Lovely Girls Club on Facebook!

Eek gads, we've got online presence! Remember that whole post about Lovely Girls Club a while back? Thanks for your prayers. We now have a FB page: www.facebook.com/lovelygirlsclubkaty.

And keep on praying for His Will, protection, guidance, logistics and leadership!
And just for funsies, here's our logo:

And here's our web ad:

Dad's Day

Today will be 4 years since my dad graduated to Heaven. To think that he had just accepted Jesus a month before his graduation is only from God. Please enjoy this collage I made and if you have the time, please check out this post from August 2008 as I think it really says it best. Didn't want to "phone it in" today, but thought why improve upon it. And please, go hug or call your loved ones today, right now. Stop reading this and do it!

I'm Such a Dory.

There should be a cute little pic of the lovable, forgetful Blue Tang, Dory, on here but there ain't. I don't wanna get sued.
Oh sure Gillian, the makers of Pixar are totally following and relishing your blog! RELISH IT!!!!!

I'm not fond of relish. I'm pretty sure it was an accident that took on popularity with freaks. "Hey if we just mushed up a pickle and slapped that on a hot dog, would that be alright?"

Last night I got to have a lemon tart with a new friend whilst we discussed this wonderful organization, some of y'all might have heard of it: PTA? Yes, the world is coming to an end (probably on my bday which will be 12/12/12- but I'm not all "pee filtering to water" about it) and I'm going to be all PTA'in' it next year.

I've had to learn about things such as:
Quorum
Robert's Rules of Order (Who's Robert?)
And not everybody gets me.

But it's going to be a fun ride and I'm anticipating showing others the love of Jesus in ways such as not gossiping and grace (God willing!!). Kind of stinks that I have to be covert about it, but whatever it's the world we live in, right?

So back to Dory and my love for her.

My new pal asked about my eye condition. Some of you might be wanting to yell at her, "DANGER, DANGER! Turn back time (Cher) and back out of that conversation!!" But I thought it was the prime opportunity to tell the story that God has given me one more time.
Short synopsis: Freaky extremely rare congenital eye disease, 10 eye surgeries, blind in one eye, almost blind in the other, nasty infection, and now sight praise Jesus and not just any old sight but sight to be a photographer!

She thought it was pretty cool.


And I thought, hey I'm just like Dory!:
"P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney.
Why do I have to tell you over and over again?
I'll tell you again.
I don't get tired of it--"

I never get tired of telling His story for me. And neither should you!

Shine that light! If felt so good to tell her about it all, especially the morning 

that I awakened to find bright light in my room. I had never seen the light be so bright and
realized that my left eye had sight!

SO cool.

Frugalicious Friday- Barometers & Encouragement.

This one goes out to all my Moms out there. Trying to as Dave Ramsey says, "Live like no one else so you can live like no one else." Not gonna lie, I'm an Aggie and that took me a while to really comprehend. :) I josh that way, because it's hopefully endearing.

Look.

Don't be bummed out by barometers that should never be such. I have realized that Facebook has become a barometer or the control in our daily scientific method, something to compare yourself or your family to on a daily basis.This can affect your mindset in being Frugal. It's like peer pressure on crack.


Here is what Facebook is for: (IMHO)

• To get in touch with those far-away Aunts you love so much and show them pics of your kid. 
• To brag a LITTLE on your kid, for the aforementioned far-away Aunts and Nana's and friends like family.
• To truly call out for prayer warriors when your eyeballs are going to fall out- maybe that's just me, it is? okay good. But hey, a shout-out for prayer is not a bad thing. Think of it like you are doing that Dog Call thing in 101 Dalmatians- remember that?? 
• To seek recommendations for things, i.e. Should I eat those Magic Pop things in HEB. Answer: Yes!
• To send a bday whatsup to someone from long ago. 
• To get some great recipes or money saving ideas or some thrifty lady home-ec stuff like that. 
• To keep it real. 

Here is what Facebook is NOT for: (Again, IMHO) And yes, I have struggled with this.

• Show and Tell: check out all my fancy junk. It's called being pretentious and it's not fun. Yes, I totally posted pics of our shower remodel. But I tried to cite that we worked really hard for that mess. We saved up for a long time and lived without for a long time. Sort of a delayed gratification kind of deal. Except when it comes to anything having to do with cheese, then all bets are off and rightly so. OR a cake you just made- that is just a phenomenon to behold that never gets old.
• Show and Tell: every point of my vacay or fun event. Look, I'm excited for you and your fam that you are going to the land of fun. Really, I am. This isn't coming from a jealous place. But when it starts to become: hey kids stop doing that and come over here and let me document this moment for the world to prove that we are a whatever-fill-in-the-blank family-Sheesh! Can't we keep some moments sacred?
 Now I say this, but all under the frame of what the Word says:

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15)

 I pray that I remember that truth when I'm tempted to judge others' FB posts!

