Ok, so, I am totally in love with my new hairstylist, she just rocks, her name is Beatrice and if you are in the Plano area and looking for someone new, let me know. I will give you her information. She listens to what I want and makes it happen, just incredible, I am in love.
I got my hair done last night that is why I am waxing on today regarding Beatrice’s brilliance. Today is Thursday the gateway to Friday, I know you have all heard me say it before; well it bears saying again, and again and again. How bout them apples? Well I ordered a few Christmas presents before I left for work this morning, no I will not be telling for who, oh alright, 3 guesses. If you get them correct I will answer in the comments section.
I don’t think I have anything exciting to do this upcoming weekend, which will be a nice change, perhaps it is time for a well needed much earned pajama day! Now that would be exciting, watching old episodes of Buffy, Angel, Dollhouse and Firefly, now that is a Saturday in the making. Maybe popcorn is in order and diet coke; stop me now before I just pass out from the thought.
Next week is Thanksgiving, I will be writing a special, what I am grateful for entry for next week, I know you are all looking forward to that. I really have nothing today, except my hair looks amazing!
Good Thoughts
Ok, I am working on day 3 of new schedule, I am telling you, even after a few days I feel rested, awake and ready to take on the world. I believe we all have an internal alarm clock, the time our body naturally wakes up, and mine is 6:00 am, so being on this new schedule is turning out to be a revelation. For so long I have focused on the getting off early, I didn’t realize what I was doing to myself. I even think getting off at 6 allows me to miss the 5:00 pm traffic. It really has not been too bad, it does take a little longer to get home, however traffic is steady and I take the back roads not the toll roads. In the long run this shift may save me money, who knew. I am even enjoying the hour long lunch, so far, it allows me to have a nice break, walk around and get rejuvenated for the second part of my shift.
I have said it before and I will say it again, I love Mary Kay, I love every aspect of this business. I love the products, which I have been using for over 22 years, how is that for brand loyalty. I love being a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, which I have been for 10 years now, I not only love getting my own products for 50% off, and I love it when my customers are happy with their products. I love when they tell me how amazing their skin feels and, yes, how great the right shade of lipstick can make them feel. I love introducing the business opportunity to other women, knowing it can make a difference in their lives.
I have often said my job at the telephone company saved my family; Mary Kay gave us the extras. My business has paid for three high school class rings, a refrigerator, helped pay for cars, and when my mom passed away; it paid the hotel rooms for me and my children. It has enabled me to have cash Christmases, bought my oldest son a computer for Christmas and my daughter a laptop for her birthday. Anything you want can be found in that beauty case, I am grateful for the opportunities that my job at the major telecommunications company has given me; I love what my Mary Kay business has given me.
So much more than material things, I have made friends that I will keep for a lifetime, I get to surround myself with women who are positive, uplifting and just old fashioned amazing.
I have gone on for a while now, it is time to shower and start my day at a job I am grateful for!
Ladies that Lunch and Taco Bueno
Saturday we had our ladies that lunch gathering, this time we met at Wanda’s house, what a great time we had. We had amazing food, great conversation and tons of laughter and a few poignant moments thrown in for good measure. Our number was rather small this time, but that did not stop us, we carried on as if there were 50 people in the room. Next month is our Christmas party, I am so looking forward to it, I want to see all the ones missing from last time there!
Yesterday was my first day working 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, I have to say I rather enjoyed it, I did have a few wake up issues, waking up twice before my real wake up time, however when I did get out of bed at the appropriate time, I felt well rested and wide awake. Although I was not happy about the hour-long lunch (I typically prefer 30 minutes) I felt it refreshed me to get away and just walk around Target for a bit. I truly believe I am going to enjoy this time frame, it seems a pleasant change from getting up at 3:00 am. I will let you know as the time goes on if I still enjoy it.
Nothing really to report, on Sunday I got to spend time with Elizabeth Anne, always a pleasant experience. We shopped and didn’t spend too much, had our favorite Taco Bueno, we are real BuenoHeads. Other than that a quiet weekend was had, I will try to be more exciting next time.
