Goodbye January

 

Has anyone ever said, "I'm sad, January is over." That answer is a resounding, "No!"

In January, we shake off the busy holiday season, make our New Year's resolutions, and hibernate because it's cold and dark. 

You know when you are in Ohio when the sun finally broke through the clouds one day this week and while it was only 25 degrees out, the car wash is so jammed pack, one couldn't pull in off the road if you wanted to. Wait until it hits 50 degrees, people will be out in shorts washing their cars. 

Sunny day car wash people and New Year's resolution people at the gym invade my space. I wash my car almost every day and I am not about to sit in line behind 25 cars for a car wash. Tomorrow they will all be gone when the blanket of cloud that covers Ohio is back out and in daily tradition, I went back to the car wash with ease. 

Focusing my attention on bright & sunny days ahead, I picked out my book for my flight to sunny Florida. Last year, I bought and took the book The Keto Diet, by Dr. Josh Axe. That worked very well for me and my life truly changed drastically. Then I read his Collagen book and I am SUCH an advocate of collagen. My skin has improved drastically over any skincare product line I've ever used. New year new book, I picked up another health inspired book by Dr. Josh Axe, Eat Dirt. 

I look at it this way, if I constantly incorporate healthy lifestyle practices, it enhances my quality of life now and years and decades from now. 

January, we bid you adieu. 

Hit the Reset Button

 

I blame the full moon last night. 

Today has already been a series of annoyances and I am super on edge. They say no good story starts with "she ate a salad." As trivial as it sounds, it started with a hard avocado. 

I have eaten an avocado every morning for 10 months. When I cut one open and scoop out it's superfood content, it makes the absolute, most perfect touch in my bone broth and collagen protein shake. Then, there are the mornings where the avocado isn't completely ripe, in fact it's hard, and I go to battle scooping it out anyway and my blender leaves it in chunks. This is how my morning started... with an unripe avocado.

This is my first weekend off since Christmas and my first 2-days off together in five weeks thanks to wedding engagement season. So, this weekend kind of feels like vacation. Walking into my strength training class, the class is filling up quickly and someone took my spot. As a creature of habit, I wasn't thrilled. Then, walking into the class is the world's most annoying guy. LOUD, raucous comments and laughter throughout the full hour we are in the class, and I'm probably radiating annoyance. Do you know what else is unravels my soul... there is a women in the class who I believe is quite successful owning a business, who thinks she is extra special. She works out with extra heavy weights, but cannot actually do the workouts correctly, because she has to throw the weight around in order to lift it, cannot do the intense slow and controlled reps and basically cannot do what the rest of the class is doing because her weights are simply too heavy. She looks ridiculous and I want to tell her. Between loud mouth who shouldn't be in a woman's class and this women who thinks she's stronger than everyone else, my mind has to shift to another place. 

I think about a video message I received last night and I think about another & I'm thinking about Mango Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. I know I need to hit the reset button and I'm hoping this intense workout and the elliptical will knock the steam right out of me.

Three great things happened: In the locker room I struck up a conversation with a woman and 20 minutes later, she said she felt we were soul sisters. Sometimes women can bond quickly, I really like her. I hit a new record of 4,300 steps in 30 minutes, and wiping off the elliptical, I saw him. Mr. Bold & Handsome from the other day at the gym. He flashed me another fabulous smile, I smiled back. He was with his buddy working out behind me! 

Okay, perhaps the tide is shifting and the day is getting better. 

Checking my Fitbit to see where I am with my steps, I'm guessing, 7K, I look and it only says 3,700 total for the day. SERIOUSLY?! I had 400 before my strength training, that class I know I racked up steps + the 4,300 on the elliptical alone.

It's the moon.

Reset. Reset. Reset!

Mom & Daughter Dates

 

Mom and daughter dates are important. The three of us. Taking us back to our core family unit where they can just be daughters and enjoy a lovely dinner on momma and an evening out. 

