i heard the lies. the truth won.

Since being sick, it has made me take a time out and not be so wrapped up in my normal activities such as being online, blogging, emailing & taking advantage of social media.
I guess that's one good result of being sick.
It forces you to take a time out, rest, be reflective.

I sure have done alot of deep thinking & day dreaming in the past couple of weeks.

Even amidst my more quiet-er, slower days, I have heard such busyness & loud chatter in my head.

words of worry.
               "I hope I don't hurt his feelings."
               "I hope I don't have pneumonia." ( I don't! so YAY!)
               "Will they both find a good, full-time job?"

words of fear.
               "I don't want to live my life alone, anymore."
               "How can i really talk to him & make our relationship better?"
               " I am scared of their potential reactions & thoughts."
            
words of doubt.
                "Am I wasting away my God-given talents?"
                "Maybe love is not all you need. Maybe I am not enough."
               
Then! I realized that I was allowing my mind to tell me these lies.
How sneaky the evil one tries to persuade us of these false, discouraging things.

Maybe it was like that because I was in a more weakened state, vulnerable, emotionally, spiritually, mentally & physically?

Those are the kinds of times it seems when people are under attack the most. maybe?

Frankly, I did feel pretty bogged down for days in a row. Not feeling myself. Not feeling cheery. Not feeling talkative. Not really enjoying being in company, but rather isolated.

But as sure as the sun rises, those feelings crept away.

I began to see the rainbow after the rain.

The brilliant truths emerged! At least, I believed them. I saw them, once again! 

Even in a state of distress, whatever that may be: sickness, debt, relationship status, etc, there is always something to be thankful for. There is always something to make us smile & let us know it's going to be ok. It may be "bad" now, but there is a promise of better days to come! We can still enjoy the "now." We can be ever present in what is happening in our lives & look deeper into ourselves & see that life is a gift.

I am always ready & willing to surround myself with those who seek goodness & wisdom. I am appreciative of those ( & often unknowingly) who point me in the right direction, the direction to God!

Without my faith in Him, I would not be who I am. And I like myself.
 Like everyone ( i assume) , I have parts of me that I wish to improve.

Just earlier today, I realized that my heart was not so quick to be kind + selfless.
I immediately noticed that and I felt humbled with silence as I knew that I can do better. It bothered me that that was my initial reaction to a kind request.
I was silenced because I saw that my heart was a bit ugly.

Is there anything/characteristic that you know you need to work on?

It's such a beautiful thing that our human capacity to love, to serve, to be selfless, to be honest & caring can grow. isn't it?

If only we could all see each other & ourselves as God sees us, His children, what a wonderful view that would be.

I mean, we are all pretty amazing! :)


linking up for the first time with Amanda at A Royal Daughter.

having a laptop does make my world go round

Hello my friends, Brittany is finally back from a near two week unintended break! (yes, i just referred to myself in the third person.)  Ya'll know that my laptop died and I got my new one TODAY!!

I've been spending the past several hours, since approximately 9:30 this morning getting acquainted with it..Thankfully, Jim, who is my nurse sandy's hubby, is a computer guru and helped me a ton getting this baby all set up!

I am now happily typing on my black, sleek Lenovo and getting used to this touchpad that keeps making a part of the windows 8 screen tiles pop-up---grrrr.

 I downloaded itunes, authorized this laptop, moved my most current photos into their own folders by date, uploaded my camera's software to make it easier for me on future photo uploads AND now just getting to type this 'welcoming me back to my online life' post! haha

It feels so nice to have ALL of my stuff---downloads, new blog buttons I made just before my Toshiba died, photos and music all reachable within a few clicks let alone in ONE place!

You remember that I have been sick for over a week with an upper respiratory infection?

humor helps, with a little help from my little friends that drew on me on tape

After the weekend of still not feeling 100%, we called my dr's office & he prescribed me with another round of different antibiotics that I am taking twice a day for 7 days. Today is day 2 of that. I am still continuing taking cough medicine that is pretty darn strong and getting rest & chuggin water. Since last thursday, I've napped 4 out of 6 of those days!! Like I was telling my friend Holli, i've been lazy bones & just hoping that those cherished little naps help kick this sickness out of me!

