La Bella Bargainista: Ad 1

Hello Ladies!

(Sorry Guys. This segment is exclusively for my Ain't-No-Recession-Gonna-Keep-Me-From-Being-Fly Sisters!)

Don't you look lovely! Look atcha. Hair did. Toes painted. Face graced. Like me, you are a beautiful woman who has learned to appreciate your aesthetic uniqueness. You delight in all girlie treats including, but not limited to, lip gloss, nail lacquer, smell goods and such. Bottom line, you love yourself and you understand that your outward appearance is a reflection of this reality. Consequently, you are committed to keeping up your appearance. Period. Recession Smession. Even on 3/4, 1/2, or 1/4 of your normal budget you've found creative ways to keep    

The Doll in order.   Brava, My Dear, Brava. *curtsies*

With the series, "La Bella Bargainista" I intend to assist you with this all-important task. Each entry, or "Ad" will feature beauty tips and/or prudent finds, all in the spirit of helping you maintain your look for less.

Before we launch our maiden voyage, some definition. I'm a former Spanish teacher who makes some attempt to stay abreast of pop culture. The title of this series is an amalgamation of these interests. La Bella is Spanish for "the beautiful" and Bargainista is, well, Pop for "a woman who passionately and skillfully pursues sales and savings." Let's get started. The aisles deals are waiting!

1. The Dollar Menu. That's right, one George Washington (plus tax) can land you any of the following at your local $ Tree or beauty bargain bin.



Nails Loud

Eyes A-Glam

Lip Gloss Poppin'

2.  Two Peas in a Pod.  Yep, just 2 buckaroos at one of those Huge Lot stores.



Beauty Captured



Feet Pampered

3.  Three's A Crowd.  Dig deep in those couch cushions and pull out 12 more quarters.

Lips Sealed

Soul Windows Secured

Alright, Beauties.  I hope you're encouraged and inspired.  Happy Hunting!

Another Perspective

This is very Twilight Zone-ish, but all so Earthly . Rare, but all so Attainable. Challenging, but all so Inspiring. Enjoy!

AM 91 Radio: Lindsey Isham - Full Interview from Lindsey Isham on Vimeo.

* See an earlier post for more about Lindsey and more sex talk.

Just Wait

Just Wait...
For me too.
I am real.
I am your promise.
Though the distance,
Between us,
Seems,
So grand,
I am yours,
Already.
Hold on to His Word.
Remember His Promise.
Be comforted,
Sustained by His faithfulness.
He cannot lie.
I am yours.
Just Wait.

Stream of Consciousness #3

Panic. Worry. Fear.

What to do? What to do?

This song just popped in my head: "I will trust in the Lord, I will trust in the Lord..."

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

Lord, help my unbelief.

Stream of Consciousness #2

It's been a while. Haven't kept up with the everyday thing, but I am progressing. Slower than I'd like, but progressing. Way to the plus side. I'm changing. I feel faith rising inside of me. I hear destiny screaming and I am awakening to meet her. The last 4.5 years of my life have been a hellacious maze. Haven't known where to go, what to do, how to go about making my dreams manifest. To my chagrin (I'll have to check the spelling on that later) at times I've just stood still. But I hear, see something clearly brewing. I am ready to make the most of its appearance. I will run toward this unction. I will embrace it completely. I will launch my wholeself into this purpose, into this season. I KNOW my dreams are becoming my reality. I sense Divine synchronization. I will harness my best and thrust myself forward.

Haiti Restored Pt. 3

I have longed to touch the people of Haiti since first hearing of January 12th's devestating earthquake. My heart has ached, yearned to be with them, to help them, to heal. In my two previous Haiti Restored posts you can see that I have prayed, I have studied, I have prepared my heart and mind to serve the Haitian people.

The time has come. The time is now. I'm going to Haiti!

It is my turn to be the restorer...of peace, comfort, joy, and hope to the beautiful people of Haiti.

