Manic Monday - 11.19.12

We should all be thankful for 

{and she does for me}

those people who rekindle the inner spirit. 

~ Albert Schweitzer 

Wishing you and yours a fabulous, beautiful and loving Thanksgiving!  Thank you for sticking by me. Today marks a year of a very trying time for me.  I am thankful for hope.  Thankful for the chance to begin again.  Thankful for a bright new day.  Cheers! 

think before you say...words can and do hurt!

{via}  

The uber talented Alison Rowan

And from me to you.  Because if you read my blog any, then you know I am completely bonkers.  And I would bet you are too! Shhhhh.....all the best people are!!!!  #thatswhatshesaid

I ombre'd it!

It was time for a change with my hair.  I cut off about 5 inches about a month ago but something was still so drab about it.

So what's a girl to do?  Go see Caitlin at SoK Salon in Houston.  She gave me an ombre....

So....whatcha think!?!  Other than I am really late on the ombre craze!  Just in time for it to be out of style.  Perfect.

a Sunshine-y Matilda-y post!

Happy one day past Halloween!

So much is going on and I really haven't been blogging as much as I would like to.  But I wanted to pop in here and share somethings that make me really happy and bring sunshine into my world!

So I am gonna link up with my girl Summer and spread some SUNSHINE!  Join in, won't you?

Do you wanna know what brings me sunshine?  {that is the point of this project}

****My Matilda Jane online Trunk Show I am having RIGHT NOW!  {It's not too late to order.}  I ordered this outfit this morning and it makes me giddy.  If you wanna join my Trunk Show, follow these short steps...

...and I promise it will bring you sunshine.  {shameless plug}

1.     Go to http://www.matildajaneclothing.com/

2.     Click on "Shop the Collection." 

3.     To view exactly what is available in your or your child’s size, click on the “Search by size” tab on the left hand side of the page.
4.     Add your favorite pieces into your wishlist (just like adding into your shopping cart) and email my trunk keeper, Stacey at staceyg@matildajaneclothing.com, and also to me, melifaif@yahoo.com

(It is best to send a copy to yourself and then forward to me and Stacey to ensure we receive the wishlist.  Stacey will have an auto-reply set for November 1.) 
5.     Before submitting your wishlist, please add your billing and shipping address and Stacey will call you to get your payment information. Matilda Jane accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. If it's on file already make sure to note the last 4 digits of your card on your wishlist.

6.     Also before submitting your wishlist, make sure to include that you are ordering through Melissa Faifer's Trunk Show.

7.     Stacey will call you if she needs payment information or if you ask her to call you.  Expect a phone call by 10 am est on the 2nd.  If there are no questions or concerns, your order will be placed and you should expect to get an email invoice by the end of day November 2nd.

****This girl brings me sunshine.  She has helped to take my 1st online Trunk Show off to a great start!  Love you lady. 

{That's Summer Sunshine!!!  Read her story...she is amazing.}

****Family Reunions make me happy!  My dad's, Aunt Florine - who helped raise my dad and uncle (left and right) when their parents were both killed by a drunk driver when my dad was a young guy.

{Ripple Family Reunion 2012 - Victoria, Texas}

{We are family!} 

****And you all know this girl brings me sunshine.  All the time.  So let me share a few pics that have helped me over these past few months that have been a tad trying, to say the least. 

{it was a pumpkin massacre!} 

{she's so hard! lol.}

{My spider witch...scary, huh?} 

{and this morning - rockin' the Matilda Jane Clothing!} 

My Matilda Jane {online} Trunk Show - November 1, 2012

I am hosting a Matilda Jane Trunk Show showcasing the Fall & Winter Collection...Heart- Soul- Pride....this Thursday, November 1, 2012 and I really hope that you will join me. 

If you are interested in snatching up some one of a kind, head turning pieces for your lil' ones and your wardrobe, email me at 

melifaif@yahoo.com

Your Spirit Remains

Your spirit remains 

though we had to bid you adieu.

Your spirit remains 

I still feel so very close to you. 

Your spirit remains

though your sweet soul left this Earth. 

Your spirit remains 

though your body rests beneath sacred dirt. 

Your spirit remains 

in our hearts, in our tears and in the raindrops aplenty.

{image via}

Your spirit remains 

through the colors of the rainbows He has sent thee. 

Your spirit remains 

in the blue sky, the misty air and the rolling hills. 

Your spirit remains

as it always will. 

By Melissa Faifer 

For Johnnie "Honey" Lockhart 

10/31/1920 ~ 10/12/2012

my Honey...my warrior

Warrior: Honey

I see a true warrior as someone who strives to be the best they can be at all things.  A warrior is someone who lives to a strict code of honor and lives life to the fullest in full awareness and without fear of the unpredictable nature of life and of the constant presence of death.  Death is not to be seen as something to be feared but only another part of the journey and therefore as with all things it is to be faced with honor. 

May You Rest In Peace 

Sunrise: 10~31~1920

Sunset: 10~11~2012

To be a warrior is not a simple matter of wishing to be one.  It is rather an endless struggle that will go on to the very last moment of our lives.  Nobody is born a warrior, in exactly the same way that nobody is born an average man.  We make ourselves into one or the other. 

~ Carlos Castaneda

I instagram'd it!

So I took a leap.  It only took two years and now I am an instagram-er...

{via}

So come and find me... MELIFAIF...

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And if you have one, let me know so I can stalk follow you back.  Happy instagramming. 

my migraine aura

I had an frightening experience yesterday when all of the sudden my right eye had a very bright white light appear in the center part of my vision.

{via}

I couldn't see anything clearly.  The light in my eye looked something like this....and it was blinding.  And I was getting dizzy.

