Gardening Tips for a First Time Gardener

1. Don't expect $0.84 gardening tools to get you very far, very fast.

2. Seeds apparently need to soak in water 8-10 weeks before planting. Good thing you have the option to purchase plants-this is not the most cost-effective.

3. If you buy plants, sometimes there are numerous plants in one container. We thought we bought 3 tomato plants; we actually bought 9.

4. You will have to pull weeds before planting. Therefore...

5. Splurge on a knee board. A $1 knee board is not much better than the ground. And...

6. Bring something with you to dispose of the weeds. Thankfully, we only used half of our garden plot, so guess where the weeds went?!

7. Turn off the water before trying to take the garden hose nozzle off (I thought this was common sense until I was soaked in water, because the person I was gardening with didn't use his common sense)

8. It's not a bad idea to figure out how long it will be until you can harvest your plants...2-3 weeks is not realistic. 

9.Buy All-Purpose Fertilizer (a tip from the lady at the market) and something about a high middle number.

10. Hope for something to grow and that you can get it before animals do! :)

Happy Gardening!

 (or attempting to)

52 in 52: Week 6

Question 6 of "Questions that Will Free your Mind"

If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

If I had the ability to travel the world, be a food critic, stay-at-home parent (when the time comes), college advisor, professional crafter, blogger, and photographer-that is the kind of work that would make me most rich/happy! :) 

I am very grateful and happy to be pursuing the field of work that I am. I think working with college students is one of the most rewarding jobs a person can have. While in college I learned who my true friends were, how important family is (and how often, unfortunately, I took them for granted), the importance of human differences, how to survive on my own (kind of), what career I wanted to pursue, and most importantly met the love of my life. It is an important age even for those that don't attend college. I am very grateful to the people who motivated, supported, and encouraged me throughout my college years, and I only hope that I can be that person for current and future students. 

Now, with all that said, what kind of work would make me most happy? One in which I have the opportunity to make a difference, use my talents, be challenged, and am proud of. 

Week 6 of 52 Weeks: Send 5 cards/letters in one week
Alright, so I may have cheated this one a little or it just happened to fall on an easy week full of birthdays, graduations, and Mother's Day. 2 of the 5 were to people unaffiliated to any of the previously mentioned celebrations. One of the cards was WAY overdue, I had been meaning to send this card for a long time.I'm glad this challenge pushed me to actually send it. Still haven't heard anything from the recipient, but hopefully it brightened her day. If not my message, then at least this cute card courtesy of Painted Stuf!

52 in 52: Week 5

Question 5 of "Questions that Will Free your Mind"

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

That is a big question I'm not sure I'm ready to answer.  I can't say right now what I would most like to change about the world, but I can think of one thing that is pretty high up there. If I could change something about the world, I would change the "I'm right and everyone else is wrong" mindset that people can have. I think it is important for a person to establish their identity on core beliefs, but not accepting that other beliefs exist and are valid is ignorant.  You do not have to agree with these beliefs, but a person still needs to be respectful of them. If we didn't have different opinions, think about how boring and monotonous life would be. Do you truly want everyone to believe the way you do?

Week 5 of 52: My Day in Six Words

Monday
Reflecting on experiences can be beneficial.

Tuesday
It's time to plan a wedding!! :)

Wednesday
A sick day full of Law&Order (one word...I had to cheat)

Thursday
It feels good to be productive.

Friday
Watching documentaries is something I enjoy. (I watched "Undefeated" this week, it was good. I cried...obviously.)

Saturday
Oh, I enjoy watching Tony Stark. (Iron Man 3...amazing!)

Sunday
Breakfast, movies, and homework in bed.--great way to close off a weekend.

52 in 52: Week 4

Question 4 of "Questions that Will Free Your Mind"

When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?

I sure hope not. Quite literally, I think I listen and "do" more than I speak. The exception to this is when I'm with my family and/or Fiance...lucky them! ;) There is a lot that we all say or claim we want to do or accomplish, but how often do we set aside time or save up money to do these things-not often enough. Doing this challenge has already served as a reminder for me to do some of the things that I have been wanting to, and hopefully after I complete it I will be able to look back and be proud of the accomplishments I've made. I also think one could contemplate this question by asking the question, "Will you have said more than you've done in helping OTHERS be successful?" We all claim we are supportive and willing to help, but do we when this support is most needed?! I think helping others can often times in the end be just as rewarding as accomplishing our own goals. And who knows, you could probably help do both at the same time! This will be one of my focuses this week: helping OTHERS by recognizing their achievements, strengths, and goals.

Great song providing perspective and a reminder to be aware and grateful. Love, faith, and hope can go a long way! Remember...focusing on others before yourself!

