Briana's Life's Little Moments

Perfectionism...

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 04:27:00 +0000

I have a love/hate relationship with perfectionism.

Perfectionism is something that most people strive for in their daily lives. It could be perfectionism in how they look, what they cook or how they work. The boss sees perfectionism as a hard worker that strives for the best. A spouse sees perfectionism as someone who does the most for the family. How do you see perfectionism?

I strive for perfectionism because I want to be the best. Not mediocre. Not good enough. Only the best will do.

What don't you see?

Hobbies: You don't see the person who has taken everything they loved in their life and mastered it like it was a college AP course, and then decided it wasn't fun and rewarding anymore - it was work.

Let me give you a few shining personal examples:

Photography - It started when my mother-in-law lent me her camera to take photos of her son playing baseball. Once obsessed with photography, I used to lug my camera with me EVERYWHERE. Child slipped in the mud? I have a photo of it. Every day memories - Photos of it. Family parties - Photos of it and every single person there (which came in handy when people passed away and no one had photos of them.) Soon it transformed into photos of my kids playing sports. People started to ask me if I'd take their photos. That's when it started to become work. This type of work pushed me to become a much better photographer, but it came at a cost. It was grueling exhausting work. It took a lot of creative brain power. Soon, I turned down job after job. I needed a break.
Scrapbooking - It started with a simple scrapbook page, and I was hooked. I did research and wanted to get better, much better. Once obsessed with scrapbooking, I was on multiple design teams and published in numerous magazines. One year I decided I would scrapbook 365 pages - and I did. I scrapbooked 365 pages that year! I started to get a bit overwhelmed by how much I needed to do. Again, my creative brain power was getting taxed. Once the second child came, I didn't have the time or energy to keep scrapbooking at the rate I was going and soon after decided to take a break.
Blogging - This blog is a classic example. I blogged at least a few times a month from as far back as 2005! Come 2011 I stopped blogging as much. Why? Because I wanted to post photos with all my blog entries, and it got so overwhelming I just stopped.
Amazon Reviews - It started as a normal hobby - I just wanted to review items to inform customers of pros and cons of using the item and inform them how to use it (if it were techie). Some of my reviews were so helpful, I eventually made it to top 15 reviewer, but not before I started to get burnt out and my helpful mother-in-law jumped in to give me a hand.
Pokemon - I know. Eye roll. I bought a DS game system and this game, and the strategy guide, and mastered the game, and got to the point I one shotted nearly every kahuna's pokemon in the game.

Do you see a pattern? I don't half-ass anything. Ever.

You know what that leads me?

Awesome perfection! Fame! An immense feeling of pride. Feeling the best! ... then BURNOUT.

I often look back and think, what if I would just blog without the photos, or maybe just a few of them? What if I took my camera with me and just took random photos? What if I just printed some photos and scrapbooked just to get it down on paper? It gives me this high anxiety and instant feeling of brain drain, like I need to take a nap.

I get this huge high from the work and effort it takes to learn something to the point of perfecting it, but once I do, maintaining the level of effort to keep it at such an elevated status drains me. I can't half-ass it because I feel like I'm cheating myself. People say to me, it's ok not to be perfect. It's ok to just half-ass the scrapbook page, photography, etc because at least you are getting it done.

NO, it's NOT ok. I know it's half-ass. I know it's not my best effort and then I sit there and stare at it and I hate it.

To some, this may seem obsessive, compulsive and over the top, but I guarantee you, this is what every over-achiever and every perfectionist think when they are doing something they care about. They feel that everything out there is a reflection of them. They have this reputation on the line that they are the best. That any half-ass representation is a reflection on them in a negative way and they don't want to risk it, not just to others, but to themselves. They don't want to let themselves down.

This perfectionism can be an issue. There are upsides to perfectionists. Is that possible? The upside about people like this:

They are passionate. Perfectionists can't wait to find out what they can on this new topic!
They are quick learners! Perfectionists must learn everything about it because they are passionate!
They are Problem Solvers - Perfectionists always are able to push through and figure things out.
They are Teachers - Perfectionists are passionate and like everyone else to share their passion.
They push the creative envelope - As stated above, they like to be the best, so they will challenge the best.
They are inventors - Perfectionists are new looking in, and will bring that outside knowledge in with creative ideas and innovations.
They are sought after: People look for perfectionists with this level of passion and drive to lead.

One of the main keys to making a perfectionist not burn out - keep them engaged with new challenges, changes and make sure to push them out of their comfort zone. It stresses a perfectionist out, but it gets them out of their complacency that often occurs when they 'master' something, and forces them to focus on something new.

