Step One...Learning New Things Like Gardening

Now that I have all this time on my hands I have decided to pursue things I didn't seem to fit into a busy, semi chaotic household with three growing children.


One of the things I always admired about the previous generation was the women seemed to have a knack for plants. Not me, I had the curse of the black thumb. I swear my mother could breathe on a plant and it would grow, I so much as look at them they would shrink and quiver in fear.

I know what you are thinking....surely I must be exaggerating. Wish, I, was....



My first attempt was in my 20s. I found this man at a flea market that sold plants so I started buying them. About every 3 to 4 weeks I would buy another one. After a few months I came in, he greeted me warmly figuring I was a plant lover too, then I made the mistake of asking him what plants he sold that were hard to kill. His friendliness faded some and he politely suggested I shop some where else. Apparently he had some sort of attachment to them.

In my 30s I decided to try again. I bought a cactus. Now mind you everyone swore they were hard to kill. "Oh even the worse gardeners can keep a cactus alive." They obviously didn't realize who they were dealing with. It put up a fight, took me 7 or 8 months but I killed it. Took me a few more months to realize it.

Not the actual plant

So, here I am in my 40s. This past Valentine's Day I told my husband I wanted a plant instead of flowers (unless they were potted flowers). His initial reaction, "Why? What have they done to you?" I almost cried. Much to my surprise he actually got me one. It came with a warning..if I kill this one I am never to have another live plant. So, I have done my due diligence and have researched and read everything I can about my new plant. I am proud to say it is still alive!



Feeling some what inspired I was visiting the garden center at a local store and I spotted a plant that was half off. It looked sad and pitiful. I figured if I bought it at least it had a chance of surviving, even if it was a slim one. Once I got it home I realized it was actually 3 plants crammed into this very small pot. So my first instinct was it needed room. I separated each one into a bigger pot being careful of the roots and keeping as much soil around them as I could. (see...I am learning!) After they got transplanted I hung them up on my porch to keep my pet pig Rudy from eating them.

RUDY

Okay, he doesn't actually eat them, he likes the potting soil and will root around in it until he digs out my plants and kills them. No one would believe me if I blamed it on him.


I am happy to say after 24 hours the plants had spread out, instead of looking so squished, and perked up considerably. I think it really helped that we got a little bit of rain over night and they got a hardy bath. I haven't had them long enough to declare victory yet but it has given me hope. Maybe, just maybe I will be able to move to my next goal...actually growing flowers from seeds.

The Realization....

I will never forget the day it hit me that my last child was getting ready to leave home. I was sitting there folding clothes and the thoughts began. I suddenly burst into tears, my husband was taken aback and asked me what was wrong. Between sobs I answered, "I don't know what I'm going to do with all the children gone. I only know how to be a mother." He tried comforting me, "You still have me." I cried harder....

Looking back, I think he should have been insulted. 


As time does, it continued forward and eventually my baby graduated high school, got him a job, and left our home, regardless of my sorrow and broken heart. I kept insisting there was no rush, he didn't seem to agree. 


Now don't get me wrong, I am very proud of my three children. There's a satisfaction in knowing I taught them enough so that they can get out into the world and stand on their own. It seemed when they were little running around the house with their noise, bickering, messes, I actually looked forward to this day. Until it arrived...


It took a few months to figure out what to do with myself. I threw myself into my online business, Christys Fab Finds, which I had started part time for extra income. I went on a huge cleaning spree in the house. After a couple more months I knew I needed more to fill my days.


So began my journey...I'm not exactly sure when it started sinking in but I started learning and doing all the things I had always pushed aside for "someday". DIY projects, crafting, decorating, cooking. Basically, teaching myself how to be a domestic goddess without children. 


This blog is my way of sharing tips, tricks, and projects that have failed and succeeded during my transition into being an empty nester. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I'm sure I will.