"Ch..Ch..Ch... Changes..."

I have a secret love for Biggest Loser. Which really, I think, comes from a love of seeing transformation; in myself, in others, in the earth, in businesses, etc.

Which is why I choose this image this week. Winter is transforming to Spring! Hallelujah!

And so many other things are transitioning too.

I've watched more of the Biggest Loser this week, because Ronald has been out of town for a few days, AND, because I no longer have a day job. That's right, me and framing = no longer happening. And I am SO happy right now.

The frame place I was working at has had a lot of ups and downs between its employees for a while now, but with the new ownership, I wasn't re-hired. Simple as that. And I seriously, could not be any more thankful. If this would have happened six months ago I would have been freaking out about bills, and what I was going to do, and everything. And although I know there are things that I'll need to get together, and try harder at etc... I'm not freaking out. I am so happy that I don't have to work weekends, and that I don't have to freakin fight for a day off, only to feel guilty about it later. And I'm happy for the little things too, like being able to wear my nose ring again :).

So changes. The people on the Biggest Loser are inspirational. In more than just losing weight. They're inspirational because they found something they don't like about themselves and something they can make better, and they are choosing to go out there and do it. And to fight towards the end that they see ahead!

For me, in this transitional period of life, I have a few goals.
1. Eat healthier/garden/make better meals
2. Work REALLY hard at photography :); I have both the professional portraiture website up [www.mrinaye.com], and I also have an etsy site with my awesome assistant Ashley [http://www.etsy.com/shop/MRinayeModish]
3. Make time for people/ladies/fellowship
4. Make time for God

Are you guys working on any goals right now?

-maike rinaye-

PS: the last episode I watched was the Newman's Own Episode... holy crap, I had no idea they were such a wickedly awesome company! Look what they did :).

"And I gave to you my ugly brown coat, You made it pretty when you put it on...

....Warmth in the early morning chill my girl
Warmth in the early April"

This weeks choice is from HB:

I have been thinking about what to write about the Avett Brothers, for FOR.EV.ER!

Okay, so not quite that long, but even before we started this blog challenge, I had thought about trying to write something about some of their lyrics [they have such great, inspiring, sweet, awesome lyrics].

But here's the thing, with the Avetts, there are so many different directions I can go! I can talk about my first concert [I'm pretty sure it was Jars of Clay, with an opening act from The W's]. Or I can talk about inspirational stuff, and where my life is now, and how I need to hear and believe some of those inspirational words [see Avetts song Head Full of Doubt: "When nothing is owed or deserved or expected, And your life doesn't change by the man that's elected, If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected, Decide what to be and go be it"], or I can talk about the moments that I sort of feel like I share with the Avetts.... which is what I've settled on.... for tonight anyway.

The first Avetts song I ever heard was January Wedding. I.fell.in.love... partially, because when I heard it, I was also falling in love at the same time. For a very short period [maybe a total of two minutes], I even considered January as a possible month to get married in... but then I remembered January... icky January. When things are ugly outside unless the snow is covering it all up, in which case it's COLD... and you're just left waiting for freaking February, March and half of April to pass to see the sun again!

But back to the story! Ronald's [now husband, but I'm pretty sure nothing at the time] friends were singing January Wedding one night when they were all drunk [that's what they "do" when it reaches a certain time of the night and they've had enough alcohol to liven their spirits]. And it was just great. All the drunk boys singing, "And she was sick like Audrey Hepburn, when I met her"... [what does that even mean?! No one knows!], this sweet hillbilly-ish song [smile]. Even better, when we did get married in October, some very awesome friends of ours re-wrote the song and then had our entire friend group sing it to us at our sing-a-long the night before we got hitched.

Another strong memory I have, is Ronald belting out Colorshow. This isn't what I would call one of their most popular songs; but it's his FAVORITE [even though, he doesn't admit to having "favorites"]. He loves how loud he can sing/scream it, and how passionate it is. At first, I was like, "this is a bizarre song, and it's just scream yelling, I don't think I like it". But it's funny how things change when one of your close people loves something, right? [*for those of you who have never heard Ronald belt this out, we need to arrange this sometime].

Lastly, the first time I saw the Avetts in concert was when I bought tickets for Ronald and I's first anniversary. It was a Thursday night, and we had to drive an hour and a half in the rain, but when we got there, there performance was more stage presence than I have EVER seen of any other band. Even though I didn't know every song, I couldn't help being absolutely fascinated by their sheer passion for music [PLEASE, check out how bad ass the cellist is!].

So really, looking back at these memories, and the things that I tie into the Avetts, perhaps I love them so much, because they remind me of my own love.

"And always remember, there was nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name."

*maike rinaye*

ps: yes, I just spent the last hour adding you tube clips all over this blog post... I LOVE their music [sigh]... so great...

pps: they will be in Indianapolis, on September 30, 2012. Anyone want to go?