Cleaning Out the Closet

Cleaning out the closet had me knee deep in empty cardboard boxes, wrinkled tissue paper, and over stuffed bags of shredded, crinkled paper. These gift wrapping and packaging supplies had taken over my closet and had multiplied when the door was shut. I had not realized that these things are related to rabbits. You know, rapid reproduction!

This task did have its benefits, though. Not only do I now have a much orderly closet, but now I know what is in there. I pulled out things for a garage sale, and I recycled the paper products that aren't needed here. But, there was one thing more...

Before or After? I'm not telling...

I found a long ago discarded tote bag. It held business brochures, a ticket book, some makeup samples, ink pens, and something nicely folded up. It was stuck in one of those inner pockets that tote bags are famous for. Yes, like so many other women out there, I had once sold makeup that you can only buy from a representative and not from a store.

I tossed out those old business cards, those brochures that had my name printed on them, those old samples of makeup. But, not the found treasure. I squealed with delight and grabbed that puppy up close to my bosom. It was the prettiest $20 bill I'd seen in awhile. Yes, indeed... and to think it had been stuck in that closet for a long, long time.

Well, just goes to show you that sometimes a job well-done has extra benefits and nice surprises. I have an organized closet now. I have more items for my upcoming garage sale, and I have something else. High hopes is what they call it. You see, after thinking about it all, I decided that since stuff in that closet multiples, I might just as well put that tote bag back in there, and see what happens.

By all means, I kept out that $20 bill, but I did stick a $1 bill inside that tote bag, same pocket, just in case. And, I'm hoping that whatever happened in that closet before, will happen again.

High hopes? Well... a girl can dream, and it's sure worth a try. Gotta' love it!

Y'all have a great day now, you hear?

Cindy Lou



@Copyright 2019 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

Hats Off to the Lady!

An illustration of a neighborhood grocery store.

Made a run to the grocery store today. Needed the basics:  juice, eggs, guacamole, salsa, & chips. And, of course, Dr. Pepper.  Several other items came home with me, and they're mostly all put up in the refrigerator & cupboards.

Here in the states, folks tend to dress very casually for grocery store runs. Blue jeans & tee shirts are the most common outfits you'll see here in Texas. Summer time brings out the cut offs, shorts, tank tops & flip-flops. Well, it's still winter time here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and today seemed a bit chilly with the low temperature at 40 degrees and the expected high at 53 degrees Fahrenheit. For most Texans that's the time to put on a pot of chili and rev up a roaring fire in the fireplace, keeping on their shorts and keeping the flip-flops near by.

Not so for one unique grocery store shopper. Not so, today.

She stood about five and one-half feet tall, with block high heels and black top hat. Her fur coat, imitation or real (I couldn't tell.) was knock-out, drop-dead gorgeous! The back was a chevron design of mixed colors & textures... white, black, reddish brown & gray. It graced her silhouette all the way down to her ankles, and it moved and shimmered as she walked down the aisles. She looked like she belonged on a fashion runway, certainly not the canned vegetable aisle.

I tried not to stare as I caught other glimpses of her in the store. The last time I saw her, she was at the checkout counter, waiting in line like the rest of us buggy-pushing people. In her hands she held one of those gossip tabloids. You know, the ones that are published weekly, the ones that are full of made-up stories. Her buggy held several items, so she had not run in for just one item, or two.

Her hat... oh, it was beautiful! The dome must have been wool fabric, and the extra-wide, extra-thick brim was black, luscious fiber/fur. Again, imitation fur or real, I don't know. But, it was stunning, and the perfect crown for a night on the town.

But... it wasn't night time, and it wasn't a fashion runway. It wasn't a party, and it wasn't freezing outside. It was just a trip to the grocery store at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, just a regular, neighborhood grocery store stuck on the corner between here & there.

Been thinking about her and what I learned as an observer who was wearing faded blue jeans and a long sleeved tee shirt.  Understand that I'm not at all jealous of what this woman owns. I have everything I need and want, and I don't covet her possessions or her lifestyle. I don't know her or anything about her. She just happened to be there when I was there.  I was just an observer.

