We're Moving!

Bet you didn't see that coming, did you? Neither did we, and there is a bit of double meaning in my phraseology too.

Sooo, on Friday I wanted to post about my lovely day: together with good friends it started with a lovely walk along a river in the sunshine, with just enough coolness in the morning air to make it crisp, fresh; and then investigating a new coffee shop I've been wanting to try. Yummy. I had a red velvet cupcake with a cup of coffee. The cake was good, the frosting was delicious and there was plenty of it - and the presentation was chic. Afterwards it was time for a few errands with a sister and my nephew, then home to see the family from out of state over for the weekend along with tea and our usual episode of Doc. Then home for a quiet, unplanned evening, time on the computer, etc. And then.......

Mr. B.T. came down to look at a situation that had been developing and give his opinion to the investigation my oldest brother and parents were already doing, and after talking for a while, he headed home. The family at the Blue Castle was talking, investigating.

You know those pictures I posted of the steps in front of the door we built? Well, one side was about, give or take a couple inches, a foot higher. There were cracks in the ground, there was places the ground was starting to rise and bulge, the upper driveway had cracks across it that were beginning to widen. If you read up on it, these are indications of an impending mud slide.

After meeting and seeking the Lord with my two oldest brothers, Mr. B.T. was the emissary that was chosen to return and give us their counsel: Leave. Get immediate valuables and spend the night somewhere else. What? In a twenty-four hour period the damage was getting worse, and it was too much for comfort. The house might have been what was holding it, but how long would that last? Maybe yes, maybe no, but we aren't going to be taking chances.

Friday had been clear and no rain Saturday, so we returned to pack up as many valuables and breakables as we reasonably could, and kitchen stuff, and it is being stored in my brothers shed. Our friend D.C. that has spent so much time helping us with the Blue Castle returned to help us get things out. Somebody should get that guy a white charger with as often as he goes to peoples rescue!

There is still a lot of things in the house, but you can only do so much and so far it looks likes the hillside has stabilized. My brothers brought in an excavator and dug trenches to try and divert water and get the soil draining better. So far it looks like it is helping.

We are looking for somewhere else to live for several weeks or months, until the wet season is over and we can get in and make sure the hillside is completely stabilized. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It might be perfectly safe, but if it isn't? It is just wisdom to be cautious. Especially since we're very likely to be getting some more rain, and the snow is melting. It isn't a major problem as far as the mountain is concerned, just a potentially major problem as far as our house is concerned.

Wow.

Mother was dog sitting for the neighbors and they have invited us to use it before, so we spent Friday and Saturday night there. King size beds are nice. Until you try to sleep* four adults in one. Yes, all four of the girls crammed into one bed on Friday night. *Sleep is a relative term, we got very little of it. I slept on the floor Saturday night on foam pads and that was much better, but still, new place, uncertain circumstances, we are all very tired. My poor brother and sister-in-law had a full house last night as we rolled out on the floor! What would we ever do without them?

It has been good in that we've been praying a lot, seeking the Lord, reading his word; in that the family has once again rallied, pulled together, and helped each other in a time of need. Spirits are pretty good, but as time goes on I expect it will be harder.

I had sympathy for the Japanese before, I wanted more, and I sure have it. I just kept praying that if the house went, no one would get hurt. My heart is with those who lost loved ones. We had time, and so far, nothing major has happened. Please continue to keep the Japanese in your prayers, I believe it will only get harder for them as time goes on, as they have to live with it, to start to rebuild.

And if you could keep us in your prayers too, we would really be grateful. Life is a bit topsy turvy at the moment and my parents especially need wisdom as they seek the Lord on what we should be doing next.

Life isn't dull,

T.W.

(P.S. I didn't mention above that I'm supposed to be flying out tomorrow to be spend a while with my grandmother as my aunt is out of the country. I feel a little bad leaving everyone to deal with the situation, but God is in control and it will be one less person that needs a bed. :))

Mirrors

I think the best style piece you can own is a full length mirror. Not having one has actually been one of the more frustrating parts of living in the Blue Castle. Shocking? It is, however, true.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. I Corinthians 13:12 KJV

Okay, I realize I might be taking great liberties with context, but then again, maybe not.

What if you can see the top of your outfit, or the bottom half of your outfit, but not the two together? Are you going to be able to see yourself as others see you? A full length mirror helps you connect the two, to see the whole picture. But then shall I see, even also as I am seen. (Am I in left field?)

This can be as important to dressing modestly as it is to dressing stylishly. Seeing the whole picture is also how everybody else sees us!

Style and fashion books often tell you to get a full length mirror, and they are right. Also, check the front and back of your outfit. If you are confident your wardrobe is modest, that might not be what you have to look for (though double checking and keeping it in mind is a good idea), but you should still cast an eye over your outfit to look for overall aesthetic for the accessories you’ve chosen and look for loose threads, stains, hemlines coming undone, etc. You never know, maybe the shoes or necklace you chose and thought would look darling, don’t have the same affect you thought they would.

