Brenda Sieglitz

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The Crazy Widow's Camp Widow Breakdown

I really wanted to blog from camp widow, like, every 2 hours.  I wanted it to be a live-from-the-event detailing of everything that was happening.  But, I also wanted to be part of what was happening.  I came home, and I wanted to blog about EVERYTHING.  I was exhausted.  Mentally,

Life

Thrifty Activities to Engage Your Children

It can be difficult to find fun inexpensive things to do with children. Sometimes I just forget the obvious things that kids like to do. It seems once you grow out of childhood, you forget just how much fun free entertainment can be! Here is a list of things you

Life

Learning to Smell the Roses

Do you ever think back and go "how in God's name did I get here?"  When Kevin became sick, I asked myself that.  When Kevin died, I asked myself that.  When I was working through widowhood at 24, I asked myself that.  Now, I ask myself

About Me

Fun Friday - Caption My Photos!

If you follow me on Twitter...or Facebook, or if you read this blog, you know I've been having a pity party.  Woe is moi.  I screwed up my back.  My widow friends are going through hard times.  I have no money.  WAH WAH WAH. It's

Life

Powerless to Faith

I want to write about Camp Widow and the tips I have and the experiences I had and the relationships I made.  But sometimes something more powerful overshadows all the wants.  Sometimes you read someone's news and your heart shatters with theirs. What I read on the Facebook

Leisure

Now What?

I returned yesterday from 4 special days in San Diego attending Camp Widow.  When I arrived, I was overwhelmed.  I had hoped I would see faces and just "know" who they were.  I was hoping I wouldn't feel lost.  I was hoping I could instantly connect.

Life

I am Not Alone

I'm laying in my bed at the San Diego Marriott Marquis and in this hotel are nearly 300 other widows and widowers. I am not alone. When I lost my husband I felt so very alone. I am not alone. I was 24, my local support group was

Local

Guest Blog and Camp Widow

Today you can read my guest blog over at Shawn Smucker's blog. For the widows who are reading and are in San Diego at Camp Widow, come find me and say hi!  You'll see me hobbling around with a strawberry cane.  I can't wait

Life

We Do it Together

Who would want to spend an entire weekend with a bunch of sappy widdas? Me. I've seen the looks when I tell people I'm going to "Camp Widow".  I can tell that they think it sounds morbid, depressing, like they very last thing I

About Me

Camp Widow - They're Gonna Get Me

Friday morning I fly out to San Diego.  It will be the first time in this city, for which I'm quite excited, but also the first time I get to meet widows of all ages and kinds.  I also get to meet widows with whom I have built

Local

Loss of Childhood

Every now and then someone has a story they want and need to share, but no outlet for which to present it.  Sometimes that story is almost too painful to write, too difficult to share, especially publicly.  I am sharing this story on behalf of someone who needed to share,

Life

Sharing One Another's Loss

This past weekend I found myself stopping by the cemetery where Kevin is buried.  These days I rarely visit.  It's usually only when I have some down time and I'm in the area.  I know other widow(er)s who visit weekly, some even daily, to

Life

Widow Brain

It's Friday which means we soon have FREEDOM from the weekday stress that all of us deal with unless we're one of those freaky people who absolutely love their job every minute of every day.  To those people, I hate you (not really, but kinda). One

Local

Above Themselves

I met Joel Cornett on (gasp surprise) twitter.  Joel is part of the leadership team at Gap Community Church and has a deep passion for faith.  While I tiptoed away from many religious connections after Kevin's death, when I began following Joel on twitter I sensed not only

Life

Past and Present Pain

I layed in pain this morning in the only position where 80% of the pain was subsided.  A position I can't get into while working, driving, doing anything in my daily routine but sleeping.  I thought about the pain I was going through, then tried to refocus it,

Life

Others Struggle Too

You never know what someone is going through.  Be nice.  It seems simple doesn't it? It's not. I have probably yelled all the expletives in my car this week as I drive to work.  It's the most painful part of my day right now

Life

The Role of Family in Loss

One of the biggest concerns or issues that I see widow(er)s discuss is their FAMILY.  Whether it be a blood relative or an in-law, there are very few instances of smooth outcomes with the loss of your spouse, who is either their son, daughter, or in-law.  Death leads

Local

The Five Year Plan

Someone tweeted something the other day about preparing their five-year-plan.  I hadn't heard that term in a while.  Is that because of the economic decline, loss of jobs, production, motivation?  Maybe.  Planning five years ahead seems pretty darned lofty these days.  Especially for moi.My "Five Year

Life

Life is Messy

I wondered when I titled this blog if I had already written a "life is messy" blog.  Amazingly, no, but that didn't mean I didn't already mention it.  I've always known that life wasn't always so clean, but I never

Life

Freezing Point

The lake was still frozen, but I was sunshiney, alive. My leg is numb but the rest of me is ready to roll. Why can't it all connect? Today I found out I may have a pinched nerve.  It may also lead to surgery.  I DO have to

Life

Listen Up You!

Sometimes your body screams NO to you.  My mind has been yelling at me for a long while, but it's taken a bit longer for my body to catch on.  Yesterday, it begged for mercy and so did the rest of me. Two nights ago I went to

Uncategorized

Overdone It

I have no self control. I admitted it, I'm done.  Ok, maybe not.  I like desserts.  I like travel.  I love chocolate.  I like to help.  Find me some fries.  A, B and C will help me feel better.  But now I feel guilty. It's a

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That Sunday Morning

My family has grown over the years.  8+ years my Uncle married  Christine  Minnich's Mom.  This was significant for a few reasons.   First, my  Uncle and Christine's Mom found love.  Second, I gained two  great new  Cousins.  Third, Christine' Mom is a widow.  She and

non profit

Looking in from the Outside

editor's note - this is not a pity party I hear my voice on the CD recording of my interview on a recent radio show for a fundraiser I am running.  I sound good, knowledgeble.  I sound professional without being snotty.  I sound heartbreaking at times, strong at

Life

10 Days to do Life on the Cheap

It is a tight economy, and even if you have a good household income everyone is looking for ways to save a few dollars here and there. Here are 10 ways to do life on the cheap without much effort. Become a coupon clipper. Many online websites now have online