This I did realize, though. I decided that if I had an outfit like hers, just when the heck could I wear it here in Texas? We have very few days below freezing, so there are very few times to bundle up. And just where the heck could I wear it? The Winspear Opera House?  Bass Hall? Reunion Tower? Country Clubs?

Yes, I guess, to all of the above, but I don't go to those places very often, and I'm not a member of a country club. But I've decided that, IF I did have a fabulous coat AND a magical hat like that, I'd wear it any dang place I wanted to. Why, girlfriend... I'd even wear to the grocery store.

So next time you go grocery shopping, you may see this lady. She may be strolling down the cereal aisle, or you may catch her reading the labels on the pet food aisle, or she may have a newspaper tabloid in hand. Don't fret a bit, and think nothing of it. Just enjoy the beauty of the moment and how that lady is enjoying what she owns. She's not saving the good stuff for later, or for her kids. She's making use of it now. Even if it is 53 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and even if she wears that coat only to the grocery store, you gotta' recognize that those refrigerator cases where they keep the juice & eggs are mighty, mighty danged cold. Brrr...

Lesson learned:  Use the good stuff... and enjoy it! I gotta' say... Hats off to the lady!

@Copyright 2019 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

Upcycled Embellished Denim Jacket, OOAK

Upcycled Embellished Denim Jacket with OOAK Fiber Fabric

Once plain, now beautiful!

Playing at the sewing machine turned into a fun project! Using bits & pieces of coordinating colored fabrics, I created OOAK (one of a kind) fabric, then used parts of that fabric to decorate a denim jacket.The stylish jacket has great lines to it with the vertical seams on front & back. Back yoke, collar, front lapels, and front pockets are perfect places to add material & accents.

OOAK Fiber Fabric with fabric pieces, yarn, & fancy stitches.

Where to start? My "new" fiber fabric measured about 20 inches x 20 inches. Turned out it was more than enough for this idea. Good news. Leftover pieces can be used for future projects! Since the back yoke required the most fabric, it was the place to begin. Using pencil & freezer paper, I traced the yoke's outside edge onto the paper. Carefully, I cut out the yoke shape, cutting along the lines.

Setting aside the yoke shape pattern, I used the template as a frame, moving it around on the fiber fabric to find the best layout. Two photos show choices, and I chose the one with the green at the bottom center of the yoke. After deciding where to cut, I pinned the yoke pattern piece in place, then grabbed the scissors.

Placement #1 for yoke, using template.

Placement #2 for yoke, using template.

Yoke pattern pinned in place using placement #1.

The second largest piece was the collar. I repeated the same process as mentioned above. Made a pattern for the collar, carefully cut it out, exposing the template. Then used the template to position a balanced look to the front points of the collar. Pinned the collar pattern in place & carefully cut it out.

Collar pattern pinned to fiber fabric. Ready to cut.

Bottom lapel pieces were next, and fortunately I could find similar sections of fiber fabric. The front pocket accents were the last to cut, and I questioned if they were necessary, but I like the vertical accents there at the waistline. I think it was a good idea.

Pinned on fiber fabric and machine stitched the pieces in place. Used zig-zag stitch.

Yoke piece ready to sew on.

Collar piece stitched in place. Looks really nice!

Then the beading fun began! It ended up that I worked the bead accents very similarly to how you paint a picture. Work in one area with a section of beads, then move on to another area. Work that space, then move to another. Guess I worked on this piece off & on for a week or so. After day five, I thought I was finished so I hung it up.

Back yoke accented with seed beads. Not too many, keeping the front lapel as focal point.

Went back to it the next day and went, "hmmm... I think it needs some green beads on it." Sure enough.... the green added a sparkle & a pop! They say to walk away from your art and return with fresh eyes. This is just part of the process, and they were right!

Bead clusters include square, cylinder & seed beads.

