and the amount of people that were there to clean up the beach I thought “there’s nothing to really pick up, this is going to be a waste of time”<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDMGg1bPD7G8eSFMtLalJR9aG4VQ95J9Z1Uwlw3W6MwaxhWVeV4YdwEBAC0Z0nqAb__wD5TaeOxpbHm-6vV1zfsMFIz1sIhh3mHdcrn090z08_FlQ5G7E9RC0qjkasIUxCez_TG1W8NzdPR9bseUmF3H5SLgealzcRpv-Dxgq_FuHAQQFBw/s4032/AC3563FE-B8DA-4C1E-B225-A996960B16A9.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDMGg1bPD7G8eSFMtLalJR9aG4VQ95J9Z1Uwlw3W6MwaxhWVeV4YdwEBAC0Z0nqAb__wD5TaeOxpbHm-6vV1zfsMFIz1sIhh3mHdcrn090z08_FlQ5G7E9RC0qjkasIUxCez_TG1W8NzdPR9bseUmF3H5SLgealzcRpv-Dxgq_FuHAQQFBw/w200-h150/AC3563FE-B8DA-4C1E-B225-A996960B16A9.heic" width="200" /></a></div>As I was listening and cleaning, I thought “small things really do add up”. Now ironically I’m at a conference for investing – my friend is here for the conference, I am along for the ride! I thought wow, even if I invest $100 a month or added $50 to my mortgage payment, that could really make a difference. Each of picked up our trash and put it in one VERY large trash bag. I thought WOW! That’s amazing! Together we made a difference. <o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The organization we worked with was Surfrider Miami</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rAKDuBjQRLyM2Sa0Otwo9JtOJAR9Xacdyw5lwx-3ypWqJ-66ocHnWLL6HGAdetf5Gy2vMxWg3jSau8nITUs3lPJg9F4PNiFEX5IOvpt1WfJoE7z5Go7W-6zI9xIW3cH-wtaahJyOZp2GzZRa-2mfrzmt3DpGmfNJCF6WHoykHw7vSh7JUQ/s4032/F5C99E8F-C3B1-4622-A5E1-45033747DCD3.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rAKDuBjQRLyM2Sa0Otwo9JtOJAR9Xacdyw5lwx-3ypWqJ-66ocHnWLL6HGAdetf5Gy2vMxWg3jSau8nITUs3lPJg9F4PNiFEX5IOvpt1WfJoE7z5Go7W-6zI9xIW3cH-wtaahJyOZp2GzZRa-2mfrzmt3DpGmfNJCF6WHoykHw7vSh7JUQ/s320/F5C99E8F-C3B1-4622-A5E1-45033747DCD3.heic" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://miami.surfrider.org/" style="color: #954f72; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">http://miami.surfrider.org</a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">if you are ever in Miami.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span> <p></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-22203939377855948172023-01-22T10:10:00.009-05:002023-01-22T10:20:32.170-05:00Budget and meal planning for the week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjkllAVSnpEXpDytJ49TlV3ptH4nJdXnrDxIJqB5UdZc8QLKzRY9APxNXscIRfQb-3hpu6-AECf028ymo0f5GlOj9u-eZwNEHZtar2e3es86czZBNYj93xcw0EuryIxtMycSvhwNqTUissmrWfWKzFXLVspLTFFQLLXT5qsZXLgKoGdo7NQ/s4032/7835BC10-B4E8-45B0-BCB4-3B7772DAF8FD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjkllAVSnpEXpDytJ49TlV3ptH4nJdXnrDxIJqB5UdZc8QLKzRY9APxNXscIRfQb-3hpu6-AECf028ymo0f5GlOj9u-eZwNEHZtar2e3es86czZBNYj93xcw0EuryIxtMycSvhwNqTUissmrWfWKzFXLVspLTFFQLLXT5qsZXLgKoGdo7NQ/w150-h200/7835BC10-B4E8-45B0-BCB4-3B7772DAF8FD.jpeg" width="150" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;">I went to Target the other day.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;">I can’t remember what I was going for, but I ended up in the cereal aisle.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;">I thought “holy moly there are a lot of options for cereal, do people really buy all this cereal with such high inflation?”</span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And then I thought “well, you buy a lot of stuff, and spend a lot of money on food that you don’t need.” I check myself A LOT!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I went to Aldi this week and really tried to only buy things I needed, but then they had myfavorite store bought tortilla chips, I checked the date on the bag… and bought 2. Yes, the price was better than Meijer or Kroger but I could have bought cheaper chips.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have lived through a time when I didn’t have a lot of money. I know how to stretch a dime. But I don’t always have to now. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I created a budget on YNAB and I promise you, it changed my life. Here is my referral code. <a href="https://ynab.com/referral/?ref=BaS5DAnjN2vEwfrW" style="color: #954f72;">https://ynab.com/referral/?ref=BaS5DAnjN2vEwfrW</a> And to be honest, I wasn’t as strict with it as I should have been. But this year, I am back on track, and being YNAB broken, ain’t no joke!