~~FEMININE MATTERS~~

WOMAN OF VALOR AND BEAUTY (guest post)

From Rob Young's Photos:

Look at this lady - Let us never forget! 
The world hasn't just become wicked...it's always been wicked. The prize doesn't always go to the most deserving.

During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the Warsaw ghetto, as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist. She had an 'ulterior motive'. She KNEW what the Nazi's plans were for the Jews (being German). Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, (for larger kids). She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants.

She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard.  After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family. Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted.

The Irony of it All:

Last year Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize. She was not selected. President Obama won one year before becoming President for his work as a community organizer for ACORN and Al Gore won also --- for a slide show on Global Warming.

In MEMORIAM - 63 YEARS LATER I'm doing my small part by forwarding this message. I hope you'll consider doing the same.. It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated!

Now, more than ever, with Iran , and others, claiming the HOLOCAUST to be "a myth". It's imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.

By: Rob Young

Cheetah "Love" Chairs

My granddaughters love these chairs.  I purchased them for my husband's office in his last pastorate.  To compliment their uniqueness, I did a marbleized paint technique on his walls which some folks begged me to do in their homes.  It was a pretty office.  Everyone who visited him loved them.  Since we left Kentucky about 8 years ago, they've sat in my living room as you see pictured here.  I love them; I have not tired of the statement they make in my eclectic decor.

The faux cheetah print whispers intrigue and mystery.  Slim-curved arms curl into a question mark at the end of their arms.  The smooth sleek design offers a gentle flow of feminine elegance on which to rest ones hands.  Metallic gold peeks out beneath fine lines of crackled, high-gloss, black-painted arms and legs to add a touch of "bling".  It sparkles like jewelry on a lady's wrist.   

My granddaughters do not want me to sell them.  Alas, there is no room for them in the efficiency space where I am moving.  Haylee, 7, begged me to keep them so she could have them when she grows up.  Their appeal tends to transcend all age groups. Even teenagers have loved them.  They add a classic Bohemian accent to any decor-- a bit of rogue and rebellion amid the traditional, contemporary theme.  

It's sad when we must let go of something we love.  But, my friends, it is only stuff.  Granted...it's pretty stuff.  And I am hoping they will find a nice home and fill an empty space for a person who will love them as much as I and others in my life have loved them.  Then again, maybe, just maybe they will find a spot in my daughter's bedroom.  Who knows?  Stranger things have happened.  For now I am holding onto them until November when my granddaughter, Bethany, comes in before the Airforce relocates them to Virginia.  I hope to have her dear hubby take a picture of all the ladies in our family standing behind them and sitting in them.  Keepsakes.  Pictures.  They take less space than chairs, don't you think? 

my ARTISTIC friend and Beadiful Soul

Victoria Gaines defined: Victoria Gaines dot com

 
Ah...yes.  Defining Victoria with very limited vocabulary is:

V ictorious

I nspirational, Introspective

C herishable Caring Christian Counselor

T rustworthy, Triumphant, Transparent

O bedient and Open

R efreshing

I nnovative

A mazingly Accepting

G iving and Grateful

A wesomely Artistic 

I nsightful, Intercessor

N eeded

E nergizing, Encouraging

S oulful, Sensitive, Sparkling, Stupendously Steadfast and Sweet 

How does she do it?  Uh...by the grace of God.

Victoria is a writer, a blogger, a business woman, an artist, a crafter, a baker, a loving friend, wife, mother and grandma.

She's full of life in the truest sense of the words.

Internet surfing led me into Victoria's life years ago.  I loved her sparkling personality and her love for Jesus.  She is an encourager and comforter.  She empties herself into the world and allows God to use her in every way under the sun.  She's a counselor and comforter.  She is an enigma to the world because her struggles in life are mountainous, and yet she remains steadfast and strong in the Lord.  I see her goodness in the midst of all she writes.  I feel the empathy in her heart from 2,000 plus miles away.  I call her friend.  She's my prayer partner and sister-in-Christ.

If you want to spotlight your femininity, I pray you visit her Etsy website, Beadiful Soul.

If you need a sweet gift for a friend, family member or co-worker, Victoria makes lovely jewelry as she battles chronic illnesses, struggles to help add income since her handicapped husband lost his job.  She spends a lot of time boosting the spirit of others.  I pray you visit her Etsy site, Beadiful Soul and see if there's anything there to strike your fancy.  Indulge.  selahV 

FOR A LITTLE WHILE

I'd like to be young again.  I'd like to run like I use to.  Play volleyball with the youth.  I'd like to swim, jump on the trampoline with my granddaughters.  I'd like to climb the rocks at Mt. Scott and explore the cracks and crevices.  I'd love to be able to, not only pick colors for my little efficiency apartment, but climb ladders and paint the walls and pack my belongings for our impending move. 

I know that's silly.  But for a little while...it would be nice.

It would also be nice if I could go back to December 9th, 2010 and leave my house just a little bit later, or earlier.  Either one would be sufficient to avoid the timing of Mr. Luna driving through a stop-sign and crashing into my car.  At least before that day, though I could not do all the things above, I could still paint pictures and enjoy doing puzzles with my granddaughters.  I could play more freely with Kinsey and Haylee.  I could bend a little farther, sit up straight a little longer.  I could make plans and carry them out; go to my Tuesday painting classes, and make commitments believing I could keep them.

