Simple Pleasures

I am a very grateful lady! I give thanks many times a day, for the love, health, friendship and comfort in my life; for I know what it's like not to have these things.  Perhaps it's my attitude of gratitude that enables me to delight in simple pleasures, but now more than ever I am thankful  for everything that brings a smile or even some happy tears. I think we all need to find gladness wherever we can; so, in the interest of the greater good, I have to share episode 2 of  John Krasinski's "Some Good News" .

Let me start by saying that I honestly don't think the name of the show does it justice, as you'll see at eight and a half minutes into the episode. While John is talking to a little girl named Aubrey, about how sad she was that she wasn't able to go see "Hamilton" because of the pandemic, Lin-Manuel Miranda and the entire original cast of "Hamilton" Zoom bombed the segment and performed "Alexander Hamilton!!"

I was thrilled by the performance, because my girls and I have been obsessed with the show since it opened on Broadway.  We purchased the soundtrack (which we hadn't done in years) and listened to it relentlessly. So much so, that i'll confess we're a bit snobbish about other cast performances and we've even debated if we actually wanted to go see the show; because we thought we might be disappointed. (I know - that's a lil extreme, but remember, we're obsessed!) So to have the opportunity to watch the original cast members perform, was beyond incredible!  We squealed with glee as each of our favorite actors appeared on the screen. We sang along and I cried the happiest tears as these amazing human beings sang for Aubrey and everyone who needed uplifting.

While there are so many hardships and challenges that our society is facing during COVID-19, I think it's also been amazing to see how creative and generous the entertainment community has been during this crises. I'm so appreciative of the efforts and kindness shown by John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda et al, as well as those that participated in the Saturday Night Seder, the zoom table read of  "The Nanny" pilot, Tom Hanks and the cast of "SNL from home" and of course the numerous late night talk show hosts that continue to provide us with fun diversions.   We're being given an opportunity to take a time out, and reassess how we've been interacting with friends and family, and strengthen those relationships. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I am enjoying this pandemic, but I will admit that I've had a lot of wonderful and rewarding experiences.  I'm choosing to acknowledge the good stuff; so before we go to sleep I ask each of my kids to tell me one good thing about their day.  I'm hoping that you'll watch the link that I shared and this will at least be one good thing about your day.

Till next time...
Paige

The Image Maker

First and foremost, I hope that everyone is safe and healthy! I'm very grateful that my family is doing well and all together under one roof.
At the beginning of March, my fam was on an all time high!  We'd been receiving a lot of great news and big wins!  Kelsie had done a fantastic job in her school's production of "Mulan" the musical, Nicky was offered a summer research position at Duke University, and Lyndzi was accepted into all 5 of the schools that she applied to, was awarded scholarships for full tuition and fees at California College of the Arts and won a $2000 leadership scholarship from our school district.  Luis had been excelling at his job! He was top in sales for his region and was being monetarily rewarded (FINALLY!)  Then Nicky came home for his spring break and life as the U.S. knew it, started to change.  We first started feeling the effects when The UA extended Spring Break for a few days. Then they announced that classes would temporarily be online only. It seems like it was just a minute later, that they announced that classes would be online only for the rest of the semester and that anyone that was living on campus, should move out if they had a place to go. Resident Assistants were given the option to return and they were advised that it would not be held against them for next year, if they decided not to come back; but Nicky felt that he had an obligation to fulfill and he returned to school. After a week and a half they started consolidating the dorms and Nicky's community manager told him that he had more than completed his commitment; so we picked him up on Saturday and he'll finish the semester at home.
Despite all of the changes, quarantines, cancellations and lack of toilet paper, I've tried to remain optimistic and provide encouragement and comfort to others. It crossed my mind that writing my blog might be a good way to do this, but I wasn't ready to get started.  Then I saw a Facebook post from our friends at the Sun City Thrift shop, asking for good vibes and positive thoughts. They're so used to helping the community and interacting with people, that closing down was really bumming them out and I wanted to give them what they needed and show them how much I appreciate all that they do.  I've been creating a lot images with photos and fonts for our DJ gigs, thank you and birthday messages, so I made an image "Sending Good Vibes & Positive Thoughts" and left it as a comment for them.  I designed a slightly different version of this image for my amazing friend Rachel, because

I thought she needed a little lift and as I care so much about (say it with me) "The greater good", I decided  to share it on Instagram because I thought that others might like to see it too. I wrote "For everyone who needs it...xo" and I added some hashtags. Now I am absolutely not the Queen of Instagram, in any way shape or form. In fact, even after being on it for a few years I still barely know how to use it. My posts typically receive 5-30 "likes"; but yet I persist, because I want to share my positivity, especially during these unprecedented and uncertain times.
I found it cathartic to look for photos and produce messages so I continued.

For my second Instagram post I wanted to find a beautiful picture of nature. A breathtaking photo that transported you outdoors, where you were able to revel in the beauty and take the most cleansing breaths imaginable. I shared "Just Breathe" and wrote "Sometimes this is all we can do... Sending positive vibes, love and prayers for all who need it. xo" and added some hashtags.
The next day I heard from some more friends who were feeling anxious and down, so I posted "Believe" with the  message "For those who need a little uplifting today..." and, you guessed it, added some hashtags.

