Glass Half Full, 2011

 I realize that I haven't posted this linky party in AGES, so I'm just going to tell you a story with no expectations!  My hopes are to start this up again for uplifting tales for me AND for you, but for today, just enjoy my story, okay?  ;)

My husband and I are living the college life.  *cough cough*  The MARRIED...broke...college student life.  He's been having every sort of imaginable trouble with his program, and is handling it with such amazing Grace and Faith.  I however...have not.  I've been angry, justifiably so, and have been telling him how I feel about the whole thing.  "SOMEONE needs to cut you a break!"  "They OWE you a meeting...you're PAYING them to HELP you...."  Etc.  Get the picture?  There's SO much more to this story, but it's rubbish, and there's no point in flaying that fish right now.  The point is, I've been adamant about SOMEONE giving my husband some bloody help!

All this time, he's been working for every orchestra in the state of Indiana trying to make money for us to pay bills, while also traveling three months out of the year to Pittsburgh to play in the pit for their opera orchestra.  He's been a long term sub there, and very recently someone raised a fuss about him not being on contract.  Our immediate fear was that he was going to lose the job and what those ramifications would be for the rest of his career -teaching AND playing.  A true nail-biter, let me tell ya'.

We were there for New Years Eve.  The Opera has a gala, and so they hired him to play for it.  It was wonderful -singing, dancing, and desserts!  We even got to witness a marriage proposal!!!  So romantic.  This whole time, I'm worrying about his contract and job.  At the end of the gala he tells us (we're with some new friends!!!) that they've offered him a contract, and he'll become a full section player!!!!!!  YAYYYYY!!!  *insert all sorts of happy dances*

It was in this moment that I realized my dear, patient, respectful husband had received his break; and from the least likely place.  His unyielding faith and personal responsibility allowed him to persevere and win himself a job.  A REAL job.  I also realized that I wanted him to have some sort of forward progression so that I could move forward too.  That his door could open my door so we could move forward together.  The good news is that this is now possible.  The bad news is that I need to make peace with all of the bad things that have happened to him on his journey.  The second peace of good news is that this happened to HIM instead of me for a reason.  I'm not sure what that is yet, but I have faith that I'll figure it out.  That's the good thing about believing -you know you don't have the answer...YET.

 Happy Glass Half Full, friends!  I hope you have a Monday full of wonderful things!

Keep on Keepin' on~

2000-What?

 Dear Bloggers,

I write this post with a joyful heart, and with a little guilt too!  It's been since OCTOBER since I last posted, and honestly...I miss you!  I must admit, though, that this post is mostly selfish, so I'll get right to the point.

I titled this post 2000-what?  because 2010 is a year I am not proud of (mostly...).  I started this blog so that I could vent.  I'd lost my whole support system and was (and still am) living in a place I don't consider home.  Well, even though I haven't posted in months, I still consider my blog to be vital to my life, and in many ways, a "home."  I realize that my blog isn't important to you in the same ways it's important to me, BUT, as a fellow blogger and woman (I know there are men in blogland...just most of you are of the female nature...), I know you understand WHY I need this "home."  So....  I was inspired to write this post after meeting new friends for New Years and old friends for a nice long chat.  I am reminded of what my life is to become and what it has been, and I refuse to remind myself of the things I'm leaving behind by choice, or residual icky 2010 baggage.  I'm saying goodbye to 2010, and am thanking it for it's opinion, but...no thanks.

I said goodbye to a bad job.  I said goodbye to friends (some by choice, some not so much...).  I said goodbye to some bad familial relationships.  I said goodbye to the me that let people make me feel bad.  I said goodbye to lots of pride.  I said goodbye to cable tv (BEST choice ever...just sayin').  I also said goodbye to some of my faith (not necessarily by choice...).

PEACE OUT 2010.

This year, I am resolving not to resolve.  I am being honest with myself.  Why make promises to myself that I'm honestly not going to keep?  I am living my life with high goals and NO expectations.  I am loving my family, even if they can't love me back.  I am being a true spouse to my husband (because we all know he WAY deserves it).  And I am not going to be afraid of what I don't know.  God hasn't left me -I just need to remember keep my eyes open for him.


