GI Joe

Day 11 - I am thankful for those who serve

Our country is not our country without the brave men and women who defend her, still, today. 

I'm particularly thankful for the time that my dad served his country in the US Army. He wanted to join the Coast Guard, but was drafted. He served as though it was his choice. 

We have this goofy thing in our family where we call all the boys "Joe" ... even though their names are Dave, Paul, Steve, etc ... 

Here's to our very own, GI Joe!

Day 11 - I am thankful for those who serve

More than a Bag

Day 10 - I am thankful for Thirty-one

In August 2014, I started a direct sales business with Thirty-one. At the time I was still searching for full time work and needed something that was mine, that I could manage, and work hard to see results.

Thirty-one Gifts is lead by CEO and founder, Cindy Monroe. She started the business in her basement in her home in Tennessee in 2003 with the mission to celebrate, encourage and reward women. 

The name comes from Proverbs 31 and the importance of faith to Cindy and Scott Monroe is one of the reasons I choose this company. 

This business has allowed me meet amazing women, amazing leaders and hear inspirational messages from well known authors and business people. 

It has also contributed to the income of our household. I'm not quitting my day job, but this allows me to help provide for some extras. 

The greatest gift this company has afforded me is a way to inspire our girls. We can tell our kids something a million times, but model behavior, man, that speaks to them. Brooke and Kristen see me managing all aspects of a successful business. They see me providing excellent customer service and building relationships. They see what happens when you have passion for what you do. 

I am so thankful for this company, for showing me that we are "better together" and reminding me that "we don't have time for everything, but we always have time for what matters most"

This company is so much more than a bag. 

Oh - the reason this didn't get posted on Thursday night, I was out working my Thirty-one business!

She is clothed with strength and dignity,

and laughs at the days to come.26 

She opens her mouth in wisdom;

kindly instruction is on her tongue.27 

She watches over the affairs of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness.28 

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband, too, praises her:29 

“Many are the women of proven worth,

but you have excelled them all.”30 

Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;

the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31 

Acclaim her for the work of her hands,

and let her deeds praise her at the city gates.

Proverbs 31: 25-31

Day 10 - I am thankful for Thirty-one

Weekend Update

In school, Kristen writes a "weekend update" she brought this home tonight. It is very unusual to have a guest blogger, but tonight I'll feature her original work ....

My Ganpraints came home on Sunday. I was happy I cryed. they went to Alaska an soposto come back in Semptember but ther Engine brok down. in the r.v. and came back in a car

Translation:
My Grandparents came home on Sunday. I was happy. I cried. They went to Alaska an [were] supposed to come back in September but there engine broke down in the r.v. and [they] came back in a car

Too Much to Ask

Day 9 - I am thankful for old fashioned thank you notes

I woke up this morning not knowing who won the election, I didn't stay up because sleep is too precious. The way things were going, there was a strong possibility that we might not know for a bit, so sleep definitely won. 

I don't talk personal politics. It is just how I roll, one election post and it only mentioned Palin. Not one #ImWithHer or #MakeAmericaGreatAgain .... 

When I got up at 5am and checked the CBS News site, I'm not going to lie, I was shocked to learn that Trump was the President Elect. You've probably figured out by now, he wasn't my pick. I wasn't happy but what are you going to do? I just wanted time to process the last 24 hours, that's all. 

Apparently, too much to ask.  

Sometime this afternoon I stopped looking at my texts and shut down Facebook -- the negativity, from both sides, was too much. 

When we got home, the girls handed me the mail. I took a quick look through and found 2 handwritten envelopes .. the ones that could be invitations or cards. Opened the first, it was a note from my friend who recently lost her boyfriend in a car accident. She thanked me for taking time to visit with her at the wake and said that her Church family was how she was getting through this difficult time. 

The second was a note from our neighbor thanking us for being his "guardian angels", we recently organized the neighborhood leaf raking party at his house. He went on to say how the kindness of people that he didn't even know amazed him. 

Seriously, I needed that today. 

Day 9 - I am thankful for old fashioned thank you notes

Rock Bottom

Day 8 - I am thankful for the right to vote

For as long as I can remember, I have been "thankful for the right to vote" on election day. 

I vote whenever I get the chance, because I think it is that important. I vote in primaries and November elections whether we are electing a new president or not. 

Like many, I am tired of the rhetoric and am ready for it to be over. 

Charlie Rose said today that he's holding on to the hope that you have to hit rock bottom to realize that the system needs attention

This election, these candidates... 

For me, today was more than about a president, it was about all the other offices up for grabs. 

I want a complete Supreme Court. I want someone to acknowledge that the educational system in our country is broken and we are failing our kids. I want Washington to roll up their sleeves, get their asses in their seats and do their freaking job ... I know many of you are saying "you're dreaming" ..... 