Life pulls us in so many directions, in so many roles, it's always enjoyable to etch an evening out with just my daughters and have a date night. 

Walking in I noticed the three of us had skinny jeans, sweater tops, cute boots, and sparkling eye shadow. Casual, put together, and comfortable. That best describes our look and personalities. 

We ate at PF Changs. Nibbled on Edamame, dinner + sides, and dessert. There was so much food we packed most of it up and the girls both walked out with a bag filled and plenty of food and dessert for today. I passed my leftovers off to them, cheat-night doesn't need to roll over to today. 

I especially love my time with my girls. In 11 weeks my new grandbaby arrives.

500 Functions!

 

This is going to sound insensitive... instead of living in fear and jumping on the vaccination bandwagon as a quick fix to covid, take ownership of your own health. Hear me out...

I cannot even watch the news anymore, it is filled with chaos. Covid numbers, death tolls, and vaccinations everyone is holding out for as their eternal hope to stay healthy. 

Do you know the liver is the largest organ in the body and has about 500 functions for the health of the body? It filters your blood to remove toxins such as viruses and bacteria, it stores vitamins and minerals, processes fats, proteins and carbohydrates, produces bile to break down fats for digestion and detoxifies the body of hormones, chemicals, toxins, and metabolic waste. 

In one minute your liver can filter about two quarts of the five quarts of blood your body contains. To appreciate the magnitude of this, compare this with a filter in a swimming pool. The filter would need to clean 1/2 of the pool's water every minute to keep up with what your liver can do. 

Do you overwhelm your own liver with sludge? Do you enjoy the American diet of processed, sugar laden and fried food? Or, do you eat clean and healthy? How about drinking plenty of water, every day? Do you rest your liver and your internal organs by not eating for at least 12 - 17 hours a day (or overnight)? 

I'm not on a soapbox, but I've learned to eat really clean and I exercise like crazy. My health stats are excellent, I have tons of energy, my joints no longer ache (starch and sugar attacks my joints), my skin has changed, my body has definitely changed, and I am strong. 

Those with poor health, their lives are threatened by covid. Not everyone is responsible or can help their health and a lot are the reason. I just came from the grocery store. The junk people throw in their carts as their means of sustenance... and people wonder why they aren't the pillar of health. Think of their liver. It's like the little train, that no longer could.  

Pharmaceuticals are big business and too many are making their living selling quick fixes. Good health is a lifestyle. It's eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, exercising, getting a good nights rest. Do it the old fashioned way, the way we were created to. 

 

4,200 in 30

 

After strength training, I started hitting the elliptical hard for 30 minutes to extend my workouts. There is a favorite interval training option I like where it alternates every other minute from intense tension to light tension. For one minute I have to push hard to keep my steps in line with my pace, then the next minute the tension lightens and I hit my steps hard. I am averaging 4,200 steps in 30 minutes. 

When I'm done, I am wrecked in a fabulous, spent kind of way.

Completely caught off guard, I see tall, dark, super handsome and built like a brick house, about to walk by me, purposely locked eyes with me, kept them locked and flashed me a fabulous smile. Bold move, handsome. Oh, dear Lord Jesus, please let him be at least in his mid - late 40's and not younger!! 

I will be ready the next time I see him. 

A is for Apple

 

Sofia wanted to watch her videos on my phone as we ran to McDonald's yesterday. When I asked what she wanted to watch she said, "Essie". At this moment, I believe after an in depth Google search this is the way to spell it and perhaps these are the videos she wanted to watch.

In the car (before I pulled out of the driveway), I told her that I didn't know how to spell the show she was talking about, so I couldn't find it. 

Sighing loudly, she said in a stern voice, "gRaMmY, wHeN yOu gEt oLdEr, yOu nEed tO lEaRn tO sPeLl! 

And I'm the one who walked in with an alphabet coloring book and we colored and practiced A is for apple and alligator (or crocodile).  

I Arrive in Grandma Glory!

