So, I Owe Chris a Jamba Juice.....

About 1 month ago I was making very bold claim that snow season was over and we would not see another flake until 2012. I mean flowers were blooming, grass is sprouting and turning everything green, everyone started wearing t-shirts and there were even several shorts and sandal sightings (Camper Jim was quoted saying, "Oh looks like it's time for me to put on my short pants, it's sure warming up!")   So I was feeling really good about my claim and welcoming Spring with open arms.

My dear husband however is a bit more reserved about his opinions and claims and rarely doesn't make them until he's given them a good deal of thought and has some hefty back up for it. So we made a bet, if it didn't snow again he would have to buy me a delicious Jamba Juice! But IF, Heaven forbid, it did snow, I would have to fulfill the shameful purchase....

I owe Chris a Jamba Juice. Actually I probably owe him like 12 jamba juices.....

Over a week ago it started to rain pretty hard, then it turned to snow. The snow started to stick and was quickly inches, then feet deep! The snow storm was thick & steady and the snow itself VERY heavy, so that very soon large limbs and whole trees began to fall, taking power lines out with them. Overnight, aprox. 60,000 homes in the mountain area had lost power, some (including camp) wouldn't have power for the next week....
I'll spare the gory details, but it's been a long week, especially for the students who were approaching serious cabin fever around day 4 with no positive news or hope from the Electric companies who were trying to get power back while working out in continuous snowfall and slush.

But crazy and inconvenient as this week has been, it was also a good reminder of just how fortunate & privileged we are. By simply flipping a switch, pushing a button or turning a faucet, our lives are pretty comfortable and easy. Millions of other people can't even turn on hot water, let alone any water at all! Not to mention heat or cool their homes or flip on easy sources of light. (not to mention the endless supply of non-essentials; microwaves, ovens, i-pods, computers, tv's...)

Yes, this week has definitely kept me mindful of these things and made me uncomfortable with just how much Chris and I have, but what do I do with this information? It's a constant question and discomfort, but God is ever teaching new lessons and revealing life truths about this and other areas of life. Such as, slow down and really think through before making silly, quick decisioned bets with your spouse.....  : ]

A Really Good Day

While the past 2 years has proved to be one of the more joyful & happy times of my adulthood, primarily as a result from the start of Chris' and my journey together, the past 4-5 months of it have been an exceptionally challenging time. Life went from 100mph, with making the last and final move from my parent's home, planning the wedding, finishing up work with camp in September, moving into the lake house, having the wedding, going on an incredible honeymoon and then, WhAm!  Chris went back to work and I was left with full, long days, mostly alone. A little alone time here and there is ok, but I'm at my best with people around for a good chunk of the day and then re-charge with a very small group or just with one other close person nearby for the other chunk. So needless to say, my spirit really went flat after a few weeks of this.

Oh and job hunting. If you've ever job hunted before you know what a beastly business that is, you learn a lot, but it can drag you down and squish you like an insect. And unless you have some fantastic connections, trying to find a job in the mountain communities in winter is pretty depressing... I have been fortunate to substitute teach here and there and gained a lot of insight and perspective on the educational world and am more enthusiastic and excited to pursue a job in teaching one day. But it's not enough to pay the bills or stay busy for most of the work week. 

All that to say, it's been a very long winter & has left me fairly empty and depressed. But the Lord is faithful and so good, at breaking points He brings comfort and clear reminders that this is only a season. Chris has been my great encouragement & joy, he is so patient when I'm a little witch or crying for the 3rd time in a week....  I love him so incredibly much, I feel like my heart is near bursting at times. 

Wooo. So there's a snapshot into this new phase of life, what a terrific processing time this has been! This whole blog thing may be a really good thing :]   Anyways, about the really good day. It was yesterday. I had received a call from the Plant Nursery in town that they wanted to hire me a few days ago, so I went in and picked up an application and spoke with the owners and I start training hopefully this next week!  I really don't  know what to fully expect but this is what I do know and excites me: 1. I love plants, flowers, trees etc. and I get to be around & learn more about them!  2. I want to meet new people in my town & get more plugged in.  3. There will most likely be fun and interesting stories to tell

You can't find either of these in a nursery, but they're some of my favorites! Aspen trees and Alpine Shooting Stars

Where to Begin.....

Alrighty Jenna, here it is. My very 1st blog ever ever.  :-)

Not sure what to write just yet, it will be fun to see how this takes shape and supposedly gets easier to do over time....  Perhaps I'll start by explaining my web address, 'Les Fleurs De Montagne' is French for 'Mountain Flowers'. My sister went to France a couple years ago and brought home a postcard of French Mountain flowers, I love it and always have it out where I can see it each day. The phrase is also nice because I'm 1/4 French (my Granpa Louis is French, his parents immigrated to the US in the 20's) and I LOVE Mountain wildflowers. I hope to be able to identify each and every one in the Sierra Nevada one day.

So that's that. And now I think I'll load a picture and see how that goes.....

This is my backyard! I try hard to never take it for granted or forget just what a magnificent place I'm living at right now!