tgif (barely)

It's 10:50PM on Friday night and I'm pushing through some exhaustion to get this posted tonight. We're remodeling / updating our house right now and it's been a very long week. Here are my top five moments from this week:

1. On Wednesday and Thursday, there were 20 men representing 6 different trades working in the house. At one point I went into the closet and started crying. Unfortunately, there were no doors on the closet.

2. There is sawdust and drywall dust covering every square inch of my house. Including my toothbrush.

3. My feet were so dirty when I climbed into bed last night that I tried to sleep with them hanging over the edge. When I woke up to go to the bathroom my foot was asleep and I fell down.

4. Ellen's trunk is still on our porch. We haven't unpacked a thing (including wet towels) and we picked her up from camp one week ago.

5. I went to Home Depot today. Four times.

I'm posting because I really believe that gratitude is a practice. This is one of my favorite quotes EVER:

It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.

--Brother David Steindl-Rast

So, today I trust that it's OK to stop when I'm really just too tired (and dirty feet never killed anyone).

I'm grateful for incredibly talented and gifted crafts people.

I'm inspired by simplicity and calm. I had every room in my house (except Ellen and Charlie's) painted Bay Laurel by Restoration Hardware.

What about you? What's something terrible/funny/sucky/ridiculous that happened to you this week?

What's your TGIF?

Comments

[Mel]

Had a meltdown at work on Monday that went into Monday night. Thought seriously about giving up. Asked for help, which is very difficult for me, but I did it. And, now at the end of the week I am thankful for all the wonderful supportive people in my life who pick me up when I fall down and apart. I also feel gratitude for the experience of feeling the fear and doing it anyway that lead to a Friday and a smile.

Mel

[michelle a.]

Oh let me say that there is something about remodeling that brings out the CRAZY! I send you inner peace and bliss as you trip over EVERYTHING! It will all come back together one day (and expect it to be longer than you expect). I want to quote my mom's favorite line which I now use quite often in my life: "A little dirt never hurt". But I do have to say that A LOT of dirt can make you crazy so if you feel loco - just roll with it Baby!

Can you tell I've remodeled a time or two and come from a family of builders? :) I swear you will see the other side. Just try to laugh between the tears (and waves of sawdust)!

Thank you for taking the time to post tonight. I am grateful for that! And, if you can't post because you are too tired or too crazy in the future I am grateful for that, too. You are awesome - just how you are.

[Anj]

This may seem weird, but I almost emailed to see what had happened to you! I'd been missing my Monday update and random tweets. Glad you're okay...if uncomfortably dusty and experiencing renovation frustration.

You can check out my latest blog post "Old Yeller" @ http://writergrrl.pnn.com , but suffice to say that this week was one of the most challenging for me as a parent. And on that note:

I Trust that I am doing the best that I can to parent my boys with love.

I am Grateful that I have the opportunity each day to become a better parent to my young boys.

I am absolutely Inspired by every parent who is honest about the hard road they walk, but equally open about the joy that they get from the hardest, most important job in the world.

Thanks for checking in...and allowing us to share :-)

[Carolyn]

Was feeling very stylish and important having spent a large amount of $$ on new stuff at a fine jewelers (not a splurge... we were robbed a while ago and I had items to replace with insurance money).

I came home wearing far too much 18 carat bling... only to have my 5 year old vomit all over me - and my new stuff. Turns out it's really difficult to get vomit out of a fine mesh gold bangle :-) Parenthood... the great equaliser.

[Dee Dee]

Hey, you're not practicing what you preach...you who told me all you knew 9 years ago when you said motherhood 's motto is "dig deeper." I love to think about how far we've all come as we connect and struggle through our crazy, wonderful lives and share what we learn the hard way and hope someone can learn the easy way by hearing our stories. OK, rambly, late, tired lady who doesn't practice what she's had preached to her, finish up...

I'm trusting that when I feel and believe and sense so strongly and easily that my family should move to another part of the country next year, that that is the truth and we will do it, must do it, even though I'll have moments when those oh-so-certain feelings and beliefs and senses will be hard to reach.

I'm grateful that each day ends and each next one begins.

I'm inspired by Julia Child and Julie Powell and all women who drift and wonder and then find their way...and I can't wait to see their little movie tomorrow with my sweet, under-appreciated husband who plays the same kind of supporting role J&J's do.

And GIT OUTTA that house some this weekend!

[Amalia]

Oh, Brene, you made me giggle with the, "Unfortunately, there were no doors on the closet." The visual that goes with that is wonderful.