 

A Facetime call came early this morning and I could see my sweet little grandson isn't feeling well at all. He has four new teeth popping through and his eczema is flared up. My daughter, patient & loving, she is a wonderful momma, who is also very pregnant and not sleeping.

I look at my day off list of things I want to do, and scratched 1/2 them off, because I simply cannot wait to see my babies! 

Sometimes when you aren't feeling well a little pick me up is needed. I stopped by Dollar Tree, filled a large gift bag with toys: a nerf sword, a firetruck that has a siren, a helicopter that makes a chopper noise, a bag of balls (basketball, soccer & golf), 2 coloring books (one for each grandbaby), crayons, a Frozen packet with markers/notepad/stickers, 2 little teddy bears, and balloons attached to the gift bag. $12 = 2 super excited little ones.

"gRaMmY tHaT iS sO nIcE oF yOu!" Sofia burst in praise. Rowan was all about the balloons and seeing his happiness while he's been miserable, made it the best $12 I have spent in a long time. 

I popped Sofia in the car and of to McDonalds we went! In tradition, I ask, "Chicky nuggets or hamburger?" In tradition, she replies, "Both!" Both it is and her hot fudge sundae. Lunch for pregnant momma, too. 

Sometimes it's all about the surprise and sometimes it's about presentation. It doesn't take much to give a heart a lift, because sometimes it's the little things that mean so much. 

Me... my arms filled with my little ones, snuggling, hugging and kisses, is exactly what I needed, and I felt my grandbaby in my daughter's womb kick for the 1st time time. 

Time for a needed up of coffee and check off the rest of my list. It's been a perfect day off. 

Heyday

 

Today is my 1st day off in 12 days. Holiday engagements are starting to slow down as they typically do and I have exceeded my revenue goal for 2021 by mid-January, with a nice jump start on 2022.  

In fact, I have exceeded this venue's highest historical revenue success from back in it's heyday by almost $200K.

Nothing like a personal challenge. 

I constantly think about starting my own business, but I have excellent benefits and a comfortable salary with commissions as an added bonus. It wouldn't really even be for more money; rather, create something out of nothing and make it successful, because I know I am able. 

I have a pattern of peaking in my position then leaping into something totally different. Not sure if it's  that I feel like there isn't a higher place for me to go and I lose stimulation without challenge, but I recognize the signs. Working with low-performers grates at my very being and that definitely adds to my unsettledness. 

But, today... I am off. 

Kohl's Ca$h Logic

 

First, I am not a Kohl's shopper. There is nothing wrong with Kohl's, it's just not a store I shop at. 

Second, I'm not sure how I got $5 Kohl's Cash, but I am certain it was a marketing initiative to lure me into their store. Well done, Kohl's, but it's actually going to cost you. 

Give me $5 and I walked in with every intention of walking out with a free pair of panties. Yes, I will make a quick stop for that. 

Clearance sales racks everywhere marked 60% - 80% off. Good luck sorting through chaos. I'm sure their clearance prices are very good, that's how they get you in the door. They give you play money and when you see pants and shirts for $8 each, I'm guessing the average person stockpiles because of the "good deals."

Technically, you just spent money on items you had no intention of buying. It wasn't a good deal, it cost you money. 

Overhead announcements, "Another happy customer just saved $35!!" The customer did not save $35, the customer just spent $65. The receipt makes them happy because it reads they saved $35. Justified.

Now, if you need pants or a shirt, you'll pay minimal pricing; however, you will have to spend forever going through the monstrosity of hodge podge racks of clothing and when you find a pair of pants you like, guess what, you can't try them on, dressing rooms are closed. And, you cannot return clearance. 

Give me $5, they just handed me a free pair of panties, because that is exactly what I walked out the door with. 

Thanks, Kohl's! 

10 Year Anniversary for this Blog

 

It was 10 years ago today I created this blog and made my 1st blog post.   

Ten years ago, I worried when I started this, would I have enough to say? That thought makes me smile. Life provides countless stories and I am so, so grateful I did this. You see, this blog is a love letter to my daughters. 

