Thinking about Purpose

Last night I had a wonderful opportunity to gather with some friends and sit at the feet of a Pastor, friend, mentor. We laughed and reminisced about the past, he has been instrumental in shaping all of us at some point or another when we were young. In the his true nature he posed a question about purpose, Do you feel that you have accomplished or are working in purpose? If not how and what do you need to do to start working on that? Wow what a question , not an easy one. As we all starting talking, he would ask questions to help us dig deeper and find a deeper meaning. He picked up on a word that we all used at some point....passion. We all talked about a deep passion we had for this or that. Passion that was either driving us or should be driving. How do we get to fulfill our passion and how does it tie into the bigger plan that God has for us.

It was great how he broke down vision. He said that we need to see the end first and then fill in the blanks to get there. He also said don't get to caught up in figuring out the details because God already knows them. When you think that nothing is happening, you should not be sitting around complaining, you should be be preparing for when God makes the provision for the vision. Breaking down the word Pro-before and vision- to see. God has already seen it. God has also given us free will so He gives us the plan or vision and we need to do something with it.

We are all filled with potential, our mentor mentioned that at the end of our lives we should be empty of potential. So if there is anything you are saying I wish I could have done it , then you should do it.

2Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. What a great thought that God has given us this word to remind us that he has our back.

If you are pregnant with passion, Give birth to the vision.

At the end like paul we could say "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7

Cut down on the amount of potting soil needed by crumpling plastic bags to fill the bottom of a deep pot (just be sure that you don’t cover the drainage hole, if there is one). | 50 All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things | Real Simple

I saw these uses for things around the house and thought I would share. Really interesting

.50 All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things | Real Simple

I am the World's Greatest!!

Everyone should have that song in their lives that gets them out of the dumps and encourages them to move forward. I have several..this one in particular was being sung by pre-schoolers at their graduation and I thought "how appropriate!". They need to receive all the validation they need as early as possible. Before they are tainted by the world and as a friend put it the Eeyores of the world come into her life.

When I think about the words, it is not a bragging statement its the words that you need to move past those deep valleys in your life. It is that motivational song for the struggling entrepreneur (me) , realizing that you will make it (yes I am crying again)

My baby graduated

How time flies? Last week were two monumental events in my baby's life.

She graduated for the first time and she turned five. I don't know which was most exciting for her since turning 5 seemed to be the equivalent of turning 21. She did ask me if now (that she is five) she could do anything she wants LOL....ROFLOL. Of course not I answered to her dismay.

As I watched her on the stage tears came to my eyes ( ok I had streams of tears on my face). I remembered bringing her home from the hospital and know she was on stage singing and recieving her first diploma. I thought that each time she got one 5th grade, Middle School, High School, College ...etc, I will cry, silently reliving all of the previous graduations and all of the first in her life. My older girls laughed at me, but I let them know that I did the same at their graduations. These are the moments that make you smile and cry at the same time. It will go in my memory bank for use on emotionally rainy days.

Does God still speak to us?

Does God still speak to us today? You have probably read the story with Moses and the burning bush or any other prophet that heard from God. I sometimes wish I could have a burning bush. To hear God clearly, to find direction clearly. I have in the last few years adopted a little sying when talking to God. I ask "God please be very clear when you speak to me in regards to ________, I am a little slow sometimes and reading signs does not come easy". Funny enough every time I have done it he is very direct in His answer. No, I did not have a burning bush experience but I did happen to hear a sermon or read a book or verse, or hear from a friend.

I remember when I was trying to make a decision to leave my job; we had recently purchased our first home and leaving would be logically crazy. However, going to work was a burden, I felt a heaviness everytime I entered my office...a sadness. So I prayed and I talked to friends. Now you have to be very careful when you are praying for something and the people you chose to share with or ask advice from. If they are not in tune with God, you will get thrown of course.

Well I spoke to my friend and I told her that I did not know what to do. I said I had not heard clearly from God what He wanted for me. Her response " Well, I have not had devotion yet, but let me see what my devotional is saying today. And that is when God spoke. After she finished reading she hung up, later she told she was so shocked that she felt she could not add anything to what God had just said.

I have kept those words since I left my job and whenever I am feeling overwhelmed I read them and then remind God of what He said.

Don't get stuck in that place of indecision. Make a choice today and trust
God. Stop worrying about what you have no control over and trust God! Yes,
the short-term result of your choice may be painful. But, Sis, fear not.
God will give you grace to endure and courage to hold your ground. You've
put this off long enough. Listen, counterfeit peace is worse than no peace
at all because you live in fear knowing that at nay moment it could change.
Whoever you are today, do what you need today - do what you need today - do
what you need and know to do. Let God work out the details. He is there -
on the other side of that choice-waiting to pick up the broken pieces!
Trust God!


