*Smiley Face*

So, today I am so happy.  I know how blessed I am.  I was looking back on old photos and on this exact day last year I was planting trees with CVA in Australia.

And today, I finished my art commissions, and inventoried our turtle nest...which meant setting free the last few little guys that didn't hatch with the rest last week.

And my brother is coming to pick me up on Friday to go on our road trip up to family and Michigan.  

I am so blessed.

Digging the Nest with our Turtle-Watch team.

Guiding the little guy with our feet.  (Can't touch though).

Commission One

Commission Two (Way outta my comfort zone) 

God Has Got The Future

Remember back in the day when I was learning about being fully present, understanding the power of the now, and being content where I am?  Then July came and I allowed myself to look forward and pick a job for when my contract ends in December.  At that point, I lost it ALL.  I was not content with the now while I was looking forward.  And that was not good.

So, as irresponsible as it seems, I have stopped the job search for now.  No one is hiring this far out anyway.  And it is imperative that I learn the lessons of this season.  If I don’t, one of two things will happen.  I will have this season extended or I will pollute my next season with the struggles of this one.  And I think it is now or never for learning contentment.

I have gotten myself plugged in even further.  In addition to the wildlife sanctuary, I picked up a volunteer job at the aquarium.  I start this Sunday after church.  I also and going to work with the Sea Turtle Watch program to help them “nest sit”.  Keeping busy, as tired as it makes me (fell asleep at my computer yesterday at work while reading about coral), makes me happy.  I am very excited about working at the aquarium.  I feel a sense of accomplishment and confidence in working at the wildlife shelter.  And who knows what I can learn from the Sea Turtle Watch?

One more thing to focus on in the present.  I have my first two actual art commissions.  It's a little nerve-wracking because I have never had to paint per someone's request before.  I want to make it perfect.  But, in reality, it is art...  Anyway, I am working on those as well.  I am in some exciting times right now.

As for the future, let’s not worry about it.  Let’s think more about the present because that is where we are.  God has got the future.

I fed the goofballs one morning last week.  I love these crazy birds!

Work and well....work

So, in addition to work I have decided to pick up a couple volunteer jobs.  One is at the Seabiscuit Wildlife Rehab for birds.  And the other is at the NC Aquarium.  I like the call the aquarium my "testing the waters" experience to see if I like working indoors with wildlife.  "testing the waters"...te he...  Anyway, I go there on Sunday for my orientation.

The bird Rehab has been great.  Here is an status that followed my first day there:

"5:50am - Wake up and grab fishing gear.
6:20am - Pray for Fish
6:30am - Two croakers in my bucket.
7:30am - Giving the fish the mom arm in morning traffic
8:30am - Feed Fish to Pelican in Rehab
9:00am - Wrassel a loon outta a babypool
10:00am - Work Church Bake Sale smelling like loony-fish

I do love days like this!"

I assume that everyday will be this fun at the rehab place.  And so far it has proved itself to be so.  I have gotten to assist in a medical exam of a crow, and feed the babies.  I was feeding some baby birds blueberries and mealworms with tweezers when all of a sudden a mockingbird came out of a tree and sat on my hand...then just helped himself to what was in my bowl.  I FELT LIKE SNOW WHITE!  BWA HA HA!  The wildlife all coming to me...

Anyway.  IN ADDITION to my work and my new volunteer work, I am looking for my next job.  July has arrived, which was the time I was going to start job searching.  And as it turns out, I have a problem.  I just want to do everything.  I want to do an Americorps program and Gradschool...but I can't do them both at the same time.  It turns out that I can get everything I want if only I am patient.  OH BOY!  That is the hard part.  Pray for me as I look into this further.

THE WEDDING and other random stuff...

So the big thing is the wedding...you know the one that I was the bridesmaid in.  Yeah, let's not mince words...here are the photos.

You know from my previous post that I liked my dress...so I took the opportunity to post a twirly photo.

The whole thing happened at a lake house where I did A LOT of kayak when I wasn't doing my weddingly duties.  And I mean A LOT of kayak.  A friend of mine and I paddled 4 miles to dock at a restaurant for lunch, then 4 miles back.  I want to tell the story to my grandkids, "Back in my day you had to kayak 8 miles for a salad...so don't be lazy you young wipper-snapper!"


Anyway, with the bride and groom heading off into the distance on a boat that said, "Just Married", I felt the need to leave the lake house and go sleep in my own bed.

Highlights of the last few weeks:  I have begun working on another field guide at work, begun working on a puzzle at home, was a bridesmaid, drove the farthest I have ever driven, and almost set the bed on fire.  Yes, you read that right.  It turns out that doing your nails by candle-light is not relaxing.  Its hazardous and dumb.  There was a tiny voice in the back of my head that said, "hey acetone and flame is a bad idea."  Unfortunately I seldom listen to that voice.  After I beat the flames out with my bath towel that tiny voice proceeded to say,"I told you so."  Now you see why I don't listen to that smug little voice.  :-P