Ten years ago, when Brooke's dad died, she was so little and her and I were having hard conversations. I realized if it had been me that passed, would my girls really remember me? They may remember moments and photos, but they were kids, they wouldn't ever really know who I am as their momma and as a woman. 

I had to capture life in words and stories, more than just photo snapshots, so they really remember. One day when I am gone and they start to forget, they have years worth of my voice and they can read about memories in vivid detail. They can read and hear their stories, my faith, my heart, my passions, my hopes and dreams, love and loss, and life. I want them to remember what I believe in and perhaps learn more about themselves along the way. DNA is powerful. I want them to know and remember who I am as a woman. 

This is my voice and my mark and I have readers all over the world. To date there are 1,357 posts. 

Most of all, I want them to remember how much I love them, on this side of heaven and I will be right there when they arrive, because this is... For My Girls.

January 19, 2011

 

A Fine Line

I have always said, there is a fine line between total honesty and personal privacy. 


I also believe there is a fine line between trusting God by totally accepting what happens in my life is for my plan and becoming a prayer warrior fervently praying to petition and plea to God while declaring an all out prayer battle against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms ... fought in the only place where it can be won - in prayer.


I have always been a prayer warrior, but I have recently learned the difference between being a prayer warrior ... offering up millions of prayers and letting go ... to praying fervently.  There is a difference.  Fervently to me means, I'm not going to stop praying.  Praying has power and maybe fervently is the magic behind those powers when not giving up.


What if ... I didn't just let go of difficult situations?  What if ... I stood my ground, sought out God as desperately as I do now ... back then?  What if ... I hold the key to moving God's mighty hand through prayer and dedication versus accepting and moving on?


When I pray fervently, I see change.  What if ... I don't stop?  Will it break this cycle in my life?

Posted by ~ Dawn at 12:00 PM 

 

Push Through It

 

When I walked into class tonight and saw the steps, I knew I was going to burn off some extreme frustration. My gosh, I needed it.  

High impact step aerobics with weights is no joke. I get a rush from being at the gym and I remember thinking, "Thank you, God, the music is loud, drown. today. out." The music loud in my head, kickboxing bags hanging overhead, and I am in my zone. There comes a point with the workout intensity when I don't have anything left, when I've reached my maximum limit and I love that! Because I am there and I'm still doing it. Push through it!

I couldn't wait to tie my hair up and step into the shower. Dry off with a fluffy towel, slip into comfy clothes and put on glasses for the rest of the evening. Brew a cup of hot tea and curl up in the chair... tonight is The Bachelor. 

She is a Soldier

 

Brooke sat across from me in the restaurant, well-mannered, put together, and it was like looking in a mirror as her mannerisms reflect my own. She is such a mini-me in so many ways.

She isn't a little girl anymore. She is a young woman, doing the work it takes to be an adult, and is doing very well for herself. 

Her hair done ombre in shades of red, climbing out of her new car she just bought last week, she's learned working hard pays off. It isn't about "things," life is a choice. When you work, you have. 

At the young age of 21 years old, she's married, bought her 1st house and made it a home, excelling at her job, just bought a brand new car all on her own, and has grown into a strong young woman. 

Her journey hasn't been an easy one. 

My gosh, born premature and so, so sick in NICU, the doctors told me to prepare myself, my baby wasn't going to live. God love her, she did. Raised by a single mama (me), she had everything she needed, and I did my best to give them everything they wanted. But as a single mama, it was just me, and it wasn't easy. I had to overcome major life obstacles with her. We learned together. 

I would say as a mom, I was a blend of unconditionally loving, always working hard, generous with them, and tough. I'm so proud of both my daughters. 

In a world where most young adults their age are little assholes, draining their parents, both of my daughters are strong in their faith and have their feet on solid ground. For that I am so grateful. 

Our journey wasn't easy, but it was the better path. 

I love you, Brookie, and I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. 

A Lot

 

I get it, planning a wedding is a lot!

