Not so "Happy Times"

Our darling babysitter was in a car wreck a few short weeks ago while on her way to keep baby Nicholas. THANKFULLY she was not injured!!! The worst part of it (well, it's all bad),she was turning off of North Oak and was just a few short yards away. Poor Dollie - Another car motioned her to turn and she was then hit by another car while doing so. 

Her car (brand new and not 1 week old yet), was considered TOTALED!!! She had the best insurance and warranty and her car was replaced and she was given a better deal on financing - yaay for WINNING!!

Sorry, couldn't resist! One of my all time favorite pop culture sayings "Winning" 

After the accident Miss Amanda RAN like Forrest Gump from the scene of the accident to my front door as she was sooooo scared! 

I told her to get back to the scene before the police arrived and that I would load Nicky up and be there in a minute. 

I did just that and immediately called her mother - Not a call ANY MOTHER wants to have. Her mommy was 45 minutes away and I can't imagine how she must have felt having to make that drive. I assured her that she was fine and that I'd be with her the entire time. 

OMG - Within minutes the entire fleet of Gladstone emergency responders were at the scene. For the most part, most were nice and professional. One officer in particular, is up for the biggest looser award of all time!

Whole other story! ( I will add that the officer was a slime ball! Had zero sensitivity dealing with a precious and frantic 19 year old lady) I hate to say this, but........ Well, I'll let your imagine paint the picture of any perceptions you may have of your own. 

Soon after the rescue team arrived, so did the SHARKS!!!

Ok, not that kind, but this kind

I'm certain there are many honest business owners that operate a towing service.... They do provide a service in a time of need, but think about it.. They can be like sharks!! They listen to police scanners and race to the scene to be the first to win the prize!!! 

Don't fall for the line of "we just want to move your vehicle because its blocking the road", even if their is a policeman on hand, once they hook up your car you are THEIR ATM MACHINE, The sharks rely on the fact that people are shaken up and panicky after an accident, and not thinking clearly, thats when they hit you with all sorts of lines and talk. 

I hope you never find yourself in an accident, BUT the event of an accident, know your plan of action NOW. I've learned that members of AA send their own tow vehicles, or an accredited companies vehicle, and once you tell the sharks you are a member, they cannot by law touch your car without a reference number from the AA. I'm looking into my plan of action now too! 

I will add a local towing company (they were not, repeat NOT the responders to the scene of Miss Amanda's accident), They are named "Happy Times Towing" 

Really!! Just tell me "WHAT" is "HAPPY" about responding to a crisis!!!!! Geeze!!!

Epic & Colossal FAILURE!!!

Every market I shop was closed tonight :( Sure, it's Easter.... to be expected, BUT I had a few items I had to have! After my 8pm Starbucks trip - not wise, BUT not an option for the night ahead of me! I ventured out to Sunfresh in hopes to flex my 'extreme' coupon muscles. Sunfresh doubles coupons up to 1.00 EVERY DAY!!! 

Epic and colossal failure sums up my trip.

 Baby wipes coupon gave me 1.00 off BUT the gallon of milk I needed was 1 dollar more! Haaa!!! The other items I needed were overpriced and would not offset my coupon. Thankfully I only needed a few items, but I did map out the store (had never been before) and gave it a shot! I do have lots of great coupons for stuff I normally buy and I'm THRILLED to not pay full price!!! ( How much gas will I burn with my efforts) Thankfully the savings is more of a challenge for me... a game to play with the markets - Who doesn't wanna save money??

Oh stockpile you shall be mine soon! 

My husband just called me The "H" word!!!

Gasp!!!! Are you kidding me!!!

Year round you can count on our home having stock piles of random donations for the shelters and outreaches I (The Esther Alliance), Host. When I have donations to give, we are able to be a huge blessing to local shelters that simply don't have the funding for such supplies to give to the clients (whom often have only the clothing on their backs upon entering shelter) Providing basic necessities like:  lotion, shampoo, deodorant, etc. is major help to those in need.  - I will admit, my home is a mini Target!!! As I'm already stocking up for Christmas! My husband has decided I'm the "H" word......... A HOARDER!!!!! 

 Every Christmas I step out in faith to believe that Christmas will be special for needy women and children. The past few years I have seen RECORD numbers of needy women and children at Christmas. Though Christmas isn't 'about getting / giving gifts to me and my family, it is a "Tool" that we use to reach out and extend the love of God to those in need. 