It seems that this past week has just taken so much out of me.
I don't want to be sick,
and then I think, better to be sick now and get it over with so I am healthy for my future planned mini-vacation!

It could be worse, as my mom pointed out that it's a blessing that i do not have pneumonia!
Praise God!

With everyone's prayers, I know I can kick this thing and be back to my bubbly self *hopefully soon.

So yeh, today was a good day.

laptop, check!
feeling a bit better & with energy, check!
typing this post, double check!
the start of getting back into the swing of things, check!
reconnecting with bloggy buddies, check! :)

How was your day?

Thank you for sticking with me as life happens and how I've been an inconsistent person who blogs lately. It truly means alot to me to have such loyal, caring readers/friends who check up on me and leave me love comments. (hugs)

We'll say farewell to April, that seemed to whiz by and welcome May tomorrow with giddy anticipation of goodness to come! (and maybe a style post too?)

P.S. I am taking part in  Allie, of TOATS blog, amazing group giveaway so check it out if you'd like. I know I've posted 2-3 different giveaways lately...it's just how that happened. hope you're not annoyed with that? lol. anyways, best wishes!
********************************************************************************

Today's the day y'all.

These lovely 20 ladies below have come together and are giving away one awesome prize!

Allie // Kelley // Sami

Brin // Jenn // Ricci

Katie // Dara // Kelsey

Angie // Rebekah // Stephanie

Crystal // Brittany // Jenni

Amy // Meighan // Sara

Sarah // Meg // Betsy

Thanks to these wonderful ladies, one lucky person will win $115 dollars CASH! Enter below via Rafflecopter! All entries will be verified.

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my lungs sound like crap

Dudes & dudettes, you know how i sort of complained on how I wasn't feeling that great, thinking it was allergies? Wellllllll, yesterday I saw my primary dr and lo and behold I have an upper respiratory infection!! Dr. put me on a z-pack and cough medicine. I also got an xray last evening to make sure I don't have pneumonia.

We'll hopefully get a phone call from the dr's office today to let me know yes or no, hopefully no! I sound like crap! all this gurgling and hacking at times! bah! But i am not gonna leave you with that crappy news....oh No!

Here i am bringing you happy news that I am participating in Tara of Penniless Socialite's group giveaway!! And i just discovered that her blog got a makeover and I LOVE IT, even though her blog design before was sassy and chic! But you gotta go check it out and see her cat's silhouette! that's my fave!!

You know, I feel that the equivalent of stalking other people's blog JUST to see their design and Ooh and ahhh over it is nearly the same as checking out your neighbor's or strangers home decor...these are the places we thrive! Right?! haha

a Rafflecopter giveaway

allergy related & choosing love

So here's a little update. I got a new laptop!!! However, it won't be ready to go til *hopefully this coming Wednesday! I can't wait to get back to blogging and replying to ya'lls emails too! I am excited because it has a built-in webcam which my Toshiba did not and with that i'll get to google hangout with a couple friends in the near future!

I am able to type out this blog post thanks to Sofia, who is letting me borrow her laptop for today. With this reason, I won't get to show you any fancy pictures or quality what i wore outfits lol... Wow, this past week has been an interesting one.

Ever have those weeks where the days sort of mush together?

Well, that's how I felt since last tuesday. On wednesday night, roughly around 2am, my physical state began to decline. The high pitched sound of me wheezing & with deep ugly congestion woke me up = breathing treatment time.

All of Thursday was skating through the day as I felt pretty worn out and my lungs still not feeling super. Our Arizona air quality sucks right now and the news weather people advise those with respiratory/allergy problems to stay inside as much as possible this week.
You know what that means? It means that Brittany is going to turn into Bubble Girl.

