Category: General

Happy Happy Friday! Has everyone been watching the debacle that is Charlie Sheen? I am not going to rehash the craziness here; there is just one thing that he said that really struck a chord with me. “I’m tired of pretending I’m not special.” It really made me think, I’m special, I don’t pretend I am not special, however society tells us to downplay our specialness. I believe we all have attributes that make us unique, special. I believe we should celebrate those differences that make us special.
I will get the ball rolling, here are the things I believe are special about me, I have an unique sense of humor, I can read over 1000 words a minute and type 95 words a minute, I have the ability to see a situation from all sides, I am willing to put up with a little pain for fashions sake. These are just a few things that make me special. Please feel free to tell me what makes you special.
I have begun the dieting process, I don’t know how well I will do on Sunday, I am going to a baby shower and there will be cake! It is hard to resist cake, however, I shall try, I’ll let you know if I succeed or succumb.
I am extremely tired today; I am looking forward to sleeping tonight, how crazy is that. A Friday night and all I want to do is go home and crawl into bed. On the upside my new comforter should be in today! I cannot wait to tear into that and make my bed! I have been looking for a new comforter for a long time and finally found the one I am in love with and I got it! It was available only online not in the store, so I have ordered it and it should be here today, so I am very excited.

I want to expound on yesterdays ranting, I fully believe that women are equal to men and that God created them that way. The bible clearly states that woman was created from Adam’s rib, not his heel, not his head. His rib. Side by side, that is the way it is supposed to be. Is it too much to ask that women be treated with respect and equality in a religious setting? When did it become acceptable to treat women as second class citizens? We are the ones that carry life, the ones that nurture it, the ones that teach, the ones that are, let’s face it the backbone of the church. I don’t see men volunteering a whole heck of a lot, at least not in a Baptist setting, well, Southern Baptist. I grew up in a Freewill Baptist church; I don’t remember an instant where women were treated as second class citizens.
I remember several years back reading an article on the Southern Baptist convention, there was a lecture for the women. One guess on what it was on, anyone? No? Coupon clipping, yes, that was the most important subject for Southern Baptist women to learn.
I want to find a church where women are respected, are viewed as being equal to men. Everyone realizes that God does not differentiate between the sexes, right? That when he looks at us he sees our soul, sees our heart, not our gender, everyone realizes that right? I fully believe some people are in for a shock when they die and stand in front of their maker.
I want to find a new church home; however, I believe that Southern Baptist is not a good fit for me, as I believe I am equal with men. That God can use me to do his works just as well as he can use a man. If anyone knows of a church where this is put into practice please let me know! I am incredibly Baptist in my beliefs, well Freewill Baptist, well, Oklahoma Freewill Baptist. I have found they are different down here.
All suggestions welcome!

I’m so glad I’m not famous. When I am full on crazy at least no one sees it, well, at least it’s not on television. I do believe, however, I will be adopting at least one now infamous quote. “I’m tired of pretending I’m not special.” I love that!
I know I have not posted in a while; I have been under the weather. I was able to make it to the doctor on Monday and now have antibiotics and feel much better today. Not exactly 100% better but 100% better than I was. I went to the doctor to find that my doctor had retired! I had to see someone new, I felt much better when I saw he was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He was very nice, and I found out via FB that my daughter in law sees him. I liked him. I think I will stick with him.
So now I am back to all of you.
I read something on facebook last week that made me think. Someone had gotten tickets to see a televangelist. If you are not familiar with that that is, it is a preacher that is on television. She had gotten tickets to see Joel Osteen, he writes books, he is on television, and he is a self proclaimed man of God. It made me think I have seen this person, seriously, who hasn’t at this point, he saturates the media with his awe shucks approach and look at me I’m humble attitude. I am not a fan.
Growing up the only man of God allowed in our home via the television was Billy Graham, now he was a true man of God. He was humble; he didn’t have to advertise that aspect of his personality, his wife, Ruth, was equally as amazing as he is. He actually lived the life he preached on television. When the world began taking a closer look at the men on television begging for you to send your money to them, he opened his ministry’s books. He took a modest salary, everything else went into helping people and paying for the locations he would go travel to, to speak to people. He and his wife built their log cabin themselves. That always impressed me, no mansion for these two and their children, a very humble, nice home that they built themselves.
I have only known two ministers in real life that I would recommend to anyone in the world to go to their churches. One was DeArthur Yandale in Oklahoma City and the other was Leonard Pirtle in Owasso. Both men are Freewill Baptist ministers, well Brother Yandale was an old fashioned preacher, he was passionate in his sermons, while Brother Pirtle was more calm and used humor to make his point. Both amazing, both compassionate and caring about the people that trusted them, making home visits to those in need. Making sure that the neediest of their flock taken care of, quietly asking other members to fill in any gaps they themselves could not handle.
I have yet to find any other minister that is like that here in the state of Texas; I have been here since the late 1980’s. And yes, I have attended churches here in Plano, one of them I was a member for 17 years. I made some good friends, however, I felt lost there, never really fitting in. The minister there was not a compassionate man, not very caring and I always felt he looked down on me. The longer I stayed, the more I began to realize he looked down on women in general. The last straw for me was when he demoted women Sunday School teachers saying that the bible said they should not teach men. Well the bible says a lot of things Mr. Plano Preacher Man; it also says that divorced people should not remarry unless their former spouse has died. However, you officiated a lot of weddings where one or both parties had been divorced. Now I am all for following the bible, believe me I am, however, you don’t get to pick and choose what you are going to do. If you follow one, follow all. That is all I am saying.