Nothing terrible happened to me per se this week, but yesterday- my 22nd of 22 days on clinical service- we had a patient transfer that turned into a big mess because of some administrative issues on the sending hospital's end of things. In retrospect, the circus is a bit comical (and I promise that the patient is doing just fine). At the time, I thought my head was going to explode. When I finally came home at 10 pm to find my power out all I could do was sit in my candlelit kitchen and laugh. It was that or cry and laughing just felt more appropriate at the moment. It still does.

Today I am trusting that I'll be able to dig my way out of the avalanche of paperwork in my office. It's really bad this time. That said, I'm not thinking about it at all until Monday.

Today I am grateful for friends who magically appear when you most need someone to lean into a bit. And to make you laugh.

Today I am inspired by music and lyrics. I've been listening to Ben Harper and Relentless7 "Fly one time" repeatedly this week- and doing so as much for the lyrics as the music. The video for it is on youtube and their website. It's worth a few minutes.

[yvonne]

ooooooo aahhhhhh! Bay Laurel. Love it!

Our 13th wedding anniversary is this weekend & I looked @ Thad & said "Our relationship is easy - its just LIFE that is difficult". I am though very grateful for the easy & the difficult.

[Juliette]

This week has been one of the worst in a while. I've not been feeling well (I have MS), but a lot of it is stress over my husband not being able to find a job - will we be able to keep our house? Work has been stressful, for many reasons, and while I'm trying to work at it, I'm gradually seeing where I've made errors for a very long time (have been there five years). Will I be able to ask for help, and work through this? And yesterday one of our two beloved cats was found dead, a victim of a hit and run. I'm heartbroken and also very sad for our other cat, who is very sad tonight. I'm in a place where I want it to Get Better Now, and will work on it. But first - a good try at a good night's sleep. And if I don't get to sleep right away, there is a stack of library books by the bed. Lapis the cat will curl up next to me and we will miss Ruby together and work through it. My husband is away tonight which I think has made it a bit harder, but writing this gives me the feeling that it's time to get to sleep and open my eyes and heart to a new day tomorrow. Rest in Peace, Ruby - you are missed very much. Thanks for letting me share.

[Jennifer Palermo]

I chalked my 'broken down' week to the full moon tugging the springs out of my appliances, car, and computer...Tuesday saw the end of my airconditioner in my car, the end of my husband's watch face, the end of my computer's wireless connection, a brief interuption in my electricity due to a breaker flipping out - or rather off - and the last sweet potato cube of baby food! Wed, needless to say, was a new beginning and the moon on Thursday was tremendous. Baby crying right now.....

[Meg]

12 years ago on the 11th hour before home renovations were set to begin, my friend Sue Anna gathered her family for dinner. Her husband whispered, did I forget our anniversary or her birthday under his breath to his oldes. The youngest almost off to college counted out loud the number of places at the table, checking to see if it was only the family at dinner.
The table set for celebration - with Sue Anna's quirky artistic ecclectic gift of artistry. In front of every chair was each family member's favorite meal.. 4 entirely different dinners for the family of six. Three different favorite desserts on the bufet. Mid way through dissert, she announced: .
" On Monday, renovations begin. The house is going to be turned upside down and inside out. The furniture will be on musical charis moved from one place to another. The kitchen will be reduced to an ice chest and a microwave for God only knows how long. We will be eating on paper plates and take out until it is done. No one in this room has permission to ask me where anything is, and each of you has one crucial thing to remember. Beginning Sunday evening you each will treat me as if I am psychotic."
The memory of her renovations still make me smile all these years later.

Tonight I had dinner with a family 4 hours after returning from a neurologist's appointment, Not great news. The hope of a medical reason for their 10 yr old's psychosis was negated. Before we ate, the prayer each parent shared expressed gratitude and appreciation and seeded loving empowerment in both their boys with humor. My eyes were leaking with the heartfelt humility of being a part of their journey

Today I am trusting that the sun will come up in the morning. And the persistent sound from the small waterfall in my back yard will fill me with soothing peace that lets my heart relax and discover peace.

Today I am grateful for the love of friends and celebrating the big and small accomplishments and strength hidden in every moment.

Today I am inspired by the resiliency of parents and friends and even myself to persevere with hope .

[deb]

That is a beautiful quote, one I needed this week. I realized last night as I lay in bed, waiting to fall asleep that I've been waiting my whole life to live my life. There's always a reason I give myself. Right now it's my youngest, when she moves, then I can live my life. Except today is my life and I need to quit waiting and start living it. So I'm thankful for that.

