Ever heard of Shalane Flanagan? Well, she is an Olympic Bronze Medalist who also holds four American records for the indoor/outdoor 10,000 and 5,000 meters and a handful of other National Championships titles.(Leadership in Action, July 2010) More importantly she is one of our customers. Shalane understands what FourPointGroup is all about. The four points of wellness are: physical wellness, personal wellness, financial wellness and last but not least environmental wellness. This is what we stand for at FourPointGroup, LLC and I am happy to be a part of this business. Not only am I able to support my family from the comfort of my own home, but I am being environmentally aware and personally fulfilled in the process.
What once was a mere secondary income became one family's saving grace. Not so long ago when flood waters left over 2,600 people homeless, Executive Director Rhonda Hendrix and her husband Michael almost lost their home as well. Micheal did not work for nearly 3 months. Fortunately, they were able to rely on the residual income they received working with our partner company and managed to put the pieces back together. The Hendrix's were able to remodel their home and replace some the their belongings without having to worry about the financial strains of not having flood insurance. (Leadership in Action, July 2010)
Having time for what matters most is another advantage to working at home with FourPointGroup, LLC.
"Spend time with those you love today. One day you'll either say 'I wish I had' or 'I'm glad I did.'"--Zig Ziglar. Work with a company that puts ethics and integrity first. Working with FourPointGroup, LLC you play a vital role in the account set-up, customer service, marketing, and training for an internationally known company. Part Time and Full time positions available from your home office. We are looking for key members to place in leadership roles who are dedicated, passionate, and goal-oriented. No experience is necessary as we provide extensive training, but dedication is a must.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Glitter in the Air
I was listening to Glitter in the Air by Pink and as unusual she put into words feelings we have all had from time to time. She talked about the breath before a kiss and I thought to myself, "I totally know what she is talking about." The breath you take right before your lips touch, it's like magic.
Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?
No one can write lyrics like this unless they can feel them with their soul. There is a big difference between putting pretty words on paper and pouring your heart out blood and all. Moments when you thought your body would actually rip into and the pain would totally consume you. There have been times in my life when I was so happy I could bust. Everything was exciting and perfect. Nothing or no one could bring me down. Then there have been instances when I thought I had lost my mind. The little voice in my head, putting in overtime, trying to convince me the world was plotting my demise. Bitter as an unripened blackberry and sharp as the thorns that come with it. I have experienced moments of clarity during these times in my life. Learning how strong you are and how much crap you can take definitely comes in handy when your back is to the wall.
Past relationships that I have had in my life have brought me both joy and pain. But for the most part I wouldn't change the time I spent with those people. My first marriage made me a mother for the first time. The feeling a mother has toward her child is probably the most indescribable feeling in the whole world. I mean, I simply can never put into words what happened to me when I became a mom. How can you love something so unconditionally that just cause you the worst physical pain you will ever experience in your life? I don't know how but the instant Brooke was born that 24 hours of labor and the 60 minutes I pushed..... simply vanished. I can honestly say I was sad the whole time I was pregnant with Courtney because I loved Brooke so much I didn't think I could love Courtney the same. Of course when I saw her, all the sadness disappeared and I loved her just as much but differently some how. Jaylan increased my love even more when she came into my life. Three sweet little girls who have now grown into teenagers with so much life ahead of them. I'm excited to see what they do in the world.
Although friends have come and gone, there have been a few that have withstood the test of time. People that I am so close to, I would feel as though I lost a piece of my soul if I were to ever lose them. People who you can be away from for years and the moment you reconnect.... it's like the days never passed between you. Friends that keep your secrets and know who you really are but still love you anyway. I have had the privilege to experience some of these precious people as well and the ones who weren't so precious but taught me a very important lesson about human nature.
Regardless of how my relationships ended or why they ended doesn't mean much to me these days. The ones that I still have close to me are the ones that mean the most. My kids, my better half and my great friends keep me sane more often then not....... but the most important relationship I have is with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and he blesses me everyday.
Close your eyes and trust it, just trust it
Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face
And said I just don't care?
Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?
