My Scattered Mind

When I Grow Up

2015-11-02T16:14:00.003-08:00

When I grow up I want to be, now fill in the blank. When I was little I wanted to be a mommy and a hair dresser. My mom was an amazing mom, I see that now that I'm older and I have children of my own. Of course when I was young all I saw was a mom who was always around and I never had a moments peace. My mom passed away 11 years ago this month. How crazy that it seems forever ago yet seems like yesterday.

Anyway, I am a grown up now. I don't FEEL old or anything, but I am a grown up with one grown child and a young one still at home. What I can see now that I'm experienced and wiser than I was when I was a young mom is that the little things really do add up to big things. What I'm talking about is as we are raising our children we really need to pay attention to the little things. When they are babbling on about something it's really important to listen and respond. Those little things are really important to them.

Being a parent is a tough job. It's also THE most important job you'll ever have. We don't get do-overs with our kids. Make today count. I know that sounds so cliche but it's so true. Put your electronics down and invest time in your children. The time you give to your phone, computer, tv, etc is lost. Gone forever. Here's a few things to consider; take a walk, ride bikes together, go on a nature hike, put a puzzle together, play a game, color, or do an art project. For your older kids; serve at a soup kitchen or food pantry, go to dinner with all cell phones off. We need to re-connect with each other.

When your children are grown up, what will they remember? What kind of grown up are you for them? Does your example as a parent give them the desire to be a parent too?

I learned how to sew on Youtube!

2012-04-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

I've abandoned my page for SEWING!

The last 10 months I have learned to SEW! I had a theory that the gift of sewing skips a generation. Really, I have asked hundreds of women over the course of about 20 years. 9 out of 10 times if they sewed their mom didn't/couldn't but their grandma was amazing. I totally bought into my theory, until recently!!!

Sewing has been so much fun, a LOT addictive and it makes me think of my mom everyday. I think of all the times I watched her and caught many tips and tricks. All the times she tried to teach me to sew and I just didn't have the patience or focus to get through the pattern process. If I did get past the pattern then the machine and I didn't get along. What I know about myself now, in my mid 40's, that I didn't know then is so helpful in my sewing journey.

Patterns; in my opinion, are a small engineering feat! I have a very creative and flexible mind, I don't do well with precision and restrictions. Patterns drive me CRAZY but I am determined to take a sewing class to learn how to use one, properly!
Machines; my wise momma left me her very simple Singer Featherweight with the manual! Knowing how to thread properly is key to sane sewing! Knowing how to maintain your machine is the next most important key. If you are a slow or visual learner like me go on youtube and search the machine you have and you most likely will find a tutorial on how to thread and maintain it. This was SO helpful to my sewing success. I can watch it over and over.
Simplyanniekate Search her on youtube, she also has an excellent blog. She "sewed my language" so to speak. She taught me how to make a CUTE pair of boutique pants using a pair of Bella's pants as a pattern! That was/is the best way for me to sew. It makes sense and I don't have to deal with the precision and details that drive me crazy.

If you have ever wanted to sew but gave up because it made you crazy, check out youtube or take a class. That is my next goal, to take a sewing class to take it to the next level.

I did buy a new, inexpensive Brother SE-400 which will sew and embroider. I haven't spent much time learning the embroidery part, but I plan to over spring break. I'll post what I make. Let's be clear here, I am NOT a great seamstress. I just have really cute fabric, a pretty good eye for color and I'm not afraid to mix things up. But if you look closely, you won't be impressed by my sewing skills.

Happy sewing! Let me know what you are making. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have too. I hope everyone who has a desire to sew, will take the time to learn. What a joy!

My First Coupon Class

2011-06-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

I'm so thrilled! After watching the extreme couponing shows I have been frustrated and often, appalled! After learning from a passionate saver I totally get it now! Also my suspicions were confirmed. I was thinking that the producers of the extreme shows really pushed the coupon lovers to ridiculous hauls. I was correct, the gal I learned from doesn't do extreme couponing hauls every week, but she does have extra products on hand.

I can't wait to get my coupons in order and start saving money! I hope you'll join me. If you know me at all you know I LOVE a bargain and I am always on the hunt for great deals. I just get to extend that to the grocery store. Yippee!!!

Happy saving,

Tami

Check out Tammilee's website for cool savings...

http://www.tammileetips.com/

If Your Child Was In Desperate Need...

2011-05-19T15:28:00.001-07:00

WOW! I've been gone way too long!

I was listening to our local Christian radio station today, 104.9 (their website it PLR.org). They play great music all day long. This week they have been doing a Compassion International "campaign" to encourage listeners to sponsor a very needy child. I have always intended to sponsor one but I just haven't gotten around to it. Bella and I were driving to speech therapy and we stopped for lunch at Wendy's . It occurred to me that if the roles were reversed and my children were hungry and needed the BASIC necessities I would certainly hope that someone in a wealthy country, such as ours, would call and say YES! I will help your children! Why do I take so much for granted? We are so privileged here in the states. We have such abundance and I know my children have such abundance. The Lord pressed on my heart to sponsor two children today. This is not because I'm so great, it's because these are HIS children and He has called us to show His love for them by sponsoring. It is just pennies a day.

I chose two boys, both have aids and both have been waiting a long time. One young man is 15 and may have lost hope in being sponsored. The cost is just $38 per month, per child. For $76 or the cost of ONE night out to dinner w/my family at a nice restaurant or cutting out 1 trip a week to a fast food restaurant. I know that each of my readers and myself can make the tiny sacrifice to help one or more child. I am challenging my readers to take the Compassion challenge and sponsor at least one child. Go to their website where you can search for a child based on their birthday, gender, country, and lots of other details. You can exchange letters and photos, etc. http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm

This is from their website, I hope this is okay to share with my readers;

Sponsoring children in need is breaking the cycle of poverty
Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.

Founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training.
Today, Compassion helps more than 1 million children in 26 countries.

Currently there are over 2700 children waiting to be sponsored. YOU and I can make a difference. Please post a comment when you have sponsored your child(ren) and PLEASE, challenge your friends to do the same! The power of social networking could have ALL the children waiting sponsored TODAY! Let's make it happen.

Too blessed NOT to share,

Tami

HE is risen!

2011-04-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

This is an email letter I received this morning and I just had to share it with my readers. So often I get so caught up in the stuff of the day and the season that I forget the reason we celebrate. I hope you will take this message to heart as I am. Also sign up for the onemillionmoms.com email alerts. When you see what's going on in the world of advertising you too will want to stand up and say, NO MORE! Let me know what you think if you like it or not. I'd love to know your side.

Happy Resurrection week!

Abundant Blessings,

Tami

He is Risen!

April 20, 2011

Dear Tami,

Many will celebrate Easter this weekend with colored eggs, candy and bunnies, but we must not forget the truth behind Easter. Easter is a time to Rejoice! Jesus Christ died on the cross for EVERYONE'S sins so that one day we could be with our Heavenly Father. Three days following, he rose again from the dead. This is what Christians celebrate, His Resurrection! He is ALIVE! And one day our Savior will return.

Jesus paid a debt for us that no one else could ever repay so that we could be in heaven with him for eternity. God gave the perfect sacrifice, his only Son, and if we believe in Him and become saved, then we will be forgiven for our sins. He will set us free!

To be saved you must ask God into your heart. If you have never done this, take time to do it right now.

Jesus had the power to come down from that cross, but He knew this is what had to be done for His believers to be saved. He did this because of His love for us. He loved us that much!

If you know of someone who is not saved, please pass this on to them. Share the greatest gift of all with them: a relationship with Jesus Christ and eternal life. Also share this with your brothers and sisters in Christ so they may use this to share with others. God commands that we share the gospel with others. We need to help one another become passionate followers of Jesus Christ.

For a powerful resource to use while witnessing, or if you need more answers yourself, go to http://needhim.org or call 1-888-NeedHim.

Sincerely,

Monica Cole, Director
OneMillionMoms.com

P.S. Please forward this to your family and friends! Become a fan of OneMillionMoms on Facebook! If you use Twitter, keep up with the latest information by following us.

Stay Tuned...

2011-04-18T15:48:00.001-07:00

Sorry gang, taking a few days off of Sisters blog. Stay tuned for more to come. Thanks for staying with me!

Blessings, Tami

Blessings Continue...

2011-04-15T12:53:00.000-07:00

I know most people think I'm crazy to "unplug" from the outside world. My husband got home today from being gone over 2 weeks. He's not sold on the idea either! What amazes me is how quickly I've let go of the urge to turn on the tube in the morning. I used to turn it on first thing every morning, like it was my friend or something! I do still want to pick up my computer fairly often.

I was chatting with one of my besties last night and she really pegged how I was feeling and what my impulse was. I was really exhausted (something that happens when you turn off the tube and get moving) and my first impulse was to turn on the tube or get on the net to just zone out on trash. I can't believe how many years I have done this. It's mind boggling how much sleep I have missed out on too. I'm not saying I'll never do this again or that this is a horrible thing. It's just for me, this is not the way I want to live anymore. Now that I see it, I am choosing to change it.

One of the best things that has come from this new quiet way of living is the time my 15 yr old son is spending around his mom and his baby sister. We have had really great conversations this week. He has shared that so often I didn't hear what he was saying to me. This breaks my heart that I put my computer and TV before my son. I also put these things before my God and Savior. In some ways it's like I was deaf and blind before and now I see.

This is just my journey and the "idols" in my life that needed to be done away with. I know I will watch TV again but I hope and pray that I'll never give anything, other than Christ, the time I devoted to my TV schedule and computer, again.

I hope that someone who reads this will be helped in some way to recognize the changes that need to be made in their life too.

Abundant blessings my friend,

Tami

3 Days and Counting!

2011-04-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

If you read my last post on Sunday, you know I decided to unplug from the modern world for 7 days starting when I woke up on Monday morning.
I SO badly wanted to post here on Monday how great it was. Here's what I have learned so far...

a. the withdrawls from my TV, FB, & net life ended by noon on Monday
b. life is so much better when all is quiet
c. my head is much clearer and my brain is better focused on what really needs to get done
d. there really isn't much on TV worth watching
e. living the FB voyeuristic lifestyle isn't reality! FB has it's purpose which shouldn't include being on it 24/7
f. I enjoy visiting with my 15 yr old and playing w/my 2 yr old! The interesting this is, my 15 yr old actually has enjoyed talking too. I know he feels more important than he used to. Let's face it, my computer was getting all the attention! Pretty sad.
g. junk in, junk out! What I had been feeding my mind for years was NOT good! Now I spend part of my day listening to programs from Focus on the Family and great praise and worship music. Ahhh, so refreshing.
h. I have been able to think and process the book I am reading which is a pretty heavy subject. There is some past "gunk" that needs to be dealt with. I am sure if I was plugged in that I wouldn't take time to process it, I would just continue to stuff it all down.

