Happy Thanksgiving Week!

 Recently I read a blog post that was passed around on facebook. It's a blog created by a guy named Matt Walsh and he wrote a blog post titled "If You Shop On Thanksgiving, You are Part of a Problem". It was a fantastic read and really got me thinking this past week about what I plan to do this year and what statement, though I may be one in millions, want to make. 

Unlike Matt, I am a consumerist in this country. I love to shop, I love new things and I love Black Friday. I love a great deal, the crowds and excitement of shopping in the middle of the night. I now have a huge DVD collection and have bought numerous Christmas presents thanks to Black Friday deals. I have shopped on Black Friday for the past 5 years. The first year stores didn't open till about 5 or 6 am, the next year 4am, the next year 1am, the next year midnight, the next year 10pm, and now this year.... 6 pm!

When I found this out I was very upset! My first thought was... well looks like I'm not making it to a few stores this year since I have family coming into town to celebrate Thanksgiving. My second thought was well maybe I can make it to the stores that are opening at 8pm... But then I read Matt's Blog Post and I loved his approach to the topic he wasn't insulting or judgmental he was truthful and honest, sharing only his opinion. 

So although I wish to get all the great deals that will be offered at 6pm or 8pm at some of these stores, I refuse to be one of the people in those lines keeping a daughter from her parents, a mother from her children, or anyone from the ability to spend a phenomenal holiday with their loved ones. 

Many of us may see Thanksgiving as a day to stuff our faces and watch football but it is much more than that. It is a day to be grateful for everything money can't buy. It is a day to be thankful for family, friends, our freedoms and the gift of life and all the many blessings brought to us daily. 

Thanksgiving has been a national holiday since 1863, but the first thanksgiving meal was shared in the fall of 1621. In 1620, many of our ancestors headed over to the New World on a ship called the Mayflower. It was long, journey lasting about 3-4 months. The winter was so brutal once they arrived to America that many still had to live on the ship and by the end of the winter only half of the original passengers survived. After so many deceased, I can imagine the morale of those still living in a unknown land, battling weakness and illness not knowing if they would be able to survive themselves. In the spring of 1621 the Pilgrims made friends with a few Native Americans that taught them how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. After their first corn harvest proved successful, they had a feast now known as Thanksgiving. They celebrated the gift of friendship, and the blessings of food and life.

We may now celebrate with different foods and with all different people of different religions and different ethnicities but it is still time to celebrate and be grateful....NOT a time to shop and think about what do I NEED. It is a time to be grateful for what we have been already blessed with!

I want to cherish the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving and someday I hope for my children to know the significance of this holiday and not be standing in lines spending money on things they feel they can't live without. I want them to always be grateful, and have a time to share with others what they are thankful for. So I have decided that although stores are opening early Thanksgiving evening I will not be doing my Black Friday shopping till after midnight on Friday! 

I may be only one person and my decision may not make a difference at all. It is very likely that stores will continue to open earlier and earlier  to the point where Thanksgiving is Black Thursday instead. As long as there are people piling into the stores they will continue to open earlier and earlier to make those extra bucks but I would rather be one of the few than one of the many on the side of what I believe is right. 

I hope those that do decide to shop on Thanksgiving feel I am not trying to judge or be condescending in any way. I have shopped on Thanksgiving before but I have put a lot of thought into this and this is my opinion and my choice. So just do me a favor, just think about it before you go shopping this Friday Thursday about what statement you are making and what is most important to you. 

I wanted to add a few stores hour that I will be attending purely because they aren't opening til the actual day of Black Friday and not on Thanksgiving. Every location has different hours but these are the hours in Cypress, Texas:

1. PetsMart- open at 7 a.m.
2. Charming Charlies: open at 8 a.m.
3. Famous Footwear: open at 8 a.m.
4. Barnes & Noble (Champions): open at 9 a.m. (Copperfield): open at 8 a.m.
5. IKEA: open at 10 a.m.

