Awesome

Today was a mixed bag.  I had a great start!  I opened my work e mail to see that my work has been picked up for a blog I love.  I was able to turn work away, just because I don't want to do it. I have confirmation of payment coming.  The Homestead added me to their vendor list.  Lots of great stuff!

And then somewhere in there, I had a fight with my husband.  I began to feel exhausted and stressed out again.  My to do list began to look like a monster under my bed. 

I ran a mile or so tonight and in the midst of that and the shower, God turned my grumpy heart around.  He told me to pray for a friend today and that friend confirmed a few minutes ago that she had a break through in a struggle. Love it.

I cleaned my house.  It felt good.  I listened to some Christmas music and watched the Office.  I have a list of thankfuls today.

So the bottom line is our God is awesome.  In my little struggles.  In my little victories.  He is just awesome.   

Stop. Collaborate & Listen

Well, here we are at the end of the season again. 

I've been feeling a little, shall we say, run down.  Or perhaps run over.  Like my friend Mo said, we appreciate our friends who are workaholics like us because they understand our issues. :)

Except my body has decided lately to give me notice.  Um. No ma'am.  So in the interests of not having a breakdown or break up with any of my physical or mental assets I'm slowing down.  Going home at appropriate times.  Eating my vitamins.  Working out again.  Sleeping 8 hours. 

As of today.

Also, I was thinking to myself today, you know I just really need some encouragement and lo, a friend texted me that she was praying for me.  How awesome is that?  Also another friend called me last week and said some really lovely things about my work that lifted me up on a week I was feeling bad.  Comparing myself to other people and various nonsense. 

So that was nice. 

All of this to say, it is time to breathe.  Breathe again.  Be a human.  A wife and a friend. 

A Crystal.

Not a photographer, or artist, or business woman.

Just a Crystal.

Funerals & Thank You Cards

Funerals remind you life is short.  That's just the truth.  As I was standing in line tonight waiting to greet my grieving friend whose husband just passed, I could almost feel my mortality tapping me on the shoulder.  Tonight was a celebration of a man who loved his family well and who was deeply respected in his community.  It was a blessing to have known Don and to know his widow, and my sweet friend, Billie. 

I want that.  At the end of my life whether it's tomorrow or 25 years from now to have the friends and family say I was a blessing in their lives. 

And also it made me think about the things we don't say when we should.  I saw Don just a couple weeks ago at an event.  I should have hugged him.  I didn't.  I just said hi and made small talk.

For this month a bunch of ladies are participating in 30 Days of Thank You Notes.  I'm really enjoying it, and I want to keep it going past November.  Why wait?  Why ever not tell someone that you love and appreciate them.  Why ever not hug someone? 

Life is short.  Opportunities come and go quickly. 

In other news, I have made a funeral plan.  It involves 90s CCM music to be played along with Broadway tunes.  Oh yes.  I have friends who have promised me spoken word poetry and interpretive dances.  Also, the evening will morph into a DJ'd rave with glow sticks.  It sounds amazing.  I want to have my funeral now please. Except I want to attend it. haha!  You think I'm kidding about the rave or the spoken word poetry?  I'm dead serious. 

(And giggling over dead serious in conjuction with funeral plans.)

 Time to go write a thank you card.  And hug my people.