I'll have the office all to myself today so you know I'm doing as little as possible... it's been a looooong week and it's time for a break!
Frogger! What a gorgeous bride you're going to be! Love the flip-flops and the flowers too! We wore slippers at my best friend's wedding - you'll be glad you have comfy shoes when the time comes to start dancin'!
I can't wait to hear about the haunted tour of New Orleans too!
Kaylets - Oooh, thank you for posting those diet mistakes - I see a couple I'm making right now. Of course I know what I'm doing, but seeing it in print is like "SEE??? You're messing this up!".
And yes, now I'm getting multiple phone calls in one day... he asked for my direct phone line (not our 800#) yesterday so he'll quit running up our 800# bill by calling it - said he didn't want to get me in trouble. I'm debating on giving him my home number too - thoughts anyone????
Eydie - Breeeeethe.... or, if you want to have some fun keep looking at crazy co-worker and when she looks at you just smile and nod knowingly... it'll drive her bonkers. Hey, if she won't quit or medicate herself, you might as well drive her to a psychotic episode!
Q o' the day - No, it can't be illegal. I'd be with Eydie in serving a life sentence! I keep it pretty clean most of the time but geez, I work with mechanics! Swearing is contagious....
Today Demon Scale showed me down 2.2 from yesterday which technically makes me up only .4 from last week. Don't know how that scale manages to know when I'm going to weigh in but am considering changing my weigh in day to Thursday to try to do an end run around DS. I think it might be because we eat out often on Tuesdays and there is more salt in food I buy as vs. food I make. So I think I will try the Thursday weigh in for a while just to avoid some of that "up" frustration.
Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come and see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. Going and coming took most of a day--and I honestly did not have a free day until the following week.
"I will come next Tuesday, " I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call.
Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I drove the length of Route 91, continued on I-215, and finally turned onto Route 18 and began to drive up the mountain highway. The tops of the mountains were sheathed in clouds, and I had gone only a few miles when the road was completely covered with a wet, gray blanket of fog. I slowed to a crawl, my heart pounding. The road becomes narrow and winding toward the top of the mountain.
As I executed the hazardous turns at a snail's pace, I was praying to reach the turnoff at Blue Jay that would signify I had arrived. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren I said, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these darling children that I want to see bad enough to drive another inch!"
My daughter smiled calmly," We drive in this all the time, Mother."
"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears--and then I'm
heading for home!" I assured her.
"I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car. The mechanic just called, and they've finished repairing the engine," she answered.
"How far will we have to drive?" I asked cautiously.
"Just a few blocks," Carolyn said cheerfully.
So we buckled up the children and went out to my car. "I'll drive," Carolyn offered. "I'm used to this." We got into the car, and she began driving.
In a few minutes I was aware that we were back on the Rim-of-the-World Road heading over the top of the mountain. "Where are we going?" I exclaimed, distressed to be back on the mountain road in the fog. "This isn't the way to the garage!"
"We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils."
"Carolyn," I said sternly, trying to sound as if I was still the mother and in charge of the situation, "please turn around. There is nothing in the world that I want to see enough to drive on this road in this weather."
"It's all right, Mother," She replied with a knowing grin. "I know what I'm doing. I promise, you will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."
And so my sweet, darling daughter who had never given me a minute of difficulty in her whole life was suddenly in charge -- and she was kidnapping me! I couldn't believe it. Like it or not, I was on the way to see some ridiculous daffodils -- driving through the thick, gray silence of the mist-wrapped mountaintop at what I thought was risk to life and limb.
I muttered all the way. After about twenty minutes we turned onto a small gravel road that branched down into an oak-filled hollow on the side of the mountain. The Fog had lifted a little, but the sky was lowering, gray and heavy with clouds.
We parked in a small parking lot adjoining a little stone church. From our vantage point at the top of the mountain we could see beyond us, in the mist, the crests of the San Bernardino range like the dark, humped backs of a herd of elephants. Far below us the fog-shrouded valleys, hills, and flatlands stretched away to the desert.
On the far side of the church I saw a pine-needle-covered path, with towering evergreens and manzanita bushes and an inconspicuous, lettered sign "Daffodil Garden."
We each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path as it wound through the trees. The mountain sloped away from the side of the path in irregular dips, folds, and valleys, like a deeply creased skirt.
Live oaks, mountain laurel, shrubs, and bushes clustered in the folds, and in the gray, drizzling air, the green foliage looked dark and monochromatic. I shivered. Then we turned a corner of the path, and I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight, unexpectedly and completely splendid. It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it down over the mountain peak and slopes where it had run into every crevice and over every rise. Even in the mist-filled air, the mountainside was radiant, clothed in massive drifts and waterfalls of daffodils. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, saffron, and butter yellow.
