Surviving 2020 The good, the bad, and the funny!

 Well, they say that Hindsight is always 2020 vision. This year started out so promising! A new Year, a new Decade! 20 Years removed from the fear that was “Y2K.” So Full of Hope! But what happened certainly has been unprecedented. None of us could have seen it coming or predicted what took place. But if you are reading this, than like me, you survived the year that was 2020! Each of us has walked through the muck and made it out the other side. The whole Human Race, collective, together and alone. It’s a lot to process. I know. But I’m going to try. To put into words the Good, the Bad, and the Funny of 2020! This is the story of this year, as it happened to us; Buckle your seat belt!

 

The Bad:

1. My Husband had a Heart Attack. In February. He was only 53 and a healthy eater. But has a family history of heart disease.
2. COVID 19. A global Pandemic, like nothing we’ve seen in our lifetime.
3. Nation wide Shut-down.
4. I was furloughed from my job.
5. 3 of my Kids’ jobs shut down.
6. I had to have oral surgery during all this.
7. Grocery store shelves were scarily empty, and you couldn’t find toilet paper.
8. They stopped making Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Pepper due to an aluminum shortage! I mean come on! This is one of life’s necessities!
9. I received a lot of hate from friends and family for speaking out against an immoral President and speaking up for Black Lives Matter. 2 things that I would deem worthy of speaking out for. I really do try not to post too many political statements, but sometimes I just have to say something! My husband doesn’t like me to, because of course it’s hard to see someone you love be attacked. But A. If Immoral behavior was wrong when Bill Clinton was President, which it was! Than it is wrong when Donald Trump is President, who is even worse! Leaders should be held to a higher standard! And B. Yes, All Lives Matter, but that can’t happen until Black Lives Matter! Love always champions others! Saying Black Lives Matter does not take away from any other life. The strong have to speak up for the hurting. Make America Kind Again!
10. Our Refrigerator went out, in the middle of the shutdown. Yay!
11. And the our Oven stopped working.
12. My Daughter went through a tough break up.
13. Tiger King! The worse! If 2020 was a T.V. show!
14. Both my Daughters in Law’s Fathers faced Health Crisis’! Which of course affected them, my sons, and my grandbabies.
15. Many people I know lost their parents and other family members to the Corona Virus. Having lost both my parents and my In Law’s, I can’t imagine going through that when you couldn’t even be with them as they past, or have a proper funeral. Or gather with your family and loved ones for comfort while mourning your loss.
16. My Sister in Law lost her only sister on Christmas Eve. My heart breaks for her, as I know what loosing your only sister feels like. There are just things a woman can only talk about with her sister. I miss mine terribly even still.
17. People I know and love got the virus.
18. A lot of people lost their businesses and their livelihoods.
19. My brother’s cancer has come back with a vengeance. And other people I know and care about were diagnosed with cancer this year.
20. My Daughter was diagnosed with some Health Issues.
21. My Daughter admitted to us just at the beginning of the shutdown, what we had suspected, that she has been dealing with an eating disorder. So we had to try to get her help remotely.
22. We couldn’t see our Families.
23. We couldn’t go anywhere!
24. Survived the Hottest Summer ever on record in Phoenix!
25. I have to work, sometimes for 8 hours or more wearing a face mask.
26. More that 1 member of my family dealing with Anxiety issues during all this.
27. I had to give up, among other things, my Black Friday Shopping Extravaganza this year. As my husband, due to his heart attack, is high risk. It just isn’t worth it!
28. No big Family Gatherings. Like making my mom’s Christmas Cookies all together. Or having our annual Family Christmas Party!  
29. My BookClub couldn’t meet!
30. No Gatherings. No Christmas or Birthday Parties. No New Years Eve Party! 
    

 

You know this has been a tough year, when it can turn an eternal optimist, like me, someone who always sees the glass as half full, who can always find the silver lining, and look on the bright side, to get discouraged. I have said repeatedly this year (to God, and to those closest to me) “I can not handle one more thing to worry about!” I need this to end! Enough is enough! I can’t handle anymore! But it is not in my nature to let evil win. I am determined to have the good out weigh the bad! And I have so much to be Grateful for! We all do. So here is my Silver Lining. The good things I could find in this otherwise horrible year.