My friends and family lovingly reminded me that it's alright to not know; that it's alright for there to be a question mark in my life.  They reminded me that a past is the past and that a journey requires one step at a time (take a small bite of the elephant; it's not much, but you're still a bite closer...).  My family reminded me of unconditional love and compassion.  My husband shows me what I cannot show myself, and allows me to be what I am -good, the bad, and the ugly (although, according to him...there is no ugly!  HA!!  We'll see how he feels in 20 years....).  The family I work for shows me that life comes in all forms and it doesn't matter if you're not perfect.

Welcome, 2011.  I am embracing you with open arms and a free mind.  Give me your best shot, I dare you.



 Keep on keepin' on~

Glass Half Full 2 -Takin' Care of Business

Welcome back to the second Glass Half Full!  I'm excited to be hosting this, even if it's just me that posts a story.  It helps keep everything in perspective, right?  ;}  So -before I tell you my weekly tale, here's the deal!

Here are the rules (drum roll puh-lease!!!):
-Write a post in YOUR blog about a time when you realized that your glass was half full (read: your happy/funny/inspirational/mushy stories).  This can be past or present, please -no posts pertaining to the future.  :}
-Link your post to the Mr. Linky
-Put your name and the title of your post.  {ex: Briana ~ Always the Bridesmaid...}
-Visit anothers story, and just tell them, "Hey, read your story and am visiting or following...laughing or crying, etc."
-Feel free to take the "Glass Half Full" image.
*I'll make sure to visit everyone's post!!!*

Thanks for linking up!!!


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Now, on to my story!  :}

Once upon a time, there was this girl {lets just say her name was Briana *gasp!*  That's your name! -Why yes, yes it is!}.  She was a pain -always wanting to have everything done in a very specific way, within a certain time frame.  Usually, this worked out and she was satisfied with the results.  Until the day she met this boy {lets just say his name was Michael. *gasp!*  That's your husband's name -why yes, yes it is!}.  This boy is a thinker.  He likes to think about his options, deliberate with himself, and once he's decided, he likes to re-think everything to ensure his choice is truly the one he wants.

Lets just say that girl considers boy to sometimes be impossible.  Things need to get done here, people!  Let's shake a leg, get a move on, hop to it!  But no matter what she says, everything boy does takes time.  Not surprisingly, everything he does turns out wonderfully and seems to work out.  Girl, however, likes to do things -get them done, and often this results in her needing to redo, reassess, and reframe.  Not that this is wrong, it's just different.

In all of girl's ramblings, whinings, and complaints, she knows that no matter how tough things get, this boy -this thinker, will take care of it.  He will get it done, and get it done right.  Maybe things are slow and hectic, stressful and well....REALLY stressful, but that's not importnat.  The important thing is that boy does it, does it for girl with a smile on his face and the right decision on his mind.

Happy Glass Half Full Monday!

xoxo.

~True Life House Wife!~

I really wanted to continue my list from yesterday, but am out of steam.  Not on the baby topic {not in the least bit!}, but just in general.  I haven't been sleeping well.  Between the heat {our AC is even on and it's HOT at night!}, my back, and a very odd series of dreams, sleep has been more of a question mark than anything else.  We're having company this weekend and I can already feel my adrenaline pumping in preparation.  I think it'll keep me up WAY past my bed time tonight, and up early tomorrow in anticipation!  I LOVE playing hostess -it's honestly my favorite thing to do {one of my favorite things along with crafting and baking and scrubbing the floor boards -truth- and..you get the picture}.  On that note, I'd like to focus my post.

A friend and I get together once a week {or so} and one of the topics we've been discussing what being a good spouse/life partner means for me/us.  Now, before I tell you what I've decided, I must tell you that I'm somewhat of an overachiever.  Not that my blog portrays that, but I am.  I like to be the best at the things I do and am often frustrated when it doesn't turn out that way {probably one of my great lessons to learn in life...}.  With that being said, I felt that I had to be this laundry list of things with a laundry list of accomplishments while in college, get a job before I graduated {it was actually my dream job...lot of good that did me...haha}, have a "perfect home", and make things just the way I want them.  Now that I've been through a year of the wringer, I feel that there are a lot of unexpected feelings.