Overcoming Our Smallest Hurdles and Our Greatest Mountains

This past weekend I had the opportunity of attending my Area's Mary Kay Fall Advance. The week before I wasn't sure I would be able to make it at all due to work conflicts. But thanks to my Senior Director and Director, they helped me find a way and I am so grateful they did. Who knew that camping outside with a few dozen Mary Kay ladies would be so much fun and awe inspiring. This weekend was not only inspiring, but motivating, and rejuvenating. 

The theme this year was overcoming obstacles and WOW don't we all face numerous obstacles in our daily lives from small hurdles to the greatest mountains. Some of those obstacles can be caused by us, others or even just pop out out of nowhere. And as we know life isn't all about the cards we were dealt but what we do with them.

I learned so much this weekend, that I want to share as much of it as I can with you! We are all at different points in our lives so some things may make an impact and others may not, but I hope I can share with you at least one thing that can get you up and over your hurdles or mountains. 

The first person to share her story, obstacles and wisdom with us was Monica Garcia (Adrian Garcia, who is the sheriff of Harris County, wife). She shared some phenomenal points:

• We can't continue to receive blessings if we aren't grateful for what we already have! 
• There are 4 steps to success: 1. Decide what you want (Have a mental game plan) 2. Write down your goal (write your dreams down on paper like you would a grocery list) 3. Develop a plan of action 4. Set your dream in motion and BELIEVE
• Remember: Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, you can achieve!

My senior director shared a piece of advice that I think will forever change my life. As women we feel responsible and guilty for all of those around us, our children, siblings, parents, friends. We feel like we have to help people out of a tough time, and if they can't get out of it then its our fault, it is something we did wrong... BUT this is along the lines of what she shared- Don't take on the burden of someone else's failures if you aren't taking the glory for their successes. We are all here to help each other and that is what we do but we can't pile on ourselves the responsibility and guilt of everyone else around us, we have to give others the opportunity of being accountable for their own lives!

Jennifer Bouse, is a Top Mary Kay Director from Springfield, Missouri and WOW she struck change in me with her experiences and story. In the past few years she trained to run a marathon, and she related that to our life in general and in Mary Kay. Here are her awe inspiring points I wrote down:

• Whether it's a short or long race, it's your race and only you can run it.
• Whatever your race you are running, you WILL finish but you have to persevere.
• We never accomplish our race alone. (Many people that run keep a list of names of the people they are running for or those that helped them get so far, they acknowledge that though only they could run their race the obstacle was defeat-able with the help of others.
• Hebrews 12:1-3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked our for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
• "On Your Mark, Get Set, Go": On Your Mark- Know your goal and mission. Get Set- Remove all distractions in your way. Go- Explode toward your dreams.
• Every accomplishment starts with a dream

She also shared my favorite poem of all time, The Race, which is applicable to us all. We all have moments in our race where we fall and are faced with the choice to give up or get up and finish our race. 

Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face, 
    my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race. 
A children’s race, young boys, young men; how I remember well, 
    excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn’t hard to tell. 
They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race 
    or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place. 
Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son, 
    and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.


The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire, 
    to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy’s desire. 
One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd, 
    was running in the lead and thought “My dad will be so proud.” 
But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip, 
    the little boy who thought he’d win, lost his step and slipped. 
Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace, 
    and midst the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face. 
As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn’t win it now. 
    Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.


But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face, 
    which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win that race!” 
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that’s all, 
    and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall. 
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win, 
    his mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again. 
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace. 
    “I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”


But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face 
    with a steady look that said again, “Get up and win that race!” 
So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last. 
    “If I’m to gain those yards,” he thought, “I’ve got to run real fast!” 
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten... 
    but trying hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again. 
Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear dropped from his eye. 
    “There’s no sense running anymore! Three strikes I’m out! Why try? 
I’ve lost, so what’s the use?” he thought. “I’ll live with my disgrace.” 
    But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.


