Superhero Tiffany

It's the end of the month and the number of dinner guests are high in the rescue mission.

Everybody needed something last night and I felt dizzy two and three people asking for things at once. I found myself putting my finger up saying, "Give me a minute ..." a lot.

One of my girls came up with a panicked look on her face and said, "A fight is about to happen in the parking lot."

A lot happens in less than 30 seconds.

A girl jumps up to run outside, knocks a chair down in front of me. I am trying to get through a dining room of people carrying their plates to the bins to leave, to now step over a chair, get into my office to grab my cell phone because I have no pockets on my dress [to call 911 if I can't get the situation to calm], guests in the dining room hear something is going on outside and everyone jumps up to run outside.

Detail:  I am the only staff person present at the mission.

Phone in hand trying to get through a now excited crowd, they part for me to get out the door.

I see the direction of the fight due the crowd is facing and I see a group of seven guys clearly aggravated and yelling.

I know all the guys and find myself in the middle facing the hot-head, a 20-something boy often in my office. His face is already busted up from a previous fight and he is yelling about something.

Another behind me jumps in mouthing off and begins to challenge an already aggravated situation, challenging for a fight, ripping his coat off [which is the most ridiculous thing ever. It's a time-buyer. If I am going to hit you, I am not going to dance around, take my coat off, build the moment. It's just going to happen.]

I have Andrew, yelling and cussing in my left hand held behind my back as I am facing this older street guy who is ripping his coat off and I am warning him he needs to stop, right now!

It really is an odd dynamic because I have no fear what so ever. All I was thinking was, does he really think he is going to come through me to get Andrew? Andrew won't shut up behind me being a smart mouth, hot head I am dead in the middle of this guy testosterone moment.

The parking lot is full of people waiting to see what is going to happen and out of no where, Tiffany, a beautiful, black, street girl who I have helped a couple of times a year ago steps in front of me. Between me and the guy challenging Andrew.

In front of everyone, she raises her voice and says, "Hey! This is Miss Dawn! You are not going through her. You will have to go through me!"

She stood steadfast and wasn't messing around. As serious as a heart attack.

One of the guys grabbed him by the shirt and hauled him off the parking lot and Tiffany turned to me and said, "Miss Dawn, I wouldn't have let him touch you, he would have had to go through me. You have been so good to me and I love you!"

I hugged her and said, "Wow, Tiffany, you are a SUPERHERO!" I thanked her and told her I was not afraid at all and the she did not need to put herself at risk, but that I appreciated her on behalf of all the women who do a man's job!  We laughed and hugged.

Once a scene happens, it is very much a part of this culture for everyone to get excited and another fight almost breaks out with a different group on the other side of the parking lot. The guys half haul and chase them off the property and I called 911 for a police presence. They where there within 1 minute.

It happens.

Later, some of my shelter residents find out what happened and the position I was put in and they were furious. These are my no-nonsense guys who will take out the street riff-raff. I'm glad they were not present or they would have ended the situation, risking their bed at the shelter.

It always amazes and impresses me those who step up out of no where. The quiet ones you don't expect that defend and protect.

In appreciation to Tiffany, I filled a "Thank you superhero appreciation bag" with a beautiful cake, cookies, and everyone's favorite bags of pepperoni rolls.

The guys are now on high alert and will be watching me like hawks in protective mode. They really are an awesome bunch!

Now, I wait for both my hot-heads to walk back in for a meal.

Nobody walks back in without a conversation in my office first and a re-establishment of respectful dinner guest rules.

Down On One Knee

Her teacher quieted the classroom, when Alex stood up and walked over to Brooke.

She shared the nice words he said to her, she remembered them exactly, then he got down on one knee.

In front of the classroom ...

... looking up at my daughter.

[There is so much going on here in this tradition of a moment.]

We get down on one knee in church and in front of royalty, but why does a man do it in do it before the woman he loves? And why should we hold on tight to this well known tradition?

The origin of this religious tradition is unknown, but like I said, the action itself has been around for centuries. Catholics bend on one knee as a sign of respect toward the tabernacle before taking their seats for the Mass. Knights bend down on one before the king when being knighted and when presenting themselves in a show of honor to royalty. In war, the losing party would kneel in front of the army who won the battle in surrender.

Respect. Honor. Surrender. Those are the reasons behind the bended knee in a marriage. As a sign of respect, the man lowers himself as an act of humility before the woman he desires to spend the rest of his life with. - Chastity Project 

Brooke had a spotlight shined on her as this boy, a Senior, her 1st googly-eyed crush in life, bravely singles her out in front of others.

He asks, "Will you do me the honor of going to Prom with me?"

Well done, sweet boy. Thank you for making my daughter feel beautiful and so special.

Brooke shared the rest of the room loved the scene as well.

A moment she will remember I am certain as much as Prom.

All girls want to feel beautiful. I'm excited for her Cinderella moment of slipping into a gown, flowers presented to her, and heading out for an evening of dancing with the boy who has her heart.

