Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Day 8...30 Things.

Moving right along...

Day 8!!

Here goes...

Item #8:

What are 5 passions you have?

1.  My Savior.  Wow, when I think about what my life could be like without Jesus, it scares me half to death.  I really don't know how people manage this life without Him in their lives. 

2.  My kids.  I want to make sure they are all taken care of, happy and doing well in their lives.  I know they must stumble and fall in life, but I want to be there to help them get back up.  They are my life!  I love to treat them to things, spoil them, shower them with love.  They are all getting to old to let me get huggy-huggy with me...it can feel awkward sometimes, lol...but I hope they all know I would do absolutely anything for any of them.  They are my life line.

3.  My Husband.  I love him.  I love that we get to share our life together...I love that I can be real with him...I love taking care of him, cooking his meals...washing his clothes...spending time, even if it's watching HGTV together.  I love how he makes me laugh...especially when I don't want to laugh.  He knows what to do to make me giggle every time.  I also love the little touches he sometimes brings to my life...every once in awhile I get an extra special note, or little just because gift or text message.  Those are the moments that I live for.  I love them.

4.  My store.  I love what I do...and most of all I love that I get to help other women who have either experienced similar circumstances that I had to go through.  I love being able to make someone smile and make them happy.  I love to see people's faces light up when they see something fun in my shop...I mean really...who doesn't love a great pair of shoes??

5.  My family.  I love each and every one of them.  I think that family is the most important thing.  I am so thankful to have two amazing families...here and in Georgia. 

6.  My house.  In an old fashioned kinda way, I think a woman's place is in the home (and work...I think women can have it all).  I love to make my house a home...I want all my kids to know that no matter where they are in life, they can always come home.  There is always an open door, and always open arms ready to hug and help.  I love to decorate...I love to make things look pretty.  I LOVE IT.

Okay, so that was 6...I'm a very passionate person lol!!

Day 7...30 Things.

What's up?? :)  Hope your day is going well...

Ready for Day 7? 

Here goes....

Item #7:  What is your dream job, and why?

What I am doing, right now in my life, is my dream job.

I know it wasn't my dream job when I was a kid...

When I was younger, ever since I can remember up until my senior year of high school...all I wanted to be was a Chef.

That was it.

My dad took me to visit a cooking academy, about 6 hours away from home...and I got scared.

I chickened out and never looked back.

It's funny where life takes you, when you least expect it.

Since then I've had other aspirations, but nothing that have given me the satisfaction that this job has given me.

I love to see women happy.

I love to see how much better a woman feels when they are dressed in something pretty and fun!

I love to play with shoes...and handbags...and clothing...and jewelry.

I love fashion and I love my job.

But, aside from the fun stuff, I honestly love that I get to help women, and talk to them when they are having a bad day.  Or, offer a hug when life's frustrations come our way.

I love that the most about my job.

You.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Day 6...30 Things.

Hello everyone!! I hope you all had a great weekend...full of fabulous fun!!

 Ready for Day 6??

I am!

Here goes...

Item #6:

What is the hardest thing you've ever had to experience?

I've been thinking about this all morning...I keep coming up with hard things I've had to go through.  Of course when you're in the middle of a struggle, all problems seem to be difficult. 

When I moved to Kansas, being away from my mom, dad, brother, sisters and best friends was awful.  Sometimes the ache in my heart was so bad I couldn't stand it. 

Or I think about the trauma that my family and I experienced in the Philippines...between the numerous coup attempts that the rebels tried to overthrow the government...or when there was a huge earthquake in the Philippines and the aftershocks lasted for weeks. 

All really bad stuff.

But, even when I thought things were nothing but doom and gloom...the light did eventually shine.

After much thought, I came up with what I think was the most difficult thing I've ever experienced.  The reason I say it was the worst, was because it seemed to be attacking many different aspects of my life.

I don't like to talk about it much, because that pain is still there...I suppose it always will be.

My divorce. 

It ripped my family apart, as well as my heart.  It was awful...the darkest days of my life.  There really were days that I didn't think it ever would get better.

I've said this a thousand times, even if you're the one who wants the divorce, it still sucks.  Every single, solitary minute of it.

I hated seeing the pain that my kids were in.

I hated the way people looked at me, as if they knew what was going on in my life.  People had no clue and yet the judgement was passed.

The gossip.  Every day...

Even seeing my family hurting...everyone went through pain.

Some of the worst days were when I was alone...I hated having to share my time that was spent with the kids.  I had spent almost every minute of my time with them, when I wasn't at work.  Every bath they took was given my me.  Every meal they ate was prepared by me.  I was the one who washed all their clothes, tucked them in at night, read them their bedtime stories, prayed with them, took them to the park, played games with them.  It was all me and then all of a sudden I had all this time alone.  It was such a sad time in my life, my heart was so empty it almost seemed to echo.

