Queenies Little Kingdom

Of all the places to find WORDS OF AFFIRMATION…..the girls bathroom of a public high school doesn't seem very likely, does it?

My heart swelled with pride when I ran in to do my business yesterday and saw the mirrors covered with love from girls to other girls.

At first, I just thought it was the kindness of a few girls playing around.  Later in the day,  realized this was done in all the girls bathrooms and was an intentional decision to build up their fellow gal pals!  Now that's girl power!

Too many of us are striving for all the wrong things.  It's not just high school girls who tear each other up and step on the weak in our world.  Grown women push their way to the top by stepping on the ladies around them all the time (whether it be with snarky looks, flaunting successes or sarcasm).  I won't accept that as normal any longer.  Will you?

So, for the girls and women who reach out and lift up their fellow ladies……WOW to you!  You, are just what our world needs more of.  Confident balcony girls!

What can you do, right now, today that will build up a friend or even a stranger?

GO DO IT!  Powergirl!

I wish wish wish…..I could keep my mouth shut but God didn't make me that way.  He gave me a voice and I plan to use it (hopefully to honor HIM) to point other's to His truth.

50 Shades of Grey is not a harmless love story.

It's a twisted trilogy that focuses on domination and the normalization of sexual sadism.  Just what every parent of a daughter hopes for … in a "love" relationship, huh?  Or dreams of for their sons?

As a mother, I've worked double-time to instill a healthy balance of what LOVE looks like in relationships for my children.  Surely, I've failed in many ways when I've disrespected their dad in front of them or behaved in a way that was not God-honoring as a woman of God.  However, I have also tried to be genuine and real with my faults and the seeking of forgiveness from a Holy God who throws sin as far as the East is from the West!  All in the presence of my very easily influenced children.

I realized a long time ago……I had the power to direct them to God or away from Him.  My greatest hope is that they would power-walk towards Him!

Now that the big opening weekend is here for 50 Shades of Blah Blah…the media is saturating every avenue of our lives with advertisements.  Everywhere you look, trailers for the movie bombard you and tickle you with…."Don't you wanna?".  Even favorite morning shows (The Today Show) are cramming the "innocent" garbage down our throats.  It seems there is no escaping its evil pull.

What I find so confusing is how quickly people (women & men) are to defend its innocence.  What?  They call it a love story.  What?  How?  They say, every marriage could benefit from it.  Really?  Why?  They point out, don't judge it if you haven't read it.  No?  Really?  People do that all the time about God's Word, the Bible.  They say, it's harmless.  How is that?  The message is abuse and humiliation.  What woman really wants to be treated in that way?  Come on.  Seriously?

I love my hubby.  He's a man's man.  The kind that knows how to be strong and also the same kind who cries when he thinks of how much he loves me or our kids.  He's soft yet tough in all the right ways.  He knows how to blow my mind with kindness and he also knows how to push all my buttons and tick me off.  He respects me but he also messes up sometimes.  He understands my needs (most of the time) and he wants THE BEST for me all of the time.  I don't need him to be dominating and cruel to find him a passionate lover.  Matter of fact, I like him tender and caring.  I enjoy being cherished by him.  I think he can do that and still be very much a leader in our family.

Women are looking for a man who will take charge.  Well, that's what many are saying when defending Christian Grey's domination.  Perhaps that's true.  However, scripture is pretty clear that men will be held accountable for their leadership within their homes and families.  For a man to be forceful and controlling, is the opposite of a Godly leader.  It's time for women to stop leading and allowing husband's to live out the role God has for them.  And it doesn't include getting rough in the bedroom.

Whether we want to believe it or not….our world is full of horrible sex-trafficking crimes.  It's full of domestic abuse.  It's full of dysfunctional relationships.  Violent ones with horrible acts of sex that often turn into murder.  I find it so ironic that 50 Shades gets so much positive attention when the big deal right now is on domestic violence.  How does this system get so topsy-turvy?  What is the difference?

