New Finds

A few weeks ago I found this great coffee table at a decor/antique market in Peachtree City. It has been refurnished and has a chalk board top! I really like the style! 

I also bought a hyacinth. I have never had one before.  I left in my house to bloom and then recently planted it in my garden. It smells great, and I hope it does well outside! 

Callaway Gardens

On my furlough day I went to Callaway Gardens. It was my first time there.  Many of the flowers had not bloomed yet, but the ones that had were beautiful! We also went to the butterfly house, and it was the highlight of the trip for sure!

Early Spring

In the last few years I have really begun to enjoy gardening, and also keeping flowers in my home. I even have some in my classroom. I think flowers are beautiful and I love taking care of them.

 

My mom also likes to garden, and she has helped me learn what to do.  She bought me some tulips for Valentine's Day.  I'll keep them in their small pots in the house and then transplant them outside later on.  

 I've also planted some pansies.  They have not bloomed too much yet, so hopefully they will soon and the deer won't eat them.  We will see. 

Mardi Gras and Lent

Today is Mardi Gras. I've never been crazy about celebrating it, although I do love a good hurricane! :) But, each year I try to give up something for Lent.  Often it is sweets or candy.  This year, I am going to try to give up something a little harder to resist--worrying.  I often stress about things I cannot change, and I have to remind myself that God has a plan and His timing is perfect.  I have improved in my ability to reduce worrying over the years, but it is still something I need to work on, as it adds stress to my life.  So, that is my goal over the next 40 days:  to worry less and live more.  I hope that by Easter it becomes a habit I have formed. As a part of this goal, I am also going to resist interacting with a certain toxic person, whose place in my life is no longer positive.  I think that will help too. :)

NYC

I just returned from a trip to NYC.  I have never been at Christmas before, and while it was crowded and cold, it was also really fun. 

 These are from the 9/11 memorial.  There are 2 pools for the towers, plus 2 buildings that are still unfinished.  It was sad to see all of the names, especially the names of women "and her unborn child".

We did many other things as well, including visiting the natural history museum.  It had a lot of cool exhibits,  including a planetarium, dinosaurs and spiders (which are more gross than cool)

Glitter

I used to not be into jewelry at all.  Largely, I think, because the cheap stuff makes me itch--literally.  I was just into clothes.  Then, I got into home decor too.  And, now, unfortunately, I am also obsessed with jewelry.  I should have picked a profession with a higher salary.   

I bought both of these from J.Crew.  The giraffe was on sale when I discovered him,  but they just added the zebra recently.  I love them because they are safari animals but they are also sparkly and cute (albeit heavy).

I have been stalking this bracelet since August I think.  I was waiting for it to go on sale but I caved when J.Crew had a 25% off and free shipping sale.  I love it.

I have also been stalking this top.  (From--where else--J.Crew.  I keep them in business).  They put it on sale so I got it.  I will probably wear it twice a year but it is so sparkly and cute.  Clearly I am into bling right now.  If only I had a cheaper hobby...

Giving Thanks

I am very grateful for many things this year.  I let my stress distract me from my gratitude, and I have to force myself to stop and be thankful.  But, really, I am a pretty fortunate woman.  I am grateful for:
- my family: my mom, dad, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  They are all supportive and loving. 
- my dog Bella.  She is my companion and my comfort
-  my boyfriend, who makes me try new things and is a voice of common sense when I get stubborn/stressed/etc
- my friends, who I love to hang out with and have adventures with
- my job, which I love, even when the kids make me nuts
- my health and my brain, which allow me to be a good runner and a good student, and have gotten me to where I am today. 
- and, the fact that I don't have to drink water that will make me sick, and that I have a home, clothes, food, safety and a working (albeit divided) democracy

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.