Since I like to be thrifty and also repurpose objects in different ways I wanted to share this indoor greenhouse idea with you...seems simple enough and there are ways to add your own personal flair.
So these aren't the best pictures, but they will have to do for now...they don't show everything that is up, but it should give you a good idea of what we're working with.
As many of you know, I'm basically a five year old trapped in a 28 year old's body...I love being a kid at heart and with that comes a terrific love of Christmas. Even though we grew up poor, I have some extremely wonderful memories of Christmas. There's the Christmas that my dad stole a Cabbage Patch Doll out of another lady's cart because it was the "IT" gift of the year, or the first Christmas we spent in our house after apartment living. Then there are the memories of the Christmas program at church and the progression of my roles in it going from being an angel to a donkey with one line to being Mary.
Now that I am older, I love to share my joy of Christmas with everyone I know. I like to have the house decorated and to invite all of my loved ones (friends and family) to Christmas dinner, even if it isn't being held at my own house. I love to be surrounded by relatives and in-laws, even if they drive me crazy sometimes. And I love to see a lit up Christmas Tree in the corner of our living room surrounded by piles of presents for the people I love.
This past weekend Dave and I started off the Christmas Decorating Extravaganza by tromping out into the forest to find the perfect tree. There is a program here where you pay $10 for a permit and you can go out into selected portions of national forest and cut one down...so that's what we did. I stocked the car with water, hot tea, pb&j sandwiches and fresh apples. Mina was excited to go on a ride and off we went.
The woods were crowded with tree cutters of all ages. We tried to find a spot where we could actually park and go hiking...after driving on a washboard dirt road, we finally found that spot, pulled over and prepared for our walk. I didn't think that we would be traipsing for so long or so far from our car because I forgot to bring not only the camera with me, but also water and one of our cell phones in case we got lost.
At every turn it seemed like we had found the perfect tree, but it was not meant to be. The good ones were actually two trees growing together or one side of the tree was completely missing. We found evidence of people topping trees, which was against the rules and after an hour of searching, I understood why people threw caution to the wind and did that...because it was impossible to find a descent tree.
Finally after two hours of losing one another, calling out, getting dirty and bruised while climbing rock out cropings and high grade hills, I spotted it. I wasn't sure at first, I thought that it was another of the forest's tricks, but there was the tree! Of course, it was 10 feet tall and after we cut it down I wasn't so sure about it, but we carried it over a mile back to the car, which Dave somehow found after I started using my Bear Grylls skills.
We drove the hour back home with the tree on the top of the car and let it fall overnight while we celebrated a birthday with one of our dear friends.
Sunday was spent hanging lights on the outside of the house and then decorating the inside. Once the lights were on the tree, it looked slightly Charlie Brown-esque, but I wouldn't have it any other way. And shockingly, we ran out of ornaments, which never happens...so I guess it was the right tree after all.
Sunday evening was spent with me wrapping all the presents I have purchased over the past two months while Dave worked with a long time friend on some man stuff. When the friend left, there was the beautiful tree, surrounded by piles of presents for friends and family.
I couldn't stop smiling...and still can't.
Maybe someday I'll get a picture of the tree up, but for now just know that it is Christmas time and it makes me happy.
Tomorrow we will be driving up to the mountains in search of the perfect tree! Not to worry, we have a permit to cut down that precious Christmas decoration.
In honor of tomorrow, I would like to show you what decorating at our house sometimes looks like:
While the virus is terrible and has caused so much heartache, I have to say that it is a happy day. We are one step closer to a vaccine and even to a cure. Those with access to care are staying healthier for longer and are able to enjoy life that much more.
I pray that scientists are able to come up with a viable cure in the next 10 years...because there are so many people around who need their help.
As tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I would like to show my thanks for many things in my life. I have come up with the following list, which is by no means exhaustive, of things that I am so grateful for.
Love -- I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and a large extended family that sometimes drive me crazy, but always show that they love me in the most unexpected ways. I am eternally grateful that Dave and I found each other almost 8 years ago via what I like to call fate. I'm not sure how the world works to bring two people so completely suitable, compatible and loveable together, but I am sure glad that it did because I cannot imagine my life without him.
Friends -- Like many of you, my friends are also my family. I have many acquaintances, but those that I call friend are like family to me. We laugh, we cry, we tell one another our deepest, darkest secrets and share our joys and triumphs. Life would not be the same without these wonderful people. I wish that I was able to see all of them more, especially those that do not life in the same time zone, but true friendships aren't bound by distance, they are bound by love.
Family -- As I mentioned above, I have a crazy inherited family. I never truly understood how important family was until I moved away from my own and entered this one. We may make one another mad at times, but to know that the person is trying to do what they think is best, because they love you, gives you such a different perspective on life and on people in general. We surprise one another constantly with our different ways of showing love and I wouldn't have it any other way. I miss my family that lives far away, but as I speak with them regularly the distance doesn't seem so great.
The Mammals -- Mister, Brutus and Mina are very special animals and entertain me and love me to no bounds.
Security -- Its no secret that Dave and I have literally pulled ourselves up by the bootstraps, if you will, over the past 8 years. We have both worked extremely hard to be where we are today and can only see ourselves getting better, gaining more security in not only our home, but our financial situation. We have been able to go from living like broke college students to owning a home, sharing it with friends and filling it with love and laughter. I can only see this trend continuing on as we grow together and share our lives together. No matter where we are, if we are together, we feel strong.
The United States of America -- I remember being very little when I literally woke up one day being extremely thankful that I live in a country where I am free to be who I am. I have rights here, I am not persecuted here and I feel protected here. Even though I grew up poor, I always knew that we would be taken care of should any other dire financial situation hit our little family. I was grateful that I did not life in a war torn country, that I live in a country that fights for what is just (even though this has been skewed a bit), and that I life in a country where I do not have to see blood shed on a daily, weekly, or even annual basis.
The US Military -- I am eternally grateful to Service Members, who have defended our country in times of peace and in times of war. Being part of a military family and having many friends in the Service, I know and understand what a sacrafice it is. For many young people entering the Service, it is about job security, but as they grow and mature, it becomes more than that.
My Education -- I am so grateful that my parents instilled in me at an early age that I would be going to college. It was never even a thought to me that I would stop my education once I finished high school. With that being said, I am currently the only one in my immediate family with a college degree. The day I was handed my diploma, well, I can't even tell you how happy I was. I plan on going back and getting my masters and I am so grateful that I even have that as an option.
The list could go on and on for days. I am so grateful for all of the blessings that I have had and even for all of the tribulations that I have faced and continue to face.
Thanks to all of you who read this as well. I don't know how many people read this and that is ok...it is just me letting you into my life, and I hope that out of all the dribble and nonsense, you are able to find something to help you in your own life. Not sure what that would be, but one can hope, right?
