Hand in hand

The gift of Hope

2012-01-11T20:50:00.001-05:00

I wrote this out on Christmas day.

My dad wanted us to share something, a scripture passage or something special. Some of these thoughts had been on my mind, so I wrote it out.

With what my family is going through right now with my mom

I thought it was fitting to post it now.

It can be hard to want to get into the so called "Christmas Spirit." I know as a kid sometimes I'd "feel it"-whatever "it" was. It was this magical feeling, a feeling of mystery and excitement. A joy and happiness. The "feeling" of Christmas.

As I grow older I wouldn't feel "it" as much if at all. Somewhere I got it in my head that I had to "feel it." It HAD to feel like Christmas.

I know this year I wasn't all "gung ho" about jumping into Christmas. My mom wanted to get a tree right after Thanksgiving. I wasn't ready. For some reason my lack of readiness was attached to a huge loss I experienced at the beginning of the year. A beautiful girl that I was "Thramu" (teacher) to left us permanently. A tragic set of circumstances sent her to an early death.

As I've grown up the plasticness of consumerism-Santa Claus and even the idealism of Christmas movies has shown thin. Not enough of a reason to "feel" the Christmas spirit.

Even last night, Christmas Eve, I heard about some tragedys and it practically took my breath away.

What God meant by Christmas- His plan wasn't the tinsely star on a tree, the big man with a fake wooly beard but somehing so very much deeper. Christmas is about HOPE. The HOPE that there is more to life than tragedy...than the devastation of loosing people you love.

It's deeper than the lights and the music. It is a beating heart! It is about the life giving, breath giving person that was born on Christmas morning.

He was born into poverty. He was born with a death warrant on his head. He was a refugee like my student from Thailand.

Mary and Joseph sought peace. They ran for their lives.

They did realize there was something special about this Jesus. The separate visitations from the angel to Joseph than to Mary did not keep them from running for their lives. But I bet it gave them HOPE.

they knew that beyond themselves, beyond the overwhelming reality that was right in front of their eyes, the poverty, the insecurity they had to deal with they had HOPE. I don't think they fully fathomed the truly INFINITE HOPE they held in their arms.

The truest purest meaning of Christmas is the black and white reality that God is with us. He gave Jesus to us. He is our gift. He is our HOPE. No matter what the past has been, what we are dealing with today or what tomorrow brings the fact of the matter is through Jesus Emmanuel-GOD truly and really is with us, and because of that I have the gift of HOPE.

Prayer Request for my mom

2012-01-09T22:49:00.001-05:00

On behalf of my family I'm asking you to pray.

My mom, Pat Parker has a lump in her breast and growth in her lymph node near the effected breast. Friday she had a biopsy of the lymph node and of the lump in her breast.

The doctor's attitude is "It's cancer until proven otherwise."

My parent's do not agree with that attitude. We believe in God and having Faith in Him and holding onto His promises and not a negative doctors prognosis. My parents will talk to their doctor tomorrow and get the official results of the biopsy.

The way that this medical issue is being treated by my parents at this time is Mom has changed her diet and has started a cleanse. And they are digging deeper into their faith in the Lord. They are reading an excellent book full of scripture and truth about believing God for healing.

Prayer requests:

-Ultimately complete healing

-God's wisdom about what treatment's to pursue

-peace for Pat and the family: Richard (husband), Dana, Matt, Marie, Adam and Krista (kids)

Thank you for your love and prayers!

Marie for the Parker family

purple, summer to winter

2011-12-26T18:52:00.000-05:00

I wore this dress for my grandparents, 89th and 90th birthday celebration in Maine this summer. I layered it with browns and teal to make it winter worthy. My mom and I went and looked a tiny bit at the Christmas trees. I just wasn't ready to get a tree yet.

Instead she was so kind to take outfit pics for me! Thanks mom! :)

With "Daddy Elvis" in the same dress at the bday party. Gramps turned 90 this year and Grammie, 89. They've been married 67 years! I want a love like that!!

brown headband: Valley Discount $1

tortoise glasses: Zenni Optical $15?

necklace: vintage from Grammie

Sweater: from Gabriel Brother's $5?

jean jacket: Old Navy $25

belt: yard sale $2?

purple dress: $10 Gabriel Brother's

teal tights: $3? Gabriel Brother's

tall boots: $62 Bare Traps, from Belk

estimated total: $123 (that's a lot for me!!!)

tried and teal

2011-12-01T20:49:00.000-05:00

I finally caught up on my past outfit posts. This outfit was photographed on Nov. 25th actually! I wore these duds as my "Thanksgiving outfit." I kinda surprised myself by pairing teal with Salmon pink. It's a bit more "salmony" in real life. Actually I think it works. If you looked at a colorwheel the pink is almost a complimentary color to the teal. And the necklace is in the color family with teal, a lighter hue. I love color and colors together!

Sometime you should try putting outfits together based on if the colors are complimentary to each other. Complimentary colors POP next to each other. I learned about that in my art class(es) a bit.

I think my mom took the 4 square pics of me. I took the rest with a self timer. I love how artsy the long pics came out! This is what I love, creativity in fashion/dressing and photography. To be honest I'd love to do some modeling. It'd be neat to also photograph a model or models sometime, like in my vintage clothing I've collected. I have quite a stash of vintage clothing. There's formal dresses, some shoes, even clutches that I'd like to decorate with feathers and some rhinestones.