I felt like I was on the right track, even though my messages weren't reaching the masses and I felt like I wanted to dig a little deeper with my next post. I looked for a photo of a lotus blossom and shared " Because You Can."

I wrote " Even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the lotus produces the most beautiful flowers." I added some hashtags (of
course), and actually got an encouraging comment from someone
that I don't know; so I kept going.

A few days later, I decided to look for a photo that would connect
me with my other senses. I shared "Stress Relief" and wrote "I love
the scent of Orange Blossoms. Their intoxicating fragrance makes me smile and thoroughly relaxes me. While we're all at our homes

I  hope that you can find a scent that will uplift your spirits when you need it."  Still hoping to connect with more people, I added some hashtags.

Next came "Strength."  I wrote "I think it's delightful that the delicate Gladiolus is a symbol of strength and overcoming difficulties in life.
I'm sharing this image today as both Lyndzi and Nicky received some disappointing news this afternoon and I just felt terrible for both of them. I know that there is nothing that I can do to change either situation as both cancellations that effect them are COVID-19 related; so I looked for some beautiful images of strength to lift my spirits. If you need it, I hope this image encourages you too. xo" and some hashtags.

Now, just as the beginning of March brought the Ramos' an abundance of good news, the end of March kept beating us down.  Thus, I shared "Perspective"  and wrote "My mood today is not the best. I felt angry, frustrated and annoyed (not quarantine related.) I thought getting creative might make me feel better, and when I considered what type of image went along with these emotions, I immediately thought 'I'm seeing red!!' So follow my thought process here...I went from looking for a photo that had a red overlay, to an image of a red eye, and then I realized, I should look for red images that would make me feel happy. I started looking at flowers and I felt more relaxed. My mood lightened. Ultimately the image that I liked best was this Red Dhalia. When I researched further, I found that the Dhalia symbolizes elegance, inner strength, creativity, dignity and change. This convinced me that i'd found the right red image to change my mood. It's all about PERSPECTIVE! 
These days more than ever, I hope that you are able to be flexible with your perspective . Find ways to soothe yourself and keep your outlook positive. I hope this helps..." and some hashtags that only garnered 17 "likes"

As I was writing my post to accompany "Perspective", I knew that the place that I really should be sharing it was here on "The Bumpy Ride."  And while this introductory or catch up blog is much longer than those you may see in the future; I think the time and the cause have finally driven me back to where my insights might do the most good.  With that being said, the next image that i'll be sharing on Instagram, is "New Beginnings" (the first one featured in this post), but I'll be directing my traffic to "The Bumpy Ride" for the thoughts behind the images.  I hope you'll be joining me.

Till next time...
Paige

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I'd say, SURPRISE, but I probably don't have to.
I hope this post finds you all well and looking forward to what 2020 will bring.  I'm excited for this new decade, but a bit overwhelmed by where I find myself...  Nicky will be heading back to the University of Arizona on Jan.10 to have a mini RA training before the residents arrive on Jan.13th. He'll be starting the 2nd semester of his Junior year as an electrical and computer engineering major and will continue applying for summer internship opportunities and DJing his weekly radio show. Lyndzi just turned 18 a few weeks ago,and is finishing up her last college application as she prepares for the second semester of her senior year in High school. She's juggling being the Varsity Soccer goalie and one of the captains, along with finishing additional works for her portfolio, volunteering at the Sun City Thrift Shop, and mastering her classes. Kelsie turned Sweet 16 a week before Lyndzi turned 18. She is prepping for her upcoming role in "Mulan"at Peoria High School, as well as playing Varsity soccer, volunteering and taking honors classes.  I'm just dumbfounded at how quickly the years have passed, in addition to how long it's been since I actually pursued my own dream of becoming a writer. As a mom and wife, I prioritized everyone else's needs and goals before mine. I was a cheerleader, a chauffeur, a consultant, a collaborator, a DJ, an emcee, an event coordinator, and a fundraiser; and though I loved (almost) every minute of it; my dream took a backseat. PLEASE don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely NOT complaining, I'm just making an observation; because, ya know - THAT'S what I do.

Being a mom is the most satisfying, gratifying, and exciting experience that I've ever had and If I think about how old my kids were and what they were doing when I first started writing "The Bumpy Ride" and where we are now, it feels like it's all transpired in the blink of an eye. I wouldn't change a minute of the time I've spent helping them become who they are but I'm hoping that in this New Year, I will encourage (OK, push) myself the same way I do my kids.

As I sat home relaxing  today (something that I'm not really good at), I thought to myself that it would be a great day to take a stab at resurrecting my blog. I didn't really have anything witty or profound to share, so I re-read a few of my old posts. I wasn't surprised to find that I had mentioned my desire to get back to the gym, several times, and yes, that 100 plus pounds is still yearning to be lost; but just as I took a chance and tried to compose this post, I'm going to make my best effort to get back to the gym. For extra inspiration, I perused some quotes about getting started and because I'm all about the greater good, i'll share some of my favorites with you, just in case you need a lil New Year's encouragement as well.