{This is my good example}

So in these discussions with my friend, I have come to realize a few things.  First is that I WANT to be a home-maker.  I want to have dinner on the table when hubs gets home, all the laundry folded, the home clean, and a healthy crafting schedule.  I want to make us a loving, stress-less home.  Right now, I can't do that.  Second, in contrast to my extreme desire to be the best of _________, I don't have to be anything that makes me unhappy!  {I was very confused for a while over this one...}.  Being a SAHM/House wife is exciting and fulfilling, and obviously teaching music isn't something that's in God's plan for me right now {otherwise I'd still have that dream job I mentioned}.  Third, I realized that being a Mom is, what I believe, the most important job I can have.  I want to have good, healthy, well behaved, well rounded and educated, smart and friendly, and ...*cough*pefrect*cough*  children.  The best way I can prepare them for life is to teach them to how to be independent, prayerful, and lots of other things my Mum would be really good at explaining.  My seeester and I are quite lucky to have been blessed with a SAHM.  Remember -being a "mom" is just coming back into fashion.  I grew up with a SAHM when it was OUT of fashion.  I had an excellent example.  Fourth, I realized that I felt happier when I could "provide" for my husband.  What does this mean, you ask?  This means that by my working on our home and creating a relaxed and healthy environment is is, in turn, healthier and more Peaceful.  I am protective of the hubs -and when he's struggling I want to make it better, that's what I'm good at.

{from}

These are the things that I love and enjoy.  Yes -I am a real life musician.  Music is my art, my inspiration, and my medium for most expression {save for the blog here!}, but it's also never going away.  I am successful at being a partner and a wife and I am proud of who and how I am.

This is my confession -the confession of the wanna-be true life house wife!  haha  :)

Have a great day, everyone!

Now What?

Remember yesterday how I posted that my hubs was my grounding force?  He kept me sane...calm...reasonable?  Well let me tell you that I had a 180 moment.  No really...let me tell you!

{from}

Preface:  We've been "fighting" {not really, it just feels like it...} with the school of music.  They don't want to give him funding, he has earned funding {he's VERY well respected by his professors and all of his colleagues}-anyway, it's stressful and long and involved.  But the point is that we're butting heads with the school and he's trying to plan two recitals and figure out how to get his paper done.

Present time {kind of}:
So we're laying in bed last night {this is rated G...I promise} and he looks over at me and tells me {he has the nerve to tell me! jk...}that he is stressed out.  If he's telling me that he's stressed then it's the honest to goodness truth.  "Babe -I'm stressed out."  What?  You're not allowed to be stressed out -because you know what that makes me?  It makes me stressed out AND crazy!  It will be alright though.  It always is, right?  :)

Have a great Tuesday!

These Things...They Take Time....

Be ready -here's another blog post where I talk about how awesome my husband is, and I offer a bold statement about myself.... ha!

I, as you all know, am an exceptionally impatient person (I feel as if I've posted this statement before....  Hmm...).  I mean -stomp the foot, shoot a little steam, have a little drama kind of impatient.  Not that this is bad (HAH!), it's just me.  *shrug*  Don't judge me!  haha.  In the last year, there have been very few things that have worked out the way I had hoped and prayed.  So few, I can count them on two or three fingers.  I sit every day thinking (lots of things -I know!  It has surprised me too!) about the message behind this.  What lessons am I learning through this process and why they must be so difficult.  The people in my life are so patient.  They wait it out, they don't fret (mostly...), they don't push the envelope.  They just wait it out.  I've often joked to everyone that it's the attitude of the trumpet player.  Our saying is, "Higher, faster, louder."  While I'm not any of those things (besides the louder part -hehe), I think that it speaks to my impatience.  I want to be the "highest" the "fastest" and the "loudest." 

This demand worked when I was in high school.  Who can't help but move over for a steam roller, you know?  My life = musical tunnel vision, which was so wonderful THEN.  Now, however, I am learning the tortoise's rule: Slow and steady wins the race.  Slow and steady, hmm....  Nope -NOT in my vocabulary.  I can't help but smile, though, when I think about my husband.  Yes, I realize that I talk about him ALL the time, but that's because he's the most important person/thing in my life so he's what I focus on -sorry if your gag reflex is kicking in!  He just had a marvelous opportunity!!  I am hoping that this is finally his "bone."  That something great is finally going to happen for him -you know me -I'm SOOO excited.