Happy Happy Friday everyone! I hope everyone has a fantastic day today! I am so very ready for the weekend; it has been a long stressful week at work. I usually am never stressed about work issues, as I believe they are all moo points. But this week has just been well, hmmmm, my very own version of hell week. I am mentally drained, emotionally beat up, and physically exhausted, I cannot wait to go to sleep tonight!
I will be shoe shopping this weekend, I admit it. But I have a valid reason, I have two DSW $5.00 off coupons that will expire on Monday, how can I not use them? Plus I will be helping the economy, plus keeping a beloved business up and running. I wonder if anyone out there has a shopping obsession like I have with shoes. I have a friend who has a denim obsession, she buys tons of high end denim, I am talking $200.00 a pair denim. I do not have that obsession, I do have an obsession with BCBG though, I love them, so amazing.
Tuesday begins my total lifestyle change, no more indulging; this weekend is it, any thoughts on what I should eat? I know Mexican is on the menu, Taco Bueno a must, maybe a Frito chili pie, or two. Diet cherry, vanilla Dr Pepper, a must have. Beginning Tuesday I will no longer be drinking diet soda, no sugar, no anything really. For two weeks I suggest no one speak to me, I will not be in the best of moods. I also will be back at the gym starting next week. YUCK. I hate working out, with a passion, I resent that I have to; I resent the fact that God did not bless me with a metabolism that would allow me to eat whatever I want and stay skinny.
I seriously don’t understand it, I mean, he gave me great hair, a great shape, incredibly pretty face, a personality that people would love to have, yet, a metabolism that would make me 300 pounds if I ate whatever I wanted. It is God’s little joke on me, I am going to give you all of these great components, however, with a twist, a challenge. I would like to think that everyone has a challenge in life; however, I have seen enough to know that is not always the case. Some people have it all, looks, brains, talent, no weight issues whatsoever. Crazy nuts.
Ok, peeps, I am totally outy, I hope everyone has a Starbucks kind of day!

I may have to rethink the eating thing. My jeans are too big this morning. I am uncomfortable as I like my jeans skin tight. I am going to be the funniest looking 90 year old in the nursing home, with skin tight bellbottom jeans. Get ready for it people, it is going to happen! That is all I have today! How’d you like that!

I am having a hard time getting started today; I took something to help me sleep last night and am still feeling the effects. It is new shoe Wednesday and I am wearing my new T-strap, plum colored peep toe pumps by Steve Madden. Love him; you will be seeing him on my feet a lot this spring and summer. I am very enamored right now.
I ate myself sick yesterday evening, thin mints, they are my kryptonite. I figure I better eat them now; I will not be eating them next week!
I think it is time for acrylic nails again, I have not had them in years, but I find myself wanting them, also a pedicure is in order this weekend. It is sandal season here in North Texas and I am in need. There is nothing worse than bad feet in strappy sandals. I mean seriously, you can even perform a do it yourself pedicure and get decent looking feet. Ladies step up! Get those feet looking cute, they have been incased in boots and socks all winter, now is the time to show off pretty toes with cute polish! And your heels please do not neglect the heels of your feet! You may not be able to see them, but we can!
I have something exciting to share, however, I cannot share it as of yet. When I can you all will be, well probably the 8th or 9th to know. I can’t say the first, because I will verbally tell people before writing it up here.
Very excited for the weekend! Have plans to get together with Linda, she and I have not been to a store together, well, wow, since I took the kids on a train trip to visit them up in Michigan, Alex and Christopher were just babies. I can’t wait! She is so much fun to be around. Never a dull moment with Linda and her crew! Have you ever met someone that when you walk into their home you instantly feel like you are part of the family? Well that is my friend Linda, her home was always warm and welcoming and full of activity! Not to mention a great cook.
Alright peeps I am totally outy for now! See ya tomorrow!

