Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Peonies

The peony is named after Paeon (also spelled Paean), a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing.

My peonies are growing like crazy this year!  I received a peony plant for my birthday two years ago from one of my most dear friends in the whole wide world.  Little did I know that this plant would make me smile every morning.  The first thing I do in the morning when I wake up is look out the blinds of my bedroom window to see how big my peonies grew overnight, like they do that or something?!?!  But it never failed, every single morning I would look.  I would also go outside as soon as I got home from work to look at my peony plant.  What started out as one lonely little plant, became two.  How?  No clue.  Lucky?  Perhaps, but I personally think God played a special role in it.  Why you ask?  Because He sees how happy this flower makes me and because peonies are simply not known for seeding.  I find it no coincidence, especially after all that I have been through, that this flower is named after medicine and healing.  Ironic?  Not so much.  God makes no mistakes.  

Thank you dear friend of mine, for one of the most precious gifts I have ever received.  Even better...it's the gift that keeps on giving ;)

Now watch in amazement how my peonies grow...overnight.












They are the most beautiful flower I have ever seen.  Dontcha think?  I ended up with 61 buds on my plants this year! 

When we move I do plan on digging my peonies up and taking them with me, however, during my research of peonies I found this interesting fact..."Once planted the Peony likes to be left alone and punishes those who try to move it by not flowering again for several years."  Hmm, this plant isn't stubborn at all!  And it by no means resembles its owner.  Not even a little bit!

"We have an unspoken tie with the natural world; the way it affects our emotions and our senses is a truly wonderful gift."  

Thursday, May 19, 2011

No More Candles

I am getting old.  I just had a birthday.  It was yesterday.  I turned 29.  I am old.  One more year and I turn the dreaded 30.  I am so old.  Not really, but kinda.

Over the past 29 years, I have come to realize why birthdays are special.  They are special because it is a day where all of ones most closest friends and even some that are not so close take time to wish one a Happy Birthday and/or reminisce about times/friendship/family/love/memories.  These moments make life wonderful and make birthdays special.

They are also special because it is a day where we get to eat a cake with our name on it, and who doesn't like a good delicious chocolate cake with cream cheese icing, mmmm...

I just want to say thank you to my dear friends and family.  I love you to the moon and back.  I cherish each and every one of you more than you will ever know.  Thank you for the kind words on my birthday.  It means so much!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Words of wisdom from a 90 year old woman...

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will.
Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Owen

Andrew & I have become quite fond of this little guy!  We love him...and his parents are pretty cool too!  It's been so fun watching him grow.  One year sure has flown by!  Isn't he a doll?!?!



 

Photos courtesy of Andrew.