in which: i make a discovery!

A couple of weeks ago I was certified as Texas Master Naturalist, and today, I made my first exciting discovery as one: four adolescent Nine-Banded Armadillos!!

I wasn't able to snatch a pic of all four together as these little buggers were quite fast! They were adorable though as they rooted around sniffing and digging around for roots, earth worms and other insects. I could even hear their munching from beneath the shrubbery, just outside my residence. 

I got up close and tentatively pet one's soft leathery back (shhhhh), but he quickly spun around and began sniffing the air for what had touched him. The little fella sniffed the ground and looking up, made out my vague shadow against the sun (Armadillos are mostly blind) and with that, charged toward me! It freaked me out a little and I let out a yelp as I stumbled backward, knocking over my drink and tote bag I had set down. The sound of my cup scared him, so he turned around and darted into a bush, resuming his digging and rooting. It was quite hilarious actually. I don't know what I thought he would do, but I have never seen live Armadillos before and his boldness startled me. And it's strange that I have lived in Texas nearly my entire life and never seen a live Armadillo -- the state mammal. Although, in my defense, they usually only come out at night and are commonly called the "Texas Speed Bump" for blindly wandering into the streets at night and appearing the next day, dead along the roads. 

It's heartwarming however, to see that these precious leather-backs are adapting in this urban area, despite encroachment on their native habitat and loss of natural resources. 

>>>><<<<

In other news, much has changed in the last month. As I mentioned before, I have moved in with Rin & Alycia and am loving both getting to know them better and my new surroundings. I graduated from the Texas Master Naturalist Program!! Although if I want to remain certified, I must finish out my 40 hours of Volunteer Service this year. Also, I graduated from Talent Bench, that leadership series I was taking at work, and now, have applied for a Supervisor position! Exciting, but I am also a little nervous of the responsibility to follow -- I will keep you posted! 

Speaking of work, Peanut is on the job hunt again. He has begun looking around other cities and possibly, even other states. It's a huge step of faith and big risk on his part. It all makes me a little nervous to be honest... What if he moves? How long will he be gone? What does this mean for marriage plans? Engagement plans? Will I move?? WHAT IS GOD SAYING IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS???

It's a lot to process through, and yes, it's put some strain on our relationship. Yet still, I am sure of God's promise that we will be married, that he is the one, that this is part of His plan. 

I'm not afraid of the things I was when I was a child.
I'm not afraid I'll end up in a trapped marriage to someone I thought I knew. I'm not afraid to make mistakes.  I'm not afraid that Father doesn't hear me. And I am definitely, not afraid to love.
Things are changing. And it's a funny comparison, but I almost feel like Pocahontas standing on a ledge, with the winds of change swirling about me, yet firm in who I am and the future ahead of me.

I have a peace that surpasses understanding.
And because of this, I'm content with where I am, where I'm going and in the One who is leading us there.

I am
Olli

in which: i'm holding onto hope

Lately I have a craving to spend more time with God. I want to be near Him and to share him and to be the Light. I feel sad when I think of the way I spend my time and how lazy it really is. I work and work and work but... what am I working toward? I'm not saving much. But I don't want to be about money. I want to be about... more. 

more.

I want my family to know I care about them. I want to help My Love better. I want to be a better friend. I just want to be a better version of myself. Sometimes I feel exhausted and feel so stretched thin. And then a customer at work will come in and say,"Yes, I am tired too. I'm a full-time medical student and mother and I work." And I'll feel so guilty because I get tired over working 7 hours a day and cleaning a house in exchange for rent and... hanging out with my boyfriend? Do I even have the right to say I'm tired? I know I shouldn't compare myself. All our lives are different and God calls us to different things. 

God, today I need the hope that is You. 

That you do have a future and hope for me.

That You will see me through all the days of my life.

That not just some things, but ALL things are possible because You 

love us.

Amen.

I am

Olli

in which: we begin

Photos from my first Texas Master Naturalist class!!

This binder is massive and super heavy.

