Merging Blogs

I have just arbitrarily decided to merge this blog into my other blog, "How to be a crazy music lady." I don't update either of them enough to warrant having 2, so. Yep. Plus, the nature thing is a huge part of how to be a crazy music lady! Cheers ya'll!

Like you needed another update on my frigging plants.

The oranges are becoming a veritable forest. I did have one finally die on me. Still, pretty good-looking:



I'm getting ready to put them into repurposed yogurt containers so that the roots have a little more growth room. ^^


AVOCADO, you are looking AMAZING. Have I mentioned that I haven't watered the thing in probably a month?... there's still trace amounts of moisture in the bottom of the pot. I guess it likes it dry.





And here... here we see... the pumpkin, complete with flower... which bloomed today...

As well as a random plethora of seeds my friend Beth threw together... which I kind of really like. There's some squash (maybe?) and a lot of peas and maybe a couple other things. I actually really, really, really like this and I think I will try it out in the future. It's more my style. A haphazard collection of growing green things and let it grow however it will.

And then there's also a painting by my sister (Godzilla's in it but I didn't get that part) and a couple of bags of potatoes slated for the compost bin.

Confession

I got a confession.

I didn't resign.

I admit it.

Because honestly, I took out my anger on the wrong thing.

I haven't really been taking care of myself. I won't bore you with all the details, but it became apparent to me when I ate both McDonald's and Kraft macaroni and cheese within 2 days of each other.

Ugh.

So I'm admitting it openly. I've been terrible to my own body. Which is not a great way to show gratitude for God giving it to me in the first place. And, of course, not a great way to show gratitude for the planet. McDonald's. Cripes.

No more excuses. I'm failing miserably and it's no good for myself or anyone around me. I've had a lot of minor health problems lately that probably would be fine with better nutrition, and I'm already aware that exercise is absolutely crucial to my sleeping patterns and general disposition.

And as mentioned - yeah, taking care of oneself is an act of obedience and gratitude to God. I have got to get the focus right. Nothing I do is really for me. Still such a strange place to be, still can see myself through the eyes I used to have. It makes no sense to the former me, and I don't blame anyone who reads what I'm saying and doesn't understand. I know how it sounds. I lived most of my life loathing Christianity. Regardless, I am telling you now that walking with God and following His lead in a personal and intimate way has changed everything for me. Any thing that you admire about me is only there because I put my hope and faith and dedication in God.

My Resignation

Yep.

I'm resigning.

From the Lifesaver program.


Backtracking a little: I'm a huge proponent of giving blood. More blood is needed and fewer young people are giving it. I try to set an example by what I do, and I'm by no means perfect, but I consider blood donation a dually-charged duty.

Today, though.

Today I went to try to give blood. For perhaps the fourth or fifth time this year. And was deferred, yet again, for iron.

I have done every. Single. Thing. To get my iron up. I was told that tea intake (not coffee, just tea) inhibited iron absorption. So I drank maybe two cups in the last month. I was told that cycle days 1-7 are no good for donation. So I scheduled accordingly. I was told that more leafy greens would up the intake, and vitamin C would help absorption. So I ate all those things.

AND STILL, I get deferred for the lack of the tenth of a point (that's 0.1, people) that would have qualified me as a competent donor.

The only thing I haven't done is eat red meat, or take a lot of supplements. I'm not dead-set against these things. But I will not up my red meat intake. And I generally prefer just to eat foods instead of taking supplements.

I eat lower on the food chain. Almost always. It's for the environment. Do any amount of research on CAFO's and you will discover why. (Two words: poop lagoon.)

I will not increase my red meat consumption because A) I am technically at a healthy iron level, I just don't meet the donation standard and B) eating too much meat just makes me feel gross anymore.

I will continue my efforts to increase my iron in other ways, but I just can't compromise on the meat thing.

I'll still try to give, but I need to get off the Lifesaver program. They call you when they need blood. It's just kind of frustrating to get called when you know you won't cut it, again, for the seventh time.

:( Hopefully a temporary defeat.