But I truly believe that social media can be a tool that can be used against us to further prosper the defeating and demoralizing effects of comparison- the joy stealer. And possibly even drive us to purchase things or go places we really cannot afford due to our commitment to becoming debt free.

People ask me all the time what are you doing for the summer. A harmless question. We are doing nothing except a couple of things with our church. We are not going on anywhere, really. I do have one little jaunt with my buddy bud but that is a homeland pilgrimage voyage.

 We've decided to postpone all traveling until we are debt-free. Even those little Texas trips- those add up y'all. That's $400-$500 we could use. I'm not ashamed to say these truths in hopes that it will encourage a mom or friend to not to go into debt just because everyone else is doing this or wearing that.

This is embarrassing to admit.
At one time, I let Satan attack my heart by feeding me lies that I only have one child, one daughter, and if I don't dress her in smocked dresses now when she is little then when she is older she won't want to wear them and somehow will be affected by this. That is Bacon Sandwich. I love my child. We love her so much. What she wears has no effect on her mental state. If it does, then we will gladly get the chance to explain materialism and to be content with what you have.
(Okay there is the argument of risque clothing and DGMS on that!).

To my friends working on their goals- you just keep on keepin' on and stop getting on that bus to Compareland. And I'm sorry if this was a 'duh' post.

Stand By Your Man, Please!

That's John, my husband. Sidenote: We had just seen Pan's Labyrinth. Quick review of that movie: SAD, IMPENDING DOOM, YIKES, but visually beautiful. SideSidenote: He doesn't care that I post stuff like this.

John and I have just had a breakthrough in our relationship. Gross, yes, I'm gonna get all DTR on you right now. Maybe you can pick up what I'm putting down, i.e. relate...

John was going through a season of onslaught at work. This season (the past 3 years) wouldn't have been so bad if not for me and my issues:

Oh sure, I'm a barrel of monkeys with tap shoes on to hang around with but:
1. I like to eat fancy all the time, it's a disease ABFS, Always Be Fancy Syndrome.
 Evidence: I had to talk aloud to myself yesterday to convince myself that I wouldn't perish from eating a homemade, cold sandwich. "You're going to be okay. I know it's not nachos, but it's going to be alright. Lots of people do this. You are on a budget. Live like no one else..." Anyone else feel this way??
2. I'm medically intense.... See all posts from years 2007-2010 and the Mayo Clinic Doctormentary videos.
3. I'm growing my bangs out. See proof above. That's hard times.
4. I was going through stuff. Kind of like extreme heart makeover.

John was being assailed at work (rightly so, I mean it is a job) and assailed at home.
While most of the Wife Strife was medical and some the dealing with my past, that wasn't the bad  part.
The bad part was me and my stank face about why was his work stressing him out. And fellow wives and moms, you gotta know that you gotta be less stank to your husband. Let me tell you about what I had to learn that might be useful...

I was upset that he was bringing his work home: mentally. I compared my situation to other couples: So and so doesn't complain. Oh that ol' so and so. Always the joy-stealer that comparison monster is. (C.S. Lewis agrees.)

So we sought wise counsel through our church. I just knew that our trusted counselor was going to see it how I saw it:
"Look, I'm sorry for you and your hard stuff at work. But I can't walk and may not see the next day. Oh and I can't have babies and I'm approx. 30. And I'm dealing with past crap too. So that in no way compares to a tough day at work, which I would gladly take over what I got to deal with.frfvvrfgfgg (sorry I spilled coffee on those letters and had to clean them off.)" 

Ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh  child no I didn't!
Oh child yes, I did. I totally compared. First misstep.
And I totally under acknowledged his work woes. Second misstep.
Which translated to - no respect.
Which if you have followed any Christian marriage study at all you realize is BAD- B-A-D!

Turns out our counselor steered me to see the analogy that, get this, his work pressure was just as bad to him as my not walking was to me. Whoa. Really? Yes, really. We finally saw eye to eye that day. Thank God.

So before when I didn't want to listen about the job pressure, you mean that was not the right way? Yes, not the right way. Oops.

