Just when you think things look bleek something shifts.

[Brandi]

My dear husband and I have not had a lot of work this year. And yesterday we had the nasty task of laying it all out on the table and cutting things out of our life. No big I can live without I have before. My husband is having a harder time with then me. I know we will get through this 1 because I have seen it before and I know we will manage. Lucky for me I have great neighbors who love to play games and just hang out. That helps. But yesterday was hard and I was feeling not happy. Till around 6:00 pm I get this call on my cell phone. I didn't know the # was so I didn't answer and waited to see if they left a message then listend to it. I had won a 3 day paid weekend (this weekend) for an event called The Live Oak Music festival.It is camping under the live oak tree's in the mountains of Santa Barbera and music from local to well known. It is a big deal here on the central coast. Both of my best friends and their families are going. But we could not afford it this year. My one friend said I should just sign up for this contest on this radio station and try. I signed up 2 days ago! My husband mood has improved a ton. I am thrilled we get to do this and forget our troubles for a few days! I never win stuff like that! Time to play Lotto!

[indysteel]

That's awesome! Have a great time!

[lph]

That's great, Brandi! You have such a sunny outlook on life, you deserve it.

[Owlie]

That's awesome! Have fun!

[Brandi]

I try to have a sunny outlook not always easy when your partner is having a hard time having one. Hoping this weekend will lift his spirits and help him through our rough patch. I look forward to being able to sit with my 2 best girlfriends and relaxing. And not thinking too much.

[Velocivixen]

Cutting things out of one's life can be difficult and it can be a blessing in disguise. I don't mean when you're having to cut out things like food and heat for your home in winter. I mean *things* or services we get used to that we really don't need. I've done what you are doing and it's not easy. I have often felt that I deserved more and that it just wasn't fair. I am comfortable now, however I have made some conscious decisions to cut things out as a way being less "attached to material things". I haven't had any big "aha" moments, but as time passes without these things I realize that I'm no worse off, and perhaps in some ways, things are better.
I hope you get through these times alright, keep your chin up, and by all means have an awesome time on your get away!

[sundial]

This sounds like just what he needs--and you too!

[TsPoet]

This just made MY day a whole lot brighter.

[spokewench]

Wonderful, what a great pick-me-up!

[Bike Writer]

How nice for you both! It's so much fun to win something and here's hoping that the weekend away will brighten up your husbands mood. What a well deserved win.

[bmccasland]

YAY! Have fun, and of course, we'll need an event report. You know, rub it in to the rest of us about how much fun you had, music you got to hear, what the trees looked like...

[Brandi]

I keep hearing about more and more people in our neighborhood who are going. This is going to be an experience. Planned out meals today and cleaned up camping gear.
We just need to breath and know we will be ok. I don't need things. I am in a good spot where I just don't need anything. Our cuts are things we don't really need.

[Miranda]

That's awesome!

I was raised very poor. My mom taught me how to survive. And be happy "as is". I am SO grateful for that.

DH was not raised that way. Well... you get the idea where that last comment is going lol.

Anytime it seems that I need a reality check on my struggles, life has a way of "delivering" some soul to me whose tale of whoa is way worse than what I have. There are so many things far worse in life than money matters.

Hope you have a wonderful time.