Life is good unplugged. I have checked email and a few business things on my computer this week. I also have gotten on the net to search for a few things but I haven't spent hours and hours on here. I do really miss blogging and sharing with you. I miss getting the stuff out of my head. I feel blogging is very helpful for head-clearing. Last night my son and I watched 2, 1/2 shows together. When they were over, we turned off the TV. I realize this concept of being unplugged or only watching one show isn't new to most people, but I also realize that many people have adjusted to living this way. I would love all of my readers to take and spread the challenge via FB starting Monday the 18th of April. The challenge will be called "Seven Days Unplugged." The challenge is for families and individuals to "unplug" from the technical world and get back to real conversations. I challenge you to eliminate "sport" texting from your kids and yourselves. Turn off the TV unless you decide to watch one program as a family. Unplug from social media outlets and the internet, other than for business purposes.

The other parts of the "Seven Days Unplugged" is;
* Have at least one meal per day together. A meal where everyone participates with food prep, clean up and conversation at the dinner table. Family Dinner Conversation Starters
* Play at least 3 non-electronic games during those 7 days.
* Do a devotional together or talk about world events each evening before bed. Family Devotional Ideas
* Do one home improvement project or clean out an area of the house together.

Remember, you are the adult in the house and you can set and/or change the rules at any time! I realize that husbands may not buy into this concept but we all know that we can do anything for a week and our families can too. I talked to a friend on Monday who said she and her husband decided to do this for 3 weeks and it was such a blessing. I believe this could be a memorable week for you and your children and maybe you'll decide to stay unplugged.

So here's the most interesting find of the week so far, I haven't spent much more time house cleaning. I did do some yard work yesterday and did some planting, but not a ton of house cleaning.

By far, the best things are the fun times I have had with my kids. I haven't been distracted and I know that I've said, "hold on, let me finish this" whatever I was doing on the computer. My son says I actually hear him now and I didn't before. Again, how sad that I have traded computer and TV for my life. NO MORE! Life is good and it is sweet. I'll continue with my blogging but everything else will take a far backseat to my family.

Thanks for reading my

Leave a comment to share with my readers and myself if you are taking the "Seven Days Unplugged" challenge. Once you are finished we would love to hear your fun stories.

Abundant blessings,

Tami

How Embarassing is this!!!

2011-04-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

Obviously I have a serious addiction to facebook, email, facebook games, my computer, TV (in a big way) and texting. Though texting isn't that big of a deal for me. It seems as if a year has passed from my life and I have spent it in front of these "techie" things. It's like I am addicted and I can't stop. How crazy is this but moreover, how STUPID is this! It is also very embarrassing to think I'm over 40 and I am so undisciplined.

So starting tomorrow I won't be doing any of those things, even my blogging ; ( for a whole week. I will check my email twice a day for business reasons ONLY. I was thinking today about how much I should be able to get done as I waste a LOT of time on these things. It's really sad how I have allowed all of these time-wasters to take over my life. I don't know if it's the boredom or the challenges of motherhood. The reality probably is that it is my selfishness, wanting to do the things I want to do instead of the things I should be doing.

If I worked a 9 to 5 job I would have been fired LONG ago due to my lack of productivity. Obviously I get the most important things done, but I leave a LOT that still needs attention and maintence. BTW maintenence has been the theme of my year and also something I don't love about life. God has really been working on me this year about the things that need daily attention. I don't like those things, isn't that crazy? I don't know if it's due to my ADHD or what?

So, dear friends if you would like for me to be praying for you this week please let me know via EMAIL and no offense, but keep it short, I will only have a few minutes A.M. and P.M. to check it. I will have lots of free time to spend in the Word and in prayer time. Really, there's no better way to invest my time. Seriously, I would love to pray for you this week, please let me know how.
The best way to reach me is; mkdtami@q.com

Abundant Blessings my friend, see ya next Monday!

Tami off-line Smith

A Change Is A-Comin'

2011-04-09T23:38:00.000-07:00

For a few months now, maybe it's been since I've been studying Isaiah, I don't know, however long it's been, this has been a year of learning about myself. It seems as if God is ready to clean out some gunk in my life. UGGGHHH! I hate this kind of thing cause it's so painful. I'm at a place where I have to go back and fix some mistakes that I have made recently, and face some of the issues that have been shoved down deep for years. Let's assume things are gonna get better before the get best! (Maybe not proper grammar, big surprise, I rarely use proper grammar or punctuation!) But I am going to assume it's going to be a great thing to move through this so my past can truly be my past.

For the last ten years or so I have known that God would have me lead others through their past pain. I can see that this is one of the steps in this process. I gotta get through mine first. Stay tuned to see what God is going to do.

Today was another divine appointment with one of my besties. God used that conversation to shove me to the next place where He is taking me. Forgive me if I've said this before, but blogging really helps me think and feel, something I've never been good at in the past.

We all are works in progress. Thank You Lord that You don't give up on us!

Abundant Blessings dear friend,

Tami-Learning to feel-Smith

Extreme Couponing!

2011-04-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Okay so I saw this new show being featured and I must say it peaked my interest. Saving hundreds of dollars on groceries, count me in! So I recorded this new show "Extreme Couponing" and it takes the word extreme and magnifies it by a gazillion! Oh my goodness the insanity of this extreme lifestyle just blows me away.

The first gal was married and had 2 dogs. She has literally YEARS worth of products in several rooms of their home. For example, toilet paper, they have enough for the average couple to last them OVER 40 YEARS!!! This couple seemed to buy just because it was super cheap or free with coupons. They don't need it, don't share it and surely they can't even use it all in their lifetime. She was angry with the cashier because her bill was over $1200 so the register froze. They had to start over and she was upset with THEM! They were very helpful and nice, from what I could see. It was disgusting to see how upset she was with the mess she created.

