A Haven for Vee

Thursday, April 27, 2017

The Mother Lode

A few weeks ago, my friend Bea called and suggested that we get together. She is a busy woman helping with her grandsons, acting as the bookkeeper for the family business, involved with all manner of church activities, plus she is a quilter. There's a lot going on in her world and so I felt honored that she was asking if we could get together. We couldn't that day because I was caring for my dad. I thought I might hear from her again one day, but was surprised at how soon I heard...last week. 

🌼

She took me to a cafeteria where I had not been before. We shared a delicious sandwich and I had a wonderful cup of coffee. That's the day I purchased the balsam pillow featured on the mad as a wet, red hen post. The drive was pleasant and the conversation was interesting. 

 🌼

Well, it always is when Bea and I get together because, though we share our faith and community and for many years our church, we are not always in agreement. She probably thinks I'm a nut; I think that she is a sensitive, loving soul whose bleeding heart sensibilites frighten me a titch. LOL!  You would have loved to join us, I'm sure. (Our conversation may be similar to some you have had on either side because I read about it just yesterday at Coffee Tea Books or Me. Not really, but Brenda seemed to be describing it very clearly on her post titled When the World Seems Crazy.) In spite of it all, we manage to enjoy one another's company.  I love to catch up with Bea. She's one of those people I enjoy being with. One thing is sure, she always makes me think.

🌼
 
Bea has lost some weight by design (not because she was ill) and she said that she had a number of clothing items that she'd like to pass on to me, if I were interested. As a gal who hates to shop and whose basic wardrobe is a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt, I was interested. Bea has always dressed beautifully. 

🌼

Sunday evening she called and asked if it would be a good time to bring me those clothes. One thing led to another and soon we were off instead for a pizza and salad supper. When I dropped her off at home, I was invited in to go through the clothes and brought home two huge bags. It was great having her explain why she liked this or that outfit and about the fit or fabric. Now I must tell you, lest Bea was dismayed to see her clothes all over my dining table and chairs, that when I received the clothes they were all meticulously tri-folded and beautifully packed. Alas, I am not quite as tidy as Bea.

🌼

Monday morning I tried everything on. Everything is so lovely. Some of it is still brand new with the tags still attached.  Tuesday, I changed my clothes four times just because I could. Ha!

🌼

This may be my favorite item of all...kid you not!


Pardon the lack of make-up and the static in my hair, but I do love a good black turtleneck. Love it for its quality, comfortable fabric.


Then there are all these pastel shells, which will be a great for summer.


I don't often wear horizontal stripes, but this doesn't read that way and the cute collar pleases me.

🌼

There are sweaters, sweater sets, jackets, skirts, pants, a housecoat, and more. There are beautiful colors as well as neutral grays and browns. I am so blessed.


I may not feel free to pose in all these lovely clothes, but I want you to know that I am wearing

~a smile~



Now where did my lips go? I may need lip liner. Blast.


🌼

Do you like hand-me-downs? What's been your favorite?
Have a wonderful Thursday and thanks for reading...



60 comments:

  1. That's very nice of your friend and comes on time in spring we need new feathers !

    ReplyDelete
  2. How lovely that you have such a great friend! So kind of her to pass on such lovely things to you too. I am sure you will enjoy wearing them and that Bea enjoyed giving them to you! xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, my! I am in hog heaven when a friend gives me her closet treasures! This afternoon I changed out my closet for the spring and summer season and there was only a few items of clothing I had bought at a store! Most are Goodwill items or hand me downs from friends - which is even better!!! And that first pic of your blog post - you look so lovely!! I think this is my all time favorite photo of you! God bless you and God bless your dear friend in sharing her closet!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a wonderful and thoughtful gesture no wonder you are smiling.

    ReplyDelete
  5. OOOOOhhhhhh- pennies from heaven! I am tickled pink, yellow, black, purple, etc. abot your sweet friend being so generous to you. Wow - that's just plain awesome.

    And so is that cute pic of you.♥

    ReplyDelete
  6. Growing up I never had new clothes. Everything was a hand-me-down or made over from my older cousins. When I began working in my mid-20s I swore I would never wear clothes again that weren't new and for the most part that is true. My sister and I trade clothes sometimes. BUT I think your friend was above and beyond generous giving you all of those clothes. I know it is something I could never afford to go out and buy. They all look new and it's wonderful for someone to do something that sweet for you. If I had a friend like that I might rethink my new clothes only stance.