Do you have a full length mirror where you double check your outfit choices? At the moment I don’t, and it is frustrating. You never know what you have until you don’t have it anymore….


T.W.

Errands Outfit

So, I've been thinking about doing more fashion related posts. But, we'll see if that happens. Here however, is one. This isn't a height of fashion, cutting edge style outfit, this is more classic. Which tends to be my style anyhow.

Wide leg dark wash jeans (over leggings) - white cotton cowl neck sweater layered over a thin wool sweater (snow folks!) - and boots which you can't really see but are very slightly Western flavored English riding style. What you can't see but I love, is my argyle boot socks - in greys, black and red - smashing birthday gift, they.

The white sunglasses are more daring than I usually do, but they work with this outfit. And, they happen to be the only pair I have right now since I haven't replaced my classic neutral pair. :) I've shopped, but I'm not desperate enough yet and I have this "perfect pair" in mind.

Truth is, I feel I've been letting my wardrobe slip and I thought that maybe if I started posting I'd be motivated to be motivated! :) Hopefully I can also share some of my wardrobe philosophy and what has worked for me. It might be a little different from the mainstream, I don't go for quantity - in fact I need to par down. Hopefully I stick to this since the girls closet just isn't very big. Necessity is part of my reason for a smaller wardrobe!

We'll see what happens!

T.W.

(Thanks to my sister, "Cinneadh" for the photography)

I say...

I think it was a few days ago I was having a discussion with my mom regarding a conversation that I just had with a sibling, and trying to temper my own thoughts and opinions, I said, “I don’t want to be an interfering aunt.”

One of my younger siblings turned to me and said, “or sister.”

Well!

What she meant was, the conversation I was referring to was with a sibling, so interfering would have been as a sister, not an aunt. She was correcting, not suggesting. I think.

Anyway, the subject on which I didn’t want to be interfering was actually something the sibling and I agree on, maybe not timing, or how to, but on the goal. I find myself trying to balance between encouraging/helping and just flat pestering/interference. When to speak and when to keep silence, that is the question.

I might struggle with not being an interfering sister or aunt, but I’m going to try to be good. Because why practice being ineffectual and a nuisance? Despite what I might sometimes think (blasted human nature), I’m just not the best one to live anybody else’s life for them. I have enough trouble with my own, and juggling was never my specialties. Nor is driving a stick. I admit, in all honesty, Bourne does have me on that one. Smmmile.



Ha!

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!

T.W.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Corned beef is cooking, potatoes, turnips and carrots are steaming, soda bread is baking, cabbage is coming - as is all the clan, and bringing a dessert! :)

May God Bless All Who Enter Here!

T.W.


P.S. Anyone watching the Quiet Man?

Winter Pedicure

It seems like a fair amount of ladies don't polish their toe nails in the winter, and why would you when your little "toesies" are going to be all bundles up in socks and shoes?


I do think it is healthy to give your nails a few months of rest - only, I'm afraid beauty has won out for me. Even in the winter time, I like to have pretty colors on my toes! I don't see them hardly, but when I do, it's nice.

This came up in discussion between two of my sisters, and the one (I paraphrase) said she did it because she liked to admire them when she showered. Which might seem a little vain, :) but not really when you think about it - Pretty things lift the spirits!

So on Friday I did a pedicure with Sally Hansen's Royal Romance, which is a sort of silvery-pinkish-purple (My sister picks fabulous nail polish colors!). It's actually not my typical shade, but I was in the mood for it and I'm loving the color! My feet spend more time in socks and shoes than not, but when I see them, they make me happy!

What do you think, wintertime pedicures or save it for spring and summer? You never know, next winter I might change my mind, and "health" shall win over beauty. (Honestly, not likely, but.....)

(I'm not endorsing Sally Hansen products. They don't know who I am, they don't know I exist. I have received no monetary reimbursement for mentioning them. Over and out.)

Personality???

Okay, so this was the first questioned I answered with the Spring Blog Party:

"How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?
Optimistic. I think if you look at the world through rose colored glasses you will see exactly what everyone else sees, but with a more positive perspective. At least that is what I tell myself, though I've really wondered how that works.

You know, thinking about this answer, I keep wondering, is this a word, the one word, people would use to describe my personality? Or just one word I might choose to describe my personality? Because, if you read the answer, it sounds more like my description/opinion rather than third person.

So, I’m curious, if you were using one word to describe me, what would it be? (“And feel free to elaborate,”;) - Sorry, I’m a big fan of Sue Thomas FBIEye. :)Seriously, give forth your honest, frank opinion – even if you think I’m “ pessimistic.” :) I can take it, I already know someone who thinks I’m a bit of snob, boring and likely to put a damper on things - oh, wait, that was before she met me! (And I might just be using stronger language than she did. :) Love you Theresa! You and your sisters are too funny - and special!)

The only thing that might be scary......is.....is.......silence. :>

Speak forth! (When I say that, I feel like I should be wearing Shakespeare costume.)

T.W. :)