I'm never going to advocate for women to fill their minds and hearts with such garbage.  The message the world is trying to convince us is that this sort of entertainment is acceptable and I'll keep shouting from the mountaintops, NO, IT ISN'T!!!

It's one more way for satan to clench his evil claws in our lives, marriages and relationships.  Stop defending it!  It will NEVER make your life better.

Interested in learning more from the National Center for Sexual Exploitation?  You might find some incredible information on their Dirty Dozen page.  Go HERE!

**Pictures on this blog post are from the NCSE site**

I recommend #50dollarsnot50shades as a worthy cause to get behind instead of calling all your girlfriends for a night out at the movies this weekend.

I'm finally back in the land of snow and ice.  On Friday, my hubby and I packed up his tiny little munchkin car and started for HOME!  It was a long month away so we were really anticipating getting back into our own bed and wandering around in our own house.  Even if it's 20 something degrees outside.

About 76 hours into the trip, okay…it was maybe 8 hours, we received a phone call from our son asking us if we had changed the code on our garage door?  Uhm, nope!  Then he told us his friend was there trying to get in and couldn't because the garage would NOT open up with our normal password.  I pulled up the security camera and could see someone was stomping around in our snowy driveway and on our porch but I couldn't see the human doing it.  I watch, then a few minutes later…I see the persons car leave.

A little bit later another phone call.  This one from our youngest punk (Gates) and she is asking about the garage door.  Aha!  It's all making sense now.  Our baby has come to our house to wait for us to return home and wanted to surprise us, only she CAN'T GET IN!

Something is terribly wrong with our garage door.

So, there we are….over 3+ hours away and our little girl baby child infant college punk is standing out in the snowy icy OUTSIDE of our scary house ( the sun was going going gone) and can't get in.  As in, the doors may never open ever ever again!

Perhaps a bit dramatic, I realize…but if it were your kid —– work with me, y'all!

Panic started to set in right in the middle of my shoulders.  I tensed up and I could not stand watching the video of my girl trying to get inside my warm house while I was barreling down the long interstate in Illinois somewhere!  It was killing me.  At one point, my hubby even considered having her throw a brick through a window.  Thankfully, she couldn't get any of our 3 backyard gates to open or this story might include an awesome paragraph about our replacing a window during the winter of 2015!!

We pushed that little muchkin wagon to the floor and hauled it….even faster than we were already rolling.

Finally, after trying every trick in the book to break into our house…I threw out a plea for help on Facebook in my neighborhood.  Soon everyone was chiming in with advice and tips to handle the situation.  My new neighbor and friend, Courtney (LOVE THIS LADY) offered her own house for Gates to hang out in until we arrived in late that night.  It was warm, it was available and it was right across the street.

Look at that face.  How could I NOT get all in a tizzy?

I can't tell you how amazing that offer felt!  Our poor McGateser (McGyver) had reached a level of frustration and we could not get there any faster, so a warm safe place to hang out….was just what she needed!

We made it home about 11:30pm and she was perfectly safe.  Our garage door opener did it's thing and opened the door as if nothing was ever wrong.  Hubby had to shovel snow for 20 minutes before we could even get in our driveway and unload the car.  But, she was there to greet us (YAY) and we were all happy to be in our own warm house!

The garage door problem?  Who knows!  Something may have been reset because on that same wall our security camera for the driveway was out too.  All I know is if you are interested in breaking in my house….keep on going.  YOU WILL NOT GET IN!  Unless, you throw a brick and if you do that….I will be posting your snapshot pic all over the internet!  So, don't do it…dudes!

Happy to be home!  Now, I'm off to work a half day.  Oh the trudgery!

Oh month of love, how you confound me.  I'm all about celebrating for just about every reason.  But do we honestly need February 14th to remind us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER?  I suppose it's more about romance and I understand many relationships are floundering around rather void of RED HOT passion.  So, there you go Valentine's Day….DO. YOUR. THING.

Meanwhile, back at the celebration farm.  How about some sweet FASHION shopping deals?  I've shopped here and there searching for items that would make even the toughest heart swoon.   Maybe you'll find something you like today.  If you do, let me know!