Me taking notes like the badass student I am. 

Or hope to be anyway :)

 The presentation on Edwards Aquifer was actually very interesting though. Most everything we were taught came from this site, created by Gregg Eckhardt, who also did the presentation. 

www.edwardsaquifer.net

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

We've had a few classes since this one and although not everything we discuss is fascinating (ok, some of it's downright boring...), I've made a couple friends who are into the green thumb, nature-loving, save the planet things I'm into :) And next week ~ we'll be studying Ornithology!!! 

On a side note, yesterday I turned down an opportunity to go to a beginners course on Falconry. I had work and the place it was held was about an hour & a half away and... the more I think about it the more bummed I am that I didn't just call in to work!!! I found out about it the night before though so... NEXT TIME.

I am

Olli

in which: dreams do come true

Changed the header in light of Spring around the corner. I love the peaches on there since I've picked it as my new "flavor of the season". It's something I started doing last year, and kind of own little way of getting myself to try new flavors of things I wouldn't normally pick. Last year was grapefruit and now it is peach, thanks to the inspiring and deliciously smelling new lotion I got from work! Seriously you guys, the smell of this lotion is like biting into a ripe, juicy, freshly picked peach.

Speaking of work; I got that promotion last week!! Yeeeeaaahhh!!! I also got accepted into a leadership series called Talent Bench for work aaaaannndddd *drum roll please*.....

I got accepted into the Texas Master Naturalist Certification Program!!!!

OMG!!!

It has been a life long dream to become a Naturalist: a person who studies or is an expert in the natural sciences, such as botany, mineralogy, ornithology, etc. Anyone, really, can be a self taught naturalist, as I have been. But now I will be on my way to becoming certified, meeting fellow naturalists in my area and learning about others categories of nature I am less familiar with. For the majority of my studying, I have been more or less an expert on Wildlife. Now through a series of classes over the next few weeks my knowledge will be expanded toward facts on minerals, fish, reptiles and more. 

SO. EXCITED.

This is literally one of my dreams becoming a reality.

Don't let anyone tell you you're dreams won't come true!!

From reading My Side Of The Mountain in 6th grade... to my first time getting to hold a Falcon, to learning their sport, to now... learning how to help them survive in their natural habitat & educating people on how they can help.

LIFE IS AMAZING.

I am

Olli

in which: I've been away because...

I've given up coffee. For now.

I'm obsessed with The Oh Hellos. Can't stop listening!

Applied for a trainer position at work ~ could be getting a promotion!!

Peanut & I are getting caught up in the show Downton Abbey. We flew through the first season in TWO days!

Book Club: we're reading With by Skye Jethani

Cleaning Lois' house after her recent move. She's off to Oklahoma at 83!

Peanut, Dori, Lisa & Me

I am

Olli

NaNoWriMo - Day 5

Almost a week in and things are not going well my friends. 

Peanut and I are leaving Wednesday for Corey & Amy's wedding and there is SO. MUCH. TO. DO.

I need Ohana worked on, I need to buy gifts, I need to help Dorothy pack a little, I need to do laundry, I need to frickin pack MYSELF, I want to have dinner with my grandparents and need to do all this in between work. 

Oh yeah. 

AND I NEED TO WRITE A BOOK!! 1700+ WORDS A DAY!!!!

I still have hope that I can get most of the way through this month. I don't plan on winning at this point, but some progress is better than having done nothing at all. 

~

Another thing is that Peepaw (my grandpa) was in the hospital all last week. He suffered a minor stroke and although he and Meemo (grandma) are back home now, he is still recovering. So I have been much concerned over that. Also, I have a house to clean - part of my living arrangement here.  

SO. MUCH.

Say a prayer for me!

I am

Olli

NaNoWriMo - Day One & 1/2

End of Day 1. I wrote a handful of words down and they were only book ideas - not even part of the book! I definitely feel behind and a tad overwhelmed - but I will catch up! I will do my best anyway. Peanut keeps telling me, "Babe relax! You're supposed to be having fun!" I almost wish I could just take a hiatus from my social life outside of work. ALMOST. We all know I wouldn't be able to stand that for very long.

