New Year's Eve-Main Street

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black booties-gifted sister

skinny jeans-$2 thrifted, Salvation Army

blue button down shirt-Gabrial Brothers

vintage granny necklace-thrifted?

vintage b & w belt-thrifted

earrings-$1 jewelry store in Tx. 

hair bling-gifted from my Grandma

 New Year's Eve I went with my mom, dad and brother Adam to my parent's churche's New Years Eve party.  Then after, some of us were planning on going to a N.Y.E. party at a family's house from my church. That didn't work out. 

So I asked my brother if he could take pics of me at the gazebo in town. (Every brother's favorite thing to do.)  It ended up that he took pics of me and I took pics of him.  We did a lil' photo shoot.  Blogging world here is the "Next Top Model" Adam!!!  (Just kidding. Over his dead body ;)  He is a handsome dude though, I must say.

So Adam and I stopped by our local grocery store Martin's to buy sparkling cider. It was closed! But Food Lion wasn't. I hardly ever go into that store!  Adam bought Apple and Grape Sparkling Cider.  Our beverage of choice to make some toasts. (don't have to have alchohol to have fun:)  He was wicked nice and bought me my Burt's Bees Chap Stick and Cough Drops.

At home at Midnight we had a little special time with our family, a  goal setting and prayer time. We spoke out what we want to see God do in our lives this next year, what we desire.  I'm the family stenographer, so I wrote down what everyone said.  Here is what I said:

(Ok this is me being open with some of my most cherished dreams and desires)

-enter a courtship to the man I will marry

-Intimacy with Jesus

-To walk in the path God has for me

-to get my own place

-find my niche in work/ministry

-deeper relationships with my family

-My Etsy-provide nice chunk of income

I'm not a big resolutions person. I like to write down my dreams and desires and then we will see what God does.  He promises to give me a "hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Then we gathered in a circle holding hands and took turns praying for the next year.  

It doesn't feel as BIG this time for a new year to start.  But hey it's another year.  And I know God has some plans.  Yeah, I'm excited! And I have hope.  

Oh!!

P.S. My sister got engaged New Year's Eve!!! Wowzers!

thank you, Daddy O'!

I took these pics on Friday.  I did get "blog burnout".  I am an extremist at times, also I have tendencies toward perfectionist and over achiever. If I'm into something I can put hours into it at a time. Balance and moderation are a bit healthier. :)  

I had this look in my head, I wanted to use my dad's flannel shirt with skinnies.  I found this one, and liked it because of the bright red.  Definitely a POP of color!  ( I actually forgot how to spell color for a second!)  

skinny jeans: Ross $15

flannel shirt: from my Daddy O's closet

sweater: department store sale

socks: Gabriel brothers

boots: Salvation Army, $1

Old navy leather belt, men's: yard sale $1

vintage locket: with pics of my grammie and grampy when they were young, from my Grammie

I could have also called this blog something about a Lumberjack. This is definitely a lumberjack's shirt. Like stereotypically Lumberjack.  "Man of the woods, and cutter of trees!" Yeah that's me ;)  I did learn how to make a fire today in our wood stove!  I'm keeping it alive too!! (does that mean I have a red thumb?)

My parents are going to TX for my sister's graduation from Bible school on Wed. My dad wanted me to learn how to build a fire. Keeping the furnace on costs a lot of money.  We are thrifty country folk!

I went and filled out an application at a nursing home here in the country and left my resume. I'm willing to start part time. The owner said they'd call me! Hope so!!!

Ohh, last night I finally got the "groove" on to decorate the Christmas tree. Mom and Dad helped a little bit. I'm the family  "decorator." If it wasn't for me, who knows when it would have gotten done. (Maybe when my sister moves back home.)  I even put evergreen branches on the piano with our nativity scene with red glass balls and pine cones.  Maybe just maybe I'll posts some pics sometime.   

It's official, Christmas has come to our house.

comfy cozy

Thanksgiving break is coming to an end.  *sigh*  My sister had her new boyfriend, Anthony, come and stay with us and share Thanksgiving with us.  She left awhile ago to drive him back to Richmond.  She flies out from Baltimore super early tomorrow morning.  She said her good byes already. Someone, we haven't decided yet, will have to leave about 3:30 am to bring her.  So I might not see her again until Christmas.  