Week 4 of 52: Make a List of 25 of my (and my Fiance's) Best Qualities 

Appreciating who you are is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We don't often sit down and think about what we are good at. Excuses or reasons for this include lack of confidence, time, or interest. I believe that if we can't be proud of who we are, accept our strengths and weaknesses, we are not able to fulfill any roles to the best of our ability. If I am not happy with me, I can't be a good partner, supervisor, daughter, or student. Doing this for  KS was also beneficial. I don't often share with him what I love and appreciate most. Interestingly enough, we shared many of the same qualities. I am looking forward to see if he also had similiar qualities listed for myself and himself. 

Sorry to all of you who were looking forward to hearing about my successful mile-running...whoops. Look for that in the future. I did run one mile though! And am still feeling the effects of that...

52 in 52: Week 3

Question 3 of "Questions that Will Free your Mind"

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

That is a good question and everyone should think about it. Obviously in life we do things that we don't want to in order to provide for a better  today and future  for ourselves and for others. I think the key is turning things that you don't like, into things that you do like. If you find the beauty and good in life, then maybe these things or people won't be so dreaded. I also think we focus on what others think and want more often than we think about we want-Why? Who cares?  People, including myself at times, worry so much about fitting in with a group of people. If I do what they like, even if I don't want to, I will be accepted. Why do we surround ourselves with people like this? Find the things that make you happy and find the happy in things (even the ones you don't like). If you choose not to, don't complain.  

Not sure if that truly answered the question, but that's all I got for now.

Week 3 of 52 Weeks: No Dessert! AHHH!

Well...I unfortunately added $3 to the donation bank. Twice it was because I honestly forgot, and once was because I couldn't resist Red Velvet cake (and I was feeling generous-$1 to charity) ;) Of course, the week I sacrifice desserts, I want a Reese's, Varsity Donut, milkshake, and pudding in the same meal. Not really, but some days I wouldn't deny that. Now this week, I start running a mile everyday! Yikes! Last mile I ran was probably in 4th Grade and it was because I HAD to in order to pass the class. Hopefully this week will be good motivation for me and my 5K pursuit.

In honor of ending this challenge: Puppy Chow Bars...YES PLEASE

Happy {Not-so-Kansas-Spring} Monday
Snow in the forecast tomorrow, looks like Snoctopus might inherit a sibling :)

52 in 52: Week 2

Question 2 of "Questions that Will Free your Mind"

Which is worse, failing or never trying?

Never trying-we can often learn the most from failing. If you never try you'll never know what you're truly capable of.

Week 2 of 52 Weeks: Take a Picture Each Day

Meet the Staff I work with-they have been so wonderful.

The Best of Friends-Spending time with these two always brings a smile to my face.

Sweet Boy-Lovin' life with this one.

Love the song and love the words-with love life is much better.

Bring on Spring-Kansas life is becoming much warmer, greener, and bright! :)

First BBQ of the season was a success. Can't wait until many more! Next on the list-Juicy Lucys

Proud to be a Wildcat

I enjoyed this challenge. It reminded me to remember to be grateful for the simple things in life.

Excited to see what next will bring!

52 in 52: Week 1

Question 1 of  "Questions That Will Free your Mind"

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

I'm not sure I can answer with an exact age. I'm also not sure that the numerical age is the important piece to remember when reflecting on this question. I think maturity and responsibility are very important components of a successful person. I strive to be both mature and responsible in my daily life. However, I think that too often adults lose the wonder they once had as children. We all were once so curious and creative. Yes, this may not continue to be encouraged in our everyday life, but that doesn't mean it isn't allowed.  Children dream, love, and can be happy with very little.
Why can't adults be? Why can't I be?  

If I didn't know how old I was, I would say that I am older than what I am. I need to focus on the happiness associated with simplicity, imagination, and simply loving others and the beautiful life I have been blessed with.

Week 1 of 52 Weeks:List of 100 Most Meaningful Experiences of My Life
I won't bother sharing my list of 100 experiences. However, I did notice important trends among my list. Without difficulty and relationships almost all of these experiences wouldn't exist.

Here are some of my most meaningful experiences:
-Meeting my fiance and best friend (and his family)
-Learning when to let go of someone or something
-Becoming a Godparent and cousin to a beautiful child(ren)
-Family Traditions (Uncles dressed as Santa for Christmas) and Vacations (Disney, Virginia, Texas)
-Traveling Abroad
-Going to Graduate School
-Illness (family and self)
-Volunteering (various service trips)

I have been so blessed to be surrounded by the most supportive and loving people-my friends and family. A quarter of my list consisted of names. Names of friends, family, supervisors, and strangers. Would you be on anyone's list? That's what this activity made me think. What am I doing to help create an experience for someone's list of 100 most meaningful experiences? I also found it interesting that a lot of my experiences on this list would have, at one time, been considered obstacles. I probably prayed that they would end, go away, or be cured. I'll think about that next time I am struggling.



Week 2 consists of taking one picture a day and reflecting on it...