So, with these words of wisdom in hand, I welcome 2020 and all that it will bring. We have a lot of wonderful things to look forward to and I plan to enjoy them as my best me.  I wish the same for you as well.

Till next time...
Paige

HUGE News for Lyndzi...

I've known that Lyndzi was an artist, since she was three years old.  YES, three!!  She sat down with some crayons and drew the bee that was on  the Honey Nut Cheerios box, and I knew right then and there that she had a gift.  Being a mom who blogs, I frequently write about my kids;  so I took a look back to see what I had previously shared  about Lyndzi's artwork and I came across a post from 2010 called  "What A Mom's Gotta Do",  where I wrote "Lyndzi is an absolutely BRILLIANT artist; and yes, I know that most moms think that their kids are great at one thing or another; but trust me when I tell you, my girl's got TALENT!! Lyndzi is a multi-faceted artist - not only can she draw; she also sculpts and paints.  Lyndzi pays exceptional attention to detail and her vision is way beyond her years.   She's won prizes for her artwork and been featured in our school district art show; and at the tender age of 8 she PRIDES herself on being an artist."  While it's hard for me to believe that I wrote that over 7 years ago, those words still hold true.  Lyndzi's become an extraordinary artist.  She's won several contests, has done commissioned work and she continues to sell hand drawn sneakers.Now, if you read my last blog "Cinnamon",  then you know that "as much as I love surprises, I often have a hard time keeping the secret and waiting to reveal the surprise."  Well, the universe has surely been challenging me; because (thankfully), the surprises keep coming and I've been keeping a secret (from most of you) for a few weeks now.  It wasn't that I didn't want to tell EVERYONE, believe me, I DID; but when I received the call from the PUSD Public Relations Department, notifying me that Lyndzi had won the district Anti-Bullying Art Contest (for the third time), they asked me not to say anything publicly until after the awards were presented at the Peoria Cultural Arts  Festival. Lyndzi was so excited to find out that she had won; but like me, she's a rule follower so she didn't say anything to anyone.  Well, the next day when Lyndzi came home from school, she said to me "You didn't fracture your ankle in vain." (And side note, if you're totally confused by that comment, stop here.  Read "Oops I Did It Again, And Again", and then come back.  Everyone else KEEP READING...)

So,  I asked her what she was talking about, and with tears welling up in her eyes, she told me that when she had walked into her art class, her teacher said "Don't you have something to tell us."  Assuming that he was talking about the Anti-Bullying art contest, she shared the news of her win.  He then said "And?" to which she replied "And?" And he said "You also won a bus?"  Lyndzi was taken aback and she asked what he was talking about.  He then explained, that the Principal had come in to see him earlier, with some people from the Valley Metro bus and they said that she had won the Transit Wrap Contest!!!!   I was stunned when I heard her news, and I'm not sure how many times I said "You won?"  Not because I couldn't believe that she'd done it, but because it was such a HUGE contest, and such a fantastic prize and I was just ecstatic for her.  Now I don't know about you, but because I heard it from Lyndzi, who heard it from her Art teacher, and I hadn't heard a peep from Valley Metro, I didn't want to say anything publicly, in case there was some type of misunderstanding.  When I saw the Art teacher at the Cultural Arts Festival, I asked him to tell me about what happened when the bus people came in to see him and he said that Lyndzi had definitely won, but he got the impression that they wanted to surprise her.  OK, I can understand that part, but I wondered why they hadn't contacted me.  (Maybe they heard that I wasn't great at keeping secrets, lol.) Well, hallelujah, we got the official call on Monday, and I can now say with all certainty that Lyndzi has won the Valley Metro Transit Wrap contest!!!  She'll be getting a bus and a light rail wrapped with her design for a year, in addition to a cash prize!!  They'll be unveiling her bus at her school on May 16th AND they'll let us know when the lightrail and bus are being wrapped so that we can go down with family and friends to watch and take photos.  So, if you're in the area and you'd like to see Lyndzi's bus, consider yourself invited!! 

Since this ride may have been a lil bumpier than usual, here's Lyndzi's Anti-Bullying Award winning piece...  The theme this year was "All Different All Equal".

What more can I say?  I'm grateful for the surprises that we've been receiving.  Not only because of  the joy that they're bringing but because it seems that as long as I have surprises to share, I have subject matter for my blog!

Till next time,

Paige
XO

Cinnamon

After I posted  my last blog, I shared the link on my Facebook, with the status "I live to surprise people! Just posted my second blog this month - I even surprised myself!"  Welllllll, as much as I love surprises, I often have a hard time keeping the secret and waiting to reveal the surprise.  Sooo, I am extra pleased with myself tonight, because in addition to keeping a secret for almost a week; I'm actually writing a my third blog of the month!

