Thursday, April 12, 2012

Spring Beauty...and what I've been up to lately!!!

Hello dear friends! I know it's been a long while since I've last posted, but I came across some road bumps along the way. Specifically, the hard drive on my computer completely CRASHED! I knew my MacBook Pro was running a little slow, but I was rather ignoring the "symptoms" of backing up all of my info as well as replacing my hard drive before it completely...well...crashed! All of my vital info, including pictures of the kids, amongst other important documents - were GONE! :( To make a very long, complicated, and a rather expensive story short, today is the first day that I finally have a working computer on hand! I can't wait to catch up on all of your lovely blogs this weekend!!! :) I seriously had "blogger withdrawals" since I was out of a computer for that long! :(



On a lighter note, I hope everyone had a very nice Easter / Passover Holiday! I can't believe the spring season is finally here!!! :) This is the first "Spring" in our home since we moved in last summer, so I'm quite excited about it! Since we plan to renovate the front part of our home between now and the next year or so, I decided to put a halt on any "landscaping projects" for now. Thus I've decided to do some "container gardening" instead. It rained on and off yesterday, but that didn't stop me from planting these pretty hydrangeas that were given to me as an Easter {and "housewarming"} gift from my mother. They were partially pink when they were given to me, but now they are a bluish purple hue. I just love that about hydrangeas! :)



These little lovelies are now sitting on our front porch, which instantly adds curb appeal. And let me tell you...we are in dire need of some of that right now! I was joking with my hubby telling him that our neighbors are probably wondering why it {the front part of our house} looks a little "chaotic" right now. But due to a very strict budget, our fixer upper projects will continuously be a work in progress. I have some more exciting changes coming up ahead, but more on that later! :)



In other exciting news, I thought I'd let you all in on what I have been up to lately. At first I was hesitant to divulge what my new venture was exactly about, as I still wasn't quite sure if it would work out in the long run. But it's been a few months, and I feel confident about my future plans! ....so I'll just come right out and say it! I am currently going back to school to pursue a dream of mine!!! I'm preparing to apply to a specific program, and although it's been a completely hectic, busy, stressful experience...it's been an extremely positive, fulfilling, and empowering one too. I say "empowering" only because I tend to constantly compare myself to other people, and often feel that I'm "too old" or feel that I've just been away too long. But...I'm doing very well!!! And the feeling that I get when I'm attending lectures and labs, just reinforces where my true passions lie. I won't exactly say {just yet} what program that I'm prepping for (when I get closer to my goal, I just might}...but just that it's in the medical field. So please stay tuned for my blog posts about what I have been working on in that respect too! :)



On a last note, if it all works out at the end of the month, I will be attending "Remnants of the Past" this June!!! Woohoo!!! :) I was supposed to go last year {April 2011}, but it didn't work out at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts. So hopefully if my "time management" pans out this year, I will be attending this amazing event for the first time!!! :) Oh, and I was also able to visit my sweet friend's booth {Melinda of Alabaster Rose Designs} at Country Roads Antiques two weekends ago! If you aren't already a follower of her blog - please do visit and click on that "follow button!" :) Melinda is one of my most talented blogger friends on here, and her booth was just beautiful! I can't wait to share with you some of the the lovely vintage items that I purchased from her!!! So if you live in Southern Cali, you MUST visit "Old Towne Orange" and take a stroll through all of their beautiful antique shops {if you haven't already}, including Country Roads Antiques! I promise it will not disappoint! Even my hubby was impressed with all of the beautiful vintage treasures there!



Well my dear friends, I hope you are all enjoying the beauty of the Spring Season! I also want to thank you all for continuing to visit my page and leaving such kind comments even though I haven't been able to visit as much as I'd like to lately. I have started to subscribe to many of your blogs, so even though I'm not always able to visit often, I will be enjoying your posts!!! But now that my computer is up and running, I do look forward to catching up on all of your beautiful blogs this weekend - and so wishing you all a most lovely one!!! Until next time, do take care! :)



Hugs,
Jessie

30 comments:

It's me said...