Today I worked, spent blessed time with Beth and friends and then had coffee with Anna - Beth's "caretaker" and companion for this month. She's great :) But the rehab center is also a good drive from home, so for now all I have time for is brushing them teeth and getting to bed. Work will come early tomorrow. Unfortunately it won't be writing work.

I wish I could just hole up in this little nook for a few days.
Don't you?

I am
Olli

in which: we will overcome

Been feeling kind of like this lately...

Still truckin though. Drinking Emergen-C like it's going out of style & gettin better since Dori's been feeding me Advil. Grasping the hang of things at Whole Foods and have one week left at Hastings. Beth is doing better and starts her first big day of Physical Therapy today! Meals and childcare are being worked out and I'll be glad to have more time to contribute once I'm back to working one job again. 

If you'd like to keep up with her progress, here is a link to the site Thomas (her husband/my pastor)is updating just about everyday:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bethhernandez/?ref=nl

~

I've been having strange dreams. Not scary, but frustrating. I think it's the fever and perhaps the Lord telling me something. Speaking of fever, I really need to go shower. Sweated through the night and now I'm all sticky! In other (more exciting) news, 

Fall is (mostly) here!!

More pumpkins

More hawk sightings 

More color

More FOOD!

God is so good. He turns all the bad into triumphant, glorious stories. I will get better, Fall will come, the worlds will keep turning, we will all keep breathing & Beth will walk again.

We will overcome.

Let our souls praise Him.

I am

Olli

in which: i am reminded

Exhausted.

Physically.
Emotionally.
Mentally.

In short, my dear friend and neighbor, Beth, was in an accident and has been in the hospital since Wednesday. Between two jobs and trying to be as available as I can be for the H family... I feel kind of in a fog. My body needs rest and it only comes in short spurts. When they are longer, my mind races.

Lord please give me sleep. Give Beth sweet, sweet sleep.

I have done my best to keep it together since I first heard of the accident; allowing a few tears to escape in private moments every day. Last night though... last night was like a dam breaking. My love held me and encouraged me to just let go. So I sobbed for a bit in the front yard of Beth's home. When I managed to "get a grip", he reminded me of a poem Beth gave me not to long ago about crying... http://thesoundofpsithurism.blogspot.com/2012/03/in-which-poetry.html

I laughed for a moment, thinking how ironic it was that she should happen to give me something that would later help me to get through all this regarding her. Then I fell into heaving sobs again. And again. And then a little more.

Father give me the food I need to live through today.



I gave Hastings my 2 weeks.



I am
Olli

in which: i have a job i jump out of bed for

Has it been a while or what?! Been so busy with my two jobs, moving in and sleep in between. Ah... sleep. So precious recently. Had orientation & register training for Whole Foods last week and let me tell ya...

IT. WAS. AWESOME!

I've never been a part of a company that was so FOR their customers. Some of their policies are just crazy their so cool. "This item isn't showing up in our system, no problem - it's on us! You have six of these you say? Great - their still free!" There's such an enthusiasm for people, our community and environment & loving what you do. And they value us (the employees) just as much as their customers. They kept reiterating that we were the cream of the crop and how important we were to this mission. 700+ people applied to this store; 400 got interviews and 168 were hired.

I feel so blessed.

Great discount, awesome food, free outdoor concerts, supporting local farms, supporting people in other countries and in my community... what more could a country girl ask for?

I feel my time at the book store may be coming to an end...

I am

Olli

{ps}

Finished Barnheart today. Been a while since I completed a book... felt great :)

in which: i'm here and gone again

Woke up at about 4am this morning. 

Took Bill & Dorothy to the airport, picked up milk at Walmart, then came home. 

My new home.

Yes, I miss the old one too. My room and the lush front garden and the secret room and the view from the hilltop at night. But here I have gained a new family that I loved before I even lived here. I feel so blessed. 

