Dear April,

Dear April,

Welcome back! I'm so excited you've arrived. You always bring pansies to my porch. You make me want to wash my car and redecorate. You hold all the potential of Mother Nature's most pleasing months. April, you're a great gal. I hope we can enjoy one another in the coming weeks. I'm praying you bring enough sunshine so that I can finally finish painting my guest bed. It has been sitting by my front door for several weeks and my pansies refuse to compete for cuteness anymore!

Love you (really a lot),

Michelle of WFB

Will and What's up with this blog???

I couldn't resist posting this adorable face. We love this little man so much. In fact, if I don't get smiles from him, I can feel my heart start to shrink just a bit.
I haven't been blogging lately, but I have been doing other things--things that I think are making me better. I've been running and autie-ing, and cooking. I've been getting blonder and reading new things. I feel like a few new shoes and some fresh, but cold air have made this winter one of my best. Spring is nearly here and I couldn't be more excited. So much to work toward and look forward to.

Oh, and I bought myself a new camera for my birthday. Oh, it's fancy!!! . . . fabulous pictures are on the horizon, friends.

Enduring One Accessory at a Time

I really should be climbing in the shower at this very moment, but instead, I'm sitting in my warm bed listening to the rain splash against my big window to the world. BLESS the rain. It gives me a slice of hope that winter will end with Spring's unpredictability and pending beauty. Granted, I'm a realist from the frozen tundra of Idaho. I understand that winter is far from being over and that my semi-spring (March 10th for your gift-buying needs) birthday is likely to be surrounded by gray winter sludge. I'm fine with it. As long as Mother Nature sends bits of hope into these gray winter days, I can endure. Besides, I have the cutest umbrella to sport today. Sassy weather accessories bring smiles all around.

The Good News

I know that when my own mother comments on my blog absence that it's time to get back on the horse. I also know that I have a tendency to let winter paralyze my spirit. I think the snow, frigid temperatures, and darkness stifle my creativity and take some of my sparkle. I've been determined not to let it get to me--but alas, with each flake that falls, I can feel myself slipping into the depths of slick roads, treacherous conditions, and BAD hair days. Here's the good news (and there is still lots of it to be found)--

1. I find refuge at work. As soon as I walk through the doors, my spirit calms. It's the weirdest thing. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of things to be done and upcoming stresses, but I'm at peace in our little flower shop. It's times like these when I'm grateful not to have windows in the store. Sometimes I just pretend it's spring outside--enjoying the flowers that seem to arrive at our doors despite the storms around them. I want to be more like those flowers--

2. Yesterday my mile and a half commute was a 40 minute adventure. The worst part of the drive is the approach into our parking lot and maneuvering into my parking spot. Last night I made it--tonight not so lucky. I had to park my car elsewhere and hike home. The good news you wonder--I have a home to hike to.

3. One of my favorite Christmas gifts was a pillow--but not just any pillow. It's a replica of the pillow found in the Marriott Hotels and the Virtue Hotel. Oh, the joys of nice linens.

4. Our neighbor Ed is a dear. Despite the fact that he often wakes me in the morning by yelling at his dog outside my window--the man hasn't stopped shoveling snow for the past 2 days. He warms up his wife's car every morning and makes me wish I had a husband--though I'd prefer a non-smoker who weighed more than me. . . I'm picky--I KNOW!

5. Apple cider. Enough said.

Hibernating

I'm not leaving my house until SPRING--see you then!

Okay friends--just FYI--today is the last day of winter. Praise the sunshiny heavens above. So, to mark the first day of what I like to call my NEW YEAR, I'm going to be on Studio 5 presenting the best flowers for the best vase. It's a semi-lame topic, but that's what they wanted--so I'm spiffing it up a bit with some Michelle pizzazz. Join me tomorrow at 11am on KSL (channel 5) for some spring inspiration.

Look and Be Grateful

We have the most beautiful flowering tree blooming in front of our condo. Each time I walk by it, I want to stop and take a picture, but never make the time. This afternoon, I made the time and look how beautifully it turned out. I find that I have to actually stop myself these days and say--"Michelle, take a minute from your ridiculous day and look at what surrounds you. Look at the beauty. Look at the goodness. Look and be grateful." I'm grateful for lovely little things that make me smile and refresh my spirit.

