More Exciting News!!

 As you know I will becoming a "Glam-ma" this August! Yay! Well, we have more good news; my oldest son, and his wife announced they are expecting their first child in November! That's right, I will become a Glam-ma TWICE this year!! #DoublyBlessed We are all so excited! We'll have two little ones, Cousins, who get to grow up together. Our family is growing, and we couldn't be happier!

Kyle & Katie came over for dinner back in April, he was wearing a T-Shirt that said "Dad Bod", while hers said "Eating For Two!" :) We clapped & screamed! They announced it publicly on Mother's Day, by posting the picture above, which they took a trip to Disneyland to capture. So cute!  Congratulations you two! We're so excited for this new 'Adventure Land' you are stepping into!

My Thoughts On Inauguration Day;

I learned that when he says "Make America Great again", what he really means is Make America Rich. And as Kate Spade likes to quote Dorothy Parker "I've never been a millionaire, but I just know I'd be darling at it." I'd like to give it a try! So, go right ahead Mr. Trump! :) I was hopping his Inauguration Speech would be more Unifying, as opposed to Divisive, but I was once again disappointed. It was sad that there was less of a crowed than in years past. Though it is clear, we are a Nation divided, when just eight years ago we we're so United. And Proud to be Americans. Here is a little Post I wrote on that Inauguration Day!

My favorite part of the day was getting to see Elisabeth Dole. I'm a "Huge" fan of hers! (See what I did there?!?) I Love her, and It was so Amazing to see each former President, including our new President as well, make their way over to Bob and Elisabeth Dole to speak to them and shake their hands. It did my heart good! I was also very happy when Donald Trump Thanked Hillary Clinton for being there today. See, that wasn't so hard. I also should let you know that I am wearing my 'Madame President' shirt as I write this, and as I watched today, as it may be the last time that I get to wear it. Sad.

 A couple things I hope will change as Mr. Trump takes office; as you know, I Love Twitter and Social Media, but I strongly believe there is No place for mean tweeting, or bullying in the highest office in the land. Please stop. You have much more important things to worry about now. We're all counting on you. We want you to succeed. We want you to do great things. To Rise to the Challenge that is before you. And no, you didn't win the popular vote, which means the majority of Americans didn't vote for you. But that doesn't matter anymore. You are now their President. You must fight for them. People are fearful. And understandably so. They have heard terrible, awful things come out of your mouth, things about Women, Races of people, and entire religions.  It's up to you now to turn that around. You say you didn't really mean some of those things, well, it's time now to prove it! We are coming off an administration that whole heartedly supported Women. Who always took the high road, even when terrible things were said about him and his family. I am hoping you too, in your new position, can do the same. You have big shoes to fill. Will you be the champion for all Americans? Those born here, and those, like your own wife, who come here from other parts of the world. Our Children are depending on you. Be Great!

Ode To Joy!

I'm not talking about the song Ode to Joy by: Beethoven. Joy was my Word Of The Year for 2016! When I originally choose that word I knew Joy might be hard to come by. As 2016 had my Girls' Graduating from High School, which I realize is a Joyful occasion, but as a Mother, it's a sad reminder your kids are growing up! Especially when it's your youngest! Plus our best friends were moving out of the Country. It had the potential to be a year of sadness, so I thought I'd better seek out Joy! But I had no idea just how challenging this year would turn out to be.

 My Loving Husband, bought me a "Joy Journal" for Christmas last year! And I determined to find something every single day of the entire year that brings me Joy & document it. So on all 365 days (after tomorrow) of this year I have written down something that I find Joy in. There are big and Wonderful things, as well as little, simple things! Some days I had to look harder than others to find something, anything, to put in my Joy Journal! No one could have predicted just how much we would need a little Joy this year! With it's terrible election season, and heartbreaking outcome. Along with the number of great musicians, and beloved celebrities we have lost this year! (Doesn't it seem like more this year, than ever?!) We've also had personal tragedy, loosing my sweet Mother in Law. She was our kids' last remaining Grand Parent. Yes, 2016 was a heartbreaking year all around! Making Joy hard to find!

