growth

I bought some seeds. I'm going to grow this year. I had to get the proper tools first. Good soil. Read the instructions. Soak soil in water, put seed on top, do not cover with soil. Mist with more water daily. Keep in well lit area. Keep it warm.
The first sprouts came quickly. Though I added a misting of water daily, the soil began to dry. I added a second misting of water each day. It was no use, the sprouts died almost as quickly as they had grown. The soil was not up to par.
I was told to mist.
The instructions said to mist.
The instructions were wrong.


Added cupfulls of water to the soil. Waited patiently and kept the soil in the warmth of the sunlight shining in the windowsill.
Weeks later the newer, stronger sprouts appeared. Carrots, cucumbers, green onions and tomatoes.....growing. Healthy. Strong.
They grow visibly taller from morning to evening.

Drinking cupfulls of water.

Perhaps the instructions aren't always correct. A misting cannot grow something that requires cupfulls. We cannot always assume that the generalized ideas can instruct every seed in every environment.

I am a gardener. I have planted seeds. Sometimes I feel like all I can offer is mist. Will the days that I am able to pour cupfulls of water on my seeds make up for the days I cannot offer more? What if my soil dries up? If my seeds sprout will I be able to keep them growing? Am I offering enough warmth and sunlight?

Do you ever wonder who is going to pour cupfulls on you? I've read the instructions, but sometimes I think I'm only getting misted and my soil NEEDS MORE if I'm going to keep my sprouts growing. My soil is drying up. I'm thirsty.

I can't find a glass of water.

What?

Have you ever felt like you were at the end of your rope, but you weren't sure which end you were at?

Yeah. I get it.

Deep Thoughts...

It's midnight.....I'm tired....

But I can't sleep.

I'm stressed. A lot of stuff going on around these parts....but I thought I'd share a few thoughts that have gone through my mind today....

The other night it was 3 below zero here. That's crazy cold! At least for me. I prefer warmth and no snow. But....in the middle of the night when it was that cold....I was warm and snuggly in my bed and completely oblivious. There are those who spent all night shivering, whether due to no blanket, no heat, or no house....they did not experience the comfort that I did.

As most of you know, man evolved from apes. :0) Kind of a strange thought for me. Though I guess I do call my daughter a monkey. What was "refreshing" to learn today was that some scientists have proven that at least we weren't around when the dinosaurs were. Whew! I'm relieved. I was worried about our ape ancestors fighting with the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Now I don't have to worry any longer.

I need chocolate. I cannot survive without it. 'Nuff said.....

Three year olds CAN and WILL twist open fingernail polish bottles if they are allowed access to them. Don't even get me started on this one.....

Experience does not equal wisdom. Knowledge does not equal wisdom. It is how you apply your knowledge and experience that helps you to make wise choices. What is a wise choice for you may not be wise for another. You cannot force your opinions on others, either.

Should I cut my hair?

True happiness cannot be given to you. You have to find it within yourself.

Dora is an amazing Explorer. In our house alone she has saved the Mermaid Princess and the Snow Princess AT LEAST 20 or 30 times. Talk about perseverence. I would have given up on them by that point.

This has ended tonights feature presentation of "Deep Thoughts". Stay tuned for something hopefully MUCH more exciting.....

Benjamin Button

I went and saw this movie tonight and I really enjoyed it. Would you like to know why? Because dear Benjamin Button shared some warm and fuzzy deep thoughts with me. So, I thought I'd share....

"Your life is defined by its opportunities... even the ones you miss."

"Along the way you bump into people who make a dent on your life."

"It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is you. "

"Sometimes we're on a collision course, and we just don't know it. Whether it's by accident or by design, there's not a thing we can do about it. "

"For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again."

"Benjamin, we're meant to lose the people we love. How else would we know how important they are to us?"

"Life isn't measured in minutes, but in moments"

See? didn't I tell you? Good thoughts.....deep thoughts.....insightful thoughts.....

No, this movie isn't for everyone. Yes, this movie was really three hours long. BUT! In the end I left the theatre feeling GOOD. Why? Because Benjamin reminded me that sometimes life can SUCK. And sometimes life is AWESOME! What is important to remember, is that it is up to us to decide if we are going to let the bad things in life change US. We are going to screw up, but it's up to us to learn and grow from our experiences so we can be better tomorrow.

No one is perfect....

We shouldn't expect ourselves to be.

Thoughts

THOUGHTS:

I search: for answers to my deep questions. I wish I knew who to ask.

I wonder: if I'm doing enough as a parent.

I regret: hurtful words I have used against others. I wish I could take them all back.

I love: Jaysen, Landon, Mackenzee...with all my heart

I care: about the self esteem of others. Be proud of who you are. No accomplishments are too small.

I think: I think too much. I wish I could turn off my brain sometimes.....

I worry: about harm coming to my family.

I am not: a stereotype. Try me out...you'd be surprised what you find out. :0)

I remember: to look at my calendar so I can remember what I have going on from day to day.

I believe: as humans we each have ingrained in us the ability to nurture and care for others.

I wish: we would use that ability more often.

I sing: every day. It may not sound good, but it's truly therapeutic. Especially when the kids join in.

I dance: in the kitchen...every day...while I'm singing. The kids have been known to get their groove on with me. :0)

I don’t always: practice patience. I'm trying....

I argue: because I have an opinion. I realize I may not always be right...but I'll be darned if I won't try to convince you my way is better! :0)

I write: essays for school that exhaust my brain

I am grateful: that I have a hubby who is awesome enough to support me as I try to exhaust my brain taking these courses. That he is nice enough to listen to me drone on about subjects he could care less about.