What a exciting news !!...back to school...so sad you computer do not work well......hope you have a nice weekend darling...glad to read you again....love Ria....xxx..

jessica said...

I need to take a lesson in backing up my Macbook also. Congrats to you for going back to school! So awesome. LOVE your hydrangeas!!

Have a wonderful rest of your week :)

~*Jessica

rusty hinge said...

Jessie, I am so glad you are back! Believe me, I noticed your absence! I love Melinda too, she is just the sweetest! I wish I lived closer, so I could go shop her booth!! :)
Congrats on going back to school! How exciting! I hope and pray all goes very well for you!
Have a wonderful day!
Maria

Samantha Nagtegaal said...

That is so exciting for you :-) I totally believe people shouldn't go straight to uni from school at 18, unless they really have very clear plans of what they want to pursue as a career. I know a few people who have had a career dream since they were young, pursued it through uni, and now have their dream job. I know far more who are doing work completely unrelated to their degree and would love to retrain in something they only, in say their mid twenties, found they had a passion for. Also, I think the idea of retraining is especially appealing if you're a full time mum - it's wonderful to be able to stretch your brain power! Really hope it goes well for you. I love the hydrangeas too - wish I was more greenfingered.
x Sam

Shannon said...

How awful to lose all that information on your computer! Glad you are back up and running now.
I love hydrangeas, one of my very favorite flowers. Hoping to make it up to Remnants of the Past show this year too but nothing is schedule just yet ;)
Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I'm so proud of you my sweet friend!!~ I knew you would be awesome in school!!
I've been thinking of you and hoping you've been well!
E-mail me and let me know about the ROTP show, I think Cheryl is going too!
Have a great day.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi dear Jessie,

I can empathize with you and now I back-up about three times a week. I'm a Mac girl.

Funny, I live in San Luis Obispo, but always seem to be traveling when Remnants of the Past happens. I did attend one at the old barn at Judy Dana Power's ranch and loved it. Sorry it had to move, but understand why.

I am a huge fan of Judy who started Remnants. She is a talented, hard working woman who gets up before the rooster crows every morning.

All joys to you,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Shabby chic Sandy said...

Sorry about your computer problems--been there, done that...not fun! Your flowers are totally gorgeous and I wish you the best of luck in fulfilling your dream!

Town and Country Gals said...

Jessie,
so glad you're back! You certainly had a lot going on, computer stuff is the worst! good luck with school, you have to pursue what you're passionate about and so glad you get to do that!
I used to live in Orange, my sis is now in Yorba Linda, we spent a lot of time down at the circle. Next time I'm out, I'll havae to check out the shop! Your flowers are gorgeous!
Rebecca

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

Hi Jessie ~ Im a huge fan of container gardening! ;) Congrats on your decision to go back to school too!! xoxoxo Rachel

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Hi Jessie! Thanks for sharing this exciting news with us! Good luck, I know you will do well in school!
Loving your photos today, and I hate to type this for fear it will happen again, but I experience the whole computer thing too without backup. Ugh!

Special 'K' said...

Oh it is so good to hear from you. Sorry about the computer. Thanks for sharing. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

Unknown said...

So glad you are back and the computer is too :) Your flowers are gorgeous! And good luck in your new adventures with school!

Anonymous said...

Hey Jess....thanks for stopping by!! Glad to see you back and the Hydrangeas are sooooo beautiful....Good Luck on your new venture, you will do wonderfully! Xo ~Ashley

Donna Reyne' said...

hi Jessie!
So glad to see things are getting back to normal! Love the pots of Hydrangeas~a favorite of mine and as always, gorgeous shots!
So glad you are pursuing your dreams...it really is fulfilling when you are doing what you are passionate about
hugs from here
Donna

Fresh Vanilla For C said...

