Renewal

While I'm struggling to figure out what my life is and where it is going I am trying to stay positive. Sometimes, this is difficult - but today I was given a glimpse of hope, and proof that all is not always lost.

When we bought our home 8 years ago it was fall, but the backyard had large lilac bushes along the back fence. I was disappointed in the spring when there was not one flower on any of the several bushes in my yard. For 5 years, no blooms. Our backyard was very shady, so I thought that might be the problem. 3 years ago in the fall I cut the bushes way back, trimmed them down and fertilized them with the hope to renew these plants and get them to bloom again. The following spring I was rewarded with one sprig of blooms way at the top of one bush, I couldn't even reach them to cut it and bring the scent of lilacs inside.


That summer we lost another one of our ancient oak trees and suddenly our backyard would get some sun all day long.


Last spring, I was rewarded with maybe a dozen blooms total on all my bushes.


This year every bush has many blossoms, growing and blooming and I cannot wait for the scent of lilacs and the chance to cut stems and put them in a vase on my table.


All is not lost, renewal takes time - even in nature. A group of lilac bushes that never bloomed have now erupted in blossoms of purple after getting what they needed. Wish I knew exactly what it was that worked, but I'll just enjoy the final outcome for now.

Bye, bye baby goodbye...

So, my little red car is gone. Turned back in to try to save money. For the first time in 9 years I have no access to a car during the day. Trapped at home really sucks - I'm turning into a hermit... I actually haven't left the house on a weekday in over a month except to go to a doctor's appointment. Pretty pathetic... the worst part about not having a car is that I LOVE to drive! Crank up the tunes, foot down on the accelerator and just fly... sing along with the music and forget my troubles... I miss it, I miss my car... I miss the freedom...

Kittens are like babies...

and maybe that is why I only have two kids. We got this little sweet face from a farm "up north" here in Wisconsin. We changed her name to Oreo and brought her home. Sugar loves her and loves to play... Socks was grumpy and angry the first few days but now enjoys tussling with her - even though he out weighs her by 15 pounds. Oreo still has her claws so she can hold her own. She is energy in a little body, she runs, jumps, climbs curtains, eats spiders and when she finally does lay down to sleep it is usually on someone's neck or wrapped around their head. She purrs all the time and only weighs about 2 pounds - but she hasn't learned that people don't like to be bitten or scratched, so we are all covered in bites and scratches. She will also climb straight up your pants and shirt to sit on your shoulder... welcome to the family Oreo!

The JOY of running...

Yesterday was the area 6 meet for the State of Wisconsin Special Olympics. I LOVE Special Olympics - I love the athletes who cheer for their competition - I love the volunteers who treat the athletes like the superstars they are - I love our coaches and their families who give up lots of time and energy to help our team practice and succeed. Overall, our team did really well but of course I am most proud of my boy, Nic! What an athlete! He blew away the competition in the 100M dash and took first place so we're off to state in Stevens Point on June 5th.

I love this picture of Nic - he just looks so HAPPY running - oh, to be young again and rejoice in all that my body could do! I wish I felt this kind of joy on the treadmill.