I win: every time my kid remembers something I have taught them.

I lose: when I am quick to judge others. The first impression is not always an accurate assessment.

I listen: I try anyway...I'm usually talking too much to let anyone else get a word in. I'm working on that one....thanks for still being my friends. :0)

I play: music almost all day in my house.

I don’t understand: why people feel it is ok to hurt others with their ignorant opinions. Speaking your mind is not always the best policy. Especially with those you care about.

I can usually be found: cleaning, blogging, doing homework....it is the life I lead....

I am scared: of spiders...and the dark. Don't even get me started on worrying about spiders getting me in the dark!

I need to understand: right now....nutritional science and positive psychology. I'll let you know when that changes.

I forget: that life is not about perfection in everything, but about enjoying the everyday moments.

I am happy: when I am with those I love that love me in return.

What are your thoughts?

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

OK people....my latest assignment has to do with modern challenges in immigration. The questions I am being asked are rather thought provoking so I thought I would pose them to you as well. :0)

Should US Government policy favor certain kinds of immigrants?

Should {citizenship}preference be given to the neediest applicants? The most talented? The most oppressed? The richest?

Should applicants from certain countries be given priority?

What do you think? Would you want to immigrate to the United States? If so, how come? You can go here to learn about the process that immigrants have to go through to become a US Citizen. It's quite the process.

Let me know what you think! :0)

If You're Happy and You Know It....

It has been a busy weekend for me. Lots of family visiting and then going to visit even more family kept me running around trying to keep up. :0) It was a blast.

My sister blessed her baby yesterday and while sitting in church, a woman got up and talked about adversity. Now, her adversity was that {heaven forbid} she would have to be ALONE {without hubby and chidlren} for an entire week in California {90 degree weather} house sitting for a friend. I was sitting in the middle of 10 children trying to keep them all quiet while my siblings sat in a completely different row and would turn their heads toward me and point to their fingers motioning for me to get them to be quiet. Ummm...yeah. So, as I'm listening to this woman complain of her adversity for the week, I was thinking...I'LL TRADE YOU! :0) Honestly, I love that my neices and nephews love me so much that they want to sit by me. They are such little "blessings" in my life. I wouldn't trade these little moments for anything....usually. :0)

On a different note here...{more random Ashlee thoughts} something else I've been thinking about this last weekend...

Are we content with where our lives are at right now? We have led ourselves to this point. Where ever it is that we are at, was because of the decisions we made in the past. Unfortunately, some decisions get made for us, and can scar us, BUT what we do about what has happened is what really decides where we end up. Does that make sense? Something bad can happen...but it's how we deal with the bad that decides where we let our lives end up. We can become bitter and angry and let it affect everything around us, OR we can learn and grow from these bad experiences {yes, even the horrible ones....I've had a few of my own} and become a stronger person. Anyway....are we happy with where we ended up? If not, what can we change? Can we change it?

My life has had some SERIOUS ups and downs. And by serious, I do mean serious. I'm not even 30 yet, which is what is truly sad. I feel older. My experiences aren't ones I would wish on ANYONE. It took me awhile to let go of the bitterness and anger, but after that, I was just left scared. What happens next? Where do I go from here? I became scared to let anyone in and I mostly just holed up in my apartment. No social life, just work and family. I could have ended up a very unhappy person had I continued in this direction. It took an act of God to get me to change the course of my life. Maybe I'll tell you about that sometime. It's a warm and fuzzy story. Perhaps on me and the hubby's anniversary. :0) But, I had to allow it to happen. I could have decided to keep my door closed. To not open up. I was truly scared too. But, I'm so glad I did. One of the best decisions I have made in my ENTIRE life. :0)

I know....deep thoughts here today...sorry. :0)

For more about my happy weekend, you can check out my other blog. http://www.burnham-blog.blogspot.com/ Good times were had by all. I hate that my family lives so far away. Just me and my mommy left here now. Sniff. But, it makes the visits all the more fun. A whirlwind...but fun. :0) Hope you all had a fabulous weekend. I know Sassy and Honey Bunch did. :0)

Deep Thoughts

OK, so....don't laugh TOO hard at me on this one.

I used to LOVE 'Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handey'. You know? From Saturday Night Live? I actually gave a speech in my Speech class on them. I thought they were HILARIOUS!

Well, I just came across them again...and I'm wondering what was wrong with me.

"Maybe in order to understand mankind we have to look at that word itself. MANKIND. Basically, it's made up of two separate words"mank" and "ind." What do these words mean? It's a mystery and that's why so is mankind." {sadly, I remember laughing at this one specifically. It's not funny. Are you laughing?}

"As the light changed from red to green to yellow and back to red again, I sat there thinking about life. Was it nothing more than a bunch of honking and yelling? Sometimes it seemed that way."
{maybe it's because I'm older now, but there are days that it REALLY does seem like life is just a bunch of honking and yelling. So, now this one can't be funny either!}

"I wish I had a dollar for every time I spent a dollar, because then, Yahoo!, I'd have all my money back." {This is not funny either. I'm reading it and I'm thinking, "that would be so great! I'd be seriously rich." oh man!}

Sigh. Jack Handey is neither deep nor funny. He's just plain dumb. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone. Please forgive me. Sadly, my Senior year of high school, My friend and I were quoted as saying, "We're at the end, but which end?" We thought we were SOOO funny being all 'deep' like dear Jack. Sigh. I think this is why it's best to just not look back. Some things are better left in High School.

Deep Thoughts...by Ashlee