Day 43...

Keep it simple

Day43TurquoiseJewelry
Gold and Turquoise

Gold and Turquoise

Sometimes less is more.  I really love the simplicity of this combination, how the earthiness of the turquoise contrasts with the black, and I am particularly fond of the combination of gold with turquoise instead of silver on the ring. These are 70's era pieces, and really treasure them, and on those days when you feel vintaged to the hilt, it's nice to have the option to just add jewelry to a simple outfit.  I jokingly told a friend over dinner this weekend, that I am nervous that by day 200, I will never want to see another piece of vintage clothing ever agin, and that when this is all over, I will want to wear nothing but black shift dresses!  Probably not, but you never know.  Each day is a new page, new emotions, new outlook.  Thank you for going on the journey with me.  x


Day 40...

No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again
— Buddha
Jade Buddha necklace 70's

Jade Buddha necklace 70's

This little necklace is a mystery piece to me, I am not sure where or who it came from, but I remember my mom wearing it, and me loving it when I was a little girl.  It has all the earmarks that would make a child love it;  a) it's colorful, b) it's miniature!  I really love wearing this necklace now, it feels good, it feels nice around my neck, and I often times, feel my self reaching up to hold it.  My mom would have loved the spiritual, healing elements of this pendant, and I can see her wearing it with a gaggle of other chains.  When I posted this, it felt right to look up a quote from Buddha for it, but the first quote that came up and hit me smack in the face, was not the one above it was; "Holding onto anger is like drinking poison, and waiting for the other person to die."  Yep.  One of the deepest regrets I have is how angry I could get with my mom, especially at the end of her life.  I was so exhausted, it had been two years of sickness and treatments, and pain.  There had also been some times of remission and happiness, but towards the end, my mother was dealing with other types of pain, emotional pain that she tried desperately to shield me from.  I did not realize how deep until after she passed.  One day in Florida, on what would be the last trip I would see her alive, she wrote me a note, asking for me to send the girls into bed with her to snuggle and watch cartoons, and telling me to sleep in, and not to be too angry, that life was too short.  Oh mom, you were so right.  And I am so sorry.  I wish I could go back in time, and hold you, and apologize for being so angry.  If you are out there anywhere, please know that I love you, and I'm so sorry.  I am so sorry you got sick, I am so sorry you got hurt, I am so sorry you ever suffered.  You were right, life is short.  Anger is a poison.  Thank you for those words, I will try and carry them with me.  It was almost as if, you were telling me those words again today.  I love you so deeply, and I miss you so terribly, and I am trying, as buddha says, to begin again.


Day 34...

Thirty For Thirty

"Good Luck June 57'"

"Good Luck June 57'"

This charm bracelet is among one of my most cherished possessions.  My mother gave it to me on my 30th Birthday.  She loved to share her jewelry on special occasions,  it was always so nice to wear something she had given me and I know she loved it.  But there is another element to this bracelet.  If you notice, the charm disk say's "Good Luck June 57'"  It was the year my mother graduated from high-school.  I graduated exactly 30 years later in 1987.  My mother also gave birth to me when she was 30, so those intervals have always felt interesting to me.  Now my mother would have KILLED me if she knew I was talking about her age, but darn it I think she looked good for her age, so I will out us both right now.  Both my mother and I are/were hitting big birthdays this spring.  She would have been turing 75, and I am turning 45 in a week.  Now here is what I think the differnce my mom and I may have had regarding age; I am incredibly proud to be turning 45, I work hard, and I sure as hell know of a lot more than I did at 35, or 25 (oy vey!) I am very proud of being more of a woman than a girl.  I don't care about wearing short skirts anymore, (but I will admit I HATE you cellulite!!!) But what really hit me today when I told my oldest daughter about the age I was turning, was that I did not care so much about the vanity of the age, it was more the fact that I would not be able to be there forever for my own daughters, that time marches on. Woah- that was a wopper.  I was more concerenced about taking care of them, about wanting to make sure they were protected from hurt and loss, and all the terrible things you want to sheild your kids from. So I am going to continue to try and eat right and exercise, and get botox....LOL. Beacause I want to be around for them as long as I can. (and look good doing it!)   And if I cant, I will teach them to be strong and smart and kind, so they will be able to make their way through this crazy life.  Here's to all the women, mothers and daughters I know: I love you All.  Keep taking care of each other. xoxo