The big 5-0-0

This post is number 500 since I started this blog in June of 2007. It really doesn't seem as if it has been that long. I have been blogging every weekday excluding some holidays and the occasional "oopsie."

So how this blog affected my life (and let's make it 5 things!):

1. I am getting better at putting my thoughts into words. I think this is something I will always have to work on. I'm an introvert so I think about a lot of things. It is hard for me to convert those thoughts into something that is understood by the greater population -- if only your brain worked like mine . . . :-) heehee
   
   
2. I am taking time to stop and smell the roses. Blogging forces me to stop and think about the things that are going on in my life instead of simply living and leaving them.
   
   
3. I am learning more about myself. Again with the thinking! This blog has created a different way for me to view myself -- and internet mirror, if you will. Okay -- bad metaphor.
   
   
4. I started a new habit, yes I do have that ability -- creating a new habit. I can think of a couple more habits I should start. And I wouldn't mind the ability to fly either.
   
   
5. I have photos of my life. (I think my digital camera also helped me with this one.) From about freshman year of college to about three years ago I have very little documentation that I was living on this planet other that my yearly tax returns. I don't take photos just to add them to my blog but I have to admit that I think about which photos I could/should post while I take pictures.

I'm sure there are more ways that blogging has impacted my life. However, I am just about ready to fall into that oblivion of sleep and I really don't think I can keep my brain functioning much longer. So . . .

Happy 500 "A Mess of Blessings"!

Pretty flowers

Gerber Daisy
(plus carnations & something else i forgot the name of)

Purple Petunias
(plus carnations and something i forgot the name of)

Tired

Today has been a long but productive day. Tonight I went to church to help decorate for Vacation Bible School next week. The theme this year is Polar Extremes and the class I am helping with is all about the penguin. It is so cute!

I will be working some extra shifts this upcoming week to cover for a vacationing co-worker and also helping out with VBS.

So I will be having a few more long days . . .

Planted

Mom and I planted our garden this past weekend. This is the raised bed we built a couple weeks ago and our green bean fence in the background:


This is Joey Jalepeno:


This is Mr. & Mrs. Pepper -- they prefer to go by Bonnie and Bell:



And I can't forget Red (cousin to Bonnie and Bell Pepper):


We planted a gaggle of onions . . . :


a couple Big Boys (for canning and salsa!) . . . :


and a mound of zucchini! :

Remember

For love of country they accepted death . . .

~ James A. Garfield

How does your garden grow?

These are the containers I planted today.

Also, mom & I planted our vegetable garden -- I'll have pictures of those on Monday!

Planted

Bleeding Hearts & Lilac Bush

Once upon a time . . .

there was a farm girl who was asked to watch a young boy and his baby sister.

So she did.

She enjoyed spending time with the boy and girl so much that whenever the parents needed (or wanted) to step away from their children for a while the farm girl would watch the children again.

Soon another baby girl was added to the family. And again the farm girl was asked to watch the children.

And she did. And as they grew, the farm girl grew to love them.

Now the boy is in college, bright and strong-opinioned. The second child, also in college, is smart and beautiful and kind-hearted. And the baby, a baby no longer, is maneuvering her way through the treacherous waters of high school and growing into a sweet, beautiful, kind young woman.

And the farm girl smiles.

80 degrees . . . time to PARTY!

Very, very interesting . . .

I started a food journal this week. I am curious about exactly what I eat and the calories/carbohydrates/protein I take in on a typical week.

The first day was very interesting. I want to get a true picture so I really didn't veer away from my normal eating habits and meals.

Monday's results:

• 1456 calories
  
  
• 230g carbohydrates
  
  
• 58g of protein
  
  
• 4 servings of dairy
  
  
• 2 servings of bread
  
  
• 1 serving of fruit
  
  
• 1 serving of meat
  
  
• 3 servings of other (the bad stuff: bad for me but oh so tasty!)

5 recipes I'm excited to try

I haven't done one of these for a while (5 things Friday). I ran out of things to list! But I have one today . . .

1. Bagels
   
   
2. Ice cream
   
   
3. Graham crackers
   
   
4. Yogurt
   
   
5. Soft pretzels
   

Lint trap

Do you have that one piece of clothing that seems to attract lint no matter what you do?

I have a pair of black capris like that. Every piece of lint (& cat hair) in the house (and possibly the world) seems to deposit on them. I can use a lint roller, tape, or any other manner of contrivance to remove it all -- I turn my back -- and they are covered again.

I have learned to wear them and try to ignore the lint.

Most of the time it works.

:-)

Even more organized

Okay, so I have been putting things away all week. Yea me!

And a couple weeks ago I mentioned my to do lists -- which I am still using even though this week's has not seen a whole lot of action.

Well, now I can use my calendar and my task list together! It is just like chocolate and peanut butter - - - delicious!

I know I've been busy when . . .

I haven't finished a book in two weeks!

I have been reading the same book for two weeks. One that would normally take me three or four days to finish. I have been loading and unloading boxes. Moving, organizing and tossing clutter. Besides the normal everyday things like eating and working.

I have been reading at bedtime and falling asleep.

I'm hoping to finish my book this week. I know I am on reserve for a couple others . . .

And I still have a big pile at home to start.


Oh dear . . .

Garage Sale Results

The rain ended Friday evening so it was dry for Saturday's sale. It was a little cooler though.

I think the garage sale was a success. We only had three boxes for goodwill. And everyone made a little spending money.

Plus, my garage is clean and most of the boxes are out of my living and dining room!!

Garage Sale Day 1

4 pm - 7 pm



5:30 - 7 pm RAINING

:-(


Tomorrow the weather is going to be better. I just know I am going to sell out by noon!

I hope . . . :-)

She's doing pretty good

Cleo.

With the whole, a new human--she never really cared for before-- moving in. There have only been a few little fits.

She is acting pretty nonchalant tonight.

We'll see . . .

Yard work

I mowed my lawn last weekend. The very first time of the season.

It already needs to be mown again. Of course the moment I had a chance to it was raining.

I hope this isn't an indicator for the entire lawn mowing season . . .

I am getting excited about planting the vegetable garden (I will be getting photos of our beautiful raised bed up soon!). We're planting onions, tomatoes (for canning and salsa, ole!), peppers, zucchini, green beans, mmm, I think that is all. No! Wait. Pie pumpkins. Yummy. I will be doing some more canning and freezing this year I think.

Maybe some jams too . . . mmm.

Rollin' along

• All my dishes are done (and put away)
  
  
• I can see my countertops again
  
  
• I actually ate at my dining room table this week
  
  
• The floors are vacuumed (except for the kitchen that is next on my list).
  
  
• My shower curtain is in the wash at this moment

The countdown to roomiepalooza has commenced . . .

Non sequitur*:

I have been craving grapes lately. I mean really craving them. I went to the grocery store to specifically buy grapes. That's not crazy right?

*Added to my locution list!

Oh, the closet, of course!

She keeps getting weirder and weirder . . .

Apparently, her new hangout of choice is the closet.

On this day . . .

Long ago (I was five and darling then) I was in the hospital with my face pressed up against a glass window to catch a glimpse of a new baby that had arrived. I didn't know what to think about this little bundle who was about to change my standing in the family as the only girl-child -- my sister.

She's . . . well let's just say a little bit older today. I can honestly say I really don't mind sharing the girl-child position with her . . . anymore. :-)

Happy Birthday to the SISTER!

Love,
Your Sister