The second gal made a bit more sense as she appeared to buy only what they used. She had a great system of rotating her products. Still extreme but there was a semblance of sanity to her madness.

The third lady made the most sense to me. She bought only what she needed, she didn't buy and hoard things like the other people did. She was so cute in the store, she would help other shoppers save money. She was more like a coupon teacher than she was an extreme couponer.

The fourth guy, I don't know, I was just speechless. He had enough deodorant to last a person, or maybe a family, for 150 YEARS! He bought over $4000 worth of cereal because he could get it for $150. He did insinuate that it could be donated to the local food bank. It looked like he had enough product to supply a small town. He bought over 100 toothbrushes during this episode because they were free. He didn't need them, they were just free.

I had a myriad of thoughts swimming in my brain but here are my main thoughts;
1. Are we a country of excess or just plain greed?
2. Are these people savers or hoarders?
3. Is this a lifestyle or a type of drug?
4. As a business woman and retailer, this makes me mad!

One of my early thoughts was this, if a camera crew followed me for a week what would my life look like? If I watched my life on video would I be shocked and make changes? What part of my life would be revealed as extreme and insane? We all have things we do that seem normal but if others saw it they would think we were crazy?

I would LOVE to know your thoughts on this issue. Did you see this "couponing" special, if so, what did you think? Maybe I'm just too critical and opinionated. I don't see how, even a large family, could eat 100 containers of yogurt before they expire.

I guess the ABUNDANT part of my blog title applies here!

Abundant blessings my friends,

Tami

I brought you into this world...

2011-04-05T19:03:00.000-07:00

Yes, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Finishing up JBF tagging & packing, getting ready to go volunteer in the morning. PRAISE GOD for spring break and having Austin to help out.

Next is taxes and finishing up my website for my new business venture, I'll let you know soon what that is! I'm praying on a few other things that I would like to do but I am uncertain what God wants. I realized that I will pray for my friends, family and our nation but I often forget to pray for the things I want to do. Whether it's volunteering or starting a new venture I just get so excited that I just jump in and don't even consult the Lord. He is the One who should govern my every decision and yet I still jump ahead of Him.

Here's an interesting thought; for parents we feel justified in setting the rules for our children, right? We feel that since we brought these kids into the world and they live under our roof we have the right to have them follow our rules. I think most of us feel justified in doing this. I wonder why it is we feel justified to follow our own rules? What I'm saying is, God is the creator of the universe and man. He has the right, as our creator, to expect us to follow His rules.

This year in Bible Study Fellowship we are studying the book of Isaiah, which I have never studied before. I can't tell you right off hand which chapter it's in, but it reminds us that as our Creator, God has the right to expect us to follow His rules. What I love about Him is He doesn't make us follow Him and accept His Son, though He loved so much that He gave us His Son. He also loves us so much that He gave us free will to choose Him or not.

I pray that with Easter coming you will really reflect on who Jesus is and what price He paid for you and me. I pray that you will choose to ask Him to be the Lord of your life. You will be amazed at the freedom and peace you experience when you give up your life to Him. Seems like it would be the other way around, but it's not.

Well, gotta get back to work. I will continue to pray for God's guidance in my future plans and I hope and pray that you will too.

Abundant Blessings dear friends,

Tami
AKA The Tagging Queen!

What follows a busy, busy week?

2011-04-02T16:29:00.000-07:00

Of course an even busier weekend!

Taggin, taggin, taggin! Keep this old girl taggin!

No time to post I'm working on 3 huge projects. Just wanted to let you know if you are getting ready for the JBF sale in your area to keep your clothes in the order that you type them in to the computer, as much as possible. It makes attaching them so much easier.

I hope you have an amazing day and you will go enjoy corporate worship at a Bible teaching church tomorrow. May God bless you in a mighty way this weekend!

Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future.
It's simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.
- Joni Erickson Tada

Sisters~Abundant Blessings: Make $$$ @ Just Between Friends Sale~get taggin'!...

2011-03-31T21:10:00.000-07:00

Sisters~Abundant Blessings: Make $$$ @ Just Between Friends Sale~get taggin'!...: "Guess what's coming to Spokane Valley? It's the Just Between Friends sale. This is a great consignment sale for you to buy..."

Make $$$ @ Just Between Friends Sale~get taggin'!

2011-03-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

Guess what's coming to Spokane Valley? It's the Just Between Friends sale. This is a great consignment sale for you to buy or sell gently used items. Last year I sold lots of Bella's excess clothing that I had overbought! I also bought some great outdoor toys that were like new and we use them indoors. Austin sold lots of his WWE toys that he had long since grown out of.

To sell is really simple. Go tohttp://spokane.jbfsale.com/pages/home and register. Then gather your gently uses items, decide what price you would like to get for each item. You then go to the "mytag" site and put in the info for each item and then you will print the tags from their site. Then just tag each item. You get 65% of the sale price.

Since I had a retail store I already have all the things I need to efficiently tag my things. You can get a tagging gun and "ammo" at the local retail supply house. The ONLY one I buy from is Nelson Brothers in Spokane Valley. Tell them Tami Smith sent you. You will love working with them.

Nelson Brothers IncNelson Brothers Inc

Place page

3808 N Sullivan Rd # 14A
WA 99216-1616
(509) 922-4988

I'm blessed that I have a collapsible rolling rack from my old clothing store. So I just put the rack together, load it with all of the stuff we are selling and roll it in for inspection.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the day you drop off;

You will most likely stand in line for awhile so wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring a jacket or raincoat in the event it is cold and rainy.