Being a perfectionist is sometimes a blessing and a curse all at once. It brings out some of the best traits to learn and master something challenging very quickly but can also bring out the traits to burn you out just as fast. It's mastering the successful, yet not burnt-out reality that is challenging, and something I am aiming for. I'm a constant work in progress...

(I found the perfect little image below to match my blog post!)

Home sick...

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 04:16:00 +0000

I'm sitting here reflecting while spa music sad piano tunes play from my iMac's speakers. My dad goes home tomorrow, and I'm somber. I knew he couldn't stay here because my mom and brother miss him too, and he has a home back in Michigan that needs attention, but having him here was a blessing.

My dad came at a time when I was working crazy hours, the house was a wreck, we had no routines, and we were flying by the seat of our pants. My dad came and restored order. He restored routine. He helped with the dishes and laundry which are necessary evils and normally put off in this house. He was always there to talk to. He told me stories of his childhood. We went shopping many times together, always enjoying each other's company. I think most of all, he was happy.

Everything was so stressful lately that we were coping and everyone was on edge. My dad came and brought this warmth, sunshine, and happiness. Even though he was here almost a month, he never overstayed his welcome. He never got on anyone's nerves, and I never felt like he was the third wheel or out of place.

Sometimes I see parents living with their kids that are in other nationalities, and I see what a close and cohesive unit they are. I never understood it before as that is not something our culture is brought up with. I admit I wondered if it would be annoying to always have your parents with you. Our American culture tends to make fun about in-laws and how people can't stand them. Thankfully that isn't a problem with our family. After having my dad here a month, I can now understand how helpful it is to have a parent be with you. My children LOVED having my dad here. Justin and my dad bonded over how to yo-yo, which was so amazing to see.

They have voiced to me multiple times how sad they are that he's leaving. I have not mentioned that he's leaving, but they have brought it up themselves because they love having him here so much. He wakes with them early in the morning, makes them breakfast, gets their water bottles and lunches together, makes sure they are on time with everything they need every morning. They are spoiled with love. Dad even broke Justin of his habit of leaving every light on in the morning!

Part of me would love to have him visit more often, and part of me is sad because it makes me miss my parents very much. I know Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away, and I will see them soon, but it is so hard not to live by my family. I get very bitter about it. I sometimes even get resentful.

There are many people who don't get along with their family. I can see them moving away and never having a second thought about it. I'm very close to my family and living so far away from them tears me apart. I don't know what the solution is, or if there even is one. January will be nine years in Texas, by ourselves. I want to be able to visit my family a few times a week, have weekly dinner with them and spend quality family time. Limiting it to summers, Thanksgiving, Christmas and a few times where I'm able to fly them down appeases me but ideally isn't what I want. I want my kids to grow up and know their family like I knew mine. Yes, Michigan is cold, but that's where my family is. Where my family is, is where I call home, and I'm a long way from home...

It's a matter of trust...

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 05:26:00 +0000

Writing. It's something I just can't force. I have to feel inspired to write. I think anyone can be a writer, but it takes inspiration to form words into coherent sentences. There have been many days where I sit down to write in my blog, and I erase the content multiple times because it just doesn't flow. When it flows, it's therapeutic. The process of being able to unwind thoughts from the dark crevices of your brain and release it through writing helps relieve stress.

Sometimes it's the daily stress that I can write about, and through writing, I can solve my issues. Other times it is knowing that I was able to document something to remember years down the road. From time to time, people find my blog post and they can relate to what I've experienced. Writing and reading are crucial in my life.

One of the topics I've wanted to write a little bit about is my relationship with my father. Let me add, that I have an excellent relationship with my mother, as well. It just happens my dad has been visiting and helping us out for the last month, so I have a lot to reflect upon.

I've been daddy's little girl as long as I can remember, and I'm spoiled. Spoiled rotten. I'm spoiled with love.

My dad and I are very similar, not just in physical traits but also in personality. Growing up I often heard, 'You sure do take after your father.' This similarity was a double-edged sword. On one hand, I could easily understand my dad. On the other hand, it made us argue stubbornly growing up. I'm not one to step down, so some of these arguments were pretty heated. I'm sure my mom was smirking deep down when my dad and I were in a heated argument, thinking to herself, 'You raised her like this, so of course, she's not going to back down.' I remember my brother telling me, 'Briana, just let it go.', But I couldn't. If I knew I was right, I was going to prove it.

I've been spending a lot of time with my dad, listening to stories about when I was a kid, or when he was a kid, and connecting to him on a more personal level. I understand why he did the things he did that I was not able to comprehend as a child.

