Not-quite-twenty years ago, I broke my ankle. Not a small break, more of an "OH NO, GIRL!" kind of break - one that required surgery and months and months of recovery. Even after all this time, I've yet to experience a full range of motion or complete freedom from random pain throughout my ankle and … Continue reading Broken Leg; Healing Heart
Every now and then, while pondering my life, I find myself answering very basic questions. Sometimes they're as simple as "What do I need to improve on?" or "What is my greatest weakness right now?" or "How can I use my gifts today?". Sometimes, they're really not "basic" questions, but more like: "How could I … Continue reading “What do you want to do for the rest of your life?”
Brandy. Bran for short. I've been known over the years under a few different pen names (the result of an ever evolving and growing writer, or that could just be an excuse for my indecisiveness and the ever changing tides in my life) - "ShadowedHeart," the "SparkleNinja," "Brouhaha Brulee," "FrankieB." And now, I've come full … Continue reading Hello, my name is …
Social Media is full of hate and judgment … let’s overload Social Media with LOVE for 30 days!!
Lately, I’m an absolute mess. Would you have guessed? Can you tell that I’ve been angry? That I yell too much and too often. That even as I’m raising my voice, I feel unheard? Would you know that I’m overwhelmed? That I’m struggling? And if I’m not struggling with my anger, there’s a pretty good … Continue reading Nothing Good About This Funk …
Three weeks ago, we loaded up a much-too-small Uhaul, three vehicles, 2 kids and a cat for a 500-mile trek across three states. We took 2 days to make the trip, stopping to have a good dinner and sleep in a nice hotel for the night, letting the kids burn some energy in the pool … Continue reading Life Unpacked
Here we go - on to the next adventure!
There is something amazing in watching someone transform into a more beautiful version of their-self. Whether it is to become a responsible adult, a loving and responsible mother or father, a respectable husband or wife, a child's role model ... growth is beautiful.
The lasting effects of domestic violence and abuse are not always black and white. As I'm learning to accept the harshness that was my reality, better understand the ways in which the abuse I endured have shaped the person I am, and am growing into the person I was meant to be - I'm realizing that this struggle is long, hard, and lonely. That the world - society - pushes against survivors as we strive to take our lives and freedoms back. We are brushed under the rug and, as I have recently experienced, not always seen or heard when we should be. Law does not protect us, or assist us in protecting our children. And many of the people we look to for support turn their heads the other way
I am 38-years-old. It has taken me most of my life to begin figuring out who I am. I am not there yet - there are still gray areas [oh, how I hate gray areas] and perhaps I am still growing into the Me I am meant to be. But I am starting to love … Continue reading Growing Me …
Bits O' Bran 