Consigners are responsible for putting all their items in the proper place once a volunteer has inspected everything. To make this as easy as possible plan to bring a wagon, cart, rolling rack or anything that can transport your items from one building/area to another.

Leave your little ones with a sitter (this is a must!) and bring a friend to help you unload, if possible.

Group like items together; toys, baby items, games, dvds, socks & accessories, books, etc. This makes drop off a lot easier and faster.

Separate boys clothing from girls and make it super simple for set up by grouping clothing by sizes.

Make sure you tag everything and make certain that electronic items work and have batteries. This seems like a "no brainer" but last year I found several things that I had not tagged and the baby swing had dead batteries! Once you are there you have no printer and you probably don't have batteries. You really don't want to do the process twice!

This does take some time to prep and tag everything but if you are a stay-home mom or you could use some extra money, you can knock it out in a few days, depending on how much stuff you have.

Be sure to go to the JBF site and check out all the details under "consign" so you will tag and hang your items properly. http://spokane.jbfsale.com/pages/home

I'm happy to answer any questions you have so leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

Happy Selling!

Tami

Spokane's best place to find top quality gently used infant-juniors clothing, cribs, strollers, swings, toys & more! Everything you need from maternity, babies and kids! Prices are 50%-90% off retail! What a great way to clean out your closets and earn money. One gigantic place to buy and sell!

Join us April 8-10 2011 at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center for Spokane's Largest Semi-Annual Children's Consignment Sales Event!

Sign up NOW to Consign & Volunteer!
Consignors earn 65% CASH on sold items!
Volunteers shop FIRST at our private presale!

Busy, busy day & week!

2011-03-31T12:21:00.001-07:00

I hope to post a story later but for now I would love to hear one of YOUR stories! Please share one of your life lessons.

Happy day and abundant blessings,

Tami

My Poor Decision Making, only 4 hours of sleep...

2011-03-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

Listen to "The Key To Teaching Your Child" I & II

Why do I do the things I do??? I know I should go to bed earlier but of course I didn't! I am thankful that God got me up early though. I have gotten so much done this morning.

Last night instead of cleaning the kitchen I went downstairs to gather and price my Just Between Friends goods. So a very messy kitchen was waiting for me this morning. There can be benefits to having a dirty kitchen and a quiet house. I listened to some pod casts on Focus on the Family. GREAT STUFF! The first two I listened to were the ones listed above, "The Key to Teaching Your Child About God." This information amazing not just for what to teach your kids but how to understand WHO God is. I highly recommend it both.

Just now as I am typing my blog I am listening to "His & Her Brains" which is SO funny! If you don't understand the opposite sex, you gotta listen. I feel that from all the years of my Mary Kay training I know a lot about personalities. Plus all the years my mom and I listened to Christian radio, I have learned a lot about male/female relationships. This guy who is talking is a comedian and FUNNY! A great program to listen while you are in the kitchen or on the road together.

It also reminds me of a something that happened about 8 years ago. Being a beauty school drop out I can cut hair, especially guys hair, so easy to do a short cut. So Rob asks me to cut his hair. I'm cutting and thinking of a million different things I need to do, have done, will do, etc. While thinking all these thoughts I think, "gee, I wonder what Rob is thinking?" So of course I ask him, "what are you thinking about?" Rob: "nothing" me: "you aren't thinking about anything?" Rob: "no"
So I'm thinking, he's gotta be thinking about something! Me: you've gotta be thinking about something." Rob: "nope" I think, there's no way he's thinking about NOTHING, no one can have a blank mind, thinking about nothing. I have a millions things going on in my brain! Me: "how can you be thinking nothing, like a blank mind?" Rob: I'M THINKING I'M GETTING MY HAIR CUT!!!"

Believe it or not this was a huge eye opener for me and it was when I realized men really are so simple! Either they really can only think about one thing at a time or really he was thinking about sex and just didn't want to tell me, LOL!

Really, how different we are as male and female. God designed us that way, He wired us differently and for His purpose. If only we can enjoy and not criticize one another, life would be sweeter.

I hope you'll listen to the Focus on the Family pod casts, they are all so helpful. We all have time to listen we just have to say "no" to something else, like TV or FB.

Tell me what helped you the most from the pod casts, I would love to hear.

Abundant Blessings dear friend,

Tami
AKA Beauty School Drop Out~go ahead and sing the song...

Favorite Childhood Memory

2011-03-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

What is your favorite childhood memory? Some of us have terrible memories and can't remember yesterday. Whether you had an amazing childhood or one that was full of challenges, I believe everyone has one stand-out great memory. Often the things that were most special were the things that were free or that cost very little.

One of the most special things I remember was all three of us kids laying on the living room floor and my dad reading a story. My favorite was "The Secret Garden." I don't remember how many weeks it took to complete it but we loved it! That was a precious time of gathering together and escaping to another world. We all used our imaginations to conjure up what the characters looked like. Another favorite book was "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle." Dad is an awesome reader and still today reads to some of the classes at my twin nephews school.

Another favorite memory was all of us making dough ornaaments at Christmas time. Dad always made the coolest ones. For years when we would put the Christmas tree up we would recall making those dough ornaments.

We would take family vacations in the station wagon and it seemed like we were driving forever. Every parent has heard the famous question, are we there yet? Dad would make up the most awesome stories. One was based on the road sign "falling rock." He would tell a long drawn out, very entertaining story, about Falling Rock, the famous indian brave. We loved hearing those stories even into our teens. It's a shame none of us ever wrote any of them down. I'm not sure any of us remember them well enough now. I'll have to ask my brothers.

