creating my own spring.

this winter has everyone bummed.
i love the snow.
especially in my new suv.
i'd go for a few more snow days..
even though i work on snow days.

but i am missing green.
plants and spring.

today j & i headed to the philadelphia flower show.
& came home with four plants to create our own spring.

Left to Right:
Chocolate Mint
Heirloom Tomatoes - after this crazy winter, tomatos will be SKY HIGH this spring, get your own plant!
Hollyhock Black - Thomas Jefferson's favorite :)
Erica - not sure if this will grow in our yard, but giving it a shot!

red spring.

so word on the street is, juicy red's going to be a big spring color.
one of my favorite colors to rock, but never saw it in the spring before.

add a red necklace to your spring collection:

get it here.
and always be sure to check out the sale section!

honeymoons over.

newlyweds with a roomate.
goodbye privacy.

mortgage payments & bills.
budgets suck.

our first car.
goodbye savings account.

baby talks.
i'm not ready, when will i be?

job decisions.
saying no to work, yes to more school, did we make the right decision?

career moves.
i'll follow you.

real life.
is strange.

we can make it, have a little faith in me.
i've got plenty in you.

reality check.

i know it's time for a reality check.
this happens every so often in this career of mine.

today is ash wednesday.
& i'm probably going to hell,
because i didn't make it to church tonight.
& the last time i was in church..
was LAST ash wednesday.

what to give up for lent.
it bothered me all day.
i could not think of ANYTHING.

today i thought about adopting all the kids i work with.
taking them home.
feeding them j's homemade gravy & spaghetti.

coworkers talked about a boy who wears his father's childhood coat.
he just wants something new.
i have A LOT of new.
new shoes, new jeans, new dresses, new coats.
i buy, because i use to be one of those kids.
who begged for something new.
not nearly as bad.
but i never felt like i had as much as everybody else.
& now that i can supply my own i forget what that's like.
reality check.

no new clothes for 40 days.
being thankful.
keeping it simple.

no time for this.

i don't understand colds.
you hear 'wash your hands'
'take your vitamin c'
'get fresh air'.
but the cold still hits.
i really don't have time for a cold.
today i had a half snow day.
& i slept.
because i have a cold.

i don't really get winter either.
the most snow in recorded history this year?
don't get me wrong,
i'm loving being snowed in with j, minion and the brotherinlaw.
& random friends/family.
but where does it come from?
& where do the deer go when it snows like this?
seriously no one can really answer that question for me.
today we saw a squirrel..
j through some almonds out for him.
yes almonds.

& these newscasters.
seriously, how much money do they get paid?
it must be a lot.
i would need a lot of money to:
1. drive to work
2. stand outside during a blizzard
3. interview the idiots who actually go out during such blizzard.

just some thoughts on this snowmageddon.
or snowcalypse.
just another way to prove nj likes nicknames..

lets just pray for another snow day
& a boost of vitamin C to beat this cold!
i will take advice on any home made remedies for colds!

you don't celebrate enough.

spend everyday like it's your birthday.
we could all use a few more celebrations.
they lift your mood.
they bring together friends & family.
why not celebrate more?

happy birthday mejor!
hope those sourpuss martinis didn't turn into a sourpuss morning.
seriously, nerds at the bottom of a martini.. amazing.
and chocolate milk & expresso vodka martinis.. wowza.
thanks continental.

mr greengenes getting us pumped for summer a the SOUTH jersey shore?
oh yeah!
i'll take celebrations like this every weekend please!

just holly.

it came in the mail last saturday.
i think it's taken almost a week to process.

an offer for five more years of school.
a doctorate.

for a girl who has never been the top of the class.
i was strong in elementary school,
never the strongest.
high school gave me little skill for college.
college took me 2 years before i started to find my stride.

the past three years of my master's program have given me confidence.
applying was more about proving to myself that i am capable.

now i've been accepted.
& one day, five years from now, i'll be a 'doctor'.
but in reality.. i'm still just holly.
& i'm finally learning to have a little faith.. in me.

& for my parents.
who set the standard high.
& gave me everything to achieve more than their high school diplomas.
i hope they see what they've really been able to achieve through me.