I'm thankful for the irobot vacuum we got this week, to clean up the mess my youngest leaves wherever she goes. Much less work and resentment for me.

[Diana]

A woman is measured by how well she deals with having her home invaded and demolished by remodeling contractors. Experience suggests that I measure approximately 1 micrometer. Sounds like you are at least an entire ruler ... maybe a even a yardstick. :-) XOXOXO

[The Other Laura]

Ah, chaos! We had a lesson in "there are things in this world that you cannot control" this week too with a surprise visit from my brother-in-law. A lesson for all of us in rolling with the punches (and the whims of others).

I'm trusting today in language, in the power of words.
I'm grateful for the lazy summer we are in the final two weeks of.
I am inspired by trailers for the movie, "Where the Wild Things Are."

[Karne]

I can completely relate to your post. Our house is currently ripped up, there is one room in our home that is complete, the rest still under construction. Our contractor had promised us a 90 day schedule, which is now at 120 and still more. We have found a VRBO to stay at near our home and last night we moved in. It feels lovely! I am inspired by a dust free, clean place to be where I don't have to take my allergy meds each day! It is a studio-but absolutely wonderful!

I am trusting that the contractors will do what they have promised and complete our project.
I am grateful for a small, clutter free, dust free space to restore.
I am inspired by the new river view that we have for at least a couple weeks! :)
Karne

[Monica]

We started renovations last week too. I don't know if I've ever fought so much with my husband. I feel like I go to sleep tired and wake up a bitch. I loved your crying in the closet comment too. I've been crying too. sigh. A dear friend commented to me about doing her own renovations and crying behind the home depot lights display. It made me feel so good and so normal. If she didn't live soooooooooooo far away I think I would have gotten in my car and drove to give her a hug.

I am trusting that I will still love my family and that they will love me when this reno is done.

I am inspired by my paint color too. Buttermilk. LOVE it!

I am grateful for a mind that feels healthy despite the chaos around me.

[Janet]

Funny? It should be simple to make Amish Friendship Bread, right? LOL

Today, I am trusting that I am on the path God puts me on.
I am inspired by the beauty all around me.
I am grateful for my husband and my family and the fun photos of our summer that make me smile every time I look at them.

[beverly]

I just read a novel- Building a Novel Building a Home with My Husband: A Journey Through the Renovation of Love by Rachel Simon. It was beautiful and fascinating. I just completed an 18 month renovation- we lived up the road with our very young children in a 2 bedroom apartment. Every fiber of our relationship was tested, the very language that we spoke to one another changed, but what the book illuminated is that beneath all of the negotiation, noise, mess, destruction, and expense is the creative process
- one that is infinitely more familiar and intimate than the tools and invasion of tradesman initially feel.
Good Luck

[Lu]

Honestly, I can not think of a particular sucky thing that happened except I did not gain the clarity I was expecting on a particular situation.

Keeping that in mind, I am trusting that I will have clarity soon. I am grateful for having peace of mind lately and I am inspired by the lovely images I am producing with my Lensbaby.

[Deirdre]

My husband flew to Alaska on a wildfire assignment. I knew he might get called, but I thought it wouldn't happen this week---the one week of the summer when I had a lot of no-kids-allowed commitments, like a retreat day I paid for months ago. I'm having a little pity party as I hire a babysitter just so I can mow the lawn (3 boys under 7 yrs old).

So thank you for this reminder of practice...
I'm inspired by our garden, which is neglected in this July heat and still is offering us so much bounty. A reminder that doing things "perfectly" isn't necessary.

I'm grateful that Brian, who'd been itching to fight a wildfire all summer, got one of his dream assignments and got to get out from behind the desk of administration for a change.

I'm trusting myself that I can take good care of my sons on my own for a few weeks, that I'll ask for help when needed, and give my self the healthy food and sleep I need to parent well.

[jessica crawford]

first of all, brene, i cannot tell you how GRATEFUL i am that you have finally posted--i was worried about you, checked your twitter even, and was concerned that something terrible had happened. i checked your post several times a day all week long. well, your week sounds not-so-great, but so glad your precious cargo is all in tact. phew!

mid-week my mom, daughter, and i set out for a much-needed change of scenery in the NC mountains...my favorite. i had driven 1.5 hours to get to my mom's house, then we drove another hour to get to Blowing Rock. we got there just in time for sophie to play on the playground for 10 mins, get our ice cream and then the skies just opened up! heavy, heavy rain, thunder, lightening, the whole bit. we decided to go home. there was no way to navigate the outdoor shops or anything with the furious weather. the coolest part was that before we even left my mom's town, i told her "no matter what happens today, i'm just thankful to be with you and heading away from here." we listened to some nostalgic music from when i was a teenager (over 20 years ago!) and laughed and sang and skipped some songs i didn't want my 4 year old to hear. :) the mountains were beautiful and the trip was so worth it.

