Alayna's Pink Paradise: March 2011

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Saturday, March 19, 2011

the makings of my paradise...

This is what my backyard USED TO look like {on a good day}:

from the left

from the right

Not that is was unfortunate looking, I just plain hated it. The plants the previous owner chose were large and unruly, coupled with the fact that they just weren't my style. As a result, this is what my backyard would look like every couple of months, when I would decide to tame the wilderness:

{vomit}

So a couple of weeks ago I decided to take matters into my own hands. My mother found this fantastic Pygmy Date Palm at Costco and convinced me to buy it. I later stopped by the old Walmart and purchased two Hibiscus plants and a Bird of Paradise plant. Mmm...delish:

I mean, what's not to love? If these don't scream Alayna's Pink Paradise, I am not sure what does:

So now the fun begins. My sweetest father came over to my house last weekend (mind you, we had a 90 degree heat wave...in March?!) and the destruction began. One of the monstrous plants was removed and this lovely tree was planted (to the left of the yard):

Because of the complex root systems (aka devilish plants from previous owner), my dad decided to enlist the help of my brother for more terror plant removal this weekend. Doesn't it look better already?!

Honestly, look at the gnarly roots on these bad boys! I tell you, they were evil plants and I am not sad to see them go:

Now the real fun (in my opinion) begins. You have to look closely, but in the far right corner of the yard you can see the planting of my Bird of Paradise. Yucca's are still in the front section of the yard:

And THIS is what my backyard looks like now after some transplanting of the Yucca's and planting of the others:

Some may call it sparse, I call it clean and pretty. I can't help but walk into my backyard every couple of hours and smile. Mind you, the landscaping is not done. Picture, if you will, some curved cement pavers in front of the plants, with some artificial grass in front of that, extending to the patio. Isn't it a dream? Maybe not for you, but it's a dream for me. The beginnings of my own personal Pink Paradise. Yay!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

feeling lucky?

In honor of St. Patrick's Day I couldn't resist posting this picture:
My friend posted it on Facebook and I think it perfectly sums up what this holiday is all about. I wish this man worked at my office...

On another note, and somewhat still related, I would like to share with you the workings of my heart (aka my luck). Life has been intriguing lately. I am not even sure if I know where to begin...

Ok, let's start with the fact that I have one foot in the grave and am having major stress about turning 30 this year. YIKES!! I know I am too young for this, but I am pretty sure I am having a mid-life crisis! With that being said, I have spent many a day thinking about my life, what I have done and what I would like to do. I find that I compare myself to others quite a bit. Facebook is probably my downfall...looking at the lives of others and the fun adventures they have. There are several people that I went to high school with that are still not married, and they seem to live this life that is completely different than me. Not to say that my life is terrible and/or boring, but I just wish I had something exciting to share with the world. I have never been on a crazy adventure, I don't take trips to anywhere but Utah, and most weekends I am just content to be home alone. So, in all of my soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that this year is going to be my year of adventures. Actually, just one adventure.

You see, I have this need to go to a foreign country, explore a place I have never been, but do it in a manner that is comfortable. I can't just go to some crazy country where I don't speak the language and don't know anybody...that would be scary! But there are 2 or 3 places I could go where I actually have connections, people I can stay with who will give me tours and introduce me to their country and their way of life. The hard part is convincing those who love me that it is ok for me to do this...and that I NEED to do this! I know if I don't that I will regret it.

Hopefully, there won't be many more years that I am able to just fly off to a foreign country on my own and have an adventure. The goal is to get married and have a family some day, but for now I want to enjoy this opportunity of being single.

So yes, the adventure is planned out in my head. I have made up my mind and I am taking measures to go forward. But, of course, once you decide on something, the Lord brings out His sense of humor and puts other options in front of you. Things that I have wanted for a long time are coming to fruition. There is just one problem, they aren't bringing the joy I thought they would. Not that these options are bad, they are just not for me...or atleast not right now. {Hmm...how do I say this without actually coming out and saying it? I am not sure that I can.} Anyway, I just find it comical that this is happening to me. Things like this DON'T happen to ME! So, I will just continue making plans and living one day at a time.

One day things will be perfect. But for now, I am enjoying the moments and curveballs life throws at me.
Case and point above. This is what my hair looked like after riding in a convertible with the top down (ignore the quadruple chin). Good times and fun memories.