Green Jean Granny

All I could think while I had my hands in the dirt, was, Goddess bless my efforts. Everything I can plant is ‘in’. I haven’t been able to buy new seeds but I planted all of my stash! Seeds dated from 2008-2011. They will either grow or they won’t. I took all the greens I had and mixed them together and planted them between the rows of all the plants. I actually still have 3 cold frames I can plant, but I think I’ll plant my nettle in one to make sure I get it in. I know people think I’m nuts to direct the weeds, but they grow so well and they are so good for me as menopause approaches.

It’s Easter morning…no real significance at my house with so many yrs spent in a cult…but I honor the earth every day, and prayer is a constant around here.

Still no job – no money – no prospects. Food stamps are gone faster than I can blink with all the price hikes at the grocery store. We have one more month with a house payment possible – 1 more week of benefits, then nothing unless something opens up. Life is going to get real interesting, real soon.

Bright Blessings.

~A

Another job hope dashed this morning. I’m not understanding what I’m doing wrong, but it feels like someone punches me every time I go in and am turned down. I’m applying to jobs I never would have even looked at if it weren’t for the length of this unemployment. Minimum wage, part time, areas/fields I would have to struggle to find good stuff to think about, just to be there. I’m so cold this morning and I wanted to be with Steve and he had to go to his brothers, where I’m still not welcome after all these years. Sometimes things suck. Oh well, I don’t suck, so I’m moving forward.

I spent some time picking out some projects for my etsy shop. I’m really hoping to get busy on them this weekend. If I can make several little items each day, that would be perfect. I’m getting excited about some herbal sachets someone suggested once, too. My herbs are growing so well!

Geoffrey picked all the wild violets from the front yard a couple days ago and I made jelly. It’s wonderful. The whole process was such fun. We made this deep purple infusion from the blossoms, then made the jelly and jarred it. It came out this vibrant, gorgeous pink. I will definitely make more!

So I’m off to play with yarn . . . every bit as good feeling as eating my wild violet jelly!

A cold rainy day – 3 in a row. We need the sun. Mood wise, strength wise; we need the sun. The trials are easier when you are warm and fed. Everyone else gets to feel like crap and feel run over except me. I have to keep up the face.

Looking back over the past few months, I feel pretty good about today. My marriage is back on track and doing real well. The animals are  ready to go to new homes. The seedlings I’m growing to sell are up and thriving. The garden is taking shape. Geoffrey is now 6 ft tall. I’ve lost 25 lbs and Saturday, tried on a size 20W pants and zipped them without sucking in my tummy too hard. I’d have bought them but can’t justify $26 for anything! I couldn’t believe I zipped up a size 20. AND, I fit into a men’s 44 jean – that’s down from a 50″.  It keeps a lady going.

Still no jobs and that’s our biggest worry. I am looking as diligently as I can. At 50 and jobless for over 2 yrs, the outlook is not good. Georgia’s official UI rate is 10.2%. That is the only real bone of contention in our household. If I talk about when the money runs out fully, or feeling guilty about what my daughter is doing for us, Steve gets mad at me. He just can’t talk about it. I guess it’s an ego blow for him too. I cry – I can’t help it. V and K want us to have contingency plans should we not be able to keep our house, but there really is no contingency plan. If we loose it, either Steve’s brother will help us or he won’t. There is no one else who can take us in. He also dislikes me with a passion. SIGH. We will have food stamps. V says she and K could take Geoffrey  so he never has to live out of the car – how can parents think about hard things like that? We have until May 2nd and our money runs out. Gods help us. In the big picture, tho, we are pretty positive. Even if we slip back into forclosure status, it will be 9-12 months before we would really be homeless. Something has to manifest –

We are back competing at trivia. We won $100 on Friday in house cash which buys food at the restaurants. Last night, we won $15 cash. Little bits here and there keep us going. The tournaments come up this next month. Cash prizes awarded…last yr, we got $400 from one tournament. While this is Steve’s forte’, I’m not too bad and will play on someone’s team, even if his is filled up. Hoss is happy to have me!

Right now, Steve is reading to me from the 2011 Almanac. I just noticed the blooming dogwood out front of the house. LOL some things don’t change. We share our loves. Viv la difference!

Oh, and I dropped (and scratched the lense of) my glasses. Crap. Right at the point you lower your eyes to read – It’s a big blur, right on everything I need to see. Not good.

This next week, we have 2 nights of trivia and during the days, I think we can focus on the garden and crafts. We have the house payment money for the first. Main worries handled. :O) I expect a good week. Bring it on!

The days are becoming pleasantly warm even though though today is cool and rainy. Had a nice coffee with my sweet hubby this morning. The dog ate his breakfast then demanded a treat for eating. He’s such a joy to us. lol

I’ve decided to plant culinary herbs for selling. It might help us establish some kind of money/income since jobs aren’t manifesting from our efforts. It’s hard to know what to do. I try to stay positive but getting knocked down at every turn is the most frustrating thing I’ve ever experienced. So, I’m going to make herb groupings –

A mexican grouping – a pepper plant or tomato as the central plant with cumin, cilantro, oregano, parsley.

An Italian grouping – tomato plant, basil, oregano, thyme, parsley.

A culinary herb pot – basil, oregano, tarragon, dill, rosemary, thyme.

Choice plants singly sold, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, tarragon, chives, dill, lavender, lemon balm, cilantro, catnip, chamomile, tomatoes, banana peppers, sweet peppers, jalepenos, sweet violet, red clover, squash, green onions, spinach, corn, lettuce, cucumbers.

All will come with a pretty little fact sheet about the herbs and veges.

At least I have a direction to send my energy. It will keep me from going crazy with nothing to do. Our compost is so gorgeous this spring. It’s deep, dark, dirt. I love it. It will ammend our garden beds so well this year!

I’m going to also keep working on my Etsy shop. Alysia did a reading for me and suggested selling herb/energy packets online. Building my own little metaphysical shop… I’m so slow about starting things. It’s time to get moving. There will be garage sales, flea market tables, yard sales and Farmer’s markets to hawk my wares at too – Mid march is the perfect time to start.

On a side note, I’ve found my brother Landon. He’s rather a captive audience so I think I’ll write him a letter – show a bit of love. I think he needs it.

Who would have thought loosing 25 lbs would make such a difference? I’m not sure where I’m loosing, but things are rearranging. ALL my clothes are baggy. I threw out 3 black garbage bags of stuff that is way big. Sex is great. My back is much better. I’m walking around the lake with hubby and the dog, without pain. Life is improving.

Positives abound. Lots of food. Help with the kitties. Still no job but I’m really thinking I’m gonna have to figure out how to live without one. It’s not the gray hair or the weight. It’s just the economy. So the trays are gathered for starting this year’s seeds. I think I can sell herbs and baby plants at the farmer’s market. I need to get my Etsy store running too. Jewelry, socks, baby items, quilted items…not too focused yet, but it’s coming together.

Stayed in bed with hubby this am so skipped breakfast, but lunch was fresh pineapple, walnuts, cottage cheese, coffee and WATER. I’m cooking green beans, pork roast, orange sections and seasoned wild rice for dinner. Gotta attack the day with a plan.

Gonna light a candle, turn on some music, and DANCE! (while I wash the dishes!)