Faith.

I've had the opportunity to have Faith befriend me many times in my life. I experienced it when my husband and I decided that adopting a child wasn't in the cards for us -- and that day we were matched with our daughter. It has befriended me when we started treatments on our beloved Boxer dog for cancer by radically changing his diet and feeding raw foods; he's stable, with good days and bad. Today, looking at the buzz on the web, I have Faith that my direct sales company is making the right choice for my network marketing business.

I have a day job. Like so many Americans, I'm working to not only make ends meet, but rise above the economy we are faced with in these challenging times. I'm half a century young, and I probably have another 30 or more years ahead of me. That's both exciting and terrifying -- I'm not nearly ready for retirement, either by choice or by force. So, in my spare time, I have chosen to hitch my wagon to a direct sales star. Only today could feel a little different than yesterday, because yesterday I received a letter from my company.

They, like me, are having to make choices in financial arenas. Restructuring finances is a positive move to make us a stronger company. I already represent the most fabulous products I have ever used! My skin has changed, my health is stronger, and I feel good. After a menopause that nearly wiped me off the map, I attribute my growing clarity to the products I use from my company. I could choose other products, I'm sure, but I have seen and felt the difference with my products. Why would I want to use anything else??

I stand behind my company, and I offer to you their guarantee: You'll love love it or your money back.

Have a beautiful day, world. I have appointments to set!

Forever's as far as I'll go ...

For Christmas, Santa brought me the album "The Essential Alabama". Today was the first day I thought about playing music while I update the organization on my desk and call clients. I think I was tickled to listen to music from yesterday's Discover Leadership training in Sacramento with Karen Keeney.

I remember the first Alabama album I bought -- they were a "brand new" group and I absolutely fell in love with their sound, their lyrics -- Alabama was a big part of the notes of my life at one time. Listening to these familiar songs today I feel light, blessed, happy and I cannot help but blend my notes with theirs (decent karaoke LOL).

Hearing Walter Brennan's voice "someday I'm gonna climb that mountain ..." brought me back to The Real McCoys, and sweet toothless grins, and one of the finest character actors that I absolutely adored. I wanted to someday name a son "Brennan" ... he was my TV grandfather -- wise, and kind, with a great sense of humor.

Alabama was such a master at a love song. Even today, nearly 30 years later, their vocals are exquisite. Combined with the feeling behind the words and it seems like only yesterday I bought that album.

They retired some years back, I hope the years out of the spotlight have been kind. Feels so right ...

Connection in process: All social networking sites combined into one. Wow! Learning something new!!

Appreciating family.

I suddenly realized I understood Family tonight.

"A few days ago," (in my minds' eye!) a woman found me who had a little girl Boxer, and wanted a big boy Boxer. That was in 1990 (feeling dated here). Today she and I had the opportunity of chatting on the phone since .... oh, probably 2002? So, not that long ago. But oh, it felt like so much longer! And now she's a Grandma -- and a gorgeous one at that! Wow, what a trip. Suddenly, I'm my Mom's age -- a quarter of a century ago.

And another family this week -- "Dad" worked with my ex-husband -- and we all used to go camping together, enjoying bar-b-que, s'mores and boating. Today he accepted my friend request, and I went and looked at his pictures of his grand babies -- three of 'em! Like WOW. When did THAT happen???

A horsey-girlfriend from high school had to dash off from chatting the other night because she had to get her grandson to sleep. Grandson?? Hey guys -- I have a 13 year old daughter and you've got grand babies! Wow. I think I started way later than you! Oh, yeah ... I remember. I made a different choice then, and after looking at all those cute kids, I feel so blessed that I might get to know who they are -- like I get to spend time with my nephews. I could feel a little sad, but then I pray I don't have grand babies too soon! Lord help me, no!!

These are just three of the relationships in the last week that have reconnected. We are all spread out all over the place -- but I've never stopped missing the people to whom these virtual letters are sent. It reminds me of the pen pals I had as a teenager!  And I'm sharing my friends lives, chatting on the phone, planning day trips to visit. Wow.

FaceBook is such a great community and it's awesome at bringing families together. What an incredible blessing.

XOXO

T

The Other Half of Me

Have you ever wondered what your parents look like? I have. Well, at least I've been curious about half a parent -- my birth father.

My Father left when I was an infant, and my Mom remarried when I was around three. When I was nine, she shared with me the fact that my two  younger brothers and I had different fathers. To say that I was surprised at this revelation would be an understatement.

My mother had an incredibly supportive family who loved her -- and me -- very much. My Nana, who was my Mom's Mom, was a huge part of my life, along with my Grandpa Ed. My Nana, Ivy Stanley, had married husband #4, Ed Bates, when I was just 3 months old. The family story is that I was with them when they bought the rings, got married -- and they took me with them on their honeymoon to meet Grandpa's family in Illinois. But ... I digress a bit.

Today, at 53 years old, I finally know what my Father looks like.

I found him via "social media" in September 2009, and when I emailed him he actually emailed me back! And today, I finally know what my Dad looks like -- and he is a handsome bloke!

How do you move past June Cleaver?

I was pondering my opportunity appointment this morning, and remembering some of our conversation. That also brings to mind a fortune cookie I got recently shortly after I started focusing on business building. The fortune was "You don't have to be perfect to achieve your dream." Or something along those lines. That, my friend, is where the word lies.

Rain sweet rain!

We have had a pretty dry three years here in Sonoma County, and tonight I can hear the sound of rain on the skylights. It is the most divine sound!

I love rain. I love being in a house with a roaring fireplace and windows all around me so I can watch the power of a storm move over me, while I sit safe and warm. I love seeing the plants the next morning -- the roses covered with drops that fill the tunnels formed by their petals. Shake them out! I love watching the drops scatter, often soaking my clothing.

I love walking through puddles, feeling my shoes fill with the cold wetness, and I feel the giggles coming from deep within. I love feeling the misty rain on my face, and I lift my chin to the sky and smile as the fine drops soak my hair.

I love the spring, when the flowers beging to release their buty from tightly head packages of petals. It is so lovely to watch them all dance in the warm sunlight.

Summer offers a vast array of color, and smells, and the tastes of summer fruits arrive, bursting on the scene! Sweet summer ..

And Autumn, when the leaves slowly begin to turn into a tapestry of golds, and reds, and oranges, brilliant as they tremble on the thinning branches of their home. As the winds start to pick up, they caress the sidewalks, and car windows, and skip across roads as though they were pebbles being skipped on water.

Winter brings the paperwhites, persimmons on the tree, and holiday lights glowing bright and clear in the darkening sky.

Oh yes, each season is special in its own unique way, just as all of us hold our own special place in the circle of life.

Are we not blessed?