Thank you Alex for making a special moment for my little girl.

She said, "Of course!"

To, Two, 2, too

To, two, 2, too.

To David,

Two years today we found each other after 20 years. 

Two years seems like a blink, but when you break it down by its statistics when I had 63113880 seconds I wonder how many times I told you that, "I love you." I wonder how many times I kissed you and my heart soared. I wonder how many times I thanked God for you.

I think about our lives, 2 became 1. 

You are my best friend.

You are my home. 

I wonder how many smiles we smiled. How many times we laughed together and at each other. How many times we chose love. 

Two years is too short. I want 2 years x 20. I want back the 20 years we missed together.

I want to take these statistics times them by 20 and at the end of my life know that I made the most of every second I was given on earth. 

When the day comes, my time comes to it's end and I only have 1 hour. One minute. Seconds left. I want no regrets looking back on a life I wished I had lived. 

I want your eyes to be the last I look into [Of course, unless you kill me! :P]

Happy 2 years!

xo

Transitioning

Spring is transitioning and life feels as if it is transitioning with it.

A long and too cold of a frigid winter is thawing and mother nature is warming for spring, welcome!

I welcome this next phase in Arbonne as my mind is grasping the countless benefits and aspects of the products, getting established my "house is in order" and am ready for the season of breakthrough.

After a successful week at the rescue mission with rolling out the new Prayer Request and Praise page on our website, Two Minute Tuesday video clips, my 1st ever video presentation on Youtube, and taking on this years Gala, transition is happening where my assistant and kitchen manager is handling the daily details of the Meal Ministry while I oversee the high level aspects spreading my wings and transitioning into communications and community outreach.

In the middle of 30 Days to Healthy Living and finding balance in what works best for me, I began my 7-day detox cleanse to rid my body of toxins.

Giving 100% every day to continue moving in the direction of breakthrough, sometimes I feel as if I am running in mud 3 feet deep with concrete boots on and I am pushing hard to get to through to the finish line, which is spring, better health and fitness, warmer weather with outdoor play dates, extended responsibilities at the rescue mission, and my life coming together with David.

I am ready to shed the past like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon anxious to fly instead of crawl, soaring new heights to see and experience more than I ever have before.

Rare [Not perfect]

There are some pretty powerful statements that David has spoke over our relationship in the last week that captured my attention, even though I haven't said a word.

The gist of it was we were talking about someone being friends doing fun things together when in mid sentence he said, "We are buddy's ..."

buddy
noun

1. A man's closest male friend; pal •During WWI this term took on a particularly strong sentimental value
2. A male's partner in work or sport

An old-fashioned term for friend that isn't used often. Referenced to me, it was a high compliment in "guy" terms.

We are buddy's. He is my best friend.

In mid-March recently we have been active in playing racquetball, playing pool [or is it "shooting pool?"], we've had a lot of fun playing ping-pong and just did our 1st run in 2015 up the mighty Monument steps last night.

Love and friendship is our foundation, we have fun being together. 

Last night he was explaining to me another couple who has a significant relationship when he said, "they have a rare relationship like us." 

I do think of our relationship as rare [not perfect], but rare. To truly be best friends with your partner, a significant life together, shared interests/passions, the things that count, AND have undeniable chemistry seems to be a combination that most strive to find.

Only God is perfect. 

Nothing else can be perfect, but David is still my perfect and my home. 

Buddy may be a "guy term" but I take that as a high compliment. Hearing he believes our relationship is rare, I know he knows our value. 

Complete Restoration

Complete restoration caught my attention as if it was magically highlighted on the pages of the book I am reading.

I remember reading along stopping dead in my tracks and re-reading the words as if they were illuminating off the page.

Those words have stuck in my mind all week as if intended on purpose. When the impact is that strong I no longer question if I created the moment in my mind. I recognize it, wonder and wait.

The word restoration continues to reveal itself in random places.

Restoration and complete restoration is coming, but I don't know what that means yet or what will be restored completely.

It is a silent message that I hear softly speaking.

I am paying attention, excited, nervous and wondering what is going to change in complete restoration in my life.

Carried

Some things are not explainable. Perhaps challenging to wrap your mind around.

Experience has taught me that I know the signs, if this is what I think it is, this one of those moments in life where I know I am in a really good place. Carried.

Life changing transitions, game changers where I am swept along as if riding on a cloud and it isn't my muscle making it happen. In fact, it is like a dream when you wake up in the morning you can vaguely remember and were not in control of. That kind of experience.

Welcoming 2015 had a direction put together by me.

I embraced what I dreamed the year would hold, but it has taken twists and turns in different directions where I felt absolutely dizzy, yet being swept along on a cloud of blessings and opportunities at every direction.

An unexpected job opportunity that took soul searching propelled me financially in my job I love.