Final United Way Update
We had the big final ending celebration to United Way yesterday at the Union Hall, I am now ready to write about the entire thing and experiences this year.
I would like to tell you about my team, Jose Morales, Brent Dozier, Gladys Evans, Madarol Thomas, Markeyus Franks, Jhanifor Griggs, Luke Culver, Stephanie Estrada, Tracy Catchings, and Adelpha Warren and Kim Azard. This was a cracker jack team; I only knew a few of them before starting this year. When Mary Linhart, our Chief Steward, told me who I would be working with, I was thrilled.
Our very first meeting I told the group our goal, $10,000.00 in two and a half months time, stretched over four buildings. Not one of them blinked an eye lid, they all said ok, and went to work.
Jose Morales was my calming influence, when I was stressed and ready to go out of my mind, he talked me down and let me know it was ok to delegate, which I did! Thank you Jose for having my back and letting me know it was ok not to do everything myself. Brent Dozier was my master meat smoker and grill master extraordinaire; he smoked brisket, turkey legs, grilled hamburgers, hotdog and hot links. I don’t think he slept the entire time; he has an amazing spirit and an attitude that should be bottled and sold. Thank you Brent for always being there and for your constant good mood, it was a balm.
This was Gladys Evans second year to do this, she is such a hard worker and also my conscience. She was there to call me on the carpet if I became crazy and bring me back down to earth if any idea was too crazy, she is a good friend and a great example of dynamite in a small package. She is quality leadership material and I look up to her in so many ways, Gladys thank you for always being at the ready and for your selfless commitment to our goal.
In our Lakeside building we had the unstoppable team of Madarol Thomas and Markeyus Franks; together they were a force to be reckoned with. They had a healthy competition between each other to see who could raise the most cash at each fundraiser that was held. It was all in good fun, and made each event a must attend happening. With the support of OM Adrian Ray, they were the building to beat, and no one did, no other building came close to our Lakeside location. When it looked like we were not going to make it, I called Adrian and said, we need your help, he said Angie I got this. And, wow, did he ever, without the support Adrian, we would never have made it.
At our Central location there was, Jhanifor Griggs at the ready, she even enlisted the help of her husband and son to make sure that there were enough hands on deck to serve the masses. And serve she did, soliciting, going door to door to business to make sure we had enough to raffle off, and later cooking and serving. What a terrific attitude, even with a full house she was always chipper and had a good attitude.
At our Roundtable location we had Luke Culver, Stephanie Estrada, Tracy Catchings, and Adelpha Warren, doing whatever it took to get things done. This building was far away from the rest and they were doing it all, working well together, delegating duties, and making sure it was all getting done. In the middle of United Way, this location had a fellow employee that was tragically lost; the group switched gears and had several fund raisers for the surviving family. They truly showed what having an amazing heart can do; it was a privilege to work with you.
Last but not least I would like to give a shout out to my friend Kim Azard; I was only able to utilize Kim when I was at our Glennville location. I would like to tell you all that my friend Kim has an amazing heart, a servants attitude and a willingness to do what it takes. She is simply fantastic, thank you Kim for not only your willingness to work with us on United Way but for your friendship.
When we had our celebrations at each location, the Lakeside folks generously allowed Juan Espinoza to come out and DJ each event. He was such a joyous addition to our team, I have to say he was just phenomenal, if I ever have an event that I need a DJ for I will be hiring him and I suggest everyone else do the same. The music he provided made each celebration so incredibly richer. Thank you Juan for being our music man!
United Way came at a time in my life when I was at a low point, I was quickly losing faith in humanity, and that people would always do the right thing. The people in this group have restored my faith, not with their words, but with their actions, their genuine desire to help people and willingness to do the hard work to ensure that we make the funds to reach our goal. I am so proud to have been a part of this team; I cannot express fully what it has meant to me. You all should be proud of your accomplishments; you have humbled me and awed me with your greatness.