 

The Good:

1. The timing of my Husbands heart attack. If it had happened just weeks later, none of us would have been able to be with him in the hospital.
2. My sweet Granddaughter was born! This will forever be the absolute best thing to come out of 2020!! She has brought so much Joy into our lives!
3. My Daughter in Law, a Nurse, was on Maternity Leave, so she didn’t have to work during the unstable, frightening beginning of the Pandemic.
4. Both of my girls thankfully still live at home. Had they been out on their own, having to deal with all this alone, it would have been devastating.
5. Husband now works from home!
6. I got a new job! Even though my hubby’s heart attack happened on the day I was there filling out my new hire paperwork, which postponed my start date, and it shut down a month later I still had it.
7. All through the shutdown my other job, a Law Firm (essential) even though we stopped seeing clients in person, allowed me to get out of the house. I need that!
8. My Daughter got a second part time job, now like her mother, works 2.
9. We never ran out of Toilet Paper!!
10. My Daughter started as a Youth Leader at our Church, once they opened back up. And is doing really well.
11. Daughter met a nice new guy to start dating!
12. Our oldest son turned 30!! And though we couldn’t celebrate it, how we would have liked to, Friends and Family from all over sent Birthday Cards for a Socially Distanced Party!!
13. We saved money not using as much gas, not shopping or eating out, Etc.
14. We found a really good Therapist, Dietician and Group that specializes in eating disorders for my daughter! She is doing really well! We are so grateful and proud of her!
15. We had the extra money to do all that! Other years, that might not have been possible.
16. We, our Kids, and Grandkids have all stayed mostly healthy!
17. I started having regular Zoom meetings with all my Brothers and Sister’s in Law, as well as with our Small Group, to stay connected.
18. My girls thrived during quarantine! They found very creative and crafty new hobbies! From Knitting, and Crocheting to Painting and Plants. They played games and put together puzzles.
19. I discovered coloring is very therapeutic. Doing puzzles, for me, not so much! I’ll stick to Reading!
20. I had lots of extra time to read! I had set a goal to read 27 Books this year, but ended up reading over 35!!
21. Was able to get caught up on shows we’d been wanting to watch, but never seemed to have the time before. 
22. Thankfully I don't have school aged children at home that I had to home school! That could have been a disaster! 
    
23. Found new local businesses to support in our community.
24. Met a lot of our neighbors while out for our daily walks, since more people were home.
25. I was still able to get my hair cut whenever I needed to, as my stylist lives with me!
26. My Husband got lots of opportunities to lead Worship! Plus we got to watch him live from home! 
27. We celebrated 33 Years of Marriage this year! 
28. With more free time and nothing to do, my Hubby's been online shopping! Surprising me with a Kindle for Reading and a new Kate Spade Bag!! #Score 
    
29. We voted in a new President!
30. Dress for Success found new ways to help women in the community!
31. Churches were forced to look outward rather than inward and find new ways to be!
32. Teachers, Nurses and other Essential Workers became the Heroes! And it’s about time!!
33. People put up Christmas Decorations early! And more houses than ever decorated this year! And we all needed it!
34. My favorite Radio Station started playing nothing but Christmas Music early, and kept it going longer that other years!
35. 2020 Memes! The whole world found something that united us! Disdain for 2020!
36. We each got a Pod! The group of people you still saw and got together with. For us it is our kids and grandkids!
37. Hamilton!!
38. Jimmy Fallon at Home!
39. Drew Barrymore’s new Talk Show.
40. Of all the people in the world, who would have thought it would be Dolly Parton who saves the world?! A children’s book needs to be written about that! At the very beginning of the Pandemic she had the wherewithal to donate a million dollars to COVID research. And they are saying it’s greatly due to that that we have a Vaccine so quickly. Dolly, you forever have our gratitude!
41. A Vaccine! My Daughter in Law got it the day after Christmas! And my Husband get’s his January 7^th. Thank you God!

 

So, you see, the good outweighs the bad! Even in the most horrible of times! Grace abounds! I don’t know what all you have lived through this year, but I do know that it was hard. You are not alone. 2020 was unlike any other year. But it is ending! Thank Goodness! And we survived! We made it through! And I am Praying 2021 is very much different than 2020. That Blessings Abound! I am Wishing you, and all of us, Health and Happiness! Prosperity and Purpose! Gifts and Goodness! Love and Laughter! Tenderness and Togetherness! And a much Happier New Year! Here's to 2021! 

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!

Political Unrest

This Political Season has gotten more and more ridiculous!

I keep thinking it can't be real!