This was a time (not the only time) when God spoke to me. Have you ever had a time when God spoke

Writer's Workshop: Soundtrack of my life

This week's writing prompt from Mama Kat is creating a soundtrack of your life with 10 songs. Here is my attempt:

1.If I can help somebody, as I pass along,If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song,If I can show somebody, how they're travelling wrong,Then my living shall not be in vain. Mahalia Jackson

I really love this song. I think about my life and if at the end of it I did not make a change then I did not live a life worth living. When we reach out to others to help, cheer, guide without looking for anything in return you in turn are also touched and sometimes forever changed. So if there is a legacy that I would like to leave to my kids would be one of service to others.

2. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord Open the eyes of my heart I want to see You, Michael Smith

I want to see God in my life every aspect of my life. Happiness, sadness, confusion, anger it is important that in every area of my life I find an opportunity to find God at work. And He is always at work even when we don't understand what is going on. I want God to open the eyes of my heart to see the beauty in people and in the world and to love with out prejudice or bias. To love as God loves.

3. You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek, You are my all in all , Dennis Jernigan

God is a constant source of strength always especially when I feel weak and vulnerable. He has given me strength do things that I would never have done in my own strength. This is also the song that touched my daughter's heart and helped her accept the Lord in her life

4 Love,So many people use your name in vain
Love,Those who have faith in you sometimes go astray
Love, Through all the ups and downs the joys and hurts
Love, For better or worse I still will choose you first Musiq Soulchild

Not to be corny but love really makes the world go round. I am a hopeless romantic always choosing too see the possibility of love. I am a sucker for a good love story, tissues and sobs all the way.

5. There's always gonna be another mountain,I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle, Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb Miley Cyrus

This is a motivational song for me in regards to my business. I have to keep climbing even when I want to give up and keep believing that I am going to be a success. I am going to appreciate the challenges and bumps along the way when I am a success.

6. In my daughter's eyes I am a hero,I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see, She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes Martina McBride

I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters that make me feel so important and they have no idea how each of them individually bring so much to my life. The really have no idea how they lift my spirits , and make my heart smile. They keep me laughing out loud.

7. Pass you by, see you smile and I must admit I get
So emotional, I think I’m falling for you
Bought a pillow for my room (I thought about you)
Heard Alicia sing a tune (I thought about you)
It sends my rocket to the moon
Every time I think about you Luther Vandross Think about you

I have been married for 15 years and my hubby was my prom date. I like the idea of thinking of our love as new and fresh it keeps us from falling into a rut. It especially helps when I really want to throw him over a cliff, then I think maybe I will keep him.

8. Here and now, I promise to love faithfully (Faithfully)
You're all I need, Here and now
I vow to be one with thee (You and me), hey
Your love is all (I need) I need Luther Vandross Here and Now
This was the song that I danced to at my wedding. Enough said!

9. You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does
Love is unstoppable Rascal Flats Unstoppable
This is a song that so encouraging, I have my moments of being depressed but I don't like to stay there and songs like these keep me going . I also try to encourage others, funny enough I found that event when i encourage others despite what may be going on in my own life I am in turn encouraged.

10. Baby, Baby, Baby oooooh Justin Beiber

This song made it on my list because it is the current song on replay at my house. I don't what it is about this guy but my 4 year old is gaga over him.

Picasso...Monet...Hmmmm

We all have the multiple art projects that come home from school. Some make it to the refrigerator..some to the art bin...and some well we will maintain the secrecy of their location.

But my 9 year old brought home a painting and I have to say it is one of my favorites from her.



Move over Monet.. here comes my baby

Blog Hopping

It is fun to bloghop , there are some outrageously funny women out there. I just can seem to tell stories that come out as funny.

Jenners@ Life with a little one had me rolling on the floor.

One of the writing prompts this week from the writer's workshop,@ Mama's losin it was "Have you ever"

Have you ever sang along with a song from Nickjr ..when your child was not around?, I have and I actually have favorites is that crazy. I like that lady with the guitar, she always has some great songs. And DJ Lance on Yo Gabba Gabba, they get some cool people on the show. The Backyardigans, "Into the thick of it, Into the think of it"

Have you ever looked at a word that you have typed millions of time and wonder if it is spelled correctly? I have

Have you ever cried during a commercial , Hallmark, Coke, Hallmark, Not tearing up or getting misty but sob crying. Ok I don't think I sobbed but definitely bigger than getting misty.

Have you ever wondered where Max and Ruby's parents are? (If you see prompt #1 you will understand)

Kids say the darndest things

This Mother's Day, my four year old brought home a wonderful gift. She made me 18 again. Her teachers helped her to complete a card by answering a few questions about me, here are her answers.



When she gave it to me I responded as all moms do with much excitement. I told how great of her to think that I was 18 years old. She paused and then asked "Are you really 18?". I said no and my little diplomat responded well that's ok , because you look it. That was a great Mother's Day gift.

