Wednesday, December 30, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
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Categories: WOW ~ Words of Wisdom
Monday, December 28, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Leigh Anne says…
It’s a quiet catch-up week where I work on unfinished projects.
Sherra says…
Now that my kids are old enough, I love to send them to the crowded stores for errands and returns while I relax at home.
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Categories: Question of the Week
Thursday, December 24, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Leigh Anne and Sherra say…
We both know Teri Helms from our homebased business. In addition to being creative and colorful, she is an irreverent storyteller who never misses the details and a woman who has an opinion and isn’t afraid to use it. Welcome Teri…
Teri Helms has been married to her husband for 25 years, and is the mother of 5 boys. They range in age from 21 down to 8. She loves living in Southern California, the land of sun, fun and fashion! It is essential that every day include at least 4 or 5 opportunities to truly bust a gut laughing.
She blogs about Leadership Education and how it is incorporated into daily life at TommyMom.com.
Favorite color:
There are two. Fuschia and black…sometimes together, sometimes apart, but always two.
Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:
So many foods, so little space…seriously! They are all amazing, and each traditional dish brings back its own set of memories.
Pet Peeve?
I have many…the one that is foremost in my mind at this time of year? People that stop in front of you with their shopping cart to greet an equally clueless friend who has done the same, thus jointly blocking any and all passage in an already crowded store.
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
There was a time when I KNEW that I was going to marry David Cassidy.
One word that describes you:
Social
What’s your motto or mantra:
The truth will set you free.
What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
Peace. It is rather broad by definition, and I’m certainly not going to address it in the context of bringing it about for the entire world!
Perhaps this is one of many reasons I never went into pageant work.
I am typically one of those individuals that does so much “decking” of the halls; that come December 31st, I’m so worn out, I’m poised and ready to deck somebody!
This year, I’ve spent a lot of time contemplating how to keep that from happening. I believe it is possible to enjoy all of the festivities of the season without doing so at the expense of my own personal peace and relationships. Bringing this about does take a conscious and deliberate effort.
Most of us have watched a child engaged in their activity for an extended period of time. They are unencumbered with the past, the future is too abstract to even think about; the present is where they reside. They are completely engaged in the moment. It is a beautiful thing. Even though they may be moving at 150 miles an hour, they have a spirit of confidence and calm that is the result of peace.
Adults, on the other hand, tend to constantly be consumed with the past; generally laden with regrets and the reliving of moments that are gone; simply unrealistic in the goal to attain. The future can be even more ominous when contemplating the “what ifs?”, “what abouts?”, and “just wait untils.”
An overly packed schedule is often a reflection of this complexity of thought.
Complexity and peace rarely coexist. This statement has been most helpful in setting guidelines for holiday scheduling and the taking on of various commitments.
As Americans, we are constantly bombarded with the fact that complex is more. Better.
Successful.
It just isn’t true. Some of the greatest gifts we will ever give or receive, are not represented by a tangible item.
The wealthiest and most successful people that I know do not consider “things” when measuring their levels of peace and personal success.
Upon thinking this through, I realized that by Thanksgiving of this year, I had already done enough where holiday events are concerned. The commitments that were in place were sufficient. I didn’t need to take on more.
I could relax. Live in the moment. Spend some time thinking. Evaluating. Planning.
I’m experiencing that these activities are achieved with greater success when simplicity and peace are present.
I’m watching more holiday movies than I have in years, playing with my kids, and having unscripted holiday fun.
I’m not feeling any denial; but rather a tremendous trade, that’s been more than worth it.
Am I still celebrating? Absolutely. And enjoying it far more than I recollect in past holiday seasons.
Am I totally finished with all of my preparations? Hardly.
But I have the time to focus on what I’m doing now, without a huge myriad of commitments lining up that threaten a relentless, pressing, complexity.
And guess what? Peace abounds.
May you be filled as well.
Visit Teri at her blog Tommy Mom.
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Moments & Memories is a column is centered around our word of the month. We love to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!
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Categories: Inspiration, Moments & Memories
Wednesday, December 23, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Weekly on Wednesday
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Categories: WOW ~ Words of Wisdom
Tuesday, December 22, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Leigh Anne says…
I met Jenn Ross several years ago at a women’s retreat. We enjoyed a wonderful time together in the beautiful Napa Valley and I was able to introduce Jenn to her first In and Out Burger! We kept in touch and when Jenn needed help developing an idea she hired Sherra and me for some Idea Coaching and within a few short weeks, we helped her launch her first blog. She already has another one in the works!
