Feelin' Feminine: Day Two & Three

Both mirror pictures because Joanna was never handy to take the snapshots.

Day Two I went with my loose, girly-retro-almost-hippy top (plus beads, to accent the hippy) and a straight, dark denim skirt. As a general rule, I'm not very fond of denim -- but I do make a few exceptions, and this skirt happens to be one of them.

(As a side note, this was definitely a Not Good picture day. I had a really long day at work, hence the unpleasant slouch and overall messy appearance. My apologies.)

I did my hair loose, with a few little braids on top. (It's very fun this way, quasi-jungle-look.)




















Day three, I wore one of my favorite, favorite skirts of all time. For one, virtually any shirt matches with it. It's very feminine, very long (which makes me look taller, I think), and very fun. The sort of thing that makes me happy just looking at it. Also black (sparkly) undershrit and a cute red top. I left my hair completely down -- which was okay, since it was a little wavier than usual from all the braids.




















And now time for a bonus picture, one of my favorite pendants, given to me by my grandmother. (Worn with the day three outfit.)

Feelin' Feminine: Day One

Feelin' Feminine is hosting a challenge specifically for young ladies, a challenge which is even more challenging considering the time we live in. They are looking for young ladies who will wear modest, feminine, and lovely skirts and dresses for seven days, no matter what they will be doing during the duration of that time. The second part of the challenge is to do your hair a different way every day.

And then, every day, post a picture of yourself on the blog sporting a feminine outfit.

While I really enjoyed watching Esther's progress in this challenge, I was hesitant to do it myself. For one, my wardrobe consists of 90% skirts and dresses anyway; so what's the challenge in that? Secondly, I don't believe that wearing a dress necessarily makes you more feminine than not. And thirdly -- since I wear a headcovering -- I really don't do hair styles.

Not to mention taking a picture of myself every day. Scary. (As a general rule, I have 'good' picture days and 'not good' picture days. And on the days when I am not attuned to the camera, it is a very scary thing to try to capture me.)

But there is something very appealing about the challenge. Wearing a skirt, while not being more feminine, is sort of a way of celebrating being a girl. ("Ha! Here is something you boys can't do!") Like chocolate or perfume, it's something that strictly belongs to our sex. And in today's world -- where women feel as though they need to act like guys in order to be appreciated as equals, I think it's wonderful that their are girls out there who glory in their unique feminine characteristics.

So, I'm going to glory with them. Pictures and all. And I challenge you to do so as well.

Today's outfit consists of an ankle-length brown skirt (embroidered along the hem), a soft blue undershirt, and a paisley shirt (sprinkled with clear plastic beads). Oh, and a necklace that was originally a piece of cabinet hardware.

I did my hair in a messy bun and covered it in a civil-war era snood. Since I took this picture at the end of the day, it's a bit messier.

content is an understatement

1. Went swimming, and didn't get sunburned.
2. Had Mountain Dew.
3. Rode on the four wheeler. Really fast. Through the woods. And didn't die Absalom-style.

4. Going ex-prom-dress shopping this weekend for a concert dress...
5. And sheet music shopping!

6. Starting new job tomorrow.
7. Chet and Zane are cuties.

8. I may get to take History 2 at Angelina with a friend.
9. My mom admitted that I'm a good driver today.

10. I'm about to go take a steaming hot shower. With nice smelling body wash.
11. And then a date with the radio.

12. I got a letter from Jazzy.
13. I got a postcard from Lenya.
14. I got a paycheck.

15. I'm going to FASA on a scholarship. Wonder of wonders. Miracle of miracles.

Friend. Here. Wow.

At the risk of sounding incredibly pathetic, I must take a minute to marvel how incredible it is to have a friend with me. I mean, actually here, with me -- and not through a phone or a chat box. I've become too used to being alone lately I guess, that's it's almost a little overwhelming to think, "She's here. I can hug her, talk to her, share things with her anytime I want." She's the kind of here that entails cleaning a kitchen together, and trying to ward the scary family off of her. The kind of here that means looking at one another over mugs of coffee and trying to prioritize all the many things I want to talk about with her.

Because the sad part is, Mary (or AF or Raen as most of you know her) will not always be here.

I was riding in my eldest sisters van today, and I happened to look back and see Mary sitting in between two of my nieces -- and an incredible jolt of reality hit me. Unlike a few other unfortunate cases, Mary doesn't seem in the slightest disturbed by our kooky family. For that matter, she doesn't seem disappointed in me either. I'm so used to hearing from people, "Oh, you're not at all like you seemed online," that I brace myself to let people down. But she's taken everything in stride -- and already graced our home so much. It's amazing to have someone to listens to me -- yes, really listens and not just stares blankly into space -- and doesn't tell me to shut up or talk about something interesting.

Even though I border extroverted at times, I'm something of a loner by circumstance. It's hard for me to find my place, even online actually. My interests are so eclectic, my personality just a little eccentric, and my life so utterly unpredictable, that I find it difficult to sustain friends over long periods of time. Of course some (you know who you are) are persistent, and refuse to let me drop them. And some are just magnetic, and no matter how many times in my life I'm distracted, I always try to reestablish contact, because I must. Mary has been like that. I followed her from forum to blog to forum again. And now, she's in my home.

Sometimes God is amazing. He couldn't have put a more perfect week in my summer -- a week that is only extra special because of the struggles that preceded it. Even by her mere presence, Mary is a moral support to me. After the funeral on Thusday, I wondered if I could go any further. If I would even be able to enjoy her visit. I felt so drained of enthusiasm.

But it's impossible to stay that way when God gives you a friend to be enthusiastic over.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow (Ira Stanphill)

...And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood.
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.