Tranquility

Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable Benjamin Franklin

Tranquility as defined by websters is being 1 a : free from agitation of mind or spirit ,a tranquil self-assurance, b : free from disturbance or turmoil

Tranquility is it such an illusive concept. Will it come when my business is making millions of dollars? or when my children are grown and out the house? will it come when I have all that I want?

I really think that tranquility is a state of mind. I have never been in a room with a terminally ill patient, but when I have seen it on TV or spoken to those who have experienced it, I have never heard of an individual who was restless and agitated. There were no concerns of what sale is going on or even of world affairs, but simply a peace that has been made.



In the midst of chaos in our world, in our personal lives and sometimes our own minds, I believe we can experience tranquility. Now when you have been home with children under the age of five, who have gotten into everything and left you feeling crazy at the end of the day, tranquility is a fleeting concept. Tranquility goes beyond our external circumstances. It is something found deep inside, a true contentment with who you are. A feeling that even if at the moment you are not in the most ideal situation, you will be OK. It is that mental "Calgon take me away moment" in the midst of the chaos. As I get older I am trying to find my tranquility in purpose. Doing things that have a purpose, that will impact someone in a positive way. A Random Act of Kindness perhaps; It may not be advertised in the local paper but it has given me satisfaction and peace. Stopping to read a book to your 3 year old even though you have so much to do.

Don't let tranquility be somewhat of a mystery, an unattainable dream. Find tranquility in the smallest moments. Even with the small fingerprints on the wall and the messy room you cleaned just 30 minutes ago, find tranquility. Its like taking a mental "tea" break or a candle lit bath. Experience that breathable moment despite the outside forces telling you otherwise.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Poem

The writing prompt from Mama Kat is allowing me a poetry moment.

It has been a journey
We made it through finals
Late night studying
Late night partying
So much fun
Some guys were hot and some were not
Care packages from home filled with hometown goodies
Long lectures
Made shorter by naps
Chemistry...we wont speak of the agony
Microeconomics pull my nails out one at a time please
The drone of the professor's voice
Made my hour into more like a week
You were a great roomy
So hard to say good bye
Although, sometimes you got on my nerves
Your dirty clothes on my side of the room
Borrowing my clothes without asking
You ate my food
You had your friends sit on my bed
One year of your horrible snoring
All of a sudden
It's not so hard
It's not so hard to say "good-bye"

Humility

The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have...Norman Vincent Peale



Tapping into another of Ben Franklin's virtues, I will undertake humility. Oh, humility...I think many have missed out because they lacked humility. An inability to stop long enough to see or acknowledge our faults, especially when pointed out by others, this may have caused us our friends. An inability to recognize authority, this may have caused us our jobs. To see the bigger picture, to lose ourselves in something bigger, this may have allowed us to miss an opportunity to serve others. I have found that those who have achieved the most fulfillment in their lives are humble. They were not to old to learn from someone younger, they weren't to rich to visit the poorest slums in Africa, they weren't too smart to sit on the carpet of a kindergarten class and be a kid.

How many times have you been called out, put on blast? You know are wrong yet because you refuse to let go of pride you refuse correction. Correction that can save your life, your finances, your soul.

You know I truly believe that God sent our children to teach us humility, and unless we are able to learn the lesson that is being taught we are in turn teaching our children not to be humble and the cycle becomes vicious and one child, turns into a family and into a community of individuals who lack humility. Are you able to apologize to your children? Let them know that they are right? Or are you incapable of receiving correction? Can correction only come from someone older? Someone who has more? Somehow do we feel that by being humble we turn into rugs and all of a sudden everyone will walk all over us?

The funny thing about humility it is one of those foundational values, if it is missing you may appear a little lopsided.

Does humility have a set of rules "Only be humble if.....
Actually there are some rules that I appreciate and hope that I can use as often as possible:

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4
Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

Philippians 2:
[ Imitating Christ's Humility ] If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Temperance

I visited a blog recently, Everyday Kathy, and I really enjoyed going through her posts. I came across Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues while on her blog. As I went through them I thought that they would be great starters for some blog posts. I don't know much about Ben Franklin's life but doing some research on these virtues, it is said that he was partially inspired by Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

I don't know if I will do them in order of if I will write on all of them but I thought I would start with Temperance.

What is temperance? According to Webster's it is 1 : "moderation in action, thought, or feeling : restraint 2 a : habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions.

I believe that temperance is not something that is very popular in today's society. We live in a " I want it" now society. A society filled with excess and lack of self control. If temperance or moderation was practiced I wonder if there would be so many of us in debt; the need to keep up with the neighbors and live beyond our means. A lack of restraint have landed many in sticky situations, and our jails may include a population of those to which temperance was not even a thought. Our various health problems brought on by an excess of food and other extremes that include body image distortions in some of our teens, have our lives out of balance.