So I ask him how he feels about it.  He says, "I had fun.  They were great kids, so we'll see.  (I could her him shrug here...)  Maybe it will be something, maybe it won't, but it was a great experience."  Here -que Briana writhing in dramatic agony!  I mean, c'mon!!  That's all I get?  Just another big question mark?  *sigh*  So as I'm falling asleep, I'm churhing this in my brain (it's really been getting a workout), and I thought, "you know what -these things...the important things... they really take their time."  Life is like a good wine.  You need to give it flavor, and a sense of wisdom in order for it to be satisfactory (unless you're allergic to wine and TOTALLY uncool like Jenny! :o)  Eeps!!!! ).  I thought, "huh -another day, another piece of wisdom obtained from my husband."


So for those of you too ready -too eager, who are pushing, and tearing, and stomping, and causing yourselves lots of personal drama (I'm talking mostly to myself here....), these great things in life, they take time.  So take a step back, enjoy your scenery, and eat some cheese and drink some wine!

'Tis a Grrreat Day to be Irish

Today is such a great day to be Irish, and even a better one to be Catholic (in my opinion....)!  There is so much national pride for the Irish, and there is so much important historical context for the Catholic faith.  If you are under the impression that this holiday is one for you to wear beads, paint your face, wear barely any clothing, and drink WAY too much, you are VERY mistaken!  I did a little research, and discovered quite a lot about St. Patrick.  I have to admit -I'm a little shocked.  Just like with all "great saints," his past is littered with misfortune.  I'll sum it up for you because you could Google it if you REALLY wanted to know!  :)

St. Patrick's date of birth is questionable, being between 380-something to 420-something in Roman England (again, supposedly...).  I'd prefer not to put a solid date in the fears of being wrong -you all know how I feel about that!  He was stolen/sold into slavery (yet another questionable turn in the story) for a significant number of years, during which time was called upon by God to return to Ireland  to serve the new Christian converts and to spread the Good word.  He was accepted and hated (you know how Saints roll -hot AND cold all at the same time!), and within 200 years (which, of course, he didn't experience ALL 200 years) Ireland was converted to Christianity, a good bit due to Patrick's work.  He wasn't however, the first to bring Christianity to Ireland, as some suspect. 

My biggest interest was the HOW?  I mean -you come to a country and  start talking to people about a god they are somewhat unfamiliar with, with brand new traditions contradicting their pagan, druid pasts!  So how St. Patrick, how did you do it?  Well -I did some additional digging and found SOME answers.  Apparently the ancient Celts/Irishmen (and women...) worshiped their holidays with fire and their gods with the sun.  Knowing this, Patrick incorporated those into important Christian symbols.  The cross that is now associated with the Presbyterian church is called the Celtic Cross.  The circle around the center of the cross signifies the sun working hand-in-hand with the new concept of Christ.  So -they don't have to sacrifice everything, the sun remains an important symbol.  Secondly, Patrick incorporated large fires for Christian holidays.  This was also appealing because fires = feasting, and who can turn that down?  Patrick won over the nobles and the commoners and upset the druid priests with his merging of concepts.  Right or wrong, it was effective in his purpose. 

Because St. Patrick's day is during Holy Week, the suspension of meat-fasting has been historically suspended for this day of feasting and celebration.  Probably as it should for such a significant Saint, right?  He spread the word, why not celebrate in his honor?

I am not Catholic, and am MOST definitely NOT Irish, but I understand how COOL this holiday really is!  I hope you take a moment to thank St. Patrick before you have a beer in his honor!

Keep on!
B.

PS -the leprechauns....  Yeah, Walt Disney introduced that concept in the 1950's.  They're not even Irish....  SORRY!!!! :)

I've Got You, Babe

As we grow older we start to see things from a different perspective.  It AMAZES me.  We think, as children, that the BEST people in the world are our parents and grandparents.  Then, as we grow older, our focus changes from our family to our friends, and we then believe that they are the most important (trust me -this is part of development (don't take offense that your 13 yr. old would rather be at the movies with her friends than be seen in public with you.  They grow out of that eventually!).  We believe that St. Nicholas is the BIGGEST thing since sliced bread, and that that bubbles and sand boxes are the coolest "toys" to play with.  Once we've moved past our adolescence and are into adulthood (which for some could be ever-lasting) things get all mangled and jumbled up.  We still love our families, that's not an issue, but what happens when they become...less important?....you have a spouse that becomes your number one?  Where does the spouse play their role in your new family? 

