Forgotten Maybe but Never Un-loved Thankfully

As I take time for me -- I can not build L'AMORE INTIMO without making sure I am whole first, I want to share this letter that I received today from a wonderful woman.  Please enjoy --

"I just wanted to tell you how very special you are and have always been to me.  

I remember how much joy you brought to our home when you were born.  To me who had always wanted a little doll of a girl, I got exactly what I wanted.  I cherished you from the very first time that I laid eyes on your little beautiful body.  You grew and made me oh so proud of you.  When I took you to work with me and you would go on a coffee break with the officers in my office - you were so tiny yet so confident that you walked proudly out of the office with those grown man, who were officers in the United States Army.  They were as proud of you as I was, looking down at you with the biggest smiles that I had ever seen them make in the office.  You were also the joy of your father and brothers who often sang the 'Gina boo' song.  Although we did not technically have the 'don't mess with the baby' rule in our house, it was an unspoken rule and anyone who broke it would have to deal with the wrath of the mama.  And you were the sweetest little girl any of us had ever seen.  You were the love of their lives too and you still are.  I love to see their smiles when I talk about you or they see you.

As your father got more involved in his growing up process, he dropped out from all of us.  That was okay because you still had us and we loved you no less.  Actually we loved you more.  As you continued to grow and I had to make physical changes in our living conditions you, you were still the joy of my life, and even though you did not see a whole lot of your father I tried to be both and you also learned about your "real" Father who will never leave you or forsake you.

I am so thankful that you became the lady that you are and know that God is with you and in you, so although the dreams that maybe one day your earthly father would grow up and show you the love that you so much deserved have passed with him, you will realize after this mourning process is over that you have all that you need in a Father and always have.  Roger is the one who lost the chance to know just how wonderful a daughter he had.

So, we will all get through this, as we always do, and you will grow even stronger from this experience..."

There was more but I will save it for myself personally.  This letter is from my favorite person ever -- my MOM.  I love you Mom!

You all should have a Mother like mine.  When I told her of my intent to start an intimate apparel business, she never judged, like some, she has been very supportive as always.  I thank God for her.

Dream Sweet

ps - I will take a short hiatus to take care of family matters and I promise to be back by March 1, 2009

The Forgotten Child

My father died last night.  He had suffered with cancer of the liver and pancreas for about 15 months, more than likely caused by the abuse of alcohol for a number of years.  The news was delivered to me by my Mother -- it was emailed to her by her stepdaughter - who got a phone call from my half-sister.  Quite a round about way.

As I was trying to think about what I could send to my stepmother and how I should word a card in deepest sympathy to her and her children -- I didn't take time to allow myself to feel -- until my nephew sent me a text message to ask "me" if I was okay.  It touched my heart that he was considering how I might be feeling miles away from my family - losing my father to cancer - and being the forgotten child in any case.

Thank you sweet, sensitive nephew -- your daddy raised you right.  Thank you to all my loved ones who have consoled my heart today.  I love you all.

Dream Sweet

"Thank You Lord Jesus"

Those were the words exclaimed by a - way excited enough to burst his britches - Julio Osegueda, yesterday at the town hall meeting in Fort Myers, Florida with President Obama!  If you didn't catch the meeting on CNN, it's a must see.  Today "The VAL" Tracking the Obama presidency featured an article by Mark Mammott, with a link to YouTube to catch Osegueda's enthusiastic attitude as he got to ask the last question of the meeting.  Too Cute.

Whatever faults you think may be connected with this new administration you have to admit Mr. Obama ignites a nation to survive -- he gives us hope.  This is a very good thing, because with hope and much prayer, we can move mountains.   

Amidst the business of the day, L'AMORE INTIMO will always take time to recognize the inspirational.

Dream Sweet

The TurnAround

Today after the completion of that very tedious hand embroidery (applause, applause) - still in a sewing mood the TurnAround was born.  Remember when there was backward day at school during homecoming week?  Same concept.  These panties can be worn one way or the other -- as YOU like 'em.  

Dream Sweet

I'm A Woman

If I remember the jingle correctly, it went something like this:

I can put the wash on the line

Feed the kids

Get dressed

Clamp out the kisses

And get to work by 5 of 9

Cause I'm a woman ...

It was for a perfume called Enjoli.  Get your retro on with a click here to see the commercial.

My question is not so much can this all be done, because I know first hand it can -- my question is WHY?!  Supergirl, Wonder Woman or maybe Mother Invincible (I made that one up).  Women are on call 24/7 if they have a household with a plus one and especially if they have kids.  On top of caring for their homes and more than not, being the heartbeat of that home, they find creative ways to support those homes.  

Did you know that usually in a financial crises there will be more women employed than men?  Think about that a while, and hopefully you'll get why this is.  I won't pollute your thinking.  But let me just say, coming from a home run by a single mother, I know that more than not, women don't get paid nearly enough for all they do.  But keep doing it ladies - we're greatly needed.

Some times it feel good to rant!  Today L'AMORE got it's first boxer sample for men.  Not too shabby, but definitely other fabrics will be experimented with before I decide on the exclusive  and only men's product for L'AMORE INTIMO.

Speaking of women who do it all, check out this website www.shemissboss.com -- this business is run by two innovators aiding others in the pursuit of their dreams while capturing their own realities.

Dream Sweet

Retro Enjoli commercial can be found on YouTube,com

A Drop in a Bucket

This was one of those days when it seemed as if I did a lot, then I take a look at what was done and it seems like little of nothing at all.  Maybe I can blame it on the rain.  

In the words of Scarlet O'Hara - my Mother's favorite saying - tomorrow is another day.

Dream Sweet

Hold Fast To Dreams

There's a poem I know that tells you to "hold fast to dreams, because if they die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly..."