Even as Christians many of us have rushed ahead of what God has truly purposed for our lives and in our rush to "fix it ourselves" we don't stop to think and end up in worse situations. Thank goodness that we have a merciful God who picks us up after our mistakes and brushes us off and helps us to get back on track.

I want to bring moderation to my actions, thoughts and feelings, taking time to think on the goodness of God, the goodness in people and the potential for greatness in everyone. My pastor message this week was on Psalm 23, and he talked about allowing God to "lead us by still waters" allowing Him to make us "lie down in green pastures" and slowing down long enough to allow "goodness and mercy" to catch up with us.

What are your thoughts on temperance?

It's Earth Day!!!!

Today is Earth Day, hopefully you don't need this day to remind you to take care of the Earth God has given us. However, today I want to share tips to making our carbon footprint a little bit smaller. Its small steps and hopefully it is not to late.

These tips from Care2make a difference:

Tip 1: Save Energy By Washing Your Laundry in Cold Water Only
Almost all of the energy used by a washing machine goes towards heating the water, so by simply turning down the temperature, you can really make a dramatic impact on energy use.

I practice this one, I only wash in hot water about once a month and the rest of the time I leave it cold.
Tip 2: Save Water By Using As Little Water Possible To Wash Your Dishes

If you have a newer dishwasher, chances are it uses less water than you would hand-washing. Modern dishwashers use only about 3 to 10 gallons of water per load. Some easy tips for your dishwasher: scrape plates instead of pre-rinsing, use energy-saving options when you can, and only wash full loads. Read more

I absolutely love this one, I hate hand washing dishes!!

Tip 3: Save Waste and Water By Switching From Bottled to Filtered Water

The bottled water industry is extremely wasteful. It involves millions of barrels of oil each year and the process actually wastes water. Since bottled water is often consumed on the go, most bottles do not actually end up getting recycled. Read more

Tip 4: Save Energy and Waste By Switching from Regular Batteries to Rechargeables

Rechargeable batteries embody one of our favorite principles: reuse. While traditional batteries can only be used once, rechargeable batteries, as the name implies, can be used again and again. By using the same batteries over and over again, you cut back on the waste created by disposable batteries. Read More


Tip 5: Save Waste By Buying in Bulk

Packaging has gotten a bit out of control these days. More and more we’re seeing items that are wrapped with layer upon layer of unnecessary materials. One way to combat that problem is to buy necessities in bulk. If it’s something you use a lot, it’s worth it to upgrade to a larger size or multi-pack. Read More

Here are some blogs that celebrate Earth Day , every day:

FocusOrganic.com

Consceintious Confusion

Tinygreenmom.com

GreenishPink.com

Stop by a great giveaway

I am mad at myself!!!!

I am an entrepreneur. I believe that I will be successful at business, I am a wedding planner, I have an invitation business and I am currently working on a favor business. It has been a dream of mine for over 10 years. Four years ago I left my job after moving to a suburb of NY from the city. The commute, the price of the commute, what I would spend on childcare and the total destruction of my family life made it an easy decision. I decided to take my talents and build a business....this is not a hobby!!

I love the time that I have to dedicate to my children and the time I have to dedicate to my business. However over and over again I get the question when are you going back to work, maybe you should go into teaching , why don't you go back and get another degree. Funny thing is I believe I am working, building a dream business, building on my passion.

But as usual I drown out my dreams and succumb to the direction of others. All my life I spent pushing my dreams to the background. I started thinking and thought I should go back for my Masters in Education, yeah I would make a good teacher (right?), its taking a while for business to pick up anyway.

What am I thinking? I am going to be 40 next year anyone who makes a career change at this stage of their lives makes it to their dream career...helloooo. While I love the idea of imparting knowledge and working with kids (anytime before 4th grade)...this is not my passion. As my friend put it it would be a job, not a dream career. I would be deferring my dream , because others feel that a traditional route would be better.

I am MAD because I don't have the guts to tell these people that this is my dream and it is not just a hobby. I can't verbalize to them how hard I am working to make my dreams happen, How deeply rooted this passion is. The fact that as I am writing down my thoughts I have tears in my eyes because I know how much I want this to work. I am mad because time and time again I stifle my dreams because I the words of others have me second guessing myself. The hard part is that the others aren't people I just met on the street, I don't really care about their opinions ( hope that doesn't sound mean) but it is the voices of those closest to me that are the hardest to ignore.

I try to teach my girls boldness , how to stand up for what they believe; Lessons that they have grabbed on to so tightly that it amazes me. I am mad because I am not taking my own advice.

It would be crazy to spend two years of my life building on someone Else's dream for me....wouldn't it.
I am mad at myself for allowing my conviction be swayed by others.