[Jeanette P]

Take pictures of the mess. My husband built me a patio cover this Spring and I took progressive pictures. He started for my birthday in mid April and while I thought it was taking forever, working only on his day off, here and there, by the time Memorial Day came around it was finished. I'm glad now I took the pictures, because they only make me laugh now at the mess of cement, wood, sawdust and then I took pictures of the finished product and the joyful lights started twinkling.

I trust in love.
I am inspired by my grandson's smile.
I am grateful that when I have sawdust in my toes, something's changing.

[karen]

i am so sorry for your rough week.just try to focus on the things you love and remember that this too shall pass. i wish i had wiser words...

So, today I trust that my little boy will eventually sleep without having to be in my arms and that i will have time to do things again.

I'm grateful for my beautiful and comfortable home because i've been spending so much time in it lately.

I'm inspired by posts like this where i can see that others' struggle too and it makes me feel so much less alone, so thank you.

[Erin]

What a mad week, it can surely only get better? Hang in there Brene and thanks for posting through the exhaustion, what an inspiration you are to all of us! My TGIF this week is all about the simple things. I am...
...trusting that I will make time for myself in the next few days for some arty goodness.
...grateful for my good health and that this trouble I've been having with my back is finally resolving.
...inspired by the change in the weather this last week, today's glorious sunshine and the flowers starting to bloom in the garden - the blissful reminder that it's nearly spring (here in New Zealand)!

[Liz]

It was a rough week. I blame it all on the full moon/lunar eclipse:) My saddest moment was having lunch with my sweet husband, who was really stressed out about work, and thinking he was going to burst into tears the whole time. It got better.

I had to work today, so it's really Friday in my world right now. Yay! Today I'm trusting that I don't need to force my soul to speak to me. I can just be quiet and listen and follow my heart.

I'm grateful for Trust Gratitude Inspiration Friday! It's become an important part of my shift into the weekend -- a nice cap to the end of the workweek. Thank you Brene and everyone who participates!

I'm inspired by all the wonderful, heartfelt blogs out there. Especially getting a lot out of Susannah Conway's beautiful "ink on my fingers" these days. Keeping MY fingers crossed I'm able to get into her Unravelling e-course this fall...

[Marilyn Johnson]

I agree we all need to practice being grateful, it truly makes you feel better when you start thinking of all the things you have to be grateful for. A poem I read often when my 14 year old son was waiting for a heart transplant.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.
by Melodie Beattie


Thanks for your blog. It is very inspirational!
Marilyn Johnson

[Hannity Grace]

I love doing TGIFridays!

his week was a good one. I am thrilled to be working at my 2nd job waitressing. I am sure at some point I will be challenged by working two jobs, trying to get everything done that life asks of me, and not be exhausted but right now this is what I am supposed to be doing.

Today I'm trusting that my life is unfolding as it should in the long run, that obstacles and challenges that I am faced with happen for a reason and that I am making the best possible choices along the way.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to have a 2nd job and be earning some extra income right now to help pay down some debt.

I'm inspired the simplicity of my dog's life - her ability to be happy as she loves unconditionally, sleeps soundly, and enjoys watching the world go by is a great guiding light for my own happiness.

My terrible thing for the week is that I STILL am itching and scratching at poison ivy!

[Deb J]

The only BAD thing about this week was that I was on the run too much and am now paying for it (I have Fibromyalgia). It also means that my to do list didn't get done. I'm sorry to hear that your week has been so extremely bad. Hope this next week is better.

I'm trusting that next week will be better for me and for you.
I'm grateful that God provided me with very good doctors.
I'm inspired by Brene because she keeps going and by my mom because she does too.

[Elizabeth Harper]

My husband of six months decided quite sweetly to have an addition added to the home he owned when we married in order to give me a room of my own for writing and to make it feel more like a home to me.