Hi Jessie~~ Welcome Back!! Congrats on going back to school:)) I really admire you for doing that. Cant wait to hear more about it. I am HOPING to go to Remnants, but I just dont know if I will be able to swing it.
Have a great weekend.
Rain GO AWAY!!!
xo~~Cheryl

Lynne said...

Jessica!
There you are! A cozy pop up on my blog roll! Glad you are doing well!
Melinda is a dear. It sounds like she is pursuing a dream as well!

You have a big bunch of friends cheering,praying and keeping you in their thoughts!
~Lynne
w/L.

d e l i g h t said...

I wish you all the best success in your new venture Jesse!! I had similar feelings when I went back for a second degree at an older age but really enjoyed it and found I was so much more comitted than as a youth. You will do fantastic! Hope all works out for you to attend Remnants of the Past!
Take Care,
Linda

xinex said...

Beautiful hydrangeas. Sorry you lost your files, I hope there's a way to recover them. Good luck to all our future plans....Christine

SLR said...

Hi Jessie!
so sorry about your computer crash, that must have been devastating. glad you have a new one now!
your hydrangeas are beautiful...i am told it's fertilizer that gives them their blue color. good for you for pursuing a career dream of yours...i know exactly how you feel about it being too late, etc., but we are pretty young still (or at least i like to think we are), so we should just go for it...very happy for you!
i absolutely have to go to Old Town Orange someday...I have been wanting to for over 10 years!!!

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Glad to see you are up and running with your computer again. Computer problems are not fun at all. Congratulations on going back to school and persuing your dream...good for you!!! I'm looking forward to hearing all about it.
I have been going to Country Roads for years and have done many posts about it. Sue, the owner is wonderful. Next time I'm there I will visit your friends booth.
Have a great week.

June said...

I'm happy for you Jesse about going back to school and pursuing your dream.
I loved seeing your beautiful hydrangeas. They are such a pretty color and those are the perfect pots for them.
You have spurred me into action as far as backing things up on my computer.
Your comment at my blog just made my day. You are such a dear friend.
sending lots of hugs...

Shanon at Vintage Sparkle Chic said...

You've been a busy girl! I can't wait to see what you are looking into in the medical field (I am a dental hygienist and I love it!).
Melinda is the sweetest, I love her blog.
Your hydrangeas are gorgeous!

~Shanon

Red Rose Alley said...

Jessie,
That is good news that you are going back to college to pursue the job you want. Jess also just made a change in her career. She is going back to school to get her teaching credentials to teach elementary school. Your hydrangeas are so lovely. Aren't they the prettiest color? I do hope that it all works out for you. You have just taken your first step and are going after your dream. God be with you on your journey.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Katherines Corner said...

Welcome back!!!! So happy to see you blogging again. So sorry to read about the computer crash..eeek! That's exciting about your new path. I look forward to reading about you schooling. Hugs! P.S> I hope you will join us at the hop tomorrow :-)

Paula said...

I've just found you and your lovely blog! Congratulations on going back to school - it sounds very exciting and fulfilling. Love your hydrangea pots - the colours are gorgeous. x
p.s. You've scared me into backing up everything on my computer, so commiserations for your computer problems, but thank you for spurring me into action!

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Love your blog and wonderful posts. New Follower.

Jody

Anonymous said...

So glad you are back online. Your hydrangeas are very beautiful and look great in their pots. Good luck with your studies. I know how it feels to go back to uni as a 'mature age' student, but you will be glad in the end. God bless x

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

Hi, Jessie! Thanks for stopping by my blog via Jennifer's Cottage of the Month. Sorry to hear about your computer crash. I've been there and like a fish out of water, the wait and worry is intense. Glad you've "sprung" back enjoying your beautiful hydrangeas. Love them! Enjoy our S. Cal. weather!

Witha said...

Sorry about your computer but congrats on going back to school! Love those flowers

Visitng from Blog Hop
Witha @ withapinkie.blogspot.com

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