I'm not sure how I found myself in this situation, but I have over 60 brides with weddings booked and a holiday season of engagements and meeting with these brides daily, too. This doesn't include their bridal showers and all the other events I do. 

There are moments it all feels like a lot of responsibility and it is, but I really, genuinely like my brides. They are sweet, hopeful, and they trust me to make their dreams come true and sprinkle magic. No pressure there. 

It's not just the brides, either. It's the MOB's. Mother of the Brides and mom's in general who have just as many concerns and questions.

"No, I don't know what COVID will look like in 2022, but here are options I can offer you..."

Honestly, I want to publish a blog post on The Ugly Truth: COVID-19 Weddings. The ugly truth is COVID sucks, but you now have the absolute perfect excuse to $ave a fortune and have a small wedding with your 1st draft of most important guests: family and best friends only. Do a Micro Wedding for under $2K instead of $20K. Have all the bells and whistles, just not go into debt over it. 

There are so many tips and tricks to wedding planning to save a fortune. I actually share these with my brides. My title is Event Director, my role is really sales. As a salesperson I am supposed to upsell for commission, but because I am so honest with my couples to keep them in their budgets, my reputations is my great relationship with them. They sing my praises telling others and I am still top salesperson (or #2). 

The wedding industry is big business. Love prevails over pandemic, engagements happen, and a determined bride is going to make it to the altar!

Me, I have over 60 brides. I make it easy and I make it fun. I dry their tears and speak truth to them with what the situation currently looks like and we overcome the obstacle of pandemic with options they can live with. 

When I step back and take it all in, it all feels overwhelming to me. It's a lot of weddings and a lot of details. So, I ground myself by singing to myself...

I'm only human

I'm just a woman

Help me to believe in what I could be

And all that I am

Oh, show me the stairway

That I have to climb

Lord, for my sake, teach me to take

One day at a time

One day at a time, sweet Jesus

That's all I'm asking of You

Just give me the strength to do everyday

What I have to do

Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus

And tomorrow may never be mine

Lord help me today

Show me the way

One day at a time

Monopoly Money

 

This week is a good pay out giving plasma. 

Two visits at 45 minutes each = $155

*Thanks to a coupon in the mail for $30 the next time I walk in.

Plasma money is like Monopoly money. It is my buy what I want to buy, do what I want to do, guilt-free, doesn't touch my bank account, play money. 

Clearly, according to my television who knows I binge watch favorite shows, I can spare two small windows of time to donate plasma. I grab a book, put my feet up and relax and read, and money is loaded on my credit card before I step outside the door. And, it's tax-free.

I'm so super shocked more people don't do this or haven't heard of this. 

That's why I share. 

Rude!

 Seriously, Netflix...

... don't judge me. 

Who's that girl... "It's Jess!"

2nd Place

 

My pretty Valentine's Day pillows arrived today and I LOVE them. It just looks like something you'd find in my home, I love all things floral. 

Today I came in 2nd place (out of 160 locations). Last month I was in 2nd place for sales revenue for 2021, so I kicked it in high gear and increased my sales by $73K in the last month, I thought for sure I would be in 1st place and I wasn't. 

With much admiration and respect for the girl who is in 1st place, because I know what it takes to get there, her venue is also the poster child for the corporate office, and is significantly nicer than my venue. So if I'm going to come in 2nd to someone, she is a worthy opponent. 

We have 160 locations and we were just acquired by a much larger industry leader with I believe 490 (or was it 600+) locations. We will still stay our own division, I just like knowing I have options and opportunities. 

It was nice to come home to my new pillow package delivery at my front door and my bone broth protein delivery at my side door. 

A warm blanket, a cup of hot tea, and my favorite shows... it's a perfect evening to just stay in. 

Polar Vortex

 

Christmas looked like a Hallmark picture, but here comes the deep freeze. The Polar Vortex should be joining us next week and it will be bone chilling cold.

ALL skin will need to be covered because even the air you breathe freezes on it's way in. Blankets over little ones heads outside. 