Ended up with a cute, cute jacket that I think is a classy piece! It's not gaudy. It's not brawdy. But it is a beautiful statement piece with original art work in the fabric & bead placements. The added fabric & beads accent all the right places: the front V-neckline, back shoulder area, and a little touch of color at the front waist (placed vertically for a slimming effect).

Note:  All the beads were sewed on by hand, and are knotted every 3-4 beads. Not a task for an impatient soul! LoL

Upcycled Embellished Denim Jacket, OOAK
https://www.etsy.com/listing/681908243/embellished-denim-jacket-beaded-jacket

@Copyright 2019 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

Crossover Denim Messenger Bag

Finished Denim Bag

Today's Thrifted Fabric Haul

 Crossover Denim Bag

Inspiration came from thrifted fabrics. Found them all during one visit to my favorite resale shop! Jeans showed very little wear, and the assorted fabrics showed none. Ended up using only three of the coordinating fabrics, and the third fabric is just a little strip of blue print on the inside pocket. Visually it adds interest and also helps the pocket be seen.

Used just the top half of the jeans for the bag. Sewed a 2" gusset on the bottom

and used one leg of the jeans for the shoulder strap.  

Sewed lining same size as the denim bag, with the bottom gusset, and added the decorated pocket. Attached the finished lining with a hand sewn blanket stitch.

Used part of a cognac silk scarf for the sash. The sash loops through two belt loops and is removable. Fold over flap is quilted and machine stitched to the bag. Flap secures with velcro and is decorated with large metal medallion.  Hanging charms bring the blue & reds together and adds fun to the bag!

Backside of the bag shows off the diamond shape beads that are hand sewn to the back pocket. Adjustable shoulder strap:  3 buttons & button hole adjustment. Strap is accented with fiber yarns, sewn to both sides of the strap.

Unhappy with the pearl accented medallion (it was rather wimpy looking), I switched it out for a large rock bead. The glass bead is blue & black and looks much, much better than the delicate pearl. Let's just say, ahem... it rocks!  Now it's ready for my Etsy Shop!

Finished Bag!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/668315154/upcycled-denim-bag-blue-jeans-bag?ref=shop_home_active_2 

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Beautiful day in the neighborhood, Arlington, Texas! Today's sunlight hid for six long, rainy days, and all  I want to do is dance around in the sunshine. When I do, I'm sure to find new green leaves on the hydrangeas and an opened daffodil or two. Spring is coming early this year, and I find great pleasure in that.

It's been a couple of years since you've heard from me, and that's because I was on a journey, a journey to find myself. I needed time to heal and to see if anything of "Me" was still alive after my mother Dimple left this earth and graduated to Heaven. It's been over three years now since her passing, and my grief and exhaustion from care-giving are now under control. My wounds are not raw, anymore. Nor are they exposed. They are, however, still a part of me. They travel right along with me and remind me that I am stronger than I thought, that I did survive it all, and that God is mightier than I ever imagined.

For these new seasons, I am grateful. Stepping into the future now feels like stepping into the sunshine. It's warm, welcoming, and intoxicating. With the past behind me, but still inside me, I open my arms to the new season and say, "Thank you for coming. I'm ready now...  Oh, yes, my friend.. it's time. Let's dance. Shall we?"

"And  God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 7:17 Holy Bible, New International Version 

@Copyright 2019 Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

The Beginning...

Nor sure what happened to me... I may never know.  Some call it grief.  Some call it life.  Some don't know. But today is a good day, and it is smiling at me, and I am smiling back!

Finding Cindy Lou.  That is my desire and my mission.  I know she is waiting for me to grab her by the hand and give her a little tug. "Come back to life, honey... I miss you, and need you."

And so, we begin...

A bluebonnet trail somewhere in Texas, USA.

@Copyright 2016, Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

Happy Birthday, Evelien Claire Hodges!

Five years ago... Happy Birthday, Evelien Claire Hodges!