And here we go...  We got our beloved Chihuahua, Hershey from my brother-in-law in Puerto Vallarta when she was just three months old, and she's now nine.  (At this point you may want to check out The Tale of the Dog and then come back...) My kids and I are ridiculous when it comes to Hershey, and some may say (ok, have said) that we are obsessed, lol but we don't care; we just adore her.  We think that she's so cute, and so smart and she makes us so happy; but one of us has never felt as loved by Hershey and has been asking for quite some time to get a dog of her own. Typically when Kelsie would broach the subject, we'd remind her that Hershey doesn't think that she's a dog and doesn't like to be around other dogs; and although she knew this all to be true, she's still just 14 and she wanted a dog that would appreciate her. A dog like Copper...   A couple of years ago we met our friend April's rescue Chihuahua, Copper.  His temperament couldn't have been more opposite of Hershey's. He was friendly to everyone and snuggly, he was tiny and just a mush. And honestly when each of us held him, we were overcome with a sense of calm and happiness.  While Hershey emotes the same feelings from us, she's still really unpredictable and only lets you pet and love on her when she's in the mood, so experiencing a dog that was so sweet and lovable all the time, added to Kelsie's desire for a new dog.

Despite our love and affection for Hershey, Lyndzi, Kelsie and I would frequently talk about how great it would be to have a dog like Copper.  I don't know if it's because Hershey's getting older and every time she sighs, or makes an uncustomary sound, they think that something's wrong with her, and Google what these "symptoms" mean, or if they are just ready for some unconditional puppy love.

I suppose it didn't help that Luis (who has never been on board with getting another dog), recently started regaling us with tales of the cute dogs that he'd see when he was out at work.  To add insult to injury, he started taking videos of stray dogs and then he'd show them to us at dinner; which of course prompted the girls to ask him to bring home the next cute, small, girl dog that he found.  Surprisingly enough, Luis humored their request, and told us that he'd be on the look out.  I discussed this new development with Luis, because the girls were taking him seriously, and I kinda feared that he may accidentally kidnap someone's dog.  We were concerned that he could bring home a pooch that was sick and then of course there was the cost of shots etc; so last Saturday, when the girls and I saw what could possibly have been an Adopt A Dog sign outside Pet Co. we had to go check it out.

As it turned out the sign was for vaccinations; so I told the girls that we could go down the street and swing by PetSmart.  On our drive there, Kelsie asked if we got a black Chihuahua if we could name her Pepper.  I wasn't opposed to that name, but Lyndzi wasn't digging it.  I asked her to Google some dog names and as she read from the list, the one that I liked best was Minnie.  No one shot it down, so I figured this name could be a contender for our fictional dog.  We arrived at PetSmart and as luck would have it, America's Freedom Paws Rescue was stationed outside the store.  They only had two dogs with them, and they were bigger, so we weren't interested; but just as we'd arrived, a lady walked up with a Chihuahua.  Kelsie said "what about that one?"  But I was under the impression that the dog she was referring to was a pet and not part of the adoption.  We went into the store and when we came out, we had the pleasure of meeting Cinnamon, who was in fact a rescued Chihuahua.

When the ladies described her, they said she loved to snuggle, sit on your lap and sleep with you; and the girls (all 3 of us) melted.  We couldn't help but think that she was EXACTLY what we'd been dreaming of.  She's two years old, but she's small.  She weighs about four lbs, and she's super affectionate.  Could you say no to this???Well I couldn't!  I asked the ladies what we would need to do to adopt Cinnamon, and it really couldn't have been easier.  I just had to fill out a short application, pay $125 (which I thought was a steal since she had all of her vaccinations and had been spayed)  and they'd give us her collar, harness, leash, food and water bowls and a brand new bag of food. They also said that we could have a three day trial period, so if we needed to return her because Hershey couldn't adapt, then at least we could get our money back.  I called Luis, to tell him about Cinnamon and see what he thought about us adopting her and thankfully, he had no objections to us bringing her home.   To say that we fell in love with Cinnamon instantly would be an understatement.  I don't think that any of us could have left PetSmart without her; so I told the ladies that we had to take her.  The ladies were delighted and while I was completing the paper work, they mentioned that we should feel free to change her name if we wanted to.

Now I'm a big believer in signs from the universe.  Some people may just find things to be coincidental; and I get that, but other times, when things align perfectly and in more than one way, I can't help but feel that it's cosmic intervention and I enjoy that.  The girls and I couldn't get over our luck. (After all, it was St. Patrick's day!) We felt as if we had found the dog that we custom ordered.  She was small, and affectionate, and snuggly and mushy and oh so sweet; not to mention her name.  We had just talked about naming a dog Minnie, and here was Cinnamon (Cinn-a-min)  Minnie for short?  Or as it turns out "Cinnie" and/or  Cinna-minnie.

