What to wear...or not

The sun has been shining and the weather has been warmer. In this house that means it is time to go through spring/summer clothes and put away winter. I did this last weekend for my two younger daughters. This is a chore that I despise with a passion. I am very thankful for the tubs of clothing that I do not have to buy this season but I really don't like the process. The girls however LOVE it. They loved trying on "new to them" items and showing them off, looking in the mirror and admiring themselves and their new finds.

I also did this for myself. Did I enjoy the process? Not so much.

Where are Clinton and Stacy when I need them?


My friend Beth once told me that she equates name with certain styles. For example, Beth and Jill remind her of khakis and denim. I equate that with sensible and boring. After a look in my closet though I think she may be right. Not much excitement there. No little black dresses, no shimmering or embellished tops, No glitzy jackets. But I do have 5 pairs of khakis, 5 pairs of jeans, one denim shirt, two denim jackets, and 3 denim skirts. Not to mention the several pairs of khaki or denim cropped pants. Or how about 24 t-shirts, all solids, no stripes or patterns. 7 of them are white. I also have about the same number of long sleeved t-shirts. Can you say dull?

This weekend I purchased 2 button down shirts. Exactly the same. Different color. Both solid. They came in gingham prints and floral prints but I chose solid. Predictable? I think so. I tried the print and it just didn't feel right. I was uncomfortable. Weird, I know. My closet kind of looks like a big girl version of granimals. Remember where you just match the animal and the outfit matched? Blue shirt & khaki pants. Pink shirt & jeans. Sometimes I get a little wild and add...who am I kidding? I never veer off the equation.

My sister-in-law always knew just what to wear. She always looked amazing and well put together. Accessories, shoes, purse, the whole thing. I would take my cues from her on what was "fashionable". Not that I followed her lead, I was just a little bit knowledgeable then.

I want to be that woman who wears hip clothing and always looks in style. I would love to be like Beth Moore in the fashion area (as well as others) but that takes time, effort, knowledge and money. I don't have much of any of that. Is it OK to settle for clean and sensible?

What are your thoughts on keeping fashionably current? Do you put effort into it? Or do you hold to the clean and sensible opinion too?

Lack of inspiration

Wow, mid March! As you can see from the lack of posting I have had a lack of inspiration. Life has been super busy which seems to spiral into lack of time, lack of energy, lack of inspiration. Whenever I have thought of something to post about it was not really positive...so I decided I best not. If you can't say anything nice...

I am still reading through Crazy Love and I find myself asking the question "What does this look like lived out in MY life?" I know God is up to something. Trying to teach me, talk to me, direct me. I know that we have had "Crazy Love periods" in our family from time to time but I don't want to live my testimony in the past. I want it to always be present. So I keep asking myself and the Lord what does it look like in the midst of making dinner, grocery shopping, doing laundry, going to church, homeschooling and working part-time? Or is that it? Is this what it looks like? I am not sure. I will keep praying and seeking.

Fabulous Forty update

Like Jamie I can hardly believe that February is over. I heard a quote this weekend that said 'the days go slow and the years go fast' but I think the days are going fast too. I spent much of February just trying to keep up with all that needed to be done. For a girl that likes to be one step ahead it was not fun. March looks to be another very busy month. The calendar is already filling up with dates to remember, meetings to attend, retreats to plan, and deadlines to meet. There is one weekend in the middle of the month the we have a little get-away planned and I am hoping to do a little reflecting on the busyness of life and see if there are some things that should be eliminated for the sake of sanity. When it is all 'good' things that need to be done it is difficult to chose the least of the good.

Here are the things I did manage to get checked off my list in February.
*Make Eden's birthday special. Eden turned 12 and had a friend sleepover. Decorations, invitations, pizza, games, movies. Whew...

*Make Ella's birthday special. Thank goodness Ella turned 4 and a simple little morning tea party with one little friend was enough to make the day special.

*Dinner with girlfriends. We even tried a new restaurant!

*I am continuing to read through the New Testament, but I did fall a few days behind this month. Thank goodness I only have to read a chapter a day so catching up is much more attainable than when I fall behind on reading through the entire Bible.

Here in the Northwest the weather has been wonderful! Sunshine and warmer temperatures make me excited about Spring! I am looking forward to planning my garden this month and starting some yard work.