No one can write lyrics like this unless they can feel them with their soul. There is a big difference between putting pretty words on paper and pouring your heart out blood and all. Moments when you thought your body would actually rip into and the pain would totally consume you. There have been times in my life when I was so happy I could bust. Everything was exciting and perfect. Nothing or no one could bring me down. Then there have been instances when I thought I had lost my mind. The little voice in my head, putting in overtime, trying to convince me the world was plotting my demise. Bitter as an unripened blackberry and sharp as the thorns that come with it. I have experienced moments of clarity during these times in my life. Learning how strong you are and how much crap you can take definitely comes in handy when your back is to the wall.
Past relationships that I have had in my life have brought me both joy and pain. But for the most part I wouldn't change the time I spent with those people. My first marriage made me a mother for the first time. The feeling a mother has toward her child is probably the most indescribable feeling in the whole world. I mean, I simply can never put into words what happened to me when I became a mom. How can you love something so unconditionally that just cause you the worst physical pain you will ever experience in your life? I don't know how but the instant Brooke was born that 24 hours of labor and the 60 minutes I pushed..... simply vanished. I can honestly say I was sad the whole time I was pregnant with Courtney because I loved Brooke so much I didn't think I could love Courtney the same. Of course when I saw her, all the sadness disappeared and I loved her just as much but differently some how. Jaylan increased my love even more when she came into my life. Three sweet little girls who have now grown into teenagers with so much life ahead of them. I'm excited to see what they do in the world.
Although friends have come and gone, there have been a few that have withstood the test of time. People that I am so close to, I would feel as though I lost a piece of my soul if I were to ever lose them. People who you can be away from for years and the moment you reconnect.... it's like the days never passed between you. Friends that keep your secrets and know who you really are but still love you anyway. I have had the privilege to experience some of these precious people as well and the ones who weren't so precious but taught me a very important lesson about human nature.
Regardless of how my relationships ended or why they ended doesn't mean much to me these days. The ones that I still have close to me are the ones that mean the most. My kids, my better half and my great friends keep me sane more often then not....... but the most important relationship I have is with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and he blesses me everyday.
Close your eyes and trust it, just trust it
Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face
And said I just don't care?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Plan B
Personal issues with my kids caused me to quit my job about four months ago. Granted I had been working in a factory for more than half my life, so I figured I would be ok with what I had in retirement until I finished my degree in Psychology. A degree that I have been working on the past couple of years. I figured that I am still young enough to replace any monies that I may spend from my retirement accounts while I try my hand at working from home. I have given myself a year to finish my degree and establish a strong home based business. So far so good. Well..... put it this way, I am not starving, in fact I have probably gained 10lbs in the last four months, so the business aspect has been decent. However, any time you start your own business, be prepared to struggle for the first few months to a year before you actually see a real profit. I am basically holding my own, making about as much as I would have made if I still worked for someone else.
I am very serious about working from home. I treat it as I would any job. However, most days I do work in my PJ's. I get up, make coffee and then adjourn to my home office. There I work on my computer, make calls and do the basics that every business entails. The only difference is I can get up and go throw a load of laundry in the washer in the middle of a conference call or cook my kids something to eat while I do a presentation. And.....if I do want to take the day off, I can do so without having to ask my boss. This is the best part about working for yourself.
With the economy in rehab and the job market still in a stall, a steady job has become as valuable as a winning lotto ticket. People are dipping into their nest eggs, cars are getting repo'd, homes being foreclosed and jobs are being eliminated everyday as a result of companies trying to cut costs. Many of us are finding that our plan A just doesn't pay the bills anymore.
I chose to join a organization that was BBB accredited and our CEO sits on the United States Chamber of Commerce. His name is Frank Vandersloot and the organization is FourPointGroup, LLC. With our business the cheese hasn't moved and for anyone who owns their own business, we can be the plan B when your plan A isn't doing so well. We have a recession proof business with highly consumable products that people need anyway. We are partnered with a science-based wellness consumer products company that manufactured over 350 products that are safe and healthier for you family and home. A green company that makes green when every other industry is struggling. Not only do we hold a Better Business Bureau's Torch award but we are feature in INC 500 magazine. We have a 95% reorder rate because our products work and work well. Our partner company has been in business for over 25 years and is debt free, meaning we have made a profit every year without having to rely on government bailouts when times get tough. A business where you can grow a steady residual income and will it to your children when you're done.
