Gardening Success

After I was diagnosed with cancer and while I was recuperating, I had some time to really think and reflect on my life. There were things I was not happy with, so I decided that part of my healing and part of my preventative medicine had to be about incorporating change in my lifestyle.

I noticed that in the last couple of years I had lost my way. I think my soul was a little like my garden. I had simply gotten too busy and too tired to take care of it. Weeds were growing up, what was once beautiful, purposeful creation lay hidden.

My resolutions included setting very strict boundaries with my job. I changed my cell phone number and created some structure for the way people contact me. Also, I get paid for 8 hours of work, so I now work 8 hours. That's harder than you think it is for me, especially when I see that I'm not getting my work done the way it needs to be done. I was reminded of the time when people were chastising Jesus for allowing someone to anoint him with oil because it was expensive and could have been used for the poor fund, and he replied, "the poor will always be among us." He was more interested in the relationship being created.

It's kind of the same with my job. I will always have crises and urgency in everything I do. I won't always have my family around me. They are growing and spreading their wings. I want to be their wind! I can't do that buried in my office.

I am already beginning to reap the benefits of living by my resolutions! My creativity - long lost in the sea of mind weeds - is beginning to flourish! I actually picked colors for my living room and dining room! I have been working at reclaiming my garden, too!

So yesterday, I started with 15 bags of cement and one roll of landscape fabric. My goal is to make a cobble stone path throughout my garden. It felt good YESTERDAY to lift all of these bags. Today, not so much. ;-)

My goal is to work a little at a time to reclaim my entire garden. I want to make it easier to keep up with, as well as show case some of the flowers I just adore.

Wet Cement!

A good start on the path! 

My Garden Reclamation Project

The waterfall and stream of my water garden. 

The only flower I've planted this year....yet.

Tiny Boxwoods that will grow to 4 foot! 

It's always nice to have a hunk like this clean up after me

Part of my water garden.


!

One of my best days - ever

Today was one of those days that just makes you glad. The deep down, contented glad that comes from contentment, intimacy and fun. Terry and I had one of those days today. We woke leisurely, enjoyed coffee and the internet, and then great conversation. Then I worked in my garden transplanting flowers to new places. My garden is starting to look like someone loves it again! While I played, Terry did too - on his guitar.

We drove to Des Moines, picked up landscaping stuff, shopped a bit and grabbed a bite to eat. The whole time chatting and giggling. We found a garage sale and a solid oak table that is absolutely perfect as a little island for my kitchen. We even had to scrape the bottoms of our wallets to try to come up with the entire amount. We were short $1.25, so asked if she'd take less. I must have looked pathetic, because the owner joined in our laughter and giggling and I got the table. Terry even likes it! I've not had a place to house my pretty yellow pitcher, but today I do. I think I'll put some coneflowers in the pitcher to just top the cake!

Contentment, intimacy and fun. A great combination!