Rainy Days & Mondays

I love rainy mornings when the air is damp and all you can hear are drip-drops from heaven.

Spring Cleaning

Another modern day miracle. . .the landscaping crew is working over the GV grounds. I'm smiling all over. I'm smiling for fresh mulch, cut grass, and recently pruned bushes. I made an executive decision today to stay home to complete some unfinished projects. First item on my list (after a great run) was my closet. Those of you who have seen the walk-in sanctuary know what a daunting and somewhat life-threatening task this was. You will be happy to hear that the Deseret Industries now has a fresh stockpile of shoes and handbags ready for purchase. They are probably going to have to expand their accessory aisle in general, as there are some lovely new additions to their collection. Next, was a serious bathroom workover and lots of laundry. In fact, today I cleaned above my cupboards AND the refrigerator. I even wiped down the washer and dryer and washed my bath mats. A client called and asked if I was doing "something fun" on my day off. I replied with a quick "heck yes!" This is the best. I haven't showered, but there is a bucket of my stuff in the dupster and fluffy towels atop the dryer. Spring cleaning rocks my ever sparkling world.

It's Great Being Green

Sometimes I think I live a life completely too good to be true.

Today I was yet again reminded why I love summer (even though it's only mid-March). I love picnics in the park. I love running without losing feeling in my hands. I love sleeping with my bedroom windows open. Flip flops. Swinging. Lemonade. I love the great closet swap. Smooth bare legs. BBQs.

In other news--I've finally decided on the decor of my bedroom. Oh, it is going to be so fantastic. The next couple of weeks we will see the whole process come to fruition with a before, during, and after commentary. My desk should be here in a few weeks. I found the most amazing sheets with Laura today. They're the perfect color. Come to think of it, they're the perfect shade of green. How ironic that I'd discover them on this day of the green. Anyway, luxury bedding is my new motto. In fact, I'm calling the Marriott Hotel tomorrow to inquire about their heavenly bedding. I want my bedroom to be a respite from the cares of the world. . .rather than what it is right now--a representation of unfinished business. Besides, it's completion is part of my 2007 aspirations.

We saw Sandi Bullock's new movie tonight. I heard someone on E! call her Sandi and I've decided to take on the more intimate reference. Premonition was okay. I have some issues with it. . .like I the fact that I enjoyed it, but didn't. When I go into a movie theatre, I want to leave feeling like there was complete and well explained closure. Didn't feel that way with this movie. I'm not going to say anything further. . .don't want people angry. Regardless, BWood was spotted just two rows above me. What is the deal? I swear he's stocking me. It didn't bother me until JLoveless asked if BWood & SWood were making out. I puked in my mouth.

When did I start liking cabbage? In all forms I like it? Boiled, raw, in soups. . .I can't get enough and it's starting to creep me out.

Happy St. Patty's Day to all! My the luck of my green sheets spread to all four corners of my much anticipated luxury bed.

Spring To Your Feet

Happy SPRING to friends everywhere. I always know that the world is right again when daffodils come in a big box to our store doors. It's like a breath of fresh yellow air. It honestly makes me want to cry big tears of joy. There is something amazing about everything coming back to life. It inspires me. My runs have been so great the past few days. My bathroom is so clean. My windows are open. My creativity and zest for life are back with a vengance. I want to sing in the shower and eat great salads. The cozy sweaters of winter are being exchanged for the cool comfort of flip-flops and capris. Summer afternoons at the pool are right around the corner. Oh, happy days.

Have Hope

Word in the weather world is that today is suppose to be near 60. YIPPEE. All of my dreams are coming true.

Word on the next street over is that we will have freshly fallen snow by tomorrow morning. Oh, well. Take what you can get.Vincent Van Gogh :
Many people seem to think it foolish, even superstitious, to believe that the world could still change for the better. And it is true that in winter it is sometimes so bitingly cold that one is tempted to say, 'What do I care if there is a summer; its warmth is no help to me now.' Yes, evil often seems to surpass good. But then, in spite of us, and without our permission, there comes at last an end to the bitter frosts. One morning the wind turns, and there is a thaw. And so I must still have hope.