Heart Speaking

I like my world to be visually, impact fully, neat. I make the bed every morning (I'd make Cearra's too if I didn't think she'd be a bit freaked by that); I place Owen's monster trucks in rows and store other wheeled vehicle by type; I keep our vitamins in nifty little baskets; and I think I may have previously mentioned my closet "system".

On vacation I'm the one who unpacks immediately upon arrival, and organizes the food supply (a cluttered counter of snack bags makes me cringe). I can't stand newspapers, receipts, magazines or mail laying about where they aren't meant to be- but if they must, I make sure the piles are squared. Shoes by the side of the bed (ahem, Bob) irk me and ooh, don't get me started on jackets left on chair backs overnight.

I'd be a bit worried about me if it weren't for the fact that I am not, and have never been, quite as concerned with the actual cleanliness of things. Which basically means that if you show up unexpectedly at my house, 98% of the time everything will look nice and in its place - but please don't peak in that junk drawer or look too closely at the baseboards.

So this morning I surprised myself when I tackled cleaning and found myself actually feeling lifted up by it. I kind of enjoyed vacuuming and dusting, plumping sofa cushions and putting away laundry. I hummed as I washed dishes, cleaned litter boxes and took out trash. As the smell of bleach wafted about the bathroom, I recognized that I was feeling especially thankful for my life (I don't think it was just the bleach fumes).

My heart was happy as I cut up a fresh pineapple for everyone to help balance out our diet of recently delivered Girl Scout cookies, and toasted up a batch of spicy pumpkin seeds for all to enjoy tonight. I texted a bit with Cearra, put a fresh oatmeal cookie scented tart in the warmer, helped Bob with some work, and planned a little treat for Owen.

I felt joyfully filled with appreciation for my life! Making our home sparkle and shine, making tasty treats, even snuggling with my cats seemed really valuable this morning. These actions didn't feel like chores, but offerings willingly given to care for my family. And as I did more for them, I gained even more gratitude for the many blessings I've been given.

Nice how that all works.

Fabulous Fall

Oh, how I love Fall!

This is my favorite tree. It's a big ole' beautiful maple, and each fall it lights itself up with the most brilliant colors. It positively glows at certain times of day. As we drove by today (I'm lucky enough to usually drive by several times a day), Owen said, "I'd like to just sit under your favorite tree and read a book in its shade". Me too! Think the homeowners would mind?

This my favorite "I do". October 19, sixteen years ago. Fall was a very good time to be married.

I love the cooler temperatures of fall, the crisp apples and fresh apple cider, the football games, the colors ... all of it. 

I love taking Owen to our local farm for a bumpy, jumpy hayride to pick our own pumpkins. So many great pumpkins this year - we ended up with quite a few.

That night we told Owen he could pick one gourd to carve ... too bad his pumpkin is feeling a little "green" around the gills!

Cee-cee and Dennis got home from a weekend trip and we chose another fine specimen from the front porch to go under the knife. 

Dennis' first time carving a pumpkin. He did a good job!

Cearra took over for the actual design, with Owen overseeing preparations.

Dennis looks a bit nervous, doesn't he?

Love him!

The finished product ... OK, Baltimorians ... who is it?

Summer's Last Hurrah

Our annual trip to Hilton Head Island, in pictures. Thank you Mom and Dad, as always, and for everything.

So happy to be back at the beach

Cabana boy

For you Uncle Todd!

Sister - Best Friends. Love seeing then laugh together.

Owen's picture of one of our fav restaurants

Mom, Dad, Uncle Rich, Aunt Cathy, Aunt Sue, me, Bob, Butter

Loves his lobster tail (and scallops, and crabs, and fish!)

Singing in the shower?

No "thumbs down" kiddie meals for him!

Ripple

"Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end."

- Scott Adams

When I was newly diagnosed with breast cancer, and still reeling with shock and fear, a young woman I'd never met took time out of her day to stop by my office, and by sharing her story of recovery, gifted me a kindness that I consider an honor to carry on and spread. And so I am deeply touched not only by Mary Kay's contributions, but even more so by Cearra's personal decision to add to it and carry it a step further by reaching out to very real women with a small act of kindness and beauty. 

Here's your chance to get in on the ripple:

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am using my business to give Kisses for A Cure! I am so proud to say that Mary Kay Cosmetics donates millions of dollars each year to the cause through the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation. Like most of you, I know someone who has been affected by cancer, and I love that in my business is I can give back too.

This October, Mary Kay is donating the proceeds from sales of our New Limited Edition Inspiring and Possibilities Lip Glosses to Breast Cancer Research.
 
I have chosen to take it further ... I'm asking my friends, family, and customers to purchase one or both specialty Lip Glosses (one for $14 or two for $28). You can then choose to keep the gloss and of course the proceeds go to research. Or, you can donate the gloss and I will personally deliver them to my local Cancer Treatment Center in Westminster, MD with a note that reads:

"You've been given a Kiss for the Cure! The proceeds from this gloss go to Cancer Research. The gloss is for you! May you feel as beautiful as we know you are. Sincerely, The (Name) Family of (City, State)"

Plus, on top of your purchase/donation and Mary Kay's donation, I will personally donate $2 from my profit for each special edition lip gloss sold to the American Cancer Society! 

Please feel free to share this opportunity to bring a smile to someone's face with your friends and family. Let's all get involved and make a difference in the world and in someone else's life! Please call or email me with any questions or if you'd like to order. You may also order by visiting my personal website at www.marykay.com/cmechem.

Thank you!
Cearra

R is for Rat's Halloween House