    ReplyDelete
  7. How strange, my comment disappeared when I went back to look at your post again. I just scrolled up and down again. Ah, well. I wanted to say that I used to by many clothes from a wonderful thrift shop near by. It was called The Treasure Loft and we were so sad when it closed. I found many other treasures there during the years my kids were growing up.....How generous your friend is. I think you look great in that black turtleneck. The darkness makes a great contrast to your coloring! Have you ever seen the book "Color Me Beautiful"? It classifies women's coloring by season of the year. I am a winter. Perhaps you are, too...I just found something about it on the internet here: http://www.colormebeautiful.com/seasons/.But the book has much more detail.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Replies
    1. likely autocorrect run amok...that's what I blame!

      Delete
  9. How nice that she gave you such nice clothes. I always enjoy a nice time with my friends. As far as hand me downs, I love them. I don't like to shop and I enjoy seeing the treasures that others have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carol, I just want to say that I visit your blog from time to time, but am not allowed to comment as Vee. Google is a stickler and does not allow communication between those using Friends Plus and those of us who don't. It's an ongoing frustration, but there is more than one way to communicate. Also, you are a "no-reply" so I couldn't send an email to say how much I appreciate your visits. A happy spring day to you...

      Delete
  10. Glad you two enjoyed a couple of meals and conversation together. I would be thrilled for someone to gift me clothing. I hate to shop! I love the pastel shells you pictured above. You have a beautiful smile.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your friend sounds like a lovely lady. How fun to receive all of those clothes. I used to get hand me downs from my older sister when we were growing up.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gf!!! I love hand me downs or thrift store shopping. Did you cut your hair? I like it, non the less. I'm still peeved about your peeved post, and how the police act.

    Thanks for the smiles...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such a beautiful friendship Vee...the kind that withstands the tests of time. A basic black turtleneck is a wardrobe builder...add a statment necklace and you're good to go...LOVE THE SELFIE

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have a friend who passes clothes on to me and it's such a blessing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love getting my daughter's clothes! I am like you so grateful for the new wardrobe and the stories behind them. I like thrift stores too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wonderful jackpot you hit. What a sweet friendship. I love getting hand me downs...My daughter is so good to bring me bags.....You look adorable in your new black turtle neck....When we were in the ministry, several folks would give us bags of clothes, and my children always felt like it was Christmas.
    Now I'm in the mood to good "junking" at the local Thrift Store. HaHaHa

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think that pink shirt is going to look great on you. I have lost a ton of weight as well. I felt almost sinful with the number of clothes I had and couldn't wear anymore. I am so short, I couldn't find anyone to give them too. I am hoping someone real short who works showed up at Goodwill and had a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a wonderful gift Bea gave to you. I love that you are friends in spite of differing opinions; how boring it would be if we all thought exactly the same.
    I don't wear hand me downs - no one ever gives me anything! Oh, except for a couple of things from one of my aunts, years ago, that were lovely, if a bit too large. But I wore them anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a wonderful kind thing for Bea to do. I don't mind hand-me-downs at all! A good friend of mine has a neighbour who has a T.V. show. She is given clothes by the designers all the time to wear on the show. Each season she passes them along to my friend who shares them with me! There is no way I would be able or want to afford some of this clothing. Some of this clothing too is brand new.
    Have a wonderful day!
    Robin

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your talking to someone who does the majority of her shopping the Goodwill. I would take hand-me-downs in a heartbeat and the ones you have shown are very nice! You certainly have good friend in Bea. Loved the photo of you too...even the lips one. :D

    ReplyDelete
  21. OOPS...I mean YOU'RE talking........

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 🤗 Don't fret. I can make as many goofs as the next person.

