Monday, September 17, 2012

A Page of Photos

When with grandchildren, find every reason you can to photograph them.
That's my motto!
So, since we are in Indiana with children and grandchildren, what better way to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon than taking pictures of them.
Hope you enjoy some of my favorites!

 Mary-Elizabeth
 Savannah
 
 
 
Sisters
 Jackson
 Siblings
Mom and Dad
  The Family
 
 
 The Grandparents

Monday, September 3, 2012

Miscellany Monday - Once in a Blue Moon

Happy Labor Day to you.  So happy to join up with Carissa again today for

Once in a Blue Moon
Were you able to see the Blue Moon his past Friday night?  It is Blue in name only, the phrase is used when there are two full moons in one month.  The first was August 1st.  This won't happen again, I understand until 2015.  So, I took my camera outside and took a sequence of shots.  These are my favorite two.

Happy Anniversary
 Yesterday was Hubby's birthday and tomorrow will be our 47th wedding anniversary.

47 years ago two young adults met on a blind date in New Orleans, Louisiana.
 

Seven months later, in a small rural Baptist church in south central Louisiana, that couple committed themselves to each other for a life time.
Six years later they were no longer two but a family of four.
Forty seven years later they are no longer a family of four but a family of 13!
Entwined...
my heart and yours, intricately and beautifully as true soul mates and partners, stronger because we're together.
 Encircled...
our home and our family, by grace and love that grows with us as we share life's journey.
  Enriched...
our life together, through giving and understanding, support and encouragement, friendship and laughter.
 (copied)
I am so richly blessed to have shared these 47 years with a godly man, chosen for me by God Himself.
Happy Anniversary Dick!
"Only once in a Blue Moon!" 
 
miscellany monday at lowercase letters

Friday, August 31, 2012

Potpourri Friday - My Fall Wardrobe Capsule

Last week I was inspired by Kathy Sue at Good Life of Design when she posted her Color Scheme for the Fall and Winter.  Since I am a firm believer in Capsule Wardrobe Planning and try really hard to implement what I teach to others, I decided to post one of my capsules.

Joining up with Potpourri Friday 2805

 
Because my home-based business requires that I wear only dresses/skirts when representing my company (Mary Kay), I will show what I've put together for my Fall work capsule.

Remember, I am an Autumn so this is the color combination around which I have based this capsule:
Black
Brown
Purple

 Dresses
I also have suits that repeat these colors and an assortment of jackets can be used with each of these dresses.

Accessories
 I have become a scarf lover the past few years and think these would dress up or down the dresses so nicely.


As you can tell, many of these pieces of jewelry are interchangeable with all three dresses.  I always wear a bracelet.  A stylist taught me years ago to never leave the house without a bracelet.  So I try not to.

Shoes
 These are just four pairs of my favorites.  I also have brown, navy and black heels in case I need to change out of the comfortable flats.

Of course there are additional jackets and sweaters to throw on when I need a sleeve or occasion change.

Fall is right around the corner, so put together your own wardrobe capsule.  I would love to hear what colors you plan to dress in this fall.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Labor Day & Isaac

Thank you Joyce for these stimulating questions this week for


1. Americans will celebrate Labor Day this coming weekend. Do you know what we're actually celebrating? (without consulting your friends Google or wikipedia, ahem) What's a project you're currently 'laboring' over?
 Labor Day is always on the first Monday of September and was established as a special day to recognize and show appreciation for the American labor force.  Those special people who have contributed to the economic survival and exceptionalism of this great country.  Unlike our esteemed President who seems to believe that the government has provided all that has made America great, these wonderful entrepreneurs and laborers are the true spirit of America's greatness.  Thank you!

 I am not laboring over any project right now.  I'm retired, remember?  However, I have recently started my own Mary Kay business and although I don't actually labor, I do hope to make a contribution.

