Joy to the World! Joy to ME!

Or How the Junior League (and a few other things) Saved My Life

So, for the last two years, I've been a complete Scrooge over the holidays. I haven't put up a tree, I haven't really wanted to celebrate at all. 

Those that know me well – and have known me a while – can tell you that the last few years have been so difficult for me. I lost my dad and a close friend to cancer, fell hard for someone and lost him, then immediately lost a dear friend in a horrendous one-two punch. I've been sullen and depressed and I didn't even want to be around myself, let alone anyone else. I'd be lying if I said there weren't days I considered ending it all....

What a difference a year can make! 

In January, I took things into my own hands and decided I would make some friends. So, I joined the local chapter of the Junior League. I was worried it might be a group of stuffy, snobby well-to-do ladies (you know, like the girls in The Help), but I couldn't have been more wrong! The group is very diverse, with all ethnicities, income levels and ages. They are very active in the community, giving to agencies to improve child mental health, and I'm so proud to be a part of it. I've had the opportunity to make some new friendships for which I am so very grateful!

I've also gone back to school. The reasons for going back were numerous, but mostly it was to keep my brain stimulated and to keep me interested in something besides just sitting around watching TV (don't worry, TV fans, I'm still a couch potato, just not as bad as before!). It's sometimes stressful, but I am so glad to have the opportunity to continue my education and to keep learning and growing. 

Now I've gone from sitting home alone feeling sorry for myself to running around wishing I had time to sit down! It seems like there's always something going on.

BUT I'M HAPPY! :-)

I didn't even realize the change was occurring until this past month. And now with Christmas approaching? Forget about it! I can't stop smiling. I can't stop humming Christmas carols! I can't stop buying decorations! Last night, I ran into Hobby Lobby to get some magnets for a craft project, and I left with a mini-tree for my desk, yet another stocking and a little sprig of holly to place in the bud vase of my car! 

I'm in a completely different frame of mind this December than months before and I wish to thank everyone who helped me get here, but there just isn't enough time or web space! But I'm especially grateful to my mom, my brother, my sister-in-law and their beautiful family, the girls in the Junior League and my dear friend Rachael, who always manages to make me feel sane even when I feel everything around me is insane!

This holiday season, take time to appreciate those that are there for you when times are tough. For all those who have loved me, know you are appreciated and loved in return. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Sunday Shoutouts

Happy Sunday all! I hope everybody is having a wonderful weekend! 

I am straight chillin' in the house today as I got a little too much sun at yesterday's Ribbon Walk and Ride for Cancer, but what a great experience it was! Check out my awesome team:

We dressed all 80's style because we were the Valley Girls (we work at Cape Fear Valley, get it?), but now I have some very strange tan lines due to all the layered tank tops and bracelets... C'est la vie!

Anyway, that's my first shootout! The event was awesome -- kudos to my co-workers, Tara Hinton and Jason Brady, and everyone else who had a hand in putting it together. Great job, y'all! Another thanks to everyone who came out. I was walking for my dad, who we lost to liver cancer, and my friend, Angel, who lost his battle with stomach cancer earlier this year. It really touched my heart to see all the survivors out there walking in the heat. And everyone walking in support of survivors and victims! It was so inspiring.

I've got some products I want to give a shout out to. 

First, and people are probably getting sick of hearing me talk about it, but I have to rave about Ulta brand nail polish again! I usually only buy pretty pricey nail polish brands because my nails are weak. They bend a lot and my nail polish just chips right off. Like right off. Like 12 hours later with the cheap stuff. 

I've had some good success with some nicer brands like OPI and Butter London. But even those don't last more than 2 days before they start to chip. But Ulta put their polish on sale for $2 this month (what a steal!) and I needed some hot pink for my Valley Girl costume, right? RIGHT! 

So I tried it and I am in love! The first color I tried, I had it on for 6 days and not one chip! I only had to take it off so I could apply my pink for today's walk. And speaking of pink, take a look at this polish! I just love it. So bright and smooth. Did I mention this was only ONE COAT?!?!? Ulta nail polish girls, go getcha some!

While I was at Ulta I asked the sales girl about lip gloss, yet another makeup product I can't manage to keep on my body for any length of time. Apparently, I suck my lip in when I think. As a writer, I think a lot. So I chew off my lip gloss within an hour of putting it on. Every time. If I get the really thick kind it'll last a little longer, but it is always really sticky and my hair sticks to it. Ew. Eating hair all day sucks.

Sales girl recommended Smashbox to me. Apparently they have a line of lip gloss called Limitless wear. It's not limitless, no, but it did manage to stay on my lips through four hours of thinking, lip biting AND diet coke sipping. That is a pretty glowing recommendation, if you ask me. Smashbox, kids, tell your friends. Check it out here!

Tisha UnArmed.
As you can see by her T-shirt, she has quite the sense of humor!

My last shout out? Have you all ever heard of Tisha UnArmed? This is a girl who was born with no arms and one leg shorter than the other. Does she let that slow her down? Hell to the no! What an inspiration! Tisha drives, she dresses herself, showers herself, she even eats sushi! Check out her YouTube channel and you will never complain about your easy life again. OK, you might. I probably still will. But I'll feel REALLY BAD about it!

Have a good Sunday, y'all!

Let's get charitable!

OK, those of you who know me, know I try to help others when I can. But I can't always do it myself. Sometimes I need the help of my friends! I have a lot of opportunities coming up where my friends can help me help others. I don't want to be chasing people down, asking for money all the time, but I sure would like some help. Take a gander at my list... Maybe there's something going on that you would like to help me with??? Come on, people! Let's get charitable!

Coming up first is the Gently Used Purse Sale for the Child Advocacy Center! It's next Saturday, Aug. 25, from 9 am to noon, at Max Abbott Middle School. Admission is only 5 bucks and there's tons of cute bags (I've seen some) for sale! Like this one: 

Y'all can see that Kate Spade label on there, right? Cuz I can!

The Child Advocacy Center is near and dear to my heart. They do great things over there for abused children and they could use some help too. Plus, PURSES people!

In September, I'll be walking in Cape Fear Valley's Friends of the Cancer Center Ribbon Walk and Ride. 

The older I get, the more cancer is touching me. It took my dad. It took my friend Angel. My sister had a bout with it, and my friend Kim's mom is currently kicking the shit out of it!

The walk is on Saturday, Sept. 15 and I need people to sponsor me. This is exercise people, so you know I take this seriously! Here is the website if anyone wants more information: http://www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org/

Please let me know if you're interested!

If purses aren't your thing, and you have no interest in fighting cancer (WTF people?), you can still help me out by coming to the Blue Jean Ball and bidding on my chair. Everyone likes to sit, right???

The Chair-ity Auction is part of the Child Advocacy Center's annual Blue Jean Ball where party-goers can bid on one-of-a-kind chairs decorated by people of the community. One of the chairs this year will be created by yours truly (and whoever I can get to help me)! So grab your best blue jeans and boots, pack up your pardner and do-si-do on over to the Blue Jean Ball on Oct. 6 to bid on my chair! It's for a great cause!

OK, so there you go. An entire post about me with my hand out. But I'm just trying to help some of those around me. ANd I'm ready to feel the love and support (and the green y'all) of those that love ME. Won't you help me help others?