World AIDS Day - December 1st

World AIDS Day - Today I'm daring to imagine a world without AIDS. I'm praying for those who have it, those who will contract it, those who won't survive it, those who have lost people they love because of it, those who judge and do not understand it, those who can help make a difference in a world that knows it and for a cure that will conquer it.

I'm observing and participating in raising awareness for AIDS today. I've never really gotten involved before, but this year, due to a community event at the seminary I attend, I have become involved and passionately so. I want to do so much more than just raise awareness and hand out resources, but I realize that each step I take and each word I speak out on AIDS makes a difference.

It reminds me of the story about the star fish. There was an old man walking along a beach. In the distance he notices that hundreds and thousands of star fish have washed up upon the shore. He also sees a little boy walking along the beach, picking up star fish and throwing them back into the sea, one my one. The old man asks the young boy, "don't you know you can't save them all? What you're doing isn't going to make a difference or even matter." The little boy responds to the old man by picking up another star fish. He looks at the fish, then up at the old man. The little boys tosses the star fish into the ocean and says, "it mattered to that one."

It might feel today that doing something, anything, is just picking up star fish out of a shore full of them, but know this, whatever you do, big or little...it matters. Do it in the love that Christ has shown you and dare to imagine a world without AIDS. Step up today, grab a star fish and make a difference.

How will you observe World AIDS Day?

I challenge you to post on Twitter, Facebook and your Blog about World AIDS Day. Let your voice be heard as it will be the loud speaker on which millions of voices will be heard.

D'Vine Times - Breckenridge '09

In high school, waaay back when, I met three girls who would decorate my life with their beauty, their friendship, their laughter and their love. Last year the four of us began a new tradition, our Annual Girl's Weekend, and kicked it off in Las Vegas. This year, we took our fabulousness to Frisco and Breckenridge, CO. For those of you who don't know, I grew up and spent my formative years in Colorado. My girls still live there, but I had to bust out, run to OK and marry a country boy. Who knew that would happen? Anyway, it was a beautiful weekend, lots of fun and I enjoyed being surround by my girls and my mountains.





Downtown Frisco, CO.


Our Cabin


I cannot even tell you how much I love that snowman chest of drawers.


Eating Mexican food in Breckenridge. We had Blackberry Margaritas!
I didn't even know there were Blackberry Margaritas.
GS, KK & KG - The Girls

My favorite photo from our weekend.
GS, Me, KK and KG


D'Vine Wine in Breckenridge
This was an awesome little winery we stumbled across and ran into
when we read the sign, "Wine Tasting". It was well worth it.
They had amazing wines and an cozy atmosphere.


Me, KK, GS and KG
Four Girl's Gone Wine


Okay, that's me being goofy as usual.
But the fabutastic part? That is a Wine-A-Rita I'm enjoying!
A Blackberry Wine-A-Rita I might add. Scrumptious!!!


My lovely GS. See...we're all goofy together.


Beautiful Colorado Mountains...How I Miss You!


GS and I enjoying Peppermint Mocha's before catching a movie.


KK and her Peppermint Mocha before the movie.


What movie did we see? Um...it was opening weekend and yes, we've all read the books.
It was New Moon time baby!
I think we all agreed the book was better, but the movie was still fun.


Last snapshot before heading home.
Me, KG and GS.


What an amazing weekend. Wish I was still there, but next year we're going to Mexico.
Is it September yet? September 2010 = Mexico Baby!!!

$10.5 Million to Fight Gender Violence

~ This is a wonderful move towards ending global violence. We have a responsibility to fight for the least of these. Our sisters and daughters, nieces and mothers, girlfriends and ourselves. Speak out to make a difference in your world. Support local efforts in your area to fight the epidemic of violence against women and against all humanity.~

November 25, 2009
Article Published in Feminist Daily News

UN Pledges Millions to Fight Violence Against Women

The United Nations announced Tuesday $10.5 million in new grants to bolster international efforts to end violence against women.

The funds, which were announced in honor of the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women today, will assist 13 initiatives in 18 countries and territories. The UN Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women, overseen by the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), will disperse the grants.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged governments and international organizations to strengthen their work on gender-based violence, and emphasized the prevalence of such violence:

"Some 70 percent of women experience in their lifetime some form of physical or sexual violence from men -- the majority from husbands, intimate partners or someone they know. This is unacceptable," he said.

The UN also launched on Tuesday the Network of Men Leaders, a coalition of public and private leaders working to stop violence against women. Prominent members of the Network include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and Brazilian novelist and UN Messenger of Peace Paulo Coelho.

US Vice President Joseph Biden called on Americans to join international efforts to stop violence against women, in a statement released today. "Violence against women is found in every culture around the world. It is one of our most pervasive global problems," he said.

