No water + South Florida summer = dead garden

I was really excited about planting and tending to my very own garden. I had a run of bad luck in the past keeping plants alive, but was making it a priority and really enjoying it.

But then life happened. And by life I mean a family trip to Disney World, another surgery for Mom and spending an extra week and a half at Mom's playing nurse. Add it all up and I got one very sad, very dead garden.

My garden (from left): strawberries, sweet peppers, basil, cilantro, oregano, cornflowers, sunflowers and baby's breath.

There were definitely tears when I saw what was left of my plants. There is hope for the baby's breath and the only herb that made it was never an herb at all and just a random weed. Thankfully my tomato plant survived the drought. It hasn't fruited, but it definitely smells like tomatoes. 

The plan is to salvage what I can and replant the rest in a couple of weeks. Next week I have to house/dog sit while my mother is on a business trip, but then it's back to being Mary, Mary, quite contrary and making something out of all the seeds I bought. 

To boot, this has put me in a rather foul mood that not even retail therapy was able to change. 

Zack Morris Saved by the Bell time out ... OK, time in!

A weak wrap up of the past two weeks:

• Job: Holy, I've been so busy, Batman. That's not even bemoaning the situation, just stating the facts. Since starting, I've been putting in major hours, but it hasn't been an issue. I enjoy my assignments and don't mind the work. It's less of an issue, too, when I can work in my yoga pants and take breaks to go grocery shopping or walk the dog.
• Garden: Deep, deep down, it turns out I have a green-ish thumb. Who knew? The tomato plant is blooming, I have fresh basil that's good for the kitchen and sunflowers ready to be transplanted in my mom's yard. The oregano is the only herb not growing well. I'm considering a do-over on that one.
• Etsy: To be completely honest, it's been a complete failure. I'm probably going to close the shop. If I didn't have a job, I'd be feeling a bit more embarrassed and dire about the situation. So it's not ideal, and now I have these extra embroidered goodies hanging around, but it's not the end of the world. Thankfully, people will continue to have babies.
• Other crafting: See job entry. Not much has gone on. However, I do plan on making Mom an embroidered card for Mother's Day. And maybe I'll get back to my knitting and start on those scarves.

For Mother's Day, my brother and I will be grilling. Here's what I'm thinking:

• Grilled pancetta-wrapped peaches with aged balsamic vinegar
• Ina Garten "Real" hamburgers
• Chicken salad
• Fruit salad
• Warm potato salad with pancetta and brown butter dressing
• Margarita cake

It's a work in progress and I still have to run it through the powers that be, but I think it sounds pretty damn tasty.

Phase 1 complete

In the past five days the following happened:

• I had an interview
• I was offered a job

Seriously.

Yeah, my head is still spinning. I'll be working for a local firm. That's all sorts of vague and abstract, but alas, that's what I am. Stoked doesn't even begin to cover it. 

The ultimate test will be whether I manage to maintain this more laid back, simple outlook on what's important in life. I certainly hope so. This time off has helped put a lot into perspective. Within the past month especially, I feel like I'm just getting into my own stride. It's exciting.