2. Labor Day also signals the unofficial end of summer for most of us...what summer food will you miss the most? If you're in the southern hemisphere feel free to substitute winter for summer. 
I will most miss the red, juicy, delicious watermelon. 

3. A well known proverb states, 'It's easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission.' Your thoughts?
 I see this as a copy-out for poor behavior.  I'm sure there may be the occasional exception, but any action that would require forgiveness without permission, just probably should not be done.

4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic....which hat would you most like to wear?
I would love to be an art critic.  Okay, maybe I am already a self appointed one.

5. When you were a kid, who (besides your parents) was your favorite adult
It was my Aunt Thyra. She was the most elegant lady I had ever known.  She dressed to the nines and wore the most beautiful shoes.  Her home was well decorated in a traditional style which I still love.  I just loved everything about her.  The fact that I was her favorite didn't hurt either.  Don't tell my sisters, because they thought they were her favorite.

6. The astronaut, Neil Armstrong, passed away last week. He was regarded as a hero by many generations of people all around the world. Do we still have modern day heroes? What makes someone a hero?
I am not a hero worshiper.  But yes, there are persons today who are examples of purity, integrity, strong ethics, and who are willing to take a stand for right.  A hero could be a parent who loves and provides for his/her family and sets the example for principled living.  A hero could be a coach, a teacher, a friend or a neighbor of character or a humble and shy astronaut.
  
 It has been said of Neil Armstrong:  "Neil Armstrong was far more than a symbol but he came to symbolize American innovation for decades."

 On this Labor Day weekend, I think it appropriate to recognize and remember all persons who have helped symbolize American industry and innovation.

 7. I never get tired of __________________.
I never get tired of being with my family.  This weekend, my two sisters and I are getting together just because.  We are meeting just to be together and watch LSU play its first game on TV while playing make-up and getting a spa treatment.


 
Early September, we will be going north to the midwest to be with our son and his family for a couple weeks.  We always look so forward to our time with them.  Shortly after we get back, we will go west to Dallas to celebrate our baby granddaughter's 6th birthday.  After that we plan a trip south to see hubby's brother and sis-in-law.
Yes, family is something in which I never tire .


8. Insert your own random thought here. 
 Thoughts on this Wednesday are with family and friends who are in the path of Isaac this week.  It brings back so many memories of Katrina and the stress of not knowing about the welfare of our son who was administrator of a rehab hospital in New Orleans East.  He was responsible for patients, employees and their family members who chose to ride out the storm at the facility, for three days before being rescued.  But, mostly it reminds me of God's faithfulness as He heard my pleas for peace, protection and wisdom for our son.  God heard and answered.  God is good!


Monday, August 27, 2012

Miscellany Monday - Behold the Man

I am so happy to link up again with Carissa for Miscellany Monday for these random, miscellaneous thoughts.
miscellany monday at lowercase letters
Behold the Man
This weekend I saw a news article about an amateur artist who completely destroyed an historic masterpiece. The three photos below tell the tale.

The image on the left is the original work, a century-old oil painting of Christ called "Ecce Homo (Behold the Man)" that was painted on a column inside a church near Zaragoza, Spain, by artist Elias Garcia Martinez.
Over the years, the work began to deteriorate, as shown in the second image. Evidently, the unnamed amateur artist (without permission from the church, needless to say) thought she could improve the work and set to work with paints and brushes. The third picture is the result.

This sad story caused me to think about the image of Christ I'm demonstrating to those around me.
We're told in Genesis 1 that "God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature...God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature."

I have been made in the image of Christ - I am called to allow Christ to reflect His image to the world around me.  Have I been remiss in staying in touch with Jesus Christ through His Word and living in His presence that His image has begun to deteriorate.  Has His image in me been compromised?

When we begin to allow other "gods" in our life to transform and replace what Christ desires to be in our life, then the image we project becomes a distorted interpretation.

My prayer is that my life would show those around me a true likeness of the Lord of my life -
 Jesus Christ.