Thursday Favorite Things: Do you have a best friend?

Today is Best Friends Day. I have some very dear friends.  But I have to say that my best friends are my sisters, Beverly and Lisa. 

This is one of my favorite pictures of my sisters and me, taken at my niece's wedding.  Beverly is on the left and Lisa is on the right.

I wrote this before about my sisters:

"My sisters and I share so much that I have a hard time even expressing it. We encourage each other, support each other, pray for each other.

They both live far away from me, so we cherish any time that we can physically be together. We laugh like crazy, sometimes cry a little, but always have an amazing time. They are two of the funniest women I know!

We can completely be ourselves around each other, and tell each other pretty much everything. We are each other's biggest fans and cheerleaders.

We talk to each other on the phone regularly...and have even gotten into texting each other quite a bit.

I also adore my younger brother, and he holds a unique place in my heart that no one else could fill...but he's most definitely not a woman. My sisters can empathize and understand me as women.

My husband, who I love with all my heart, is also a wonderful friend; but again, there's just something about a sister that's different from any other friendship.

I'm thankful for my sisters...my best friends."

My younger sister Lisa and me.  Lisa is a pastor's wife and works full-time as an administrative assistant at a Fortune 500 company.  Her indefagitable spirit and organizational and leadership skills amaze me.  She's also one of the most loving and generous women I know!  

My older sister Beverly is vibrant, sparkling and beautiful! She has always been one of my biggest inspirations to be the best woman-of-a-certain-age that I can be.  She lights up a room when she enters it.  She is loving, nurturing, and so much fun to be around!

This is me with my siblings and my mom last Christmas. My dear dad passed away in 2004.   
I'm participating today in Thursday Favorite Things, hosted by Katherine's Corner! Join the fun! 

Do you appreciate your hairstylist? (from the archives)

Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hair stylist you like. ~Author Unknown

Your hairstylist probably knows more about you than your doctor. A good hairstylist not only gives you the most up-to-date hairstyle that you can replicate at home, he or she is also a good listener. Hairstyling is an artful skill that boosts self-esteem and makes clients feel good...-from news.yahoo.com

There's no doubt about it, a really good hairstylist is a treasure.

There are few feelings happier than the day you know you're getting your hair cut and/or colored...especially when you know and trust your stylist.  You feel like a new woman!

Looking back on all the people who have cut, styled and/or colored my hair, I've been pretty blessed.

Price has always been an issue for me.  I just can't afford to spend a ton of money on my hair.

 Right now, my hairstylist works in a terrific salon in a small town over half an hour away from me.  The drive is worth it because not only is the price much less, but Lori is a talented stylist and colorist, and I've been very pleased with her work.

This has worked against me in the past, though.  For a couple of years, I had a bargain stylist who was dirt-cheap.  I thought this person did an OK job, but looking back at pictures of myself during this era, I can see that my hair was really not very flattering.

 The old adage "You get what you pay for" comes to mind.
I've had some wonderful stylists in the past who have since moved away. I actually followed Samantha through stops in three different salons!  This girl really had a talent with hair.

We all know that when you take a photo to a hairstylist, you shouldn't expect miracles.  She/he can use it as a guideline, but chances are, it's not going to look the same on you.

However, one time I took a photo to Samantha and I think she came pretty close!

Photo I took to the shop on the left--me post-cut on the right

Sam ended up moving away and getting married.

How about you?  Do you have a hard time finding someone who does your hair the way you want it? Is cost an issue?  Do you change stylists frequently, or tend to stick with one for years?

Let me know in my comments section!

Visible Monday: The "messy" side pony

As I continue in my journey of trying to be the best woman-of-a-certain-age that I can be, I've been trying to change up my hairstyles.  I don't want to get stuck in a rut.

So, inspired my one of my favorite YouTube tutorialists, Miss Tammy (more about her in a moment), I tried a "messy side bun."

Actually, as you can see, it turned out to be more of a side-pony than a side bun.

I don't think it really matters, though.  The whole point of the side-thingie is to be uber-casual about it.

As it happens, when I wore this look to work this past Friday, two of my co-workers and I were all wearing some form of black with white polka dots.

Susan, me and Linda

Of course, I had to take a pic.

Now about Miss Tammy, aka Uppiesbeads59, aka Crazy Miss Tammy

So, yeah, isn't she ridiculously gorgeous?

I'm not sure just how I came across Miss Tammy on YouTube.  All I know is that, although I love the young YouTube beauty tutorialists, I had really been wanting to find one closer to my age.

