On Gardening

I like flowers. I've always liked flowers and always wanted to have them around. What I didn't like was the idea of gardening. Gardening meant weeding and caring for plants. It meant more work. Blah!
When we built our porch I decided we needed some gardens to make it a cozy, happy place to spend time. I planted some Gerbera Daisies, some Day Lilies, a Stargazer Lily and a bushy plant that looked like daises, but I think it was called something else. It was awesome, but it was work. Last year I decided that I liked having the flowers enough to try to grow some food. My strawberries and peppers didn't work out super well, but my basil was awesome.
Since my food venture didn't work out as well as I hoped I was nervous about having a vegetable garden, but knew I really wanted to do it. I took this free class at the library called "Grow It; Eat It." It was a good basic class and gave me the confidence to make my own garden. I also learned that you are not supposed to hardest strawberries the first year, so that made me feel better about last year's efforts. My budget was not super big this year, so I wasn't sure I'd be able to do flowers, but Jay found this deal where he got 100 bulbs for $10. I planted them in late spring and the first bud is showing today. For my veggie garden I had to build up a level spot in our back yard since that is our Southern side, but it's all hill. Luckily I was able to use stuff I had around the yard to build most of it. I even had bags of soil left over from another project. As if I weren't blessed enough already a friend offered me a bunch of seeds- for free! She had extra. Then a new friend and fellow first time gardener brought two of her lettuce plants to church for me a few weeks ago. What a beautiful surprise! The seeds have started growing and I have this beautiful garden that will eventually provide food for my family. I can hardly believe how God is providing for me in this time. It's amazing.
Bear with me for a minute while I try to explain something else that may not seem related at first. Through another kindness of the Lord I was able to go on our church's women's retreat this year. The main theme was spending time with God. It happens to go right along with the Discipleship course I'm doing right now, but that's a bit off topic. During the retreat one of the speakers talked about spending time with God just listening. She talked about how sitting quietly works well for her, but one of her friends finds she is better able to listen when her body is moving in a way she doesn't have to think about- like riding a bike on a trail. As I was pulling weeds a few weeks ago this strange thing happened- it all made sense. I was doing a pretty mindless task surrounded by all this beauty of God's creation and I felt this great peace. When I sit quietly in my house I rarely feel peace. I'm constantly thinking about all the things(read: housework) I should be doing or the kids' noises distract me. Outside the noises of the kids playing on the play set or running around the yard just fit into the tranquil outdoor atmosphere. I'm able to enjoy my gardening even more as I enjoy quiet (if not quiet, at least peaceful) time with God. Soon we will be enjoying the pesticide free bounty He has provided for us and I'm so excited about all of it. This year I'm actually starting to enjoy the *whole* gardening experience.

This Stupid Economy is Ruining My Complexion

The economy is ruining my complexion and it doesn't have anything to do with worry or stress (though I'm not saying I don't have those). I am breaking out like a teenager. Before the economy tanked I was going along happily using products that worked well for my skin. Things were good and I was happy with my routine. Then the downfall started.
First my favorite make up line went bust. No longer do I have a light non-greasy feeling foundation option. Supposedly they might be able to keep an online thing going, but they have not brought back the products I really use like foundation and powder. I'm still using the bottle I got before they stopped selling them and I plan on getting every drop I can out of it. I've been using this stuff for 9 years and I have never liked anything as much. Grrrrr...so annoying.
As if that wasn't enough my moisturizer has been discontinued as well. I wrote to the company asking why I can't find it anymore and they said they have had to re-work their product lines to concentrate on their most popular products. This is no small company either. I won't mention it by name because this isn't really about the company, but more about the fact that my skin is suffering a great deal and I'm not happy. I don't know about your skin, but my skin likes certain products and it was doing really well while I used this moisturizer. I've tried lots of moisturizers and "skin systems" from really expensive ones to ones you get at the grocery store. I was really happy with this one and now it's gone. I thought the one I'm using now would work well because I like their  facial cleansers, but no such luck. I'm waiting for the supposed "adjustment period" to be over, but looking like I'm a hormonal wreck is starting to make me feel like a hormonal wreck. Gah! No wonder being a teenager is so hard. At least this time around I've got a husband who loves me no matter how much my skin turns on me.
I would also like to note how unfair it is that I have to deal with pimples and wrinkles at the same time. STINK!

**disclaimer- I am complaining a lot, I know. I am also aware of the people who suffer way more than I do with chronic or life threatening illnesses. I am simply venting my frustration and do not mean to discount my numerous blessings. So, if you were thinking you'd admonish me for feeling bad for myself when there is so much suffering in the world there is no need....really.**