But find it I did. My greatest Joy in life is my Family! And how we stick together when times get hard. All my kids were able to be home for Christmas. I loved it. My Home and Heart Full! We took a walk up to the park & took this fun shot with my new Selfie Stick! :) Here in Arizona, this is as close to snow as we get! One thing I've learned this year is that Joy isn't what happens to, or around, you. It's something you Choose! And sometimes you have to look hard to find it. The key to Joy is found in Gratitude. No matter what kind of situation you may find yourself in, if you can find something, anything, to be Thankful for, you will find Joy! I have tried to cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude, looking for something, no matter how small, or hard it may be, everyday this entire year. Things like my Girls' are thriving in life after High School! Our friends are loving life in Aruba! My Year of Joy! And I hope you have found some Joy this year as well. And that we all remember to be Thankful, always. For in that, you may find Joy. Happy New Year to you and yours. And here's hoping 2017 is a little easier! :)

Thankful Thursday: EmPOWERed Women

Last week I had the Honor of attending the Dress For Success Gala. For over the past year and a half I've been volunteering, every month at my local chapter of Dress For Success here in Phoenix. I first heard about it when the company I work for, Vanity Fair Brands, held events to promote donating to this great organization. This year alone, Vanity Fair will donate up to 50,000 Bra's to Dress For Success! I am so proud of that fact.

If you are unfamiliar with Dress For Success they help disadvantaged Women get back into the work force. They teach them how to find and apply for jobs, how to build a Resume', Interview Skills, and more! When they get a job interview we Suit them, they receive an entire outfit; Pants or Skirt, a Top & Jacket, Shoes, handbag & Accessories, make-up and more. Then when they get the job, they came back in and are given a weeks worth of work clothes. I, as a Personal Shopper, get to dress them. It's fun to see the change in some of these Women, when they change their attire!

The Gala is their biggest event and fund raiser of the year. Held at a Resort in Scottsdale, you enter by walking the Red Carpet! There was a cocktail reception with silent auctions, raffles and more.

I found this picture on Arizona Foothills Magazine. My dress looks black in some pictures and really bright here, it's actually Navy Blue! :) The Lady I was talking to here I believe was there with GoDaddy. Many companies donated items or hosted a table. I love talking about Dress For Success, sharing how I'm affiliated with them and how they can get involved.

During Dinner and the Program, we heard from Vice Mayor Kate Gallego and her husband Congressman Ruben Gallego, about how grateful they are for all the work Dress For Success does in our community. Sharing how when you elevate a woman's position, you elevate the community! 

We had a Fashion Show of Women's Work Wear, and pay through the Decades. It was so Interesting! Arizona is better than most States as far as Equal Pay for Equal Work, but we still don't make the same as Men (Yet!) Then we got to see and hear Success Stories from the Women pictured above, who some came out of abusive relationships, poverty, or hard times, with little or no education. And with some Support from Dress For Success, found work and the confidence to get an education and turn their lives around! Some are now CEO's, Teachers, some work in Health Care, one fulfilled a life long dream of becoming a Pilot, after being told girls couldn't do that! It's Women like these who made this election so important to me. But it's also Women like these who are so unstoppable, I know there is Always Hope for the future of this Country! 

After dinner we received donations for this incredible organization. The Volunteers wore these light up bracelets, and anyone who donated $50.00 or more received one. It was exciting to "Light Up the Ballroom!"

 At the After Party, we had local R&B Artist Cece Peniston perform her Billboard #1 hit "Finally" & more. A good time was had by all, it was such a fun night!

These are some of the Amazing Women I have met through Dress For Success. I volunteer each month with Courtney, who's on the left. And Pat, who's in the middle, runs the Boutique. You too can help out your local chapter of Dress For Success by Volunteering or Donating: Clothing, Shoes, Handbags, Jewelry, Etc. They accept all donations, including Monetary! :) And if the clothing isn't necessarily Business appropriate, that's okay, they hold warehouse sales, where all the proceeds go back into Dress For Success! I truly believe Empowered Women, Empower Women! And am so Thankful they do!