Let's take a look at the People, not even tackling the Policies yet; 

Let me start at the beginning; I have to tell you, I have watched every season of The Apprentice, and Celebrity Apprentice. I am a Donald Trump Fan! I have followed him, and his children, on Social Media for a long time. He is a great business man. He's a larger than life personality. He is a fun celebrity to follow. But, I believe with my whole being, he is not the person who should be running this great country! In all my time following Donald Trump and watching his shows, I've never once thought this is a great humanitarian. The thought that he might consider himself a Christian has never once crossed my mind. Actions speak louder than words, and his actions let me know he is a womanizer, her constantly belittles women & looks down on them. Publicly putting them down. On his show searching for the best possible apprentice for his company, he never missed an opportunity to sexualize the female contest's. Though he may be fun to watch, this is not the kind of person I would vote for! Ever! Under no circumstance! And I don't understand people who call themselves Christian backing a person like this. It's preposterous to me.

I am registered as a Republican, though I vote according to the Issues that are important to me, not the party! And those issues are Gender Equality, Equal Pay, Minority and Immigrant Rights, Stricter Gun Control Laws, and Education, to name a few, and many of my views line up with those of many democratic candidates. And I have stated and will state again, if Donald Trump is the Republican Nominee, I will be voting Democrat! The problem is, I'm not thrilled with my choices on that side of the ballot either!

I would Love to be able to vote for a Woman! And though I agree with many of Hillary's stances on the issues, I don't really like her as a person. If the whole Benghazi thing hadn't happened, and she had left Bill back in the day, I'd have a lot more respect for her, and would have no problem voting for someone with her experience. Then there's Bernie, who is hard to take serious. I don't really get the whole Socialist thing, and don't really see our whole government system changing even he is elected. But to be honest with you, I'd really like to see someone other than an older white man as our President. ;)

So where does that leave me? I honestly can't believe our choices!! I'm really hoping the Republican Nominee is Marco Rubio. Who may be someone I could back! I sure hope it's not Donald Trump! Who is out of control already & is inciting violence everywhere he goes. He is not what this county needs! If someone had told us Donald Trump would be a serious contender, we would have thought it was a joke! If it is him, I will most likely find myself backing Hillary Clinton. Who's policies, at least, I can get behind, even thought she may not be my favorite person. Is it too late to start all over with new candidates?!

I'd throw in the hat; Condoleezza Rice or Colin Powell on the Republican Ticket, and maybe V.P. Joe Biden or Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez on the Democrat side, if only I ran the Country! Who would you like to see run for President?

Leap Day!

Today is February 29th. That only happens every 4 years! 

If you were born on this day; Happy Birthday!

Over the years,
We've known 2 couples that have gotten Married on Leap Day!

It's kind of like we've been given an extra day this year.

Though it's really too bad it has to be a Monday! :(

What are you doing with your extra day?

What should we be doing?

What would you do if you didn't have to work?

If money was no object? 

I happen to have the day off, 

but the rest of my family has work or school. 

If I could do anything I would Travel; 

Greece or Hawaii, or just about anywhere! 

But, wherever you are on this Leap Day

Do something fun or a little crazy! 

It's an extra day! 

Try to make the most of it! 

Dress For Success

Since June of last year I have been volunteering one Saturday a month at Dress For Success. There is a local chapter in downtown Phoenix. I love it so much that I want to share it with you.  

"The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life."

 

Simply put, Dress For Success takes disadvantaged women, teaches them things like how to put together a resume and interview skills. And with donated clothing, shoes and accessories, they outfit them for a job interview. And when they get the job, they come back in and are outfitted with several outfits for their work week. Take a look . . .

  A Beautiful Welcome

A Boutique full of Business Attire

A look inside the Fitting Rooms

Make-up Station

Computer Room to search for jobs or create a Resume

How I heard about Dress For Success was through my company Vanity Fair. I am an area Merchandiser and part of my job is to hold Fit-Events, and we did Events with a purpose, that when you bought a Bra, you would get one free, and we would donate a brand new bra to a women in need at Dress For Success in your honor! So I looked into the company, liked what I saw, and decided I wanted to volunteer. And Vanity Fair will be holding these events again this fall!

I was so excited when I went in to volunteer and saw the Vanity Fair Bra Donations had arrived! We donated brand new Bra's to Dress For Success chapters in all the states our company held events in. Because, let's face it, who wants to wear a used bra? Um, No thank you. 

 

And since I love retail and fashion, I volunteer as a Personal Shopper. I talk with the client, and find out where they are interviewing, or where their new job is, I ask about their needs, likes and sizes, and put together outfits for them to try on. It is so much fun! They also from time to time have volunteers who might come in to give hair cuts or do the clients make up. You could also help them learn how to research jobs online, or how to create a resume. How to Interview, Etc. There are a lot of ways you can help out. My daughters and I have gone through our closets, and donated clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, scarfs, Etc. that are business appropriate. They also take scrubs for those Dr.s or nurses out there! You can actually donate clothing that isn't necessarily buisnessy as well, I know with our branch they have sales twice a year, where they will advertise & sell anything they can't use and all proceeds go back into Dress For Success. We've gone to a sale as well and got some great items and was happy to be helping them out in that way as well.