Now I am not suggesting you quit your job like I did, but at the very least, work part time and see for yourself. Work with a company that has a phenomenal track record, who is financially sound with a strong management program and unique consumable products that are competitively priced. Work around your life when you want to work. You can have a family and a career working from home. So, if you'd like this month to look better than last month or this year to look better than last year, check out our plan B and decide for yourself.
I am very serious about working from home. I treat it as I would any job. However, most days I do work in my PJ's. I get up, make coffee and then adjourn to my home office. There I work on my computer, make calls and do the basics that every business entails. The only difference is I can get up and go throw a load of laundry in the washer in the middle of a conference call or cook my kids something to eat while I do a presentation. And.....if I do want to take the day off, I can do so without having to ask my boss. This is the best part about working for yourself.
With the economy in rehab and the job market still in a stall, a steady job has become as valuable as a winning lotto ticket. People are dipping into their nest eggs, cars are getting repo'd, homes being foreclosed and jobs are being eliminated everyday as a result of companies trying to cut costs. Many of us are finding that our plan A just doesn't pay the bills anymore.
I chose to join a organization that was BBB accredited and our CEO sits on the United States Chamber of Commerce. His name is Frank Vandersloot and the organization is FourPointGroup, LLC. With our business the cheese hasn't moved and for anyone who owns their own business, we can be the plan B when your plan A isn't doing so well. We have a recession proof business with highly consumable products that people need anyway. We are partnered with a science-based wellness consumer products company that manufactured over 350 products that are safe and healthier for you family and home. A green company that makes green when every other industry is struggling. Not only do we hold a Better Business Bureau's Torch award but we are feature in INC 500 magazine. We have a 95% reorder rate because our products work and work well. Our partner company has been in business for over 25 years and is debt free, meaning we have made a profit every year without having to rely on government bailouts when times get tough. A business where you can grow a steady residual income and will it to your children when you're done.
Now I am not suggesting you quit your job like I did, but at the very least, work part time and see for yourself. Work with a company that has a phenomenal track record, who is financially sound with a strong management program and unique consumable products that are competitively priced. Work around your life when you want to work. You can have a family and a career working from home. So, if you'd like this month to look better than last month or this year to look better than last year, check out our plan B and decide for yourself.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Secret to a Happy Life
I believe the secret to a happy life can be summed up in the lyrics to the country song Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice.
Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I love you
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy
Lots of times we aren't always a best friend or even a good friend. I try to be most always but sometimes life gets in the way and I forget to call or remember a birthday.
Finding someone to tell you the truth or even telling it yourself can be a chore. Whether it's because you don't want to hurt someone's feelings or you're trying to protect them or you just plain don't have the truth in you.
Do I tell the one's I love the most that I love them all the time?
Hardly. In the past I always assumed they knew.
I did get the "go to work part" down pretty good. Most work that people do is not really hard. I mean, yes it may be physically hard or mentally challenging but you pretty much know everyday what your duties are when you walk into your work place. There's no second guessing. You know your requirements, you do them and go home.
Common sense is used less and less in this day in time. Sometimes I wonder how some people find their way home.
When was the last time you got on your knees to pray? I used to think as long as I said my prayers at night, I was covered. Just a little quick one before I would fall off to sleep laying in my big ol' bed all snuggly and warm.
Man, if Jesus had thought the way the rest of us do, we would all be in a heap of trouble. Glad to know He is my best friend. He has always told me the truth. I can never hear it too many times how much He loves me. He worked to spread the word of His father. He gave His very best (His life) and every word in the Bible is nothing but common sense. The only way to the God is through His son Jesus Christ. How much simpler can that be to understand. He never let his prayin' knees get lazy and He loved like crazy.
Something to think about isn't it? If we all put forth just a little more effort, this would be a lot nicer world to live in. So, I hope today you realize what the secret is to a happy life is and it makes you love like crazy........