I'm super duper excited with the new doors and partnerships that The Esther Alliance has formed recently. In addition to our Northland domestic violence shelter, we have two new organizations we've connected with. Veronica's Voice (Commercially exploited women / sex trafficked), Along with Forest Family Shelter (Homeless women and children. We are working with their clients on a weekly basis NOT JUST AT CHRISTMAS TIME!! From providing meals, free beauty services, peer counseling, mentorship, job skills, life skills etc. It's a wonderful partnership!! And I'm blessed beyond words for the favor God has given The Esther Alliance!

Years past (10 to be exact) The Esther Alliance has partnered with Churches, businesses, families and individuals to provide a fabulous Christmas for 25 to 30 Women and 25 to 30 Children! Spa gift bags with: Robes, slippers, body lotions, bath sets, chocolates, coffee cups, instant coffee, devotionals etc are some of the gifts we've given each year.

 This year is no exception... except for one thing!!! TRIPLE our numbers to the need of 100 women!!!! GASP!!!!!! I need some extreme coupon tips

So yes, James Circello AND my children! Call me a HOARDER!!! 

NOT my collection yet.... In the works!

Lord, I thank you in advance for the provision and favor you have given me!!!! Not only at / for Christmas, but YEAR ROUND as we reach those in great need! 

Black eyes, knocked out teeth, a "Cutter" & The blue robe!

Preach the Gospel Always: When Necessary, Use Words ~ St. Francis of Assisi

This past Thursday night, The Esther Alliance team packed up our mobile “glam squad” and hit the road… Our destination this night, the northland domestic violence shelter. For almost 11 years, we have provided unique programs and services to reach women and children in crisis. On this night we would provide ‘spa manicures.’ I’m always amazed at the volunteers that partner with me! They are incredible!!!   Women that have ‘stories’ of their own, taking time away from their families, missing dinner sometimes and willing to be a blessing to those that could never do anything in return. I’m forever thankful for the support!

I never know what to expect upon our arrival at the shelter – I’ve seen sights of abuse that would make you wonder if you were on the set of a war or horror movie. Women and children with bruises, black eyes, broken arms and legs, neck braces, broken jaw bones with their mouth wired shut, lots of missing teeth, busted lips and most of all – an overwhelming sense of defeat and hopelessness lingers around. It-is- heartbreaking to say the least!  This night was soon to unravel into one of the most wonderful and lovely encounters of all time. Upon loading up our weekly supplies, gifts and snacks, I discovered new bath robe in my pile of donations. I felt I was to put it in a birthday bag in expectation of a birthday. I’ve never done this before – taken a birthday gift in.. I was like, O.K Lord? I trust “you” know what you’re doing here.

As my team assembled our “mobile spa”, I gathered with our V.I.P’s to meet with them, explain who we were, handed out door prizes and explain the series of events for the night. As I looked out into the crowd of our ladies, my eyes and heart ached in a new way I’ve not felt before.  14 delicate, precious and broken women sat looking at me. As if they had invisible signs around their necks stating “make me feel loved, special, beautiful, important AND ALIVE” It was a very sobering atmosphere. In all the years and times working with these special ladies, I can honestly, truly, sincerely say – I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY WOMEN WITH VISIBLE VIOLENT ACTS OF ABUSE AND INJURIES IN ONE SETTING!!! EVER! Nearly every woman was missing teeth and had visible injuries.

This night would be one like no other, as we had two ladies that did not understand any English at all! One was from France while the other only understood Spanish- Can you imagine the bravery and courage they had to have to enter into a shelter and not have the ability to communicate! I wonder how they called the hotline? How isolated they must feel. We truly had to minister the love of God in a practical way – and without using words!!!! OMG!!!! THIS IS WHAT THE ESTHER ALLIANCE IS ALL ABOUT!!!! It was very emotional and my entire team realized just how tender the next moments would be. We treated all the ladies to a hand massage, paraffin wax treatments, polishing of the nails, chair massages, snacks and showered them with unconditional love, encouragement and support.

It was soon one of our guests (non English speaking lady), in her best English, informed us that ‘this was a special day’ she kept saying ‘so special, so special… my day” It was then we discovered that it was her BIRTHDAY!!!!! WOW!!! I did hear from heaven on this one!!!! And I had just the gift for her! THE ROBE!!!! I pulled the “happy birthday gift bag” from behind the couch and presented it to her. As if she were a child on Christmas morning, her face was full of joy, excitement and emotion. Soon the entire room began to sing Happy Birthday to our new friend! It was beautiful!!!! She was so excited for the robe and said it was ‘favorite color’ (baby blue) Wow!!! How precious! That is just like our Heavenly father!!! To show up in a way that touched her! AND US!!!

