April 30

I realized that I neglected to tell you, my lovely readers, about something wonderful that happened a while ago.

I got a dslr.

(!!!!)

If you've been following since earlier this winter, you might remember some posts in which I either mentioned or fully expounded on my dreams about a big, nice camera. That dream came true about a month and a half ago.

April 30 was a rainy day. My dad took me to the camera store, where we met my grandparents, who were a big part of that good day. The salesguy brought out the box from the back room, the box full of the camera I had chosen a few days before. He set me up with a few accessories, the bill was paid, and home we went over the slick streets.

Arriving at home was when the fun really took off. I fetched my point and shoot to chronicle the event of unpacking, play by play.



I was sa-vor-ing that moment. Excitement was coursing through my veins, but I was happy to sit back, snap some photos, and enjoy the happy disbelief.





Ooooh....major excitement mounting!



I couldn't believe that this curious synthetic-wrapped black lump was mine. :)



The whole time, I felt slightly dazed. In the best way, of course! ;) I hadn't been expecting a camera like that, right then.

I was blessed with that camera. It's opened up so many possibilities. Sometimes, it feels unreal. I wasn't lucky when I got this camera; I was blessed.

Incredibly, amazingly blessed.

I'm indebted to so many people; the men and women who encouraged me, helped me financially, gave advice. I'm indebted to Jesus, who laid the foundation for everything good thing that has entered my life.

Thank you. Thank you.
~M

It's moving.

"They were the best of times, they were the worst of times."

I am talking about November. :) Remember that novel I started to write back then? I had about 50,000-something words when I won NaNoWriMo, and the first draft was far from completion. I told myself, You will finish it in December, and in a few days, too. You won't stop at this point.

Haha. The tyranny of the urgent is very real. I barely scratched that manuscript for all of December, but I did let thoughts like, It's bad, really bad, and you have no need to even try to finish something as abhorrent as that novel stay in my head for a few weeks.

So December was an off month. And so was most of this January. On my 2011 resolutions/aspirations list is "Finish Cadish the White by June". (That's when the deal is up for my own proof copy from CreateSpace.) But I... well, I just never thrust myself into it.

But now, things are moving, inching forward, again. I asked my grandpa to be my, um, drill sergeant, so he's making sure I don't skip days of writing. If I know someone is going to be asking how much I wrote, I will write enough to tell them without qualms or shame.

The novel still needs major shaping, pacing, and other important factors, but... at least I'll have a written first draft sometime soon. Then I can edit, inject all the thought-provoking facets I want, and maybe even salvage the minor characters. *wink*

Stuff to do, places to go, right? :)

The other night, I let my Inner Editor get the best of me and felt the need to open Paint and... do something with those nit-picky thoughts! So I made the official teaser to my novel:

It's sloppy, I know. But it sure felt good to laugh at myself!

Signed with a grin,
Margaret

PS-Please pray for my dear friend, Guinivera; she severely broke her wrist over the weekend.

Autumn Fashion Showcase - 5 -




It's the last day of the AMFS. :( This has been so much fun. Thank you again Marie for hosting it!

I saved a favorite outfit for this final day. I hope that you like it as much as I do!


The top of this dress is really weird, so I use a black jacket to cover it up and add some sophistication to the mainly casual feel of the outfit.

This is my favorite, favorite ring ever! I found it in my mom's jewelry box one day. She said it was my great-grandmother's and that I could have it. Yay!

My fringed boots, which I love passionately. I wear them everywhere and with everything. Sure, the whole fringed boot trend ended a while ago, but that is not making an impact on me! :)

~Specifics~
Dress~ Converse One Star at Target (For $7.50!)
Jacket~ DKNY
Tights~ They appeared in my sock drawer one day.
Boots~ Xhilaration at Target
Ring~ Vintage

~~~~
Now, on the topic of dressing in a feminine way. I was at a conference today with my grandparents. During a break, I was walking around with my grandma, who always and anytime looks her best. Today she was wearing a simple and classy outfit composed of a long skirt, white shirt, and silk scarf. An older man, a total stranger, stopped us and said to her, "I am so glad to see a woman who is dressed like a lady. There just aren't enough of those today."

Wow. People do notice and appreciate women and girls who are willing to be different and be feminine! While I am not going to stop wearing jeans anytime soon, I am very willing to make skirts and dresses parts of my everyday wardrobe.

Thanks for looking!
~Margaret Rowena

Little Girl

My Grandpa was so sweet. He noticed my lack of photos for the challenge and emailed me some of his to choose from:


I still have that beanie baby, and his name is Foxie, but I don't know what has happened to the pinecone and bunny dress.


When I look at old photos of myself, it feels like I was living a different life in a different place and with a different mind set, being four years old. Wow. People change so much, it just overwhelms me to think of it. I wonder... how will I and the people I love change in the next month? Year? Decade? Only one to find out- Stay tuned into life!

Thank you, God, for giving me a life to live! You supply me with joys and sorrows and LOVE.