Yesterday I felt Sandi talking to me, loud and clear. First I got five Mary Kay orders, five, I was able to fill the orders as I have inventory, but I needed to place an order. I went online, it is still extremely difficult to go to the Mary Kay website, but I did it. I placed my order, and then went on to register for Career Conference. That is a huge deal for me; I have never attended a Mary Kay function without Sandi. I have a hard time visualizing it, what made it a little easier is that it will be in an entirely different place than previous years. I will be honest, I was not going to go, and I couldn’t even entertain the thought. But we were having our monthly luncheon and Wanda said she was going; she was the only one from out unit enrolled. Sandi would not want Wanda to go alone, so, I made sure she will not be there alone. I will be there with her.
I still miss her every day, I think I always will, especially when it comes to anything Mary Kay, it will always be bitter sweet.
So, everyone, I am back to my normal Mary Kay self and taking orders and delivering with style! Don’t hesitate to order! You can even go online and order on my website http://www.marykay.com/abarsi/default.aspx thanks for your support!

Today is Monday and I am having an amazing hair day! Ok, I discovered this website called http://www.nomorerack.com and everyday at 11:00 am Central time they have amazing deals. Well they had this Iso Straightener that is normally over $100.00 for $20.00, I thought why not. So I ordered it, it came; I was so excited I ripped it out of the box and tried it immediately. Now I know what you are thinking, what is so special about a straightener, well, I have extremely curly hair and it is very had to get it straight. This straightener is amazing, the first day I used it my hair was very curly I had not used the blow dryer to get it straight. Miracle of miracles the straightener worked!! My hair looks amazing!
So, it is Monday and I have actually received a message from a friend that has some good things for me, I will be messaging her back today to see when we can get together. All ideas and suggestions for wedding are welcomed.
My weekend was fairly drama free, I like that, shopping for groceries on Saturday, a task I detest, I still need to go to Costco, but I feel like I need help with that one. Waiting till next weekend then will drag the Irishman with me. Then yesterday did a little shopping for me, I need new tops like crazy and new capris and skirts, I don’t wear shorts in the summer so these things are essential. I did manage to find 3 new tops, however nothing else. I really want to go to the Allen Outlet Mall, who wants to go with?

I need help, I am horribly bad at planning, and I have to get started planning this wedding. I want simple, inexpensive, yet nice. Please give your ideas, especially if you have a place that you have been to a wedding, that is in Dallas, Plano, Allen, Frisco or Mckinney. I would love to have my own caterer, so many places wont allow outside vendors.
PLEASE HELP!!!

I have made a major mistake; I am the kind of person that can admit that. This whole eating my birthday month away was not the best idea I have had in my lifetime. I feel bloated and huge, not to mention I have had heartburn for a week and have been eating Tums like they are candy. I don’t know that I will do this next year. I can hardly wait for March. I know what you are thinking, just stop eating, however, I have committed to this and I will see it through. 8 more days, 8 more days of torture for me, well not really torture, but it is something.
I wonder if there are others out there that have made mistakes and are regretting their course of action. Can you change that course of action? I find I cannot, I am committed and will carry on, what will you do? Will you continue or call it quits? If this were really detrimental to my well being I would like to think I would stop. However, knowing me and the real amounts I eat, it is really not that harmful, it is really the type of food I am eating. So in 8 days I will begin my 500 calorie, 50 grams of protein cleanse, it will last for two weeks, I will be grouchy and irritable and in general not a nice person for those two weeks. Also I will begin working out, I hate working out with a passion, it never gets better for me, those endorphins never kick in. I HATE IT. I cannot say it more emphatically.