I love (yes I have over used that word in this post ;) being creative. No excuses or apologies, (wiggles eyebrows) That's how God made me! (and I LOVE it

P.S. Oh and I got my hair cut like a month ago. Quite a change huh?!!

(I'm writing this blog late at night so I'm emoting more than normal ;))

leather cowboy heeled booties: recent purchase, $2 thifted

teal cordaroy's: $4? thrifted

salmon silk wrap sweater: thrifted $3?

cami: $2 thrifted

long beads: $5 Charlotte Russe

owl ring: (I need to take a closer up, it's so cool!) $2 valley discount

guestimated total: $16

it's all about flannel

2011-11-25T14:51:00.045-05:00

This pic makes me think of those cartoons where the angel is on one shoulder saying "be good" and the devil is on the other saying "be bad!" I have angel and devil doggies on my shoulders!

My good friend M- came down and visited I think it was in October. She took these outfit pictures for me! I wish she lived closer, she didn't take many but they came out good. She's also an artist!

So in the morning I believe it was kinda cool so I put this layered outfit on. As the day went on I was to to warm! I had leggings on and the boots are lined with some plush and I also had a cami under the flannel tunic. Oh! I was too warm!! I striped off the scarf and cami.

It's been a bit of a struggle within the last two months or so to know how to dress. It may be cool in the am then warm up later or it seems that the day will be mild then the temp drops!

I think in this tunic I look almost pregnant ;) What do you think? I've worn this tunic/dress since with skinny jeans and a girl told me she loved it!

I am not wearing much make up if any. Because I am so light I think I need a little "something something." It helps. As they say, "if the barn needs painting, paint it!" (it cracks me up.)

In Januaray I am going to Liberty University to study pre-nursing! I am lookin' forward to it. God has led me and is opening the doors for me to go. I still have a ways to go before I start classes on Jan. 16th. Details and logistics to follow through with. I believe orientation is Jan. 12 and 13. Don't worry I will get that straightened out too, the day that I actually have to be there ;)

boots: from Belk, Bare Traps $70 ?

flannel dress/tunic: $10 Gabriel brothers

black scarf: $5

leggings: ?

black cami: thrifted?

earrings: from a set that cost $1 (earrings .10?)

(glasses: $12.95 from Zenni)

estimated total: not including glasses $86

My Thai date with Dad

2011-11-25T14:18:00.000-05:00

There was a NOISY bird in this bush!! Someone was excited!

Awhile back my dad took me on a date. We went to one of my favorite restaurants: Winchester Thai! On the way to the restaurant we stopped on the walking mall and he was so kind as to take my "outfit pics." He did a pretty good job, don't you think?

I got Curry Chicken and he ordered a rice dish. My food was good! I can even smell it now.

We went and saw the movie "The Help." Which is now one of my favorites. It's a great movie that explores civil rights and relationships and what can happen when people speak out against wrong

My brother Adam is home from university on Thanksgiving break. I usually don't stay up to 2, 3 or even 4 am normally. Last night I went to bed after 4 am. I feel a little off :P It's my own fault but he's influencing me, hehe. (Those college kids!)

I bought a new computer! It's such a blessing to have a computer that is not a dinosaur so full of crap that it runs as fast a s a dinosaur :/ For one thing I am thankful for this computer!!! I've already spent a lot of time working on my pictures and editing. I uploaded Picasa onto my computer. Nice editing program.

Hopefully I will be posting more often. But let me tell you life is busy!!!

cowboy boots: leather made in spain thrifted $1 or $2

striped dress: target $10

denim blouse: thrifted $4

leather belt: made in Morroco, thrifted $3

bracelet: $1

earrings: came as a set w/ 2 other pairs $1

estimated total: $21

(Zenni eyeglasses $10?)

Asian Circles

2011-10-20T22:41:00.000-04:00

My mom took these pics at the park in town awhile ago. I had a "Tokyo" perfume sample on to go with the Asian flair. The whole red lip and top knot remind me of a Geisha.

I love adding pops of red to an outfit. Try pops of red with light blue or even chambray blue! I'm telling you the red will POP! Try a burnt red with lime green. For a long time I wanted to get red shoes. Since I've acquired 3 pair, a dressy pair of flats, these sandals and a pair of casual red with white anchor rocket dogs. I stay away most of the time from large swaths of red in an outfit. I recently picked up a red shirt but still haven't worn it. I can wear red but it's a powerful bold color.

sandals: on sale Michigan $1?

dress: thrifted H & M

skirt under dress: thrifted

cami: Walmart?

necklace: from my sister, from Africa

hair flower: made by me

red pearl studs: from Valley Discount

The dress is actually one I've had for a long time!

Side note on my life!! Wow I've been busy. I'm going to college in January. Starting pre-nursing classes. Ummm I got my hair chopped off, sometime I hope to put some pics up. I went to a singles retreat this last weekend, it was awesome!! I'm going to a Square dance this coming up weekend.

I know I haven't blogged in forever. Just keep coming back, eventually I get around to blogging. I have more outfit posts to edit and put up.

summer days

2011-09-03T13:51:00.000-04:00

I came home one day and the house was HUMID so I put this outfit on. Yup we don't use our AC even though we live in Virginia and boy does it get HOT and/or HUMID. Our AC don't work too hot. (um no pun intended ;)

This outfit isn't that wonderful but it's a taste of something simple I might wear. When I get home from work I often change. Sometimes in the am I'll put on an outfit in my half awakeness that throughout the day I don't feel attractive in. (Happened once or 2x's this week ;) Can anyone say a shirt you have to tug down all day...