“Get up,” an echo sounded low, “you haven’t lost at all, 
    for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall. 
Get up!” the echo urged him on, “Get up and take your place! 
    You were not meant for failure here! Get up and win that race!” 
So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit, 
    and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit. 
So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been, 
    still he gave it all he had and ran like he could win. 
Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he rose again. 
    Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.


They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place, 
    head high and proud and happy -- no falling, no disgrace. 
But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last place, 
    the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race. 
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud, 
    you would have thought he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd. 
And to his dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.” 
    “To me, you won,” his father said. “You rose each time you fell.”


And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face, 
    the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race. 
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all. 
    And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall. 
And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face, 
    another voice within me says, “Get up and win that race!”


After this I unfortunately had to leave to go to work and I missed my mother, who is my director, share her story and wisdom but luckily I got to read some of what she shared and I have to share. I have been by my mother's side through her obstacles and she is now on the upside of them, which makes me so proud that she was able to share her story and how she is still working and overcoming them. Sometimes it is easier to share and help others when your obstacle is long past but when you are still in your battle it is not always the easiest to share with others but it can make the biggest impact on others. I am so proud of her for battling her obstacles and being open to others.

I am not sure if she shared all of this or not, but her words are beautiful and I want to share them in their raw form.

"Progress doesn't always come quickly.  Progress may seem excruciatingly slow.  There will be times when you attach to things and situations that you want, which will make it difficult to be fully in the present moment.  It’s impossible to be mindful when you’re dwelling on the past or obsessing about the future. I've experienced it countless times in my own life.  The more I want something, the more I fixate on not having it and wanting to get it.  Once I release the attachment and focus on being grateful for what I have in the moment, my life seems to shift, and progress seems to happen naturally.

You may want to give up.  Like with any worth while journey, you will feel like giving up and throwing in the towel multiple times.  But it is during the time when you feel most frustrated that you are often on the verge of a breakthrough.  Our lives are very similar to the season.  We go through cold, dark winters, and joyful, expanding summers.  It all comes and goes.  It’s the ebb and flow of life.  When you realize that the challenging times are there to help you grow, you will automatically feel more peaceful and relaxed.

You might forget that the journey is the destination. 

Always follow your dreams even if they lead you down a few dark alleys.

Before you reach your destination, you’ll find yourself going through the wilderness.  There’s some survival skills that you’ll need to master to take you through the wilderness journey.  While in the wilderness, your faith will be tried and tested.  You’ll become humble. Your vision for your life will get clearer.  You’re in training for your purpose.  You’ll lose some friends, because there’s some folks who are only with you because of how they think your journey will affect them.  Don’t worry, they’re a little confused.  Walk on. Continue on your journey. Soon, you’ll be approaching the mountain.  Get ready to climb.

Without difficulties, life would be like a stream without rocks and curves…about as interesting as concrete.  Without problems, there can be no personal growth, no group achievement, no progress of humanity.  But what matters about problems is what one does with them."

Finally on Sunday, there was one final talk that was truly the best ending to an already phenomenal weekend. Allison Noll is a sister director to my mother and she shared the growth we receive from our obstacles. Honestly everything she shared was so amazing that I didn't even write anything down because I was just in awe the entire time.

I was in tears the whole time but they were tears of relief. She shared about releasing all the guilt, anger, any emotion that is holding you back from peace. In all honesty, if we truly do not forgive others for wrong done to us, if we don't release the guilt from choices we made that weren't always the best decisions, only takes out the best of us. We have to learn to let go, we have to believe we deserve peace, we deserve the love of others, of our God, and we most importantly deserve to love ourselves. 

She led with a video that I want to close this blog off with. Every time I don't feel good enough or worthy enough I am going to watch this video. When this video was playing there was truly not a dry eye in the room because I think it hit each woman to their core and I hope it does to each woman that watches it because that means you are seeing truth and love. You deserve to feel whole, loved and beautiful. Set who you are free! Who You Are is Enough!!!