We were concerned about introducing Cinnie to Hershey, but we took the advice of  America's Freedom Paws and took the dogs for a walk. The girls slowly let them get close to each other and then brought them both into the house without incident.  Hershey didn't seem to mind Cinnamon being in the house, until she saw her being affectionate with Kelsie; but we've been doing a lot of Googling, and trying to do what's best for both dogs and suffice it to say, so far so good.  We've been able to leave the fur babies home alone together, and  they've gotten along fine. And even at this moment as I'm typing, I have both pups on either side of me, they're fast asleep and I'm in heaven.

Kelsie and Cinnie immediately bonded and it's so great to see Kelsie's wish fulfilled.

Cinnamon is just precious!  She's pure love!
She's such a great addition to our family, and it's truly amazing how much kids can learn from having pets.  I remember, shortly before Lyndzi was born, I thought to myself (while she was created in love, and I can't wait to have her here, I also can't imagine loving someone as much as I love Nicky.}  It wasn't that I doubted that I would love her, it was just difficult to comprehend the capacity that I had for love.  Of course the moment she was in my arms, I learned that my capacity for love doubled, and then tripled with Kelsie; but my girls already knew that, because Kelsie explained to Hershey that we wouldn't love her any less because Cinnamon was here; we would just love them both. How fantastic and true is that? 

I had planned to share the news of Cinnamon's arrival, once the three day trial had passed, (even though I never had any doubt that she'd be staying with us permanently); but as circumstance would have it, my story was delayed.  Nonetheless, I think it worked out perfectly because now I get to share this story with you on National Puppy Day, (which I actually didn't even know it was, until I saw it this morning on Facebook) - Thank you universe!

Enjoy the pics of our little treasure.

Till next time,
Paige
XO

This Is What You Raised Them For...

Saying time flies is a frequently used idiom; but there's a reason for that - it truly does!  In fact, the older my kids get the quicker time seems to pass; which is why those Riders who I don't know personally, may be surprised to hear that my son, Nicky is now almost 19 years old and a Freshman in college.  For those who are my Facebook friends, this should be less surprising, though probably not less believable.  As his Momma, it feels like just yesterday that he was born.  For years I both dreamed about. yet dreaded the day that I would move him to college; but I'm here to tell ya, it's a fulfilling experience and one that gave me great satisfaction and joy.  If I cried at all, they were happy tears, FOR my son; and not tears of sadness for me.

Nicky and I have always been very close, so the expectation (both mine and my clan's) was that I would fall apart upon his departure; but amazingly enough, the opposite was true.  
We moved Nicky down to the University of Arizona on a Saturday, because he was going to participate in Bear Down Camp a week before the other students arrived.  Since UA is only two hours from our home, our plan was to move him in and come home; and then go back with our girls the next day, since we had to attend a brunch with Nicky as part of the camp. 
I thought that I'd be very emotional when I left him that first night; but I think that knowing I'd see him the next day, made it easier to leave without incident.  We went back Sunday morning and although I got teary a few times during the brunch, I can honestly say that it wasn't because I thought it would be difficult to be apart; but because I was so happy to see what Nicky was going to be a part of.  I was so proud of all that he had accomplished to get him to this point and I was very excited for him.  Don't get me wrong, I must have hugged him a million times, (and not little short hugs) because part of me didn't think I could let go; but I managed to say goodbye without crying, and as much as I miss having him home, I haven't shed a tear.

My close friends were good to check on me often during Nicky's first few days at school.  They asked how I was doing, and while I'm not sure that my response surprised them, it pleasantly surprised me. You see, Nicky was able to text me while he was at camp (in Prescott), but I didn't talk to him until 4 days later, when he was back on campus.  The first time that we spoke on the phone, it was if my son had come alive.  He was talkative and animated.  I could hear the smile on his face in the way that he spoke.  He asked me questions and told me about his experiences, and I felt incredibly gratified.  As the week went on, and he participated in welcome activities and went to his first classes, it was obvious that he was exactly where he was meant to be and that he was doing all that we had raised him to do.  So how could I be sad about that? 

It's so hard to believe that Nicky will be done with his first year of college in just two months.  He had a fantastic first semester, earning a 4.0 at the College of Engineering.  He's taking his first computer programming class this semester and will be declaring his major as Electrical / Computer Engineering, with a concentration in Computer Engineering.  He DJ's a weekly radio show, and he attends shabbat services at Hillel.  He's made some good friends and he's actively looking for additional clubs to join; so what more could a Momma want?

I couldn't be more thrilled for Nicky.  I enjoy hearing from him daily. I always look forward to the next time that I'm going to see him; and I guarantee that all of you Momma's who will be sending kids off to college soon, will feel the same.  Just remember my words "THIS is what you raised them for."   You raised them to go out into the world and make it a better place.  You raised them to go out into the world and make their dreams come true. To go out into the world and learn who they are, apart from you; and then one day they'll come back and while they'll still be your baby, they'll be their own person.

Till next time,
Paige 

Oops I Did It Again, And Again...

Today is Oscar Sunday, so I'm tickled by the poetic justice of having some thing to write about; (since after all, it was the Oscar's that first inspired me to start blogging.)

So re the title of this post, I'm a klutz from way back.  I've been tripping over my feet, air and any and every little thing, for as long as I can remember; hence the "Oops I did it again".  Now the "And Again" - here we go...