Each different-colored variety (I learned later that there were more than thirty-five varieties of daffodils in the vast display) was planted as a group so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue.
In the center of this incredible and dazzling display of gold, a great cascade of purple grape hyacinth flowed down like a waterfall of blossoms framed in its own rock-lined basin, weaving through the brilliant daffodils. A charming path wound throughout the garden. There were several resting stations, paved with stone and furnished with Victorian wooden benches and great tubs of coral and carmine tulips. As though this were not magnificence enough, Mother Nature had to add her own grace note -- above the daffodils, a bevy of western bluebirds flitted and darted, flashing their brilliance. These charming little birds are the color of sapphires with breasts of magenta red. As they dance in the air, their colors are truly like jewels above the blowing, glowing daffodils. The effect was spectacular.
It did not matter that the sun was not shining. The brilliance of the daffodils was like the glow of the brightest sunlit day. Words, wonderful as they are, simply cannot describe the incredible beauty of that flower-bedecked mountain top.
Five acres of flowers! (This too I discovered later when some of my questions were answered.) "But who has done this?" I asked Carolyn. I was overflowing with gratitude that she brought me -- even against my will. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"Who?" I asked again, almost speechless with wonder, "And how, and why, and when?"
"It's just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house that looked small
and modest in the midst of all that glory.
We walked up to the house, my mind buzzing with questions. On the patio we saw a poster. " Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking" was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman, two hands, two feet, and very little brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."
There it was. The Daffodil Principle.
For me that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than thirty-five years before, had begun -- one bulb at a time -- to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountain top. One bulb at a time.
There was no other way to do it. One bulb at a time. No shortcuts -- simply loving the slow process of planting. Loving the work as it unfolded.
Loving an achievement that grew so slowly and that bloomed for only three weeks of each year. Still, just planting one bulb at a time,
year after year, had changed the world.
This unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. She had created something of ineffable magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.
The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principle of celebration: learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time -- often just one baby-step at a time -- learning to love the doing,
learning to use the accumulation of time.
When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.
"Carolyn," I said that morning on the top of the mountain as we left the haven of daffodils, our minds and hearts still bathed and bemused by the splendors we had seen, "it's as though that remarkable woman has needle-pointed the earth! Decorated it. Just think of it, she planted every single bulb for more than thirty years. One bulb at a time! And that's the only way this garden could be created. Every individual bulb had to be planted. There was no way of short-circuiting that process.
Five acres of blooms. That magnificent cascade of hyacinth!
All, just one bulb at a time."
The thought of it filled my mind. I was suddenly overwhelmed with the implications of what I had seen. "It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years.
Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"
My wise daughter put the car into gear and summed up the message of the day in her direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said with the same knowing smile she had worn for most of the morning. Oh, profound wisdom!
It is pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson a celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask,
"How can I put this to use tomorrow?"
I did not get to post any pictures last night because I was pooped. Because....
I had a surprise bridal shower yesterday!!!! My coworker's through me a luncheon and gifts and cake and everything! I was completely floored. They made me wear a veil they made and a big button that said "Bride to Be". It was a fun time.
Tonight is my bachelorette party at LuLu's Mardi Gras Club in DC. (I see we are keeping with the New Orleans theme here as I also had mardi gras beads as some table decorations at the bridal shower) There will be 6 of us partying down. Can't wait!
Well, work calls so I must answer (at least for a little while) Be back on later!
Morning. Loved the Daffodil Principle~looking back can see how some small things done regularly have affected my life~of course, nothing on the order of five acres of daffodils!
Frogger, I want to party too - you'll love New Orleans - a beautiful city whose name is too often connected just to the Bourbon Street aspect.
Today Demon Scale has me back to last week's weigh in on the nose so that puts me back at my low for this journey. Now to try to get it lower by next week's bout with DS.
Gloomy so far today - trying to decide if I should gamble on getting in a walk between raindrops or take lots of time and do pool workout. Have been really good about the walking but know I'll not (probably) get to do it over the weekend as we're going down to babysit the princesses again. That's usually more a weight lifting workout ;>) (but that counts too). I think I feel like a gambler today.
About to go brush out one of the cats - we sedated her... She's gonna be so maaaaad!
Eydie! Yesterday I found the bellydancing for Fitness you mentioned. They were very highly rated on the site I found them on and I bought the 2 DVD set (4 "classes"). I'm SO excited!!
Anagram - Oh, salt! I had chinese for dinner last night and feel like a big ol' cheese puff right now! I'm hoping all the water I'm drinking will deflate me...
Kaylets - I loved the daffodil story! Makes me think of what I want to start doing now that I can look back in 30 years and appreciate (besides the obvious!).
Frogger - How fun! Enjoy that party and have a hurricane for us!