What began as an additional room and bath has become a total master bedroom renovation and additional en-suite bath making for two new bathrooms. An old half bath is being converted to a walk in closet for the guest room and the dining room is being bumped out as well. We are knee deep in dust, sleeping in a guest room and my crate of household goods arrived from America on Wednesday. Stuff is everywhere, but I'm grateful it arrived and especially grateful to have such a dear man willing to do so much to create a space for me to call mine.

[Karen Caterson]

I SO related to this post. When I have one or two workmen in my house (or even when I'm waiting for them - or thinking about having them here) I want to find that closet (only I guess I'd want one with doors - lol). Consequently, I wait til things bite me in the a$$ to get workmen out here to fix them...I think it's quite courageous of you to deal with so many of them all at once!

And - ohhhh - last week I was horrified to find, as I lovingly hung laundry outside - pretending to be the Princess of Green-ness - that the top sheet on my son's bed was a painting drop cloth. An ex-sheet we used when we painted the kitchen and ran out of "real" drop cloths. When I was hanging it (why I didn't notice as I put it in the washer I don't know) I was semi-freaking: "WTF?" - and hiding it behind other sheets - embarrassed that I'd let my son sleep covered with a drop cloth. Later I asked him if he noticed (he's 19) - and he said: "Yeah, but it was just stains." ??? Really...

And Brené, the paint! The paint made me tear up. Out of curiosity I clicked on the link to see what color you chose - it looks like the exact color my (now departed) great-aunt had throughout most of her home - THE most gracious, accepting, everyone-is-welcome, grace-filled, beautiful (but in a very elegant comfort - NOT white rug) home I ever expect to be in this side of Paradise...I needed that reminder of her - and I have a feeling that your home will have that same feeling.

Your words - the way you share you life and thoughts here - is the biggest blessing - thank you so much!!!

[qmama]

this week...
i am trusting that rest will come (soon, i hope).
i am grateful for happy family gatherings (no drama).
i am inspired by jen lee's fortunes.

[Jenn]

I trust that I will get what I need when I need it.
I am grateful for my friendships -- old and new -- these are the people that keep me grounded in who I am and remind me of who I want to become.
I am inspired by Kate Hepburn and Cary Grant in The Philadelphia Story. What a great old movie! We could all stand to be a little more yar at times.

Something funny/terrible/sucky...hmm, I couldn't sleep on Monday and Tuesday nights..I was up at 2 an 3am..I stayed in bed until 5 or 5:30 and just got up and faced each day..knowing and trusting that sleep would eventually come to me.

[Alyice]

I had an emotional breakdown this week, too. Over trying to get funding for my son to go to college. It's not easy watching a straight A student struggle getting into college simply because of a lack of funding. It of course snow balled, and released alot of pent up emotion about the horrible year we had and how if it wasn't for bad luck, we would have no luck at all. Can't wait for the recession to end and life to return to normal. But at least, I can be grateful for one thing, my son is determined to get into college, even if it means student loans all the way.

[Jody Feldman]

Sprawled on a sidewalk in the middle of a public place to take a publicity shot of a friend's forthcoming book. Not much angst in the scheme of things, but a bit outside my comfort zone.

However, I actually came here to thank you for including The Gollywhopper Games in your reading group. Please tell the girls to feel free to contact me if they have any questions.

[B.]

TRUSTING: in the doctors at M.D. Anderson who will do procedures on my dear husband this week. Trusting that the family and friends who care about us are still here with us.

GRATEFUL: that my husband loves me even though we had two AWFUL arguments this week (In one week?? what's that about?) Grateful also for the discipline of this exercise each weekend to keep me focused on what is important in my life.

INSPIRED: by your readers. By your readers who are struggling with much more than I am and can still keep going, often with much grace. Thanks to all for the inspiration. And, thank you to you, Brene for leading us.

[Bridge]

As I sit at the stop sign near my home in a small mountain town, a woman my grandmother's age sideswipes a woman my mother's age with her car as she runs a red light. The woman my mother's age yelling and swearing at the grandmother who is shaking and upset trying to find her paperwork. Neither car is worth over $1000.00 and nobody is hurt. What's up? As I prepare to leave the scene of the accident a man on a Motorcycle is stopped next to a person in a car swearing about the fact hey are driving 45 in a 55 mph zone. Road Rage pisses me off.

[maybe]

I am trusting that there is happiness somewhere to be found in what I've been experiencing recently.
I am grateful for my best friend, who helped me push shame away. And I'm grateful for the awareness I have about shame and authenticity due to your book Brene.
I am inspired by everyone else who is struggling to be authentic

[monica]

something rediculous...I haven't unpacked Maggie's trunk either. i know there are wet towels in there. it's still sitting next to the front door where it was dropped last Saturday. how can i unpack it when my house is already a freakin mess, we were leaving town and work started...not me! nobody is perfect. peek into my front door and you will see it is still there!