It's been way too long since I last wrote, but I'm delighted to say that Lyndzi's been receiving great acclaim for her art work and she's been entering several contests.  She had been awaiting the announcement of the Valley Metro, Design a Transit Rap Contest, but only found out on Feb 13th that the entry deadline was Feb. 16th.  Lyndzi quickly got to work and created her entry in one day; so our real challenge was how to get her submission downtown in time.  

Before "The Ride" really begins, here are a few background things that you need to know:
1.  Lyndzi entered this same contest last year.  We physically dropped her entry off on the last day of the deadline, but the person that she was supposed to deliver her submission to wasn't in the office.  We left her piece with the desk assistant, but Lyndzi always doubted that her artwork was actually considered; so this year she wanted to have her entry received by 2/15, to give her a little cushion.
2.  I hate driving in any downtown area AND I hate driving places that I'm not familiar with.  For the purpose of this story, let's take hate to mean, it causes me great anxiety.
3.  I had a pedicure appointment scheduled for 4:15 on 2/14. OK, I heard your sigh, but consider this - I hadn't had a pedicure since early November (and yes, the toes in the photo, really are early November pedicure remnants.) ALSO I have such a great pedicurist, it takes weeks for me to get an appointment with her, so cancelling wasn't really an option.

So, given all of the factors above, Lyndzi and I agreed to overnight her art work after school on 2/14, so that it would arrive with time to spare on 2/15.  My plan was to pick Lyndzi up at 220, stop by Fed Ex, pick up Kelsie, stop at the post office (if Fed Ex was too expensive), pick up $5 sushi and cake slices from Fry's (for our Valentine's Day celebration), drop the girls at home and go for my pedicure.  Well, I picked up Lyndzi's drawing and saw that it was drizzling outside.  It had rained earlier, but I didn't have time to spare, so I couldn't look for something to protect the drawing.  In my infinite wisdom, I placed it flat underneath my shirt.  I chose a pair of flip flops to wear (only because I had the pedi appointment coming up) and I walked outside. The ground was wet, I was holding my hand on my stomach to protect the art work, I took the shortest route possible to get into my car, slipped and fell on the cement between my car and the rocks on my driveway.  The pain set in immediately and I screamed out loud (Don't ask what - lol).  I managed to get up, still trying to keep the drawing flat, and made it into my car.  I was crying (and I'm NOT a crier) and I think I said "ow" repeatedly, on the drive to Lyndzi's school.  There were leaves on my shirt, my jeans had torn a bit, and I had mascara running down my face; so needless to say, Lyndzi was quite taken aback when I picked her up.  I explained what happened, and through my sobs, I asked her to text my pedicurist to let her know that I'd just fallen and had to cancel the appointment. Oh the irony!
We picked up Kels, and stopped at Fed Ex. The girls went in without me, and decided that we might be better off mailing the entry from the post office.  On to the post office I drove and waited in the car while the girls went in.  They mailed the submission, so at least that goal was accomplished; and we then drove to Fry's because  I didn't want to disappoint the girls and they agreed that they could go in without me.

I sat in the car, in a good deal of pain and twenty minutes later, I got a text from Lyndzi.  She told me that they had gotten the cake slices, but the kiosk had just run out of sushi and they were going to make more.  I asked if they wanted to wait or come up with a plan B?  Lyndz said that Kelsie said they could wait; so I agreed.  Another hour went by before I heard from them again.  At this point Lyndzi called and explained that the sushi lady was helping other customers before them, even though they'd been waiting longer and ultimately she had made them the wrong thing and they were going to have to keep waiting in order to get part of the order.  I told them to just buy what they had, stop at customer service to tell them about the problem they'd had with the sushi lady and call it a day; because at this point it had been three hours since I had fallen and I was in a lot of pain.

The girls came out of the store crying.  They were upset that they'd made me wait that long, and that everything had gone so badly.  I thought that it was just my sushi that hadn't gotten made, but it turned out that it was Lyndzi's as well; so with that, I told them that I was going to go into the store.  Did you just say "oh no?"  lol  Well, yes I did.  I got out of the car and started limping through the parking lot.  It was raining again, and the ground was slick, so do I really have to say it?  Yup, I slipped AGAIN, and fell in the Fry's parking lot.  3 kind people came to my rescue, and I have to say I feel really badly for the gentleman who helped me up, because I weigh A LOT, AND  I couldn't put any pressure on my ankle.  Hercules managed to get me up and I hobbled into the store.  I texted Kels and asked her to come in because I knew that there was no way that I could make it back to the car on my own.  I went to customer service, and suffice it to say that after talking to the manager and waiting another 25 minutes, I left the store with 2 free sushi rolls and a $25 gift card. (NO, it wasn't worth it.)