Miss Tammy fit the bill perfectly.  I think she's a few years younger than me, but she knows all about the things we women-of-a-certain age are going through, and she's all about aging gracefully, beautifully and elegantly.

And as a professional aesthetician, she can give knowledgeable and practical advice.

Not only that, she's funny and has a great personality. She often slips off into a foreign accent that's so cute...I don't know if it's real or just for fun.

Anyway, I got the side-thingie inspiration from Miss Tammy.  Now, understand that her hair is a lot longer than mine, so she rocks it a lot better.  But I now leave you with her tutorial for the messy side bun.

I'm taking part today in Visible Monday, hosted by Not Dead Yet Style!

Five on Friday: Five of My All-Time Favorite Books

Today is National Book Lovers Day, or National Read a Book Day, depending on what link you check out on Google.  Well, I NEVER need an excuse to talk about reading!  And since I'm participating in Five on Friday, I'm sharing five of my favorite books. (Actually, a couple of them are series.  Sorry. :))

Note: this list doesn't include the Bible, which I base my life around and which is in a class by itself.

Here we go:

 Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

As I've said many, many times on this blog, this is my favorite fiction book OF ALL TIME.  I fell in love with it as a little girl, and still re-read it often.

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

It's almost a cliche to love this book now, because so many young women have discovered Jane Austen, and a new generation has fallen in love with Mr. Darcy.  But I've loved it for years, and still re-read it to this day.

The Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis

I remember discovering these books as a child, and being awestruck with delight.  Even re-reading them as an adult, the magic is still there.

The Mark of the Lion Series, by Francine Rivers

Set in Rome just after the time of Christ, this series is riveting.  I never thought I was even interested in Roman times until I read these books.  Some of the finest work of a fine writer.

Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell

The movie has become so iconic, one sometimes forgets that it was based on an incredible book that encapsulates one of the most tumultuous eras of our country.  Really an unforgettable read.

Need more reading suggestions?

Check out my book blog, Cindy's Book Club, where there are lots of reviews!

I'm participating today in Five on Friday!

Thursday Favorite Things: I love big fat magazines

No, this isn't a real magazine, but isn't it funny?

Ah, yes.  It's that time of year when magazines like Vogue and InStyle trot out their biggest issue of the year--the much-anticipated and revered September issue.

These are the issues that are roughly the size of the Sears Roebuck catalogues of my childhood.  And I love 'em!

My love affair with magazines

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My love affair with magazines actually began when I was a little girl and my parents were missionaries in Beirut, Lebanon.

My mom subscribed to several children's magazines for us, including Jack & Jill, Calling All Girls (later titled Young Miss and then YM), and a small Christian magazine I loved called Young Pilot.

When we returned to the states in 1967, I was just about to enter puberty, and was already beginning an avid interest in fashion and beauty (although I looked a mess.  The junior high years were NOT kind to me!)

Seventeen magazine was 50 cents then, and I remember cleaning the kitchen for my newly-married sister in exchange for a copy of the magazine!

I think at one point my mom even let me subscribe to Ingenue, and I bought Teen  Magazine with whatever pocket money I could earn or plead for.

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I still love magazines, but....

What is it about fashion magazines that I love so much?

Some may complain that they're mostly ads, but that's one of the main things I love about them?  I look at every ad.  I love the slick pages with the gorgeous ladies and handsome men, and sometimes I don't even notice what product they're touting.

Here's the deal, though.  For a person on a budget, magazines aren't a terrific investment.

They're expensive.  And honestly, after I read whatever articles I want to read, I'm pretty much done with them.  Then you have the problem of whether to store them, try to give them away or junk them.

Not only that, but you can get most of the info online.

So I try to avoid the temptation at the grocery store register to buy another magazine.

I content myself with a subscription to InStyle Magazine.  Not only do I get the glossy ads, but there are fashions I would actually wear (as opposed to the high-fashion couture which is often more than slightly bizarre), and the magazine remains politically neutral--a trait I value.

There are even practical articles about skin care, hair, decorating tips and recipes.

And you can bet I'm looking forward to that September issue, which should be arriving any day now.  The bigger and fatter, the better!

P.S. Note that both these vintage magazine covers feature the beautiful Colleen Corby.  She was a top print model during my childhood.

Join me for Thursday Favorite Things, hosted by Katherine's Corner!