It's all about planning well. Pick out your movies, select those books, bulk shop in advance so you don't look like this guy loading groceries in your car. Try a new soup recipe, bake a new yummy dessert, the oven also helps warm a home. 

While the Governor tries to mandate a stay-at-home order, the Polar Vortex steps in and says, "here is how it's done..." and nobody will want to step outside. 

Extra blankets in the car in case of an emergency and a vacation booked on the sunny beaches of Florida, like the pot of gold at the end of a frozen rainbow. 

Christmas Clean Up

 

I knew I would know when I was ready to take Christmas down... it was when I accomplished everything I wanted to for Christmas. 

Today was post Christmas clean up and this girl is starting the week with a sparkling clean house. 

Lynda Randle - One Day At a Time [Live]

Oh, do you remember
When You walked among men
Well, Jesus, You know
If You're looking below
That it's worse now than then
Oh, there's pushing and shoving
And it's crowding my mind

So, Lord, for my sake
Teach me to take
One day at a time

I find I can barely stand the news. Instead of pouring constant and ongoing chaos in my mind, I turn on some gospel music and drown it out. 

Between my new Bluetooth speaker and my Pandora app, I can tap into a world of music to fill my home. And let me tell you, these natural wood floors can carry some music! 

If you want to hear some good gospel music, and I don't even have a Pandora subscription, search Lynda Randle God on the Mountain. It's an album that reminds me God is in control and calms my soul. 

The Light of God's Spirit

 

Breaking News bombarded us yesterday with the rioters at the Capitol and my soul was unsettled. Instead of going to the gym, I came straight home. 

Watching enough of the news to understand what was going on, I sent a text message to my daughters with reminders of safety precautions while tempers are supercharged politically:  Never argue with a fool, avoid crowds and remove yourself from any situation where emotions start running high, and I am a phone call away when you need me. 

I'm glad I left my Christmas décor up. 

The glow of the Christmas tree represents the light of God's spirit and warmth of family love. That's what I needed and I had enough. Turning the television off and turning my Christmas tree lights on, I may not be able to control what is happening, but I can control what I choose to put my attention on. 

Neighborhood Jingle Mingle

 

The neighborhood Jingle Mingle was an evening of fun, food, and friends. All the neighbors walking in with arms filled with food and drinks to share, the countertops were filled. 

From shrimp to homemade stuffed pepper soup, to stuffed mushrooms, Italian meatballs, chips & dips, puff pastries and dessert, there were as many yummy beverages to sample. 

Sue's backyard wrapped in lights, sitting around her beautiful firepit, with music in the air, I looked around at the friends on our street gathered in holiday celebration to welcome the New Year.

A table with a new year wish to leave something behind that won't be coming with us into 2021, we wrote them down, then tossed it in the fire. Mine was an easy decision.

My home is surrounded by friendly, good people. Neighbors that gather together for an evening of celebration, eating, and mingling. 

January 1st

 

A great morning workout consisted of strength training then the elliptical, when the ice rain started. 

It's a good day to head home... and stay home. 

The sound of the rain on the roof and windows is relaxing and turning off the television to really listen to the pitter patter was the perfect background noise to enjoy a book on the comfy chaise in my office.  

My home is quiet and taking it all it, I am so grateful. My home office so much more than I ever imagined I would have being a single mom for decades, when it took everything I had. The French doors leading into the front entrance with a pretty staircase, and dining room on the other side where some great conversations take place. These natural wood floors. Streaming some southern gospel, the music carries through my home for a good old fashioned revival.

Iced tea is brewing and a new recipe is in the oven. 

Day 1 - January 1st is off to a quiet and relaxing start.  

Linger a Little Bit More

 

She knows Christmas doesn't come from a store,

Perhaps... Christmas can linger a little bit more...

My home feels like a warm glow wrapped in Christmas. Breaking away from New Years Day tradition, I won't be taking Christmas décor down today; rather, linger a little bit more.