I drove home and I don't think I've ever been so happy to get there.  My ankle was terribly swollen and my knee was scraped up, but other than that I wasn't injured, so I considered myself lucky.  I iced it, and elevated it, but I couldn't put any pressure on it, so I used the crutches that Lyndzi had gotten last year, after a soccer injury.  Within 24 hours I thought I could get around without the crutches.  I continued to limp for 13 more days, and since the pain hadn't subsided I decided it was time to go to the doctor.

The medical practice that I go to, can do an xray in their office, so I  thought this would expedite my diagnosis and I made an appointment on Tuesday.  After speaking with the PA, she sent me for an ultrasound, because she suspected that my ankle was fractured. (They can do ultrasounds there too.) She told me that it would take 1-2 days to get the ultrasound results, but if I wanted to, I could get a boot that day, just in case.  I had the ultrasound, and went to get the boot, but the assistant told me that since I have a high deductible on my insurance, I'd have to pay $80 out of pocket.  I thought, if I have to, I will; but since I don't know if it's actually fractured and I've already been walking around on it for almost 2 weeks, I can wait another day or two.  Welllll,, if you've taken "The Ride" before, then you should know that things rarely go as planned for me, and this time was no different.  I called on Thursday afternoon to see when they might have my results and the very nasty associate had no idea and showed no interest in finding out.  She told me that it typically takes 3- 5 business days to get ultrasound results; so I informed her that's not what I'd been told, and I asked her to please have someone get back to me the next day.  I waited till 2:30 on Friday but since I hadn't heard anything I called again.  Blah, blah, blah no results but the associate was a little more compassionate about it.  By 830 Friday night, the PA had sent an email apologizing profusely.  Apparently the tech who was supposed to enter the results had been out sick for 2 days and no one covered for her.  She told me to continue wearing the boot and she would have the results for me first thing Monday morning.  Well, therein lied the problem.  I didn't have the boot, but she didn't know that.  I emailed back and explained that I hadn't actually gotten the boot yet, and THAT was why I was so anxious to get the ultrasound results.  I asked that she please get back to me ASAP and thankfully I received another very apologetic email on Saturday morning.  She told me that she was able to get the results and as they showed a subtle fracture and inflammation, I could pick up the boot before noon that day and I'd need to wear it for 6-8 weeks.  

Lyndzi and I went to pick up the boot, and the techs were quite amused when they asked the size of my foot and I said "very big."  They kindly got me fitted and taken care of; and although I had to pay the $80, they're going to attempt to get me a refund (supposedly.)  I know I have a bit of a battle left with the doctor's office, because sadly it seems difficult for them to do the right thing; but at least for now, I'm on the road to recovery.  I'm still considering myself lucky AND if nothing else, it finally brought me back to "The Bumpy Ride."

Till next time...
Paige
PS - For those of you who are still wondering about the magnetic false eyelashes, I should now have plenty of time to try and figure them out, and blog about that too.

KEEPing It Real

To quote David Bowie "Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes."  Happy New Year Riders, I am sorely aware that it's been a while; so here I am, sporting a brand new background, striking away at the keys, and excited about what 2016 has in store!!! 

It doesn't seem like it was that long ago, when I first told you about Reunion Coordinator (RC) and the beginning of Luis' DJ career; but alas, it's been five whole years.   Within that time, I had become a Reunion Coordinator, and even went on to manage the company for three years. While RC was doing quite well, the owner's primary business had been skyrocketing, so he decided to sell the company. Thankfully, he offered me a job in the accounting department and sweetened the deal with a raise.  I began assisting the CFO in September and continued to manage RC in my "free time"; until the end of the year when it was sold. Although the reunion business had its challenges, the rewards were greater.  Luis had always talked about wanting to be a DJ and not only was he able to fulfill a dream, it was the catalyst for us to start DJ Louie and Company; which has been doing very well.  We're not making millions by any means, but we LOVE seeing the kids and families in Peoria dance.   We've been very fortunate with the clients that we've worked with and have met some fantastic people, DJing school carnivals, , weddings, vow renewals, Sweet 16's reunions and a variety of other events.  Through RC I met some wonderful people who are now dear friends,  I enhanced my event planning skills, and took part in celebrations that I will remember forever; but that chapter has now ended.  Even though I could have continued planning reunions for the new owner, I decided that my time and effort would be best spent growing MY new business KEEP Collective.  