To be honest I've gained some weight over the last year or so and some of my clothes don't fit as well or don't fit (umm many pairs of jeans). I'd like to loose some weight. I've thought about taking up Zumba. To me exercising is boring! But I love dance. Thank the Lord I haven't struggled much with being really self conscious of my body. I know many girls have. Hey Marilyn Monroe was not a "skinny" girl and she was hot in her day and is still thought of as one of the most beautiful people. Isn't it weird how often girls can totally accept a guy who is definitely overweight but hates herself for gaining 5 pounds.

It's funny, when I was in Thailand one of my kids had just gotten back from staying at the clinic (think hospital). He had had Typhoid. He was already a skinny guy and had lost even more weight. I remember sitting by him and noticing his thin wrist. And commenting on his weight loss. He told me he wished that he was fat like me. ;) In other countries it's more attractive to have some meat on your bones than to be skin and bones, because, get this, it means you have money therefore you have food to eat. It's ironic that in our culture girls have this idea that to be skinny is to be more beautiful and than how people also struggle with being very overweight.

Oh wow, maybe I should be thankful that I live in a country where it's easy to put on an extra 10 pounds, because that means I have more than enough to eat. It just really hit me.

I'm also getting it drilled into my head (thank you "What not to Wear") that you dress for your body type.

Speaking of dressing for your body type. I found a little summer dress that does just that. Here's the back story: I found this really cute $10 dress at Target, (I'm planning on wearing it to church Sunday.) To be honest that was a day where I wore strange clothing to work. (I wore shorts with vertical stripes and a 3/4 length button up with vertical stripes, it was a yucky outfit! ha!) So I ended up going to Target found this little betty boopesque summer dress, bought it and changed into it. I had neon red lips that day and felt like a million bucks in that little dress. The dress looks a lot like this one , except it's for a more more mature body.

Yes I do think about clothes a lot. I have for years. I grew up not having a lot and having to dress super modestly and different than all the other kids. I had to wear skirts and culottes to a public school. I understand what it's like not to be like the other kids. To be different and not to blend in. To be honest, I dream about clothes. I really do and I've had many dreams. I'll dream about finding a stash in an attic or even dreamed about some being in a trunk of a car. I remember a couple of dreams about being at a thrift store. One morning I dreamed a queen showed me her collection of clothes. Yes I have dreams where there are even vintage pieces. Isn't that weird how I dream about clothes so much? (Another dream strain I have a lot is about bridges, I won't get into that now.)

flip flops: $2.50 Old Navy

skirt: thrifted $3/$4

tank: free from my sister

earrings: 75 cents

head band: free

bracelet: gift from a friend

ring: from my Grammie

total: $7.25

sumthin' for Sunday

2011-08-24T20:14:00.000-04:00

I threw this little number together for goin' to meeting in. It's interesting how one shirt works with something and another doesn't. I tried on another shirt that was too big for me also with another white belt (this one was wide) but I had heels on and it just looked OFF. I looked strange. Changed the shoes to flats, (if pants are too short, they look WEIRD with heels ;) got another "too big shirt" and cinched it with a tiny belt.

I have more time right now, because I'm short one client. The client didn't pass, they wanted me to work different hours that weren't good for me. In time, Lord willing, I'll pick up a 2nd client to fill that time.

I like this added free time. It feels good to have it. I like "space." If you know what I mean.

Last night I went to a good friends house for a party and bon fire. She's amazing, she's moving to Australia! soon and will teach little kids, and she will attend the Hillsong church. I met a lot of NICE people at the party. I want to go to their young adult meetings sometime. Many of her friends all go to the same church and small group. (Um, yes there were a lot of young men ;) when there's bait the fish will come. I've been in a mostly guppie pond too long.Hehe)

metallic flats: $2 Gabriel brothers

cream trousers: free

blue top: thrifted a long time ago, gave to mom and got it back (it's had a long life)

belt: $1 thrifted

beaded faux pearl earrings: $1 Valley Discount (<3 that store!)

faux pearl ring: $2 Valley Discount

rhinestone ring: gift from sister

pearl bracelet: I made from vintage(most likely) beads from my Grammie

*Valley Discount is this amazing store in Winchester Va. that has this HUGE rack of mostly earrings, (necklaces, and braceletts.) I mostly buy earrings, they are $1!! and I've bought some rings, for $2 :) so so fun!

the girl in the green dress

2011-08-20T17:39:00.000-04:00

My brother was down a few weeks back. We were driving on our way home from church. I wanted to drive a different way home. And We stopped by the train tracks, and he was so kind as too take some pics of me. (My family puts up with me, some do anyways, with takin' pics for me ;)

I bought this dress for a friends wedding. I'm glad I didn't wear it because my ensemble would have ended up looking very similar to her going away outfit, even the brown camisole with lace I would have worn was so similar to hers. ;)

I know I haven't done a "fashion post" in forever. I have been busy! With work, life, and family vacation. I have been soo busy with work. Thank you God for work. I'm also thankful it will slow down for now. I still have work but am moving on from one of my clients. No problem there, just a change in scheduling.