As the night progressed, we had the opportunity to minister the love of God to each and every one of the 14 women that visited our ‘spa’ One little lady was only fourteen years old – she was in custody of the State after her father was murdered, her mother abandoned her and after she had escaped horrific abuse by her Grandparents. She was a ‘cutter’ (self inflicting pain / cuts up and down her entire arms!!!) Only 14 years young…the only way of coping with all her pain was to cause more pain! My heart ached knowing she was dealing with so many issues.. My God, she is the same age as my oldest daughter – I CAN’T IMAGINE how abandoned she must feel. How in the world can we reach her? Love her? Inform her that God has a plan for her life in that little window of time we have!

When Necessary, Use Words!

"I've made myself available to those who haven't bothered to ask.
I'm here, ready to be found 
   by those who haven't bothered to look.
I kept saying 'I'm here, I'm right here'

Isaiah 65: 1 – 4 The Message

Curtis & my REAL encounter at "The Office"

One of my favorite series is "The Office" You either LOOOOVE the show and "get it", OR it is the dumbest show and waste of time (says James) Well, I just love the adventures of the gang as they go about the day to day shuffle and all of the drama, laughs and politics! Man I so miss those days - NOT!!!

One of the first "big girl jobs" I ever had was working for a real estate firm. I landed the gig as the office assistant to the Broker. I loved the duties of the job but, sweet and holy night! My Boss was sooooooo....very...odd! I won't bore you with alllll the delicious details (maybe another time), right now, I will share with you that he was always, always using curse words. He had a challenge getting along with most of the other office associates and I soon realized that certain people would cause him to *flip out* into a verbal rage. Sure, anyone can handle being around an *occasional* word... it wasn't like that - that dude would simply loose his mind!!!!!

Imagine lil ole me, sweet, innocent, only 18 and no real experience in 'the big world' Every day I'd  go into work in fear my boss would go into a rage. It was only a matter of time that I would be in his path! In addition to his potty mouth, "Curtis" (name changed to protect Mr. potty mouth), He always had issues with his eyes /  contacts. Mr. Potty mouth would constantly squeeze his eyes shut, he would flutter his eyes non stop - it was sooooooo bizaar! Imagine Fred Flinstone's Feet as he would use them to gain speed for his car. Yeaaaaaaaah, now imagine that same speed used on the eyes! Wow, what a sight. STILL!

My adventure was very short lived as I had just started beauty school. It worked out just fine for MEEE that my school schedule didn't work with my work scheulde. I had to give notice after 3 months. I was replaced by another young lady and  I learned she was the niece of "The Boss". Soon she dropped some knowledge for me!!!! She informed me that her Uncle suffered from a condition called "Tourett Syndrome" 

WHHHHHAAAT!!!! I had NEVER heard of such a condition! I was shocked that my Boss just didn't tell me about his issue. I mean COME ON DUDE, I THOUGHT YOU WERE INSANE FOR 3 MONTHS! That information is kiiiiinda important (I think) as it would have helped me understand him and his condition a 'little' better! I would have been compassionate and thought less of him being demon possessed!!! haaaa. Maybe he didn't want to feel he was any different from anyone else? Maybe his condition was so normal to him, that he didn't feel the need to share the info??

One of the kids on American Idol talked about his condition, as he suffers from the same. His story reminded me of "The Office & Curtis" I admire him talking about it and sharing his condition with the world. Whatever his reasoning was to not share his condition with me, it was a verrrry memorable experience. I have a better understanding and respect for someone that has to deal with a condition and quality of life :(

Here is a quick blurb about the condition: via Wikipedia

Tourette's was once considered a rare and bizarre syndrome, most often associated with the exclamation of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks (coprolalia), but this symptom is present in only a small minority of people with Tourette's.^[1] Tourette's is no longer considered a rare condition, but it may not always be correctly identified because most cases are classified as mild. Between 1 and 10 children per 1,000 have Tourette's;^[2] as many as 10 per 1,000 people may have tic disorders,^[3][4] with the more common tics of eye blinking, coughing, throat clearing, sniffing, and facial movements. Tourette's does not adversely affect intelligence or life expectancy . The severity of the tics decreases for most children as they pass through adolescence, and extreme Tourette's in adulthood is a rarity. Notable individuals with Tourette's^[5] are found in all walks of life.
Genetic and environmental factors play a role in the etiology of Tourette's, but the exact causes are unknown. In most cases, medication is unnecessary. There is no effective medication for every case of tics, but there are medications and therapies that can help when their use is warranted.