So what do I do with this anger? Anger is supposed to propel you to do something? A really good friend told me I must not be angry enough, because if I was really angry I would do something about it.

Passion

Someone on one of my online networks asked a question, What are you passionate about?
I thought I take time to answer this question on my blog. What is passion anyway?

According to Websters it is "a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept : an object of desire or deep interest. intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction"

Based on my understanding of passion and Websters definition , here is what I am passionate about:

God: I have a full devotion to Him. He is my creator and when I look at my life I don't know where I would be without God in my life. Serving a faithful God who is there in the midst of the most chaotic situations.

My Husband: We have been together for 20 years and married for 14 but I still am passionate about the man I married. I love love songs they have away of speaking your heart, I have several songs that I dedicate to my hubby and two of them are True Love by Faith Evans because it reminds me in part of our relationship. It speaks of the ups and downs but a commitment to love and growing together.

My Girls: I love my girls , they drive me crazy sometimes but I wouldn't have it any other way. They each bring teach me something different about life and I love them with all of my soul.

Wedding Planning: Has there ever been something that no matter how many books you read on the subject or how many shows you watch you still look at it is your first time? That is what wedding planning is for me. I may not have many years of experience but I have passion and it drives me to do the best for my clients. To help them fulfill that dream they have of their special day. It is a passion that drives me to constantly study and be up to date on new skills and trends and love it every time.

Service

This week we had a guest speaker at church and he was talking about service. It was a great message about serving and finding opportunities to serve in our churches, community, jobs, homes. The speaker offered some direction in knowing how and where to serve; if you are thinking about serving in your community and don't know exactly where to commit your time..then listen. Listen to whats going on around you , maybe they are community projects already on their way that you could be a part of. If it is in your place of worship get in tune with the leaders vision for your place of worship and jump in to service.

Have you ever gone to an amusement park and rode on a roller coaster or maybe one of those water rides with the log looking vessels? You ever notice that as soon as one car comes down , a bunch of people exit to the left and then there are people waiting to enter from the right? Well I got an image in my head that service is something like this or should be, there are always individuals serving but when they are done serving, there should be no hesitation for other to jump in and continue filling the need.

Where do you see yourself serving? We all have a call to serve others. I believe that in serving we plant seeds that will be watered by others and eventually bring a great harvest.

Galatians 6:9 (New International Version)
9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Back to High School

I wasn't the most popular person in High School, I had a few really good friends and still connect with them today. High School wasn't horrible, I just know that I probably would not go to High School Reunion because no one would remember me. There were times in high school when certain people dismissed what I was saying or straight up laughed at me. They never took me seriously or deemed anything I said as important. I consider myself a fairly well spoken individual, so when I seemingly experience that same thing with adults today I get upset. Your standing in a room with a group of adults trying to provide them with information or requesting information and they stare at you as if you are speaking a foreign language.

I remember taking a class in college that talked about the biases that are place on a speaker by the listener, sometimes even before they begin to speak. The speaker is basically tuned out before the listener ever tuned in. Maybe its something they are wearing or how they did their hair. Maybe is who they are associated with or not associated with. How many of us listen this way? Possibly missing out on something truly important because of a pre-imposed bias.

Do we read blogs that way? Maybe the writer does not have a lot of followers or advertisers. No cute graphics or catchy introductions, do we miss out on connecting with someone that may have something really impactful to share because of this?

These are just my random thoughts provoked by recent encounter by a biased listening audience.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Please share!!!

Got hubby hooked on coupons

The other day my hubby and I went to the supermarket, even before we got there we prepared for a covert shopping mission. We stood at the kitchen counter he checked through the coupons I just clipped and I looked through the weekly supermarket flyer. We began by pairing sales with coupons, and best of all it was the doubler flyer, woohoo! About once a month they send out a flyer with doubler coupons that will double any $1.00 manufactures coupon.

We went down each aisle, carefully checking our grocery list, flyer and coupons. My hubby was skeptical about the doubler coupons but I knew how they worked and if you used them correctly you get a good bargain.

First up Dole juices, regular price $3.49, sale price 2 for $5.00. After $1.00 manufacturer coupon and one doubler, we got two Dole juices for $3.00. We did this at every stop and weighed in the bigger bargains.

At check out ( we like to do self-check out) I monitored the screen to make sure that all the prices in the flyer were ringing up properly. Well the customer service rep made a lot of trips to our register because of discrepancies. It was almost closing time so they didn't seem to upset. After everything was done I was given a loyal customer 5% discount.

The grand total of savings was $63.00 including supermaket sales, coupons and doublers. Not bad for novices, I know there many who save so much more, but I was proud of our united effort to save. I really enjoyed doing this with my husband, I know that I may make things deeper than they are however, I wish we were united in all things like this....imagine how much we could accomplish.