What I Learned At The Republican Convention . . .

How fun would it be to attend a Political Convention?! I think it would be fun & exciting! But most of us will just have to do with watching them on TV or following along on Social Media. I have spent time in Cleveland, which is a great city BTW! And Here are just a few things I observed while watching the Republican Convention . . .

- People seem to forget something all our Mothers should have taught us when we were little, which is "If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Don't Say Anything At All!" I heard my Mom say it! Didn't you? I feel like if Politicians spent as much time letting the voting public know what they stand for, and what they will do in office, rather than just bashing their opponents or the establishment, we would all know better what to vote for! For example, I had considered voting for Chris Christy, (back when there were half a million Republican candidates) I'd watch the debates, and I kinda liked him. But after watching him at the Convention, and seeing just how mean and nasty he is, I would never vote for him now! I don't need to know how bad you think someone else is, tell me what you've done and what you will do! You know I love Interviews! And this is basically a Job Interview, (for the most important job of all!) and if a potential employee went into a job interview, and did nothing but bash their previous employer, and talk smack, and failed to tell you who they are, and articulate what they could do for your company and why you should hire them, you would never pick them to work for you. I just think Politicians should keep that in mind!

- I like the Trump Kids even more than I did before! I've watched The Apprentice, since it's inception, and have followed all the Trumps on Social Media, I've always liked and respected Ivanka, but the boys aren't showcased as much & don't talk as often on the show. I liked hearing from them and much of what they had to say!

- Though I've never been a huge fan of Ted Cruz, I like that he stuck to his convictions and didn't totally support someone who attacked him and his family in such a hateful way, by belittling his wife. Yet still supported his Party.

- All that time they spent spewing hate and bashing the other party, they needed to let this nation know what the Party and Candidate actually stand for. What actual Policies will be put in place? They showed where they stand on Gun Laws, but what about "People Laws?" Until Ivanka spoke the last night, Women's Issues weren't really addressed, and even then, specifics weren't listed. When looking at Candidates I need to know where they stand on Education, Equal Pay and other Women's and Minority Issues. And I didn't get what I needed. From the looks of the Convention, one might conclude that Guns are more Important to the Republican Party than People are?! I hope that's not true, I'm just saying how it looked.

- Good or Bad, people will judge us by our children! You always hear people bashing the parents when a kid turns out bad, or praising the parents for their children's accomplishments. And I must say this point bodes really well for me, cause I have really great kids myself! :) And Donald Trump's Children are Poised and Successful. And as I've stated above, I like them! Though I do find it amusing that even though Donald has clearly stated that he never has & never will change a diaper, and that it's the mothers responsibility to rear the children, that he is touted as a good father, and therefore a good man. A family man, which I think he is, even though he's on his 3rd wife, and is a known womanizer.

- Which brings me to my last point; Do Actions Really Speak Louder Than Words? If Ivanka's introduction of her father were the first and only thing I knew of him, I would for sure be voting him. But I've followed him for years, watched every season of The Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice, so I've seen his actions with my own eyes. The way he puts down women, or reduces them by sexualizing them. And I even really liked some of Donald's own words given in his speech, he even praised the crowed for cheering at his words of accepting everyone, no matter their background. Yet his actions were to choose a running mate who fought for a law to allow companies to discriminate against people who's lifestyle they don't agree with. So, should I go by his words or his actions? I believe there is good in all of us, I also believe we all are capable of evil. No one is all good. And no one is all bad. Don't call people names, call out what you can and will do to for this nation. It didn't look good that other Republican Politicians don't appear to be backing him, not just Ted Cruz, there were no Bushes present, no John McCain, (who is a beloved Arizonan, an American Hero, who Donald Trump has also said some terrible things about!) I did see, Bob Dole, who I like & respect very much, was there. I think both parties are torn. I guess I'm like Ivanka, and the many millennials she talked about, who don't just vote blindly for one party, but actually look at each candidate and vote for the one who most lines up with what they believe in. So, you'll just have to stay tuned to see what, if anything, I learn from the Democratic Convention happening soon.