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’ve been working on my menu today, thinking about what I have in the freezer and pantry.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I make a few things for the week and then eat leftovers. And I can improvise a little because sometimes I don’t have everything needed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I really try to veg up everything. Eat more plants.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I made quiche this morning but didn’t have bacon but I had ham left on the bones from what I served my friends yesterday. Even though eggs cost a lot more than they used it, they are still a decent cost per serving 😏<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.budgetbytes.com/bacon-broccoli-cheddar-crustless-quiche/" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.budgetbytes.com/bacon-broccoli-cheddar-crustless-quiche/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I chose this recipe because not only is it delicious it’s cheap! Pinto beans are my favorite!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://elavegan.com/pinto-bean-soup/#recipe" style="color: #954f72;">https://elavegan.com/pinto-bean-soup/#recipe</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have some flank steak in the freezer so I am going to make this recipe, and I will serve it with roasted cauliflower with taco seasoning.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/loaded-crockpot-carne-asada-tacos/" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/loaded-crockpot-carne-asada-tacos/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I bought a bunch of chicken thighs two weeks ago because it was on sale so I will make this. I will serve with rice, broccoli, and peas.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.budgetbytes.com/easy-teriyaki-chicken/" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.budgetbytes.com/easy-teriyaki-chicken/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I hope sharing is helpful for your budget (seriously, if you struggle with finances check the link) I am happy to help you navigate the system, the thought process and what works for me!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-15929650020613396042023-01-15T14:56:00.004-05:002023-01-15T15:04:42.725-05:00Safe<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlURh2EpgKb80CSXzevazRdpnkraEFYU1aWjnATeuxeYVH_MegdVMNtxJXMYbSIZC0v0jI2ISvqK4F_tlXqEXvy5Zd_1QIlTvCxatA8fMDN3ekG5YtCytHrBoi7YkiK0UQyy4HD-ROa4G_Vp-VgP5kmTLru1chc-1tq6LUUibW8Q3ez51HA/s348/4610707D-AAB5-4620-9FC4-1F742A8927CD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="348" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlURh2EpgKb80CSXzevazRdpnkraEFYU1aWjnATeuxeYVH_MegdVMNtxJXMYbSIZC0v0jI2ISvqK4F_tlXqEXvy5Zd_1QIlTvCxatA8fMDN3ekG5YtCytHrBoi7YkiK0UQyy4HD-ROa4G_Vp-VgP5kmTLru1chc-1tq6LUUibW8Q3ez51HA/w200-h184/4610707D-AAB5-4620-9FC4-1F742A8927CD.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /> I looked over at my friend Christina and said "do you want to take some chili home?"<p></p><p>The sweetest little girl looked at me with her beautiful brown eyes and still small voice and said "I want to take some chili home"</p><p>So of course I scooped up chili and gave it to her momma. Her momma knows that if her daughter asks, and I am able to fulfill a request, I will not say no.</p><p>There were three other kids telling me how much they like cornbread but they know that if there is an event (that they are not attending), they will get the cornbread or whatever they ask for. And there mom will look over at me with a look that says "you know you don't have to give it (whatever it is) just because they ask" but she also knows... I will :) as long as she is ok with it. (I don't go against mommas and daddies). And also of course, they got cornbread... and cookies LOL</p><p>do you know why those kids know they can ask me anything? because they know I am safe. They know I will say no if the answer needs to be no and I will say yes if the answer can be yes. Those children know that I will do what needs to be done to keep them safe (I think they have all gotten the look or "the voice" when I've told them to stop running)</p><p>SAFE.