      Delete
  22. What a wonderful gift from a very kind and generous friend (even if you don't always see 'eye-to-eye)! I haven't had hand-me-downs since I was a kid...and didn't always appreciate having to wear what my older sister had already worn-out (especially since we often were dressed the same...so I had already sported that outfit for a season or two). Now I would be quite happy if someone just brought me my wardrobe and no shopping was required. Enjoy!! I like your haircut. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, but it's just stuck in the turtleneck. Now I did have a new cut this afternoon, which looks a lot like Little Lord Fauntleroy's hairdo. I'll not be showing it off.😉

      Delete
  23. Oh Vee, how nice to have a friend like Bea. Not only for the gifts, but the friendship. You look so cute in the black turtleneck. My sisters and I used to exchange clothes all the time. It was nice to let them "shop" from my closet and then I "shopped" from theirs. Enjoy your new wardrobe. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think you have a very generous and wonderful friend! Many, many years ago my aunt would give me some of the clothes she didn't want any longer, and I'm not opposed to buying off a resale rack if I find something I like and it's not too worn. My wardrobe nowadays mainly consists of jeans or capris, depending on the season, and shirts or tees. My fav outfit is a black shirt and jeans/capris. Enjoy those new clothes!

    ReplyDelete
  25. How wonderful! And, my goodness! In that photo you look as if you could be Laurel's sister, not her mother!

    I do like hand-me-downs and have just fallen heir to a pretty Land's End cotton knit dress. We'll see how it looks. I've had hand-me-downs from friends, mostly, although a few things too large for my daughters have come my way.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I adore turtlenecks. I haven't worn one in a few years due to being hot, so much, even in winter. Now I tend to be colder, so I may invest in a new one this Autumn!

    Friends who love you in spite of differences are a treasure! What a wonderful gift she gave to you.

    I love seeing your face, Vee! You are a beautiful woman, inside and out!

    ReplyDelete
  27. You look like you should be an author in that turtleneck! You know, like the photo they have on the back cover of novels? I find I am more likely to throw on a scarf or necklace when I wear a black turtleneck (like everyday from fall to late spring). Nice to actually wear such items that often add a perk to my look and also the accessories often have sentimental histories. Favorite: scarf folded on the diagonal into a band then tied in the middle with an over hand knot. The knot, worn in front, keeps the scarf in place. Tie in the back with a loop knot on one end and thread the other end through the loop. A lady at Nordstrom taught me that trick. Easy to get the scarf to rest flat and to adjust to right height.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Lucky you! Yes, I would take hand me downs in a heartbeat! Alas, I'm 5'10" and none of my friends are anywhere near that tall, so it is very unlikely to happen for me. lol. I love the photo of you, you look beautiful, staticy hair and all. You should see mine right now...no. You shouldn't. You will have fun wearing all those new things!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hand me downs are wonderful. I've been blessing a woman I know with some hand me downs and she is thrilled with them. I'm so happy for you that you got some new clothes. It's so exciting to have something you feel good in. Love the photo of you in the black turtleneck. My daughter passes on all her children's clothes and even her own. Thanks for sharing Vee. Love Abby

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hand me downs as in purchases from Goodwill...yes. That's a great photo of you in the black turtleneck! Glad you had some good conversation and food and a wonderful load of clothing.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I like friends that you disagree with and still remain friends. That is a good friend.
    Lucky you to get all those clothes. I would love to get some hand me downs but I don't think I've ever had any. People ask me what size I am and then say, oh these wouldn't fit you!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Bea sounds like a wonderful and thoughtful friend. What fun it must have been to make your way through that pile. I do believe that black turtle neck makes you look younger or, perhaps it's the straighter hair. Heck maybe it's both. Those pastel shells hold so much possibility in the coming months.
    During my junior high days I was thrilled to receive bags of hand me down clothes from a very stylish cousin. I would look forward to our family get togethers for just this reason. I hadn't seen that cousin for decades. However, when we were reunited at a wedding last summer I told her about this memory. She told me that sometimes she wasn't done with the clothes but her mom packed them up anyway. Lucky me :).

    ReplyDelete
  33. That looks like a great haul!!! You look fabulous in the black turtleneck. Such wonderful "gifts" from a true friend.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh Vee, how sweet of your friend! I like what happyone said about friends..."I like friends that you disagree with and still remain friends. That is a good friend."

    Have fun with your new clothes, lovely lady! Hugs to you!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Fun, fun, fun!!