I won't be able to settle in just yet though; this evening Peanut, Lois & I will be driving up to Camp Buckner for our church's annual Family Camp. Ugh... I'm so tired of packing! We'll be gone until Monday and then immediately after I'll begin orientation and training for Whole Foods (my new PT job! Still at my current one too). This weekend Brian Emmet will be speaking which is really exciting because he is the pastor of the church Ashley & James go to in Boston! I think I may write a letter to send off with him :) 

~

Lots to do before we leave! 

More when we return next week.

I am

Olli

in which: there were animals & gifts & rain

Feels so good to sink back into this luscious bed again. It's been along month of house & pet-sitting. And it's not over yet! I'll be off to pet-sit for my good friend Lisa on the 11th for a few days. For now though, I'm  enjoying the break - and today being my day off doesn't hurt either.

This last week I sat for my good friends Buck & Dori Adkison, whom I go to church with. They were off in sunshiney California while I stayed to care for their cat & dog (the Muppets, as I've taken to calling them).

Zion 

&

Checkers

Zion is a crazy spunky little Shih-Tzu who loves his walks and licking Bucks toes at the end of the day (ew). Checkers is a fat, sweet old girl who will cry relentlessly until her dish is filled but loves being scratched on her back & belly. They're a fun pair :)

I picked up the fam (Buck, Dori, Chris-16 & Jamie-13) Sunday night at 12:30am - drove Buck's monster diesel truck all the way to the airport. We were all exhausted the next morning but I was greeted with coffee and a warm Dori hug (the best) and later we watched an episode of the awesome show, An Idiot Abroad. 

And check out the critters Dori got me!! They are mosaic and beautiful and perfect. She said they had other frogs sitting in various positions but then she saw this one with the crazy leg stickin out and thought, "Yep, there's Olli!" She also gave me this killer satchel bag that I've been using all day. I feel so spoiled!

And to top it off, we finally got some rain last night. Some real, crashing thunder, lightening show rain.

God is so good :)

I am

Olli

in which: he's rarely early but never too late

So I decided to work another day at the cafe yesterday (a day over my two weeks notice). I thought about blowing them off, but I felt like God wanted me to humble myself and just help them out. So I did. 

Anyway, we have several regulars that come through the drive-thru every morning. One of them is Jennifer and her two little boys (aka) two large mocha frappes, one with whip, one without, both with chocolate drizzle. I don't even take her order anymore. Once I hear her kids through the ear piece I just say,"Morning Jen! Pull around!" so we have a little longer to chat at the window. Her husband also comes sometimes on his way to work and overall they've always seemed like a really sweet family. I've even wished I had an excuse to get to know them better, but we're usually too busy for me to really think of anything.

SO! Yesterday, Jen and the boys stop by and she updates me on how her move is going (they are switching to a new house in their neighborhood). So I asked her where she lives and where should that be but...   the neighborhood just across from where I go to church. "Oh wow, I go to church over there", I tell her. And this is very interesting to her because of course, they've been looking for a church... 

I invited she and her family to stop by sometime and we switched information. And maybe nothing will come of this or maybe something grand will but overall I felt so freaking good about it! Here I was thinking that me working here was just a mistake and obviously wasn't the Lord... but what a blind fool I have been... And here I wasn't even supposed to work yesterday! 
I've never been more excited to be wrong.




I am
Olli

in which: change is a comin

How busy I've been! Sleep was so good yesterday *blissful sigh*

A FEW THINGS:

I put in my two weeks at my cafe job - YAY!!

Ashley & James moved to Boston - BITTERSWEET.

Lisa's dog, Diamond, became ill and passed away last week - VERY SAD.

Our good friends, Corey & Amy got engaged!! So fast! 

Peanut is one of the groomsmen :)

I may have found a roommate!

Introducing the quirky and lovely: 

ALYCIA

~

I wish I had the energy to go into more detail or share more. The truth remains though that I am TIRED, and still have much to get done around here.

More soon though.

Pwomise.