My mom always said that Divorce is the gift that keeps on giving...she is right.  Every holiday or major life event...summers...winter breaks...special times that I have to be apart from my kids...its' like a knife in the heart.

Not to sound pessimistic, but I don't know that it will ever get better.  Sure, with time it gets easier...and the pain dulls a bit...but it's still there.

I thank God for His grace and mercy that help me through those times.  And my family now...and when I pick them up, when they have been away from me...their huge smiles and giant bear hugs are what warms my soul.  

There are blessings that came out of that pain...God gave me another kid to love.  Instead of having 2 kids to spoil, I now have 3. 

Great and perfect things come in threes...



Friday, September 14, 2012

Day 5...30 Things.

Hello my sweet peeps!!  We're on Day 5 now...

I must say, I have so enjoyed reading everyones posts...and I feel that I've really gotten to know some of you much better.  The questions really do offer a glimpse into our souls :)

Ready for today's question??  Here goes...

Here's #5:

What are 5 things that make you MOST happy, RIGHT NOW?

1.  My kids being with me...that all of them are happy in their lives...Brooke has a great job that she is doing very well at, Spencer is loving life with his football buddies...Jae is turning into a little fashion princess, complete with a new permed hair-do.  They all laugh...they all smile..they all goof around.  They are happy.  When they are happy, I am happy.

2.  My husband smiled today...and laughed.  I haven't heard that for quite awhile.  We have immense amounts of stress on us right now, as we are finishing up our basement.  This has been a struggle and a journey for me...nothing like what I was expecting.  I love Mark, with all my heart...and I love how his face lights up, when he is smiling from his soul.

3.  My Bible.  My Savior.  I'll be honest, my stress level right now is OFF THE CHARTS...I'm scared...and worried about different things...however, I am trusting the Lord to watch over my heart and my life.  Not a day will ever go by that I wont sing His praises.  For whatever reason, He is allowing me to walk in the dark right now, but no matter what, I know He is right beside me.  My Bible offers so much hope to me...this is what I read yesterday:  Hebrews 7:25  Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He ALWAYS LIVES to intercede for them.  WOW, what a message!

4.  My Temp-tations dishes...yes, dishes.  I collect Temp-tations, they are these ceramic dishes that can be used for a multitude of different things.  Even when I'm not using them, I love to look at them.  They give me JOY!  I love anything fun for my kitchen...because I love to cook, I love all sorts of fun serving dishes, pitchers, plates, gadgets...you name it! 

5.  HGTV's Buying & Selling...and Love it, or List it!  I LOVE THESE SHOWS!!  They give me a lot of inspiration and I love to see the different things these guys do with a little bit of elbow grease and a lot of imagination.  Such fun shows...I've even got Jae bird in on the fun!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

30 Things...Day 4

Who's ready for Day 4 of 30 Things??

I am!! :)

Here's #4:

List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

1.  Stay out as late as you can (don't break curfew though).  You can be tired for the rest of your adult life.

2.  Don't worry about having a boyfriend...spend as much time as you can with your best-est girlfriends.  Because, usually boys just make life more complicated.

3.  Go travel where ever you want to go.  Go to Europe, Mexico, Asia, Russia...just go.

4.  Finish College.  Just do it.  Suck it up buttercup and do it.

5.  Don't get into credit card debt...again, you will have your whole life ahead of you, to be in debt.

6.  Don't wish for life to happen before it's meant to be.  Stop and savor the moments of your life.

7.  Some aspects of school really do not matter...I've never had to worry about some of the things I studied in high school, in my real life.

8.  Don't work too much...again, you will have your whole life to work.  It sucks...that's why it's called work.

9.  Don't stress about what you want to do with the rest of your life...everything falls into place.

10.  Never take for granted the time you have with your family.  Some day you wont be able to hug and kiss them whenever you want.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

30 Things...Day 3

Wow, it seems after all the comments yesterday, we're all afraid of much of the same things.  I pray that in our lifetimes, many of our worst fears never come true.

Moving on to day 3...

Here's #3:

Describe your relationship with your parents.

First of all, I love my mom and dad, very much.  I have always been close to them.

My memories of my mother, growing up, are of her and I, cooking in the kitchen.  I suppose it was her that planted the love of cooking, in me.  Looking back, I'm sure she had the patience of a saint to teach me how to really cook...

I also love what a Godly woman she is.   I know that she believes in the Lord, with all her heart.  When I was in high school, I watched her go through my parents divorce.  It was awful seeing her hurt so bad...but never once did she falter in her relationship with God.  I've always appreciated that about her.

My mom is also very crazy sometimes (not in a bad way)...and I love the wacky, crazy things she does.  My siblings and I love to tease her, because she asks us the SAME THINGS, time and time again.  Never changes.  And, she has to talk with her hands...if she had her hands tied together, she would be mute.

