Happy Easter!!!

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Spring Break 2013 - Day #1

How did we get to spend our first day of the kids' and Laurie's spring break?

























NOT how we wanted to spend the Monday of spring break, but we had a lot fun :-) I'm very glad I have Mondays off so that I was able to join in.

But... Now we're VERY ready for summer. In fact, let's just skip spring and go straight to 80°.

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Hoping vs Wishing

We put our hope in the Lord.

He is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,

for our hope is in you alone. 

~Psalm 33:20-22

The word hope is an easy word to throw around with a very empty meaning in it... 

• "I hope the weather gets better"
• "I hope you feel better tomorrow"
• "I hope I passed that test"
• "I hope you get through your problems"
• "I hope I get want I want for Christmas"
• "I hope I can go on that vacation"
• "I hope I get that job"

Yes... that last one is the one I'm frequently stating now. 

After reading the above verses tonight, I wondered to myself... when I make a statement of hope, what is my hope centered on? What is my hope weighted with? What is the strength to my hope? Obviously I "hope" it's a "hope in God." If it's not... What gives a basis for hoping then? 

I don't want to get all theological or anything, but... "hope" is so empty and useless without God. It just seems so shallow. Without hope through God, what really is the use in hoping. Then you're just... well... you're just wishing.

I'll be honest... I don't want to wish for that job... I make wish lists at Christmas for my kids, so they can buy me something that I really don't need. I want to HOPE for that job. And not JUST hope... Hope to God I get that job.

Spring Break 2013 - Day #3

After arranging the first container of the gardening year for a client, I met up with Laurie and the kids at Artful Designs for another family spring break activity before I went to work. I love the flexibility of my hours so I can enjoy some time during the day with the family :-)












































What a fun time being creative with my family!!!

That Could Be Me

I left an interview this morning excited, pumped, confident, ready to go!!! As I drove home I thought of nothing but the opportunity of working for this particular bank and the future I might have with them.

Then, as I got closer to home, I drove past a homeless person... at least he appeared to be homeless. You know the look, the clothes, the facial features, the physical condition, the eyes... You just know it when you see it.

As I sat at the stoplight I watched him, and my heart sank, my jaw dropped, my emotions began to erupt... That could be me.

"Really???" you might ask... "No way, that could never be you!"

But, guess what... That could be any of us.

The loss of a job, a difficult divorce, the death of a child, misuse of finances, one drink too many, one bet too large, a debilitating accident, overuse of a drug, repeated artistic denials, an unfaithful spouse, an abusive relationship, a poor business decision... you fill in the blank.

How many of the above situations have most of us experienced? Granted... many of us respond with resiliency. Some more quickly than others, some more privately, some with no noticeable scars.

But some... are pushed to their limit and over the edge. How easily could that be you?

That could be me.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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What Am I Worth?

One of the most discouraging things about searching for a job for me after owning my own business, is stating what I think I'm "worth" in salary, only to find out the position pays less (sometimes much less) than the absolute minimum I can receive.

I have to keep telling myself that it's not MY worth they're stating, but the position. Although, sometimes it's easy to take the salary offer as … "Sorry, but you're only really worth $XX,XXX to us."

I know what I was making in banking… but that was ten years ago… I know what I was making in management at Borders… but that was ten years ago. I know I've owned my own business for the past ten years and I'm out of the "loop" a little… but… but… but…

Oh, pride… please don't get in the way.

Keeping my chin up… and my hopes up… and my eyes up.

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What I Miss From A REAL Job

It's been strange having to go through the application and interview process again. It's been several years since I've had to be interviewed for a job.

And what's really strange… I enjoy going through the interviews!!! Yes, I really do!!!

As I drove home this afternoon from an interview, I was thinking about Thanksgiving being in two days. And for some reason I remembered what it was like to be driving home from a "real" job the day before a holiday, whether it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, Independence Day, New Years Day…

I realized I have really missed that holiday drive home from work.

Yes… I want to experience that again. I've never been more sure about leaving my gardening business and returning to a "real" job than I am now.

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How To Enjoy Life

If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

I Peter 3:10-11

Don't you just hate it when you open your Bible to receive an uplifting, positive, and encouraging word only instead to receive a punch in the gut or a slap across your face?

Yeah… that's what I felt this morning as I read the verses above.

Want to enjoy life? Want to be happy?
• Be positive
• Be honest
• Be good
• Be peaceful

Simple instruction for a better life.

A spiritual punch or slap is a good thing.

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Fall Beauty

Fall in general is not my favorite time of the year. But, how can I not be in awe of the beauty that still exits in the midst of everything dying while I work at my client's houses?

Below is just a quick glimpse of what I enjoyed seeing yesterday while I worked…

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Inner Confrontation

Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:18

Just read the verse above… I tweeted it and added "I want to be this type of gardener."

Felt cut through to my heart… When I read that verse this morning I pictured others that I perceive as true peacemakers and I felt so uncomfortable with how little I measure up.

Then I thought through other characteristics/actions I should be showing daily as a Christian… sympathy, care, love, giving, praying… I fall so far short when I see how others lead their lives.

•I'm not a peacemaker, but I need to be (I will be)
•I'm not sympathetic, but I need to be (I will be)
•I'm not caring, but I need to be (I will be)
•I'm not loving, but I need to be (I will be)
•I'm not giving, but I need to be (I will be)
•I'm not praying, but I need to be (I will be)

[My journal entry this morning]


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Sing... Sing A Song...

I didn't watch the debate and I don't care to discuss it, but I saw this picture and it just cracks me up!!! It looks like Romney and Obama are singing to each other. Agree???

Without ANY political bashing or personal attacks... What song are they singing or what musical are they performing in? Be creative with your thinking... This could be interesting :-)