Great Birthday giveaway

I came across a blog that is having a fabulous giveaway and to enter all you have to do is say Happy Birthday. It doesn't get any easier than this. I simply love the cut glass Masterpiece in ruby, pink and green. I entered I found that I already have the matching ring, which happens to be my favorite ring. Giveaway ends on April 12, 2010.Visit Designers DNA to enter.



My ring

Join the Spring Fling!

A fabulous Spring Fling will take off this Tuesday, April 13th and four prizes will be given away every hour on:

SITSgirls

Tip Junkie

Skip to my Lou

Today’s Creative Blog

Over $6,000 in prizes will be given away and it will be EASY to win! To get the party started they are already giving things away. Don’t miss out on all the free stuff!

Enter to win one of the Four TJ Grand Prizes, $645 value.
Leave a comment to win one of Ten Premium BlogFrog Memberships, a value of $60 each.
Everyone who joins the SITSgirls Community will automatically be entered to win a $100 Target gift card.
Everyone who joins the Tip Junkie Community will automatically be entered to win a $100 Target gift card.

The Sassy Sampler

I am a part of a great group call Sassy Sisters in Sales, we have collaborated and come up with a great box of samples. The Sassy Sampler was the brain child of Jenn Brockman owner of Painted Laydies Mineral Makeup. She has done a great job putting these boxes together. You will find samples representing a lot of the shops in the group. We plan to do this monthly. Our first sampler box went on sale April 6th.

Stop by and check it out. Sassy Sampler

This week I have 35 to 40 hours of Leisure time!!!!!!!!

My mother-in-law is in town and she loves Dr. Phil. Sometime last week when she was watching the show I sat down to watch when I heard the topic. Apparently there is a man by the name of Dr. John Robinson has done a study and concluded that busy moms actually have 35 - 40 hours of leisure time per week, read about it here. I was not sure if I should laugh uncontrollably or be outraged...if I laughed would that be considered leisure time?

Someone forgot to inform me of this. You mean at the end of the day when I just want to crash on the couch it is from all the leisure time I had that day? Who knew? According to Dr. Robinson a root canal is considered leisure time since you get to sit in a nice comfy chair while the dentist yanks and drills.

Well, I would like to share how I spent my leisure time this Saturday. I slept in until 10, I got up skipped breakfast and started my housework. I spent 4 1/2 hours braiding and beading my girls hair. I sat for another hour paying bills . I took a walk to my laundry room and started the 1st of the 3 loads of laundry for the day. I guess between washing, drying and folding all loads I spent 2 1/2 hours. I cleaned my bathroom spent 20 minutes being next to the bathtub that's just as leisurely as soaking in a tub right? I cooked dinner about 30 minutes. Oh but the wings were done in the oven so that was definitely leisure time. I sat while I waited for a cab to take us to the mall to go shoe shopping, yeeeah, (with three kids on a holiday weekend). When I returned home after sending the kids to bed, I cooked again for a potluck dinner I was attending the next day. This was indeed a day of leisure for me.




I have to be honest, my children are a little older (4,9,13) so I have a little more freedom than a mom with small ones. However, this is still random segments of time, not totalling 35 - 40 hours. I don't believe that this Dr. Robinson has a grip on reality....a busy moms reality. Wouldn't it be great if this was a movie like Freaky Friday ,that put in him in the shoes of a busy mom. Then and only then would he truly understand.

Derailed

Did you ever feel like you have derailed, you are going along on this train ride called life and boom your car goes off the track. Yes this is how I have been feeling for a couple of weeks. I am slowly getting back on track but boy is it hard. So what derailed me you may ask?

Well our one and only car died, not temporarily in coma, just dead. The engine went on our 12 year old baby, you might thing my baby was young, but it carried us to many places and 108,000 miles later it gave up the the spirit. My hubby who did most of the driving since I only have a permit, was the one to drop my daughter to school and pick her up before work, shop and any number of running that was required. Any place that I didn't walk to! Well we have had to take a cab with her to a fro. I walked once when the weather was cooperating but basically we were coughing up alot of cash. I feel bad when things happen to us as parents, whether due to a bad decision or in this case natural causes and the children suffer. Kayla so loves her social education at school (since she knows everything else that they are teaching). Did I mention that we go to church 30 miles away? We are blessed to have the railroad near by but it is costly to travel on Sunday, not to mention by the time I get there with three children I feel drained. Not a great place to be for worship. So that was speed bump number one.

Speed bump #2: A couple of weeks ago we had a storm, still not sure what to qualify it as. After seeing oaks literally uprooted I say mini tornado. Anyway, one of these fantastic trees landed on my roof, yep on the roof. Let me focus on the positives of this first. Somehow when it was falling the wind must have blown again and instead of landing on my daughter's bedroom it landed on the den. There is a whole, but we are not exposed to the elements.