Arbonne was presented in a time where finances weren't there, but they suddenly appeared and appeared and appeared and suddenly I am farther along that I imagined.

It's other little things, too.

How did all this happen so seamlessly? How did I get from January 1, 2015 to where I am now with an opportunity that has opened a whole new world up to me that fits perfectly in my life?

It wasn't anything I sought. Yet, it happened. Without me making it happen.

When being carried happens, big blessings follow.

I know the signs.

I open my heart and do what I always do, give it my 100%.

Who am I to be carried with blessings showered on me?

Life takes unexpected twists and turns even I don't see coming.

Arbonne "Aha!" Moments

I continue to have glorious "Aha!" moments in my journey with Arbonne.

My new words are ...

... and the education I am receiving, the products I am experiencing are life changing.

Did you know from the time you put a product on your skin it takes 26 seconds to get into your blood stream? That is a scary fact when you consider each product you use daily that touches your skin, not to mention what you consume by mouth!

Arbonne is ...

Vegan certified. Toxin free. Paraben free. No mineral oil. 

Gluten free. Free of synthetic dyes and flavours. GMO free. 

My 1st Arbonne "Aha!" moment came when I touched the Makeup Primer to my face. It was as if the heavens opened and the angels sang! My skin felt identical to the touch of a rose petal.

It feels like Christmas when each product package arrives to my home. Climbing in the shower lined with Arbonne products is a fresh and clean experience. Then ... I enjoy the anti-aging skincare that leaves my skin feeling amazing and onto make-up products used with my new Arbonne makeup brush set.

My skin has never looked or felt better!

Each product is a new experience I know I want to embrace again and again.

"Aha!" moment #2 came this morning, I tried a new product, CC Cream. It is a 10-in-1 beauty benefits complexion control cream that conceals blemishes and dark spots and minimizes pores while soothing and hydrating. It all sounds so good, but wait ... it comes in color tint. 

When I put it on I had a grand realization that I do not need foundation! It is the perfect shade and replaces my need for foundation while providing healthy benefits to my skin!  

I am beginning a richly rewarding journey and I am thrilled to announce to all my readers around the world that Arbonne is in many countries and if you would like to peruse my personal Arbonne website, you can learn about all I am experiencing by researching it yourself with the option of ordering online!

www.dawnbowman.arbonne.com  

A Needed Rendezvous

With our work schedules incredibly busy, winter being too long and far too cold, I heard complete frustration in David's voice. The frustration where stir-crazy meets I-hate-winter and it's-been-too-long-since-I've-seen-sunshine-kind-of-frustration.

He wants to go bike riding, run the monument steps, ride his new motorcycle, burn off some stress and frustration and needs ...

I totally get this! 

In the summer we plan mid-week dates and slip away for outdoor adventures. It has been a while, so with creative coordination I planned a surprise mid-week rendezvous and he only knew to meet me at my house at a certain time and to bring workout clothes.

Even though it has only been months, I forgot how much I love mid-week dates. 

Time together alone and a surprise activity ... racquetball!

It was fun playing together in a high energy sport with competition and a LOT of smack talk!  

I cannot win against him in anything [Except that one glorious day when we rode our bikes 34.8 miles and I won beating him to the finish line only because he dropped his hoodie on the bike trail, but that counts!], but it was competitive in nature, a great workout and challenged us both in a good workout filled with laughs.

There is a lot to be said for creative planning that energizes and rejuvenates winter-worn spirits. There is more to be said for mid-week dates that refresh us when we both work so hard. 

Our secret escapes hold incredible worth.

Spring is coming and we are ready!

I Am Nesting

Twenty years ago, I had Mariah's bedroom complete, everything washed, hung and ready to go by the time I was seven months pregnant.

I would sit and rock in the glider in her room and dream of what life would be like as she was growing larger inside me and her movements brought joy and dreams.

Everything was ready. I was well-read, Lamaze classes underway and my home was prepared for my newborn to enter the world.

Fast forward twenty years later and I am nesting, again.

This time in anticipation of the birth of a new member in our home. A furry and purring family member.

Sammy Blue's death still makes me cry. My gosh I loved him.

Our home doesn't feel the same without his sweet, little presence and I long to feel his warm fur and life in my arms.

I am ready to bring another little one into my home.

After a lot of research I found a breeder out of state I am thrilled with. Sammy Blue was a Seal Point Ragdoll and on purpose I have chosen to go slightly different out of respect for not replacing him exactly and have chosen a Blue Mitted Ragdoll.

Momma Ragdoll is due this week or next ...

... and I am hoping she has a Blue Mitted male just like her.

Here is the daddy ...

Grieving for my handsome boy Sammy Blue is being replaced by excitement, hope, and a nesting mindset as I anticipate the arrival of a new family member.

At four weeks old, we can taking a road trip to see and chose our new little guy. At twelve weeks, he comes home.

Nesting is a ritual performed to prepare a home and ensure all is ready.

I am ready for this birth.