MONDAY MAKEOVER: Tammy Rude!

Merry Christmas to you!!!!!

I love that we can celebrate the birth of Jesus together and blog and talk and blog and talk!

It’s Makeover Monday and I’m thrilled to introduce you to today’s Makeover Model, Tammy Rude.

For those of you who are new to this blog, each Monday we visit here to meet a woman who has read my book Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad and see how it’s affected her both physically and spiritually.

 Let’s meet her now!

Tammy has been married for 23 years, second time around, and a mother of three children (two living); Ryan 28 and Sydney 17. She lives in Upstate New York and hates the winters! She has two doggies that keep her company during the day, Boudie and Sadie, while her daughter is in school. Here's Boudie for your viewing pleasure!!!!!

She’s been a stay at home mom for the last 10 years. Before that she was an owner of a dance studio for 13 years until she found out she was pregnant with Sydney and it was then that she closed her studio.

Listen to what Tammy had to say about what she currently does in her life:

“I started volunteering at a Crisis Pregnancy Center in 2006 and in a few months, I was asked to be the program coordinator for their abortion recovery ministry. This ministry is very close to my heart because I, too, made the choice to have an abortion and lived with that “secret” for many years.

Now, God is using me to help women come out behind the wall of shame through this ministry “Beyond the Choice.” Being at the center I’ve been given many opportunities to educate pastors and people in the church about how abortion affects all of us. Over the last several years, I’ve shared God’s amazing grace at ladies groups, churches and even our local University about my abortion and the effect it had in my relationships.

After attended the She Speaks Conference in 2007, God made it very clear to me to start writing my story (God’s Story) through blogging even though I never considered myself a writer. Since then, I have met and spoken to many women across this country, listening to their stories about the moment in their lives that they, too, made the “choice” and how it affected them. It has been such a privilege for me to serve our LORD in this way.”

Loved hearing about you, Tammy…thank you for sharing your heart with us and for sharing your past and passion for women to bring God the glory.

Okay girls, let’s get to the makeover! Take a look at Tammy's BEFORE picture:

Now take a look at Tammy's AFTER pictures and get ready to be WOWed!!!!

Whohooooo....doesn't she ROCK?????? See what the right hair color can do you for you???? Unbelieveable!!!!! Here we go!



Tammy, describe the woman you saw in the mirror before you read this book:

Once pretty woman but now an old lady with the constant question; “How do you grow old gracefully?” I’ve always tried to take care of myself throughout the years, but when I turned 50, I thought “why try? It’s not going to get any better.”

Inquiring minds want to know all about you! Give details!

I’m 5’1, 52 years old, 115 lbs, red hair (for now) and blue eyes. I was adopted at the age of 2 and lived out in the country until my adult life. I owned and operated a dance studio for 13 years in Upstate New York. I love to act and have performed in the play (three years in a row) at our church “The Christmas Shoes” as the dying mother. I also do monologues of women in the bible; the woman at the well, young Mary, Eve, etc.

Did this book affect you spiritually? If so, how?

Yes. After finishing this book, God pressed upon my heart that everyday that I’m given, I need to do it with excellence, and to take care of this body (you only get one). He has placed me here at this time for a purpose, to run this race until the end…in heels!

What was your favorite chapter and why?

Oh, I can’t pick just one chapter because on every page it revealed to me that it’s OKAY to “maintain and look fabulous at any age.” I’ve invested in better skincare and have gotten rid of my OLD makeup and brought on the new…what a difference! Ladies, my face is glowing!

Wait a minute, there WAS one chapter that transformed my lower half and it was Chapter 7 “Jeans: A Girl’s Real Best Friend.” I learned that wearing the right style jeans changes everything! I’m not sure if I can tell you where I found my “jeans” that fit perfectly for this 52 year old body, so let me ask Shari, I’ll be right back. OK, I found the jeans on HSN and the designer is Diane Gilman and I love them! No muffin top and you don’t have to unbutton the top button if you eat too much during those special events.

What was the most transforming part of all of this?

I went back to red hair! Once I hit the big 5-0, two years ago, I had my hair highlighted and highlighted and highlighted until it was blonde, convincing myself “that’s what you do when the gray (white hair) starts to budge its way in.” Boy was I wrong!

Since I’ve returned to being a redhead I’ve gotten so many compliments. So for now …red it is!

Who do you see in the mirror now?

A woman who is back in the GROOVE and dressing up what God gave me with accessories and style.

Any final words for us?

After reading this book, it taught me to live in the moment and stop worrying about this aging thing and say… “Go ahead, and put some fresh paint on this old barn.”

One time when my mother was standing in front of the mirror at the age of 80, putting on her lipstick; I thought… why would you even care about lipstick at this point in your life? So, I said “Mom, what does it feel like to be 80?” Before answering, she finished applying her lipstick, and placed it back in the cabinet. Then she looked straight into the mirror and said “Oh honey, when I look into this mirror I see a wrinkled old face but inside… I’m still 18” as she pointed to her heart with a smile on her face. I replied “I get it, Mom.”

Why do you recommend this book to others and what benefit does it have for someone who reads it?

This book has it all! It will help you to determine your body type, your style, what works for you and will give you the tools to work on the outside, while God is working on the inside.

Thank you, Tammy!

That was wonderful! We loved getting to know you!!!

And girl, you look AMAZING!!!!!

Last Monday’s winner of the beautiful crocheted dish cloth from Brenda Breckbill is…………..Terry!!!!! Please email me your mailing address so Brenda can get that in the mail to you!

In honor of Jesus’ birthday I’m going to give away a beautiful bracelet to someone who comments on Tammy’s makeover….

so give her some love, girls!

And also, if you’d like to visit Tammy at her blog and read her story in full, please click here. The story is on the left hand side of her blog.

See you back here on Wednesday!!!! Did you like the newsletter? It went out on Friday!!!!! If you didn't get it, let me know and I'll personally email one to you. There's a neat giveaway in there, too! So check it out.

Love ya!

Shari

http://www.fashionmeetsfaith.com/