Step away from my thin mints and peanut butter patties

I've got one thing to say, and it's completely non-jewelry related:

We've got Girl Scout Cookies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dat faith 'n' love

V. Day and The Saints Super Bowl victory came and went before I had the chance to share my thoughts!

Well don't you worry because I'm here to write about them both today; all in one youtube link.

I found this video of the Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, before he led his team to their first Super Bowl win! His authentic character is revealed; he truly is a man of God. He speaks of where he puts his faith, but it is also evident that he has a ministry more through actions than in words. It's easy to speak the words; it's much harder to "walk the walk." I know that full well.

{Insert Valentine thought}

I am so lucky to have a Valentine (in the form of my husband) who is also a real man of God. He may not be the Saints quarterback, but Andrew's got the character of a "Drew Brees." God also has something big in store for Andrew (and me) if we continue to put our hope and trust in Him. 

Drew Brees has such a wonderful testimony of faith. Enjoy. Who Dat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0buCfbFuHw

I'm no Sister Mary Whitney

The older I get, the less "religious" I get. I don't want to be religious; I want to walk closer with Christ.


This Lent, I want to remember that I walk in freedom, I walk in victory, and I walk in redemption because of Christ. I want to know Him more through His Word, so I think I'll devote more time to daily reading.


Jesus' last words on the Cross were "It is finished." The ultimate sacrifice was complete. I don't ever want to forget that He was the one that gave it all. There is nothing that I can do or sacrifice that will make God love me more than He already does. I don't think I'll ever understand the fullness of that.


"He has sent me to...bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair..."
ISAIAH 61:3


"The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleans our consciouses from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"
HEBREWS 9:13


I did not copy and paste these Scripture verses because the fonts seem to mess up on my post. I'm sure there is a way to fix that, but as I was writing these verses out word for word, they really resonated with me. I think I might try this writing Scripture thing again!

Whatever your practice is for Lent, I hope your walk with Christ is strengthened!

No, I'm not going to prom this year

Apparently the people with whom I encounter on a daily basis do not read my blog.


Earlier this morning, I posted that I "still wear my love knots even though I am not sixteen."


At a store this afternoon, I was asked if I had 'gotten my prom dress yet?!?!?!?!?' This made me chuckle especially since I wrote about not being 16 anymore just this morning.


I gotta tell ya that a small part of me was tempted to kick off my boots, toss my sunglasses and purse on the hot pink leopard print chair and start trying these jazzy dresses on!


If I were sixteen, I would have loved this place. My style, though, has evolved since then into what I thought embodied what twenty-six year olds wear.


You can be honest; do I need a make-over? Maybe I should cut my hair? My mom always said I looked older with a short, fixed, cute bob...

Sixteen Candles

I can learn song lyrics in an absurdly short amount of time. I really need to put this on my short "things I'm good at" list. 


Now I know you might be jealous, so I'll confess to you that I often don't quite get all of the words right. 


For example, the first song that I botched was the 1958 classic, "Sixteen Candles." I was three years old, and I belted out, "SIXTEEN CAMELS makes a lovely night." This is seriously one of my first memories, and to this day it is a source of utter laughter at my stupidity. (This is not to be confused with the time I called my sister a "dim-beth" after she called me a "dim-wit", but that's for another time...and that's not a song.)


As good as I am at learning new songs (and occasionally ripping them to shreds), I also love giving gifts. I am always on the look-out for good gifts at a great price. So what if it's May and I find a great Christmas gift. Less trouble for me in December! When I see some of my jewelry collection, I think about who may love receiving it. That's what brought me to my thought of the sixteen camels. (I bet you didn't think I could ever connect my two thoughts, did you? Sixteen Camels >>> Cherche' Jewelry)


I have some sweet, dainty pieces for a special sweet 16. I remember what I got: a sterling charm bracelet. Yep, I still wear it and add on to it. I thought I wanted the leather jacket or the boots that everyone had, but I'm so glad I got a keepsake. If you have a sister or daughter about to turn 16, consider this: 

Love Knots.

Love knots are so sweet. I still wear my mom's that she got in high school. I wear these often and I'm not 16 anymore. The silver love knots are for a more mature lady, however. Too big for a 16 year old.  

But I encourage you to think about events, birthdays, and celebrations coming up. Sweet 16's or not. Your life will be made easier if you add to your gift closet ahead of time, I promise you that. 

Last note: My mind thinks very much ahead of time; just getting things done before so I don't have to worry about something later. Confession: when I'm out shopping, I will see outfits and think "This will be great if Andrew charters a boat, and we go sailing." Or "This will be perfect if I only were invited to a fall festival." I'm really kidding with my examples, but I do think about these most bizarre events, if I were only invited to such a thing. I bet some of you do the same.

Maybe I am the only crazy girl who buys Christmas gifts in May and can recite lyrics at the drop of a hat. How can I get paid for my talents?

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?

I've been missing home lately.

I cry sometimes because this place that I live is so different. I cook creole food sometimes, and it's either a raging success or an utter failure. And sometimes I get caught talking a little flat, like when I say 'coupon' or 'regular' or 'Andrew.' But I always listen to my New Orleans music. Ask Andrew. Every morning for the past few weeks it's either been Louis Armstrong or Dr. John.

(I think it's especially telling because Andrew is in the other room painting Louisiana iris' and whistling  to "Do What You Wanna" by Rebirth Brass Band. I'm rubbing off on him.)

It's normal to always miss this time of year because of Mardi Gras, but this is the first year that I miss it for a different reason: The Super Bowl! Wow. I don't even believe it still. I remember aggravating my sister with my black and gold shaker in her face saying, "who dat, who dat, who dat say dey gon beat dem Saints?" Well they were the 'Aint's' then, but it's The Saints now, baby!

And I'll take my family's word for it that "...everything is so crazy down here..." and "...the local news consists of virtually only Saints coverage..."

One of these days we'll get closer to home. But in the meantime, my heart is still there.

Yes, Louis (and Harry) I do 'know what it means to miss New Orleans.'