Thank you to my family who serves
Today is Veterans day, so I would like to take a moment and say thank you. Thank you to members of my family who have served this country, from my cousins, nephew, brothers and my amazing uncles who served in WWII, and the uncle who was in Vietnam, thank you. Thank you for giving up family time, for sacrificing your health, peace of mind and yes even in some cases your life so that the rest of us could enjoy health, time with our families, peace of mind and lives here at home. Thank you for defending our right to speech, even the ones that speak out against what you do, you fight for their right to say the words.
Thank you for giving your time away from your children so mine could have me here. Your selflessness does nothing but amaze me, I am in awe of you and your spirit of servitude.
Whenever I see someone in uniform or someone who is wearing some sort of insignia I want to hug them, I think of everything that they have done for this country and I am moved to tears.
There has been a member of my family in some branch of service since its inception in the 1700’s. We are a proud American family who has sent sons and daughters to fight wars, to quell rebellions, to keep the peace, we have prayed for your safe return.
I pray for all men and women who are currently serving, wether they are members of my family or not. I pray for their safe return, I pray for their families, that they will be taken care of, that the children of our soldiers will have a safe place to live here in the United States, that they will have enough to eat and that they will have peace of mind regarding their parents.
My heart is full of pride knowing that my family has contributed and continues to contribute to the safety of this great country.
Dear Friends;
On Facebook I have been noticing that some of my friends are having pre holiday depression. Well I would like to share my routine that I perform every morning, it alleviates all sorts of emotional and self loathing ailments.
I wake up, go into the bathroom turn on the light, look in the mirror and say “OMG is that me? Wow! God must love me to make me so amazingly beautiful! I can’t believe I get to spend the day with me!!” Then I turn away from the mirror, put my glasses on and go about my day. Remember when you look in the mirror God created you, God really does love you, He does not test you, he uses situations in your life to teach you lessons. What you take from those situations, how you react to them, is all up to you.
We cannot control our circumstances, what we can control is how we react to them. So, friends, look in the mirror and realize you are amazing! A new year is right around the corner, it will be amazing, it will be full adventure, fun, life.
I hope each and every one of my friends has a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great Christmas, full of laughter, family and friends. My fervent wish for everyone is that the new year brings a clarity of your life, may it be full of wonderment, adventure, love (and I am not talking romantic love), fulfillment and a sense of peace.
Much love,
Angie
Thursday the gateway to Friday
The page is blank, it is taunting me with its whiteness, fill me it says, if you can. Perhaps one day I will not be able to, I do not look forward to the day my head is completely without thought, or I lose the ability to convey the thoughts that bounce around in there.
I live in fear of having Alzheimer’s, my mother had it, my great aunt Linnie had it; it is a truly horrendous disease. I do not believe enough attention is given to it. The absolute heartbreak of watching someone you love go into a world where you have no place and they can’t find their way back is sad. Sad is the word to describe it, I believe sad is an overused word, to me sad is a word that should be used when it is truly sad, when your heart is just broken and it seems it cannot be put back together.
Such macabre thoughts, when I am not in that type of mood, the moon is still high in the sky and it is so beautiful, I am wearing a brand new OU jersey and it is Thursday. Thursday is the gateway to Friday; I will be getting my nails done after work, so it is all good. Tomorrow is my last day to wake up at 3:00 am; I am hoping I don’t regret my decision to go to a later shift. It means more sleep, in theory more time spent with the Irishman, and hopefully to be less tired all the time. I have been on this shift for over two years and I have to admit I am exhausted, I am tired of having to go to bed by 7pm in order to get up at 3am, and I am tired of being tired all of the time. I hope this new shift is good, it also comes with an hour lunch, I have not had an hour lunch in years, there is a ton of shopping close to me, I am hoping to get Christmas shopping done in my hour lunch time. Or maybe shopping for me, or a trip to Starbucks where I can sit inside and enjoy my lunch, take my IPad and just relax for an hour, the possibilities are endless!
Full Moon
Is it just me or does everyone expect to see Oz when they walk outside and it is a full moon? No? Just me? This morning when I walked outside the moon was amazing, so full, so beautiful, so enticing and so very bright. One understands why humans have been fascinated with the moon since the beginning of time.
