Flora and Fauna

I've had a decent week in spite of the huge amount of stress I'm currently under, but it was not completely without its shitty moments. I'm beginning to question the direction my professional life is taking. The BF and I got pissy with each other about never getting to see each other, an argument I could see coming a mile away because we have both had the most insane schedules ever lately. And then there was family drama. There was a time in my life when I thought my family was the last one on earth to be drama-free, but it turns out that it's only a matter of when, not if.

So, I surrounded myself with plants and books this weekend. It all started with this bouquet of purple tulips I got from the aptly-named Tulip in the Duling School building at Arts Eats & Beats on Thursday night. (Since I'm posting from the BB I'll have to add pics later.) Tulips are my favorite flower, and these just made me happy!

Saturday, I bought some herbs at Ellen's Nursery in Crystal Springs, which is my hometown. It is owned by Ellen Sneddon, or as my dad calls her, "The Piccolo Lady," because she used to always play the flute or piccolo at church or sit in with our H.S. band. It's a super-cute nursery, very reasonable prices, and I highly recommend it.

That same day I also picked up a signed copy of "The Help," finally, and a copy of Barry Hannah's "Geronimo Rex." This is the book he wrote that alludes to his time as a student at Mississippi College, and I am very interested in that, being an alumnus myself. Plus, I'm a bad Mississippian for not having read Barry Hannah before he died. I can't wait to dive into both of those.

I was a bit proud of myself for not surrounding myself with food instead. This is a healthy first step, I think. It helped that I had to run a 5K yesterday evening - I didn't want to get sick running on a full stomach.

I am loving having a screen porch on which to grow plants, or just sit and read. And sometimes we do eat out there, too. After the race last night, the BF and I got takeout from Keifer's and ate al fresco. It was a nice change from eating in front of the TV, and can you believe it, I actually couldn't finish my cottage fries?

I still have the goal of running a half-marathon firmly planted in my mind. I have decided to try to run the St. Jude half in December, in order to give me plenty of time to train. Meantime, I want to train for an 8K in May and hopefully a 10K between May and December. I hear there is a 15K somewhere too, but we'll see. I still can't believe I can run a mile without stopping, much less anything further, but I feel so much better for doing it.

Crossroads Film Fest is next weekend, and I've helped out this year by coordinating the bands for the after-parties. I hope we have a good turnout and that everything goes swimmingly. I really love that we have such a successful film festival here, and it's been fun to be part of it this year. That's not to say it hasn't been a lot of work, because it has, but it's worth it! I will be glad when May arrives, though.

Must say T.T.F.N., but I hope to get back to updating at least every Sunday! YAY for the BB!