I am

Olli

in which: i'm having one of THOSE days

drawing by Olli

My cafe job really pissed me off today. That's impressive I guess... not an easy thing to do.

Don't feel like going into the details, however I made sure to tell them to be expecting my two weeks notice within the next couple days. 

UGH!!!

Makin some sandwiches, taking a bottle of sangria, and headed to the river.

Inexperienced and dramatic. 

That's how I feel about the management I work with there.

Lord, help me not to punch a duck or some other innocent creature at the park.

Thanks!

I am

Olli

in which: the darkness trembles

I've struggled this week.

~

In the words of dear Lois,

"It sounds like you need courage."

And I do.

It's been hard to pin point that fact... for years, really. I need courage for so many things. The courage to go to school; find a job that I'm not just settling for. The courage, dare I say it, to get married? 

The courage to take responsibility for myself.

That's what it's time for.

That, and allowing for God to really show me what He is truly capable of.

~

"I am above nothing." "Things could be so much worse." 

&

"Because there is a God, things will always get better."

~

These are mottoes I've lived by my entire life. And to an extent, they've gotten me through. I have worked just about anywhere that would hire me. I've done everything from getting paid to pick up dog crap to running my own department on a film set. I've also served hundreds of cups of coffee and washed probably thousands of dishes. 

So what's the sudden issue?

I started doing these things (minus the film set gig) when I was 18. Now, I'm 23 and I was just washing dishes yesterday, at a cafe, paying me part time minimum wage.

*vomit*

Maybe this shouldn't bother me as much as it does. I was still humble enough to accept it a month ago when I was interviewed on the spot. I'm not sure how to make this sound like I'm not ungrateful. Because God knows- I AM! Work is hard to find right now. But you know what, it isn't for my Father. And I just feel like these last near 6 years have flown by and I'm in the same(ish) spot I was when I started. 

Granted, my heart has changed. My preferences, views & experiences have all changed. 

But I'm ready to move on now. 

I'm not 18 anymore and I have a say in where my life is headed.

EIGHTEEN

-living with other people

-not in school

-earning minimum wage

-no licence

-no car

-no boyfriend

-not in church

TWENTY THREE

-living with other people

-not in school

-earning minimum wage

-licence and insurance

-awesome car

-dating the man I'm going to marry

-attending the best church I've ever been a part of

So some things are definitely going right. Important things, thankfully. 

And I believe God is looking to bless me even further this year. 

I feel a shift in my spirit ~ like it's time for school. At the very least, like it's time to up the annie. Time for a job that will help me in the direction of my dreams.

It's a good feeling :)

I am

Olli

{ps}

This has made my life a lot easier today. I usually use any ole scrap laying around but that usually gets lost or thrown away. Not to say that this one won't too, but download it for free anyway! To-Do List created by A Pair of Pears.com

in which: imma scrub me a tub

I keep putting off cleaning this afternoon... I really must clean my bathroom though. At least!

Things I would like to accomplish:

• Clean bathroom
• Vacuum upstairs - at least my room
• Consider buying a waste basket from Lois... there is a lot of trash in my room
• Shelving my books
• Wash towels
• Hang up clothes
• Wash sheets
• Make my bed
• Wash Ohana & clean her out
• Water my garden... what's left of it
• Write Peanut
• Take a shower
• Do my nails... I might put this at the top of the list.

Recently, I have been helping my friend, Lois, go through all her belongings (particularly in the garage) as she prepares to move to a new place this Summer. This morning her neighborhood had a garage sale (or allowed for residents to hold garage sales, rather), so an early morning we had! It was fun though and we just chatted and chatted, drank our coffee, greeted neighbors and haggled over prices. She worked hard for such an aged beauty! 

I guess you are as young as you feel.

Me, our friend Ana & Lois
2010

The conversation was the best part for me. It always is. Lois has such a great sense of humor and freedom to me. Her husband, the late Dow Robinson, was an incredible man. He gave the most insightful and inspiring messages... I really miss him some days. He passed in late October. More on him & Lois' history later.