A lot has happened since I last blogged maybe someday I'll catch you up a bit. I'm just not in the mood to do it now. I feel kinda groggy. I've been super duper lazy today. :P I will leave you with these words, "enjoy your Sabbath, your day of rest. Shalom!"

shoes: $1 sketchers (thrifted)

dress: $20 Target

belt: $2 (?) made in Morocco (thrifted)

black cami: ?

tortoise glasses: Zenni Optical

large disc earrings: Gabrial brothers

Blake and Beth, April 17th, 2011

2011-05-26T22:14:00.000-04:00

A special friend of mine, Beth, married her best friend on April 17th. I walked with Beth, through the process of her interest in Blake; the struggle of the unknown and her desire for something she was not sure was God's will. She prayed and He led her into a lifetime of love with the man of her dreams.

Which sounds like a fairy tale. Beth's life is not a fairy tale ... life has been hard for her. She's told me about her ups and her downs. God knows all of that. He knows that her heart is to follow Jesus. And He gave her a second chance. Our Father God gave her a good man. One of integrity, honor, devotion and righteousness. Her heart was for God, she delighted in Him, and He gave her the desires of her heart.

Oh! On the way to the wedding my car decided to drop the muffler. The equivalent of breaking a hip for an senior citizen. Yeah that really stunk! I was driving two other mutual friends of Beth's and mine to the wedding. When it decided to let go. "Oh crap! What's going on?!" We pulled the car over. We got out and I got down, in my wedding clothes, on a street in Richmond, and tried to tie the muffler up with shoe laces. I found the shoe laces on a pair of hiking boots in my trunk. A stranger drove up and offered his assistance. He tried to help but didn't have the materials to help.

[Later when we came back to rescue the car after the wedding the muffler was neatly tied up. An older gentleman friend of mine drove me to pick up my car. He asked me if I had tied up the muffler. I ignorantly said I had. Since I'd tied it up with shoelaces... I then got a look at the underbelly of my car and saw that "No!" it was NOT my shoelaces holding up the muffler. The stranger had come back when we were gone and BEAUTIFULLY tied up the muffler with clothes line. It was gorgeous :) for reals.

(here's proof!)

I felt like I could cry about what the stranger did. God was definitely watching out for me with my car problems. Did I mention the older gentleman had tried to find the car without me and couldn't. We were wondering if it had been towed. But I went out with him and low and behold it was there where I had left it. He just wasn't lookin in the right place. God's got my back!!]

One of the girls called another friend who was already at the wedding. Thank God she came and got us. We ended up being 10 mins. late or so to the wedding :( which was sad. But I am thankful we did not miss the whole thing.

The wedding was special. Blake and Beth shared communion together. Pledged their lives to each other and exchanged rings. Each set of parents, Beth's mom and Blake's mom and dad said a blessing over the couple. Then they marched triumphantly out of the church as Mr. and Mrs!

We made our way to a lodge in the woods for the reception. We hung out, ate and laughed. Beth and Blake danced. At the end of the reception, many had already left. We gathered in a circle around the new couple. In advance Beth had asked some of her close girl friends, myself included, to pray for her and Blake. Some of his sibling and a close family member also prayed. It was a special time of committing their relationship and the start of their family into God's capable and loving hands.

They quickly rushed to their car bedecked in cans, crepe paper streamers and "just married", through a gauntlet of joyous bubbles and attendees.

They drove off in a cloud of great expectations to an undisclosed, to Beth, location for their honeymoon. It was a secret!!

Beth and Blake are now settling into a small house in the woods outside of Richmond. With God's blessing, leading and grace I know they will live "happily ever after."

I love you Beth and am soo happy for the gift God placed into your life, of marriage to a good man.

Little Black Dress

2011-05-04T22:36:00.000-04:00

Black Vintage Edith Flagg, size 10 dress. Polyester with shoulder pads and pockets. Draped neckline. Full circle skirt. Elastic sequined belt with sequins at the shoulders. Beautiful, beautiful vintage find. It's such that it can work with different body types. There's a lot of extra room in the draped top, and elastic waist. The hips are "free" meaning the skirt is almost a full circle and doesn't constrict the hips.

Of course I modeled the dress and took the pictures, and edited them and posted the listing in "Marie's Miracles", my online shop. I love this dress!!! (Remember the previous post has a %25 off coupon for my shop!)

And for your gleeful enjoyment here are some awkwardly awesome pics! FYI, These did not make it to my online shop. I crack myself up. I take a ton of pics before I edit and weed out what I don't want to get 5 pictures for my Etsy shop. And whilst taking them I often end up with some STRANGE pictures ;)!

I've hit 100 (plus one)!!!

2011-05-04T00:54:00.000-04:00

On April 29th 2011, I hit 101 sales in my Etsy shop, "Marie's Miracles." A friend of mine, Marlisa told me about Etsy years ago and said it made her think of me. Because of her suggestion I opened my little shop on October 5th 2008. It's been a good experience for me.

Last year I actually sold more directly to buyers than through my shop. But having an online shop is a good platform to sell directly. Because I can say, "do you want to see my Etsy stuff?"

I have been rather busy in my life so I haven't really worked hard on my shop for a long time. It would be really neat to live off of selling what I create. Maybe someday.

It's good to hit the 100 sales mark. Here's to another 100!