Day 8 - I am thankful for the right to vote

Sometimes you have to Splurge

Day 7 - I am thankful for my Splurge eye shadow

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a Facebook party for a makeup line. It was not the first time I heard of this company, but let's be honest .. when you think "hair and makeup" or "put together" .. I am NOT the first person that pops into your mind. 

Thing is .. I'm not getting any younger or thinner and my hair definitely isn't getting any redder (unless there is a salon visit involved) .. so I have been actually trying to make an effort.

About 6 weeks ago, I spent serious time blow drying my hair and used my big, round brush for some body. Compliment after compliment .. "I LOVE what you've done with your hair", "What a great color you have now" and "Did you get your hair done? It looks amazing!" .... hmmm, maybe I should have been doing this all along.  Anyway, I digress .. back to this eye shadow

I was pretty attached to my current makeup supplies - not a big fan of change - but I was curious and in all honesty, I wanted to buy something to support my friend who was hosting. 

The consultant did a really good job with her posts, mixing stills with how to videos, etc. I was intrigued by this Splurge eye shadow and I was leaning towards it. In a subsequent video, she had the prettiest purple eye shadow on. I want THAT was my immediate reaction. 

Fast forward .. I bought the eye shadow, the brush and a couple of other things. I spent more than I should have a few days after buying 4 round trip tickets to Aruba but I was helping a friend and a small business owner. 

The eye shadow is amazing .. I love the way it goes on, how easy it is to control and that fact that when I wear it .. people notice.

Today I picked the sweater I wore because I wanted to wear the eye shadow. 

A few minutes into my day, a coworker delivered her leftover Halloween candy and immediately commented on my eyes ....yup I might be ordering that in every flattering shade they make! 

Day 7 - I am thankful for my Splurge eye shadow

Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Day 4 - I am thankful for Fridays

Last week was exhausting. A busy, busy weekend and then Monday was Halloween, by the way, that will NEVER be something I am thankful for. Dance classes, PTO meetings, and then BAM -- finally Friday. 

I grabbed the girls, we did some serious damage at Stop & Shop, Redbox and headed home. 

The girls watched a movie. I cooked. We enjoyed a delicious meal when Paul got home. We headed to bed EARLY .. at like 10:15 .. I know, we're like old people. I drifted off to sleep without setting an alarm. 

It was heavenly ...

Day 4 - I am thankful for Fridays

Day 5 - I am thankful for David's Tea

Earlier this year, I was introduced to David's Tea. Have you heard of it? Oh. My. Goodness.  Really, if you drink tea, and you have NOT had it .. you must! They have flavors like birthday cake .. it has actual sprinkles in it. There is one called Red Velvet Cake ... chocolate chips in that loose leaf tea. I became a big fan of their summer teas - many can be enjoyed hot or iced. There were SO many amazing iced tea flavors ... Pom Diggity [so seriously, every time I read "Pom" for a split second I see 'porn' ... tell me you don't!!!], Coco Colada, and my favorite of all time .. Sangria. There are whole raspberries and slices of orange in that one. Just opening the tin smells delicious. 

When I wrote about how much I love Fridays I left out that bit about waking up a little after 11 not feeling so well. I spent the next half hour in the bathroom .. hurling ... it wasn't my cooking because I was the only one that got sick. Earlier this week, I had a new tea order delivered ... Honeycrisp Apple, Apple Cider, and some other fall flavored delights. As I spent the majority of my Saturday on the couch, curled in a ball ... I so enjoyed the warmth of my apple cider tea. 

I'll warn you, this is not budget friendly tea, it is, however, an excellent example of you get what you pay for!

Day 5 - I am thankful for David's Tea

Day 6 - I am thankful for Sunday Service

For the last 10 plus years, I have attended church at First Congregational Church of Norwichtown. It is just a mile or 2 away from Romanskiville and the people there have become an extension of our family. The last 2 Saturday nights, the girls were invited to sleep overs. Pickup times for Sunday mornings were loosely coordinated so I ended up missing service 2 weeks in a row. Not the end of the world, but Paul and I are big on when you get out of the routine of going to Church, it gets really easy to NOT go. 

This Sunday, we arrived a little earlier than usual and settled in after a hug here and there. The girls were sitting with someone else - oohing and ahhing over pictures of her grandson and I just sat there. We play beautiful instrumental music before the service starts and I was lost in the peace. Our meeting house is old, historic building old and I've always been struck by the simple elegance of it. I don't pretend that sitting in the pew on a Sunday morning makes me any better than someone who never sits in it, but I love that time on Sunday mornings. No noise, no texts, no email, no chores .... just time to be quiet, to think, to pray, and to find some slice of peace. 

Day 6 - I am thankful for Sunday Service