Through The Looking Glass

                                            Through the Looking Glass     

shutterstock_14746480 falling down

Early one fall I took a day trip to Calgary, Alberta, to buy spring and summer fashions for my retail business. I brought my teenage daughters along and planned to do some afternoon shopping after my appointment. I wore my navy business suit to make a good impression and for added flair, I wore my three-inch heels.  It was important to me to look pulled together so the sales representatives would assume I knew what I was doing.

My teenagers dressed for comfort in jeans and tennis shoes.  However, I decided to keep the suit and heels on for shopping, because I did not want to bring an extra set of clothes.  The day had been fun but exhausting, and by 5 pm I had burned-out.  I had a headache, my feet hurt, and I was hobbling. I was ready to go home, take a hot bath, and go to bed.

 I made one last stop at the drugstore on the way out of the mall, and my daughters decided to wait outside for me.  I paid for my purchases, and hurried out to meet them. Suddenly and abruptly, I crashed into a sparkling clean glass wall with such force it caused people to stop in their tracks and check out all the commotion near the eighth aisle.

 After my perfect face-plant into the glass, I slid to the floor in an ungraceful heap.  My shopping bags were in complete disarray, one three-inch heel came off, a button flew off to the great unknown, and my skirt was a little higher than I felt comfortable with.

As I tried to gather my wits and composure, I noticed my two daughters bent over in laughter and I could tell they were pretending not to know me.  When they began to walk away from me, I was sure they did not want anyone to know the dressed-up blonde in a heap on the floor was their mother. 

Why I write…

Blog Hopping and Why I write…

writing_a_letter

I met a wonderful friend in July, Heather Martens or 40YearWonderer, and she asked me if I would like to be one of her featured writers on a blog hop.  I thought it would be fun and give me the opportunity to introduce other writers who I admire.

Heather is has been and encouragement and sweet friend to me as I strive to write about life adventures and misadventures with a loving God.

She has a great compassion for others, even while dealing with pain and loss. God has enabled her to reach others with truth and honesty, lighting the way for others as she points to God’s comfort, love and grace.

Heather featured me in her blog hop. A blog hop is a round-robin, where a person answers 4 questions about their writing and then features three writers.

Also this Blog hop give me the opportunity to answer the many questions people have asked about “Why do I Write.”

1.   What am I work on?

I have been working on a  book called” Everyone Has Blonde Days®” for the last thirteen years, it is now in the final stages. It is collection of humorous stories about everyday life, when we have those Blonde moments that cause us to laugh out loud and then check to see if anyone else was looking.  No matter what our culture, hair or skin color, we all have Blonde Days.  Each story includes a reflection and spiritual application showing us God can use our misadventures to teach us valuable lessons about His love and ourselves.

I have two other books I am in the collecting and editing stages right now, but may be looking for a few more submissions. I will send out a call! 

2.    How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Blonde moments are something everyone experiences no matter what color hair we have, and when those unexpected, laugh out loud events happen, we know it must be a “Blonde” day. You may not have blonde hair, but I bet somewhere there are a few blonde roots! 

Does everyone have blonde days? Days when the most embarrassing and outrageous circumstances happen? Those are the days when all we can do is laugh out loud, hope no one is watching, and enjoy the moment. Who doesn’t need a good laugh these days to brighten and balance the stresses of everyday living? Laughter is a universal language. It has no boundaries and keeps us smiling no matter what life throws our way. 

Over the last fifteen years I have interviewed women of all nationalities, and occupations. I have stopped them at malls, grocery stores and women’s events, to see if they have experienced blonde days. They usually burst out in laughter, then share their hilarious stories. In reality, women of all ages, stages, colors, circumstances, and hair colors, share in the fun of having blonde-day misadventures.

Research shows daily laughter can add up to eight years to your life. Who knew having a good laugh was as healthy as eating broccoli?

 Everyone Has Blonde Days™ was created as a witty reminder we can find humor in the most unexpected places. When those unexpected days come into your life, embrace the moment, and realize you have just had a “blonde” day.

 “My platform is –Humor, My message is Christ

3.    Why do I write about what I do?

I become a writer because I felt that God has put a call on my life to share Love, Laughter and hope to women in a hurting world.  I believe He has given me a platform to connect with women through shared experiences with transparent love and acceptance.  If God’s love and forgiveness can heal my brokenness and steady my daily walk with him, even when I am week, mess up and disobedient, His love and grace can touch everyone.  I want women to know there is nothing and no place that God’s love cannot reach.