As a teenager, it used to frighten me that my daddy wouldn't be my super hero anymore and that my mum wouldn't be there to help me solve my problems and make me feel better.  Now, though, they're just grown-ups like I am, making choices for themselves (which they deserve!!!).  And my new super hero -well, he's pretty super!  You don't have to believe me, but you should!  It's easier than I thought it would be to have my immediate support system minimized to one person.  Sometimes he has a hard time, and rightfully so!  I'm a handful and he's still a student.  I try to share all of my Joy with him, and spare him the ups and downs, and when I can't he rubs my back and talks to me down so that I can understand a perspective that I didn't before.  For just the two of us we do pretty well!  The biggest struggle is when we're faced with opinions.  You know, the kind where you want to know what they think, but you're going to make YOUR choice?  Those REALLY tough ones.  *chuckle*  Ohhh myyy!!!

I'm from the kind of family that gives their opinions VERY freely, and most of the time, they don't really care if it hurts your feelings.  Even more rare is the time they take to listen to what you're saying before they decide how they feel about it.  It isn't a passing of judgment, but it's not allowing for your "Just give me the benefit of the doubt!" either.  But -with DH, he REALLY thinks about what he offers up and how he offers it.  He doesn't let me get away with anything, but he doesn't hurt my feelings either.  I really, really have a lot of respect for that.  Because of my family, and the influence of my ever-patient husband, I am beginning to be a thinker.  To think of the consequences of my choices and statements, and to choose the best for the situation.  Statement Day 3:  It's ALL about choices.

*shrug*  We may be just two, but two is good enough for me.


PS -My perspective of the kitchen....  Well....  I still think the top shelf in the kitchen cabinets is WAY up there!  ;o)

"But he is so...."

Fooled ya' with my post title!! :o) This ones a good one (if I do say so), so sit down and stay a while!

My whole life I've heard, "you're so smart" (believe it or not...)or, "you're so gifted" or even, "you're so melo-dramatic!" So...what makes a person these things? What does it mean when someone is smart, or gifted (I know what melo-dramatic is...it's ME!)? These things are dependent upon your perspective. Every parent wants their child to be all of those "good things"...at least, I hope so! You see, I view these things as gifts. Gifted, whatever -it's all the same. Gifts.

This is on my mind because DH is doing some volunteer work at a local elementary school. He has been assigned to a singular 5th grade bass player. I think this is fabulous, and the little guy sounds adorable! Michael says he's, "a serious little guy. Listens very intently to everything you say, and thinks about it for a bit, and then nods. He seems like a smart guy, and I think that if he continues in the music world, he would be a theorist." On my end, it all sounds great -a kid who loves music, yay!

Smart...funny...creative...dramatic...bubbily...whatever you're desired adjective is, "beauty lies in the eye of its beholder." So in translation: we are given these gifts, whatever they may be, and it is up to us to make the best of them! My gifts vary daily, which I think is okay, and think that we forget about them and what they mean. Today, my gift, and the rarest of them all, has been patience. It very rarely shows its perfect little head in my life, and today I'm going to take advantage of it!

It's just one of those little things that brings with it a whole lotta' Peace. And that is definitely something I could use more of!

Oh!  And by the way... HAPPY FRIDAY!

PS -the pic. is of our kitty, Daphnie.  I thought this was appropriate, seeing as this is how I feel today!