Claddagh Charm 14k gold

Jewelry certainly fires up some fashion passion.  If you're a good Irish girl and love Claddagh jewelry this charm is a sure winner.  It's on sale for $84.99 HERE.  Obiously, this charm could act as a whole "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" thing….someone might need a chain to hold it etc. So, I'm sorry not sorry..y'all.  Fight it out amongst ya!

** Not sure what the Claddagh symbol is all about?  Go HERE. **

H & M does my heart good with this sweet sweatshirt for $5 dollars!  It's on the clearance rack.  Perfect for V-Day!

Or if money is no biggie and you're a Nordstrom kind of girl….this sweatshirt is a little more blingy (I like blingy) and wee more costly.  I love it, but I think I'll leave it for someone else at $98.

Maybe you do, maybe you don't…but if you want to look super cute on the commercial day of L O V E – this pretty in pink puffy vest is adorable.   You can pair it with your fave jeans and a warm long-sleeved shirt and look like a hotty toddy!  It's North Face, so…you'll pay for it.  But, girl…you'll be sweet!

I have to share this because I got one for Christmas and gave both of my girls one too.  It has been one of my smartest purchases (at the insistance of my hubby) ever.  They have other colors but since we're talking Valentines Day deals…I'm showing you the ones we bought.  Pink is $99.00 and sold out.  This thing is so powerful that it literally charges my phone & other devices in record fast time.  As in, faster than a plug in the dang wall faster!  Get one!  ZILU Smart Power Charger  

I heart you charger machine!

I'm mad about Pink Peonies and these silk beauties are only $6.59 a bunch from Amazon.  I believe I have just the place to stick a few of these ALL OVER MY HOUSE.  I love them!

Okay okay, I realize this is supposed to be ALL ABOUT Valentines Day….but look at how useful this would be.  I mean, really.  I have to have this.  My drawers are a mess.  I think it's real LOVEly to have a spot for all your underwear.  Talk about organized!   This would FORCE me to throw out a ton of old stuff I never wear.  Only $10.99 for 4 organizers!

Gosh, I love this pink sweater jacket.  The inside is furry while the outside is so shabby chic and soft.  Love the details and that it's a one-size fits style too!  $35.16 with free shipping.

Just one more fancy piece of jewelry, I promise.  This is so feminine and I love it!  For $16.99 you could use it all year long.  Right?

So much pink.  I apologize to all my red loving friends.  Most of my items come in a variety of colors.  Don't discount anything based on my color choice.  You might find something to tickle your fancy.  Just remember, it's all about the LOVE anyway!

Happy Friday!

My hubby and I have been home (well, home in Texas home) a little over a week now.  It's turned C O L D here which reminds me of the chilly but beautiful days spent in Washington this month.  During our week there with family….we did a great amount of eating out.  I believe the only time we ate at home was breakfast and a few meals of soup, hamburgers and salmon (that was a great meal, Nana).  Most of the time, we were out on adventures and part of the fun was eating somewhere new.

Don't you love vacation?

Out of all the meals, I have a favorite.  It wasn't planned or even considered a thing we just "happened" upon it at eating time and I'm convinced, that's when the magic happens!  When you least expect it!  We started out the day climbing our way up Badger Mountain Road.  We were searching out the best views (we did that daily) on our way up to Waterville, Washington.  Honestly, the best way for me to describe it….is we were in the middle of nowhere.  It seemed like no one could possibly live anywhere up in that area (they do, I promise) or like we were going to a big NO WHERE!  Just mountains, climbing higher and higher.

Washington is one of the most incredible places I've ever visited.  The whole state is gorgeous and it's beauty just goes on and on.  I'm so glad I visited!

We reached the little sleepy town of Waterville and my thoughts of WHO LIVES HERE and WHAT DO THEY DO? only grew bigger.  It's a true small town that's up on the high plains of about 2622 feet elevation.  What's going on up there?  That's what I kept thinking.

