Sunday, May 29, 2011

End of Beginning.

Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end.
But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
-Winston Churchill
























My but we've had some times, haven't we?

I look back over the past six years of this blog and let the fullness of it sit with me: the joy, the heartbreak, the discovery, the adventure, the longing, the learning, the trying, the becoming. To be honest, some of it seems so far removed now. And some of it feels like yesterday.

So much has changed in my life since beginning this blog. I was, in the early days, a reporter-come-home. Life intervened with my career and I found myself out of the limelight and out of the big city, tucked away in a forgotten town. I was a girl with big hopes and big plans and, soon, a big, monster of a house to renovate. Ah, Freeman House. Many of you came along as I worked to save and preserve her. It was a huge and delightful undertaking. And still many more watched as, in the crash of 2008, I struggled to keep her. I know many of you felt my loss as I packed and drove away.

(To be sure, she's okay now. Freeman House is. I should say more than okay. The owner I purchased her from- the same owner who let the house fall into shocking disrepair in the 15 years prior to my arriving- got her back. Upon inheriting an estate, the old/new owner ripped her open, gutted the place, and rebirthed it in her own image. I drove past once and ended up getting out of the car 10 minutes later and crying so hard I vommited. The historical details? Gone. The heavy, wavy windows I loved so much? Gone. The soul that made Freeman House... Freeman House? Erased. But she was saved. Folks gush that she is beautiful again. And if I played even the smallest role in protecting her, I'm satisfied.)

But Freeman House wasn't an ending, it was the end of a beginning. You all supported and cheerleaded from the webstands as we moved on, baking... reading... knitting... gardening... talking... believing. I'll forever be grateful to you for the thoughtfulness and happiness you brought into my life. If I played even the smallest role in doing the same for you, I'm satisfied.

It's time for me to move on from this blog. I'm sure you've seen it in my half-heartedness and heard it in my writing. My heart simply isn't here anymore. I hardly recognize the 24 year old girl who began writing this blog. I venture that she would hardly recognize me. But both of us have, and will always, recognize and remember you... your presence here... your place in our blog heart.

Thank you. Thank you for sitting in on the beginnings of my messy, thrilling life. I wish you all the sweet and solace in the world, and of course, my forever

love,
Brin

P.S. You can reach me by emailing me at letters(at)brinwisdom(dot)com. And I hope you will. Let's stay in touch...

Friday, May 27, 2011

The last of the spring peas are in. Tomorrow the row will be turned under, tended and replanted with a different crop. I love the cycle- and the fleeting produce- of spring.

Although I have a mechanical pea sheller (right?! How many single 30-something girls do you know with a mechanical pea sheller?) I prefer to shell them by hand. At least when it's a bushel or less. But I'm not sure whether I'll freeze or can this last picking. May run by Easy To Can and download their handy PDF and pressure can these jewels. We'll see.

Things have been so crazy down here lately- pea picking aside. My oil and gas consulting business has become popular in the past few weeks. As a sole proprietor, that means I eat and sleep with business on the brain. And the tornadoes! So alarming. This week they destroyed an oil rig in Oklahoma just near where I'm contracted to begin a project....

But that's only money. That's just business. My heart and prayers are with the people and families affected by these storms. Joplin, I wanted to go with CRI to help you out so badly....

My little effort to help coming soon.

We remember you... and those who've sacrificed their all for our freedom... this Memorial Day weekend.  -Brin

Sunday, May 15, 2011

My schedule went from manageable to insane in a matter of a day. You know what I mean. I'm sure you do.

The thing I dislike about being so awfully busy is that I come up short on time to: knit, bake, garden, and care for friends. But the thing I despise about being so awfully busy is the added challenge of spending time in the Word. Time praying. Time helping out the way I want to.

When we struggle... when we're so busy, God... bind our wandering hearts to Thee...

Thursday, May 5, 2011

These Are So Happening...

... today:

1. Cocoa brownies with salted peanut butter frosting.
2. National Day of Prayer.

They're so happening today.  :) 

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

A Story Marker Giveaway!



I'm really enjoying my little story markers. It truly is the simple things that add up to make a pretty life...

Since a few folks are asking about them, here's the 'behind the scenes' on the latest item in my etsy shop. If you're anything like me- a dreamy, bookish type- you're reading a dozen things right now: books, magazines, catalogues, journals, cookbooks. And it's hard to keep track of where you are in all these places, isn't it?

The beautiful solution: a Story Marker Set. Made from cast aside, repurposed books, magazines, catalogues, lists, recipes, etc., these corner bookmarkers are a smart and simple way to keep your place in the story- without damaging your book. No more dog-eared pages or bent spines! I've adored turning my old reads and pages into something useful and pretty- while keeping my books in good shape, too.

This week, for my blog readers only, I'm offering free shipping on all domestic orders for my Story Marker sets. Just enter the coupon code MYTHRILLINGSTORY as you check out and taxes and shipping are on me!

For those who can't order at this time, I want to send two sets off to a good home. So here's the deal: comment on this post and tell me your thrilling story in 100 words or less. On Monday, the day after Mother's Day, I'll draw two lucky stories and their authors will get a Story Marker Set of their own! Please make sure you leave either a link to your blog or your email address so I can reach you. :)

Thanks for being here, thanks for sharing, and thanks so much for your support. It means everything to me.  -Brin

Daring Adventures

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. Helen Keller. My favorite quote of all time.

I feel some adventure stirring in my life again. It's never quiet for too long. For now, though, I'm out of work and quietly tackling projects around the house: painting bedroom ceilings, cleaning up debris from last week's terrible storms, organizing items for a yard sale. We're also having prayer at my house, five nights a week, two hours a day. I have no doubt that God's soon to put a House of Prayer here and look eagerly for that day.

It's been in the back of my mind again to write. I've decided to start. Look for a book from me in the future....  -Brin