Another favorite memory was when I was about 5 or 6. We were driving to Dallas to dad's office. Back then that drive seemed as if it took a whole day, not the 30-45 minutes it really took. We were all dressed in matching shirts and we were young enough that we didn't catch on. Maybe my older brother did, but not the two youngest of us. Anyway, dad made this big stink about taking a wrong turn, oh we would have to turn around and the trip was going to take longer, etc. Then he said something like, "oh no, we turned in to Six Flags. We are in the parking lot now, I guess we'll have to go to Six Flags for the day!" We all squealed with delight. I don't know what was better, that we got to go to Six Flags or that is was a surprise. I remember believing for a long time that we got to go because dad took a wrong turn.

In today's society I think parents try to give their children so many material things. We work long hours trying to make lots of money to buy them the perfect toys, give them the best vacations and education. The things we provide for our children are fine but I believe often we would bless them more if we would work less, have less, and spend more time with them. Seriously, when you look back at your favorite memories are they of extravagent vacations and gifts or are they memories of people you loved spending TIME with you?

Giving the gift of time and attention is one of the most precious gifts we can give. Sadly it is also becoming a very rare gift.

I would love to know what are some of your most precious memories? Please share with my readers and myself. A great conversation to have a your dinner table with your kids tonight, what is their favorite memory with you? You may be surprised.

Thank you for reading my blog, please share my link with your friends and family.

Abundant blessings,

Tami

The Power of Encouragement

2011-03-28T16:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been at a place in your life where you wonder, is this really what I'm supposed to be doing? Back in 2000 I was so unsure of what I was supposed to be doing for a career. I was with Mary Kay Cosmetics as a consultant and had actually earned the use of my career car 2 years earlier. As it sometimes goes with direct sales, I wasn't working as hard as I could have or should have been. Being your own boss has its benefits but also for an undisciplined person, has its drawbacks! Due to my poor work habits I was about to lose the privilege of driving that company car. This then led to my wondering if this was really my calling. We often question our choices when we are not working up to our full potential. We can all be clear, it wasn't the career choice, it was MY poor work habits!

I vividly remember this day, the day that kept me on the path that God had intended me to go on. My dad needed me to take him to Kerrville to get his car worked on. It was about a 30 minute drive. My son Austin was in the back seat and we were in my MK car. I was telling him what was going on with my car situation and that probably this wasn't really the career for me, I needed to find something else. My dad said, "you've got to be kidding? I've always thought you were perfect for this business. You are a people person, it's flexible and you love make-up. I can't imagine you doing anything else." I don't remember anything after that, that was all I needed to hear. What I heard him say above all was, well done, you've made a wise choice.

What a difference we make in the lives of others when we encourage and affirm them. Thanks to my dad I saw that I just needed to get back to work. Mary Kay has been a blessing in my life. God has used it to teach me so many awesome things and it is where I have met the most amazing friends.

Who has encouraged you? Who has made a difference in your life? The bigger question is, who do we need to encourage today? God has blessed us with His words of encouragement, the Bible is full of it. Check out Psalms and Proverbs and see how awesome it is.

Abundant blessings my friend,

Tami

Chocolate Chip Cookies, a tribute to my mom, Dee Morris

2011-03-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

Although not my favorite cookie, the CC is the easiest to make from scratch. My mom's recipe is the best! I just made a fresh batch tonight but they didn't turn out as well as they usually do. But no worries, my family is eating them up.

My favorite cookie is homemade ginger snaps, my mom's recipe. I rarely make them due to the fact that they are more work and no one in my household likes them, which makes them EXTRA dangerous for me!

Did you realize you can make many cookie varieties and freeze them? This is just one of the great things my awesome mom taught me, make a double batch, roll them into balls and freeze them in a ziplock bags. Take out what you want when you want fresh cookies and bake a few. Funny, this is how Otis Spunkmeyer does it. You can too, only cheaper and much better for you! No preservatives.

My Mom was an amazing cook and baker. I'm not a pie lover but my dad and brothers LOVE pies! Mom would make things in large batches and freeze them. She did this with cookies and her famous apple pie fillings some weeks before she was diagnosed with her brain tumor. After mom died my dad and brothers got to enjoy her pies and cookies for quite some time. She proved that even the busiest people could make homemade food.

I think of my mom often when I cook and bake. I realize how many things I caught from her. Not just in the kitchen, but in my life. Probably the most important thing I witnessed was catching her on her knees in prayer and quiet time with the Lord. Equally important was her willingness to pray at the drop of a hat. She would pray for anything, anyone and at anytime. She prayed for big things that mattered to her, she would ask the Lord for small things, like parking spaces. She would also pray for complete strangers who were walking along the road, asking God to protect them. The legacy of faith and trust in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is eternally priceless to me, not to mention life-changing. I hope I can be half the woman of God that she was.

Here's to my mom, Dee Morris, the most faith-filled, godly woman I have ever known. She proved that no matter how painful and tragic your youth is, and hers was, you can choose to turn to Christ and have an amazing faith-filled and joyful life. Not only was mom God-focused, she was a servant and she was others-focused. She never needed kudos or recognition for the things she did. She didn't have to tell others of the things she did, she knew the rewards she would receive would be from her Savior.

I would love to know who inspired your life and what is your favorite cookie to make homemade?
We would all love to know.

There are TWO lines!!!

2011-03-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

I'm not one who loves to eat healthy. I wish I craved fruits and vegetables but I don't. My mom used to tell me if I would just eat lots of that stuff that my body would crave it. Even though I know she was right I haven't made myself do it.

