Showing posts with label Life change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life change. Show all posts

Friday, April 15, 2011

Two Weeks Later

Indy always finds a good sunny spot to bake himself in. Doesn't he look happy?



It's been two weeks - in fact, today marked the beginning of our third week of work here on the ranch!

In addition to the growth of all the plants in my greenhouse and the beautiful photos Jason's been taking, there's been some significant growth and change in all of us, too.

Here's what I've noticed:

Jason - He's relaxed and happy. He doesn't grump about work anymore. He's creatively fulfilled. He's eating much healthier (except for that one week road trip) and getting more active time outside. He's also trying to grow a goatee. Good luck with that, babe.

Indy - is becoming a lean, mean, muscled machine. He's also filthy dirty and really happy about it. He's NOT allowed off leash yet, and other than making me occasionally crazy, is very good company. Plus he gets lots of sun-bathing time.

Me - My chronic headaches are a thing of the past. I've had a total of three low grade headaches since we've been here, and haven't needed Ibuprofen at all. The tension is loosening up in my neck and shoulders - Jason will attest. I'm eating better. My circulation is improving, even with the colder temperatures (REALLY!!!!!!!). I'm active all day and exhausted and ready for bed every night. I enjoy what I'm doing all day, which is an improvement. And really, who WOULDN'T be feeling better with so much time in the sun (hello, Vitamin D!) and being surrounded by thousands of growing plants. Seriously - there are plenty of studies that show how plants can alleviate depression and enhance happiness. Go buy yourself a houseplant if you don't have one! Geraniums are hardy and have a delicious smell. And don't forget to water it!

Us - We spend a lot of time together everyday, and eat three square meals together, too! Our communication skills (while not in bad shape) are benefiting from this time together. Plus, just being away from everything has really caused us to depend on each other.

As an aside, today we had a special treat for lunch. Heidi invited us all up to have lunch together. She made some delicious (and bean-less - YAY!) chili and homemade cornbread (Gluten-Free for her daughter Tristan and I). AND there was dessert. It was awesome and delicious!

We have this whole weekend off, and are going to spend it together. Tomorrow we're headed into the Big Horn Forest and to check out this Airplane Graveyard Jason saw. Tomorrow night we're grilling with all the staff at the Ranch. Elizabeth's birthday is Saturday and Chad's is Sunday, so we're celebrating both on Saturday night. :) Sunday, weather permitting, we're going to try to go for some kind of hike. All of these things mean that Jason could have some beautiful pictures ready for us all to see soon.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, March 11, 2011

The BIG NEWS!


Hawkeye Ranch. Photo from Hawkeyeranch.com


We are getting ready to embark on our next big adventure - and I can FINALLY tell you about it!

Jason has been offered his dream job working with an excellent landscape photographer, doing what he's already doing right now (digital tech) and helping to open a gallery at a ranch outside of Cody, Wyoming.. Yes - Wyoming - just outside of Yellowstone Park and very close to Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons. The photographer owns an incredible private ranch (www.hawkeyeranch.com) 40 miles outside of Cody. We'll be living there from April 1 until August 31. Plus, they've offered me a job running their greenhouse and taking charge of all the planting (it's massive!) and working with their private chef. I'm also hoping that I'll be able to sweet talk my way into the stables so I can assist with the grooming and exercising of the horses. I used to ride all the time when I was growing up and I miss it.

We'll be making just a little less than what we're making right now, financially, but without the burdens of rent and utilities which have become so EXPENSIVE. We're working really hard on getting out of debt and saving as much money as we can (we're going through Financial Peace University - it's AMAZING!), and this will be the perfect opportunity for us to build a nest egg. Plus we'll be in God's country (it's so gorgeous up there by Yellowstone), I'll be able to do the things I love and haven't had time for in years (horseback riding, gardening, reading, writing), and Jason will have ample opportunity to go out and shoot his own landscape photos.

After August 31, we're going to travel the Southern states for a month - visiting Jason's family and friends throughout the South - and will return to California by the first of October. I'll be able to go right back to substitute teaching and (hopefully - if they can use me!) caroling. We've been praying really hard about our direction and opportunities - and God is SO in this. He has been so good about opening doors and making our way clear that we can't worry too much about what happens after. It is so obvious to us that we are supposed to GO - the rest will come in time. We just have to move forward and live our adventure!

So that's the story - we're moving! Our little home in Redondo Beach will no longer be ours - new tenants are taking the house starting April 1, our belongings are going into storage, and we are headed out on our great adventure. We cannot wait!!!!!!!!!

Keep posted to my blog - I'll be posting photos and stories of our whole adventure, start to finish.

Hope you're living your own adventure where you're at!



Hawkeye Ranch. Photo from Hawkeyeranch.com