    I love your selfie in the black turtleneck! You are adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I've only had a few hand-me-downs from a late friend who received them from her daughter - good quality clothes we couldn't afford! You received the mother lode of things and it's nice they were offered to you first.
    I love it when you click with a friend as you and Bea have done, it's the kind of friendship that just carries on after not seeing each other or talking for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love the black turtleneck photo! Having a wonderful selection of tops given to you is such a sweet gesture. Tops are the hardest part of making an outfit and you certainly did hit the Mother Lode :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love interesting conversations and the state of affairs this country is in now, sure makes for controversial ones! I had an older sister, so got a lot of hand-me-downs until I grew taller than her! It's nice to get a surprise thought and I'm sure you could use just that after the previous week you had with vandals. I'm telling you, it's Karma!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you mind if we disagree, Susan? I think it's God. 😊

      Delete
  39. And a beautiful smile it is Vee!! How blessed you are to have such a generous and dear friend! Friends are one of God's greatest gifts to us!! love from me to you!!
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  40. How lovely that Bea has shared some new and gently used clothing with you. I have a friend who does the same and what a treat it is, as it's usually top quality stuff which I would not splurge on myself. I have no sisters, and never had any female cousins older than I, so I never got hand me downs as a child, but I sure don't mind them now... :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Such a good reason to get together and spend time with your friend. Both of you were blessed by the experience, I'm sure. An uplifting blog post, especially the lovely smile.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Bea sounds like a wonderful friend to have. Good for you, Vee.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  43. How nice of Bea, Vee! Vee and Bea make for good company! I love a rhyme, don't you?? LOL!
    Yes, I love hand me downs, and I have a friend who, when she goes through her closet, gives me and my daughter, all her clothes that no longer fit her.
    Happy weekend to you! Love your selfie and your selfie smile!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh my- what a sweet friend! Yes, I love hand me downs, too, but don't get many anymore because I wear the same old capris and tees everyday. I recently cleaned out my closet and see that I have about ten shirts in there for summer, so it looks like I will have to make myself go shopping. Have a great weekend and I hope you are clear of these bad storms.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Vee- I LOVE when something like that happens. Am I crazy or have you lost a lot of weight, too? You look great and I love that simple haircut. I wish I could get my hair to lay like that at that length.

    I love friends like that -ones that challenge your thinking without berating you for your own thoughts. Sounds like Bea is a perfect match for Vee. (love the rhyming names). xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A "lot" of weight? 😳 Since when?

      Now this is the thing about black turtlenecks: Apparently, they cover a multitude of sins, they make you look as if you have lost weight, and they hold your hair down just right to make it look good. 😜

      Delete
  46. Loved your answer to Diana. LOL Recently someone was complaining to me about someone else who only likes black. I looked down at my black shoes, black pants, and black jacket. Hmmmmmm. Anyway, I would love to wear turtlenecks because they hide a 'multiple of sins,' but they strangle me. I have to go for a scoop neck which reveals my ancientness. Hope you have a good week. We're forecast to get snow tomorrow. I'm hoping they're wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Bea sounds like a lovely friend to have, Vee! Sometimes it's nice to have a friend who can express different thoughts on things--keeps life interesting.
    I live in mock turtlenecks--they are my favorite to wear with jeans and I happen to like black a lot--I'm a former New Yorker and black is the NYC wardrobe...lol! My least favorite color to wear is pink, yet my daughter is always buying pink things for me. I guess she'd like me to wear color more or maybe she feels old ladies belong in pink?

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love that picture of you, Vee :) I'm so happy for you that you not only have a friend like Bea that takes time out for you, but also is so generous. The smiling part is the best :)

    xoxo,
    rue

    ReplyDelete
  49. What a sweet friend Bea is, and how wonderful to get some nice new clothes to you! I don't mind hand-me-downs at all, as thrift stores are my favorite shopping venue :) I think you look great in black :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Sounds like fun trying on the clothes. I think of you often Vee and wonder how you are doing. I still have your cards from the past and the sleigh hanging from my notice board so am always aware of your presence. I have not blogged much nor visited much these last months but have begun again as you will see.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Glad you got to get together with Bea. You certainly got a lot of nice clothes. I have never had any hand me downs.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Oh what fun!! I HATE to shop, so this would be like two Christmases to me!! :) Lucky you to have a friend like that. I have received a few hand-me-downs in my life, and my favorite was a black Ann Taylor jacket that zipped up the front made of heavy polished cotton with collar and cuffs. I have (eh, hem) out-grown it, and it is a bit too worn to wear anyway. But, I so enjoyed having such a quality jacket to wear, that would dress up or down nicely.

    ReplyDelete

🕊
If comments disappear, please don't fret. A simple "hi" will do. The platform surely needs some maintenance.