Makeover!

Before Emily went back to college we decided to do a facial together.  A local and wonderful Mary Kay consultant (thanks Brenda Howell!) agreed to come to our house and bring "the works" with her!

And boy, did she!! We had a great time being "girly" and cutting up with Brenda, a regular old "hen party" with just us three.

A "hen party" is kinda appropriate.  After I got dolled up, my mother would have told me that my "comb was getting red!"  It's an old expression for older hens (like me, I guess! LOL) whose comb turns a brighter color to attract the roosters for the up-coming mating season and resulting chicks! LOL 

I don't know about "mating season" (and as for chicks, well...I think that ship has sailed, if not physically just yet, certainly mentally! LOL), but I am feeling the need to reclaim some health and beauty, and Mary Kay is as good a way as any to start.

Brenda also invited me to a makeover photo shoot...and it was so much fun!!  Take a look at some of the shots they achieved....I, who have NEVER been photogenic!! These pics are of ME! :-)

Change is inevitable and difficult! After doing well with fitness and weight loss earlier in the year, I slacked off when Jeff came home, then just couldn't find the heart or the time to go after Sam passed away.

But as the year slides away, I'm mindful of the time that I'm losing!  Of the opportunities that might be hindered if I am not healthy, looking my best, accomplishing all that I can in the short time I have remaining.  Even if God lets me live to be 100 years old, the time will pass all too quickly, as I'm discovering in my middle age. :-)

There can be makeovers by the dozen, but no do-overs. 

I was pulling out quilts to work on with my Hobby Quilter and found Ribbons from Kim Brackett's Scrap Bag Surprises.  When I laid it out, I found -- much to my dismay -- one of the blocks turned the  wrong way...

 I "carved" the block out of the top (thankfully it was close to the border!), and turned it around so that the pattern was preserved. 

If the quilt top had "feelings" :-D, I'm sure it would have protested the ripping, pulling, pressing, pinning and mending that took place
to bring it a little closer to perfection. :-)

I know I'm not having an easy time of this "perfecting" thing...
The Apostle Paul called it work!! :-)

"We proclaim him," (referring to Jesus), "admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.  To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy which so powerfully works in me."  (Colossians 1: 28-29 NIV)

Christ is in the business of makeovers, more's the praise!!  And the result is -- well, what we hoped we looked like all along!!  I'm glad His energy can work powerfully in me, even when I'm not too excited about the prospect.

Even when this old hen doesn't feel like it.  When pain and loss and mending are difficult.

So! It's up at 5:30 to walk in the mornings, aerobics three times a week. Beauty products and rest instead of staying up all hours to quilt and play Words with Friends! LOL

And the perfecting of the spirit--just as difficult and painful--but so worth the end result!!

Blessings,