Faith | retiring perfect...

Acceptance, Authenticity, comparison, parenting

On homemade Valentine’s cards. It seemed like a good idea at the time…

Crinean

I hate Valentine’s Day. Earlier in our relationship, when my husband would tell me it was a made-up holiday, this used to annoy me, “how unromantic” I would think. Now, I am in complete agreement. This is because what Valentine’s Day does not bring in jewelry, it makes up for by highlighting in spades my

Alcoholism, Contemplation, Faith, family, Humor, Isolation, parenting

On the Fun Subject of Tears… how I hated them, begrudgingly learned to accept them, and now live peacefully with them (like the lady on top of this weird image).

Crinean

I used to be a person who did not cry. People who don’t cry take great pride in their parched tear ducts as if the absence of appropriate emotional response is some Olympic accomplishment setting us apart from mere mortals, and not what it actually is: a sign of severe compartmentalization of feelings, likely the

Acceptance, Faith, Self Discovery

We All Have A Chronic Pain Condition: Life

Crinean

After sharing an essay on my battle with a chronic pain condition, I was on a Facebook group for women who share the same diagnosis. One of the members posted some advice she recently received from her psychologist, a specialist in chronic pain, regarding acceptance: “She [psychologist] suggested I come to terms with, and be

Christianity, Faith, Self Discovery

Nostalgia Without Emotional Pruning.

Crinean

It has been 3 years since I posted. So, I think that makes me an official failed blogger. But I am back, and they say how you finish is more important than how you start. I have many excuses for why I stopped blogging, I will spare you the details but I can summarize by

Christianity, Faith, family

Leaving Spectre

Crinean

We traveled back to Fredonia. My great aunt passed away so we returned to my family’s town to pay our respects. It is a trip that will stay with me forever. Her service had good attendance, but there were still many seats empty at the funeral home, for it is a small community, growing smaller

Christian Subculture, Christianity, Faith

Breaking Out of the Biodome

Crinean

I am going to start this post with a disclaimer. I am touching on a sensitive issue, and while I will express my opinion, it is only that. An opinion. I am absolutely not claiming that it is accurate or fair. In fact, I suspect it is neither. Honestly, I am still really in the

Christianity, Faith, Humility

Typos: a.k.a. “The Log In My Own Eye”

Crinean

I hate typos. And yet, if you are a regular to my blog you probably think I love them. They appear everywhere. Sometimes I write “payer” for “prayer” or a really embarrassing one was when I suggested we pull back on the “reigns.” Yeah, that one was bad. I write a post and then I re-read

Christianity, Faith, writing

An Afternoon In Art

Crinean

How has week 2 of blogging gone? Not great. I have been in a creative ditch. I debated topics but nothing seemed worth the time (mine or yours). The more effort I put into coming up with something fresh, the staler the ideas became. After several unsuccessful post attempts, I spent my time watching a

Christianity, Faith

Let’s Get Philosophical, Philosophical…

Crinean

Ah, the ultimate question. And after doing a quick internet search for my name, I found an answer: According to profileengine.com, I am a person of “no measurable influence.” What I found amusing about this discovery is a.) how happy I look sitting there next to a pronouncement of my irrelevance and b.) the option Profile