I am going to to stay inside ALL of this week...with the exception of going out to get the mailbox with my wheelchair on turboooo speed! The less time of exposure to the outside elements the better. On friday I got a new bottle of 100 mini tabs of generic benedryl and I've taken at least 3 per day since then. I ain't playin' around with these itchy eye, nasal draining causin scratchy throat fools!

I took 2 bene's this morning as I got to go to church today!...the Catholic church with my friend Tessa! It was so nice to attend church even though I didn't feel 100% at "home." You could say I'm still in search of my spiritual home, even though I believe you don't need to have a certain church building to connect with your Creator or God or Heavenly Father.

You may have read my about me section of this blog and know that I am not one specific religion.

I, however, LOVE going to church to worship with all kinds of different people on the same basis of faith.

I haven't been to ANY church in nearly 2 years.

Maybe I felt overwhelmed?
Maybe I felt awkward when I didn't know what to say in response during the Mass.

Some of the wording has changed  as from what I remembered
Example:

Priest: Peace be with you
Congregation: And also with you something along the lines of "and with the Holy Spirit."

Ok.

I mostly mouthed the words to the songs because the notes that singers were hitting were on the verge of Opera lol (THAT'S OK! SHE CAN SING) and trying to sing while being on the ventilator is tricky.

It seemed today's visit was merely taking it all in again.

I smiled at the elderly men dressed in the freshly ironed slacks & slight hunchbacks.
I smiled at the ladies who donned lipstick and heels.
I smiled at the sweet, innocent, wide eyed children who simply followed their parents to sit down.
I smiled inside at the guy who looked like he could be Willi's brother (duck dynasty.)

I chose to partake of communion and remember Christ's sacrifice for me. I did find peace & comfort in that knowledge. I am loved. So are you. SO much we can't fathom...unless you're a parent you'd understand to some degree.

my favorite part of church today was the homily where the priests gives a talk based on scripture that was read..which in today's message touched based from Revelation 7:17 that,

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

There will be a day soon, when Christ returns and God will wipe away our tears. all the pain & despair will vanish! What a beautiful truth!

Sometimes evil things happen (just this week look at what happened in Boston, MIT or in West, Texas) and we wonder why our loved ones or even ourselves have to suffer? Where is God in all of the madness?

The priest suggested that maybe these bad things happen so that WE the body of Christ, can be there to help others as healers and as comforters. That we can take a stand and NOT LET evil win. That we can wipe away some tears. Through us, through the goodness of humanity, God works his miracles, his goodness, his mercy, his love.

Because of His promises there is hope.

Even in the midst of chaos or confusion, God is there. This message helped me as I have been reeling in my own slight chaos. God is my light and even through my friend Tessa, he has shown me my attidue has not been so chipper. He's shown me through Tessa that it's not as bad as I think. That there is always a glimmer of hope in all situations.

Let us choose love always.

off the top of my head

So many things on my mind today.
I feel "off."
There is a grey negative charged cloud hovering over me. I feel like Linus with his blanket. Is that the right Peanut I am thinking off? lol.

My intentions for today's post was going to be about Boston. There were chaotic & images of confusion that flooded my tv screen last night. My eyes teared up. My heart saddened by all the BRAVE people affected. My heart swells with prayers, peace & love for Boston and people everywhere, because no place is safe, yet we cannot live our lives in fear. God isn't fear. I don't think he meant our lives to be lived in fear. No. No.

Just an hour ago my laptop bit the dust, therefore, I am now "laptop" shopping! With this development, it means that I sadly won't be blogging this week. Wahhhhh! I am typing this short post from the computer in the kitchen, however it is difficult for me to use this computer and do everything I like or need to do when it comes to blogging and keeping up with social media.

FYI: if you don't know Mandy of Mandy Jean Chic, get to know her in the post below and if giveaways are your fancy, enter it for a giftcard of beauty! :) take care my friends and I'll try to be back asap....maybe I'll check in later this week. love. love.

monday monday with mandy jean chic + giveaway

Happy Monday everyone!! How was your weekend?