One of the most valuable lessons my dad taught me was 'trust.' This story will sound crazy, so bear with me. When I was 15, I was in karate. My dad thought it was an excellent idea to put my brother and me in karate so we could defend ourselves in any unsafe situation.

Every summer there would be a karate camp, and my brother and I would go. During one of these camps, I met a guy named Ben. Ben and I hit it off right away, and we started dating.

We were only about a 30-minute drive away, but it was far enough where it wasn't easy to see each other often.

I'm honestly not sure how it all came up because I don't remember, but my parents let me stay the night at Ben's house multiple times. Yes, we slept in different rooms. My dad talked me to about trust. His words were, 'I trust you. I trust you to do the right thing. The first time you betray my trust, and the entire world will change for you. Make the right decision.'

I'm a first born child, and many first born children follow the rules and are afraid to get in trouble, and I was one of them. I was a good kid. I studied hard, I worked hard and was not someone who was dishonest.

My dad taught me the value of trust. He trusted me and that meant a lot to me. He trusted me to think about situations and weigh the consequences. Though it must have been hard for them, it was what I needed. I needed to know I could make decisions on my own and own the results to the outcome. I needed to know my parents had trust in me and believed in me.

I never broke my dad's trust. I took it seriously because it was important. Trust is one of those qualities that make or break your character. Once you betray it, or once you tarnish your character, it's difficult, if not impossible, to rebuild.

Twenty years later my dad and I still have a close relationship. I enjoy all the time I have with him, his stories, and his positive outlook. I value this bond we have and am thankful for all the time I've been given to spend with him making memories.

My mind never slows down...never...ever...

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 04:02:00 +0000

My mind...never...slows...down....

I always wonder what it's like to be a normal person without an ADHD mind.

Does their mind rest?
Can they literally chill?
When they go to yoga and lay down in Shavasana (at the end of practice where you let your mind rest), do they let their mind rest and focus on their breathing without racing thoughts coming to the forefront of their mind?
What happens when they try to go to sleep?
What is their mind thinking about when they drive a car?

I can tell you, from experience, that the ADHD mind doesn't focus long enough to rest.

In Shavasana, I can guarantee you that I TRY to focus on my breathing, and it lasts for five measly seconds before I'm thinking about the prescription I need to pick up after practice, or what I said on a conference call earlier.
When I sleep my mind races through the day, replaying it, reminding me of all the things I meant to do but forgot. My husband can fall asleep in two seconds with the TV blaring, and I can lay in bed for an hour and wonder how he falls asleep with no effort!
When I drive a car, I pay attention to the road (of course!), but I am also solving a work problem in my head (I actually did figure out a solution to a work problem in my head today on the way to the gym)!

How about these other traits?

Do you pick fights to give your brain some adrenaline?

You should have seen little ole me growing up in the 80s and 90s. Not many people knew about ADHD then, and luckily in my teenage years it settled down. I was not diagnosed until I was an adult, so my childhood years were challenging. There is a reason I was nicknamed, "Queen bitch of the Universe." To be honest, I wasn't mean! I'm seriously the most empathetic person you could ever meet, but I loved a good argument.

There are too many stories I can tell you where I pissed my brother off so much that he would run through the house with a fireplace poker trying to beat the crap out of me (for the record he never did!) My brother and I never got along growing up. I instigated and agitated until he blew up pretty much every day. I'm sure my parents were ready to ship me off to boarding school, and it's probably the reason my dad drank at night, but my brain needed stimulation.

Thankfully my parents realized I couldn't just sit at home. They worked too much for me to be involved in school sports, and I really didn't have the attention span anyhow. Cue in the story about the time they enrolled me in baseball. I was in the outfield and was too busy watching cute boys to notice the ball whizzing by my head. Baseball was a bit too slow for me. Karate was a perfect outlet. It taught discipline and with hard work I was soon a black belt sensei. It also probably cured my brain of that much needed physical and mental activity.

Are you obsessed with music?

I think people with ADHD are naturally drawn to music. Sure, I watch tv, but I'd give up tv for music any day. I used to have music with me at all times when I was growing up. The cassette tapes were my best friend. I would even take my Walkman to school so that I could have music in one ear and the teacher in the other. I would even listen to music while taking tests. I'm sure the teachers didn't always like it but I KNEW if I listened to music while taking my tests, I would do better, and I did.

I'm also one of the only people you will find that does computer coding with headphones. I need it. I can't stand the silence. Sometimes it's the 80s, sometimes it's smooth jazz and sometimes when I'm really stressed out, it's spa music (all compliments of Pandora). It's a proven fact that people with ADHD focus better with music. I know I do.

Embrace your gifts.

What I do know is ADHD makes me unique and special.

My youngest son, Justin, has ADHD and I tell him all the time it's a gift.

