joy

Beginnings

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I’ve shared a few times what prompted me to start (and keep on) writing this blog (Why I Blog, Why Do YOU Write and Clothed with Joy.) One fruit of blogging has been the opportunity to be a writer for a faith based blog called Moms of Faith. Starting today my articles will be featured every Wednesday and Saturday.

This is very exciting, yet so intimidating at the same time. The articles I write for Moms of Faith are a different side of me than is usually seen here at Clothed with Joy – a much more vulnerable side. Plus, I’m writing for someone else and a bigger audience – so I’m sure that plays into the shaky elbow feeling as well.

My first article is called “When Everything is Not Awesome.” Even if you are Not a mom,take a minute and hop on over there – there’s no check in required, you will not need to show your stretch marks as proof of motherhood.

My hope is that the words I write hold messages of truth, blessing and healing that transcend gender, marital status, parenthood and belief system.

Find link here: When Everything is Not Awesome

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Clothed with JOY

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5minutefriday

The Word is: Joy

The word is Joy and silly me – I got stumped. Uhhhhhh. My blog is called Clothed with Joy, so let’s write about that.

For months, nay years, certain friends regularly encouraged me to write. I didn’t take it seriously until a couple months ago when I was reading in Psalms (as I do every morning – that’s a whole ‘nother post) and I read in Psalm 30 – “You have clothed me with joy.” And that was it. I hadn’t been looking for a blog name – but there it was – right in front of me and I knew that it was meant to be the name of my blog.

And that started it all.

I found a door I hadn’t been looking for. Had I forced open that door before it was the right time, I would have been terrified (and fallen flat on my face). But with the Name came the Key – and the peace – AND the JOY!

What a blessing this blog has been in my life. What a joy to write. What an adventure to imagine where it will take me.

God is good and His timing is perfect (best even.) 🙂

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This was written for Five Minute Fridays where you write on a specific word for only 5 minutes, click for link. 

Blog Series – Free Stuff – Vintage Jewelry…

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The best things in life are free, of course. Love, friendship, forgiveness, family, salvation, laughter… The list goes on. We all know this. What I’d like to explore are those things in my life that may not be the best  but they’re still free (or close to it) AND bring me joy.best

Vintage Lapis Lazuli Brooch.

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I love just about everything vintage, but my passion is vintage jewelry. Specifically, I love to SELL (and repurpose) vintage jewelry. Check out my Etsy shops for what’s available. (shameless plug)

Two years ago I helped my Dad with an estate clear out of an elderly woman’s property. Soon after, I was charged with selling her costume jewelry, of which she had a ton. So entered I into the wonderful world of eBay.

I do adore research, so I enjoyed learning all about vintage jewelry makers and the quality of the pieces. There is nothing quite like putting an item on a seven day eBay auction and watching the price just keep on rising. I get a thrill every time.

PicMonkey Collage

Stuff I’ve sold.

I rarely keep pieces, but this little lovely lapis lazuli brooch was just too exquisite to part with. I purchased it at a yard sale with several other items. The price: 30 cents.

Is it real? I don’t know and, frankly, I don’t care. I love it.

DIGNITY

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While at the nail salon yesterday my family saw on the news that there had been an attack at our local mall. We were, of course, intrigued. As it turns out, the attack did not happen IN the mall, but rather, in the mall parking lot.

Two women, while fighting over a parking spot, came to blows. In the end, one woman bit a piece of the other woman’s finger off.

Now I apologize for getting graphic, but imagine my children’s horror. This is why we don’t watch the news.

The girls were, of course, full of questions. I was appalled and disgusted.

G: “Mommy, why did the woman bite the other women’s finger off?”

Me: “Because they are low class…and they don’t know Jesus.”

My go-to response to the kinds of questions my kids ask relating to the meanness of people is: “They don’t know Jesus.” And I believe it to be true. But yesterday, in the moment, I just spit it out: Low Class.

While making dinner I started to feel a little guilty about my “low class” comment. I considered how I would feel saying the same thing about those women to my blog audience.

I confess, I regret my words. But not my feelings.

The truth is, those women acted without dignity, and that is the word I should have used when explaining it to my children. DIGNITY.

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I realize this is not my usual “blog lite.” This is the full sugar (or vinegar) version of Clothed with Joy.

Yet, I believe that being clothed with JOY goes hand in hand with being clothed with DIGNITY. It means holding your head up when you have no earthly reason to. It means knowing you are loved and valued by the Creator of all things and that seeking worldly validation, in the form of your “right” to a parking spot or any other way, no longer matters.

There is Freedom when you no longer need to fight for yourself because there is One who fights for you. And with the Freedom, there is JOY.

Now that I’ve written this I discover there should be an amendment to the prayers I pray for my daughters.

Dignity correct

Lord, clothe my girls with strength and dignity.

Linking up with #TheLoft!

Linking up with #TheLoft!

Free Stuff – No Job is Finished…

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paperwork

The best things in life are free, of course. Love, friendship, forgiveness, family, salvation, laughter… The list goes on. We all know this. What I’d like to explore are those things in my life that may not be the best  but they’re still free (or close to it) AND bring me joy.best

No job is finished til the paperwork is done!!

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Amen. I wish someone would convince my 7 year old of this.

I got this lovely vintage bathroom wall art from an estate. My dad is an estate Executor and I am often dragged in to help with clean outs. It’s amazing the stuff family members – if there are any – leave behind. Half my house is furnished (and decorated) with free stuff, much of it from estates. 

This morning my five year old brought down a small jewelry box that, yes, came from an estate. She asked me if it belonged to the “dead girl.” 

Yes, my love, most of what we own once belonged to currently dead people.

Free Stuff – Picture Frame

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best

The best things in life are free, of course. Love, friendship, forgiveness, family, salvation, laughter… The list goes on. We all know this. What I’d like to explore are those things in my life that may not be the best  but they’re still free (or close to it) AND bring me joy.

Welcome to my very first “Free Stuff” Blog post!

My friend at the post office gives me stuff. Over the years some of the things he’s given me include: Pineapple Upside-down cake, a Betty Boop collapsible side table, old peoples’ returned mail that contained things like free calculators, pens, pads, gloves, greeting cards, calendars and stickers. Expired food items (left over from a food drive, I guess) and this magnificent frame with a 3D Hebrew Home Blessing.

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I hoped to use the frame for a family portrait. It’s gorgeous and huge and ornate – and expensive. I figured I could sell the 3D Home Blessing on eBay.

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Ultimately, the blessing could not be removed without completely destroying it. It now lives behind our family portrait. I’ll take all the blessing I can get.