.
Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I love you
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy
Lots of times we aren't always a best friend or even a good friend. I try to be most always but sometimes life gets in the way and I forget to call or remember a birthday.
Finding someone to tell you the truth or even telling it yourself can be a chore. Whether it's because you don't want to hurt someone's feelings or you're trying to protect them or you just plain don't have the truth in you.
Do I tell the one's I love the most that I love them all the time?
Hardly. In the past I always assumed they knew.
I did get the "go to work part" down pretty good. Most work that people do is not really hard. I mean, yes it may be physically hard or mentally challenging but you pretty much know everyday what your duties are when you walk into your work place. There's no second guessing. You know your requirements, you do them and go home.
Common sense is used less and less in this day in time. Sometimes I wonder how some people find their way home.
When was the last time you got on your knees to pray? I used to think as long as I said my prayers at night, I was covered. Just a little quick one before I would fall off to sleep laying in my big ol' bed all snuggly and warm.
Man, if Jesus had thought the way the rest of us do, we would all be in a heap of trouble. Glad to know He is my best friend. He has always told me the truth. I can never hear it too many times how much He loves me. He worked to spread the word of His father. He gave His very best (His life) and every word in the Bible is nothing but common sense. The only way to the God is through His son Jesus Christ. How much simpler can that be to understand. He never let his prayin' knees get lazy and He loved like crazy.
Something to think about isn't it? If we all put forth just a little more effort, this would be a lot nicer world to live in. So, I hope today you realize what the secret is to a happy life is and it makes you love like crazy........
.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Cereal bowls, cell phones and 4W Drives.
I once told someone that I may not be a good person or friend or wife or daughter but I was one hell of a mom. Turns out I wasn't even that. I used to think that if you couldn't please everybody then what was the use in even trying. As so many other times in my life, I was wrong.
Pleasing my kids and basically spoiling them rotten was my excuse for not being there at all. You see I felt like I had to work all the time to give them the things they want and that made me a good mom. When in reality what they really need was my time. I figured this out when one day Brooke says, "Mom, I want some cereal." "Okay." I replied "Go fix you some." "Well, there aren't any clean bowls." she said and I'm thinking to myself....Are you freaking serious? "Then wash one." I told her. "I don't know how." was her response. Really, is this happening? My kid has no idea how to wash a bowl by hand let alone run a dishwasher which I did not have the luxury of having when I was growing up. And being the oldest, who do you think got to wash the dishes? Another example of this generation is the cell phone or should I say cellular device that does everything but wipe your butt for you. One day I ask Courtney to come get her clothes that I had just washed from the laundry room. She walks in with her cell phone in her hand. I go to hand her the laundry basket full of clothes and she looks at me like she's confused. She looks at this huge basket of clothes that I am holding and then back to her phone.......basket...phone...basket ....phone. "Oh for heavens sake!" "Put the damn phone down for 2 seconds and take these clothes please!!!" I scream. The fact that she was honestly in a pickle was the saddest part of it all. Once, there was a story on Good Morning America about a women who was almost into her ninth month of pregnancy when she was in a car accident. She was brain dead but they kept her alive a few more weeks until it the baby's lungs were more developed and it would be safe to deliver. Courtney looks at me puzzled. "Mom, if the lady is brain dead, then how did she know when to push?" I just petted her on the head and told her that the doctor's did a c-section. "Oh, okay." "I understand now." she replied. I thought to myself, it's a good thing she's pretty. Maybe she'll get lucky and marry a doctor or lawyer cause she's never going to make it in the real world.
