Gratituesday: Good music

(taken in 2007 @ a Counting Crows concert w/ my point and shoot)

What is it about music? The power behind the rhythm, the harmony, the lyrics...

What in the world is it in music that triggers memories? Happy moments? Sad days?

Why are there voices that kick up the endorphines in my body while at the same time putting someone else to sleep?

Right now I am listening to "Grace is Gone" by DMB. I remember this song. I remember the rain, the live music... the heat. I remember the couple in front of me who appeared to love Dave more than each other. I remember realizing how wasted Dave really was on stage and how that apparently made him an even better musician at the time. I remember being excited because this was a debut... this song... it wasn't on any albums yet. I decided it was my favorite.

That was ten years ago. Wow.

It is still my favorite DMB song to this day.

Listening to it again triggers thoughts of road trips with Tommy. Those long drives to PA with the Counting Crows Four White Stallions playing so loudly I couldn't hear myself singing along. Tommy hates that song. But I love it, so he lets me play it at an ungodly volume on road trips.

Music connects people. It comforts people. It makes them get up and dance. It saves people.

I know I've already done a Gratituesday about Live Music (on the old blog), but I have to give it another shout out. This week I am super grateful for good music in general. This music... it has saved me this week.

*Note: Gratituesday is not my original idea. To see others involved in this weekly meme, click here.

the silly things

So I haven't been blogging much lately. There are a few reasons, one of which is that I AM actually working over here. Editing away... I have about 6 more session on my "to edit" list. Whew. I am trying not to let that overwhelm me. Other reasons I am not blogging include, but are not limited to, having nothing of value to really blog about, missing my husband, feeling overall down and out, and feeling unmotivated (therefore unmotivational... or not-very-positive). Also, I do actually have a whole lot of stuff to say, but none of it is really all that interesting to anyone other than me and Tommy.

Man! I miss him! I miss telling him about the silly thoughts in my head... sharing the little things I am learning. Things like... dog training! Ya'll, I am having SO much fun with Hawkeye in our training class. He is a completely different dog than he was 6 weeks ago. It is amazing how clear communication gives dogs more confidence. He even communicates with me, now, telling me when he wants to go outside and when he is hungry. It is the coolest thing... and I enjoy him so much more. Up next: Traveller goes to Beginner training while Hawkeye graduates to Intermediate.

Or, new recipes that I am experimenting with. Raw foods, fresh produce, etc. I am using my food processor on a regular basis now and I can't tell you the last time I made homemade bread (or bought a loaf at the store - whoop whoop!).

But... see... no one really cares about that stuff.

I tell ya what... I miss having someone to share my every day with. And as you guys can see... I don't really think you want me sharing my every day with ya'll. Hah. I try to keep this from being a daily journal sort of blog... so if things are quiet around here... it's probably because I am feeling uninspired. Or I could just be busy. I guess you can never tell. :)

Gratituesday: A hodge-podge

So it has been one of those weeks that brings me to another hodge-podge Gratituesday post. You know, the one where I'm writing at the last minute (of course) and when I stop to think "What am I grateful for?" I'm stuck answering myself in stutters like "um............. uh........... hmmm......... let me think......... hmmm....." Yeah. Funny how skewed our minds can be when the word "overwhelmed" becomes a part of our daily vocabulary. It's just been crazy the past few weeks. But honestly, I think it's during those times of discouragement when I really need to stop and recall the wonderful blessings in my life. It's refreshing. It's necessary.

So this week? I'm making a list. Because it's just been one of those weeks. A list is powerful and I need powerful right now. :)

1. I am grateful for the beautiful weather. I have been able to open all my doors and windows and air out my winterized home. And let's not forget the power that fresh air has over my attitude. I think we can safely call it a "miracle worker." :)
2. I am grateful for good company. Being around people gives me energy and when I'm stuck home alone for days I slowly fall into a deeper and deeper rut. My friend Efe is visiting me all week and her presence alone has helped me get off my bottom and be productive around the house. Company is a good thing. (Plus she's a fab cook and we're eating totally healthy this week! yay!)
3. I am grateful for father-in-laws who help with taxes. Enough said.
4. I am grateful for the Pandora 80's Dance Party Mix station.
5. I am grateful to have a husband who cares about my well-being while he is halfway across the country and responsible for the well-being of a handful of soldiers. Somehow he manages to make time in his day (and mind) to worry about how I am doing AND check in on me. Now that's love. :)
6. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to shoot outside every day last week.
7. I am grateful for a packed calendar.
8. I am grateful for doors opening to new opportunities.
9. I am grateful for good friends, good food, and great conversation.
10. I am grateful for family and the continually evolving relationships that accompany a good family. :)

And... here's a sneak peek from last weekend's BEAUTIFUL wedding! I can't wait to share more photos - I am having the hardest time narrowing down my favorites!!

Gratituesday | Reconnection

Today I say goodbye to Tommy, again. On one hand, I sure appreciate that the Army gives these little breaks in the year. A 4-day pass here, 2-week R&R there... it's a nice way to break things up and to give us a little something to look forward to. At the same time, it sure is hard saying bye again. It is always the first few days after a goodbye that are the hardest , so this day is extremely bittersweet.

But, we've had a fantastic weekend together. We travel and experience new things very well together. When we're both living under the same roof and our priorities get skewed or we aren't connecting well, we take off for a weekend together and reconnect. It's something that works very well for us. And this weekend was no exception.

Todays' Gratituesday is simply a gratefulness for reconnection. It is refreshing, hopeful, and healing. This weekend was all of those things and exactly what we both needed. It has been heavenly.

So I'll leave it at that. I've got about 9 hours left with this man before he's off for 9 months. I gotta go soak it up!

Gratituesday: my big sis

Okay, it's no secret how much I love my big sister, Jacqulyn. I could go way back and tell you all the stories of how our wonderful adult friendship has its roots in a lukewarm (okay, frigid) childhood relationship. But, let's skip those details for now, mmkay? Instead, I want to talk about how much of a BLESSING my sister has been to me in recent months (years!).

Let's start with the business end. Every employer dreams of having an employee who is as passionate about their business as they are. Not only passionate, but understanding as well. There are days that my sister works for me for good money, and there are days when she works for no money. She has turned into the business and marketing guru of Sincerely, Liz and I credit her with a lot of the success of this business. Her discipline, copy writing skills, and ability to tell the cold, hard truth come in handy quite often. I am so grateful for the wonderful resource that she is, as well as the cheerleader she has become regarding my business and my work.

Not to mention, her talent comes quite in handy 'round here:

Aside from help with my business, she has been an amazing big sis. She speaks truth to me when I ask for it (knowing full well if I haven't asked, I don't want to hear it). She forgives. She is humble. She takes criticism and correction very well. She encourages. She supports me. I can't really remember a specific incident with her from my childhood (or lifetime, I guess) that was negative. It's kind of amazing how love can wipe the slate clean, eh?

I love having a sister. If nothing other than those conversations that start with "we are the way we are because of the way we were raised." It is only with her and my brother that I can completely relate to in certain circumstances - and I love it. There is nothing like having a sister and she is completely irreplaceable in my life.

So this week, I am grateful for my big sister, Jacqulyn. For our story together, for the growth of our relationship, for her help as an employee, and for the hours we spend relating, talking, and bonding with one another. It's amazing how even after 26 years the relationship never gets old.