How many people can hyperfocus and solve issues?
How many people can solve problems doing normal things (like driving!)?
How many people thrive on chaos and easily manage it? We live for that!
Multi-tasking? We have that down pact.
Creative ideas? We have that, too.
Love of learning? That's a trait we have because we hate to be bored. Throw as much new stuff at us as you want. We love to learn new things!

ADHD isn't a curse or a bad word, though some days we look at it that way. Having ADHD can make us scattered and forgetful, but it can make us passionate and productive. I've taught my son to embrace his gifts and use them to the best of his ability, and to focus on what they can do for you, and not what they can't.

Sometimes life passes by in the blink of an eye....

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 04:28:00 +0000

Sometimes you blink and you realize a month went by. A year flew by. Multiple years flew by. Your kids are getting older, and this means you are getting older, too.

My last blog post here was the beginning of 2014. 2012-2014 were years that were faced with a lot of challenges and a lot of victories. There are scars that hold a million untold stories. Why fixate on the past when you can live in the present and hope for the future? Your mind is an amazing thing. When faced with tumultuous times, it knows to block out painful memories. People will often ask if I remember this or that, and my answer is, 'No.' My mind literally blocked the bad memories. Why waste precious brain matter with bad memories? Chemo already killed enough brain cells, therefore there is a permanent sign in my brain that says, 'Good memories always.' To be honest, I was quite worried that chemo did a number on my brain. I couldn't remember so many things. Was it aging or did I really have chemo brain?

Recently at work (stick with me here, it relates to my previous story) my position was outsourced, and so I was moved to an area that I supported over ten years ago. When I first started training I did not remember a thing. Ten years is a long time to be gone from something. Panic set in. Oh dear, I can't remember anything? Nothing?

Instead of sitting in a moment of panic and in a sea of despair, I focused on one thing - learning.

I read more documents between July and August than most people read in years. I asked questions. I studied how everything worked. A month or two, that's all I needed.

I was reflecting on this the other day: I was in a rut with my old position. I needed a challenge, but I was comfortable. The outsourcing forced me out of this comfort level. It threw me into a position where I was going to either rise above everything, or fail miserably. If anyone knows me, I don't take to failure well, and I don't give up. Briana means 'The Strong' and I live by that mantra every day.

As I was reflecting, I thought, this job change, it pushed me into an uncomfortable position, but it excited me. I actually looked forward to working and learning. I looked forward to seeing problems and solving them. In fact, this job change was exactly what I needed to prove to myself that I am still fantastic at what I do.

There was a moment in all of the fog where I thought to myself, are my brain cells shot? I was honestly worried.

The answer was, 'No.' They were bored. Yes, bored.

The new position makes me excited to go to work every day. I am slammed busy, but I'm making a difference. I'm seeing progress every day. It's like biking uphill and thinking, 'Oh my God, it keeps going and going and going...' but then you stop and look back and you realize how far you have come and how much you have accomplished. That's how it is. Every day I go to work and I love it. I have to MAKE myself stop working at the end of the day. I get into my ADHD hyperfocus mode and I tell myself, just try this, or let's try this instead, and I keep trying to figure out my problem until it's getting late and I need to just stop.

All, in all, I'm elated that I'm working in this group again. My work is appreciated, I'm appreciated and I enjoy the daily challenges. Everyone should wish to enjoy their job as much as I do.

-------------------

12/22 Happier posts

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 04:25:00 +0000

I love Garfield and Odie!

Seriously? 2 days and 15 hours? Sheesh!! Honestly I can't wait!!

His hair makes me laugh!

$350 in groceries (shock)...

Dang this is good yogurt!! WoW!! Noose brand.

One of my Christmas favorites!

My favorite boys + a neighbor!! :) 38 degree basketball lol

I found this online - of a place in Addison, Dallas. Isn't it so pretty?

My tree makes me happy!

Happiness is a plate of pierogies! Love Polish food!

Santa outfit is too small. lol he's still darn cute!

My mom knits me the best socks!!!! I have the warmest feet every winter.

They featured my post in discover on Happier. So cool!

Nick (left) is sleeping over. When these two play baseball we can't tell them apart lol. Same height. Same build. Same hair in a hat. Great friends!

Eggnog love and bedtime!

I love a made bed! My dog is hiding out among the pillows lol

12/21 Happier moments

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 04:01:00 +0000

Remember this folks - I move mountains!

"Wakey Wakey", says Rascal!!

Coffee. iPad. Kids are doing errands with dad. Pandora streaming Christmas music on the sound bar. Life is good!!