Now for the application.
Please take your husband's job seriously.
That stuff is a big deal. Be thankful for that job for one thing.
Be thankful he's sharing what he's going through with you and not someone or something else... I mean, if it was your kid(s) problems at school you would want to hear about that, right?

Praise God, that I got to walk and see again and now feel much, much better. John started to get more job stress though and the other day he snapped at me.

He NEVER snaps at me.

We were trying to park. Driving and hunger don't mix. That always does it, am I right people??
I have this mindset on parking: "To please always find the best, most efficient parking spot that is close the exit and entrance and oh don't park there someone will jack my photog equipment." 

 It's simple, really. Simple and paranoid. But John wasn't having it that particular lunch time and I don't blame him. So he snapped and honestly I can't even remember what he uttered. It wasn't curse words or anything but it was all tone-laden.

And here's the breakthrough: my heart hurt for my husband's.
And I instantly forgave him and thought of ways to cheer him up.
Thank you Jesus for showing me this.

God turned my heart around from the past which would have been all hating on his job (it could be any job) that makes him act this way or worse, hating on him for letting his job make him act that way to me.

But Jesus, allowed me to have empathy at that moment for my sweet husband. He just wanted to grab some lunch y'all and I was being a turd. Or maybe not, but he was having a hard day. Can you just let your hubby have a bad day for crying out loud?? I mean, they are so tough and deal with so much. John never complained about my problems listed above and the unlisted. He never complains about anything housework related. He works so hard at work and at home.


Can we just lay off our husbands a little?? Just cut them a little slack?? 

So they didn't word something in the perfect way you wanted. SO WHAT.
So they didn't get the exact type of shredded cheese at the store. SO WHAT.
So they put a cardigan under your daughter's dress. SO WHAT.

Can we just show them some lovin' everyday?? Please? 

At least they are home and they are trying.
Be like Jesus to your dude. But pray first 'cus that mess is hard.

i Don't Really Want to Talk to You (a PSA)

i Love technology.
i Specifically love the advancements iN medical technology. For iF iT wasn't for technology, i Wouldn't be seeing right now, i.e. my little synthetic fibers with which my eyes' lenses are sewn iN place with.

That being said, i gotta get negative on this mug.

This bothers me to no end. i Call it the disrespectful, "Modern Place Setting." iN which you have your plate, your napkin, your silverware/plasticware, your drinking vessel oh and the ever-present cellular device because heaven forbid, you go without knowing that someone's trying to connect with you for 30min-1 hr.

iF you are still not understanding what i'M saying, i have provided several informative PSA diagrams that should do the trick:
Emily Post would be down with this:

Homegirl, would not approve of this:

Yes. i Did just call you Gauche: "lacking social experience or grace; also : not tactful : crude". i See this all the time, a friend sits down with me and pulls out their phone to be placed next to their silverware and then looks up at me. 
"Oh no, honey girlfriend! You are going to be head dipping down at your phone or sideways eyeing your phone while we are trying to have a discussion??" Gross!!!! Was that Groupon email really worth looking at while we are pouring out our hearts over queso!? 
I mean come on:

 Because this is what you are really saying folks:

iF something iS SO important that iT can't wait, tell your friend/spouse straight up, "Hey, NASA iS calling me about the meteor the size of Texas that iS going to hit Earth soon so i need to check my messages." 


Look, i fall prey to this too. But then i did something one day, i accidentally left my source of knowledge that i'M special- er, i mean my phone- at home and golly gee wouldn't you know iT, i survived! 


Phones should not be answered during family time at the table, period. Well, that's how we roll at our house anyways. Unless we are expecting a birth or a death, NO PHONE! 
Also, we do not have an email alert noise or vibration happening. Stupid! 
Those alerts are the devil's interruptions stealing from your family time. STOP iT! 


And just one last pic i saw posted on my friend's FB page to make sure you know how i feel about this. 

Frugalicious Friday- Monday!

Life happened last Friday so please to enjoy this Froogy post by my girl,

Sweet T from More Sugar in my Tea Please.

Thanks, G, for letting me share a few things I’ve learned throughout the years about saving on beauty products.  Some of these suggestions may surprise you all because they may have you scratching your head thinking, “this is frugal?”  Stick with me!  Let’s get it started, y’all!

1. St. Ives Collagen Cream.

I heard about this stuff from a friend who saw it on Dr. Oz.  It's a big 'ole jar of moisturizer with collagen elastin.  And it's only $5!!!  According to the show, it was comparable to the $40 stuff.  I use it all over my face and neck.  Even if you choose to use the expensive stuff on your face, it's worth five bucks to at least use this stuff to moisturize your neck.  I found it on walmartdotcom, and they shipped it to my house for only 97 cents.