God has truly blessed her with Anthony. He's loved her for 2 years and finally she is fully loving him back.  In our family we believe in waiting until your married.  That is what they are doing.  They are honoring each other with not going beyond specific boundaries. They really want to focus on the relationship and not be distracted by other things. They are even an example to me in purity.  I am thankful that God has blessed my sister with this young man.  

Anthony is also a great cook. He brought this beautiful cheesecake that he made at home for Thanksgiving. It was good. Today he made Chicken Parmesan. Wow, it was delicious. Adam and Krista were in the kitchen helping him with the cooking.  

My mom dreamed about the time when her kids would be grown up and they'd fix a meal and invite her over.  We're at that point now. She has enjoyed us adult grown up kids preparing full meals, without mommy's help.  It's good stuff.  

Since today was Saturday I wanted to wear something casual and comfy.  I got dressed, had a lighter top on under the sweater and flats without socks. I went with my dad to get the mail and BOY it was cold!! So I put a tunic sweater on under the cardigan, socks and hefty shoes.  I am cold blooded.  

-L.L. Bean leather clogs: from my Grammie, she got them super cheap

-grey patterned socks: ?

-Levi Strauss jeans: $2 thrifted

-over sized striped sweater: thrifted

-turtle neck tunic: gift from an artist in NYC who runs her own non profit

-medallion: from same artist in NYC

-earrings: thifted

-big rings: gifted from my sister

-bling bling in the hair: gifted from my sister

Thank you mom for being patient and taking all my pics so often :) I do get some good pics from what she takes.  Often I'll go in and edit. Sometimes it's fine the way it is and I don't.  

Anthony welcome to our crazy quirky family!!!    

"Woodmen's wife"

I reminded my sister of a "Wood men's wife," hence the name of the post. I asked her what I should name the outfit and she said "Wood men's wife". I laughed out loud! I dressed this way because I knew later we were going to go get our Christmas tree. I've never worn my L.L. Bean boots all day long! I even wore them shopping. I think I want to wear them this season more often. They're fun and "woodsy"! (She also looked at me across the dining room table and said "You look like a fairy." I think it was the hair ;)


I went into town with my dad today. We stopped at Walmart. I got the supplies to make a display to sell my jewelry, mostly earrings at a friend's business. Then we stopped on Main Street and went to a couple of thrift stores. My dad was looking for a used VCR. My grandmother has sent him Sarah Palin's show recorded on video for him. (And we have a HUGE collection of videos and our old VCR went ka-put recently.) I bought this long black beaded necklace at the thrift store. The beats are probably glass. I will probably take it apart and use the beads for earrings. I also bought some new beads, fun! To make earrings with to sell.


I think I am a words of affirmation person. My sister told me "You are a trend setter." Because of my creativity and uniqueness in dressing. She said that she herself is more of a follow the trends person but I'll do something different and others will do what I do. It made me feel good:) I wouldn't have thought of myself that way. It's neat when others see you in a way you don't and they tell you and it can be surprising in a good way!


Our evergreen tree is standing bare and stark in all it's natural beauty in our living room. It is waiting to be clothed in baubles and lights. Memories of years gone by will be lovingly placed on it's out-stretched arms. Branches wide open welcoming each of us with love and belonging. The humble tree will be crowned with a shining angel to christen it "The Christmas Tree."


-L.L. Bean boots: from my Grandmother, she worked there for awhile so she can get L.L. Bean items for SUPER cheap (these possible were $3)
-Skinny jeans: Walmart sale
-long sleeve green and white shirt:  Gabriel Brothers
-wool hoodie: Gabriel Brothers
-leather brown belt: yard sale, men's Old Navy
-special hiking socks: thrifted (from 2003!)
-vintage brooch on headband: gift from a neighbor
-earrings: borrowed from my sister
-ring: rough cut emerald from Thailand, near the Thai/Burma border (bought on my mission trip there in 2006, it was $13!!) (I looked at the pics and I see that I don't have a pic of it. It was under my gloves I promise!)
-brown scarf: Walmart $5


I took my braids out this morning. (Remember my peasant do yesterday?)  I was going to re braid my hair today. But instead, my hair ended up looking really wavy. So I took advantage of it :)