Because Life is Tough- I want to offer love and laughter to women who need hope. “You don’t stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing.”  

“Laugh often, Dream big, and Reach for the Stars”

4.   How does my writing process work?

This is going to hurt, I’ve fall‘in and can’t get up!

 

Woman after falling down the stairs

This is going to hurt!

I have always been blonde as well as awkward! But I can somehow maneuver in high heels which I think is an art in itself. Blonde, clumsy and high heels, now that’s an image! It’s embarrassing and I like to pretend I don’t notice my coordination is lacking. I figure if I don’t notice maybe no one else will either. Lol. However, my family and friends know my secret all too well. I think God must have a real sense of humor putting that combination together!

Saturday we went out to lunch with some friends to a charming western restaurant in the country; which even had a swinging door! A cowboy’s heaven.

Enjoying the fresh country air, great food and good friends made a perfect afternoon.

As we said our goodbyes I remember thinking, “I probably should check out the powder room before I leave”, but I put that thought out of my mind thinking I could make it home.

As I walked out the swinging doors I didn’t realize there was a 7 inch step down to the cement sidewalk below. I started the downward spiral in a slow motion sensation thinking to myself, “this is going to hurt badly”.

Trying to break my fall I splattered to the cement sidewalk. Having the wind knocked out of me; I laid there not moving, collecting my thoughts. Mentally checking to see what hurt the worst and the collateral damage, I was relieved to notice I still had all my (extra) fingernails and although I had skinned some body parts my jacket

July Newsletter: Everyone Has Blonde Days

I was off to England for a wedding a few weeks ago, thought I would share my diet with you.  Trying to do a major diet before an important occasion can be real Stressful as many of you know, especially if you need a dress!

The Stress Diet 

This  diet is designed to help you cope with the stress that builds up during the day. 
Instructions for Stress Diet

BREAKFAST: 
1/2 grapefruit 
1 slice whole wheat toast 
8 oz. skim milk

LUNCH: 
4 oz. lean broiled chicken breast 
1 cup steamed spinach 
1 cup herb tea 
1 Oreo cookie

MID-AFTERNOON SNACK: 
The rest of Oreos in the package 
2 pints Rocky Road ice cream, nuts, cherries and whipped cream 
1 jar hot fudge sauce

DINNER: 
2 loaves garlic bread 
4 cans or 1 large pitcher Coke 
1 large sausage, mushroom and cheese pizza 
3 Snickers bars

LATE EVENING NEWS: 
Entire frozen Sara Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from freezer) 

RULES FOR THIS DIET:

1. If you eat something and no one sees you eat it, it has no calories. 
2. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, the diet soda cancels out the calories in the candy bar. 
3. When you eat with someone else, calories don’t count if you do not eat more than they do. 
4. Food used for medicinal purposes NEVER counts, such as hot chocolate, brand

How To Shop And Save On A Budget

How To Shop And Save On A Budget

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Best Sales Time for Buying Clothing 

 December:   Before Christmas– Men’s suits, Men’s coats                                                                                                                               After Christmas – Wonderful Buys in Designer clothes in high-fashion stores – in all departments

 January:       Winter clothing, Leather boots, Shoes, Winter coats, Jewelry, Handbags,                                                                           After-five dresses, Furs, Fabric

 February:     Men’s clothing, Winter shoes, Furs

 March:          Winter clothing, Furs

 April:             Spring clothes, Children’s clothes, Dresses, Men’s suits, Spring coats, Fabric

 May:              Spring sportswear, Handbags

 June:             Men’s socks, Underwear, Shoes

 July:              Handbags, Shoes, Sandals, Swimsuits, Summer clothing

 August:         Summer clothing, Handbags, Furs

 September:    Not a good month to buy back –to-school clothing

 October:       Coats, Lingerie, Hosiery, Autumn Clothing, Wools & Wool blends

 November:    Winter coats, Winter suits

  • January and February are the best times for bargains.
  • June and December are the worst
  • Try to buy items slightly off-season, that is the time the retailer needs to clear the floor for new merchandise.
  • When these items are on sale, look for value pieces that will last and give you items to build a wardrobe around.©

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Next week on Fashion Thursday I will be answering questions that you have sent in, I will be fun. I hope you will join me and invite your friends too. If you have some questions, or ideas you are interested in discussing please leave a comment. Have you enjoyed this series, would you like it to continue?

Have a great week,

Lovingly, Karan Gleddie