Grammy's & Evelien's First Embrace

This story has taken a long time to put in text, and I can't explain why it's been such a challenge for me to document, other than I feel that my words are totally inadequate to express the wonderment and joy of the unfolding events.  I finally decided that someday, maybe I'll get to tell you in person, and that the joy on my face will tell it all.  I would love to tell you face to face and can't wait until that happens.  But, in the meantime... this written story will have to do.

There will be more than one chapter to my story.  How many?  I don't know yet.  That's to be determined.  But, I decided that I must get busy, for new adventures are happening everyday, and I'm already behind on sharing them.  So, here I go, as best I can, telling this story that is so near & dear to my heart.

Chapter One - Grammy's Night Out

There were over forty of us entertaining together that night, and we ladies of the Performing Arts Department beamed with pride that we "mature women" had managed to attract a "full house".  Tickets had sold out, hours of rehearsals were behind us, and our new black outfits with rhinestone bling defined our newly elevated status as "bonafied performers".  December 2, 2010 definitely was a star studded night, and we were a part of the glimmer and shine, and I... I was about to begin my long awaited, long hoped for, long dreamed of role as "Grand Mamah", or as we say here in Texas... "Grandma"!

Now, you're gonna' have to give this ol' girl some leeway here.  'Cause you see, I'm gonna' tell you this story as it happened, and I'm gonna' enjoy telling it.  So, you just need to sit back and relax and let this new Grandma "splut" a little...

Desserts & coffee were the planned menu.  Most of us ladies baked our favorite, prize winning recipes.  We wanted our guests to feast with their eyes as well as with their taste buds, so, I did my part.  I baked my famous strawberry cake.  Actually, I baked two of them.  Why not, since I was dirtying up the kitchen, anyway?  Well, my cake, uh-hum, cakes had a hard time in the oven, and the layers baked terribly unlevel.  Guess my house had shifted a little on its foundation, or I had the shelves in kind of crooked.  Still don't know what happened. 

So, to improve my dilemma by giving me extra icing with which to work, I improvised and tried adding marshmallow creme to the frosting.  What a great idea, huh?  It would make the cake extra gooey and rich, and everyone would wonder what the magical ingredient could be.  All would be clamoring for my recipe, and I would be the talk of the Women's Club.  Why, I would become famous, all because of a pink, fluffy, melt-in-your mouth mystery known as marshmallow creme frosting. You got it...  I added more!

Famous, indeed.   My pink strawberry cake turned out to be one of the biggest flops from my kitchen, ever!  It was a "lop-sided", "sticky icing oozing out", "layers stuck together", "pink" kind of mud pie.  A three-year old could have done better than this.  It definitely had a difficult life:  so did I right about then.  But, I salvaged the best looking one of the two cakes and provided toppings of whipped cream, strawberry glaze, fresh strawberries, and mint leaves to garnish and cover up the blob of cake beneath.  This was one of the most expensive cakes I'd ever put together:  money, yes... time, astronomical... worry, unbelievable!  The kitchen crew saved it for last, if that tells you anything about its appearance.  At least I tried... really, really tried, and I'm happy to say that the musical performance that followed out shined my cake, and that's a good thing!

Our ladies sang the wonderful Christmas songs we all love, as well as romantic standards from the 40's, while I played the keyboard and directed them from out front.  As musical director I felt a sense of pride, and our drama director smiled approvingly.  Our ladies had worked hard to memorize their music and to learn the art of singing as a choir, and all the hard work had finally turned an "almost good" choir into an "outstanding" choir.  Yes, the PAD ladies were great!  The audience responded enthusiastically to each of our songs; clapping and laughing and the holiday spirit glowed on each and every face.  Even when Santa's visit stole the show, we carried on our musical number as if his upstaging us had been the planned agenda.  It was fun to see Santa!  It was fun to sing and laugh!  Yes, it was a magical evening, for sure.

As our program segued to the sacred portion of the evening, a wonderful hush fell over the room.  The Christmas story from Luke was read while I softly played "O Holy Night" behind the narration.  The true meaning of Christmas was being revealed:  the reason for our joy, and I sensed a feeling of wonderment as I began to sing, *"Mary, Did You Know?"