“Life is an adventure or it is nothing at all.” Certainly when I married my husband 30 years ago I had no idea what an adventure it would be! I married a Navy pilot and along with that came numerous moves, the pleasure of living in Hawaii for 3 years and knowing the life of a psuedo single parent during my husband’s 6 month long Navy deployments. I have a BA in Spanish and returned to school with 3 small children to get a degree in Nursing. I work with new Moms and newborns. I love fun outdoor activities including flying on the trapeze, training for sprint triathlons, hiking and being with my five grandkids (5 yrs-1 yr) In July 2010, I will be training at Duke University in their Integrative Health Coaching program. I believe it is never too late to get healthy and be active.
Favorite color:
Turquoise
Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:
Eggnog
Pet Peeve?
Negative people and gossip
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
If I had been blessed with a great singing voice I would have loved to have been a broadway singer belting out songs in those fun musicals. Instead I really really enjoy a fun musical with great singing .
One word that describes you:
Adventuresome
What’s your motto or mantra:
“Embrace the possibilities”
What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
The holidays are a time of abundance. Abundance of family, traditions, lights, decorations, parties and food. Holiday food. Yum. Christmas cookies, eggnog, luscious desserts, breads, mashed potatoes and great chocolate!
And let’s not forget that with all the fun and festivities with the holidays there is also a great deal of stress. How do we often relieve stress? We indulge in our favorite holiday treats and by January 1st our indulge has turned to a bulge.
In the words of Charles Dickens ” It’s the best of times and the worst of times”
And in my words…”the best part of the holidays is the food” and “the worst part of the holidays can be the food.”
This holiday can be all about peace with our food choices and staying fit!
Here’s a few steps you can take now (no it’s not too late) to help you stay healthy and still enjoy the holidays.
Food Glorious Food…mmm, I seem to be on a Charles Dickens kick here.
Ever heard of the 5p’s? Me neither until I met my husband. It’s a boy scout thing and since I was a Camp Fire Girl which had very little to do with camping or fires I remained clueless.
5P’s = Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
In years past for the holidays and food we usually had just one plan: Plan E Eat, Eat all of it. That didn’t work very well. WAIT, it did until we got on the scale!
For holiday eating lets use the 4 P’s
When you start to waiver and want seconds and thirds remember how much peace you will have after the holidays because you enjoyed but did not over eat!
Keep Moving!!!
Find inventive ways to do what is called “spontaneous exercise.”
Park far away from the entrance to malls, work, grocery stores.
Use the stairs and not the elevator (for reasonable distances).
Make multiple trips up and down stairs at home instead of taking one big load all at once.
Make it a game to find all kinds of ways to do spontaneous exercise and you’ll find it fun and challenging.
OR
Start walking with a friend 3x a week (or everyday)! It not only moves your body but relieves your stress.
Your walking buddy is key! Knowing someone is waiting for you will keep you on track. Plus the conversation will make the time go faster and make it fun!
Have fun this holiday season. We sometimes get lost in all the preparations that we forget the real purpose is to celebrate, spend time with family and remember our many blessings. We can do all of it and still be peaceful about our food and fitness choices. Have a wonderful and joyful celebration this year!
Visit Jenn at her blog See Jenn Tri.
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Moments & Memories is a column is centered around our word of the month. We love to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!
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Categories: Encouragement, Food, Inspiration, Moments & Memories
Monday, December 21, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Leigh Anne says…
Our Christmas Eve dinner program with friends and neighbors.
Sherra says…
I am a night owl so I love baking late into the night and having the kids wake up to all their favorite holiday treats.
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Categories: Question of the Week
Wednesday, December 16, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Weekly on Wednesday
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Categories: WOW ~ Words of Wisdom
Tuesday, December 15, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Leigh Anne says…
I met Amber Schmitt years ago when she lived in Oregon, prior to her move to Texas. She is the best friend of my next door neighbor Sheri. Amber and I share quite a few similarities including our love for reading and scrapbooking!
I have been married to my college sweetheart for 20 years and we have three smart, funny, wonderful (ok, I’m biased) kids who are 9 (boy), 13 (girl) and 17 (girl). I have a degree in Business Marketing and had a career in Public Relations and Sponsorship Marketing/Event Planning for a large bank before becoming a stay at home mom. Our family has a love for travel and have traveled together all over the world. I believe this travel has been a great education for the kids and a great bonding experience for our family.
First and foremost I love my husband and kids and being a HOME maker, although it feels like we are rarely home. I am also a voracious reader and scrapbook with a group every Wednesday while the kids are in school.
