The Life of Bethie: April 2006

Oh no.

Dad called requesting more money to work on their house. Closing date is 5/15. We have not secured a loan. Paul has no intention of doing so because his project was just cancelled and he may be out of a job. We are almost out of money, including savings. I am on the verge of puking. Already had the shits. Ok, ok...TMI. Tuff shit. Well, it wasn't but it is. OMG. I've gone into wicked calm mode but I am soo nauseous. I'm having Paul call my dad because he has a plan until we know what's what. OMG. I don't often ask for much, but hugs & prayers would be most welcome right about now. Please. *barf*

Easter Vacation aka mini BitchTour

Woooweee. We left Staten Island Wednesday 4/12 about 12:19pm. Yes, about. We zipped across Pennsylvania at a good clip to arrive in Austintown, OH at 6:30pm. We unloaded at the Fairfield Inn & when we were in the pool 15 minutes later, we noticed a HUGE thunderstorm outside! What luck for us!!! We got a heck of a deal - there was a 'family rate' which inlcluded pizza & a movie in the room for a whopping $7 more than the cheapest room in the house (total about $100). The only problem was the pizza was really late becuase I guess the storm was a doozie & the deliveries were backed up. Oh well. Dragged our butts out in the am, ate & took off to WalMart because my feet were all nasty in my shoes. Note: NY was cold when we left; DH said Minneapolis was colder than NY at the time BUT there was a sudden heat wave - 85F!! Got the shoes, a Pepsi, junk food for the kids, stopped by the 'Welcome to...' sign & took a couple of touristy photos & by about 11:19 we were on our way to Chicago. Lordamighty. Ohio & Indiana...just how many corn farms & barns can there possibly be? And there were tolls to be paid in cash! But then Indiana ended & we were suddenly in Chicago. And a different time zone. So, 5:30 became 4:30 & the traffic was ugly. Thank GOD for EZPass. In the thick of it, I called Linda (or did she call me?) I'm trying to explain where I am & is there a better way? Turns out the better way was many exits behind me. Figures. We get to the hotel around 6? She calls & says she'll pick us up in 10 mins. Groovy! BTW, Courtyard by Marriott costs more than Fairfield Inn by Marriott & does NOT include breakfast which for the 3 of us at a little buffet comes to about $30. Screw that. Fairfield Inns are a better deal. So, we spend the evening at my bitch Buddy Linda's house with her family. Great people. The kids got along like they were old friends. Which, of course, they are - they just didn't know it. Terribly cute! We watched Survivor(YAY!!), ate pizza, yapped & yapped & yapped until I noticed lots of lightning & said it was time to go.

to be continued...

Housekeeping

"Life is what we make it. Always has been, always will be."
– Grandma Moses

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."
– Virginia Satir

February 21, 2006The Weight Of Objects - Clearing Your Space For Change

In life, we tend to have an easier time acquiring possessions than we do getting rid of them. Just as we harbor emotional baggage that is difficult to let go of, our lives can tend to be filled with material objects that we may feel compelled to hold on to. Most people are not conscious of how much they own and how many of their possessions are no longer adding value to their life. They fiercely hold on to material objects because this makes them feel secure or comfortable. While it's true that the ownership of "stuff" can make you feel good for awhile, it seldom satisfies the deep inner longings that nearly everyone has for fulfillment and satisfaction. It is only when we are ready to let go of our baggage and be vulnerable that it becomes possible to recognize the emotional hold that our possessions can have on us.

It's not uncommon to hold on to material objects because we are attached to them or fear the empty spaces that will remain if we get rid of them. Giving away the souvenirs from a beloved voyage may feel like we are erasing the memory of that time in our life. We may also worry that our loved ones will feel hurt if we don't keep the gifts they've given us. It's easy to convince ourselves that unused possessions might come in handy someday or that parting with them will cause you emotional pain. However, when your personal space is filled with objects, there is no room for anything new to enter and stay in your life. Your collection of belongings may "protect" you from the uncertainties of an unknown future while keeping you stuck in the past. Holding on to unnecessary possessions often goes hand in hand with holding on to pain, anger, and resentment, and letting go of your material possessions may help you release emotional baggage.

When you make a conscious decision to fill your personal space with only the objects that you need or bring you joy, your energy level will soar. Clearing your personal space can lead to mental clarity and an improved memory. As you learn to have a more practical and temporary relationship to objects, positive changes will happen, and you'll have space to create the life that you desire.

April 10, 2006 Words Of Wisdom - Affirmations

The words we speak and think hold great sway over the kind of life that we create for ourselves. Many people live their lives plagued by negative thoughts and never even realize this. They tell themselves and others that they are doomed to fail, not good enough, or not worthy of love, yet they are amazed when their reality starts reflecting these words. Just as the subconscious mind accepts as truth the critical statements we tell ourselves, however, it is also equipped to instantly accept the veracity of our affirmations.

Affirmations are statements chosen and spoken consciously. Once they enter our realm of consciousness, they also enter our subconscious mind where they have the power to change our lives. The affirmations you create should be specific, not too long, worded positively, formed in complete sentences, and spoken in the present tense as if what you are affirming is already true. It is a good idea to repeat your affirmations daily. You may want to tell yourself that you deserve to be happy or that you are in control of your destiny. Or, you may want to focus on a particular goal, such as attracting new friends. Rather than telling yourself you want to be well-liked, say, "I am well-liked." Your subconscious mind will pick up on these positive messages, and you will begin to live your life as if what you are affirming already has happened. Soon, your reality will begin to reflect your affirmations. If you find that you are thwarting yourself with negative thinking, try repeating ! your affirmations several times a day. Write your affirmations down and say them aloud or in your mind. Allow your conviction to grow stronger each time you say your affirmations, and your negativity will be overridden by your motivation and positive thoughts.

Affirmations are a powerful tool for creating our desired reality. We consciously and subconsciously invite opportunity into our lives when we say affirmations. Trust in the power of your affirmations, and you will very quickly create what you have already stated to be true.