This is a 'word cloud' using the words I use most on happier. Notice Happy is the biggest and then Justin lol. That kid makes me laugh

Awe got this from my little niece!!! It was a get well soon from my surgery two months ago. Awe!

My sweet niece made an ornament for me!

My mom sent us chocolates. YUM

Kids are finding coins for their new coin albums. Dad collects coins so he's showing them how to start.

Mom and dad sent chocolates. Life is like a box of chocolates...

Chocolate goodies! Whitman's and Ghiradelli. Do I have to share?

Sent this to my bestie, Kelly. She LOVES Rosa's and Joe and I went here for lunch.

Rosa's Cafe for lunch. Eating really healthy lately (sarcasm)!

I'm happy to finally have a lap desk!!

Sun is trying to show her sunny rays after our rain today

My new lap desk, iPad and the weather channel is on - just a few of my favorite things!

Holiday parties galore!

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 02:05:00 +0000

65 and cloudy. A little muggy because rain is coming. Beautiful morning to walk the dog in peace.

I love the rain which may be coming this way but the sun is trying to show her sunny ways anyhow, this morning. Blessed to have awesome weather in December.

Sun trying to show

Sun showing herself.

Be Happy. It's your choice.

Justin at his school Christmas party today.

They are happy to go to drop in daycare again!

Happy is eating deep fried pickles!!

Minecraft stocking stuffer score from Barnes and Noble!

Starbucks Caramel brûlée blended frappucino drink. Mmmmm

Joey at his class party today.

As you can see he is very creative haha!

Joey and his teacher. She is amazing and such an amazing teacher and gorgeous on top of it all!

Justin's best friend Carson, hanging out under the table.

Justin at his holiday party. He does the long hair so well.

The snow globe they made.

Justin's teacher who is also amazing and beautiful!! Justin loves her! He's not in this photo but I wanted to include the pic for memories. Carson, Justin's best friend, is in yellow.

This photo is not in focus. This little girl is Haley and is Justin's girlfriend. Her mom took the photo and sent it to me :)

12/19 Happier posts

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 16:39:00 +0000

I make Justin these mini waffles in the morning. I line the plate with them and then make a smile face with syrup on the plate. Look at his crazy hair.

High of 68 here! Taking the dog on a much needed stroll. The sun is trying to break through the clouds. Love the fresh air!

My 83 year old Grandma is so sweet. I just ordered her a bouquet of pink flowers - her favorite. Missing her sweet smile. This is a photo from over the summer when we visited her.

A friend knows I love birds and owls and got me a gift for Christmas. She even got the dog a treat!

Is Bobby McFerrin singing in your head?

Let no one come to you without leaving happier - Mother Teresa (Her quotes are amazing)

He decided tonight we are reading the Peterson Field Guide to Stars and Planets. Oh and let's not forget eating pretzels!

Joey and I reading a book called, "Holes", on his iPad. He told me I needed to use apostrophes when I write the name of the book in this post. haha - smart boy!

Resting on the most comfortable rug ever! This is Kali, she's 13 and spoiled rotten.

The guest room bedroom.

Justin.... shaking my head...

12/18 Happier posts

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 16:27:00 +0000

Brought the dog bed up for the dog so he can chill with me while I work.

I just saved $1.00 on gas using my Kroger points. Gas for $1.94!

Who's happy? This girl!! It is December and look at the temp outside! Perfect weather!

I'm easily amused. I was talking to Siri:

Siri is an assistant on some iPhones. She is actually quite witty. Ask her who let the dogs out!

The kids watching their personalized message from Santa!!

Joey watching his message from Santa! They made the nice list!

Sunset facing EAST at the soccer fields.

This is the sunset WEST. To the east it looks purple and blue and to the west it looks like this. Gorgeous!

Joey is doing the jumping with the sweatshirt on in the back. Love Ayses Soccer. Great organization!

Justin and I doing our reading while Joey is at soccer practice. Dad normally picks him up but he had to work late tonight.

Justin and I read two books tonight so I got him an icee. He's a happy child!! He cracks me up all the time.

Seriously - straight no chaser is an amazing group of guys who do awesome Christmas songs. This one is hilarious. I love how they sing Africa by Toto in it!

I love receiving Christmas cards from friends - especially those which I did the photography!! So cool to see the photos you took for others on their Christmas cards!

Justin was giving out hugs earlier to his daddy.

I am completely caught up with wrapping. Just waiting on a few more things to come in the mail. I'm so relieved to be well this year and not going through chemo!

Joe setting up the new tv. The last one Justin threw a lego at and broke the screen. We didn't have a tv upstairs for over two months. The new rule is no flying objects, nerf gun wars or anything of the sort in the media room.

12/17 Happy things!