I, on the other hand, could probably tell you everything there is to know about a Jeep. My ex-husband built one from the frame and body tub up. It had Nascar seats with the 4 point harnesses. The steering wheel came off just like in Nascar. He had Bead Lock wheels on 44 inch tires, Dana 60's in the front and back, Detroit Lockers, twin shifters, on board welder, CO2 tank, Dual Optima batteries........arghh arghh arghh. (That's the sound Tim Allen used to make on the tv show TOOL TIME.) haha
I used to have old K-5 Blazer with 35 inch tires and a 8 inch lift kit. Actually we had two....his and hers. Cute, I know. Anyway, I can remember the time the FedEx guy got hung up in a ditch down at the end of our road. I happened to see him on my way to my ex-husbands grandparents house and stopped to see if he needed any help. At the time I was driving my Pap's stock F-150. Nothing special. I told the FedEx guy I could pull him out. He goes, "I don't think you can in that truck." "I wasn't going to use this truck." "Hold on and I will be right back." I said. Five minutes later I come over the hill in one of the Blazers. I jump out with toe strap in hand, hook it to the front of the delivery truck, lock in the hubs and away we go. Just one of many redneck facts about me....that and I can field dress a deer.
I believe girls should be able to change a tire, their oil and a diaper. My girls probably could not do any of the above. Well, maybe Jaylan but that's another story. Anyway, the fact is that this generation can't do anything for themselves and it's totally our faults. I mean it's nice to know how to download music off of i Tunes or email pics to your friends but shouldn't they also know how to boil water and sew on a button? Yea, I think so. In fact, I think I will show them now. I let you know how it turns out.........
Pleasing my kids and basically spoiling them rotten was my excuse for not being there at all. You see I felt like I had to work all the time to give them the things they want and that made me a good mom. When in reality what they really need was my time. I figured this out when one day Brooke says, "Mom, I want some cereal." "Okay." I replied "Go fix you some." "Well, there aren't any clean bowls." she said and I'm thinking to myself....Are you freaking serious? "Then wash one." I told her. "I don't know how." was her response. Really, is this happening? My kid has no idea how to wash a bowl by hand let alone run a dishwasher which I did not have the luxury of having when I was growing up. And being the oldest, who do you think got to wash the dishes? Another example of this generation is the cell phone or should I say cellular device that does everything but wipe your butt for you. One day I ask Courtney to come get her clothes that I had just washed from the laundry room. She walks in with her cell phone in her hand. I go to hand her the laundry basket full of clothes and she looks at me like she's confused. She looks at this huge basket of clothes that I am holding and then back to her phone.......basket...phone...basket ....phone. "Oh for heavens sake!" "Put the damn phone down for 2 seconds and take these clothes please!!!" I scream. The fact that she was honestly in a pickle was the saddest part of it all. Once, there was a story on Good Morning America about a women who was almost into her ninth month of pregnancy when she was in a car accident. She was brain dead but they kept her alive a few more weeks until it the baby's lungs were more developed and it would be safe to deliver. Courtney looks at me puzzled. "Mom, if the lady is brain dead, then how did she know when to push?" I just petted her on the head and told her that the doctor's did a c-section. "Oh, okay." "I understand now." she replied. I thought to myself, it's a good thing she's pretty. Maybe she'll get lucky and marry a doctor or lawyer cause she's never going to make it in the real world.
I, on the other hand, could probably tell you everything there is to know about a Jeep. My ex-husband built one from the frame and body tub up. It had Nascar seats with the 4 point harnesses. The steering wheel came off just like in Nascar. He had Bead Lock wheels on 44 inch tires, Dana 60's in the front and back, Detroit Lockers, twin shifters, on board welder, CO2 tank, Dual Optima batteries........arghh arghh arghh. (That's the sound Tim Allen used to make on the tv show TOOL TIME.) haha
I used to have old K-5 Blazer with 35 inch tires and a 8 inch lift kit. Actually we had two....his and hers. Cute, I know. Anyway, I can remember the time the FedEx guy got hung up in a ditch down at the end of our road. I happened to see him on my way to my ex-husbands grandparents house and stopped to see if he needed any help. At the time I was driving my Pap's stock F-150. Nothing special. I told the FedEx guy I could pull him out. He goes, "I don't think you can in that truck." "I wasn't going to use this truck." "Hold on and I will be right back." I said. Five minutes later I come over the hill in one of the Blazers. I jump out with toe strap in hand, hook it to the front of the delivery truck, lock in the hubs and away we go. Just one of many redneck facts about me....that and I can field dress a deer.