Ironically...

God has used this physical trial to bring about another dream of sorts.  You see, when I first started blogging in 2006, I wanted to build a website where I could share thoughts with other women about common thoughts-- our faith, our love for children and grandchildren, recipes we like, and mundane miscellaneous chatter.  I wanted an online magazine-style site.  I can't believe that I am getting closer and closer to harmonizing the blogs I write.  Had I not been so limited (for fear of creating another agonizing twist in my neck), I wouldn't have been able to mesh my sites like I imagined.  I wouldn't have taken the time to learn all the things I need to learn to link each site together with various buttons and feeds.  I've still got a bunch of work to do before I'm satisfied.  It's kinda like my life in Christ.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6 ESV

God began a good work in me.  He will bring that work to completion.  In His time.  And part of the completed work is what I do and what I dream to do.  It's nice to dream-- even "for a little while".  Can you relate?  If so, tell me the dreams you are dreaming in the comment box below.  What trial are you facing that's taken you to a place you had not expected?  I'd really like to know.  selahV for Today

now THIS is a Tea-Party...WOW

I was surfing the more feminine blogs and came across a couple of the most delightful ones I have seen in a long time.  As most of you know, my granddaughters and I have lots of teaparties.  I've even taken special little cups to school and had teaparties at lunchtime with my grand-girls.

HOWEVER...

when I popped into CREATIVE HOME EXPRESSIONS (/link) today I found the most extravagant,

most stupendous,

most unusual teaparty I've ever seen!!!!

You just have to go visit to see her pictures and little captions.  It is precious beyond anything this old grandma will conjure up.  I sure wish I'd get an invite to one like this.  I'd pack up all four of my granddaughters and head for wherever she lives and even supply the petit fors for dessert!  What a "wonderland"!!!

Stay tuned for more of my blogging adventures.  No telling where I'll end up.  If you have a favorite Feminine Blog which celebrates motherhood/daughters/grandmothers and all things lace and wonderful, please leave the link in the comment box below.  selahV

Jocelyn's 1st EASTER

She's just 6 months old.  She's not interested in napping.  She wants to play Easter-egg hunt, too.  My first Great-granddaughter.  She's got blue eyes and the sweetest little blonde eyelashes and wisps of hair.  So cute....so sweet. selahV

RADIANCE

 
 
RADIANCE transcends neutrality. 

An ordinary hour she paints with play.

She smiles and soothes a broken soul;

Her simple touch completes his whole.

Each promise sealed within a shattered dream,

she releases on a prism's beam.

Her love glistens on a mood of grey,

and blankets dew-kissed blossoms each new day.  selahV

"I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed." Psalm 34:4-5

PEDDLING PINK AND PRECIOUS

 
This is the dream room.  This is what Haylee and Kinsey want when they get their own room.  One will sleep on top and the other will sleep on the bottom.  I'm guessing they will tromp across Haylee's bed after climbing the stairs and then slither down the slide in their pretty pink pajamas.  I priced the bed set on the internet and it was almost 8-thousand dollars.  I almost choked.  I'm hoping to use my set of bunk beds for a base and let their handy-dandy daddy (who builds houses for a living), come up with the plans for the bookcases, staircase and slide. I actually have two bookcases we could attach to the front and all he'd have to do is cut out the particle board for the the top of the castle and the opening in the front. I've found some variations of this without the fancy-dancy circular railing on the staircase.  Am sure I can handle directing of this project.

As soon as we get it built, I will post our own photos of our rendering of the Princess Room fit for a Queen.  It shall be fun.  And you can bet your bottom dollar that it isn't gonna cost us even 2% of 8,000-dollars! 

GIRL PLEASERS

Tea (rasberry cream soda) and cinnamon rolls.

Playing dress-up and pick-up sticks.

Using Jenga blocks as freshly baked Chicken Fingers.

Such are some of the things little girls love.  Pretending.  Dressing up.  Challenging games.  But always girls love being together with other girls.  Chattering.  Giggling.  Sharing a cup of tea.  It's really simple to please a girl.  Sometimes.  selahV

WHO NEEDS A GOWN TO BE A PRINCESS?

As a child I dreamed of being a princess.  I use to read stories about Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White.  I imagined myself all dressed up and dancing at the ball with my prince charming.  I envisioned a glorious castle filled with servants and polished marble floors.  Garlands of flowers and rose gardens and twittering birds.  I never owned a little costume like the ones my sweet little cherubs are wearing in this photo.  I didn't even attend a highschool prom.  The closest I came to being a princess in a gown was when I competed in a beauty pageant in tenth grade.  The princess feeling came from being elected to represent my class.  The loss of the pageant's crown did not negate that feeling of affirmation.

Today I don't feel like a princess.  I've shelved the dreams of a child.  But just now my husband made me two tomato sandwiches and delivered here to my computer desk.  So who needs a gown to be a princess, when you can be queen of the castle?  selahV

[© SelahV Today, 2008]