That is something else I will always remember about my mother:  the shape of her hands...they are so pretty.  Mine are boxy and ugly...but my moms are pretty and dainty.  I love them...I can still see in my minds eye, laying on her lap somewhere, with her hands stroking my hair...ah, the sweet touch of a mothers love. 

Oh, and one more thing:  whenever I smell Opium or Cinnabar, I think of my mom...she always used to wear those perfumes.   To this day, whenever I smell them, I think of her.

She is a sweet woman, one that would do almost anything for you.  I love her.

Now, my dad...

My dad...looking back, I don't know that I would classify myself as being somewhat of a "daddy's girl"...I really would say I was my "parents' girl"...now, may be a bit of a difference though.   I love my father, so much...I think he's just about the best man that God has ever placed on this planet.  He is wise, loyal and loving. 

What I remember about my childhood, from my dad, was what an amazing preacher he was.  Looking back, I wish that I could go back and listen to his sermons, knowing what I know now in my life.  What does a 10 year old know about a sermon?  I wish I could go back in time and listen to him preach again.

I remember playing Colecovision (video game) with my dad...we would have these challenges with Pinball and Frogger...it was intense, let me tell you. 

It was also into my young adult years that I figured out a trick of my dads...for every occasion where you would receive a gift, my dad would ALWAYS guess what we gave him...He would shake the box and say to us:  "I think it's a shirt", or "I think it's a tie"....we would then say "oh man...how did you know??"  He would just laugh...it was years before I figured out that he didn't know...we would tell him by our reaction.

Incidentally, I also love my dad's hands...I love the shape of them and how it feels when he pats my back when he hugs me.  He used to wear this really nice black onyx ring...I always loved how that looked.

My dad is still the person I call when I'm upset about something.  He is still the one that I trust probably more than anyone else...and he's the one that I call when I have a problem that I can't figure out. 

I am so thankful for the parent's I have.  They are both amazing people...I am blessed beyond measure to have them as mine. 

I love you, Mom & Dad. 

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

30 Things...Day 2 of our Totally Fab Game!

Thanks for playing along yesterday...I enjoyed reading the posts and comments!

Ready for our second item??

Here goes!!

Here's #2:

Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

Man, this is hard to write about...hard to put yourself out there and be vulnerable...

1.  I am afraid of being burned alive.  I don't know why this is so scary to me, but I don't want to experience immense pain before I die.  I guess in a way, I'm afraid of terror.  I would be afraid of dying in a plane crash, or drowning or being murdered.  I also don't want to be shot.  I think that would suck...I guess I've watched way too many movies.

2.  I am afraid my kids will leave.  Their father lives in Nebraska, so they split their time between us.  The school year is spent with me and most of the summer is with their dad.  At my house, we have rules, bedtime, chores, dinnertime...a schedule.  I know that a kid needs both parents in their life, but much of the time that is spent away from me is all fun and games.  I pray they understand that we all need structure and rules to live happy lives.

3.  I am afraid of when my Parents will pass away.  I suppose I'm afraid of the grief that will come with that.  This world will not be the same without them in it...

Monday, September 10, 2012

30 THINGS...A Totally FAB Game

30 THINGS.

Let's play a little game, shall we?  Every day, for the next 30 days I will post a question or statement.  I promise to answer honestly and with an open heart.  In turn, in the comment box, you can either comment on my randomness, or post your own response, thoughts or feelings to the question/statement.  My hopes are that we can all get to know each other better...plus, I think it will be lots of fun!

So, who's with me??

Ready to play??!!

Here goes...

Here's #1 on the list:

List 10 RANDOM facts about YOURSELF!

1.  I will NOT eat anything that swims.  NOTHING.  Don't even try to get it past me...I know.  :)

2.  I have OCD tendencies....I like things in order.  Even pillows on a couch...or spices in a spice rack..or cheese in the fridge...Don't judge.

3.  If I am wearing jeans or pants with belt loops, I must wear a belt.  No exceptions.

4.  If I see a penny heads down, I will NOT pick it up.  Even if it's in my road.  I know this is a weird superstition...

5.  If I don't make my bed before I leave for work, I have a bad day.  It's like a little grey cloud that follows me everywhere.

6.  When I am at home, by myself, I love to listen to classical music.

7.  I have 5 tattoos and I think everyone of them are beautiful. 

8.  To this day, I still bawl like a baby when I watch the movie "The Way We Were".  It gets me every. single. time. 

9.  I am afraid of heights. My husband, does not seem to pay attention to my fear, or chooses to ignore my screams of terror when he makes me climb up on hay bales to help him out.

10.  I have read the Bible, front to cover, multiple times.