Ok, so there is a dent along the side of the roof , gutters are gone, siding is gone, fence is gone ( boy do I miss that fence) and that is the damage that we could see. The adjuster has so many claims in this area, he wont get to me until April 8th. Oh yes and my neighbor has no insurance. Well through everything we go through there are lessons, the one I learnt is that if a neighbor's tree falls on your property is yours, yep (did I mentioned I have no trees on my property). We got our half of the tree removed, since the neighbor wanted to run over to home depot to buy a saw a do it himself. Yep that would be all I need more damage to my house and a potentially injured man on my property.

I did not have electricity for 2 days after the storm. We survived, the kids thought it was an adventure, and I got derailed. I couldn't get back to blogging, my work, my housework (did I mention that I get extra crazy when my house is),I just needed a good boost.

Thankfully, my very supportive online group gave me the encouragement I needed to just pick up and get back on track, so I am back on track trying to pick up speed.

I lost my cell phone!!

This week I lost my cell phone...in my house. I usually would find my cell phone in one of three places, computer desk, kitchen counter, on deep in the crevices of my couch. Well this time it was not as easy, I literally turned my house upside down. Of course in the process I ended up dusting and cleaning since I went into corners I don't usually go to. After all that no phone.

I questioned my kids who are in the habit of playing games on my phone; they had no idea where my phone was. Well Saturday, as my oldest daughter was hanging off (she really hanging, I don't know why they don't sit like normal people) the futon in the den. She happen to get a glance under my 4 year old's Dora table, there it was my phone. I was relieved and we all laughed at the unusual spot. Well I stopped laughing when my 4 year old enthusiastically announces that she put it there and knew it was there. I was really furious, but I wasn't sure if she deliberately kept it from me or she just forgot. I asked her over and over did she know it was there and she said yes, so she was on the longest time out of her live, since choking was out of the question. She really never gives me these types of problems which is why I think she simply forgot she put it there. Regardless, I really gave her the punishment, because my biggest pet peeve is lying, and I want to let her know that beyond the phone the lying was what I was really angry at. Later that night she came and sat next to me and said "mommy, I am sorry", so I asked for what? She answered that she was sorry for lying and remembered our conversation about it. She also asked if I was still upset. It was really important that she got the point about lying.





Grow in whatever season you find yourself in!!

Why do women Blog?

A friend shared this with me and I really enjoyed watching. I found myself nodding in agreement at every thought shared. Hope you will nod to.

I love to read blogs and 98% of the blogs that I have read have been written by women. Women are funny, and emotional and deep and oh so many things. I have two blogs and blog for two reasons. One is sharing my knowledge on weddings and the other is sharing me. Those random thoughts that come up, that you would share with your girlfriends. Why do you blog? I would love to hear from you.

Enjoy the video!!

http://marketingtow omenonline. typepad.com/ blog/2010/ 02/why-do- women-blog- video.html





Enjoy your season. Wherever you find yourselve

The Librarian

I went to the library with my girls yesterday. I needed to renew a book that I have started reading. I wanted to get another book and decided to try an audio book. I went over to the information desk to speak to the librarian. I see her often on my trips but have never ventured or needed to talk to her. She was sitting at the desk and I was a bit hesitant to approach her. She was the stereotypical "tv" librarian. I just imagined approaching her and being "hushed" because I spoke to loud.

Funny enough she was quite nice, it was as if she was waiting for me to ask her a question to which she had the answer all packaged for me including the aisle, index number and author name. I just wondered is there a librarian who does not fit the stereotype. Is as if to be knowledgeable about literature and the Dewey decimal system, you need to look...well you know like a librarian.

I went in search of images of librarians, to prove my point. I found more of the stereotypical librarian. The other images well...they were to the other extreme with ladies in short skirts, low cut blouses and glasses; somehow they did not convince me of their interest in reading the books they happen to be sitting on. Here is what I found:






I even found a librarian action figure..who knew!!

Missing our season

Yesterday was youth Sunday at church and the Youth Ministry Director preached the morning's sermon. Her topic was "Don't miss your season". The seasons of my life is something that is very important to me , hence the name of this blog. Not only the season but what is being done in that season. My hearts desire is to be fruitful, do something "on purpose, with purpose". Sometimes we reach a season of our lives where God needs us to accomplish a particular purpose. So he begins to drop it into our spirits. Maybe God's has been calling you to join the missions ministry at your church. He has placed on your spirit and you shake it off, a sermon is preached one day and you think about it...."no I am not ready yet" is your response. Someone who you do not know comes to you and says you would be a great asset to our missions ministry group, you still are not ready.