But what if dreams change?  Should you still hold on to them for the sake of routine or others or fear?  

My nephew was named the number 1 (one) quarterback in the state of Maryland two years back, as a senior who had played varsity football since he was a freshman.  Unfortunately also in his senior year, he injured his shoulder, continued to play on it against his doctor's warnings, and by the time he had it operated on, the shoulder was badly damaged.  Here's a wonderfully smart and physically talented male who had played football since he was old enough to be signed up for Pop Warmer youth football - now left to ponder his fate two years post graduation.  

He has decided to change his course and allow the dream to take a back seat to reality.  I admire his courage.  How many of us have this kind of moxie to let go of something that is no longer a viable idea and move on to something better?  Maybe diverting will bring you back to your original dream and maybe you'll find the you that was meant to be.  

That's why I'm here - with L'AMORE INTIMO.  As far as I'm concerned, the sky's the limit.

Dream Sweet

The aforementioned poem is entitled "Dreams" by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow

A Stitch In Time Saves Nine

An American prover.   By who? - IDK.  As pertains to sewing or crafting, I deem this saying to mean if you take the required measures to do something right the first time, you won't have to waste time with do overs.  But then again, do overs can be used as learning experiences if you see the cup half full.

Today I'm sewing.

Dream Sweet

BOXERs by L'AMORE

The first cut out of a L'AMORE INTIMO boxer was made today.  The fabric is not as I want it, but the groove of cutting and sewing is exactly where I want to be.  These boxers will be white exclusively.  Whether white linen or cotton remains to be figured out.  The brand will then be embroidered on the left leg also in white.  Maybe the brand color will come in many different colors, but the boxers will be white.  The future could hold pajama bottoms with the signature brand and yes in white, but that comes later.

Dream Sweet

Fabric Swatches

Today I picked up samples of fabric I had ordered.  The nylon/spandex, called liquid  smooth satin spandex could work for what I need, but the polyester/spandex blend - not going to work, and they both are one way stretch.  The former just gives more.  This company also sells the elastics that I need -- from the no frills to the very frilly.  Now I have samples to take with me when I pound the pavement in the fashion district in search of a wholesaler.  

Until then I want to give a plug to Sew Sassy Fabrics.  Check them out on-line.

Dream Sweet

It Takes a Village /o\

...but what if the world were a village of 100 people?  

Because my signature statement for L'AMORE is "everything I do is from a place deep inside my heart", I want to make a point to blog on things that matter from the heart.  Deep thoughts.  Interesting facts.  Inspirational reflections...etc.  

An email spurred me to google and find out more about this.  I found Family Care Foundation (FCF) and a different version of --

 "If the World Were a Village of 100 People"

If we could reduce the world's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, the demographics would look something like this:

The village would have 60 Asians, 14 Africans, 12 Europeans, 9 Latin Americans, 5 from the USA and Canada, and 1 from the South Pacific

51 would be male, 49 would be female

82 would be non-white, 18 white

67 would be non-Christian, 33 would be Christian

80 would live in substandard housing

67 would be unable to read

50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation

33 would be without access to a safe water supply

39 would lack access to improve sanitation

24 would not have any electricity (and of the 76 that do have electricity, most would only use it for light at night)

7 people would have access to the internet

1 would have a college education

1 would have HIV

2 would be near birth, 1 near death

5 would control 32% of the entire world's wealth, all 5 would be US citizens

33 would be receiving and attempting to live on only 3% of the income of "the village"

Go to FCF and check out the charitable org.

Dream Sweet

Practice Makes Perfect - Really

After a good 10 hours, I finally put the finishing glue on the beaded bracelet which was my weekend project.  If it weren't for the pattern having to be a pattern I think it turned out great!  My sweet little niece will get it for her birthday because she won't harp on the flaws.   

Believe you me, this is only the beginning of the beautiful beading that I will perfect for the L'AMORE designs.  Everyone learns and practices and creates and perfects as they grow.  

Dream Sweet

HATERS! -- You Know Who You Are

"HATERS" by Maya Angelou

A hater is someone who is jealous and envious and spends all their time trying to make you look small so they can look tall.  They are very negative people to say the least.  Nothing is ever good enough!

When you make your mark, you will always attract some haters...

That's why you have to be careful with whom you share your blessings and your dreams, because some folk can't handle seeing you blessed...

It's dangerous to be like someone else... If God wanted you to be like someone else, He would have given you what He gave them!  Right?

You never know what people have gone through to get what they have...

The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don't know my story...

If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, you can rest assured that the water bill is higher there too!

We've all got some haters among us!

Some people envy you because you can:

a) Have a relationship with God

b) Light up a room when you walk in

c) Start your own business

d) Tell a man/woman to hit the curb (if he/she isn't about the right thing)

e) Raise your children without both parents being in the home

Haters can't stand to see you happy.

Haters will never want to see you succeed.

Most of our haters are people who are suppose to be on our side.

How do you handle your undercover haters?

You can handle these haters by:

1.  Knowing who you are and who your true friends are (VERY IMPORTANT)!!!

2.  Having a purpose to your life: Purpose does not mean having a job.  You can have a job and still be unfulfilled.

A purpose is having a clear sense of what God has called you to be.  Your purpose is not defined by what others think about you.

3.  By remembering what you have is by divine prerogative and not human manipulation.

Fulfill your dreams!  You only have one life to live...when it's your time to leave this earth, you want to be able to say, 'I've lived my life and fulfilled my dreams, now I'm ready o go HOME!'

When God gives you favor, you can tell your haters, 'Don't look at me...look at Who is in charge of me...'

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him to find her." 

Inspirational teachings from a profound woman.  Thank you Ms. Maya Angelou.

Dream Sweet