I will travel to Haiti not once, but at least twice this year. First* from July 24-Aug. 5th in conjunction with Courageous Church, an incredible church in Atlanta, GA (www.courageouschurch.tv) that is partnering with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission (www.nwhcm.org) for two life-altering weeks of service.

The chance to serve with Courageous Church is a sudden and welcomed opportunity, one I have been praying for. One I want to share. You may not be able to travel to Haiti and touch the people, you may not be able to look into their eyes, but you can support the work.

Will you join me in RESTORATION? Will you serve? Will you give?

I have been working diligently to raise funds for the trip since I first learned about it on June 28th, but I still need your help. The basic cost is just $500. Absolutely incredible! This includes airfare to and from Haiti, transportation in Haiti, travel insurance, meals, basic medical care, and security. This does not include travel to and from Atlanta or immunizations. With these added expenses the total cost will approximate $1,000. My first deposit of $100 is due on July 4th. The remaining balance is due on July 17th.

My dream of helping the Haitian people will only be a reality with your financial support. Will you help me serve?

Any donation, no matter the size, would be greatly appreciated and eternally invested.

Thank you for your consideration, prayers, and support!

Goal: $1000
Amount Raised: $500

*I am planning to travel to Haiti with a local ministry in the fall and have aspirations to return with students from my afterschool program during their spring break in 2011. I'll keep you posted (pun fully intended) on details regarding these future trips as well as the book, yep, I said book, my kids have written in support of the Haitian people.

To Ph.D. or Not to Ph.D?

Convictions...

I'm dying to go back to school! I sincerely miss having academic community and learning, studying in an organized, structured fashion. I LOVE school and I always have. After completing my first day of kindergarten I told my mom, "Pack my bags. I want to live at the school!" I was dead serious. I fell in love the moment I stepped in the door and nothing has ever changed. I LOVE to learn. I LOVE to discover. And I believe it's time to take the next formal step in my academic career.

Complications...

I live in Smalltown, USA. The university nearest me doesn't offer doctorate the programs I'm most interested in or believe would most fit my career goals. I would like to pursue a doctorate of philosophy in either education, educational psychology, or diverse learning. I believe completing such study would prepare me to achieve my goal of developing prototypes of schools that cater intentionally, and acutely to students' respective learning styles, placing them in classrooms with teachers who have been trained to teach to a particular learning style. For example, kinetic learners would be placed in classrooms with teachers who know how to keep it movin'. My theory is that by placing each child in a classroom tailored to their specific academic needs, each child will be given maximum opportunity to learn and in turn maximum opportunity to fulfill their potential. I do not know if completing my doctorate in educational leadership and organizational development will afford the same opportunites. I feel stuck.

I know what I want to do, but don't know how to get there.

Confessions...

I'm afraid. Afraid of nothing working out. Afraid that if I were accepted, I'd have trouble keeping up with students in my cohort, most of whom already have their master's degrees. Afraid of not being able to finance my efforts. Afraid of choosing the wrong program. Afraid.... Afraid of being wrong about pursuing this dream. I've always loved school, but struggled through undergrad. I've wanted a fresh academic start for some time now, but could never find a master's program that completely fit my likings. I'd given up on pursuing further education, at least while living here, but had this dream during my church's annual fast at the beginning of the year. I spent a lot of time talking to God and hearing from Him. And He spent a lot of time speaking to me. As is customary, He spoke to me in my dreams. During the fast I dreamt that I'd been trying to figure out which master's degree to pursue, but couldn't make a decision, I wasn't satisfied with anything offered. I then saw myself pursuing my doctorate. It was a Ph.D. that I was to pursue, at this time in my life. Great! Finally, that was my answer. I was to pursue my Ph.D. in.... Back to complications. What if I'm wrong? What if I didn't hear from God? What if it was just...a dream? I'm afraid.

Concessions...

This isn't the first time I've been passionate about something. This isn't the first time I've been afraid of pursuing something I'm passionate about. This isn't the first time I've had to take a step in faith, while afraid. I may not be able to shake the fear, but I will not allow it to hold me back. I will further investigate the program. I will meet with an advisor. I will risk.