Why we love lighthouses

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I'm a lonely lighthouse, not a ship out in the night 

I'm watching the sea 

She's come half-way round the world to see the light 

and to stay away from me 

There is a shipwreck lying at my feet 

Some weary refugee from the rolling deep 

Ah, could you lose it all and fall for me? --"Lighthouse, " James Taylor

via

Why are we fascinated with lighthouses?

There are few things more beautiful and noble than a lighthouse...its very existence aimed at saving lives.  Lighthouses are the stuff of romance, of danger, of history, and as such, they are fascinating.

Today is National Lighthouse Day, so I decided to pay tribute to this ancient and lovely structure.

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From Wikipedia:

Lighthouses mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, safe entries to harbors, and can also assist in aerial navigation. Once widely used, the number of operational lighthouses has declined due to the expense of maintenance and replacement by modern electronic navigational systems.

Lighthouses go all the way back to ancient Egypt and Roman times. Probably the most famous lighthouse is the Lighthouse of Alexandria,on the coastal island of Pharos at Alexandria, Egypt. It was built more than 200 years before the birth of Christ, and is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Lighthouses also provide spiritual symbolism.  Scripture urges us to be "a light on a hill."  An old gospel song, "The Lighthouse," compares Jesus to a lighthouse:

 I thank God for the Lighthouse

I owe my life to Him

For Jesus is the Lighthouse

And from the rocks of sin

He has shown a light around me

That I could clearly see

If it wasn't for the Lighthouse, tell me

Where would this ship be? 

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While modern lighthouses may be less beautiful and more functional, there are groups like the World Lighthouse Society that are committed to preserving and restoring lighthouses around the world.

Photograph by firefighter.kevin on Flickr

I leave you with Nickel Creek's "The Lighthouse's Tale," a hauntingly beautiful song.

Today is National Fresh Breath Day. Do you know where your Altoids are?

via

Yep, today is National Fresh Breath Day.

From this website:

Dentists and oral care professionals across the nation are hailing Tuesday as a day dedicated to fighting bad breath.
“National Fresh Breath Day is the perfect excuse to jumpstart your oral health routine and stop bad breath once and for all,” says DenTek Brand Manager Rachel Scharfman.
DenTek is one of the nation’s leading producers of oral care products designed to fight the causes of bad breath.

 Most of us know that bad breath can be caused by illness, our diets, dental problems, etc.

But often, correcting bad breath can be as easy brushing your teeth, popping an Altoid or chewing some gum.

BEST TOOTHPASTE FOR KEEPING YOUR BREATH FRESH (IMHO):

I'm very conscious of my breath at all times, so it's rare that you'll find me without a tin of Altoids or my favorite gum, Orbit bubblemint.

Working in radio, I've interviewed people whose morning breath or coffee breath was so offensive I felt like turning away.  I never want to be that person!

A 1950's Listerine ad in which a smelly-breathed teen mourns her bad experience at a party
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The article I linked to above has some tips for keeping halitosis at bay...including drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day and flossing regularly.

Ironically, the article nixes mouthwashes containing alcohol (don't they all?) and breathmints containing sugar.  (I chew sugar-free gum, but I think Altoids might contain some sugar? They certainly DO work on garden-variety bad breath, though.)

How about you?

Are you conscious of how your breath smells to other people? What do you do to keep your breath fresh and clean? Any favorite, effective products? Let me know in my comments section!

Visible Monday: How do you feel about headbands?

Headbands are in style.

They're everywhere you look these days...and they come in an endless variety of colors and styles.

I must say, I was slow to hop on the headband bandwagon (say that 3 times fast.)  I couldn't get rid of mental images of Hillary Rodham Clinton "standing by her man"...or myself in the fifth grade.

Also, I've unfortunately, down through the years, seen many women-of-a-certain-age wearing headbands to a rather frumpy, dumpy effect.  

Finally, I realized that headbands can be quite attractive, and a fun way to change up your look.

I purchased the headband above at a local dollar store.  I got three or four headbands there...they were all name-brand (Goody, I think).  This one, and the black one at the bottom of this post, are the kind that go all the way around your head with an elastic base.

The above was probably my least favorite headband look for me...curly with no bangs.  I'm self-concious about having no bangs at all.  I kept thinking, "Is my forehead too wrinkled? does my face just look too plain without bangs?"

I've also tried it straight without bangs, although I don't have a picture of that.  Not my favorite look for me, but I've seen many other women rock it beautifully.

I do love that headband, though...my sister picked it up for me at Old Navy.

I liked this one...curly with bangs and a black-bow headband that goes all the way around.  Again, a dollar store purchase.  