2. Diurex.

Has Aunt Flo gotcha' down?  Feelin' bloated and crampy?

Reaching for that Midol or Pamprin will set you back around $4.50 for only 20 pills.

Instead, grab your store brand ibuprofen or acetaminophen ($7 for 500ct.) and some diurex ($5 for 42ct.)

It's essentially the same medicine combo as the name brand reliever.  But these two items will get you through the entire year as opposed to just a couple of months with the other stuff.

3.Suave Conditioner.

This stuff sucks as a conditioner, but it is GREAT in place of shaving cream.  Ladies' shaving cream is upwards of $4.  This big bottle of conditioner is $2.  Plus, it actually DOES moisturize your skin while shaving.

Now hang with me on these next 3.

4. Kenra Volume Hairspray.

Thanks to G, my eyes have been opened to Kenra Volume Hairspray #25.  Believe me when I say this stuff is the best hairspray I've ever used!  (Buy it at Ulta or a Salon.) I bought the largest bottle available back in November 2011 for around $25.  I've never spent that much on hairspray.  I've been a Tresemme gal for years.  But here's the dealio:  I was using about 1.5 cans of Tresemme per month at $4 per can.  I've been using this ONE can of Kenra for  nearly 7 months!  Because it's so good, I don't have to spray nearly as much of it as I do the cheaper stuff.

Let's do some math.  10 cans of Tresemme (over 7 months) at $4 each equals $40.  So I'm actually saving $15 and using a better quality product!

5.Lorac Foundation Powder.

I bought this makeup at Sephora a couple of months ago for $32.  This was after spending mucho dollas' on different kinds of drugstore makeup that I hated.  It just did not look good and did not have good coverage for my problem skin.  I was buying foundation and a separate powder for my make-up routine.  It just always felt so heavy and just never looked right. 

The Lorac is working out great for me because it's a thicker powder foundation.  I no longer use liquid foundation or separate powder. 

The great thing about Sephora is, if you don't like a product you've used, just take it back.  They're super-friendly and the return policy is hassle-free.

I've had this for 2 months and am just now running out. 

 6. Chi Hair Straightener.

Finally, invest in a good hair straightener!  I've had my CHI for 5 years and it's still going strong! 

Yes, it is $100.  EEEK!  But think about this...  a typical hair straightener is around $20.  I was buying 1 cheap straightener per year because they wore out and didn't heat up as hot as I needed it to to get the job done.  Again, if you invest in a better product to begin with, you potentially save money in the long run.  And you have awesome hair!  (another plus is that CHI is made in the USA!)

So, there ya' go!  Have a Fantastic Frugalicious Friday!

(Oh, and these suggestions are in no way paid product endorsements.  Just stuff I like.)

Thank you Sweet T! I gotta vouch for St. Ives and throw in a little Neutrogena to the mix. That mess is dermatologist recommended and I've used it for years. I used to be a Lancome girl big time. I'm still a major Mary Kay girl though. Their prices are much better than Lancome and quality is top notch. If you just budget for it, then it won't be a problem! Yes, Dave says you can have a "grooming" envelope. As long as you have worked out the "food" envelope and all the bill necessities first! And I do not own a Chi, because my stylist doesn't either. But I have heard great things! If my hair wasn't paper-straight I'd probably look into budgeting for one.

Things That Bring Me Joy!

I call it "Aggie Strummin."

Master Bath Shower Reveal!

We updated! Wanna see how it turned out? Remember the gaping hole of dispair from Feb. 2011?? We had a cute surprise a year and 3 mos. ago when we found out our shower was MOLDED. Look, I don't even care I just all-caps it! So John demo'd it and we migrated on to Leelah's bathroom.

Well, we finally were able financially to hire a fantastic company, Total Package Turnkey (the owner just happens to be in our Bible Study class- megabonus!) and look how it turned out! Note the old shower before pic in the upper left corner:

I jazzed up the pics Zatarain's style to showcase their beautiful work! We all used Leelah's b'room shower for a year and 3 months, and we're alive! This was a no-complaint test and I tried my best to not say anything throughout the wait. Frugaliciousness: We would have had it done sooner if it weren't for the replacement of 4 new tires for my CR-V. We cash-flowed it praise the Lord! Why do I mention this? To give people hope that you don't have to have it RIGHT AWAY! and go into debt over it, plus get something you might have had to settle for. On to more pics!

