Fashion Sketches and Achoo

I've been trying to work on my fashion sketching every day. I've skipped a few days, but something is better than nothing. For awhile I stopped altogether.

I took these pictures right after sketching them...the proportions are clearly a little off even for a fashion sketch... 

I added clothes. This is a dress that I'm going to take the sleeves off of and shorten that I have already up on etsy.

Achoo (the cat) was looking extra cute today. 

Every goodbye

Dear Diary,

When in a pondering, reflective mood, I could say that every goodbye is a hello to something else. It sounds poetic. Deep. Deep enough to require more thought, which will then send me on another train of thought altogether and successfully help me stray from the ones I know will sadden me. I've had a lot of goodbyes in my-somewhat short-lifetime. For instance I've said goodbye to a lot of people who have left this life altogether, many at a young age. I've said goodbye to attitudes that no longer fit, styles of dress, ideas that only seem reasonable to the very young...Much like too-small clothes, some I've tossed away with disgust, and others I've carefully folded and considered keeping because of the fond memories and feelings that they evoke. I've said goodbye to people who have walked away to other things in life (and some I've walked away from), people I thought would always be there, a supposed future husband, girls I played with as a child, future bridesmaids, best friends forever, treasured mentors, teachers and professors I looked up to. 

Sometimes these farewells have happened abruptly like a meteor falling from the sky. Others have been like a freight train; serving a purpose, but heading toward a known destination-sometimes close and other times far away-where freight and carrier separate. Still others have happened like a garment coming apart at the seam, so slowly and imperceptibly that even looking back it's difficult to see where the first thread loosened. 

I'm a collector. A saver. Some would call me a pack-rat, but I think that's an inarticulate way of describing me. Things have worth, almost every thing. I save because every thing reminds me of something, something good or bad. I can't forget, because then I would forget a lesson. I'm like that with people too. Rarely do I easily let go of people, even if I know they're not good for me. And when they're gone, well, when they're gone I keep pictures, or notes, or sometimes something that means nothing to others. I do this because something good happened before every goodbye. I think deep down I believe that I have learned, or will learn something. Did find, or will find peace or joy in every thing/person/situation. Maybe this is just a form of me not letting go to things in the past, which is probably bad, but definitely something to think of another day.

So many goodbyes. Maybe there is good in every goodbye, if only just a little. 

Romans 8:28 But we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. 

Good enough for me.

Lizzi

Out-of-town shopping and my quirky family

The are times when I wonder if my family is normal...Like when I need something to drive and have to go borrow our truck from the next door neighbor who has been borrowing it for about a month. He wasn't home, so I hoped that he wouldn't get home and think that it had been stolen (only to come ask us and see that we weren't home either). Anyway, when I got back from running my little errands, he had arrived home and was outside talking on the phone. I awkwardly called "Uhh, I'll leave a note next time. I just had to borrow it for a minute. Thank you!" Yeah. I played it cool, right?

But that's not even what today's post was about. It was about me visiting Florida and happening upon a flea market on our way home--somewhere in Alabama.

This was by far one of the coolest things I saw. It's a lil baby stroller. I believe it said 1920s. Anyone know?

Then there was this chair. I loved it, but couldn't afford it. I had all kinds of ideas for how I would revamp it though. 

 

It should be obvious why this space went right by the door. It just beckoned me in. I love the show flea market flip and would love to be on it.

What are your favorite places to shop when you're out of town? 

It takes a church--to get me thinking.

Right now it is a quarter 'til midnight, and I am watching a show I recorded called "It takes a church". Honestly, I think I'm gonna be addicted, but shhhhhh don't tell anyone; a single girl watching a matchmaking show is so cliche. The girl that's being match made, matched(?) just said, "I was diagnosed with a very unattractive disease, and that really affected my self esteem!" Ironically, my first thought was "Me too!" even though PCOS isn't a disease-it's a disorder-I still completely understand that feeling. My second thought was, "That doesn't make you any less cute! Some guy is gonna be lucky to have you!" because her whole church was only saying positive things about her, and she really is a pretty girl. 

Here's the question: Why is it easy to encourage others, and see the truth of who they are, but not the same for ourselves? 

Or wait, maybe I'm the only one. Am I? 

When I was diagnosed with pcos the doctor made me feel like I was about to die if I didn't follow her exact instructions. That was horrible, but on the other hand I was glad to know that things I was struggling with (especially my acne) were not incurable as they'd seemed so far. The response from the guy I was in a relationship with at the time only affirmed my feelings regarding my appearance by reminding me that he had told me I needed to eat better and exercise more (which he had.) Men often take their cues from us though, and I know my low opinion of my appearance told him that I needed instructions, and my silence told him that I welcomed his opinions. 

When I became single again, I had to really stop and consider what I thought about myself without anyone else's input. I came to the conclusion that I am made unique. I don't (and won't) always feel beautiful, but most importantly I decided that if I'm beautiful on the inside everything else will fall into place with a little effort.

You got all that out of watching "It Takes A Church"? 

Why yes, yes I did.

Simple Saturday-Flower Planter

On the few relaxing days my mom has, she loves to play around in the dirt outside. This week I caught her cutting up burlap (sack race) bags up and using them as a vessel for some lovely flowers. She won this adorable planter at a ladies event she went to, but was when it came to keeping the dirt in. 

Doesn't it look great? 

Park day with Mikey

I went to the park with my nephew-and sisters-earlier this week. The pictures were too cute not to share (though I will request that YOU don't share them.) He is 2 years old and quite the adventurous, active, and intelligent little one.

First, he decided to draw. On the pavement. When it was time to leave.

As soon as we ate, he was ready to go. He started off on the baby slides.

Then he wanted to conquer this one

Of course auntie was waiting at the bottom in case anything went awry. 

Then the shaky bridge...

All too soon he was told he needed a diaper change and a nap, but first, one more picture!

What do you like doing with the adorable little ones you get to spend time with?