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:12:00 +0000

I'm at physical therapy and I get a massage after as part of the treatment! Heavenly!!

Why is this boot upside down in my shower? Justin needed to figure out how much water it could contain, evidently. That child, lol!

12/16 Thankful things!

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 16:09:00 +0000

Thankful that a year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, my scans came back clean, I had reconstruction, awesome physical therapy facility and I'm back to work!

Do you see who I see? The kids love our elf who lives to move when they are at school.

Justin enjoys rain just like his momma.

My little man seems tired and is really hard on himself. Had to give him a hug and a pep talk. He's doing much better now. Love him!

Joey's study guide for science (part of it anyhow).

The moon is huge though it doesn't look like it here and the sunset is pretty. This is where Joey practices soccer.

This song makes me happy :) So does my Ford Sync radio interface!

I love this catchy song! Makes me happy!

A year ago when I went through chemo and wore a wig - my son showed me that even Lego people have wigs!

12/15 Happy Moments

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 15:54:00 +0000

Love him and how he sleeps under the blankets at night. He's looking at me like, "Woman will you go to bed already?"

Game night. This game isn't old school or anything (Look at the clothes on the players! lol)

He's playing the game of life :)

I won the game of life today! So glad to win for once! :)

I did my first photo shoot today - the first since I had reconstruction and the only one I've done for the holidays. It was a hard photo shoot since an almost 4 year old doesn't smile on demand and it was done at noon so I had to work in the shade to get good photos, but I got a few keepers! The client was my client at work, Laura and her son and husband. Such a cute little boy!!

12/14 Jingle Bell Run and other happy things

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 23:07:00 +0000

Good morning all. Started out the morning - Justin had a jingle bell jog thru school. To enter you buy a new gift for children at our sister school. The school is in a less fortunate area so our school helps with book drives, school supply drives and gift drives for Christmas!

Joey's turn to run the jingle bell jog at school. They run for thirty minutes!

You can see all the toys collected for our sister school so they can have a Merry Christmas, too. The presents line both sides of the tree. Giving rocks!

Hundreds of blackbirds nearly blackening the sky - it is so neat to see!

In and out of the post office in less than five minutes!! Sweet! That never happens right before Christmas!

My mom sent me a photo of the 7 inches of snow that fell at their house in Michigan.

A few photos of me. We went to a Christmas party tonight at the neighbor's house!

We are teaching our kids about less fortunate people who don't have a place to live. Justin asked, 'Why can't they live with their grandma?' Awe... if only...

Thankful we have a drop-in daycare that the kids love so we can go to the Christmas party tonight and the kids can have their fun, too.

Trying a new body spray - Love it!

Jen, Nancy and I at the party

Trisha and I at the party. I look like a dork, but whatever! lol

Loving this big man of mine :)

Justin and his friend, Kyle, at the Jingle Bell Jog.

Justin and his friends from school.

The bells he earned for the laps at school.

Joey's age group - 4th and 5th graders

Joey off to the left, smiling

GO!!

Joey running laps

At the end his shoelace busted and he was a one shoed runner haha!

12/13 thankful things

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 22:40:00 +0000

My driveway is finally not a sheet of ice!!!! Dallas is thawing out!

Realizing my epic fail of dinner in a crock pot isn't a fail because it only needs 3-4 hours.

We are eating venison for dinner. Justin eats a few pieces and says, "Dad, I'm not sure I like the reindeer." hahaha!

Something I could relate to back in March after a major surgery but glad to be alive and blessed today.

A hot bath in the jacuzzi on a cold evening makes me super happy (and spoiled)!

This is our neighbor's toy poodle. She pretty much lives here (she loves us) and she loves my rat terrier. She is staying the night tonight. So cute!!

I'm happy I figured out how to turn off the alarm on my weather station. It woke me up beeping at 1am and 5am last night! No more late night wakings!

Back to work

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 21:26:00 +0000

After being on medical leave for 9 weeks, I'm grateful to have a job and awesome coworkers to return to today! I work in IT and miss it!

A clean office to start my 'back to work' day in!

I get physical therapy four days a week. This facility is Pilates based physical therapy (Stonebridge Body Works) and fantastic!! They have helped me so much. SO thankful for them.

Mooyah's lunch. One of my favorite turkey burgers!!

I had to go into a branch to get my PC on the network since it is my first day back to work and I couldn't get online from home but they got me online!!

I'm happy when I went into work today I had work worthy clothes that still fit me. Working from home has spoiled me!

Do you see who I see? lol - he crawled into my nicely made bed to watch tv.

Out of the mouth of my 7 year old boy (Justin) - 'Dad, boys have better restrooms than women.' Dad says, 'How do you know this?' Justin says, 'Because I went exploring.'