I believe girls should be able to change a tire, their oil and a diaper. My girls probably could not do any of the above. Well, maybe Jaylan but that's another story. Anyway, the fact is that this generation can't do anything for themselves and it's totally our faults. I mean it's nice to know how to download music off of i Tunes or email pics to your friends but shouldn't they also know how to boil water and sew on a button? Yea, I think so. In fact, I think I will show them now. I let you know how it turns out.........
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Beginning
Ok, so today I decided I would start a blog....well actually I had one but I think it was just more of me venting about stuff that really doesn't matter than a blog that has any type of valuable content. Having said that I want to let everyone know that what I plan to do with this blog will either be helpful or at the very least, let you know that I am human and my family is just as dysfunctional as anyone else out there. Feel free to take that anyway you like.
Now, for those of you that know me, some my wonder, "What the hell is she going to do?!!" Don't worry. If I tell a story about you, I promise to change you name. haha That is unless you are one of my ex-husbands then I'll tell everyone.....just kidding...... maybe.......well, it just depends on how damn funny it is so beware.
So, just a little information about me is that I used to be a workaholic. Back in 2008 I lost my mother to MRSA or Mursa. She was a nurse and contracted it from a patient. She got it in her lungs and died of Pneumonia about six months later. My mother's name was Vera and she gave her life to her job, not her family. I used to be the same way. I worked a 12 hour swing shift, lots of over-timed and became a part-time student on top of that. Like my mother, I was not home much. I worked all the time. I thought that working everyday made me a good parent. I thought trying to buy everything stinking thing my kids asked for made me a good parent. I thought giving them money to go shopping all the time to made up for me not being at a basketball game or dance competition. This can be a viscous cycle folks. When you are a single parent and you feel like you have to do it all......in reality you end up losing it all. I missed a lot of stuff. I ruined my last marriage because I spent more time with the people I worked with than my family. I missed out on spending time with my mom before she died. I was at work when my step-dad called me to tell me my mom was in the hospital and she probably wasn't going to make it. Instead of leaving right then, I waited until my shift was over. When I got to there they were preparing to fly her to the University of Kentucky Hospital and would not let me see her. Twenty minutes later I heard them call a Code Blue to my mothers room number. She died and I didn't get to say good bye. I tried but I was too late. I hope she heard when I said that I loved her. I hope she heard me when I said I was sorry for not coming sooner. I hope she heard me when I asked her to stay with me and give me another chance. I just hope she heard me......
I think that was the beginning for me. A beginning of finding a better way to live my crazy life. I don't ever remember going on vacation with my parents growing up. That's because my mother never took a vacation. We never went to church although she believed in God. There were lots of things we never did and I was determined not to let that happen to me and my kids.
A couple of summers ago, the girls and I took a trip to Destin, Florida. On the way down there, at 5:30 in the morning in Montgomery Alabama, my directions flew out the window. The sun was coming up and as I reached on the dashboard to get my sunglasses, I pulled the directions off the dash and they got sucked out the window at 75 miles an hour. Courtney was the only one awake besides me and she looked in horror as I busted out laughing. I didn't have a map or GPS or anything.....just written instructions on a piece of paper that was now stuck to the highway. For whatever reason, I wasn't freaking out. I knew I had 180 miles until my next exit, the sun would be up and we would all me fine. We made the trip safe and sound of course and I had never seen such beautiful water in my whole life. I had been to Myrtle Beach and a few other places along the east coast but never Florida. The sand was white as snow and I could still see my toes in water up to my neck. The girls thought I was the best mom ever and I felt like the best mom ever. That week we laid on the beach, ate crab legs and got burned to a crisp but we bonded like never before. Just me and my kids.
Long story short, that was the start of me trying to find a way to spend more time with the ones that mean the most. It took me a little while but for the last 3 months I have been working from home opening accounts online for an international company. I work when I want for as long as I want and if I don't want to work then I don't. I can be there for my kids. Be there for all their events and challenges. Be there we they need to talk or listen when they need to vent......I do have 3 teenage daughters by the way and they vent all the time. And to tell the truth, I think they need me more now then they did when they were little. It's not easy being a teenager and it's not always easy being a parent but at least we are going through it together.