But after all the hullabaloo this morning, she told me, "Don't try and tackle all that cleaning at once. Clean your bathroom; then you've accomplished something. Then be done with it and let yourself REST!" 

She may be onto something...

Anyway, semi-falling asleep here.

I think my toilet's calling.

I am

Olli

look what i found at work!

 "Fancy running into you here, Don."



I read most of it on my break and it's quite good. Written by his actual friend, Penny, even. This man is amazing.

I am
Olli

in which: we work and we weed

I have been quite the busy bee these last two weeks. I've started my second job and although I am tired, I think I can hack it. I totally sympathize with students in college though when they speak of cherishing their sleep...  

"Move over Hunter..."

This morning was of one those delicious moments. Singing birds, soft pillow, the fan blowing a gentle breeze on my face, waking up slowly. *sigh* So far I haven't had a full day off yet but I have hope! I may start asking for Sundays off... or a raise. Either one will do.

Made a trip to Lowe's this morning (ohhh it was wonderful) and bought more seeds for my garden-to-be. Yellow Squash, Romaine Lettuce, Sweet Peas & Nasturtium flowers (which also have edible pods). I have Cherry Tomato seeds as well and recently picked up a couple of Strawberry plants. Also! I'm happy to announce the flower plant Peanut got for me this Valentine's Day still lives! I really did a poor job of caring for it once it was released to me - but yesterday, as I was finally going to throw it out, I found a blossom. A spunky magenta daisy, waiting to bloom. Of the three plants in the pot, two were dead. But one is better than none! It made me so happy for it was such a sweet gift. Multi-Colored Gerbera Daisies. Yay.

Hopefully tomorrow I will have a little time between work & bible study to plant a few things. Babe calls it farming. "Hey, wanna go farm?" 

I love him.

I am

Olli

in which: i house-sit a lot

A drawing of myself
by myself.

Been house/ pet/ teen-sitting for almost a week now for a family who gives me cooking lessons. Tomorrow I will switch to house/pet-sitting for another family who will be in China for about three weeks. Whooo!! I like feeling like I have my own place. These are the events of the week so far -

Thursday-Day 1: Work. Pizza for dinner. Ashley comes over and we make Alina a banner. Teen2 said he got the mail but I discover it all over the front lawn around 11:30pm. He left it on the porch.

Friday-Day 2: Teen2 sets off alarm at 6am. Woman knocks on door around 9am to hand me Chase Bank Statement she found in the road. Work.  Get home and find another bill in the yard. Teen1spends night at friend's house. Make awesome chicken dinner. Talk to Teen2 about mail.

Saturday-Day 3: Go to early work meeting. Come back and Teen2 has disappeared. I text/call him, start to worry (even though he's probably at a neighbor's house). He comes home as I leave for work. Boyfriend stays at house. Work. Church. Teen1 spends night at friend's house. Teen2 is late and later tries to ditch church for hanging with friends. Mrs. Hernandez has a talk with him. Teen2 spends night at friend's house. Drink beer and watch tv/movies with Hernandai.

Sunday-Day 4: Breakfast with Hernandai. Work. Come home and make quesadillas for dinner. Teen2 doesn't feel well, eats soup, gets out of doing laundry and is sent to bed. Watch the Oscars. Teen1 gets home from date and tells story of how stranger paid for their dinner.

Monday-Day 5: Teen2 still feels sick but goes to school. 2 hours later school nurse calls to tell me Teen2 is not feeling well, but that he is also a frequent visitor and this is his 20th visit this year... he is sent back to class. Teen1 has work. Teen2 gets home and makes hot dogs saying he feels much better. "Ate a lot of dry food today." Eats 2 ice cream cones. Forgot to ask him about homework...

Today-Day 6: Teen2 sets off house alarm at 6am. Teens leave for school. Fiddle around on computer. Prepare lunch/dinner. Get ready for work - parents get home tomorrow.

Tomorrow night I will just be watching a dog and the house he lives in.
Till then!

I am
Olli