Funny stuff

Tim found this on Youtube recently while we were packing.  I think it's hilarious and worth sharing.  Get ready to giggle.

Moving kinda sucks

Forgive me if the title of this post seems whiny, but at this moment I am very much over the whole moving process.  Selling our house, packing up every last possession, putting stuff into storage, deciding what will go with us and trying to find a new place to call home on the other side of the country (over the internet!) has caused my stress level to ratchet up a bit lately.  That being written, I will admit there have been fun moments too.  Two days ago I found some old costume stuff that I modeled for Tim.  He laughed and took some photos.  Our poor cat, on the other hand, was terrified by my beehive wig.  Can't say I blame her.

Since I've lived & worked seasonally for about fifteen years now, one would think I should be used to frequent moves.  I suppose I am, and I absolutely know that relocating can be very exciting.  A new home.  A new location.  A new job (crossing my fingers).  The possibility of new friends and countless new experiences.  All of these things I am looking forward to.  Being closer to my family is another.  I am a daughter, step-daughter, sister, aunt and great aunt.  It's hard to think that my niece is old enough to have babies of her own, but there it is - she has a two and a half year old boy who loves to sing, dance, laugh and talk on the phone.  I cannot wait to spend time with this little guy!   Just like his mamma, he also has an infectious giggle.

Here he is at around six months old

So Tim and I are leaving beautiful, small town, southwestern Montana for beautiful, small town, upstate New York.  He wants to change direction from being a meteorologist to someone who studies climate science and policy.  We will very soon be heading off to the Hudson Valley region so he may attend graduate school.  I have a zillion things in mind for myself, firstly finding a place to lay our heads and suitable work followed by exploring as much as possible in any direction.  We will be about 90 minutes north of New York City where I hope to rekindle my affection for its museums, parks, truly good pizza and interesting people.  We'll also be equal distance from my hometown.  This should allow for lots of family time.  I haven't spent Christmas at home for fourteen years.  Very much looking forward to that.  I love looking through the old ornaments my mother has kept since we were wee kiddies. 

In the end, the tasks of moving do kinda suck.  Leaving friends and an area that I adore will definitely suck.  But change can be oh so good, and being around family should be great.  Perhaps I can focus on that while we are driving across this huge country, ticking off the states and adding on the miles.  I have decided this will be my goal while also listening to several podcasts of Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me.  Looking forward to Mo Rocca, Paula Poundstone, Roy Blunt, Jr. and Carl Kasell.  Goodness that show makes me laugh!

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As an aside, here is a pretty positive thing that happened yesterday:  I checked my mail after returning the Uhaul truck and picking up my car following four days of check ups & parts getting replaced to find a gorgeous magazine and letters from two wonderful women whose friendship I cherish.  Am I a lucky girl or what?  I may be dreading the 2,000 + mile drive back east, but tonight I will find the time to grab a cup of tea and settle into my camp chair for some reading.  I do so love that I have friends who still write letters!

 

Bloem, Fiora, Hana, Blume, Bunga, Fleur, Floare, Flor

part of my of my tea cup and saucer collection

The title of this post contains words in various languages that translate to "flower."  I simply love flowers.  I don't often buy them for myself or frequently keep them inside my house.  I don't even have house plants, mostly because we don't live in one spot long enough to care for and keep them.  But I adore flowers.  Whether they are the beauties I see in my front yard as I sit at my desk or felt flowers, fabric flowers, wooden flowers, ceramic flowers or pressed flowers - I enjoy them all.

sculpture on a memorial in Vienna

To me, flowers in all varieties provide a boost of happiness and joy.  They inspire relaxation.  I truly delight in the many colors and shapes of ornament that mother nature has devised.  I am the dork in botanic gardens and city parks taking dozens and dozens of photos.  Roses, lilacs, columbine, clematis, hydrangea, peonies, poppies, what have you - they're all ogle-worthy to me.

fun rose fabric from Joann Fabric and Craft

ceramic pansy pendant

My affection started when I was young.  I grew up in a house across the street from a greenhouse.  They sold flowers and plants in a small front shop.  Behind that was a large greenhouse.  I would often go inside to wander the rows of seedlings and full grown plants and flowers while soaking in the humidity and smell of soil.  They were very tolerant of the neighborhood kids doing this, thankfully.  To this day, anytime I go into a flower shop or greenhouse I am instantly transported back to this first glass-enclosed haven.

close up of the bouquet Tim sent for Valentine's Day

I don't have a Pinterest board, but I do have a huge folder on my laptop full of flower pictures that I add to regularly.  I use it as my desktop background, the photos changing every 10 seconds so I can enjoy the rotation every day.  I also cut out flowers from magazines and seed catalogs.  Some might say I'm a little......obsessively fond.  I'm okay with that label.

felt flowers that become colorful mobiles

Thinking about the great outdoors...