On Independence...

I have done the most amazing things over the last several weeks.

I packed up my dark red and brown bedding and linens and replaced them with soft and lovely blues and yellows.  

Then I found a blue curtain with soft yellows and thought it was perfect.  So I put it up on the window that used to be covered with a Mexican blanket.  Win!

After that I went crazy!  To date I have:

• Updated and fixed my internet connection and phone.
• Blown out the sprinkler system - without being told to do so.  (Weird, right?)
• Changed filters in everything I could find that had one.
• Created a word wall of affirming adjectives.
• Celebrated my new life with friends and made plans to continue doing so.
• Made new friends!!
• Changed lightbulbs - which I have not done in the twenty years I lived in this home.
• Successfully changed a broken light fixture.  BOOOOYA
• Dated really fun people...
• Met someone who treats me like a princess.
• Fed my children and friends new and fabulous foods created and presented with love.
• Done laundry so efficiently that there is never any lying on the floor - unless Jake is home.
• Celebrated with my family without mourning the family that no longer exists.
• Welcomed new members to my family!
• Cleaned dog hair without sneezing for hours.
• Fed and exercised my three dogs to their healthy weights.
• Enjoyed the exuberance of my three dogs who all now believe they are puppies.
• Shared my home with a renter.
• Mowed my lawn multiple times.
• Organized lawn care and weed whipping with someone who is not only kind and caring, but also inexpensive.  He's coming back in the spring!! WOOT WOOT
• Gone out with a wild and crazy friend to try new and wonderful things - think SEGWAYS!
• Created a new business that is going to more successful than anything I've ever done in the past.
• Mended fences with my father.
• Packed things for my soon-to-be ex-husband with care and love for the person I thought he was.
• Started to create an app that is REVOLUTIONARY!!!
• Scrubbed my own floors on my hands and knees.
• Taken care of the tropical fish I despise because of the expense.
• Worked on a project for my former job.
• Continued my journey of self-discovery and self-knowledge.
• Attended the most amazing meetings and classes intended for people who are struggling.
• Discovered a new way to fold towels… and just about everything else.  
• Purchased the most beautiful nighties.
• Made my bed every single morning so when I walk in later I can have my "ahhhh, I love this space" moment.
• Found an agent who wants to publish my work.
• Started writing a new event for an AMAZING group of singers.  
• Resumed my workout plan.
• Registered for runs… BIG ones!
• Made more new friends!!!
• Found a new relationship with Jesus.
• Written and documented everything that has happened to me successfully.
• Burned "The Chat" between my husband and the person who called me her best friend.  
• Fixed almost every ugly, boy thing in my house and turned it into something creative and lovely.
• Agreed to give away everything so I can move on to my next new story.
• Have used my full, sophisticated vocabulary.
• Watched Christian movies and listened to Christian music non-stop.
• Attended the most amazing retreat weekend that changed my life.
• Created scarf central.
• Sorted and organized my jewelry and discarded the "ugh" stuff.
• Resumed playing the piano for pleasure - and no one closes a door to shut it out.
• Started watching class television.
• And… SO MUCH MORE

There really is SO much MORE!  

I am not only surviving.  I am thriving.  

And you know?  Although there are moments of surprising self-doubt and fury at the continued manipulation and attempts to control, for the most part, I am sublimely happy.  I am independently managing my entire world - from my work to my home to my family to myself.

Think of it:  sublimely happy.  I love my work, I love my friends, I love my home, I love my children, and I love my God.  And for the first time in my life, I love myself.

Let the praises ring!

Kari

PS:  I will add pictures when I figure out the dumb storage thing I did.  God bless technology.  Or maybe.. God bless the technologically challenged.