no way.

holy moses and zipporah. i just had the most incredible night!

i haven't shared this with you because i felt it slightly inappropriate to discuss these sordid money matters over a public forum...but to heck with it. i'm too excited! my incredible cousins, whom i have blogged about previously, have invested a sizable amount into me and my music career. it is with this investment that i have been able to record this album (which is very close to being finished, by the way).

the thing is, producing an album is a costly endeavor if it's going to be decent. there is production cost, manufacturing costs, mastering costs, artwork, etc. i realized recently that i was in a bit over my head. with the inclusion of artwork costs, there was really no budget left for me to be able to pay any photographer or spend any money on "costume"/hair/make-up etc. i know it seems like that shouldn't be a big deal, and i had talked myself into thinking it wasn't, but deep down i was at a loss of what to do. i'm not the most photogenic girl you ever met...in fact i'm just downright NOT photogenic. it's not an easy task to make me look great in a picture. and this is for album artwork. we're not talking about a myspace pic. this is supposed to represent me and my music.

anyway, tonight my favorite store held a "trunk show"...the designer of my favorite line that the store carries came and brought her latest designs which were modeled by live "mannequins"...there were hors d'oeuvres and champagne. it was fabulous and beautiful. and these dresses...they just make me feel beautiful.

after trying on a variety of styles, i hear the emcee announce the raffle (they had distributed the tickets earlier in the evening). gina and my mom went outside to hear the announcement of the winners. i stayed inside to hold on to the dresses i was trying on. soon i hear gina shout "oh! loisa! it's you!" i come outside and they all congratulate me. and what have i won? a photoshoot. with a professional photographer who specializes in vintage portraits and has been featured in over 100 magazines and websites. and in whatever two favorite dresses i choose! with hair and make-up included!

yep. it really happened. the photographer introduced himself to me and the store owner came and gave me a hug (we had met before tonight...she's just precious!). "i didn't know anyone would be so excited to win this," the photographer said.

"you don't understand," i told them (maybe tearing up a little bit). i told them about the album...about how i didn't know how i would be able to afford what i dreamt of for the photos...how they were answers to my prayers. they were both so very excited. so glad to be a part.

i can't believe it. you know how i've said in previous blogs that i'm learning that the "Good" that God is and does and the things that i think are "good" are not always the same thing? tonight they were the same thing. i felt so beautiful tonight in a lot of ways. and i know He likes that.