Another thing Vanity Fair did with our donations was have women write a little note of encouragement to a woman who would be receiving a donated bra if they wanted to. And I love handing those out as well. I love working for a company that encourages women to help other women! After all that's what "Support" is all about! ;) (Just a little bra humor!)

I think everyone should do something to help make the world a better place. And I would encourage everyone to Give Back, in whatever way they choose. I love helping women get back on their feet in a way that's important to me. If you would like to support or know more about Dress For Success, click here or they are on Social Media. Thanks.

Are Twins As Smart As Other Children?

 Because the best part of going back to school is

Back To School Shopping!

Senior Year times Two!! It's true, my Baby Girls have started their Senior Year of High School. And I may, or may not, have shed actual tears the night before school started! I just don't understand; why do they have to grow up? I tried to ground them from Senior Year, but it didn't really work.

 Erica on the first day of Senior Year, 

With the first day of Kindergarten for comparison! 

And Lexi on her last First Day of School! 

And her first First Day of School!! 

 And what an insanely crazy year this is going to be. Lexi has a before school class that starts at 6:30am, Erica starts at 7:30am. Both girls get out of school at 11:30am, then Lexi goes straight to Cosmetology School, which starts at noon, then 2 nights a week goes back to the High School for Marching Band practice, with Performances at Football Games on Friday Nights! She then has some practices and/or Band Competitions on Saturdays. And she works every Sunday Morning doing daycare for a Church! Erica has a job as a key holder at a little Boutique in the mall, she works about 3 nights a week & on weekends as well. Yes, I have very ambitious Daughters! They also are involved in my Book Club when they can be! 

And on top of it all they get really Good Grades! Lexi is in the top 18% of her Class! (And this would be much higher, but she got her first C last year in an Online class she took) With Erica being ranked #17 out of 488 Graduating Seniors! Putting her in the top 3%! They might look like me, but these brains, I don't think they got from me! :0 And to think that when I was pregnant with them, reading all the information I could find regarding Twins, a lot of it said Twins are not as smart as Single Born Children, usually falling behind physically, emotionally & intellectually. I think we have proved them wrong! When they were little my girls were a little behind it their Speech, taking Speech Therapy from Pre-School through about 5th Grade! Then they graduated out! They have had no other difficulties! I am very Thankful to our Public School System here, who always let me decide weather or not to separate them or keep them in the same class. Which I did both at different times. At first one of them tended to fall behind when they weren't together, but with teachers that would work with them, that changed as well! I've never had to sit with them to make sure they did their homework, they just always did it! And even when they were little babies & everyone would fuss over them & say how Beautiful they were (which they were & still are!) I would whisper in their little ears "Yes, you are Beautiful, but you are Smart, and you are Funny!" I believe all girls are Beautiful, but they are also so much more than that! So, I guess to answer the question; Are Twins As Smart As Other Children? As the Mother of Twins, I would have to say a definite Yes!!

Bachelor's Degree, But Not A Bachelor Much Longer!

My Baby Boy just Graduated . . .

 From Arizona State University!

Included on his Graduation Announcement

was his favorite quote by Albert Einstein

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

My girls decorated his car in honor of his big day!

He had to drive around all day like this! :)

 We took up an entire row in the stadium! 

 

 Zach graduated Summa Cum Laude! 

With Highest Honors!

 

Proud Parents!

 The Forbi Four! 

 

 Big Brother Kyle, and Sister In Law Katie, 

a former ASU Graduate as well!

 Little Sisters!!
Lexi & Erica!!

 With Cousin Alarie! Both now ASU Alumni!!

 Zach's Best Friend since Jr. High,

and Jordan will be graduating next year!

Our whole family with the Graduate!

To Celebrate, Zach wanted us all to see 

Avengers; Age Of Ultron together!

Party Preparation!

Graduation Party Time!!

And What's a Party without Masks? 

Here with his Cousins, Friends, Brother, and Fiance as Avengers!

And now with a Degree in Biological Sciences

Zach got a Summer Internship with Arizona Game & Fish!

He'll be in Northern Arizona at Lake Powell!

Studying Invasive Species.

He may now have his Bachelor's Degree

But he wont be a Bachelor for long,

Zach & Kendra will be getting Married this November! 

This is a Big Year for him!

Praying for a Job to quickly follow his Internship!