{via}

All I could do is close my eyes.  Lay my head down.  But I was still freaking out a bit.  I didn't know what was happening. 

{via}

I have experienced migraine headaches since I was a kid, unfortunately.  They are debilitating.  So painful and cruel.  But never have I experienced a migraine aura.   

A migraine with aura comes with additional symptoms, which often begin about 30 minutes or less before the headache. These early symptoms are called a prodrome.The prodrome or aura may last for five to 20 minutes, or it may continue even after the headache subsides. Symptoms of aura include:

• blind spots or scotomas
• blindness in half of your visual field in one or both eyes (hemianopsia)
• seeing zigzag patterns (fortification)
• seeing flashing lights (scintilla)
• feeling prickling skin (paresthesia)
• weakness
• seeing things that aren't really there (hallucinations)

This aura in my eye lasted about 10 minutes and then started floating off to the right side of my field of vision.  It then hit me that....maybe this is a migraine coming on and not something wrong with my vision.  I had heard about migraine auras before, but like I said, never experienced one.

{via}

Sure enough I google'd it.  Auras happen for about 10 - 30 minutes before a migraine hits.  While I am reading this....hear comes the headache.  

{via}

I don't think I mentioned, my thyroid is low again too.  Medication for that now.  

What they say is true.  Once you hit 30....it's all down hill from there.  I'm falling apart.  

Meli Monday - Red Hot Chili Peppers!!!!

I had a fabulous Saturday night!!!  A very special friend of mine called me up and invited me to go with her to the Red hot Chili Peppers concert with her in San Antonio on Saturday night.  VIP, backstage passes!!!!  I'd be a crazy b*tch to say no....I mean, I am a crazy b*tch but not when it comes to this.

Seats?  Ahhhh-mazing!!!

No zoom lens required....we were just that close!!!!  :)  

Concert?  Ba.nan.as!!!!!! 

A memory to last a lifetime?  No doubt.

Could I watch Mr. Anthony Kiedis dance around on the stage in "his" cool way alllll night?  Yessir!!!! 

Still on a concert high?  But of course...

The only downside...those backstage passes?  They were good.  We got back there after the show.  But they were in the hospitality room before the show.  #majorfail

Buuuuut.....I still had an amazing time!  Mind blowing. 

This is what I looked like before the concert.  

After the concert?  Ummm....I'll pass on the pic.  Just picture sweaty, elated....all with a RHCP shirt on.  Like this....

{via}

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remember to be happy

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.  

~Anthony J. D'Angelo

{via}

I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.  

~Anne Frank

{via}

Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts - it's what you do with what you have left.  

~Hubert Humphrey

{via}

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.  

~Herm Albright

{via}

Juny....today and always.

Today marks the third year I have, we have, had to live without my dear friend, Juny.  The years pass, but the pain of his loss never fades.  Missing you always, Juny.

Justice for Juny

And two years ago today, another sweet and bright spirit went away...thinking of you today as well, Cheryl. 

I guess by now I should know enough about loss to realize that 

you never really stop missing someone-you just learn to live around 

the huge gaping hole of their absence.

~ Alyson Noel, Evermore 

{via}

oh the dreams....they never stop....neither do birthdays!

I haven't posted on this is a while.  HECK, I haven't posted on jack diddly in a while, so.....there's that.  But these dreams of mine.  Oh, these dreams of mine.....Ugh, they wear me the eff out.  Non stop dreaming all night long.  Still.  Still.

While the dreams are now less violent, they are all still pretty intense.  The other night I had a dream I hid some money I needed.  In some trees.  Like, tree tops...of tall ass pine trees.  And then I went flying to look for the money.  Because I am now a fairy that can fly.  In a snow/rain storm.  Yes, I am strange.  I do recognize this.  Thankyouverymuch.

Snow 
To see snow in your dream signifies that you are feeling indifferent, alone and neglected. If the snow is melting, then it suggests that you are acknowledging and releasing emotions you have repressed. You are overcoming your fears and obstacles.

To dream that you are watching the snow fall represents a clean start and a fresh, new perspective.  It is indicative of spiritual peace and tranquility.

To dream that you find something in the snow suggests that you are exploring and accessing your unused potential, abilities, and talents. You have uncovered some hidden talent and ability within yourself. It may also refers to a need to forgive.

{via}

Snowdrop 
To see snowdrops in your dream symbolize rebirth, hope, and new opportunities after a period of inactivity. You are emerging from a time of darkness with a fresh attitude. 

{via}

Money

To dream that you lose money suggests that you are lacking ambition, power and self-esteem. You are experiencing unhappiness and setbacks in your waking life. You may also be feeling weak, vulnerable, and out of control in your waking life...

{via}

Makeup 
To dream about makeup indicates that you are putting on your best face forward. You are trying to enhance your self-image and increase your sense of self-confidence.  The dream may also be a metaphor that you need to "make up" with someone. It is time to forgive and forget.

{via}

Jewelry 
To see jewelry in your dream signifies status and your own sense of self worth and personal value. It is also symbolic of knowledge, identity, or whatever qualities you hold precious in your life.

{via}

So yeah.  Rock on!!!  I am seeing the light at the end of this dark, dark tunnel of a year.  But don't ask about work.  Because honestly, it down right sucks right about now!!!  But I am guessing that the above repeating words of forgiving....plays in here.

I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. 

~ Mitch Hedberg

At least my ray of sunshine, Layla, is doing fabulous in Kinder, so that makes this momma's inner turmoil just a tad bit smaller.

And very importantly...today is my boo, my baby daddy, my lovah mans birthday.  So, we are going out to celebrate!  I hope this year and every year are the best for you.  I love you.

I hope you all have a glorious, beautiful and enjoyable weekend!