October Favorites

Favorite Beauty Products:

My first favorite beauty product has been a long time favorite but I was reminded this month of how much I love it after trying a different makeup remover and having to remove a bit of face paint during the halloween season. Mary Kay's Oil Free Eye Make-Up Remover is one of my holy grail beauty products. It is soothing, calming and removes all makeup with ease. I recommend this product hands down!

Next is another Mary Kay product, TimeWise Firming Eye Cream. This is a rich eye cream that aids in firming, brightening, and moisturizing. This is a product I just started using this month and it is amazing the difference it has made in my under eyes.

My new favorite nail polish, not only brand but color, is Essie "Ladylike". I have seen great reviews of Essie Nail polishes but I never personally had tried them till now and I am now a true convert. This polish leaves goes on beautifully, leaves no streaks and Ladylike leaves a beautiful neutral opaque color.

Finally, I have two Urban Decay products that have become holy grail products. The Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion and the 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil Perversion. My makeup stays all day long no matter what I am doing with the Primer Potion with absolutely no movement or creasing of my Eye Make-Up. The 24/7 Eye Pencil is so pigmented and goes on so easily and smoothly. I love this shade called Perversion it is a true black. My only two complaints with this product is that it doesn't stay in place as well on my waterline and also needs sharpening almost every week, other than that it is a flawless product.

I want to put a disclaimer on my beauty reviews: Like everything these are my personal opinions based off of what I have tried and like for my skin and makeup. I am associated with Mary Kay and Ulta but I don't look to profit from any of my reviews they are strictly products that I have used, love, and recommend them to you to try.

Favorite Gluten Free Foods:

First, is Lundberg Risotto Creamy Parmesan. This is a perfect product to go with some fish and veggies. This product is SO GOOD it can be addicting so control yourself, but it adds a fantastic taste to every meal.

Next, I am an eggs and sausage breakfast kind of gal every morning. But sometimes you wake up a little late, tired, etc and you just want a bowl of cereal but it has been hard to find a gluten free cereal that is delicious. Chex cereals are gluten-free, my mother loves the wheat chex, but I love Cinnamon Chex. Cereals are not always the healthiest breakfast options but for every once in a while it doesn't hurt.

Finally, as I said I love my eggs and sausage in the morning but I don't eat pork sausage. I eat Applegate Naturals Chicken & Maple Breakfast Sausage. It is gluten, dairy and casein free. These sausages are delicious, they are juicy but not greasy, and 3 links are only 110 calories (but 2 are filling enough). They have a few different kinds of breakfast sausages but Chicken & Maple is my favorite.

If you are interested in trying these products try your closest Kroger. (Click on the product name for more nutritional information)

Favorite Television Shows:
I have a few this month due to this month was the big month for top shows to come back for fall and new ones to begin!

The Vampire Diaries. If you are not hooked on this show yet please jump on the bandwagon. Even if it is just to watch the men it is worth it... Jeremy Gilbert just keeps getting hotter and hotter ;)

The Originals is a new show on the CW that has spun off of The Vampire Diaries. If you love the Vampire Diaries you will love The Originals, its just as addictive!! And who doesn't love a show that takes place in New Orleans?!?

Beauty & the Beast is in it's second season and clearly has spun off of the Disney version. I will always love the original Disney movie, it has always been my favorite, but its nice to get to see the destined love between two people with unbelievable chemistry weekly. The first season is on Netflix, so go hurry and get caught up!

Lastly, a brand new show called The Tomorrow People. Its about individuals who have special powers and others trying to take them down. It is along the lines of the movie Jumper but better! 

Favorite Songs:

Daughtry- Waiting for Superman

Avicii- Wake Me Up

Cassadee Pope- Wasting All These Tears

Ellie Goulding- Burn

Goodbye October, Hello November!