I'm all about facts, people!  Facts.

It was well after lunch time but our stomachs were certain that we had to find food immediately.  You won't find fast food stops in Waterville.  You won't even find a big grocery store.  You will find a quaint little town full of charm and loaded with Washington beauty.  We drove down the main street and stumbled upon the OPEN sign of the Coyote Pass Cafe.

Never ones to pass up a "Cafe" we decided to give it a shot without even looking around for another choice.  Charm will lure you in (if you're me, anyway) and this was one of those times that it turned out to be the best decision all week!

Lucky for us, the lunch crowd was all gone.  So, we sort of had the run of the place which was so danged adorable inside.  I instantly thought of my girl's who love quaint and charming as much as I do.  I wished they were there to join us.  The place was perfect and we hadn't even ordered any food.  The special of the day menu was loaded with yummy choices but when I saw FISH TACOS my mind was set.  However, they were serving a cabbage soup …. and after tasting a little sampling, I ordered a bowl to go with my huge plate of tacos.

I may have crossed the weirdo line when I asked Eyvonne (the amazing chef who hails from Vermont) if it was TOO SOON to call her Mama!  Seriously!  The soup!  The soup was so stinking delicious I immediately started feeling regret that I had to fly back home and never have another bowl of it again.  My brain, it works in strange ways.  The flavor, texture and all the kickin' ingredients were just right.  It almost tasted like my favorite SWAMP CABBAGE from way back home in the deep deep south.

Swamp cabbage is a delicacy to the southern bumpkin palate!

No, I'm not ashamed of all I ordered.  Wait til you hear about dessert!

Somehow, Eyvonne managed to blow my very picky tastebuds with every bite of every single item I ordered.  My hubby, who is spoiled to good meals loved his Asian BBQ Shortribs with sweet-n-sour sauce.  He ate his whole plate and ordered dessert.  Oh dessert!  What a dream come true!  I say unashamedly that I eat all my meals with the hope and dreams of a scrumptious dessert.  It's my favorite way to end all meals.  Eyvonne makes a butterscotch pie that will blow your mind.  The rich creamy filling was so hearty and thick just chewing each bite took work and the size of the serving was huge!  My father-in-law who loves Coconut cake had all his dreams come true with his own giant slice of heaven in the form of a coconut pineapple cake.  I'm still thinking about this meal.

I don't know who eats there regularly but I can assure you….I'd be climbing that mountain road on a regular basis if I lived in Washington.  The food was unbelievably delicious.  Oh, I almost forgot to mention they also have a crazy awesome coffee shop area too.  I didn't get a coffee (my hubby did and he said it was one of the best cups of Joe he's ever had) but I did order an Italian soda that rocked my socks!

I told you, I ordered so much stuff….  not ashamed!

Thank you Eyvonne!  Our meal turned out to be the favorite of our whole trip to Washington.  I feel it's only right that I shout it from (my own little mountaintop/blog) for the world to know.  Coyote Pass Cafe is my favorite restaurant in Washington state!  Boom!

I just heard on tv that every human NEEDS 6-8 hugs per day to maintain a healthy emotional balance. 

I KNEW IT!

I love hugging!  It's one of my favorite ways to show love to my people.  Even those of you who get a little weirded out by hugs, if you just go with it….you'll feel better.  I promise!

Admit it, hugs do something to your heart.  They boost your attitude and fill you with joy.  You can't help but smile after someone gives you a hug.

Hugs do more than just make you smile….they connect you with another human being.  Hugs say, "You are important!"  and "You are special!".  They also help us to know everything is going to be okay.

I never want to make someone feel awkward when I give them a hug.  I always try to be respectful of their personal space (cause, you know….I am a lover of PS).  However, if I love you….I'm going to eventually hug you.  Deal with it, Betsy!

So, for my hubby and kids….. I have to hug you.  It's for your mental & emotional well-being.  Your soul needs it and SO DOES MINE!!!

Have you had your 6-8 hugs today?

PS- Even McDonald's is onto the hug thing!