This is a smattering of items I've sold in my Etsy shop over the years. The items I sell are hats made from old sweaters or clothes (all hats pictured are made from re-purposed material), faux beach glass wrapped in wire, earrings, t shirts made with a special bleaching process, and hair flowers.

I enjoy the creative process of having an Etsy shop. I have to make and create the piece, photograph it then edit it and finally list it. Even in the listing I often come up with a creative name like "Heart of the Ocean" (the green wrapped beach glass piece pictured on the right is called that) to "The Gatsby" (the first hat pictured with a feather poof!) and I often come up with a creative paragraph describing the essence of the piece or where it could be worn etc...

Here's a couple examples of said paragraphs:

Describing blue vintage hush puppy heels,

"These little ladies have many stories to tell. Dancing, running down the street to catch a bus, dressing up a child as she pretends to be a princess. What stories will they tell from your life?"

Describing "Heart of the Ocean"

"Waves crashing, salt air blowing, sea gulls calling, dreaming in dappled reflections off ocean waves...a girl stands eyes out to sea, holding her hands to her heart as she envisions the day her man comes home."

I would like to grow as an entrepreneur, I'm not sure Etsy is the avenue I should stay with. At this point though I will keep my shop open and slowing add new things. I do have quite a stash of vintage that I want to photograph and list.

I have made a special coupon code to commemorate my 100 sales, when checking out put in this code "100SALES" and you will receive %25 off of your order! Tell your friends and your mother for heaven sakes ;)

and the Fedora for Etsy

2011-04-26T21:11:00.001-04:00

I mentioned in another post that I bought a fedora for myself and one for Etsy. ;) I finally photographed Etsy's fedora, edited the pics and posted it, (um that was today that I posted it!)

Came home to a note saying I was in a treasury in Etsy. The treasury is called " Behind Every Etsy's Shop There Is A Real Person." It's because I'm modeling my own listing. It's a lot easier than trying to get someone else to wear my vintageness, cus I'm always here with myself. Ain't goin' nowhere! (But sitting on old tires up against a brick wall ends up with itchy skin in places that shouldn't itch. FYI!)

I am addicted to thrifting. I don't go every day, but I do go almost every week. Last week I went 2 days in a row. The 2nd day I was looking for lightweight pants that fit for work. To be honest I've put on a bit of weight, and I just got tired of wearing my uncomfy "work" jeans. Someday I may post me in a "work" outfit. I don't do my stylin' thing so much when I go to work. For one thing skirts don't work too well as a Nursing Assistant ;)

I did find another vintage treasure last week. I found a LBD, or Little Black Dress. I'd guess it's from the 70's. I believe it's made out of polyester with shoulder pads and a draped neckline. It is machine washable! There are black sequins almost as epaulets at the shoulders and a black sequin belt. I knew it was vintage because of the material and the tag. I may style it with my patent yellow pumps with some BRIGHT red lips! Lookin' forward to it.

I'm inspired to model it soon and post in in my etsy shop!

In my pics of the "Etsy Fedora" I'm wearing vintage from the neck up. A vintage blouse I haven't put into my shop yet, earrings that are there and a belt that I keep personally for myself ;)

settin' my cap

2011-04-20T23:55:00.000-04:00

I purchased this fedora a while ago. I've had a hard time figuring out how to style it. I'd seen fedora's on other blogs and wanted to get one. I got mine at Goodwill. (I got one for me and one for Etsy) :) I know it's vintage because the previous owner had a smaller head then I did and had folded up newspaper from 1987 put it inside the hat band.

If ya'll have any ideas of what I could style it with that'd be appreciated.

My t shirt is also vintage, as you can tell by the dates. This may have been my dad's t shirt. The coronet was a boat that people from the church I came out of would sail around the world to pray for the different continents.

The locket came from my grandmother. In side the locket is a picture of my grandmother and grandfather when they are young adults. The earrings I would guess are also vintage, a thrift store find.

The top half of me is almost all vintage. I actually don't wear a lot of vintage clothing.

I kept the masculine vibe by adding the velor suit coat. And kept it casual with canvas flats and jeans. I enjoyed wearing this outfit. Got complimented on the hat at Panera!

In other news I bought 2 PAIR of glasses from Zenni Optical for about $31. They are prescription too! That's just exciting. (smiles!) I will have to let you know how they work out for me.

And today I stared working with my new client. I work in a beautiful old house in town with another caregiver. I only work 4 hours a day, which is kinda a weird shift but 5 days a week. I think I'll like this job.

Patrick and Melissa, April 10th, 2011

2011-04-19T15:51:00.000-04:00

Here's a storyboard of sorts of my friend Melissa's wedding and reception that I had the opportunity to attend. (Yup there's a lot more pictures where these came from.) I went to Bible School with Melissa in New Hampshire years ago. That's where our friendship started. Through a lot of the loss I've experienced recently Melissa has reached out and been a listening ear. We both have a desire to follow our Lord Jesus without the bondage of religion clouding the relationship we have with Him.

I'm thankful that God blessed her with a good man. It's funny because my brother knew her husband Patrick quite well because we grew up not far from Patrick's family in Maine.

The wedding took place in a simple old church in Rhode Island. Pastor Joe Wakeman married them. The bride was beautiful! Pastor Joe kept us laughing with his dry humor through the service. Then we drove to Melissa's family's house for a reception held in a tent.

