Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

     As a child Thanksgiving meant two days off school and peeling LOTS of potatoes while watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  As a teenager, it meant spending the entire Wednesday visiting shut-ins and bringing them "Thanksgiving care packages." As an adult, it means so much more. The word itself means to give thanks, a prayer expressing gratitude.  As I reflect on the blessings I have been given, I can't help but be overwhelmed with thanksgiving!  On this Thanksgiving, I wanted to share some of the things I am most grateful for!
     At the top of my list is my salvation!  What an overwhelmingly wonderful thought that God loves me so much that He would send His only Son to die for my sins so that I could spend eternity in Heaven with Him!!
Second on my list is my wonderful family!!!  I love them so much!  Although I have not spent the last few Thanksgivings with them, I could not imagine my life without them!!  I am also grateful for the opportunities I have had in my life to travel and serve the Lord  in other countries.  Right now I am in Mexico working in an orphanage and school.  Thinking about the girls with whom I work, makes me grateful for all the things that I have been given.  I am thankful for the opportunity to influence these girls.
    I am also grateful to each and every person who helped me to become the person I am today!  I think of my parents, all my friends, teachers, and pastors.  I can even say now that I am thankful for the people who mistreated me and wronged me.  From each of these people I have learned so much!  Some taught me by example how I should live, some taught me how to forgive, and others taught me the meaning of love!
    So on this Thanksgiving I give thanks to God for His love, provision, and wisdom!  I wish each and every person a wonderful day full of the blessings that God in His mercy and love has bestowed on each of us!

        -M          

Bracelets and Bratwursts

Who: J
When: 11/20/11
Where: Sunday services at church
What: *Aviators- Panama Jack, Walmart, $10 *Green/ blue top- Beall's outlet, Willcox AZ, approx $10 *Black cardigan- Walmart, a looong time ago, approx $15 (?) *Plum(ish) skirt- Evan-Picone, thrifted, $4 *Tights- Walmart, $7 *Flats- American Eagle, Payless, approx $10 *Long black necklace- Kohl's, approx $9 *Silver and green necklace (that you can't really see)- gift from N from Afghanistan *Green beaded bracelets- German Christmas Fair, $1 each

On Sundays, I usually like to wear heels... but on this particular day, I woke up feeling a little tired and just wanted to wear flats. Do you ever have those days? Looking at these pictures, I realize that the mid-length skirt and flats may have made me look a little short, but at 5'7", that's not something that happens very often so I'm ok with that.
On Saturday, N and I went to the German Christmas Fair on post (Ft. Bliss). It was madness, sheer madness, I tell you! That place was packed! We did manage to come away with these bracelets, some cookies, and THE BEST bratwursts I've had in forever. Seriously, delicious! Even N liked them, and he doesn't normally like brats. Braving the crowd was definitely worth it for those brats!

Home Sweet Home

Who: M

When: 11/11/11

Where: Hanging out at home

What: *Orange sweater-Kohl’s $10 *Undershirt-China $2 *Long denim skirt- outdoor market in Mexico, 50 pesos ($5) *Argyle socks-Christmas gift *Brown shoes- Hush Puppies, gift *Wooden beads necklace-gift from J

On Tuesday, I received an awesome surprise- omeone bought me a plane ticket to go home to attend my parents’ 25th anniversary vow renewal! I was so excited! The only setback was I would be taking about 3,000 letters to mail in the States leaving me no room in my luggage to bring clothes, shoes, and jewelry! I was not too worried though since my entire winter wardrobe is in the States… So the next few posts will be composed of whatever clothes were not in storage at my house...lol
I love dressing for cold weather (notice I did not say I love cold weather). I love the knee socks and tights!! This was the first day I was home and I had to search for all my clothes and shoes that I had at my parents’ house that were not in storage! I found the argyle socks first and decided to build my outfit around the socks ;) I thought it turned out to be a fun outfit. I must admit though I wore slippers most of the day and only put on my shoes to take the pictures...lol

Ahoy and Avast... or something like that...

Who: J

When: 11/18/11

Where: Pirate movie date night with N

What: *Skull and crossbones shirt- Torrid, thrifted, $3 *Red tank top- Target, approx $7 *Scarf- Miley Cyrus, Walmart, on sale for $2 *Dark wash denim skirt- Jessica London, $20 *Socks- Walmart or Target (I can't remember!!), approx $5 *Silver hoops- I can't remember *Slouchy sweater boots- Walmart in Merrillville, IN, approx $15

Yes, I am well aware that this outfit is a little crazy, and certainly a departure from my usual look. But I have a good explanation, I promise! I am a HUGE Pirates of the Caribbean fan, so Friday night, N and I rented the newest Pirates movie to watch for our movie date night. I, of course, couldn't leave it at that, so I planned a pirate themed evening. You can read all about it on my personal blog The Ginger Jar. It was a great night!

Although I probably won't be repeating this outfit in its entirety any time soon, I do really like some elements of it. I wear the boots a lot already- they're super comfy and warm. I'm also wondering if I can maybe work the skull and crossbones tshirt in with some of my regular clothes. What do you think? If it was mostly covered by a sweater, with just a hint of the "pirateness" showing? Maybe you'll see the shirt again...

One more thing, in case you don't want to take the time to read the whole pirate date post... here's the invitation I sent N by email for our date. Don't you just love Mona's face?

Memory Monday

Today, we've decided to allow you to join us on a trip down memory lane... Enjoy these pics of us from years gone by! J has a picture somewhere of when we were in 3rd & 4th grade, but she couldn't find it- it's probably still packed in a box somewhere. As you can see, we've always been quite fabulous (*sarcasm*)!

Purple Paisley Power

Who: J (and Mona)
When: 11/16/11
Where: Midweek service at church
What: *Cream sweater- gift from friend (when I was in college... a looong time ago!) *Purple maxi dress- Target, on sale!! for $14 *Purple tank- Walmart, approx. $5 *Cowboy boots- Payless (2005 or 2006), approx. $30 *Gold necklace- Walmart, approx $10

Since I was a little girl, I've always said that purple was my favorite color. It's only been recently, though, that I've really worn it much. This fall, for some reason, I've really fallen in love all over again with purple. And... I'm not alone! Pantone named "phlox" a fashion trend color of the season. I saw this dress at Target when it first came out, when it was about $40 (I think). I know, I know, $40 is not that much for a dress, but I always like to see if I can get a better price. Well, a few months ago, the Target near me had a HUGE sale, and I found this baby for $14! $14! How exciting! Here, I've paired it with a cream sweater & cowboy boots (why not?). This dress is seriously so comfortable and one of those things you can dress up or down for different occasions. Love it!
*Side note- I know the quality of these photos is not the greatest, but it was already dark outside so I had to make do with the light in my kitchen/ laundry room. AND, you get to see Mona again!

Grey Area

Who: M

When: 11/9/11

Where: Teaching school

What: * White shirt-gift *Grey undershirt- Walmart, $5 *Black skirt- Geoffrey Beane, gift *Grey belt-borrowed *Grey flats- borrowed *Grey flower necklace- birthday gift

Ok, I am gonna call this my free outfit. I just realized the only thing I actually paid for was my undershirt and my ring that you cannot really see!!! Black, white, and grey are classic colors to pair up. I was really pleased by how this outfit came together. The shirt was given to me and at first I was really unimpressed with it because it is shapeless and long, but pairing it with this cool silver belt brought new life to it. 

The last picture features some of my photographers/students ;) Not sure that we are ready for vogue yet, but we are learning and having fun!