I love being the best wife and mother I can be, but I also believe strongly in not losing myself in it completely. I have an entrepreneurial and creative mind, lots of energy, and lots of ideas. One of these days I know these will all come together to create the next adventure/business venture of my life (in the meantime you might find me a little scattered).
Favorite color:
Bright Blue
Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:
Peanut butter and Hershey Kiss cookies
Pet Peeve?
Negative Nellies (complainers)
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
I’m an open book – what you see is what you get.
One word that describes you:
Energetic
What’s your motto or mantra:
“Things go best for those who do best with the way things go”
What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
“Peace on Earth” glowing in big red lights, surrounded by greenery and giant gold plastic ornaments greets me as I walk into the mall full of people scurrying like ants. There it is again on the front of the foil-lined envelope that sits on top of my mail as I pull it out of the mailbox. “Peace on Earth” embossed on the card, covered with glitter by a friend who loves to do stamping. I get home and stand next to the kitchen counter, flipping through the bills and holiday catalogs. Tucked in among this pile is a Victoria’s Secret flyer. The perfectly sculpted and spray-tanned model wears nothing but a red push-up bra and red underwear that have the letters P-E-A-C-E in glittery rhinestones all across the front.
What a lovely thought, this elusive peace. It goes without saying that I would love to have Peace on Earth. Heck, I’d even be happy to have peace in our school PTA! Peace on earth, peace at the holidays, it’s all a wonderful wish. But right now, I’m not looking for peace at the mall and I am certainly not looking for peace on my underwear! I don’t see what is so peaceful about looking over my “had three babies and am over 40″ stomach to view some glittery letters upside down on my underwear. That is not peaceful to me!
The truth is that peace is not something you look for and it is not always something you create. Sure, we can all seek to improve peace among our children and within our households. We can always strive to be a part of creating a more peaceful world. But what people forget is that there are moments of peace in every single day. So often we rarely even see them because we are not paying attention.
The question I would like to ask many women is this:
“Are you events planning your life or are you living it?”
Again and again I see women who are fantastic mothers, wives, homemakers, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and employees — wonderful women who wear a lot of different hats and are very good at it. But too often our lives become like movies that we are directors of and sadly we forget to be in the film. Sure, we jump in once in a while, even savor it a bit. But even as we enjoy putting the ornaments on the tree or making hot cocoa with the kids, we have this on-going chatter going on inside our heads. What do we need at the store? When are we going to wrap the teacher gift? What color thread should I use when I sew those apron gifts? This incessant chatter in our heads goes on and on and on.
I think that is why we all love photographs so much. Have you ever put on an event, like a children’s birthday party and the entire event you are busy buzzing around, doing what needs to be done? Only afterwards as you look at the photos do you admire how perfectly pink your little girl’s lips are as she prepares to blow out the candles? Only looking at the photos do you take the time to notice how handsome your teenage boy looks in that shade of blue, what a fine young man he is becoming?
As you decorate your house for the holidays do you take even just 60 seconds when you finish your mantle to just soak in the magic of the lights glittering and the stockings hanging there with the names of the people you hold most dear in this world? Do you take even 60 full, uncluttered seconds to simply enjoy just watching your kids open their gifts, or are you busy making thank-you note lists and gathering up the wrapping paper in a giant black trash bag?
Our lives are like novels. They are full of absolute sorrow and extreme joy that makes you want to burst. Our lives have chapters and storylines and always plenty of drama. Just remember that novels have pacing and punctuation – lots of it. They have spaces between the words. There are pauses after each chapter.
My challenge to you this holiday season is to mentally slow down and notice all the spaces between the words in your life. Peace cannot be found at the mall and it certainly isn’t on a pair of Victoria’s Secret underwear. It is inside you.
Whatever you do this holiday season, even if you do it quickly, do it with intention. Live it. Enjoy it. Quiet your mind a pay attention to the spaces and you will find little slices of heaven, little bits of real PEACE.
Visit Amber at her blog at As The World Churns.
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Moments & Memories is a column is centered around our word of the month. We love to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!
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Categories: Inspiration, Moments & Memories, Renewal
Monday, December 14, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Special note: Our iLashGirls site was hacked yesterday so we had to rebuild a few things from a backup so this post disappeared for a while. If you left a comment and you don’t see it now, please leave another one!
Leigh Anne says…
I try to be really organized and start early so I can enjoy the holidays.
Sherra says…
I block out several days where we don’t schedule anything so we can just be home and not in traffic and in stores.
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Categories: Question of the Week
Wednesday, December 9, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Weekly on Wednesday
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Categories: WOW ~ Words of Wisdom
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