Sleeping Buds Are Wide Awake Over Here

While many of my Midwestern and East Coast friends have been freezing their tooshies off, buried in ice and snow (hi, Nilsa) I've been basking in warm sun, trying to keep my plants somewhat hydrated during California's worst drought in decades. Although I did get buried in an avalanche of ad copywriting work this week, so I can relate to the feeling of being trapped in your house by a terrifying vortex...

The strange and sad byproduct of our drought and ridiculously high temps is that most of the trees around town think it's time to wake up and start celebrating spring. I first noticed bursting blooms several weeks ago—the trees in town were completely covered. It's a really strange sight to see so early in the year, and made me worry about the state of everything come summer and fall. I'm sure our fire danger will be pretty darn high this year.

But even though it seems wrong for so many flowers to be stretching their arms and opening their sleepy eyes, it sure is getting pretty around the yard...

I think this is a peach tree. We'll probably find out sooner than later...

I thought this was an apple tree but I'm not sure whether apple trees flower in the spring. Clearly, I have a long way to go before I can call myself a real farmer.

These girls have popped up two years in a row—cute little volunteers. I had to look them up because I didn't know what they were. Spring snowflakes. Adorable.

In December, we got hit by a pretty bad frost that wiped out all new growth on the Meyer lemon tree. It's just starting to recover and I couldn't be more excited. Mr. W and I have been drinking warm lemon water every morning as part of our new 2014 routine.

The bees are pretty psyched to have so many flowers on the rosemary bush.

I had to get a new camera in the fall (the other got cupcake icing in it during the move...) and for the life of me I can't get the macro feature to focus. Anyway, the lavender has begun to bloom along with all the others and I hope it comes in strong so I can make relaxing sachets with it later in the year.

The calla lilies are lookin' good and kind of making me anxious for Easter.

The roses still look a little haggard from the frost, but they're working hard to detract attention from all the weeds speckling the front yard.

In spite of the drought and untimely spring activity, the Buddha is still smiling. “Three things cannot be long hidden," he says, "the sun, the moon, and the truth.”

Highlights and Low Blows: Trying to Stay Securely Fastened to the Roller Coaster Car

Peak, meet Valley.

A few weeks ago, I led a free coaching call all about overcoming overwhelm and pulling yourself out of a funk. Although I felt like I'd pretty well navigated my way out of the slump I'd been in after moving, I've been reminded over the last week and a half that—like with flying—it's best to keep your seat belt buckled because you never know when turbulence will hit.

Low: Having both of our flights cancelled to visit Mr. W's mom and stepdad in Tampa.
High: Getting rebooked, free of charge, on a different airline and a direct flight!

Low: Accidentally throw-spilling my glass of chardonnay all over the table the first night at dinner with Mr. W's parents, drenching Mr. W.
High: Grabbing the glass before it went into Mr. W's stepdad's lap. And, of course, being thankful it wasn't my very first time meeting them. Mr. W would have probably never taken me back.

I was hoping the frost might freeze the gophers who have destroyed our lawn.
Unfortunately, that's not how Mama Nature works...

Low: Getting hit by very unexpected frost and having most of our nice winter veggie garden decimated. Fingers crossed that the young avocado tree will recover...
High: Salvaging a handful of beets and watermelon turnips and eating them in a lovely salad last night.

Veggies in this picture are much smaller than they appear. Poor little winter runts.

Low: Having a sick cat who thinks the whole house is his litterbox.
Lower: Finding out sick cat is actually in the beginning stages of kidney failure.
High: Getting some unexpected monetary love in the mail to help cover some of the vet bills. (And allow for some post-Christmas shopping at Banana Republic, perhaps.)

Low: Driving to the pet store and having to invest in more paraphernalia to try to help the sick cat.
High: Running into a live and very boisterous rooster at the checkout counter.

I heard him long before I saw him...

High: Finally getting the Christmas tree set up!
Low: Finding that half of our lights didn't work... Thank goodness Rite Aid stays open late...

Wrapping presents while watching White Christmas Friday
was also a high for sure.

Low: Discovering the Christmas tree stand is leaking this year.
High: The dryer got hooked up today! I lay thyself at the altar of Maytag.

Tomorrow I shall officially induct the dryer into the family with
some smelly clothes and dirty sheets.

Low: The new checks for our joint account finally arrived...with the wrong address on them.
High: We got to go check out our sweet next door neighbors' house and spend some time with other people from the area. Our first party invite in town!

Like anyone else, I totally dig the highs and try to maintain a sense of humor through the lows (sometimes I fail miserably). I suppose the trick is just continuing to try to stay focused on the ups. And maybe hope for some more flat patches on the roller coaster track.