While often welcomed, actually making a change, taking a chance, and starting something new can be scary and risky; but if we don't try to make a difference, we have to be prepared for things to stay as they are and for me that's not an option right now.  Luis and I have always sacrificed higher salaries, for flexibility in our schedules so that we didn't require outside child care; and if you've met my kids, heard me talk about them, or read about them, you KNOW that our decision was the right one for us.  Our kids are phenomenal, they are kind, thoughtful individuals who are excelling in all areas.  I could go on and on about how absolutely incredible they are; but that's not the point of this post.   Suffice it to say that as a family we are rich in so many ways, but the time has come for us to fatten out bank accounts and reap the financial rewards for our hard work.
About a year ago, an acquaintance of mine started selling a new line of jewelry called KEEP Collective.  She explained that KEEP was a sister company to Stella and Dot and they sold jewelry that would let you create one-of-a-kind pieces to tell YOUR story.  The jewelry was stylish and I LOVED the idea of being able to wear something to support my kids; but I wasn't ready to start something new at that time or make a purchase.  In August, I saw my friend make a Facebook post saying that she was looking for two hostesses to have parties, so I decided to volunteer.  The kids were just going back to school and I really wanted a bracelet that said "SWIM Mom."
I hosted the party, which only had two sales, so I didn't earn the potential hostess rewards, and ultimately purchased my bracelet, along with two Pave "M's"
and a volleyball, so that I could make a bracelet that said "Volleyball MOM".  Even before I made my purchase, I could not stop thinking about selling KEEP.   I know many people who work for a variety of direct sales businesses, but none of them ever made sense for ME before.  I never felt that I could sell a product that I couldn't afford in my own budget, nor did I ever feel passionate about a company before; UNTIL I learned about KEEP Collective.  I was all set to talk to my friend about signing up; BUT, she didn't ask me about it; so I didn't ask her.  Silly me!  A few months later we did discuss it and she told me that she thought I would love it, and have great success, but she didn't mention it to me before because she didn't want to be pushy.  We agreed to meet on Dec. 13th to talk about it more in depth; and right then and there, I made the decision that I should have made months before.  That day I signed up, and I am thrilled to say that I am a KEEP Collective Independent designer and before I go on any further, I MUST thank the friends old and new, who made purchases during my first party.  I cannot thank them enough for supporting me and I am so gratified that everyone is delighted with their purchases.

Now, what do I LOVE about KEEP Collective??? EVERYTHING!!!!  It's important to me that the business leaders are women who support and encourage other women and that my earning potential is unlimited.  Storyteller and promoter of the GREATER GOOD that I am, it's rewarding for me to be able to wear my beliefs, my message my causes.  I've coined the phrase "Tell your story, share your passion, wear your pride."
KEEP has partnered with the KIND Campaign whose message you have to know, I promote.
KEEP Collective is a positive company, whose motto's are displayed everywhere from the "life celebrated" cards that you receive with your purchases, to their "All things are possible", "live happy", and "You Can Sit with Us"  bars.  They have gorgeous script letter words, for "Love", "Believe", "Faith" and "Blessed" and I for one, enjoy wearing them as a reminder to myself.  And lastly, all of the "keys" (the letters, symbols, bars) fit all of the "keepers"  (the bracelets, pendants, key fobs) so you can change your look and grow your collection.

Becoming a KEEP designer was an inexpensive start up, compared to other direct sales businesses; just $149 plus tax and $5.95 shipping for $500 worth of jewelry, and the incentives kept rolling in.  Within the first few weeks, I earned $100 in FREE KEEP plus two half price items.  I earned the opportunity to upgrade my original kit for $50 and receive another $250 in jewelry; not to mention, I GOT PAID 25% commission, weekly.  No need to wait for a check; they give you a special debit card and load your pay on every Thursday if you've earned commission.  Of course I'll receive a higher pay rate as I excel and once I build a team, I'll make a percentage of their sales as well.

I feel truly blessed to have joined KEEP Collective during their first year of business.  We currently have 10,000 designers and we're growing.   This is still a ground floor opportunity for anyone who may be curious about joining me.

So here's the thing, THIS is not a sales pitch.  The title of this post is "KEEPing it Real", because I want to catch you up on what I've been up to, and WHY I made the decision to sell KEEP.  I want to spread the word about this amazing line, because it's still so new that most people (that I know), have never heard of it or seen it.  I have no intention of turning the Bumpy Ride into a promotion for KEEP Collective, but as I'm hoping that it will be a big, important part of my life, I'm sure that I'll mention it from time.  This one time though, I will say "Ladies and Gentlemen, PLEASE check out my  website  (Yes, I have a website...) You can take a look at the catalog and  if items interest you, contact me so that I can mock it up for you and you can see what it will look like before you buy (just like the images that I shared above.)  Valentine's day is coming and KEEP would be an ideal gift for your loved ones. (Just sayin...)    If you'd like to host a party, through the magic of Facebook, anyone in any state can have a Facebook Social with me as their designer; which is awesome because it doesn't limit who I am able to work with.  And of course, once you've checked out what we have to offer, if you think that KEEP might be the opportunity that's right for you; I'd be thrilled to have you join my team.

It's important to me that you know that while I may contact you with a design idea or to tell you that there's a piece that I think you might be interested in, it's not because I want to make money (that's a bonus); it's because I think that it's something that you might not know about and you may enjoy.  If you're not interested, my feelings won't be hurt; but they will be hurt if you think that I'm using our friendship to make a sale.  C'mon riders, you KNOW me... I'm all about the (say it with me...) "Greater Good"; and that includes showing you something that I think you'd like.

One thing I can say, I believe that working with KEEP will lead me to my own GREATER GOOD and afford me more time to pursue all of my interests including writing "The Bumpy Ride,"

At this time, I'm going to share a few more photos from the fabulous KEEP Collective collection and simply say...

Till next time,
Paige