I seriously woke up yesterday at 7:40AM, got dressed and all that jazz, ate breakfast, looked at the Target, Walgreens and JCP ads and came back to my room to fall asleep at my laptop desk. That was around 10Am and didn't wake up until 11:30 with saliva drool on my chin, down the side of my mouth.
attractive, huh!? hahahah

Well, I hope you don't feel blue because I have a treat for you!

We're gonna kick off this new, glorious week of April with fashionable, beautiful, funny & honest Mandy of Mandy Jean Chic! She is one of my fabulous sponsors this month but through exchanged emails recently, I honestly feel like I am making a good friend!

She's a makeup + animal lover too (five furbabies!!) just look to my right sidebar -----& and see one of her adorable dogs! look at those eyes!! (LOVE him!) Mandy describes her place online as: 

Mandy Jean Chic is a lifestyle blog from New Mexico.  I post about fashion, beauty, diy projects to Bloodhounds.  if it is Chic you will find it on Mandy Jean Chic. 

Mannnn, I wish I could wear heels like those!
Anyways, here's a fun Q&A with Mandy Jean Chic.

1. Mandy, since you are a fellow fashion lover, what is your go to outfit? any color combos you're loving?

My go to outfit is relaxed boyfriend jeans, a tee, pink blazer and leopard flats ;)  For some reason I always grab these jeans from Target and I wear them constantly!  

I am totally obsessed right now with navy and coral!!!  Love this color combo!!

2. What is your favorite quality about your husband & why?

He is passionate about his job.  He is law enforcement and it is a job i could never do.  Brett also is a huge animal lover.  He will do almost anything to help an animal in need.  He also watches Golden Girl re-runs with me and laughs!!!  Can't get much better than that!!

He hates being photographed!  He is like bigfoot, LOL!!

3. What are your fave sweet treats?

Runts!!  They are the best candy ever!  Except for the banana ones.  I will save those for hubby.

4. What is a book you are currently reading? Do you even enjoy reading? lol

I am not currently reading any books.  My life has been so busy the last two months.  Hopefully after Monday things will settle back down and I can pick up a book.  I do enjoy reading!  I love books based on historical events.  My all time favorite book is the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  If you love history pick up this book!! 

5. Favorite post you've written in the last 3 months?

My favorite post in the past 3 months hands down is my Pallet Wall Bathroom.  I love the outcome and best part it was FREE!!! 

http://www.mandyjeanchic.com/2013/01/diy-pallet-wall-for-free-toilet-room.html

6. top 3 movies you can watch over & over again?

UP, Grumpy Old Men and Despicable Me.  I sorta want a minion!

7. what is something random we wouldn't know about you by reading your blog?

That is a great question.

My blog is an open book for me.  I am a very open person and I enjoy meeting other bloggers and followers.  I love answering emails and engaging with people from around the world.

Something you may not know about me by reading my blog is I constantly think about just dropping everything and moving to a new city, country, state, down the street, you name it.  It is not that i am unhappy or anything I just love adventures!  Currently I am wanting to drop everything and move to Hawaii.  This could have something to do with the hours I spend watching Hawaii Life on HGTV :)

_____________

Well thank you girl for allowing us to get to know you a bit better! I actually loved watching Despicable Me too! Those little minions crack me up with their minion language! lol.

Mandy is KINDLY giving away a $10 giftcard to Ulta that one of you beauties will win!

Now, didn't this news make your monday?! :)

 

Find Mandy:

blog // bloglovin //  twitter  //  facebook // pinterest // instagram //  youtube

feel free to say hello, thank you, i love you, let's go shopping at target together, etc to Mandy via one of her social media outlets and let her know you came from Sunny Tales & Happy Mail! :)

*Make sure to read the important rules of this sweepstakes in the rafflecopter!!!
*Enter below in the rafflecopter. All entries are optional.

*We promise that the winner WILL receiver their prize! 

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