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Dear Friends,
Seasons greeting to you all! I can not believe it is time to write a Christmas letter again - it doesn't seem that long since I wrote my last one! This has been a full year, but a quiet one. Or perhaps I should say it's been busy in a quiet way.
My last letter left off just before our annual Twelfth Night Fête. Our Old English Tavern was a rousing success, if I do say so myself! So far this has been my favorite Twelfth Night, at least my favorite to plan and execute (I still think our An Enchanted Forest of 2005 was the prettiest). It was pretty crazed in the last few days, but the four of us (Bridget, Casey, Leslie & I) all pitched in together - finishing each other's costumes and party projects, using our strengths to their best advantage. It was fun.
I finished the last stitch on Bridget's pirate costume at 5pm, with the party at 7pm. Way too close for my comfort but it was the best I could do! Really what should I expect from a costume that is cursed?! No matter how much I sewed, I never seemed to get any closer to finishing the wretched thing! Sort of like trying to eat pasta at Olive Garden, you eat and eat but you never seem to empty your bowl.
This year's affair will be our last costumed Twelfth Night party in the foreseeable future. The decision is a reflection on where we are in our lives. Last year was great fun but it proved that we simply don't have the time we used to have to devote to this event and its costumes. Bridget is also senior this year and after graduation she will be off to medical school, unavailable to co-hostess. These parties have always been a combination of our resources, talents and ideas. I have no interest in doing them on my own: it wouldn't be nearly as fun.
So in keeping with our desire to celebrate the old and the beginning of a new season in our lives the theme is "Victory Ball", inspired by the lavish balls popularly held in England on Armistice Day. These fancy dress occasions were at their peak in the 1920s & 1930s. We are also allowing gentlemen to join us for the first time so it will be interesting! It's sad to see Twelfth Night go, but it's time.
I have NO intention of giving up my ever addicting hobby of costuming however! I love it far too much. I've had great fun with it this year as a member of the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society, Inc, the eighteenth century reenactment & English country dancing group I joined last year. I've scampered all around the county with RCHS, including into some local public schools for education programs. In the schools I portray a mantua or dress maker - wow! Talking about clothing and period dressmaking in front of a captive audience - what could be more fun? *smile*
I've also improved my dancing skills, at least I think so. I've even learned the minuet! This holiday season has been busy with two nights at Stratford Hall (dancing in the Great Hall by candlelight!), wreath making, and Scotchtown's Open House. But I'm getting ahead of myself!
Where was I… My spring was mostly filled with sore and recovering parents. Both Mom (a knee) and Dad (his back) had major surgery this year. Once again God proved His sovereignty, giving me my Mary Kay business when He did. It really came in handy to have a flexible job so I could take over "stay-at-home-daughter" duties when I needed to, and be there for my family when they needed me home.
I had a nice break when my friend Maegan came out from San Diego in April. We had great fun touring about the area and just enjoying each other's company. Our jaunts included Maymont in Richmond, the National Gallery in Washington D.C., Montpelier just down the road, the Confederate Cemetery in Fredericksburg and many hours watching DVDs of "Remington Steele". It was wonderful and she was gone much too quickly!
My summer was packed with work, RCHS, sewing, and home improvement projects. We painted all the bedrooms and replaced all the flooring (except the kitchen & bathrooms) with wood floors, carpet and tile. Through it all we moved every piece of furniture in the house at least once, except for the bedrooms which we moved twice. It makes me tired just thinking of it! I do love my newly painted chocolate brown & apple green walls and hardwood floors in my bedroom though! *wink*
The highlight of my year was absolutely my trip to California & Costume College in August. Costume College is a four day costuming convention in Van Nuys, Ca. It's basically a four day slumber party with costumes, classes, balls and shopping - it was glorious! I was able to meet some of the ladies I've been corresponding with online, (some for almost 7 years now), in person for the very first time! The classes were a bit of a mixed bag , but the socializing, chatting and sewing together was priceless.
It was also heaven to be back in Southern California, even if only for a little while. Bridget, two friends and I flew into San Diego and spent a day together with the Rossitto girls. We all drove up to Van Nuys the next day and while I was in Van Nuys the rest of the party stayed in San Diego, apparently having a blast. I had a few days after CC in SD with Maegan and Coree , which was wonderful. We ate, giggled, drank, talked, shopped and ate some more. It was wonderful to be "home".
While we were in LA we also took a field trip to the Getty Villa in Malibu. I am so glad we took the time to visit it! The last time I was there I was 15 and it is even more beautiful than I remembered it being. It was a treat to go back as an adult, knowing much more about Roman art, architecture and history. The Villa is such a special place... I think my favorite thing was the way it smelled. All the flowers , herbs and the sound of fountains and running water. I want one!!
I've already registered for Costume College next year and am busy with evil and cunning little plans for the costumes I'll wear to it. Looks like this is the year I will take the plunge into Victorian costuming for the first time, specifically the 1870s, which I'm excited about. I can't wait until August!
At the moment I am recovering from a cold (if one must be sick for the food holiday of Thanksgiving the germs should at least take themselves off quickly! *mreh*) and busily planning Christmas and Twelfth Night.
I'm also continuing to build my Mary Kay business; I cannot believe how much God has blessed me through this endeavor, and in so many ways that I didn't expect! I know that I've grown as a business woman and as a person. My faith has been stretched and strengthened too. This has been a year of learning to live by faith, of learning what it truly means to live a life of giving without expecting anything in return and of learning the importance of waiting on God's perfect timing. I'm learning that God's timing is never my own but it's always worth waiting for. I've fallen in love with my job and my customers and having my own business. I truly, truly love what I'm doing now; especially knowing that it's what God has called me to do.
I've had my struggles of course but I've also had a lot of fun. I've been to Baltimore and Myrtle Beach for conferences - so fabulous! The MK year runs from July to June so at our annual unit awards in July, I was 1st runner up in Queens Court of Sales and Miss Go-Give for my unit - both of which were huge honors, the Miss Go-Give in particular.
Go-Give is the highest award in MK, being the one "who best exemplifies the Golden Rule, helpings others unselfishly and supporting her director and fellow consultants without thought of reward." I remember as a brand new consultant, sitting at last year's award banquet thinking "Go-Give; wow, that is the award I would want". It was very humbling to be chosen and in my very first year too - it was hard not to cry! Wow.
Ummm... perhaps it hasn't been such a quiet year after all! *grin*
May His grace & love be with you this season & may you have a full & blessed New Year!
pink hugs,
Jenny-Rose
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