New tile floor to replace the hotel carpeted bathroom feel and tile around the edge of the tub.
We purchased all the tile ourselves and told them how we'd like it designed. The tile purchasing was made through 7 trips to the store, Floor and Decor. We're BFF's with them now. We learned things like- do not use slate for anything involving the shower or ceramic- but use porcelain if it's in the shower. We picked out ceramic tile (.69/sq ft! clearance!) for both master and guest and entryway tiling. OH yeah the guest bathroom- i.e. LeelahTown:

Can you tell we are anti-whitetile in our house!!!! And anti-cleaning!? That's why we wanted the rain glass and bronze hardware:

We did just stare at it with a fear that we might mess it up for a few days.... We feel very resort- not like we know what that means.

John suggested we have a Shower Shower, where people bring us gifts like loofahs, soap, Tilex daily shower cleaner, squidgees, etc. Save the Date for never on that!

Overwhelmed but Upheld

If you ever want to feel overwhelmed I have 2 suggestions.
1. Ask for someone to purchase a gift certificate for you to Charming Charlie. It's a perfectly precious store, but here's the deal I never get to go shop there for budget or kid-with-crazy-hands reasons and when I do shop there I want it all at once. I'm a color-lover so that doesn't help either.
and
2. Try to start up a faith-based, service organization for little girls.

So last post was all about the passion in my heart for the beginnings of a club where we take our little girls back from the world's sickness and set them out to be lights among the darkness. Thank you to all that are praying for this. As you can imagine, Satan is not a fan of our club and there are attacks that I didn't plan for. I'm basically Miss Naive 2012.
For instance, I will sign up for groups filled with women (not church stuff) and go, "Oh there's drama involved here? That's odd." No, Gillian. You are odd and quite possibly a little on the dumb side.

God is teaching me to be a little more bold, but it's super uncomfortable. I'd much rather just complain about girls wearing booty shorts in the Redbox line, than try to minister (God willing) to them.

Everyday I think, God please please choose someone else, aren't I due for another eye surgery to take me out of commission or something!? Speaking of, my right eye is all irritatedlyish today. I also think, but God I'm in counseling and I haven't read the Bible completely and I have only one child and I'm tired and how I really just don't want to be all out there and
 I'M NOT WORTHY.

But then I think about how I couldn't see to read my Bible. How I couldn't see to cook and accidentally burned my arm from misjudging the oven. How I was all Driving Miss Crazy being chauffeured by the best friends on Earth. How people would deliver me meals after surgeries. How I had to be pushed in a wheelchair and use a shower chair and how I lived in constant pain.

And then I realized, I was fortunate enough to have that pain- mental and physical- be healed. God gave me my legs and eyes back. Now, I must use them for good. For His purposes.

And then I hear Leelah say, "Mommy, when is that club going to start again where we do nice things for people?" and then, "And will there be snacks?"

"Fall, sweet baby. And yes, there will be snacks."

And people ask me all the time about adoption. "So are you going to adopt soon?"
Here's the deal on that. In my heart I fully believe that God has another child for our family.
Leelah constantly asks about having a brother and or a sister. In fact, the other day we were transporting a precious little girl who's a member of a multi-kid fam.
She asked Leelah, "Are you the only one?"
Leelah, "Well, yeah. But I have a dog, a dead fish, (trailed off...)"
You can imagine the death look I gave John that I shouldn't have followed by: "Did you hear that John, a dead fish? Leelah has a dead fish for a sister or brother. Sweet. That's awesome."

The answer is - not yet or no. I had a CryDown- half crying/half shrieking like some ring-tailed lemur out in our church courtyard the other day when the pastor was talking about complacency and Christians not stepping up. SOMETHING I ABHOR!!!! And he even told a story about a couple who adopted, etc etc. Well, that started the aforementioned CryDown and I just could not stop sobbing the whole day.

My friends rallied and prayed with me and gave me hugs (they are the best!) and I sought out with John one of our pastors and here's what he told us.

Pastor to me (who's bawling uncontrollably): "Do you believe he's a godly man? (speaking of John)"
Me: Through Tears/snot: "YEEHSHSHHHH"
Pastor: "Do you believe he is trying to live in God's will?"
Me: Ditto above
Pastor: "Then you have to wait and listen to God speak through him."
Me: "Bokay" (more crying)
So I will wait upon the Lord. 

So there's what's going on in our world. Oh and we got our bathrooms remodeled and that was a blessing for another post.