Shopping, gifts from afar and those close to home

I need to update my wardrobe. I have somethings that are literally over 10 years old. Because I have a 'classic' sense of style (or at least *I* believe I do - I mean sure I have some risque things but not a lot...) luckily things last me a while...however outdated and frumpy as well as frayed isn't a 'chic' look...

Erin and I talk about everything but we both have a somewhat artistic bent and 'good eyes' when it comes to style, colour etc. So we share what we think would 'look' good on each other and ideas about clothing.

Of course I need to shed some pounds cause with all the stress I nibble and we eat WAY too much popcorn cause Erin is a popcorn gourmet....

Anyhow I thought I'd share some of the items I was looking at on line.


These are all 'party' dresses - not that I go to a lot of parties - but the holidays are around the corner...

I am most likely going to order this one - it is lovely and it is really inexpensive:



These other two are really retro and I just wanted to share - I am probably not going to purchase - but they are fun nonetheless:






Lastly - I kind of love this jacket - again not sure I'd purchase it. (Mainly I just want to go shopping with Erin):



On a sad note...last night the gold chain on the cross my love bought for me broke - so I need to find another chain for it - I always feel 'naked' when I don't wear something he purchased for me in the way of jewelery.

Today at work my co-worker - a lovely woman who hails from the Ukraine, returned from her trip to the Virgin Islands. She brought us all some precious-tropical wood beads - they are just gorgeous - like worry stones only different. She also brought me a very special gift. I had brought back some Bailey's Irish Cream from Ireland for her - so for me she bought me a bottle of red wine that is from her country - she was able to find this wine and apparently it is very difficult to find here in the states. She told me that it is only for me to drink - 'only red wine for women' - she said. We hugged. I adore this woman - she is a really interesting and lovely person and her way of explaining certain things is always delightful to me. It is so nice to be blessed with such interesting and wonderful people in my life.

Thank you....

I am at the end of the day - my birthday. I am going to bed soon. I will sleep the sleep of the content.

Friday night was nice seeing my son's band perform at a local small venue. I found posters in the tavern with their name splashed across and I grabbed myself one. I also got one for my son and one for his band mate's parents. After they tore down their equipment I had my son and his friend sign their poster.

Yesterday I went into work - worked for several hours and came home. Took a shower and got ready to go out with Erin to meet some of our friends for dinner - then we were off to a concert at a church out in Hudson, Ohio. We all met for dinner at the Yours Truly. I was given gifts and cards by the boys (Liam, Christopher, Ken and my love). The cards were great. Liam and Christopher bought me a cute little framed picture bearing my birth name. The gift that surprised me the most though was from my love, Erin. He managed to frame the poster that I had gotten with my son's band name. But even more of a surprise, was that he had also framed wedding pictures of my parents that I had been meaning to have framed for years (literally). I was so touched when I saw those pictures that I cried like a baby. What a meaningful and beautiful gesture/gift. I will treasure this for years to come. I know I am marrying the right man.

We didn't get to see the concert after all - there was some kind of mix up and the performers were not at the church as advertised so instead we all hung out at a local coffee shop and talked and listened to a folk singer (his website is here) that Erin and I had seen previously at The Barking Spider (a fine establishment at CWRU for live music, the company of intelligent friends, and a good pitcher of beer). All in all a wonderful evening with people I love.

Erin and I went home, made love to one another, woke up and went to mass. We then got to have brunch with some friends of ours from church, afterwards, we went to pick out my wedding band. This evening we stayed home, had a wonderful dinner, watched Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and, in between I received phone calls from family wishing me a happy birthday and sending me their love....

Thank you - all of you. I am forever blessed to have you in my life and I hope I tell often enough how much you all truly mean to me and how much I in turn love you all.

Speaking of....

...birthdays...

I have a lot planned for the weekend.

Last night my sister and I met and she bought me dinner for my birthday - it was fun getting together and I wish we lived closer to one another.

Tonight my son's band is playing at the Beachland Ballroom here in C-town. Can't wait to see him - I am very proud of him for having the guts to get up on stage and this has to be the best b-day gift I could get - seeing him realise his dreams.

Tomorrow (UGH!) I have to go to work - but afterwards I plan to spend part of the afternoon with Erin (perhaps shopping) and then off to Hudson, OH to meet some of my favourite people for dinner and then a concert featuring Medieval/Celtic music at St. Mary's church.

Sunday - the actual DAY - I'd like nothing more than to sleep in - but instead I am going to go to mass early with Erin so I can spend as much of the day as possible with him. Afterwards, I am not sure, brunch maybe - more shopping? Who can say....but as long as I get to be with my love it's all good.

I hope you all have a glorious weekend.

XO

Colette

For Salman...

Jaan Salman,

My friend, formerly of Lahore...now living in the fast lane of Cairo.

Truly 'twas by fate's chance that we met. And has it *REALLY* been 6 years? No! I began this 'work'/blog in 2003 - it's only been 3 years my dear young man (going on 4 now). But still, almost 4 years - that's a long time to 'know' someone over the Internet. I must admit that even to me this is a long time considering the fleeting nature of this global pathway. I had always felt that such relationships were often temporary - that is unless the people actually met somehow - I don't know why to me that gives things more credibility...silly little girl that I am.

You have always been kind, curious, open, smiling - yes I can feel you smile at me from across the many miles that have separated us....oceans, continents. You, always encouraging me to be true to who I am - you, always trying to cheer me up and onward.

We have discussed things that perhaps your culture/heritage/ancestry would probably label as blasphemous for a woman to even think about let alone talk about with a 'man'. Religion, politics, culture/society, romance/relationships.

I admire the way your mind works, frankly, I just plain admire you, and, for you to say to me recently:

"...here in Cairo, all of my friends are travellers at some level or the other and we believe that a person whose lived a truly great life is someone who has great stories to tell, and that my dear, you do."

You do me an honour and a justice jaan that I don't think I truly deserve...

Insha'Allah, we shall meet one day - perhaps you will come dance at my wedding and feast at the banquet with us...

Insha'Allah, may you have everything your heart desires and may you and yours always be happy, healthy, and prosperous.

Love and Peace,
Colette

Out of the blue...

A friend came back into my life....

It feels good - I guess you don't realise how much you miss someone until they are gone and then suddenly return...