I'm Sorry; I was Wrong

When I started this blog several years ago, I wanted to use it as an outlet for my writing, and possibly find friends and encouragement. I found that much of my life was made up of my relationships with people, and that’s what I wrote about. At one point, I wrote a few blog posts detailing some incidents that happened between me and my sister-in-law, describing how I perceived them and how I felt.

My sister-in-law was devastated by what I said, and what I did has caused a very large problem for the last two and a half years since it happened. We are trying now to resolve our mutual hurt and anger. To that end, I have come here to make a public apology. I had no business, in the words of Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia, “telling anyone’s story but {my} own.” To malign someone else’s reputation was wrong, and I’m sorry. Even to speak behind someone’s back is wrong--it’s just plain gossip, and I’m sorry.

I have asked forgiveness in person, and been graciously forgiven, for which I am grateful. I have also offered forgiveness, to let go of my own hurts and allow the other person to go free. In addition, I have tried to make up for my transgression by removing the offensive writings, and by no longer writing/gossiping about other people.

I’ve learned some lessons. I’m learning not to talk about other people. I’m learning to be humble and apologize for offenses I’ve committed. Sadly, I’m finding it’s a hard lesson to learn. I’m just thankful God is so patient, and I plead for grace from those around me who suffer from my wrongs.

Going Away....

My blog background is going to disappear on Friday, or so I'm told. It's a free background from The Cutest Blog On The Block. I think that means I'm done here on Chocolate After Supper. I've loved this look, this header (the chocolate! the roses!) but it is time to move on.

I'm not sure yet what I will do with the blog itself--do I delete it? If I do, do I want to save any of my archives? And if I do, how do I do that? And what happens if I leave it up for the sake of my Best Dishwasher Detergent post, which is the only thing anybody ever comes to read anymore. (Seriously--9 of ten visits on my blog are to read that one post.) See--too many questions to answer!

I will not be posting any longer in this place, so this is good-bye. *WAVE!*

DIY Makeover Quote #14

"It takes creativity to wear one dress ten ways; any dummy with a credit card can buy out the mall."

--from Rebekah, via Academichic

Long Time Gone

There have been a lot of things going on around here in life, and in my head. Much of it has been too complicated or too personal to write about here. Also, as I've mentioned before, I've discovered Facebook, where I can sum up my life in short blurbs, and I read all the blurbs of my friends' lives.

I have just a few items of interest to share. One, I'm going to be a grandma in a few short months. New relationships! New roles!

Two, I am re-connecting this fall with an aspect of myself that I have ignored and even shunned for a long time: I'm going back to school. I'm not sure yet where that journey is taking me, or how long it will be, but I'm excited.

Three, because of those two things, I am seriously considering shutting down this blog altogether. I already post very infrequently, and it may be time to close it down as I move into the next things.

This blog was originally about finding myself in my mid-life-- whether I communicated that or not-- and it looks like I AM finding new direction and purpose, so it remains to be seen if I still need this particular outlet.

If you try to find me later, and you can't, you'll know what happened!

Guess what day this is?

For your entertainment and edification I now present one of my favorite video shorts: the Veggie Tales version of the story of Saint Patrick.

Friday Fashion: Elie Saab

This is an auspicious day: I found a designer whose designs I like, and would actually buy and wear if I had a big pile of money in my back yard. Here are a few of my favorites from Elie Saab's Fall 2010 lineup.

I could see myself wearing this one to church:


Or this one (with a camisole):


I like this one too:


The bandage neckline and body-hugging skirt catch my eye on this one:



And this jacket! Oh, I like this jacket!:


I don't know what this is supposed to be; some sort of new camouflage? But I like it:



And something lacey:


Can I wear this one, pretty please? (with a long nude slip underneath...):



I wish I had a red carpet event to go to:



On second thought, maybe I want this one instead:



Or maybe this one:



I can't believe that I liked over HALF of this designer's collection. I'm sure it helps that many of the street length dresses were knee length--much more desirable from my 48-year-old point of view than the shirt-length dresses other designers are showing.

It's probably good thing I don't have lots of money or I would want to spend it all on these dresses!

Fashion Peeve #4: The Future is Yesterday

Here in Nebraska we are still in the tight clutches of winter. Yet last week when I was out shopping I saw spring clothing boldly displayed, and all the winter stuff was crowded onto a few clearance racks. I can understand that. Even though we are probably at least a month away from being able to wear any of the new styles, I can see that it's fun and interesting to plan ahead. Plus, it's a welcome distraction from the unending snow and ice and cold temperatures.

BUT--and here's my latest peeve-- now I'm seeing fashion forecasting for NEXT FALL! Come on. I'm not ready to think that far ahead. I still have to plan what I'm going to wear this coming summer!

Related to that is this: Fashion forecasting is a game, not biblical prophecy.

At least, that's what I've decided. People who love and know a lot about fashion try to guess what the new trends will be in the next couple or three seasons. Sometimes they are right, but just as often they are wrong. Sometimes they were right for only a brief moment. I saw fashions last spring that only lasted long enough for the first run to get bought, and then the trend was gone again. If I had jumped, I would have only had time to wear my cutting edge whatsit once before it would have been So Last Week.