Wicked Themed Graduation Party!!

 

On my girls' 18th Birthday, this past October, we took them to see the Broadway Musical Wicked. The untold story of the witches of Oz. It is so good! If you ever get a chance, go see it! Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth were the first to play the rolls & both won Tony Awards for them!

 Well, my girls fell in love with Wicked! Singing the soundtrack constantly. It was Lexi's Halloween Costume and how she got asked to Prom!! So naturally, when thinking about our up coming Graduation Party, I thought of Wicked! If you know anything about me, you must know that I love Party Planning, and I love a Party Theme!! And with two girls, one who loves Pink & one who's favorite color is Green, this was perfect!

There are a lot of one liners & cute saying's from Wicked, so we started by making posters to hang around the house & back yard. And we incorporated The Wizard of Oz as well, since that is what Wicked is about after all!

Greeting our Guests at the front door was Our Welcome sign! Along with what happens to unwanted guests! ;) Watch out or we might drop a house on you as well! 

I pulled out my Scarecrows I decorate with in the Fall, to sit in the Backyard. Where we turned a Corn Hole Game into "Toss Toss!!" (How Galinda teaches Elphaba to flirt by flipping her hair!) ;) We also strung white lights around the backyard with about 25 Mason Jars with tea lights inside them. And placed candles inside our fire pit (since we live in Arizona & it's too hot to actually use the fire pit!) circled by chairs, which made for a nice outdoor space after the sun went down! 

 

I found this Tin Man cup at Goodwill for $1.99! I've had some little Wizard of Oz figurines since my girls were little, and once had a Wizard of Oz Birthday Party. I put them on a shelf in the entry way with a Playbill from the play! So cute!

Also in the entry way, I sat a vintage suitcase, like is used in the play, along with the Book. Yes, Wicked was a Book before it became a Broadway Musical Sensation! See, you learned something new today! :) Easy, but effective decorating!

Pinterest is a great place to get ideas! We started a Wicked Graduation Party Board awhile ago. You can see ours here.  One idea we got from Pinterest was to make little Witches Brooms out of Pretzel Sticks and mini Peanut Butter Cups. Easy, Cute and Yummy!

For the food, we of course, in Wicked Fashion, had Pink and Green; We had green vegetables, and pink fruit. Made Yellow Brick Roads out of Meat & Cheese trays, Put potato & macaroni salads in pink & green bowls. All served on Pink & Green Plates & Napkins. We ordered Pink & Green Cup Cakes, but no place had Wicked themed cake decorations, so my creative daughter, Erica made some Good Witch Crowns & Bad Witch Black Hats Picks for the cupcakes. They looked so cute!

 

I made a Poster board for the gift table, of pictures of them through the years, from birth through Graduation, that said "Follow Your Own Yellow Brick Road!" Perfect for Twins! 

 

I also found this idea for Party Favors on Pinterest; Changed For Good is one of the great songs of Wicked! So we made a sign saying "If knowing Erica and Lexi has Changed your life For Good, wear a pin." Then we had a Dorothy Basket with pins we'd had made, by my son's friend who has a pin business with one of their senior pictures on them. They turned out really great, and everyone loved them! You can find him here on Instagram.

 

 

Other party decorations included Pictures of the girls, and Their High School, along with sayings from the Play or Movie . . . 

 

We found little magic wands and wanted Ruby Slippers to set around, but couldn't find any. Maybe if it had been around Halloween time, we could have found more Wizard of Oz & Wicked stuff. But what we did find was little plastic Cinderella shoe pencil sharpeners at Party City, we bought like 12 of them and some Red sparkly spray paint & made our own! You can see them throughout some of the pictures. 

 

Our Party was Open House Style, guests could come between 6 & 10 pm. We had Family & Neighbors come. Some Friends we hadn't seen in a very long time, or not nearly often enough. And a bunch of our girls' High School Friends! Our little house got pretty full at times. It was loud & fun!!