There was 13 chili's to choose from for dinner. Each guest chose a plate to eat on (there was a stack of vintage, thrifted and old plates) and that was the "favor" we could take home. I love that idea!

I rode to the wedding with my Aunt Roxy and at the wedding caught up with with my cousin Lisa and some other ladies I knew through Bible School.

Patrick and Melissa rushed off to an early flight back to North Carolina where Patrick is in the Military. They will be re stationed to Japan.

Congrats Patrick and Melissa!

Melissa my friend I am so happy for your joy and the gift of marriage placed in your life.

May God bless you both as you start your lives together!

turquoise and purple

2011-04-16T12:58:00.000-04:00

This outfit was inspired by the pendant from my grandmother that I'm wearing. I've had it for years but hardly if ever have worn it. I enjoyed the romantic feel of the pendant and my fluffy curly hair. In my heart I'm a romantic.

I did my eyeshadow in turquoise and purple. I did layers with turquoise and a really light/almost white purple to tone down the turquoise, than added a swipe of purple on both eyes.

Late last night I was on the computer and started feeling itchy and hurting behind my left knee. I jumped up cus it persisted. I ran into my room and ripped my jeans off, yelled for my mom to come in and check my leg. I had a tick biting me. I threw on some loose carpis, my dad came in and removed it with tweezers. I don't think it was in my flesh long. I live in Va and the type of tick that was biting me was a dear tick. They carry Lyme's disease. It was God's grace and mercy that I felt it and we found it and promptly removed it.

I learned that I shouldn't sit on stone walls in our back yard. I believe I picked it up when my mom was taking my pictures. She did good didn't she!

butterfly flip flops: from Thailand

rainbow embroidered jeans: thrifted

purple lace tank: Gap from Gabriel Brother's

turquoise tank: thrifted

necklace: from Grammie

vintage goldfish earrings: thrifted

re purposed vintage earring hair pin: by me

I'm driving today to Richmond to go to a really good friend's wedding tomorrow. I just got back Wednesday from New England for a wedding last weekend. I'm thinking about doing a post from the weddings. :) Is love in the air? I needa get me some of that air....

tulip red

2011-04-14T21:21:00.000-04:00

It was a warm day today. I wanted to wear a skirt with a t shirt.

This outfit is very me. I love to travel. I love bohemian and ethnic flair. The t-shirt has an ethic lady and almost art deco background.

I pulled out my BIG red skirt I purchased in Israel in 2003 for $20. (Yes I remember such things.) The funny thing though is that it was made in India. I really liked it and spending $20 for a piece of clothing was a lot, and still is. It's hard for me to spend $20 on one piece of clothing. :) (I recently spent close to $17 on a skirt from Old Navy. It's an investment right!)

My dad took me outside to show me the tulips. Both he and I took some pics of the tulips. I think the red of my skirt is similar to the red of the tulips.

I arrived back last night late from Massachesetts. The wedding was really nice. Very personable... for example differnt people they know brought a big pot of chili. There were 13 types! And they had a stack of vintage/thrifted/old plates to eat dinner off of. After you ate off of it you could wash it and bring it home. (Somehow I lost my plate... oh well.) I love that idea of the plates! (Maybe I'll do that when I get married.)

I was able to catch up with different ones I knew from Bible School. I especially enjoyed talking with my cousin Lisa from Florida (who I got to know through Bible School.) I also spent a lot of time at my brother's place and with my Aunt Roxy.

moccasin flats: Old Navy

skirt: Isreal $20

tank: Old Navy

t shirt: Gabriel Brother's

green hoops: Old Navy

feathers: gift from brother-Peru

necklaces: thrifted and from Grammie

ring: vintage thrifted

p.s.

I used coconut body wash and Suave Mango Manderin lotion and I have smelled my yummy smell all day. Just thought you needed to know ;) I just looked up the lotion for the link and see they have it in body wash too. I'll haveta check that out!! I'm all about scents.

yellow for Joy

2011-04-05T22:15:00.001-04:00

March 20th was the day I wore yellow. I wore yellow in memory of a very special person. A student of mine that I taught when I was in Thailand in 2006 for 3 months. I taught Art and ESL. Those kids were my life for that period of time. I gave them a part of my heart.

P'Saw Paw (her american nick name was JOY) was the special little girl. She went into the arms of Jesus to a place of no more tears and suffering at the end of February. She was only 19 years old.

Since my time in Thailand the miracle of resettlement happened for many of the students, two being P'Saw Paw and her sister. She was adopted by an American couple, who I happen to be related to. She was adopted with her sister Moo Nay Paw. Their story was written in Reader's Digest.(you have to scroll down to get to the story.)

Her mother asked people to wear color or the color yellow to her memorial service which happened on March 20th. Yellow was P'Saw Paw's favorite color. I couldn't make it to the memorial service so I wore yellow by myself in her memory.

You can give money "In Memoriam" of P'Saw Paw to help other children like her that Christian Freedom International is helping.

yellow shiny pumps: free from a girl in TX (one size is half a size bigger than the other)

grey slacks: free from my sister

yellow and white tank, wet seal: $3 thrifted

long clear bead and chain necklaces: $1 from a store in TX.

yellow under tank: $2? thrifted

grey sweater: $3? Gabriel brothers

yellow glass and brass vintage ring: $6 thrifted

yellow rhinestone earrings: from sister

total: $15

fire on the mountain

2011-03-23T21:45:00.000-04:00

About a month ago there was a massive forest fire on the mountains behind our house. We live right near the Shenandoah National Park . The fire burned 2,000 to 3,000 acres. We could see the smoke and sometimes the actually fire from our house. The fire burned about 3 days.