My rat terrier asleep at my feet.

Smoothies and other happy things

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:12:00 +0000

I'm happy I took the time today to make a green smoothie! Green grapes, pineapple, a banana, and spinach. It is actually pretty good. Kids drink it too!

Standstill traffic. Glad I gave myself extra time and I have the waze app to assist me around this. Plus the sun is out :)

New kicks make me happy!!

A close friend told me today I seem so much happier since I've installed the happier app. I'm laughing more they said! :)

It is Schwan's delivery day. I love the delivery guy and the food. He told me funny stories about how people text him about the food they like at like 2am lol

Last minute play date with Joey's best friend. All you hear is laughter in the house!

Heard in our household from the 7 year old boy - 'I'm so hungry I can't hold it any longer!!' Yes, dinner was ready shortly after.

Recipes for dinner this week!

Happy things...

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 21:04:00 +0000

Making my favorite cookies!!!

My Christmas tree, the lights and the holiday season make me super happy and thankful!

A nicely made bed (guest room) always makes me happy and calm. Plus I love this bedroom set.

Love seeing my Department 56 houses lit up at night.

Sonic's seasonal peppermint vanilla holiday shake. Mmmmm so pretty!

I love how sometimes I look down and I don't even recognize my cat has jumped on my lap to snuggle. Sweet kitty!

Relaxing in bed before laying down for the night, playing restaurant story or bakery story while chatting with a friend via text makes me happy :)

Ever since I found the happier app on my iPhone, I've been going around finding things to be happy about!

Daily Documenting Holidays Days 3-6

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 00:08:00 +0000

Day 3 -

What kind of lights are they? Are they decoration or part of a religious tradition?

Regular lights in this house. The stairs and front tree are strung with white lights.

The tree in the living room by the fireplace has colored lights. They are decoration for the tree.

Day 4 -
Is it a real or fake tree? Outside or in- side? Public or private? What’s your favorite thing about it?

I'm not a fan of real trees. I was drug to a tree farm every winter in sub zero temperatures to find the perfect tree. My parents may have enjoyed the tradition but I did not. Then you have the tree needles picking you as you try to add the lights and ornaments. The needles drop and someone has to get under the tree to water it. It is not worth it to me.

Right now we use a tree that was given to Joe's family over 50 years ago and the one in the front is a pre lit tall skinny tree - and only one strand on the pre lit tree still works. The pre lit trees are such a waste of money.

Day 5 - Cookies - Did you bake them or buy them? If you baked them, where did the recipe come from? Do you give them as gifts, or eat them yourself?

We sometimes make sugar cookies and use the cookie cutters to cut them out and decorate. We don't give them as gifts.

Grandma Char was in town before Thanksgiving this year and the boys helped her decorate sugar cookies.

Day 6 - Who are the presents for? Did you buy them early, or last minute? Who is on your gift list?

Santa brings gifts for the boys, Joe and I. Everyone else gets their gifts shipped to them because they all live outside of Texas.

Christmas 2012 at our home

Holiday Challenge Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 05:05:00 +0000

Which is your favorite ornament? Do you use the same ones every year, or do you buy new ones? Do you have traditions related to ornaments?

This is me when I was in the fourth grade - same age as Joey. My mother cross-stitched me the sweatshirt I'm wearing. The smile is classic for me as I'm a huge smiler. We made these ornaments as part of class and I remember being so frustrated because I couldn't get the lace to go all the way around. Let's just say crafts and patience weren't a quality I possessed back when I was 9!

I love Hallmark ornaments. Here is one of the lighthouse series ornaments.

I love this ornament because it is one of my favorite family photos of us.

Waiter...

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 17:15:00 +0000

I sweetly ask Joe, "Next time you get up, can you make me a coffee."

Justin looks at Joe and says, "Next time you get up can you get me a strawberry milk?"

He catches on fast!

Getting back to normal...

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 21:24:00 +0000

We have had visitors every single day since around Oct 5th, I then had my reconstruction Oct 8th and then have had people in the house every since day to help take care of me until Grandma Char left Thursday. I'm trying to find our new normal. I have physical therapy every day and Monday I'm scheduled for a MRI, which I will be traveling to unless the sleet/freezing rain makes traveling impossible.

I found a before and after of our kitchen. Earlier this year we had painters in our house for about 3 weeks. We got rid of this ugly wood on our cabinets, which was starting to wear anyhow. We also had the golden and purple grapes wallpaper stripped, removed, the walls retextured and painted.

Before

After! The only thing I'd change is the backsplash, but it isn't a concern right now.