Now, for those of you that know me, some my wonder, "What the hell is she going to do?!!" Don't worry. If I tell a story about you, I promise to change you name. haha That is unless you are one of my ex-husbands then I'll tell everyone.....just kidding...... maybe.......well, it just depends on how damn funny it is so beware.
So, just a little information about me is that I used to be a workaholic. Back in 2008 I lost my mother to MRSA or Mursa. She was a nurse and contracted it from a patient. She got it in her lungs and died of Pneumonia about six months later. My mother's name was Vera and she gave her life to her job, not her family. I used to be the same way. I worked a 12 hour swing shift, lots of over-timed and became a part-time student on top of that. Like my mother, I was not home much. I worked all the time. I thought that working everyday made me a good parent. I thought trying to buy everything stinking thing my kids asked for made me a good parent. I thought giving them money to go shopping all the time to made up for me not being at a basketball game or dance competition. This can be a viscous cycle folks. When you are a single parent and you feel like you have to do it all......in reality you end up losing it all. I missed a lot of stuff. I ruined my last marriage because I spent more time with the people I worked with than my family. I missed out on spending time with my mom before she died. I was at work when my step-dad called me to tell me my mom was in the hospital and she probably wasn't going to make it. Instead of leaving right then, I waited until my shift was over. When I got to there they were preparing to fly her to the University of Kentucky Hospital and would not let me see her. Twenty minutes later I heard them call a Code Blue to my mothers room number. She died and I didn't get to say good bye. I tried but I was too late. I hope she heard when I said that I loved her. I hope she heard me when I said I was sorry for not coming sooner. I hope she heard me when I asked her to stay with me and give me another chance. I just hope she heard me......
I think that was the beginning for me. A beginning of finding a better way to live my crazy life. I don't ever remember going on vacation with my parents growing up. That's because my mother never took a vacation. We never went to church although she believed in God. There were lots of things we never did and I was determined not to let that happen to me and my kids.
A couple of summers ago, the girls and I took a trip to Destin, Florida. On the way down there, at 5:30 in the morning in Montgomery Alabama, my directions flew out the window. The sun was coming up and as I reached on the dashboard to get my sunglasses, I pulled the directions off the dash and they got sucked out the window at 75 miles an hour. Courtney was the only one awake besides me and she looked in horror as I busted out laughing. I didn't have a map or GPS or anything.....just written instructions on a piece of paper that was now stuck to the highway. For whatever reason, I wasn't freaking out. I knew I had 180 miles until my next exit, the sun would be up and we would all me fine. We made the trip safe and sound of course and I had never seen such beautiful water in my whole life. I had been to Myrtle Beach and a few other places along the east coast but never Florida. The sand was white as snow and I could still see my toes in water up to my neck. The girls thought I was the best mom ever and I felt like the best mom ever. That week we laid on the beach, ate crab legs and got burned to a crisp but we bonded like never before. Just me and my kids.
Long story short, that was the start of me trying to find a way to spend more time with the ones that mean the most. It took me a little while but for the last 3 months I have been working from home opening accounts online for an international company. I work when I want for as long as I want and if I don't want to work then I don't. I can be there for my kids. Be there for all their events and challenges. Be there we they need to talk or listen when they need to vent......I do have 3 teenage daughters by the way and they vent all the time. And to tell the truth, I think they need me more now then they did when they were little. It's not easy being a teenager and it's not always easy being a parent but at least we are going through it together.
Reason, Season, Lifetime
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that
person..
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need
you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with
guidance and support,
To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a God send and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be..
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an
end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire
fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on..
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has
come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real.. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson,
love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other
relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant
Thank you for being a part of my life,
whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that
person..
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need
you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with
guidance and support,
To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a God send and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be..
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an
end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire
fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on..
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has
come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real.. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson,
love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other
relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant
Thank you for being a part of my life,
whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.
Anyway
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; forgive them anyway. If you are kind people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives; be kind anyway. If you are successful, you win some false friends and true enemies; be successful anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building someone can tear down overnight; build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they my be jealous; be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough; give the world your best anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.
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