It was a Saturday. I was lying in bed around 9:30 and heard a fire engine drive by. The wind was roaring and spreading the fire. Firemen even from out of state came in to work on fighting the fire.

That Saturday evening my sister was to have her bridal shower. My dad and mom left for the evening. My dad told us to leave if we could see actually flame on the mountain from our house. I was driving away before my sister to the shower. I saw the panorama of the fire, and could see flame... i almost started crying turned around and told my sister, "You need to come now."

It was exciting and scary to have this fire burning so close to us. At night the mountain had a line of red fire glowing and burning... it was beautiful. It looked like Mordor from the Lord of the Rings.

Saturday, 1st day-pictures from our house

down the road from our house

seeing the big picture

Sunday, 2nd day-from a different perspective

2nd day, down the road from our house

...and for your enjoyment some local cows!

There was no loss of house or life with this specific fire. But the same day (Saturday) there were 2 other forest fires burning in our area. On another mountain a fire burned, 2 houses were lost.

My brother's family

2011-03-16T15:39:00.000-04:00

My brother and his family came down from New England awhile back. His wife Lexi asked me to do a "Family Picture Time" with them up on Skyline Drive. I gladly obliged :) Here's a smattering of the pictures I ended up with. There's ALOT more where these came from. On a side note, It was very very cold up there on the mountains.

It was the same time that Lexi took the pictures of me from the previous blog.

Am I biased to say that they are a beautiful family? ;) And check out the beauty of Skyline Drive and it's wasn't even spring yet!!

Red Riding Hood

2011-03-09T01:56:00.001-05:00

Life has been crazy and busy. You know I'm not even sure when these's were taken ;) My brother was down her in the last few weeks with his wife and daughter. So sometime in the last 3 weeks was when these were shot (hangs tongue out).

We went up to Skyline Drive for me to take family pics for them. While up there I asked my sister in law to get some pics of me. Thanks Lexi! You did a great job.

I hope to post pics from their family shoot! Got some lovely ones.

Just a note, it was COLD up there when we did the pictures, hence the red nose. So maybe my lipstick and my nose match my coat. Oh well, "Ce la vie."

I bought the coat recently. I snagged it for my etsy possibly, but then I put it on and tied it up. I liked it, so I kept it. It is stylish and warm. Definitely vintage, probably from the 70's. On a side note, It's kinda funny. I sell vintage but I don't wear it much.

cowboy boots: $1/$2 leather, thrifted, "Made in Spain"

Calvin Klein jeans: thrifted $2

Vintage red winter coat: $3

P'Saw Paw's life story-written August 25, 2006

2011-03-02T13:16:00.000-05:00

A special girl I had the opportunity to teach, love on and share life with while I taught at Christian Freedom International's school in Thailand went to be with Jesus on Monday morning. It was devastating to hear the process of her being on life support then that she did indeed go on without us.

I was at the school in Thailand teaching for 3 months in 2006. At first it was hard, culture differences and language barriers but as time went by those kids crept (some jumped head first) into my heart. I've traveled to a number of countries but my time in Thailand was my most special and heart changing trip.

One of my life chapters is Isaiah 54. It talks about the "barren" woman having more kids than the married. A verse that was highlighted to me before my trip to Thailand was Is. 54:2 "Enlarge the place of your tent..." In a sense God enlarged my heart and put 31 kids inside. (You definately need to enlarge the place of your tent to house that many kids!) I am single and have never married, but God has fulfilled that chapter in my life over and over. Those kids were some of "my kids."

P'Saw Paw was one of those kids. After being there for awhile I started going into the girls dorm room at night and saying goodnight, giving a hug and kiss to each of the girls. I would wish them "have a sweet dream." P'Saw Paw told me one night to tell her to have a funny dream. Makes me smile even now.

She wanted me to think she was funny. I remember she tried to amuse me one time by putting tiny pieces of sticker all over her heart shaped face. And wanted to know if she was funny.

One of my last memories of her in Thailand was when I had to say goodbye to the children at the refugee camp. That was a painful time. She came up to me and took my face in her hands and sang a good bye song to me, with her face smiling. She gently rocked my face back and forth in her hands and sang, "It's time to say goodbye."

I was there at the school to teach Art. I also taught some ESL. A big part of why I believe God had me there was to have relationship with these kids. To love on them, to mother them.

They had many study times throughout the week. One time I sat with P'Saw Paw and she and I wrote out her life story. I know that some of the other teachers had worked with the students doing just that (who knows how many times she had written her life story before I had the chance.) I found her story printed out on a white piece of paper folded, in my journal the other day. It's special to me to have it.

I wanted to share with you what we wrote together.

P'Saw Paw's life story

"My name is P'zaw Paw (Joy). I am 14 years old. I was born in Kwge Bone. My family went back to Burma when I was a baby.

My mom and dad stayed in Burma. At that time my mom and dad worked all the time. When my mom and dad went to work my sister was young and she took care of me. At that time I was a year old.