Accompanying myself on the keyboard, I stood before the audience as the words flowed, "Mary, did you know your baby boy has walked where angels trod?... and when you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God... Mary, did you know?".

When finished singing, I felt like God had been in that very room, and that He was still there with us.  A holy hush hung in the air, and I felt  totally surrounded by peace and calm and stillness.  Even the candles' flickers seemed to stop in motion while no one coughed, no one chinked their water glass, and no one whispered a word.

Some moments are just too intimate to talk about, and some moments are just indescribable because words are mere echoes of the emotional well within.  Then there are those moments that are to be pondered and dwelled on and thought about.  So it was with these.  Here it is almost six weeks later, and I'm still lingering there in my mind and still in awe that I was right in the middle of something very, very special.

The program soon ended, and I'd say that most were blessed by our gathering together, and that everyone enjoyed the evening.  We had a grand time.  We ladies in our new black outfits nodded approvingly to each other as we kicked off our shoes and  hugged and congratulated ourselves.  After all, we had put long, hard hours into this one performance.  Time and effort had paid off.  Funds were raised for scholarships, friends & families enjoyed the evening, and friendships grew even stronger.  After cleaning up... it was finally time to say good night and to leave the festivities behind.  So on Thursday evening, December 2, 2010, at 9:45 p.m. I gathered my musical notebook, tote bag, purse, the sticky cake carrier thing, and rhinestone earrings in hand.  It was time to go home and call it a day, or a night... or so I thought.

Driving away from the building, I turned on my cell phone to check any missed calls or messages.   The new text message from my son read:  "We at hospital.  She may be early..."!

"Oh, my gosh!  She's not due until three weeks from now.  Oh, my gosh, my gosh, gosh, gosh...!"  With suddened teary eyes  and with trembling limbs, I boldly executed a cock-eyed, wild-ride, illegal U-turn... right there in the middle of the street, in the middle of the city, right there in the middle of the big old state of Texas!  This Granny-to-Be was on her way to the hospital... rhinestones, pink sticky icing on her clothes, and all.  As I floor boarded it, I kept chanting  loud and clear, clear across Texas... "I'm comin' kids... I'm comin'...!  Hold on, Grammy's coming...!"

(to be continued...)

p.s.  Never, ever add Marshmallow creme to your regular powdered sugar frosting!  Big mistake!!!

Repaired cake.  Yes... those are straws sticking out of it!  Sigh...

Salvaged cake... Pink Strawberry Cake ready to be served!  Viola'...
Strawberry Cake Recipe: http://yoohoocindylou.blogspot.com/p/food.html


@Copyright 2010, Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.

*"Mary, Did You Know" song lyrics by Mark Lowry

"Write your sorrows in sand...
Write your blessings in stone."

The above message hangs on the store's wall, and I saw it just this morning.  It's a small plaque that isn't for sale.  It's there for decoration and inspiration to the clients that pass through.  The more I thought about it the more profound it became to me, and I knew I should share it with you.

If I were to actually do this, I would need a world of stone and just a tiny, tiny seashore.  For one of the many results of prayer to God Almighty, is that He eases our sorrows.  Just like messages written in the sand, as we pray our sorrows become less visible, and our blessings become more apparent.    While we lose sight of one, we gain sight of the other.  One is softened:  eventually erased... the other revealed.

Looking at my blessings right now, I'd say they are like grains of sand on the seashore.  There are too many to number, and it would take more than a lifetime to do so.  But, I shall say the very first entry on my "blessings" list, because it is the most amazing blessing of all, is the fact that I am loved.  I may not carve it in stone, and I may never again make it to the seashore, but I am here right now, and I shall take this opportunity to write it and to tell you.... I am loved, and so are you!

Counting my blessings,
Cindy Lou


"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  --Romans 5:8, Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV)

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  John 15:13, Holy Bible, NIV

(Written five years ago, and still counting my blessings...)
@Copyright 2010, Cindy Lou Hodges All Rights Reserved.