I go to physical therapy four days a week to regain strength in my core (since I had the tummy tuck) and flexibility and range of motion in my arms/shoulders. I'm doing fairly well on the right side but the left side still has a long way to go. It is so tight where the arm pit attaches to the torso. The machine above is one of the machines I use in order to do my arm stretching. The facility is all pilates based and quite amazing. Every time I go there I feel so much stronger than the day before.

Grandma Char picked up the boys from school one day and took them to ice cream at Cherry Berry.

One of my friends, Melissa, sent me completely natural and homemade lotion, deodorant and two different types of soaps! They are AMAZING!

Talking about amazing - pumpkin roll.... Grandma Char (Joe's mom), made this amazing dessert.

I owed Justin two packs of pokemon cards - one for hitting the baseball all the way to the green in a game, and the other for being a good sport when I took impromptu fall photos last second the other day. Of course he pulls and ultra rare card. He says that I always pick the best pokemon card packs.

Justin by our tree :)

A few selfies of me - my hair is getting longer!

Selfie of me with my new rain coat! Never owned a rain coat before!

This is relaxation... warm socks your mother knit you, my ipad, my feet kicked up and the tree illuminating in front of me. Perfection!

Happy Christmas to me. I have been wanting one of these and finally used all of my allowance and the Christmas money from Grandma Char and Grandma Norma to get the vitamix. I haven't really played with it yet but I will report back on it.

These are the photos I took at the end of our street. It was very impromptu - I threw the idea together and got them dressed in five minutes and started clicking. I love the barefoot natural feel of the photos (plus their tennis shoes are worn).

This is their true, happy and goofing off personalities. Love it.

Daily Doc Holiday Edition! Favorite Holiday Tradition

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 21:01:00 +0000

I purchased this guide for journaling called, 'DLW's Daily Doc Holiday Edition', from the document Life Workshop. It will guide me on a different prompt for blogging every day. I'm excited to do this.

A favorite tradition:
When did the tradition start? Is it a family tradition? Why is it your favorite?

We have two favorite holiday traditions in our family.

Tree Goes Up Early

1. We put up the tree and all the Christmas decorations at the beginning of November. Yes, I know this is before that very coveted Thanksgiving holiday, but having the tree up with the branches dancing with lights just makes me warm inside. It is an early feel good every year. It is like having an anti-depressant four weeks early!

I also can't imagine putting up a tree (or in our house two trees), and all the decorations after Thanksgiving to just take it down after Christmas. All that work for ONE MONTH or less? No thank you! This year Thanksgiving is late and so the holiday is being celebrated November 28th. That's less than a month to enjoy your tree! Neighbors may make fun of me that my tree is shining outside my window at the beginning of November - but I do not care! Plus - there is nothing better than when the kids get home from school and start to shriek that the Christmas tree is up. It gets everyone in the mood!

Hallmark Ornaments Every Year

2. Every year the family goes to Hallmark and the kids pick out their own ornaments. I write the name and year on the bottom of the box. You can see every year what they were interested in, based on the ornaments they chose.

Joey had a hard time choosing this year. He finally got this one. It cost a pretty penny, but it makes sounds and has movement and looks darling on the tree.

Justin picked the baseball Penguin and instead of writing his name on the bat, I had him write his own name on the bat, so years down the road he will remember what his handwriting looked like when he was 7 years old.

This year my parents were in town for three weeks during the end part of October and to November 7th or so. I wasn't moving around so well from my reconstruction surgery so they pretty much put up all the Christmas decorations for me, which was so nice.

The boys decorated and hung every ornament on this tree!

My dad, right before he left to go home, saying, "Mission accomplished!"

My mom and dad with the boys before they left.

The boys with gifts Grandma Char brought when she came to visit in November.

Busy Saturday...

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 00:47:00 +0000

Justin had a day full of birthday parties. How he still has energy after a day like today is beyond me.

This morning he had a birthday party at Main Event where he bowled and came in first with a score of 84. He also got to play mini golf!

My cutie! Bowling!

Then he had a birthday party at the Allen Event Center and played broom hockey. It was cold for the parents!

Justin helping in goal.

Justin and one of his friends.

And then after he came home Grandma Char and Joey made cookies. Busy day!!

Great times with Grandma Char

noreply@blogger.com (Briana) — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 00:37:00 +0000

Grandma Char has been spending a lot of quality time with the kiddos while she's in town.

Lunch with Joey. We brought him Jersey Mike's subs.

Justin's lunch was right after. We were able to see the reader tags he earned for reading books through the library program.

Grandma Char and Justin

Then she made them caramel apples - even though they mostly just ate the caramel!

Then the kids learned how hard it is to play Operation!!

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