I purposely put a light filter on this one so you could actually somewhat see the headband...it's not very visible in this picture.  My 20-something daughter has since adopted this headband, and I must say it looks adorable on her.

How about you?

Have you gotten into the headbanding trend? Let me know!

If you want to give it a go, be sure and pop into a dollar store...you can experiment without committing a lot of money!

I'm taking part today in Visible Monday, hosted by Not Dead Yet Style! Join the fun!

Five on Friday!

I'm taking part today in a bloghop that I learned about through the charming Cici of Cici's Corner...Five on Friday.

 Basically, it's just any five things you want to talk about on Friday.

 Here I go:

 1)  Farewell...for now...to a precious friend

 On Monday, a sweet friend came to the end of her struggle with cancer. I attended her memorial service yesterday. Lori was only 35 years old. She was a teacher who loved her students deeply, married to a wonderful young man named Jason, and always so full of life and joy.

We'll dearly miss her.  We're heartbroken, but  we know we'll see her in heaven someday.

 After the service there was a balloon launch. Hundreds of pink ribbons--fittingly symbolic of the fight against breast cancer--floated skyward. It was a beautiful farewell.

2) I've been reading some really terrific fiction lately...from the library.

I do enjoy reading Kindle books on my Nexus 7, but sometimes it's nice to just hold a book in your hands...and not worry about whether your battery is charged enough!

I recently finished this really enjoyable one:

This is from Goodreads:

Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs is heartbroken over the death of her beloved Aunt Rose. But the shock goes even deeper when she learns that the woman who has been like a mother to her has left her entire estate to Julie’s twin sister. The only thing Julie receives is a key—one carried by her mother on the day she herself died—to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy.
This key sends Julie on a journey that will change her life forever...

The book was well-written, intriguing, romantic, and full of exciting twists and turns...in other words, right up my alley!

Are you on Goodreads? I've found I enjoy being a part of the site, because before, I never kept track of what books I read or how many I was reading.

3) My husband's doppelganger...

Even when we were dating back in the 70's, I thought my husband looked like actor Jeff Bridges.  But since Jeff has gone bald in the Iron Man movies, the resemblance is uncanny.

We staged a re-enactment of a photo from Iron Man to illustrate it:

What do you think?  Separated at birth, or what?

4) Can I talk about the weather?

We have had an extraordinarily mild, lush, green, often quite cool summer here in Northern Illinois.  I, for one, am not complaining!

Last summer was horrendously hot and dry.  I've been thoroughly enjoying the mildness.

Here's a picture of the Rock River (I often stop and take pictures of it on my way home) just before a downpour the other day:

I must admit I love rivers, lakes, oceans, creeks, ponds...pretty much all bodies of water!

5) If you've been following my fingernail fiasco:

I blogged not long ago about the saga of my poor fingernails.  I've struggled with keeping them healthy and a decent length...then went and ruined it all by getting what I thought were gel nails, but actually were acrylic nails.

My nails have been taking forever to recover, but I'm happy to report that they're finally showing some improvement:

Well, that's my Five on Friday! Feel free to join in the fun.  And please don't leave without dropping me a comment.

Have a fun, safe and happy weekend!

Thursday Favorite Things: Are your roots showing?

But first, this message:

Yay! I'm co-hosting Katherine's Corner's Thursday Blog Hop!

When I first discovered Katherine's Corner, I fell in love with this lovely blog.  Katherine's Corner is what I'd like my blog to be when it grows up, if that makes sense.  It's just a classy mixture of prettiness, information and fun.

I'm so happy to be a co-host of Katherine's Thursday Favorite Things. What a great way to get to know other bloggers and even increase your circle of readership and influence!

 Here's more about this fun bloghop:


Its Time For Thursday Favorite Things! Thursday favorite things is where you can link your favorite post or write a post about your favorite things and share it with old and new followers. Please link to your post and not to your blog. You gain visibility for your blog ( it posts on three blogs) and you make bloggy friends too!
Please share the hop with your readers and let Katherine know if you would like to co-host.

Here are the rules, yes there are rules. But just a few:

Please DO NOT link and run...visit a few of the wonderful blogs that are sharing at the hop.
Follow your hostesses Katherines Corner, Sew Crafty Angel And Me and let us know if you are a new follower.
Visit as many blogs in the list as you can. Please leave a comment and let them know you are hopping over from the Thursday Favorite Things hop!
Share the button or a linklback on your post. Grab the hop button code from Katherines button page a Link back to Katherines Corner is always appreciated but is not mandatory
No adult content blogs or links directly to your shops please ( they will be removed)
Yes you can link giveaways ( they are everyone's favorite thing) Add your giveaways to the Win It Page at Katherines Corner too!
Have fun and link up below.


