How was your day? Last night I told you that mental-pause would be back to see me,and I was right. What a day! It’s been many, many moons since my husband and I have been able to go out together on a weekend night. It’s been so long, in fact, that our oldest son told us he was going to write this date down since he can’t remember the last time we went out. Before you get to feeling jealous or anything silly like that, let me give you the whole picture. I’m surrounded by the contents of now emptied dresser drawers and sitting in the middle of our bedroom as I ‘organize.’ I have a strange tendency to do things backwards but nevertheless, in my own way I continue to strive forward to get my bedroom in complete order. That’s where my Mr. found me. (At least I was no longer in the closet like the previous 4 days.) On short notice we realized our son would not be playing ball this weekend and we’d have a night out, if we wanted one, or knew what to do with one. We decided on a favorite pastime: get a cup of coffee and head to our favorite book store where he would browse magazines and I would edit photos. The plans were not only met with surprise from the oldest but disbelief from the youngest, “Coffee is not a date!”
Excited to get on with this date, I got myself ready. This meant I pulled myself off of the floor-sweatpants, sweatshirt and all, and picked up my purse. After waiting for my son to give me back my credit card (which required me waiting out the panic of a lost wallet, retraced footsteps and a little groaning here and there), we were now ready to go. It wasn’t quite 7:30 so I was in no danger of my ride turning into a pumpkin just yet.
However, I was too hot for coffee and too hungry to skip dinner. My half sub of the day had been used up by now. I was hoping for a nice bowl of soup. I think it was nearly 20 sec and one misstep off of the curb before my prince said, pointing to our tags, “What month is it?” Gulp. Guess who pays the bills in our home? Yep. Me. But I don’t bring in the mail, and this can prove to be SCARY at times. Like now. Unlike that little sticker signified, it was not September 2013. Nope, it was now October making that a completely useless item hanging out on our license plate. At this moment I was faced with a couple choices. I could have chosen to be brave, face the issue without unnecessary or unhelpful emotions (and comments), or not.
I chose to be brave. I ran through my checkbook, nothing. Walked into B&N, checked DMV for a record of payment. Nothing. Knowing this was my fault and that my mind is just overloaded and my body tired from such insomnia,it just made me want to cower in a little ditch somewhere and hide, but I shouldn’t. I could, I can~ and have at times, but I shouldn’t. Do you know just how many bills I’ve paid (always on time) in the past 30 years? How many appointments I’ve made that didn’t slip my mind? Grocery lists that I’ve been successful to shop for in completion without leaving half in the store? Oh, I’m trying to stand tall and carry on during this season of MP…No date. No books. No editing. No COFFEE. No dinner. …I should be a BRAVE GIRL.
God told Joshua, (1:9) Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Are you being brave? Call on God to help you do what He has called you to do. Be a BRAVE GIRL with me.
Isn’t this bracelet beautiful? Another Brave Girl and wonderful friend gave it to me for my birthday a few weeks ago. You can see more of her designs in her etsy shop if you’re interested: HERE!
Welcome! Ironically fitting, I’m starting 31 days of writing of mental-pause and here, on day one, I am already 3 days behind; I’m late! (What did you think I meant? Because if it meant anything other than I am a couple days behind on this 31 Days thing, THIS would be a whole ‘nuther title!) 