</p><p>I rarely feel safe. I am learning to be vulnerable and trusting people so that I can be safe.</p><p>Most of my childhood I did not feel safe. I didn't feel protected or that people could be trusted. I was raised in such a way that I always had to be prepared and take care of whatever came my way. This actually is stitched into so many aspects of my life. </p><p>Do you know that I am a human GPS? Especially in the city of the Detroit. Literally ANYWHERE and I can get myself out of where I am. I know where the streets cross, I can even close my eyes and often visualize the area. You know that is? Because I was taught to always be ready to tell someone where I was in case of an emergency. Make myself. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready.</p><p>I've heard "be the kind of friend you'd like" or in regards to children "be what you needed as a child'</p><p>I strive to be a safe place for my friends, where they can be vulnerable and real and in that I have found good friends that I can trust. A safe place.</p><p>I strive to be a place where kids/teens know they are loved. No matter what. They won't always like me LOL but they will know that I have their best interests at heart. </p><p>Safe.</p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24430615.post-33555140385815730162023-01-14T22:06:00.003-05:002023-01-14T22:15:47.823-05:00A visit to my garden<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDH39gnSOzFRMQZ2mUh2YzgXYi1nkWWdpl655SAPu8aUGTXpDxQmG8gFqjSGHadeGqE-7FrEWqn1XhhUjgZt60g5z7Jvnyy4dcERbfeQgE41bpwJZfjD_jBir357F0gV0su3cxxvQevgvSdrhQvyV6cPgQ_MFfsDFm77sMBO1hQfIZa-YYkQ/s320/5A089C94-A9BB-45EE-922C-BAD0F2C2218E.jpeg" width="240" /></div><br /> I had a tough day today. I was working through a whole lot of feels that I didn't want to feel. They made me feel weak.<p></p><p>I had this moment today that I said "that's the problem with hope, it always disappoints"</p><p>I knew at that point... I better start feeling and processing because that is not me. </p><p>one of my favorite scriptures is Romans 5 that tells me that hope does not put me to shame.</p><p>I cried more today than I've cried in quite some time. I needed to cry. Maybe I should have cried sooner but I've been so busy, and tired, that I kept it stuffed down. </p><p>Today, I finally felt the feelings. and it was like a rush. At one point, I started crying and couldn't stop.</p><p>But I felt them, and even talked about them. Look at that... Growth.</p><p>It was a beautiful sunny day and I put together the raised garden bed I bought last fall. I went outside and soaked in the sun. I thought about how people who know me know that as long as there is grass... there will always be a space I can plant.</p><p>I decided that I am going to plant my cucumbers along the fence, so that I can use my garden beds for something else. something like carrots or beets or tomatoes (ha! like I am not gonna have enough tomatoes! LOL!). I was thinking about more raised beds, it's not actual a question if I will get more... it's more of a question of how many! 😆😂</p><p>I was thinking about the seeds I have planted in my life and how just like in a garden, some seeds bloom early and yet, some bloom later. But everything blooms in their own time, just as God intended.</p><p>I've been thinking about having dinner parties this summer on my patio. Dishes made with the fruits of my beautiful garden and just love and laughter. Thinking about how it will look. Dreaming about it. </p><p>I can't wait to start planning the flowers and... what will be an over abundance of plants... because you know me. And I'm nothing if I am not plant crazy.</p><p>I'm thankful I am finding ways to face my feelings but also to find healthy ways to feel better.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Margiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110651946602849853noreply@blogger.com0