Almost three years ago I decided to start eating healthy. I went to the store and bought cantaloupe, carrots, broccoli and some other "good stuff." I also picked up a pregnancy test because I was late. I have never been regular so I wasn't alarmed but I was a smidge suspicious so I thought I should check just to be sure.

So I put the groceries in the kitchen and go to the powder room to, you know, check the stick. OH MY GOODNESS, are you kidding me???? So I try to walk to the front of the house where my hubby was last seen. He wasn't there. I see the front door is open so I stumble through it and tell him quietly to, "come here." "Huh" he says. I say a bit firmer, "come HERE" then he says, "what?" So I yell, "GET IN HERE THERE ARE TWO LINES!!!!" Of course he has NO idea what I'm talking about! I show him the stick and he still doesn't believe me. After all we have been married for 16 years, we have a 13 year old and have never been able to conceive. He had major surgery 11 years before and the doc told us if we wanted more children we should freeze some "swimmers" just in case. I boldly and confidently said, "if God wanted us to have more kids He would give them to us." I always believed it but I ASSumed that since we hadn't conceived in 11 years we couldn't have anymore children. While we all wished we had a larger family I believed in God's plan.

Hubby is excited but won't believe it until I go to the doctor the following week to get official results.

So of course I call my bestie, "J" and say this, "well, it's a good thing I bought cantaloupe and carrots since there are two lines on the stick." Of course she said, "WHAT?" I confirmed very loudly that I am pregnant. Now what would any great friend do? She would say something wonderful like, praise God or congratulations, right? No, not J, she laughed, HARD! I didn't think it was one bit funny, in fact I was TICKED! I was ticked for many months. I was after all over 40! This was NOT funny. It is pretty funny though and God does have a sense of humor.

Having a baby at this "advanced maternal age" came with all sorts of tests, risks and rumors. I did finally thank and praise God for this blessing. In the end we have this precious baby girl who has turned our world upside down. Though she was born with clubfoot and hydrocephalus plus a few other challenges along the way, she is the light of our lives and truly a gift. She keeps us young and laughing. He big "bubba" adores her and she adores him. I realized the other day that he will be the first boy to break her heart. When he meets his future wife his attention will be all on the "new gal." We have seen in my adopted son, Ethan (I'll share that story soon).

So long story short, I did eat healthy food for awhile but have long since returned to the junk I'm not supposed to eat. If you suddenly decide to eat healthy, maybe you should pick up a pregnancy test too!

Leave me a post and tell me what your favorite healthy food is, maybe your healthy food will make me want to go get some!

Here's to healthy eating, one day.

Blessings from Bella and her mommy,

Tami

BD Girlfriends, Do You Have Any?

2011-03-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

I'm sure there may be some of you who will read this who won't remember what "historic event" I'm about to talk about. Back in the 90's there was "breaking news." There was a news helicopter following a white Ford Bronco (this was a 2 door suv for you youngsters) down the 405 in Los Angeles, with police cars chasing it. It was BIG news because inside this white Bronco was the famous athlete, O. J. Simpson. O. J.'s ex-wife and her boyfriend were discovered brutally murdered and O. J. was the suspect. His "bestie" Al Cowlings was driving O. J. to, well, I don't know where, but that's not the point. The point is, O. J. called Al, his best buddy after he had murdered, oops, allegedly murdered, these two innocent people.

So my question to you is, when you are in trouble or when you receive news that is earth shattering in a good or bad way, who do you call? Who would drive your white SUV as you; run from the law (let's hope not), get the results from a biopsy, go looking for your lost teen or adult child, go to your loved one sick or dying in the E.R., or when you find out your spouse has been cheating on you? These types of friends are precious and priceless.

God is so good to me, I have many amazing "Bronco driving girlfriends," and a few guy friends as well. As I look back to where I met many of them, it was through Mary Kay Cosmetics. Maybe it is because I have been with this awesome company for so long or possibly because of the weekend events that help foster amazing friendships, probably a little of both. No matter the reason, I am certainly blessed. I just want to mention by initials, some of my BDG; from Mary Kay; JH, KR, LM, LS, SK, CW, & GH. From Bible Study Fellowship, LS, SN, AS, CW, JC, & SH. Friends I have met through my children; ABS, SW, & BB. Friends from LL, LD & BO

I would love for you to leave a comment and share with me how you met your BDG. Forward this link to here so she can see that you KNOW she is your BDG. Always a good thing to remind them in case you get in a "pickle" ; )

Maybe I'll start a FB group for BDG.

Abundant Blessings to all the BGF who read this,

Tami

2 Scoops of Mint Chocolate Chip in a waffle cone

2011-03-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

Today was just one of those days. Daddy has been gone out-of-town way to long and my cute little two year old baby girl isn't as cute as she was yesterday. Thankfully I forgot to deliver an order to one of my clients yesterday. I say thankfully because it was the perfect excuse to vacate the premises when daddy arrived home.

So I tell my hubby I'm going to make a delivery to my client in Seattle (which is 5 hours away). I gather my goods along with my purse, throw on a sweatsuit jacket, pull my unruly hair up on top of my head and jump in the car. This really is not the proper look of a beauty consultant! The farther I get from the house the more relaxed I get. Fifteen minutes later I drop off the products and I'm on my way home when I realize, A-HA! She lives near Baskin-Robbins! It was so crazy, a bit extravagant, not to mention SELFISH to stop and get ice cream for myself. But I did. I sat in my car in the rain, very slowly eating 2 scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream in a waffle cone in total silence! It was a luxurious treat, almost like going to the spa but a whole lot cheaper and of course a whole lot more calories.

