Brenda Sieglitz

Life

Remarriage after Widowhood

On April 5, I married the boy.  Big, big step.  Big, big move forward. The month prior to the wedding, I also finalized my book proposal to send off for a non fiction writing contest (didn't win).  Finishing the proposal helped me to feel some closure in my

Local

We All Have a Cause

I often wonder if the things I am passionate about are good enough.  Who else cares about National Parks as much as I?  At one point, Edward Abbey would've beat me out, but he's dead now.  When I think about the fact that I've

Local

You Never Know Who You Will Meet

After trekking to Philly and back for work, I wasn't sure I was feeling settled and creative to be able to attend the Writers Support Group I helped to launch at our local library (Mountville Public Library).  I had only made it to 1 session myself, and the

Life

Fighting Against Living in the Past

Last week life threw me another curveball when my boy landed himself in the hospital.  A month before our wedding, this was not ideal timing.  As we went through the steps of figuring out what was wrong, I did a very good job of keeping my blinders on.  I would

Uncategorized

Completing the Book Proposal

Upon sending my near final draft of my book proposal to my editor, I posted this on Facebook: As self involved as.it sounds, writing that query letter was fun. It's nice to see how many awards and writing accomplishments I've achieved the past 4 years.

Life

Learning to Breathe

For the past month or so, life has taken me down a road whether I wanted to walk it or not.  I officially moved in with my fiance, I came upon the deadline to get my book proposal to my editor and I'm finalizing the details on our

Life

Surviving Valentine's Day Without a Valentine

The first Valentine's Day alone after my husband passed away was just three months prior. February 3 was our wedding anniversary which was one hit, and Valentine's Day came shortly after, causing an excruciating blow by blow. I had no ambition to celebrate the holiday at

Life

Grief and Depression - Are they the same?

After Kevin's death, despite numerous people telling me to go on medication, that there was nothing wrong with going on medication, I made the decision to stay off of anti-depressants while grieving.  I was already taking an anxiety medication for the attacks that had started when Kevin became

Life

Project: Unleashed - Conquering a Fear

Tonight I told my editor that I'm committing to a publishing contest and together we are going to put together a book proposal for my memoir. I committed. The biggest fear I have is commitment.  Not really in people, as evidenced by my recent engagement, but to things,

Local

Went Missing

Wed morning my Great Uncle John was found dead in a field.  It sounds solemn, but the way he was found there, makes me wish, hope, pray, that he thought he was going to sleep. After hearing the news that he had gone missing Tuesday afternoon all kinds of worry

Life

Twas the Day Before Christmas...for the Grieving

Twas the day before Christmas, tears dripping on blouse, Many hearts and souls breaking, yearning for their spouse; Stockings were missing from where they hung last year, In their place was a silence that brought on tears. Lay down beside the empty spot in the bed, The grief came upon

Life

It's Easier to Not Go Back There - Thoughts on a Grieving Newtown and Sandy Hook

It’s easier not to take myself back there.  Back to the first time I saw our Nation face tragedy.  I remember sitting on the carpet in front of the old cabinet TV in my bedroom and watching Oprah as images and information streamed in about the Columbine shooting.  I

Leisure

Spontaneous Honeymooning

The boy and i had  a discussion the other night about our upcoming nuptuals and the honeymoon.  For the past 6 months we've been racking up points on a cruise card hoping to score a free cruise.  While we have oodles of points, it's no free

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Congratulations to the Book Winner!

Congratulations to Jon Stolpe, who was chosen as the random book winner for Shawn & Maile Smucker's new book, "How to Use a Runaway Truck Ramp"!  You can read about Jon's own adventures here: http://www.jonstolpe.com/

Life

Project: Unleashed - Week 2 - Letting Go of Expectations and Control

7 days of analyzing your day-to-day life and suddenly you start to see the unhealthy patterns highlighted in not too pleasant ways.  You're welcome to read my lengthy journal entries below but here's the summary of this week's Project: Unleashed - Letting Go of

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"How to Use a Runaway Truck Ramp" - Review and Book Giveaway!

I meagerly followed Shawn, Maile, and their 4 children's journey cross the United States via their blogs, but that didn't prepare me for the internal struggles they dealt with day in and out as they shared in their new book, "How to Use a Runaway

Life

Project: Unleashed - Week 1 - Burning my Guilt

The thing about guilt is that it has intruded every facet of my life. The thing about guilt is that I never really give it up. My list of lifetime guilts is 4. Pages. Long. I, apparently, have a lot to feel guilty about; down to not brushing my teeth

Life

Leaving My City

Soon I will no longer be a resident of Lancaster City.  For a majority of the past 10 years, I have  called Lancaster City my home.  I have seen it flourish into this great arts and culture community.  When I first moved into the city in 2003 with one of

Life

Project: Unleashed

I love my friend widow Erin very much; and almost as much as I love her, are her ideas. Meet Project: Unleashed. Erin posted this challenge on September 6 as she was approaching the third anniversary of losing her husband: "I am unleashing myself from everything that has kept

Life

Happy Thanksgiving Day; Happy Thankful Life!

4 years ago was a tough Thanksgiving.  I had nothing to feel thankful about, having recently lost Kevin.  2 Thanksgivings ago was another toughie, having lost my widowed Grandmother, who around any holiday, gave me that comforting knowing look; a look that told me she understood what I was feeling

Life

We are Engaged!

Oh what a journey it has been.  Dave and I are thrilled to announce our engagement which happened this afternoon.  He wanted to record us jamming.  Dave plays guitar and I accompany him on piano.  He wrote this song called "Come on Home" and I started singing it

Leisure

Loving my 9-5ish

Some days, when I am on the road for work, I feel nearly completely unproductive because it takes so long to drive, I take a few wrong turns/scenic routes, and/or delays on my or my clients' part.  4 appointments, today, technically 5 if you count where I&

Leisure

Cross Country Skiing in Tioga County, Pennsylvania

On a cold Saturday morning in January, I headed downtown from my family's cabin near Morris, Pennsylvania, to the quaint former-logging town of Wellsboro, Tioga County's seat, to learn a new snow sport: cross country skiing. Home to the 47-mile long, 1,200-foot-high gorge of the

Life

Am I Ready to Tell You the Whole Story?

Sometimes I feel like my blog is my confessional, or my dear diary. I feel obligated to share, especially things that make me feel guilty or sad. It's hard to share light.  Why is that? Saturday morning I shared my time with writers.  Shawn Smucker.  Ira Wagler.  Bryan

Local

From Shy to Share - How She Found Confidence in Faith - Guest Blog by Jess G.

I have known Jessica most of my life - from Pioneer Clubs at Pequea Brethren in Christ to Youth Group, School and our Marching Band days, we've spent a lot of time together.  I haven't seen Jess since that time, though, and when we became friends