One Rare Bird

My Word for the Year: PEACE

I've spent a lot of time these past several years working out many things in my life, both internally and externally; and I am glad for all the changes and growth that's occured during that time, but I feel like maybe I've been waiting for something. Waiting to live my life perhaps? Or maybe waiting to get all my ducks in a row before I can start really living my life? I don't know, but I do know it doesn't feel good. And it turns out there's nothing to wait for. Life is here. It's happening. I can either let it wash over me and go peacefully, or I can continue to wait for...for...nothing. It's time to let life sweep me away. It's time to be at peace.

“Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart.
...live in the question.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

“Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.”  ― Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

“You were born a child of light’s wonderful secret— you return to the beauty you have always been.”
― Aberjhani, Visions of a Skylark Dressed in Black

“Peace is not a result inside us from everything around us. Peace is not submissive nor passive. On the contrary, peace is an overwhelming force which comes from within us, disrespectful of everything around us, a firm coalition of spirit and soul standing against all the unrest that abounds.”
― C. JoyBell C.

*The images I used are some of my favorites from 2012. Each one depicts a moment where I felt comepletley present and at peace.

The Bug That Changed Everything

I can't believe my little bug is turning 8 today! You are growing into such a lovely, smart, and creative character. As your life continues to pick up speed I promise to do my best to keep up. I love you Haven! xo

Happy New Year!

Here's wishing you a very happy new year filled with love and light. xo

Gangnam Style

Over Christmas break we became one of a billion people to watch the Gangnam Style music video on You Tube, and yesterday while me and the kids were making up jokes I asked, "Why did Haven & Brannock do Gangnam Style across the road?" and Brannock answered, "To find a sexy lady." I laughed so hard I almost fell over. That wasn't the punchline I had in mind, but it's obviously the best one. Ever.

Gangnam Style by PSY

The Happiest of Holidays to You & Yours

In Transition

A while back I wrote a post about my turbulent (at best) housing situation, and despite my good-intentioned attempts to stay positive about the changes in my life I was bested by the stress of it all. But now that some time has lapsed, as well as my *ahem* monthly cycle,  I'm pleased to be writing from a much better place, both literally and emotionally. We moved into an apartment a month ago and despite my initial depression about going from my dream home to what I'm calling a "transitional home", I'm loving the simplicity of our new living arrangement. Our possessions have been reduced by nearly half and our monthly living expenses by almost the same. There is no yard work to keep up with  or maintenance repairs, and the only bills coming in are for rent and electric. It takes only 20 minutes to clean the entire place, and even though it lacks the charm of a 1920's bungalow I'm not freezing my ass off because of drafty windows, or walking down three flights of stairs to do laundry in the basement. I can honestly say that I'm relieved to be walking away from everything that big, beautiful house would have ended up being: a lot of work, time, money, and unnecessary possessions. This process has changed our perspective - or maybe it just clued us into what we really value - and we're now looking for something smaller and simpler to call home. We don't know what that will be yet, but for now home is this undemanding apartment with a great view and the people we love.

The Best Argument I've Heard for Gay Marriage So Far

I Don't Know What These are Called

but they make smart girls stupid.

{quote via Corina Writes}

Cryin', Fallin', & Believin': Rock Songs for the Soul

Each of these songs has so much in common. They all remind me of each other and take me back to a time in life when all I did sometimes was lay on my bed and listen to music. So Music Monday is dedicated to days gone by, and of course, to some of the best rock of all time. Happy Monday!

Cryin' by Aerosmith

Free Fallin' by Tom Petty

Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

Not All Those Who Wanter Are Lost

Named by Art

Hello! Long time, no see. Life has been crazy these past several weeks and I've been too overwhelmed to write about my life or try to explain it. There was a brief moment when I thought I could just keep sharing my life in photographs, like a year-long August Break, but I quickly realized there are some things that just need to be explained in words.  Here goes....

1). Our landlord told us back in August that she wants to sell the house we've been living in for the past nearly-two years.

2). We LOVE this house.

3). We made her the very best offer we could.

4). We want to grow old in this house.

5). She accepted. We celebrated.

6). House was appraised at less than we offered.

7). To put it simply, everything fell apart and now we have to move.

8). Cue lots of tears and disappointment.

9). Suck it up. Realize this is a good thing because this house would have wiped us out financially.

10). View this as an opportunity to downsize and simplify.

11). Become euphoric with the purging of possessions.

12). Make an offer on a great house in our price range.

13). Get rejected.

14). Tears. Anger. Despair at feeling like I'll never be a real, true grown-up because I'm a 32 year old going to community college and waiting tables at night. This must meant I don't have my shit together.

15). Looking for a new place to rent or buy, or something, and finding the options bleak.

16). Still feeling like a failure but also realizing how ridiculous that is.

17). New favorite quote: "Not all those who wander are lost."

18). Insert a full and ordinary life where the sum of its parts make something great. I hope.

19). Still don't know where we're going to live but have packed most of the house and reduced our possessions by nearly half.

20). Watching. Waiting. Wine.