On the way home I called my bestie, J., to catch up on the day. Then drove in the garage and sat there chatting for about 10 minutes finishing our conversation.

Back in the house with the chaos of hubby, teenager, 2 yr old and 2 dogs. Really, life is sweet! I really don't mean to whine or complain. God has blessed me beyond anything I deserve. Today was just one of those days and an hour away was a real treat. Oh, and the ice cream wasn't too bad either.

Abundant blessings, dear friends, tell me about your extravagant treat.

Mint CC girl

The Perfect Woman

2011-03-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

I'm sure all families have a variety of personalities. God just designed it that way, I assume, to keep things interesting. Maybe frustrating is a better word? Anyway, my two "sisters" and myself all have VERY different personalities.

"J" is; calm, thoughtful, listens well, speaks from her heart and always knows the right thing to say to make someone feel better. When we first met she was a smidge dis-organized, she moved slower and was often running behind. She often has a Pollyanna attitude and she always looks beautiful. Everyone who meets her loves her, well except for the "ex's" in her life, her ex-husband & father-in-law and her ex's new wife! Her nickname is "Little Miss Perfect" or LMP for short. In short, "J" is the heart of the three of us.

My other "sister" is quite the opposite of "J." "K" can be little frenzied and demanding, often quite impatient. She is a thinker, in fact when you look at her you may think she's mad but really she is just thinking deeply. Around the right people she speaks her mind and she is heard! She is usually in a hurry and she can get more done in a day than most people can do in a week. She is the most brilliant organizer I know. She is; an amazing hostess, she can make any room look fabulous, she has a huge heart and she would give you the shirt off her back. When "K" has a goal, Katie bar the door, she will reach it! She is one of the most determined people I know. She is amazing at making a plan and sticking to it. Her nickname is " Cupcake" although really not the most fitting for her personality, there is a good reason for it. You will read this story in here in the near future. In short, "K" is the head of the three of us.

Then there is me, "T". I am loud, fun, spontaneous, very impatient, always in a hurry, and I wear my feelings on my face. I am; extremely disorganized, a "doer" not a thinker, nor a planner, a bit whiny at times, a starter and often not a finisher. I know everyone, everywhere I go. Hostessing is NOT my thing and often I'm not the best listener. I am always on time, usually at least 10 minutes early due to my being a control freak! I have a crazy temper and when I blow, Katie open the door and everyone get out of the way! I can be really emotional and dramatic. I love a great deal and I will search high and low to find it. I will pray with and for you anytime of the day or night. My nickname is "The Colonel." I am the fun but bossy one of the three of us.

We joke that the three of us together make the perfect woman. I believe we are all amazing moms ("J" is a grandma and she is adored by her grand babies). We are all very strong in our faith in God, our opinions, and beliefs. We are also incredibly strong in our friendship. We know one another so well and we accept the others strengths and weaknesses without exception. We can be totally honest because we only want the best for one another.

We met while working for Mary Kay Cosmetics in the same National area. We are blessed to be able to; travel together, learn together, earn a great living, grow spiritually, celebrate life, cry and mourn the loss of those we love, and talk about anything and everything. Honestly, I cannot imagine my life without these two women. God has used them to help me grow into the woman I am today. This blog is really a celebration of our lives together. I have SO many stories to share and some will have you laughing till you pee in your pants and others will have you in tears.

My hope and prayer for every person who reads this blog is that when God puts those people in your life that you are supposed to "do life with" that you will step out in faith and say yes. "K" and I met in 1996 and I knew when I first met her we were to be great friends. It was at least 5 years later that we really started getting to know one another. So if God puts someone on your heart, listen.

To be a good friend and have the type of relationship we have takes honesty, integrity, transparency, and forgiveness. A good friend is a giver not a taker, although true deep friends are both. Amazing relationships are becoming a lost art. They really are similar to a garden; they need tending, love and care. They take time to grow and mature. The old saying is so true "you have to be a good friend to have a good friend."

I know there is no such thing as the perfect woman, but the three of us together are darn close!

Blessings to all of my new friends,

Tami
aka "The Colonel"

Tell me about your "besties"

I Always Wanted A Sister

2011-03-16T00:34:00.000-07:00

Growing up I was the middle child in the family and in the middle of 2 boys! In my neighborhood there were lots of boys and a few girls but none were my age. My mom wasn't a girly-girl and we weren't close growing up. I was and still am a girly-girl. I always felt ripped off and I longed to have a sister.

It wasn't until I was in my mid 30's that I got not one sister, but two! I was working in direct sales when I met two of the best women I have ever known and boy were they worth the wait!

"J" (aka Little Miss Perfect) and "K" (aka Cupcake) are strong amazing women who have been there for me through thick and thin. We have; traveled together for work, been the gofer/grunts/florists/decorators/bakers for weddings, and celebrated the birth of grand babies. We have gone alongside one another through devastaing cancers that took two of our precious moms. We were shocked to celebrate one of us having a late-in-life surprise baby. We have; talked for hours, prayed together, laughed so hard we almost got kicked out of the Anatole hotel in Dallas! One of us has been ticked off so badly she threw things, even the f-bomb! We know one another so well. We are very different and we truly complete one another. We can lovingly and bluntly share reality. To say these two women have been a blessing in my life is truly an understatement!

I hope that if you don't have a sister or you aren't close to the sister God gave you, you will pray that God will put sister(s) in your life.

Abundant Blessings, dear friend,

Tami
(aka the Colonel)