[Mel]

I am trusting that there will be a day when my daughter is fully potty trained.

I am grateful for the family I married into is lovely! My own one is rubbish so I feel like I've won the lottery.

I am inspired by my husband's love for his work.

[kathy]

I spent a week unending my house and my family to get our house ready to go on the market before I left for a long weekend....so the floods of people could come see it while I was away with the kids. It looks amazing! The sucky part...it never made on the MLS so no one even knows it exists except for the 5 neighbors on our cul-de-sac who only want to know why, when and where!

I am trusting in the process and that God has a plan.
I am grateful for friends who helped me get the house ready and for re-uniting with an old friend.
I am inspired by the simplicity and peacefulness of my house.

[Lorie]

hmm.... last week the most terrible thing was no Ordinary Courage blog to read! I am so glad that everything is ok, I was worried. I do understand exhaustion, however, and the feeling that your house has been taken over by space aliens. I do not envy your having to deal with a remodel in your home, my husband is currently building a wing onto our barn and our entire front field is covered with 600 pound bridge timbers that he acquired at "too good a price to pass up"! not even in my living space and it stresses me out.

a sucky thing that turned good- our doggie had to go into the veterinarian to have 3 lumps removed. We elected not to send them to be biopsied (because if they are cancerous, what will we do except worry?), but elected to have her blood chemistry screened. Turns out the reason she has been so lethargic and put on so much weight is because she has a hypothyroid condition! Apparently easily controlled with medications! yipee!

regardless, my TGIM is:

trusting that this awesome weather will hold out long enough to ripen at least one tomato in my garden

grateful to have a job within walking distance, even though sometimes I hate it

inspired by our dog, who despite 3 Frankenstein like suture lines on her belly, continues to exude joy just at being alive!!

Happy week to all.

[Davielle]

the sucky thing: finding out from a long-lost-girl-next-door-childhood-best-friend of mine (who I reconnected with via Classmates - friend B - who connected me thru Facebook - friend A - I LOVE TECHNOLOGY when this stuff happens) -- THAT her younger brother, who I grew up knowing as "the pesty little brother" -- has passed away. And my girlfriend and I are barely fifty, so he was far too young to go. now THAT sucked.

however, I'm taking it in stride and balance with the MOST EXCELLENT NEWS that she and I have found each other, and owe each other a phone call to catch up. the best party (pun intended; her last / maiden name is BEST)? she lives probably 10 minutes from me, 15 at the most! how's THAT for icing on my cupcake?!

TRUSTING that our upcoming ten day trip to Montana will be smooth - I've avoided going with my husband now for 5 or 6 summers, thanks to a most uncomfortable situation up there last time I went between his daughter and me, and a gal who lives up there year-round. IT WAS ROTTEN and part of me still dreads going back to that scene. thank God for my faith. it's going to see me through, I'm counting on it.

GRATEFUL FOR family. the fam reunion in italy with the italian relatives was amazing; and our family right here state-side is pretty darn rocking, too.

INSPIRED BY ... women who fight the brave fight. those who battle the odds and survive, or who survive longer and better BECAUSE they had it in them to put it in God's hands and LET IT BE.

TGIF - on Monday.

and hey, Brene ... who won the felted pillows?! they are BEAUTIFUL.

hugs to all -- Davielle

[Kerridwen Niner]

I just found your blog via someone else's can't even remember where i was a moment ago, just read that little message and it was lovely, my eyes are fighting watering. Think i will be back quite soon for a good look round. Oh yeah i was following the bird on A Tailored Line, quite appropriate that it was a bird brought me here, i will be back :-)

[Amy]

Funny you should ask this question today. Awful is pretty much the word for my past couple weeks actually. My mom and my sister declared war on one another, the cops were called, and then stated that each was dead to the other one. I guess they don't realize when they do and say those things to each other, the one it hurts is me, the person that would like to have some semblance of a family that can at least tolerate each other at holidays. I haven't seen my father in 8 months even after several emails on my part to get together. He has his own family to think of. I think I need to make some plans to spend the holidays on an island somewhere without any family. Maybe I should just move to an island without any forwarding address.

I do understand the crying in the closet. I started crying today at work in my cubical. It also has no doors. I think the guy that sits next to me was a bit alarmed.