Old Brandi Vs. New Brandi

This week has been pretty productive if I do say so myself--and good thing too, because we're going to GA next week!!  I'm pretty excited to see Gran & Pawpaw first and foremost :)  I went from seeing Gran at least once a week to maybe once a month now, and I'm not liking that part of living here!! I'm also excited to see Terry's family and some of our friends too--and lastly, going to the fair!!!  I had been feeling conflicted about the actions of some for when we go up there, but after a long talk with Mom yesterday at the beach, I feel pretty at peace about it.  In the end, I'm doing my part and driving the 400 miles to be there.  Whatever everyone else decides to do about it is their decision and I respect it either way.

Which reminds me...I was telling a friend over the weekend about how I wasn't going to worry about whether or not someone was mad at me because only they can make themselves mad, and I love what he said back to me (though I don't remember it verbatim) something along the lines about reading self-help books :)  It seems to collaborate with what Terry has been saying lately when he always compares what The Old Brandi would have done in a particular situation.  From what I gather, The New Brandi is less uptight, less confrontational, and above all, less mean!  I have not completely mastered whatever new attitude I've taken on by any means, but I like that people notice that I have changed to some degree and hopefully for the better.

It's still not to say that I've become a complete and total pushover....just because I don't go off on someone when they make me mad doesn't mean my blood still doesn't boil and that it doesn't take everything in me to resist it.  I just deal with it differently and with less opportunity for it to happen in the future.  I love my new path in life and I refuse to bring unnecessary anger with me--to put it in a metaphor, I'm leaving that baggage where it is and moving forward without it--be it a person or a situation.  Unfortunately, my temper still goes with me, so I still have to work on keeping that thing under control.....