Desperation, Validation, and Redemption

des·per·a·tion: a state in which all hope is lost or absent; "in the depths of despair"; "they were rescued from despair at the last minute"; "courage born of desperation"
Desperation is a disgusting feeling. It is a state of existence that consumes every thought and action, and perhaps this extends into our subconscious. For me, unfortunately, it is a green monster that seems to be running my life. I'm uncomfortable in my current situation, and am poking my nasty green head into every crack and crevice to find some sort of relief (in a humorous way, it's like my green friend has an allergy to life and every time it breaths in it sneezes! How funny -but not). Fight of flight mechanism at its finest, I suppose. I refuse to yield, and the situation pushes back. I want to get my way, but the journey is stronger than I am. I must escape, but the only way to escape is to embrace my situation, learn the lesson presented (which I am obviously NOT learning...), and find happiness in alternative places.



val·i·date: To mark with an indication of official sanction; to establish the soundness of; corroborate.
In my desperation, I feel a deep desire to validate my life. What have I done? What will I accomplish? What am I worth to others? What can I put my claim on? Some people give validity a place in their lives by buying things (which I have considered...there's a really pretty Twill bed set at Macy's ON SALE!), modifying their appearance, obsessive cleaning (I noticed that I have started doing this...it's better than the alternatives, right?)drinking/eating/drugs/sleeping, having children...etc. The list is AMAZINGLY long. Whatever your vice is -it will help you validate your life in a negative way.
So why? Why is this so important to me? I've done lots of things I can be proud of! Conservatories, adventures, performances, essays...oh, WAIT! NO ONE CARES! No one cares about that except for me. Hmm -Does accomplishment come from what a paper states, or does it come from inside? Bottom line, my ability to validate my life seems to be coming from superficial places and reasons due to my state of desperation. Green Monster? -yeah, sure.



re·deem: To restore the honor, worth, or reputation.
When the clouds clear away and the sun comes up the GM (Green Monster) runs away. It leaves me to think about my life, and the choices I've made in only a way that I understand. It requires me to be introspective, and thankful for what I'm given. Especially the small stuff we have a tendency to overlook. I don't WANT to be a GM. I want to be Briana -version 1.0. The person her husband fell in love with, and the person who would call her friends when she knew they were having bad days, and would send flowers and cards, give hugs, and laugh her way through the day. The person who LOVES to give families and babies a head start. Me. That's what I want.
So maybe it will be hard -most likely it will be hard, and maybe I'll have to wait for everything that I want. But, the point is that I will be the dragonfly: evolve when necessary, but remain true to who I am.

Snow, snow, GO AWAY!

Snow, snow GO AWAY! Please, DON'T! come again another day. We're all so sick of your stay, snow, snow GO AWAY!

The past week has been full of snow for everyone. Snow here, snow there, snow even in your underwear (JK! At least -I don't have any in mine! :o)....)!! So many people are sick and tired of being snowed in, of being stuck, of being bored, of being.... It is so difficult, with our fast paced lives, to just be. To not feel the tug of work's obligations and responsibilities. Maybe, just maybe, we were snowed in for a reason (not me, of course...it'd take a monumental blizzard to get TP! closed. Snow days are the number 2 thing I miss about teaching, with the children being the first, of course!). Maybe it is a sign that we are completely over extending ourselves in our lives and not taking time to appreciate what we are given every day. Think about this -beautiful snow is falling from the sky and our first thoughts are, "how will I get to work?" or, "how will I get home from work?", or even, "I hope this doesn't mess my schedule up!" Hmmm....

Take a break, take a breather, and enjoy the snow and the time it is requiring you to just be. Craft, eat, watch, vegetate, but for goodness sakes, don't wish wish yourself out of that peaceful time because before we know it, we'll be wishing you had those extra couple of hours to take down your Christmas decorations (like we did last night! I know.... We've been a LITTLE busy, but with choir cancelled I had all evening!), or to make your sweetie dinner, or to take a bubble bath. Enjoy the YOU time.

Snow, snow, don't go away. Please, please stay for just another day!

If you're gonna love somebody....

When it comes right down to it, it is family that really catches you when you fall. In fact, you could not even be falling and they will do everything they possibly can go aide in your success. I happen to currently be a perfect example of this! Lucky me!!!!!