 We are so proud of our Girls! They are both Brilliant, and Beautiful! And are each headed to Great Places, with Bright Futures!! Stay Tuned & just watch them Defying Gravity!

 Congratulations Erica! 

Congratulations Alexia! 

We couldn't be Happier! 

Or Prouder!!

What Would Jesus Do With Planned Parenthood?

 Remember back in the day, like in the 90's, when W.W.J.D. Bracelets were all the rage? Teenagers, Children & Adults alike donned these little rubber bracelets, the idea behind them was that they would remind the wearer to stop and think. To ask themselves "What Would Jesus Do?" in any situation they might find themselves in. They were literally everywhere! Well, they might not have been a lasting Fashion Statement, but the thought behind them was a good reminder. So, today I am asking the question once again . . . There is a Hot Button Issue dividing our country right now. People on both sides of the issue are extremely passionate! It is brought up in every Presidential Debate, for both Parties. Where they either Stand with Planned Parenthood or are crying to Defund the entire program. I've been thinking about writing this Blog Post for awhile now, then over Thanksgiving weekend there was a shooting & a hostage situation at a facility in Colorado. So, whether you consider yourself Pro-Life, or Pro-Choice, this question is for you; What Would Jesus Do With Planned Parenthood?

But first, my personal history with Planned Parenthood (and yes, I have a history with Planned Parenthood.) So let me start by telling you a little about myself before we answer the question at hand; Back when I was young, in the mid 80's, and was about to get Married, I knew I wanted to be a Wife for awhile, before becoming a Mom as well. Which meant I needed Birth Control. I did my research & went to Planned Parenthood. It was there that I had my very first Gynecological Exam. (And a girl never forgets her first time!) ;) I learned about women's health issues, they ran tests, and I was screened for cancer, etc. Which BTW is also part of what they do. They don't just preform abortions, they are advocates for Women's Health! So before they are Defunded & shut down, we need to answer the question of where those kinds of things will take place, free or inexpensively, for women who need them. They also provide Birth Control, which I received from them. That was a long time ago. I've now been married over 28 years and am a Mother of four. I am a Christian. And I'm Pro-Life, but I also support a Woman's right to choose what's right for her. As a Woman and a Mother of two Teenage Daughters, I am all about Girl Power! Even before I had come into my own & knew exactly what I believed in, I knew what's most important in any issue, and that's people! I had a friend when I was in High School who thought she might be pregnant. I remember her saying to me that it would be impossible to have & raise a child in her life at that time, and that she knew I would be upset if she were to have an abortion. I told her even then that though I didn't agree with her choice, I would always be her friend. And that I would even go with her when the time came. She said I was a good friend. Thankfully she was not pregnant and didn't have to face that tough decision.

But, enough about me, let's get back to the issue at hand. What Would Jesus Do With Planned Parenthood? I know some things He would Not do! He would not picket & shout horrendous things at the Women entering, or at the staff working there. Let's not forget Jesus gave His life for those people. He would certainly not bomb or shoot up the place to get his point across. (And I don't understand how someone who calls them self Pro Life would take someone else's life. Don't they see that negates what they stand for? You can't be Pro, or for Life & take a Life!) So, Let's look at how Jesus did handle things when he walked the earth. For one thing He was known as the Friend of sinners. He was put down & accused of wrong doing for associating with the unsavory. The tax collectors, prostitutes and the like. In fact His ONLY harsh words were saved for the overtly religious people, who looked down on those less so. Who talked down their noses at and about people. The only time Jesus ever showed any violence was at those trying to turn a house of Worship into a money maker, buy buying & selling & trying to make a profit off those who came there to Worship. So, no I don't think Jesus would take a violent approach.

