The Crystals

When I was in the process of buying my house, there was one element that I knew I would have to take care of immediately. The crystals.

Outside of my house, lining the sidewalk that leads to my front porch and surrounding circular flower beds, are white/opalescent quartz crystals. I hated them. I thought they were tacky. But unfortunately, they were also embedded in concrete, so to remove them would take a lot of work, and most likely a little money. So I've just dealt with them, and they've actually kind of grown on me.

Last night I was mowing my yard when a guy at the house next door to mine peeked over the fence and got my attention. I reluctantly turned off the mower (I was afraid it wouldn't start again after it had been turned off) so I could hear him. He told me that his fiance's grandparents lived in my house their entire lives. That explains some of the hideous "old person" decor choices.

He said that they put a lot of work into the house, including putting up the privacy fence that surrounds it, and of course, installing the crystals. He explained that his fiance's grandfather went to Bauxite every weekend and dug up the crystals by hand to be able to put them in their yard, as a gift to his wife. He hand-dug those suckers, poured the concrete, and placed them side by side. All for his wife.

In light of that, I am so very glad that I didn't get rid of those crystals. My uncle's crazy girlfriend came by to see my house a few months back, and she absolutely loved the crystals and swore that they would bring me good karmic energy. I find it ironic that my ex was dead-set on getting rid of the crystals, he hated them, and tried to knock them from the concrete with a rock bar. I think the crystals actually got rid of him.

Maybe, just maybe, they'll bring me the good fortune of finding a man who would hand dig ugly quartz crystal just to make me happy.

Affirmation

One of the greatest things God has done in my life recently is provide me with situations and instances that affirm that I've made the right choices.

I'm very guilty of rehashing decisions and second-guessing whether or not I made the right choice. Recently God has made it paintstakingly obvious that I made the right decision, in one instance in particular. It makes me feel good to know that, and it makes me feel good to know that God cares enough about me and my heart to lay those things out for me to see and to know.

Things I Don't Understand

1. Parking decks. How do they work? How come no one goes the wrong way and collides with an oncoming vehicle? Baffling.

2. The male species. They say that they're easy to understand, that they're simple. Riiiiiiiiight. Saying one thing and acting in a way that doesn't reflect what you said...that ain't simple folks.

3. Gas prices. No explanation (on my part) necessary.

4. Human beings. When you really stop and think about it, it's completely mind-boggling that we come into the world not knowing any words, and we learn an infinite amount of words over the years. We all grew from babies into what we are now. Our bodies are biological and anatomical, yet within our bodies lies the capability to feel emotion. It's just crazy (and miraculous) to think about.

5. Numbers. I suck at numbers. I just can't wrap my mind around them enough to do anything productive with them.

This post is to be continued...

Update

I was reading through some old posts and saw the need for a good update, so here it is.

About 2 months ago I got a job working as Marketing Specialist for a local bank. So far, I absolutely love it! It has been so much fun, and I've been consistently challenged, which is important to me. I also (finally!) have my own office with a view, and it has been the best thing since sliced bread. I truly hope to stay with the bank for a good long while, and I can finally say that I truthfully love my job. It's a good feeling for sure.

The interior of my house is pretty much complete! We've painted my kitchen cabinets and they look really good. It definitely feels like my home now. Sometimes I look around and just think "I really love this place." Now it's time to move to the exterior...lots of little projects to tackle.

I've been spending a lot of time with friends lately, which has been wonderful. I've been able to meet some new folks, too, and have really enjoyed that. I'm almost finished with the latest book I've been reading, "How to be Single." No, it's not an actual "how-to" book, it's a fiction book about an author who travels the world to discover how single women around the world live. It's been a really fun read.

So that's about it. For now.

My Great Granny

This is what I wrote to be read by my Mom at my Great Granny's funeral. I wanted to share it so that you could maybe understand what an amazing woman she was.

"In my eyes, my Great Granny was everything a woman should be. She was steadfast and committed to her beliefs. She was a faithful and loyal wife. She was a loving and guiding mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother.

But, to me, one of the greatest legacies Great Granny left behind lies in my Dad. My Dad certainly wouldn’t be the man he is today without Great Granny’s guidance, support, instruction, and love. It is because of her that I have my family, one of the greatest sources of strength and love in my life, and for that, I am eternally grateful to her.

I know that Great Granny is now in a place where she feels no pain and has absolutely no limitations. She is with Great Granddad, the true love of her life, and I feel blessed to have both of them watching over me and my family. I can only hope that I become even half the woman she was, and leave behind a legacy comparable to hers. That would no doubt mean that I lived a great life, just as Great Granny did."