When God gives you presents...

A few years ago I got the idea to ask God for birthday and Christmas presents. The idea was to get something that you just knew was from God. Once it was a dove outside my window singing the morning of my birthday. Another time I won a raffle to get the extended version of Lord of the Rings 1 (and I never win raffles). And of course one Christmas I got an engagement ring.

This year I got something special that wasn't even for my birthday or Christmas - yellow.

Yes, yellow. Alright, here comes the explanation:

When we were preparing for a baby room I cleared out our guestrooms and sold the furniture. Well, that left these two empty rooms that just reminded me of how I felt-empty. So, I furiously decorated thinking that getting those guest rooms back together would help me get back together and it did kind of help. The room that would have been the baby room is now blue, yellow and gray. For the past few months I just have been grabbing yellow things when I find them at resale shops and the room is coming together very nicely.

Sometimes you hear a song and it just reminds you of someone - maybe even for no apparent reason it just does. When the song "Yellow" came out by Coldplay I was in high school and it reminded me of Landon. I have no reason for that, it just did so when I heard it I thought of him. Weeks after the miscarriage I heard "Yellow" and for some reason it just reminded me of this baby that we lost. It almost blindsided me especially the line: "Your skin, oh yeah your skin and bones turn in to something beautiful and you know, you know I love you so, you know I love you so." Wow, so now my "Yellow" song is about this loss and this life.

A former student of ours went to Africa for 8 months. While he was in the field he found out we had a miscarriage and he was really sad for us. He told a member of our team and for some reason this other young man was very struck by it and he prayed for us and wrote us letters (he doesn't know us at all except through our student). He told me in his letter he saw a bright yellow sunflower called "Faith" and that God was growing it in my heart through this situation. Ironically I have a painting in my house that is a reflection of the garden of my heart and I paint new elements in it every time I learn something. I had just put pink gratitude flowers with lime green envy vines on. And I believe the yellow sunflower is the next thing to go on the canvas.

So, lately my eyes have been drawn to yellow and I love how happy it looks. This passed Friday my friend Kelly gave me a present. A yellow owl. Perfect! I wanted an owl piece because of my owl dream (to find out about that go back to the "Dreams" blog) and was hoping to spend some time in antique shops to find the perfect owl item and she got it! She really felt like it was the Holy Spirit and so did I. Also, this passed weekend was my original due date, Landon and I went to Austin to sort of remember this weekend in a new way and my friends and sister in law got me yellow flowers when we got back. And I managed to find an owl embroidery in Wimberly. The woman who owned the shop made it for her son about 40 years ago because he was afraid of the owl outside his window and so she made this to remind him not to fear.

So, yellow seems to be my reminder from God to have faith and to trust Him that He will turn mourning into dancing. My owls remind me to ask for wisdom and God will give it with generosity and all of these things remind me that God is very present in this time, He is very aware and He is near. So, thanks God for getting me presents, they mean a lot to me.

Blue

So, my first photography class assignment was "blue". Wonderfully nebulous. Now, my hope was to get some kind of blue jay flying or capture blue lights moving. I wanted to think WAY out of the box and see what I could do with someone's blue eyes and come to find- wow, that neato artsy stuff is a lot harder than I thought so...here's my attempt at "Blue"...I am such a beginner :)



Lily. I love the blue from our TV and her dismal look makes it seem like she's got the blues



Nice graffiti wall in Austin



Now to me and my husband's credit...I did the settings, he took the shot...we should at least get partial credit :)



Ok, and this is just for grins...this is the blue I see a lot that makes me see red!

Updates on life and my unending quest to be self employed

So, I haven't written in awhile so here's a small summary:

1. Considering just paying a friend to knit things when I need them and paying talented people on Etsy...knitting I just don't think is my "thing"

2. Got a little carried away with "refurbishing" furniture and my garage started to look like an episode of Hoarders so new rule: 1 project at a time.

3. Got obsessed with "Lost", then "Pawn Stars" and now "American Pickers"...I'm a pretty fickle TV fan :)

4. Took/taking some photography classes and learning a lot!

5. Got my DBA so I can "Do Some Business As" L.Schott Artistry - the banner under which my crafting, painting, photography-ing, makeup and hair do-ing will all live.

So, I guess moving right along? I have never really been great at one thing. I've always been pretty good at a few things and maybe, just maybe it can work for me. I don't know if I should call myself a "Jane of All Trades" or a "Renaissance Woman" but I am trying to make the best of being an expert of nothing.

But maybe life isn't about being an expert...maybe its about always learning.

And just for grins some of my new favorite sayings/quotes as of late:

"Nut Up" - Landon

"I want to invent a churro pencil" - Erik Hanson (youth @ our church)

"I split a bagel with the garbage" - Harvard Sailing Team

New Homecoming Packages!

The school year has started and fall is on its way (although, I went outside today and it doesn't feel like it!) and with that comes...HOMECOMING.

Now, when I was in school, a very small private school, we didn't have football and we didn't really have an "alumni". So, Homecoming was just an excuse to have a dance and wear a formal dress. I had no idea the intention was to have a wonderful nostalgic experience with football, homecoming queens present and past and cheer together our good old home town team.

So, in honor of fall, Homecoming and nostalgia...I am offering Homecoming Packages:

1. Soloist - $30, $45
For the ultimate "low-maintenance" girl. The Soloist package will include either a full makeup application for $30 or a full hair do, any way you want it, for $45. This is for the girl who says "I'll let you do your part but I got this!" I'll need just 45 minutes to create your look so plan accordingly.

2. Rockstar - $60
The Rockstar is for the gal who wants to make a splash. For $60 I'll do a full makeup application and a hair-do (again any way you want it). This package is a great deal to look your best and save on the services! This only takes about an hour and a half so you have plenty of time to do whatever it is Rockstars need to do.


3. The VIP Party - $150
The party will definitely not start until ya'll walk in. The VIP Party package is designed for 3 friends to get ready together in one house! I will do a full makeup application and hair-do for each girl unique to her personality and dress. Enjoy the fun together as you watch each other transform from school day to Glamorous! This will take around 3 hours just to be safe so plan accordingly. And if you think you want to have a party for more than 3 please email me- I've got some very talented assistants who would love to help!

If you are interested in booking a package with me you can email me at lindsay.schott@gmail.com. Let me know what date you need and the package you would like. Feel free to email me about any questions you may have as well. I can't wait to get started!

Remember, Homecoming is coming up fast so book now!

Much love!

~Lindsay

PS- some of my fun, party makeup is below and don't be scared I can do "natural" too!