My mom and dad worked very hard. One time my mom and dad saidd, "We will go to live near the Moie River." We stayed there when I was 3 years old.

We were going to go back to our village. We had started walking to our village that morning and we walked until 5 p.m. The moon was out, we could see a little bit.

The Burmese soldiers were watching us when we were walking. They were hiding in the forest in an underground hideout. We heard the soldiers. They did not come out. There was a big tree. Too many dry leaves were on the ground so we were walking loudly.

The soldiers came out and commanded us, "Stop, do not run, or we will shoot."

My mother took my sister Moo Nay Paw to hide behind a big tree on the left side of the road. My father took me to hide behind a tree on the right side of the road.

My father's friend was afraid of the Burmese soldiers so he started to run away. The soldiers shot after him. The first shot missed him, but hit my mother and killed her. The second shot killed my father's friend.

After my mother died I went back to a Karen village with my father. My sister lived with my grandmother. After my mother died, me and my sister were separated.

My dad worked to hard. He had to plant a big field with rice all by himself. I did not want to be away from my father. But I had mercy on him and let him go. He needed to work very hard.

When I was five years old my dad died. He died because the Burmese soldiers killed him. Before he died he told me, "I will go and find money for food for you." He was going back to the Burmese village with a friend. He was on the same road my mother was killed on. He was also killed on that road.

His friend came back but, my father went and never came back. His friend told me, "Your dad is not coming back."

After he died I lived with my aunt and uncle. I stayed with my Aunt and Uncle for 3 or 4 years in Mae La. After, I lived at Freedom House [an orphanage run by CFI.]

Sometimes I feel good and sometimes I feel bad. Sometimes I feel bad when I remember Mama and Daddy. Sometimes I'm so sad. My parents were animists. They worshiped the tree. I look like my daddy. His hair was very curly. My sister looks like mama. But her hair looks like my daddy.

God blessed me and brought me to the CFI School. Now I know some English and some Thai. I hope God will show me what to do step by step.

Now I don't have a mom and dad, but I will have a mom and dad in heaven. "God will be my ma and dad."

-Co-wrote with Teacher Marie, Aug. 25, 2006

Yes funny, beautiful, P'Saw Paw you do have a ma and dad in heaven because God will be your ma and dad. I love you little lady and I treasure the memories I have of you.

She cut her curls off before I came to Thailand. She didn't like her hair :)

My church bought the children new sneakers/soccer cleats!

The girls made their outfits! P'saw Paw is the one at the bottom of the pic. Her sister is holding the notebook on the right of the pic.

With Teacher Andrew and Teacher Ben

She was small of stature but big of heart, and personality!

"Ya en na." (I love you in Karen.)

spring flowers on Sunday

2011-03-02T00:22:00.001-05:00

steve madden leather pumps: $2 thrifted

tights: Gabriel brothers

skirt: $3 Worthington (?) recently thrifted!

button up (Target): Thrifted $3

Old Navy jean jacket: $25 on sale

beaded/seed necklaces: Jamaica and thrifted

turquoise pendant necklace: Vintage from Grammie

hooped earrings: $5 Forever 21

I wore this outfit to church a few weeks ago on Sunday and thought I'd post it today. Don't you like my spring flowery shirt!?

The weather is being finicky. We've had some beautiful warm days and then we've had some pretty yucky snow/wet/rain soon after. It's beautiful today but has been cold.

Life continues to be crazy. Maybe sometime I'll refer back to this and explain more. Let me say these last 3 or 4 months of my life have been some of the hardest. But I know my Lord and I know God is with me.

It shows me how transient life is. More and more my heart ties are being transferred to heaven. There is a peace that I feel. But my heart hurts sometimes. Sometimes I just hurt.

In Steal Magnolias one of the ladies says, "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." That touches on some of what I've been going through, what I'm trying to say. (I think I assumed that when I would face loss my world would be completely upside down. That inside it'd be the end of the world. It isn't.) My heart hurts. There's pain and grief but I'm also soo full of life. And those around me are full of life. There's love around me in my friends and family and in My God. I do smile and laugh, but sometimes I cry.

I think there's a cleansing of the self that happens sometimes through grief. It clarifies things. It's like after it rains the air seems more clear and crisp. But when it's raining it's cold and wet, and that's all you feel, the rain; the tears running down your face. But, the sun comes out and it shows you that the grass is green and there is still life. With grief though those clouds hang over you for awhile.

And the rain comes sometimes when you don't expect it. Something reminds you of that person, and it hurts. I think my tears come, this time around, more when I remember them. When their is a memory which stirs my love for that person, and then it hurts. Your heart is living, and pulsing with love. And when part of it is taken away, and you touch on that part it hurts. And the tears fall.

I think in times like this our grief and our love bleed together. There are memories that bring joy, which touches on our love, which in turn brings us to tears.

CLEARANCE! in my Etsy shop

2011-02-26T12:33:00.000-05:00

I have a new section in my Etsy shop called "CLEARANCE." These are pieces I've had for a long time and would like to move out of my shop, into a new home. Everything in the clearance is $10 or less! I have also created a coupon for you to "Save Even More"!! And save an additional 10%. Enter this code when you check out: SAVEEVENMORE

Take advantage of these sales :)! And come see me in my Etsy shop, especially if you haven't stopped by before.

Happy Saturday everybody!