Now on to our regularly scheduled blog post:

Are your roots showing?

As you can see, I'm not talking about hair...although come to think of it, I'm due for a color touch-up1

The men in the pictures above are my grandfathers...my paternal grandfather, Thomas Valco Garrett on the left, and  my maternal grandfather, James Zarafonetis on the right.

 My Grandpa Garrett was mainly Scots-Irish...a name derived from the fact that his ancestors originated in Scotland, moved to Northern Ireland (Ulster), and ended up in America.

  Along the way, his family married into regular Irish (for lack of a better adjective), and his own mother was a Hispanic/Creole woman named Orelia DeSoto.

On the other hand, my maternal grandfather was the American-born son of two Greek immigrants, Harold and Georgia Demas Zarafonetis.

My mother's mother, as far as we've been able to ascertain, came from Irish and/or English roots.  (Interestingly, my maternal grandmother's father, Charlie Carroll, was a Texas Ranger...not the baseball kind of course, but the original, highly-respected law enforcement kind.)

From all of that, there's me.

I'm kind of bummed that I didn't get even a bit of my Grandpa Z's dark complexion...he was one of the darkest Caucasian people I've ever encountered!

I did, however, get the Scottish-Irish complexion that in my youth was, I daresay striking with my original dark hair and green eyes.  (I've long since given up on trying to preserve the dark hair!)

Of all the strains in my blood, I have to say the Celtic calls to me with the loudest voice.  I dream of visiting Scotland and Ireland, and if I ever get there, of course I'll have to check out England as well.

But I also dream of cruising the incredibly lovely Greek isles.

How about you?

Have you done any digging into your family roots? Does it fascinate you as it does me, or do you even give it a thought?  Have you ever thought about the way your family's background contributes to the person you are today?

I'd love to know!

What a Beautiful Old Church in England Has to Do With Me

(From the archives)

Credit: Steve Oatway

 Owston Ferry photographer Steve Oatway sent me this beautiful photograph, taken by him, of St Martin's Church in the snow

I love this moody, evocative portrait of St Martin's Church in Owston Ferry, England

St. Martin's Church, Owston Ferry, England (Wikipedia)

Not long ago, I blogged about my connection with a murder in a tiny English village. It's a pretty fascinating story, if you have a moment to read it.

Granted, my connection is tenuous. It all revolves around a book called Red Knights from Hy Brasil, and this sticker inside the book:



Shortly after writing that post, I got an e-mail from a photographer named Steve Oatway who lives in Owston Ferry and actually knows Peter Torn and even the vicar who signed that sticker (now retired.)

Steve offered to send me some photos of the village, and I haven't received them yet. (UPDATE:  Steve has now sent me a photo of St Martin's, which I posted above.)  But I got curious about St. Martin's Church, and turned up some fascinating photos and info about it on the internet.

Photo by Paul McConachie via

A very old place of worship

When Steve Oatway told me that St. Martin's is 600 to 800 years old, I was awestruck. We simply don't have buildings, much less churches, in America that are that ancient.

According to the church's website:

The earliest reference to a church in Owston Ferry is about 1150 CE. As none of the present fabric dates before 1280, there must have been an earlier building on the site. The site itself is within the inner bailey of the "Motte and Bailey" castle which formerly stood there.

A triple archway was built in 1859 at the entrance to the avenue of trees leading to the church.

photo by wiatrak2 via

Stained glass window inside the church

Another website relates:

The parish church, situate at the western end of the village of Owston Ferry, is dedicated to St. Martin and contains much of interest to the family historian, not least are those tombs therein of local gentry, the family containing most being that of Pindar, prominent in the Isle since the mid-sixteenth century.
... On the south side of the Church can be seen the mound on which stood in former times the keep of a "motte and bailey" castle, said to have been built shortly after the Conquest and held at one time by the powerful Mowbray famiLy. It was taken by Geoffrey, Bishop elect of Lincoln, in 1174, on behalf of Henry the Second and was later destroyed and never after rebuilt.

A view of the church's interior, from a Church of England website

St. Martin's choir members (also from this Church of England website)

As a confirmed Anglophile and lover of history, all this fascinates me. How I would love to visit England someday and see this incredible old church for myself.

In the meantime, I hope you've enjoyed these photos.

Note: Every effort has been made to give proper credit for these photos, which do not belong to me