Ministry Henry said something very key about our seasons, they come to an end. If at the end of that season you have not stepped in to God's will for your life then God will use someone else to accomplish His purpose and plan. You would have missed this opportunity to be fruitful in your season. She said something that made me think, it was so contrary to what I had always heard. Your destiny...it is not a sure thing..a guarantee. Hmmm, what? In essense, you are destined to do certain things ,b e a succesful entrepreneur, an influential person in someones life, you are destined to make an impact in this world. However you could surely miss this if you are not in tune with what God has purposed for you and is calling you to during your season.

If a farmer misses the planting in the right season, then their will be no harvest. I think that is deep. I often ask the question, how do I know this is the season for this or that? It is a hard question, but for me I need to stay connected to God so that I know, when He is prodding me or nudging me towards something. God is not an intrusive and forceful God, so He will give you time to figure it out and fulfill your purpose. However if you don't, well the purposes will be accomplish by someone else. What is God calling you to do that you have been putting off? Open a business, start a ministry, start a non-profit, stay home with your kids. Don't miss your season.

My first Pizza

Yesterday was an unexpected snow day, the kids were home and I did not get to go to the supermarket. My mom always thought me to have some key items stocked in the pantry: flour, rice and oil. You could make a bunch of concoctions with these base ingredients. I decided to try my hand at pizza. Guess what it was really good!! I had mozzarella cheese left over from this weeks chicken Parmesan (my attempts anyway) and I had breakfast sausages in the fridge. It was fantastic, my daughters loved it , and I was very proud, I am thinking to perfect it and make all sorts of gourmet pizzas. It really was not that difficult. This is the dough recipe I followed:

Pizza Dough

Packet of Dry yeast
Cup of Warm Water
2 1/2 cups of flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt (omit if using self-rising flour)
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Dissolve yeast in warm water in 2 1/2 quart bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients, beat vigorously 20 strokes ( I did not beat very vigorously, just mixed it a couple of times). Let rest 5 minutes.

I rolled it out a little with a floured pin, the cookbook did not specify but I found it necessary. I sprayed some oil spray on my pizza pan and used some of the dough on that pan . I put the rest of the dough in a foil pan.

I tried baking two ways. With the first pizza I actually put the dough in the oven for a little while before adding ingredients. Gave a nice crisp to the crust. For the second I just added the toppings and place in the oven. That crust was a little softer. Both delicious. They did not take more than 15 minutes to bake.

I had 8 ounces of tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic, 2 teaspoons oregano, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt. I did not cook or heat, I just mixed all the ingredients in a Pyrex measuring cup.

For the sausage , I chopped a small onion. I placed the sausage links in microwave for a minute. I chopped the sausage small and placed it in a frying pan with the onions. I cooked for a minute or two, until onion was translucent and sausage had some color.

this is not my pizza,i just wanted to add a picture. I forgot to take a picture and it did not last long

The Visit: From a child's perpective

I had an guests at my house for almost two weeks. It was my sister-in-Law and her youngest son. She was taking a much needed break and ventured to NY from Denver on the train (Kudos to her, I don't think I could have done it) I am always up for guests, and took the time in stride. I was going through my 9 year old's writing journal she keeps at school an I had a hearty laugh at the entries. This is the tale of the visit from a child's perspective:



Entry 1 February 12, (few days after cousin Quinn's arrival)I had a great time with my cousin Quinn, we both played with our DS games. Even my little sister Kayla played. I had to stop to charge my game. We went out and played in the snow and built a snowman . I even made a snow angel. I had a lot of fun with my Auntie Denise too.



Entry 2 February 22 ( after returning to school after her winter break)
My vacation was TERRIFYING!! (this is where I nearly fell of my chair). My cousin Quinn was over and he was very bossy. He kept turning off the TV while I was watching. On the last day before he left , he started to do it again and I grabbed the remote and told him he could not do it it was rude.

A Splash of Orange

Passion Flower

I love orange and in the process of revamping my blog, I had to include orange. I am part of a great networking group called the Sassy Sisters in Sale. One of my sassy sisters is an artist among other things. I used her painting in my banner. She has a great shop on Artfire featuring her work and she really is good. She loves color like myself, she started with making stained glass and fused glass. She learned how to do stained glass while living in Baltimore at a local craft shop. Arlene, has even studied abroad in New Zealand, a well travelled artist.

Regrouping

I have spent a lot of time building up my business blog, and this one well has suffered. I sat down and decided to regroup, and give it another shot. Today was a very instrospective day for me. Due to financial strain and the fact that my business is not picking up as fast as I want it to, I may have to look for a job outside of my home. I am not thrilled, but spending some time in prayer and meditation I told God to allow His will to be done in my life. This is really hard, but necessary when I consider that my life is not my own it is God's. I did remind Him of what He said in His Word, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans not to harm you , but plans to offer a hope and a future". This is the verse that keeps me sane in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.

I have chosen to use this blog as my forum to share my beliefs, my thoughts , my dry sense of humor. So if you are out there follow me on this wonderful journey called life.