Frogger, hope you have a blast tonight! Remember, 2 Tylenol and lots of water before you crash...get a head start on treating the hangover. Glad to hear your co-workers got together to throw you a bit of a shower. Very thoughtful!
Tomorrow I'm getting my hair chopped (again) It's growing like crazy! It's collar-length now, has been since I chopped it at Xmas from shoulder-length. Guess where this is going??? YUP..shorter! Summer and the insufferable heat we have here in the Toronto area are coming and I'm getting ready by going short! Time for a change, anyway....it's the chameleon in me.
It's been wonderfully rainy and warm here...had a magnificent thunder storm yesterday morning while I was driving to work. Okay, so I would have rather been at the lakeshore than stuck in traffic, but it was cool anyway.
Time to put the kettle on and start the weekend....*sigh of relief*
Fly by postie... I have a slightly disabled shoulder..and am off to the chiropractor again....pulled tricep and one of the rotor cuff muscles...makes it real difficult to confine the girls. However at least I can work now...went home Wed...couldn't do the job!
I'm scheduled today and so I must stir my buns....
TTYL
Ceara
Today the question of the day is -- which of the following thoughts fits your day ??
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Growing old is inevitable, growing UP is optional.
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There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
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Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
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Do the math....count your blessings.
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Faith is the ability to not panic.
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Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.
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If you worry, pray. If you pray...don't worry.
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Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.
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THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN YOUR HOME ARE THE PEOPLE.
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A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
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He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
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We do not remember days, but moments.
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Life is moving too fast - so enjoy your precious moments.
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Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise it's just hearsay.
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It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again.
Just be sure to flush when you are done.
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Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage.
The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk taking.
Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out
it's neck.
****************
If you were wondering what the big THUD was about 10 am yesterday am it was me falling HARD off the wagon yesterday.
Short Story-- Going away party - big chocolate cake w/ whipped cream--- Hour after the party was over I fell. HARD.
Was still at it at 2 w/ M&M's.
Luckily, I woke up before "MORE SUGAR" did this am and got lots of water and a solid breakfast in. DH and I yardsaled until almost 2 pm and then walked the fleamarket looking for a lawn mower.
So, I am back on the wagon-- Just need a hand with the seat belts please.
Hope everyone is ok -- I think I'll go see if anyone's around the other threads-- I MISS YOU ALL!
Kaylets, your Royal Throne is now outfitted with shoulder belts.
Ceara, how on earth did you pull your triceps muscle and rotator cuff? Geez, that sounds painful! Hope the chiropractor is able to set things right again.
It is awfully quiet around here. Must be nice weather where everyone is and we're all out enjoying it.
I have THE BEST hairstylist. He's the one I've been looking for the last six years. Got my hair cut short but it seems like I have more of it, if that makes any sense. I told him I was ready to go short and he could do whatever he wanted with my hair. He told me I have a beautiful face and porcelain skin and I needed a cut to show it off. What a sweetheart, huh?
Been a bit of a lazy day here. Hubby is napping, and we are going to watch a movie or two later.
Still puzzling over the co-worker problem---ever have one of those things that takes over your whole life? Can't get it out of my mind. I have a feeling it's going to get ugly..... I can't engage her in any type of friendly conversation anymore--You can make the most innocent comment to her and she twists it around into something, well, twisted! It is truly bizarre. Something's really wrong with her.... Kaylets, the quote that I'm adopting from your list is "Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted".
So.....food/exercise-wise I haven't been doing very well at all. Have missed working out the last 2 days, because of very long work days, so tomorrow I have to force myself. The one bright spot in my day is knowing that I'll get to talk bellydancing with Punkin/Terri soon! That'll keep me hangin' on!
Wildfire I know what you mean about it seeming like you have more hair when it's short. I have very fine hair, but it looks thick when it's really short--why is that?
So tired---haven't been sleeping well. I have to catch up on that.
Pray for my pathetic confused soul.
DH and I just spent about an hour doing yard work- He had to weed wack the grass before he could mow it because it got high while the mower wasn't running. I pulled weeds and cleaned up flower beds--The baby dwarf fruit trees I planted last summer can now let a bird perch on them! When I think of how each morning during the drought I lugged water out there from the dehumidifier!
Ceara- how did I miss that one! OUCH-- Yes, how did that happen? What can they do for you? Wish there was something I could offer...... DH suffers w/ a similiar injury -- or lets say he thinks that's what the problem is- it gets sore is all I know-- A doctor has never seen it so I think you are in worse shape than he is!
Yikes - just saw what my nails look like from working outside- where's the nailbrush!
She's gonna be so maaaaad!
TGIF!
Glad to hear your co-workers got together to throw you a bit of a shower. Very thoughtful!
I can't engage her in any type of friendly conversation anymore--You can make the most innocent comment to her and she twists it around into something, well, twisted! It is truly bizarre. Something's really wrong with her....
