Plant and Grow in 30 Days Days 24-30

This final week of 30 days of growth and “newness” sprouted up different thoughts and revelations and a new breakfast spot.

A couple of days this week I found myself feeling a little down.  There was no particular reason, it was “just one of those days” times two.  Normally, I would have just gone through it and went about business as usual.  Trying to push through it just wasn’t working this time; I couldn’t shake it off.  Then God sent me two “angels” to encourage me and I allowed them to do just that.   The role of encourager is usually mine, so it was different for me to switch places.  I give a lot, fully believing in the words “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).  I am grateful however, for the lesson that I need to surrender to allowing myself to receive from others as well.

My husband’s birthday was this week.  Every year since we have been together I have always sought to make his day special.  From “fancy” dinners to Disney World and various things in between I have tried to do something out of his ordinary to honor his birthday.  Every year though, he has requested not to do anything special for his birthday.  So this year, I did something different and gave him the low-key day that he has wanted.  No promises for next year though lol.

I told you that I really enjoy food.  So you know I could not end the 30 days without a food “new”.  I’m not big on breakfast, I know it’s the most important meal of the day…. It’s just not one of my favorites.   When I do eat it though, I like a good spread.  I had a breakfast craving earlier this week and answered it with a trip to a local country kitchen restaurant.  It offered a cozy, friendly atmosphere and a hearty down home southern breakfast that a girl raised in the south could appreciate.

These 30 days have been interesting, fun, and challenging at the same time.  But……. tomorrow it’s back to the regularly scheduled program-weekly posts.  Join me to see what May brings.

Plant and Grow in 30 Days Day 23

Today I watched the first two episodes of a Netflix series that I would have normally overlooked.  The overwhelming response and reviews from other watchers prompted me to tune into “13 Reasons Why”.  I watched the show with my preteen daughter as some viewers suggested.  Glad that I gave it a chance.  It opened the door to a good dialogue between my daughter and I on some “touchy” subject matters related to middle and high school teens.

Plant and Grow in 30 Days Day 21 and 22

I was reminded this weekend that you can find treasures in your own backyard if you look for them.  I did a little digging on Friday and Saturday.  What did I turn up?  I went to the nearby city of Matthews, NC and found a couple of new consignment shops to fuel my obsession.  Shopping often makes me hungry; I stumbled upon a 1950’s style diner where I enjoyed friendly service and a good meal.

On Saturday I had planned to attend the Hippie Fest with my family,  which would have been a first for me.  After waiting in traffic for 20+ minutes  to get onto the property on which it was being held, for a possible parking spot, we decided to find something else to do with our day.  We ended up in the quaint college town of Davidson.  There just happened to be an Earth Day Arts and Crafts Show taking place downtown.  We were able to meet some new artists and get introduced to their works of art and crafts, enjoy the sounds of a two-man band (guitar and saxophone), and visit with some friendly residents.

Take some time to explore your city and surrounding areas you never know what you might find.

Plant and Grow in 30 Days Day 20

It took me several attempts (eight to be exact), but today I found out I placed first in a weekly writing contest.  In previous entries I’ve had a 2nd place win and an honorable mention.  I was determined to get the top prize for two reasons:  I’m a little competitive( the good kind, I’m my own main competition) and I strive for excellence in the things that are important to me and writing is my love.   The best part of this achievement isn’t about “bragging rights” or checking off another goal, it’s that I didn’t give up.  I could have settled for 2nd place, but I knew I had a 1st place in me.  So, “I kept my eyes on the prize” until the prize was in my hand.

Plant and Grow in 30 Days Day 19

I am a strong proponent of not living in the past, but it is good to visit there sometimes.  So I paid it a visit today.  I took a stroll down the proverbial memory lane, with music as my guide.  Memories of when my husband and I first started dating, our wedding, and other highlights of our time together, brought both smiles and tears(happy ones).  I sung in and out of tune, reminisced, and got that “old feeling” back.  That feeling I had when I first fell in love with him resurfaced.  Not that it had gone anywhere, but sometimes it gets buried under the complexities of “life”.  No, can’t live there, but it felt really good visiting.

Plant and Grow in 30 Days Day 18

On my way out today I saw my neighbor outside working in her flower beds.  I waved to her and said hello as I normally do and proceeded to my car.  Then I stopped and decided to do something “new”.  I’ve waved to and spoken to her in passing countless times since the almost two years we’ve been neighbors; Today I took the time and made the effort to go over and initiate  a conversation with her.  She’s a lovely lady, friendly and easy to talk to.  Turns out we have a lot in common too.  So glad I made the effort to find out.

Plant and Grow in 30 Days Day 17

In case you’re wondering, my counting isn’t off.  I skipped days 14-16 purposely, deciding instead to take a 3 day weekend off from writing for the Easter holiday.  That in itself is a “new” because normally I would have held myself to it.  But, that’s one of the beauties of freelance writing, being on my own schedule. Nevertheless, I struggled with the decision to take a break because I committed to doing the 30 days and I don’t like to come up short.

Today’s “new” correlates to what I mentioned above.  Initially I wasn’t even going to mention having skipped the three days; I was just going to write today’s post.  However, I’m learning that it’s okay to share your shortcomings and fails.  It provides for more transparency and may help someone else in the process.

Plant and Grow in 30 Days Day 13

Blue is one of my favorite colors, especially Carolina blue.  I have been a Tarheels fan since age six.  Getting back on point, I looked in my closet today and knew what I needed my “new” to be for Day 13.  Going through my clothes I saw some blue shirts, blue pants, a blue skirt.  Not one blue dress though.  Needing a dress for the weekend, I decided to get a blue one.  I found the perfect one.   No it’s not Carolina hued, but it is a nice shade of dark blue.  Will post a picture of it when I wear it this weekend.  If this post seems “simple” to you, it is.  But simple things make me happy.

Plant and Grow in 30 Days Day 12

In our “busy” society sometimes we choose convenience over quality.  This is what helps keep the fast food restaurants in business, but that’s another post.  So, those who really know me know that grocery shopping is one of my least favorite things to do.  I like to cook the food and eat the food, but I don’t like to shop for it.  Go figure.  There was a time when I would go to multiple places for groceries.  One place might have the best meats, another place higher quality produce, and yet another place the best prices on household products. Well that time has passed.  Now I try to get it all at the nearest grocery store.  That has resulted in me getting sub par produce at times, but it’s convenient.  Today I went to a farmer’s stand for my produce after having gone to the store for my other items.  One bite of my strawberries confirmed that it was worth the extra time and travel.  My Day 12 “new” was simple, but it made me happy, and that’s the point of it after all.

Plant and Grow in 30 Days Day 11

Today’s “new” involved me, a book, a blanket, and a tree.  An early Tuesday afternoon found me at the park lying on a blanket under a tree with a book in hand.  I usually reserve my non work related reading for either before bedtime or the weekend.  But, this afternoon I just decided to grab a blanket and a book I’ve had on hand for months and go.  The sun was beaming, but the tree provided shade and there was a nice breeze rolling through.  The spot I chose had a good view of the lake, which was a nice reading backdrop.  Besides a few walkers chatting as they passed by, it was pretty quiet.  I fully immersed myself in my long-awaited read for a couple of chapters before returning to reality.