First, I would like to say that -you can marry someone, but that doesn't make you family to your spouse's folks. You know, however, that you have become family when they offer to drop everything in their lives for the weekend and come to help you. For a day -for two days -for however long, you know you have become family because they show up at your door, food, bags, dog, and suitcases in hand with smiles on their faces. This is truly a gift to have received. Sure, some consider it luck when they can tolerate their in-laws, but lady luck came knocking on my door because my in-laws are awesome! :-)




Secondly, I would like to say that you can be related to someone, and they can still feel no need to help you. Unfortunately, I fear that the number of families like this are increasing, and I am undoubtedly thankful for the one that I grew up with! With that being said, it never ceases to amaze me that my family members are willing to wait in line at the airport at 5:oo a.m. to get a flight in a snow storm, and are willing to stay up until midnight to create colorful, eye catching ditties to help you succeed. I know that I ask for a lot, and while I may be whiny, I do try really hard but I haven't done anything to be so blessedly lucky in the family that I have been gifted. Because you are related, or know someone, you are, under no circumstances, truly obligated to help them. Yes -psychologically you feel a deep down Darwinist sense of obligation, but these things surpass that. A true family steps up when you really don't have the time or energy to do any stepping.

For example:

signs offered up by a true artist...
and...

the dress for success offered by unconditional love and support!


This is the season of love.... I love YOU! If you can, take the time to do some stepping. It really makes a difference, and the old addage, "it's the little things that count"...? Remember that one? Well, it's true. Do something little and make that big difference.

When Life Gives you Snow...

I saw a friend on Facebook recently post, "when life gives you snow, go sledding!" I was temporarily inclined to disagree, considering my newly found distaste for snow (due to it's wreeking havoc on my life...), but instead found the corners turned up in a smile. Darn my sense of humor.... Life is never a neatly wrapped package, as I nievly expected it to be. My life, every single day of it, has been a giant mass of poorly wrapped, taped, and glued package (imagine here that a three year old is proudly handing it too you. It may even include maccaroni!). So instead of being upset with that giant mass, take a step back and take time to find out what's inside. Much easier said than done, but it can and must be done. You only have so many minutes in your day -why waste them, eh?

In order to not be wasteful, we must find a solution! We are given situations that challenge us (no brainer!). Whether in our home lives, work lives, professional lives, and even in the life of our own minds, we can not always change the situation. So what then? What comes next? In order to successfully navigate yourself out of this unhappily unfortunate situation, you must -absolutely must- change the way you think about it.

Go sledding, make lemonade, or blog but be proactive in helping yourself be happy! So what -it snowed. Oh.... My.... I suspect you won't melt so enjoy the choice you make!



"The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." ~Benjamin Franklin

Whose time and frame of mind?

There are days when I seem to be able to fly. Like I've temporarily been given wings. I've got a great husband, home, relationship with my family, etc. Life is beautiful. Then.... Then there are days like today. Like the wind has intentionally been taking out of my wings, if I ever really had any. My life: roller coaster.

Every day I can't help but think that I'm wasting MY time. MY days are wasted sitting at a desk, doing a job that isn't my passion (don't get me wrong -I'm VERY thankful to be able to support my husband through school. VERY THANKFUL. I am also thankful that I like the people that I work with!). But -it is truly a struggle for me. I take my time getting ready hoping that maybe there will be a freak snow storm (even though it's bright, sunny, and VERY cold) and I won't have to go and can, instead, spend the day planning my Kindermusik lessons, cleaning, and cooking. HAHA!

Very rarely do I think that I'm maybe learning a lesson that God needs me to learn. Humility and patience come to mind.... Wonder why.... Instead, I focus only on MY time and MY frame of mind. If I am upset, the world seems to be ending when in totally truth, I'm experiencing a life lesson (darn those!). When I feel the most frustrated (like I do right this very minute...steam is rolling out of my ears and nose...and fingernails, and eyebrows....) everything seems to be about me instead of about the journey. Instead of thinking about where I am, why I am there, and what I need to be doing, I think about what I cannot be doing. It's completely retroactive, but I cannot seem to NOT do it. The most disappointing part of the whole situation, is that we (as a species) seem to take our hardest emotions (fear, shame, anger, sadness, the list continues) out on our most favorite people. My favorite person is Michael and Lord only knows that God's already saving him a special spot in Heaven! :)

I can no longer deny that it is not MY time. It is not MY frame of mind to deny. I was given a purpose and a mission, and a beautiful life. I am not wasting MY time...I'm wasting my Creator's. Somewhat cheesy but -when you are given another day with the person you love, sure. I'll make a cheesy statement. Why be selfish and ungrateful. I have been given _______ (fill in the blank with the innumerable things...).


Briana to self: "SHUT UP, get over it, and move on."


pāx.
"La vita è bella"