But the moon has a bad reputation as well; it gets blamed for turning men into hairy beasts once a month, and for turning women into raving lunatics. What is it about the moon that it is credited with and blamed for so much? Why are we so fascinated? I can’t speak for all mankind all I can speak for is myself, so here goes.
I love the moon because it reminds me that everything has a beginning as well as an ending, the moon signifies a newness for me. Renewal, renewal of the rotation of the earth; renewal of my own emotional well being. When it snows and the moon is out my soul is soothed, there is a peacefulness that cannot be found at any other time of the year. As you all know I love the snow, there is nothing like it, it is the great equalizer. When the snow covers everything it is beautiful, a wonderland of purity, when the moonlight is bouncing off of it, giving a bluish glow, it is Gods way of saying all is right with the world.
I can hardly wait for snow, I hope it snows like it did last year, it was amazing, and lasted so long, it was a gift, I know most did not see it that way, but I did. Snow and coffee are God’s greatest gifts to me, they both sooth my soul and let’s me know all is right with the world. The moon is an added bonus to those two things. A combination of all three is quite heady indeed.
Rock and Roll Love Letter
When I drive to work I need a rockin song to wake me up and make me happy to start my day. My typical go to song, “Rock and Roll Love Letter” by The Bay City Rollers. Laugh if you will, but this is the best song ever. It is my ultimate favorite song, and they are my ultimate favorite band. Yes, I said it, The Bay City Rollers, I love them, the drummer, Derek Longmuir, was my childhood crush. I loved him, I find I have a real thing for drummers, I also love Peter Criss, the original drummer from Kiss. Let’s be honest the cat makeup didn’t hurt. I don’t know what it is about drummers but they are like a beacon of light for me.
Today is Tuesday, I had a hard time waking up, could be the ambien I took last night, could be the sheer exhaustion from being ill last week and still not being up to par. I don’t know what it is, but I need sleep, I look forward to sleeping in on Saturday. Oh the time change, I shall blame it on that, there I have found my excuse.
What is everyone doing today? I am working, then I am going to the bank then to have my nails done. I need a fill, they are beginning to bug me, I needed to go this weekend, however I did not feel good enough to go, I still don’t know how long I can sit at the nail salon, but they need to be done and cannot wait another day.
I am wearing my new boots today, they are amazingly cute brown, suede knee boots. I am wearing them with a BCBG dress, that is about 3 shades lighter than the boots, I am very cute, trust me on this. Time for me to go, must play on Facebook before my break is over and I have to work, work, work!
Have a great Tuesday, find your favorite band and dance, dance, dance.
Former Lives
I was in Target yesterday, browsing their book selections, and noticed the book Cleopatra’s Daughter, which I have read. I started to think about past lives and how everyone thinks that they were Cleopatra in a former life. I do not believe I was Cleopatra in a former life, number one, she wasn’t Egyptian, she was Greek, if you look at the coins that show what she actually looked like, she was not attractive. By historical accounts she exuded confidence and that made her attractive. She married her brother, she then became a consort to Julius Caesar, and then murders her brother, and then when Caesar dies, she takes up with Marc Antony, a married man. Then commits suicide leaving her children to face their own fate, alone; no, I do not believe I was Cleopatra in a former life.
Of course that started my thinking process on other women in power, Marie Antoinette came to mind. I do not believe I was her either; she was married at 14 to the prince of France who could not consummate the marriage. For many years, until he finally had a surgery that corrected a deformity, then she was woefully out of touch with her subjects. This was her fault, she was a petulant teenager who thought of nothing but shopping. Today, not an issue, when you are a monarchy with starving peasants, huge problem; she had the opportunity to send her children to safety, she declined. They all died, no, I was not her in a former life.
Then Catherine the Great came to mind, now, this was a woman I could have been, the most powerful Czarina in all of Russia, of all time. She ruled with flare, and iron fist, she revitalized Russia, made it a great power in Europe. Her reign is considered the golden age of Russia; this is a woman I could have been in a former life. She rocked.
I don’t know if I believe in former lives, I like to think when I am done on this earth, I am done, I will get to go home and God will say job well done good and faithful servant.
Angie World 