What I do think Jesus would do is take the young girl by the hand who is faced with making the toughest decision of her life and walk with her through this terrible situation. He would hold those precious babies in His arms, Longing to give them a Future. Always Forgiving. Always Loving. Just like He is with each of us. Right after John 3:16, where the Bible teaches us that "God so Loved the World that He gave his only Son that Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have Everlasting Life."  Verse 17 goes on to tell us that  "God did not send His Son into the world to Condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be Saved."  So if Jesus won't Condemn, then neither should we. We were not put on this earth to protest what we don't agree with. Nor to make laws, or change policies. Jesus wasn't really political at all. In fact He submitted to the very Government that sentenced Him to death. Praying "Father, Forgive them, they don't know what they are doing!" And told us never to raise a hand against those in leadership. Romans 13 says "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil." Though I Love Politics and believe we should all research the issues that are important to us & Vote accordingly, that should not be our main focus.

No, what we were put on earth to do is be His hands extended to a lost & hurting world. To show the world God's Love! I just read a great Book called What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey (I Highly recommend it!) in which he says "I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least." And John 13:35 says "By this all will know that you are my disciples, If you have love for one another." Love should be the Christians calling card! Not Judgement, not Hate, not Prejudice, Love. If we were to walk up to a stranger on the street & ask them what do you think of when you hear the term Christian? Would the first thing that comes to their mind be Love? It should be. No matter the circumstance, Compassion should always trump our sense of right & wrong! I often remind myself, If I'm going to err, then err on the side of Grace! Yes, God is Pro-Life, so much so that He want's all people to have Eternal Life with Him. And yes, even those who have had abortions, or those who perform them. And yes, even You & Me! If He can Love us, then we can Love them. 

The Family That Reads Together . . .

The Idea came to us when two of my Nieces (who, like me, Love to Read) and I, went to see one of our Favorite Authors, Elizabeth Gilbert (who wrote Eat Pray Love) speak. She is a great writer and speaker as well. We had so much fun and talked about how great it would be to get together on a regular basis to talk about Books. And the Idea of a Family Book Club was birthed!

  

I wanted a fun, catchy name, so the BookFinks BookClub was born! :) Yes, my Maiden Name was Fink (It's German I believe) and it is still my Nieces last name! So, why not go with it?!

My talented Husband made a Logo for us. In some countries in Europe "Fink" is "Finch" (a small bird) which I know you are thinking that's better than what it means here in America! HaHa

The first Book we read & discussed was Where'd You Go Bernadette by: Maria Semple. A Quirky, light hearted mystery. Then we read the darker The Girl On The Train by: Paula Hawkins. And then Elizabeth Gilbert's Epic Novel The Signature Of All Things. (Though she is a really good writer, I do prefer her travel memoirs to her Fiction)

Of the 3 Books we have read, I've rated them each on GoodReads only 2 to 3 stars (out of 5 stars) So we're hoping the Books we chose get better! :) Good Reads if you aren't familiar, is my Favorite Website! You can keep track of Books you've read & want to read, create Virtual Bookshelves, find new Books to read, and connect with other Book Lovers & Authors as well. If you're not on, you should be! And you should become my Friend!

So far the BookFinks BookClub consists of my two Nieces, my two Daughters (when the book is appropriate for teenagers!) my Daughter in Law and myself. A few more family members try to read the books we're reading & come when they can. And I can not tell you how honored I am that this younger generation actually likes to spend time with me! (or at least they pretend to for my sake!) ;) We've had from 3 to 6 of us at our meetings thus far. But it is open to anyone who loves to read and discuss Literature! You don't even have to be a Fink to become a BookFink! :)

We are all in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, some of us in the east valley and some on the west side, which is about an hour's drive apart, so we decided to hold our meetings in the middle! We meet once a month at a Bookstore or a Coffee Shop in Downtown Phoenix!  And no matter how many or few of us are there, or weather we loved or hated the Book, we always have a fun time and lots of laughs!

 

We've tried to come up with what we'll read next ahead of time. And next up is Neal Shusterman's Unwind. This one's going to be interesting! Then before it comes out as a Movie this June, Paper Towns by: John Green, who wrote The Fault In Our Stars! And we're thinking of Beautiful Day by the queen of Summer Reads; Elin Hilderbrand.

So what do you think of our choices? And what are some of your best Book Club selections? Feel free to read along with us & come out to our meetings to talk them over. You can like us & follow along on our Facebook Page!