The US is leading UN efforts to end the use of rape as a tactic of war, according to Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the UN. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is working with the UN Security Council to increase prevention efforts against sexual violence and hold perpetrators accountable, she said.

Media Resources: United Nations 11/24/09; United Nations 11/24/09; White House 11/25/09; United States Mission to the United Nations 11/25/09

Frosty Returns...Or Needs to be Returned

I love Christmas and I love the Christmas season. One thing I enjoy is watching Christmas movies. There are a couple that I look forward to watching every year. Some of these are the old classic cartoons of Rudolph, Santa, the Grinch and Frosty. The other day I decided to put on Frosty and share the classic with my son. We loved Frosty and it remains a timeless favorite.

But then...

There was an option to watch Frosty Returns. Huh. I don't think I've seen Frosty Returns. So I push play and the fun begins. It doesn't take long before I realize that I have seen this before and why it was I erased it quickly from my brain data bank. I suppose its probably not that big of a deal to some, but I think my eyeballs about popped out of my head. Not in horror, or disgust necessarily, but in a very awkward, "what did she just say" kinda way.

Within the first five minutes, we're introduced to two characters, a little girl and her friend Charles. It's snow day! Charles enters the little girls house and asks her why she's not outside playing. Then he says, "let's go outside and make a fertility goddess." Ha, ha - wait, what? Then my 3 year old says, "mom, what's a fertility goddess?" Oh dear Lord, what is happening? Suddenly I'm in a Pink Floyd remix of toddlers and fertility and I'm not liking it. AWKWARD!

Then the little girl, who is attempting to saw her friend Charles in half (magic trick), looses her hat as it blows out the window. She runs after her hat and this is where she runs into Frosty. But pay no mind to Frosty because here comes her mother. "Oh there you are. You realize you left Charles all alone. Now how are you going to feel when he grows up and has to join a support group." Ha, ha - wait, what? I think I sprained an eyelash with the uncontrollable blinking that ensued.

I'm not really sure I have a point here. I think I'm just stunned. I mean...Frosty + fertility goddess + support group + (this comes later) chemical removal of all snow = WTH (what the heck - yup, pulling out the PG version) people.

Oh well. The world is such a funny place. I just thought I would share this because I've been giggling about it and had to tell you. I'm not sure Frosty Returns will be returning to my TV but it was an interesting experience. By the way, there is another Frosty movie, Frosty in Wonderland or something like that, where it talks all about Frosty needing to get himself a wife. Yeah...I'm not even going to tell you what I think about that. Geez people, don't you know these movies are for kids. They want magic and morals and happy gum drop feelings.

Ok, nuff said.

Give Away - Free Empowerment Bracelet

Happy Holiday's readers! In case you didn't know, I sell Avon to help with the costs of school. Click on the image above and it will take you directly to my website for great savings and FREE SHIPPING over the next couple of days. When you order online, it ships directly to you...no waiting on the "Avon Lady". There is something for everyone on your list and at the best prices of the season.

If you place an order of $15 or more between now and Tuesday, I will personally send you a free gift of the Women's Empowerment bracelet by Avon. Proceeds from this bracelet go to help Avon in their fight against domestic violence. *Learn more by clicking the bracelet below*

Day 2 - Days of Thanks

Something I enjoy doing is searching Google Images for unique photos representing life in all its stages and expressions. I found this photo this morning and felt it speaking to me in many ways. As I stared at the photo, the word thankful kept ringing in my head and it gave life to this image. Today, I'm thankful for prayer. I'm thankful for the little hands that so sweetly and innocently pray to this great, big God with such promise and hope and certainty. I'm thankful for the youthful hands that pray to God for understanding, value, acceptance - all in a time of such growth and awkwardness. I'm thankful for the praying hands of college students, newly weds, new parents, singles, the lost and lonely, the abandoned, the divorced, the beaten and weary, the oppressed, the hungry, the sick, the joyful, the churched and the unchurched. I'm thankful for the praying hands that have prayed for me, for my family, for peace, for our soldiers, our doctors, our politicians, our teachers, our firefighters, paramedics and police officers. I'm thankful for the praying hands of our clergy, our friends, our children, our parents, our siblings and our spouses. I'm thankful for the praying hands of our grandparents, the shut-ins, the neglected, the elderly. I'm thankful for the praying hands of the Alzheimer's unit to which I minister. I'm thankful for the praying hands of our Savior who prayed for us, for our souls, for our salvation, for our children, for our lives, for our forgiveness. I'm thankful for those same praying hands that spread open wide on a cross and embraced us all, loved us all, forgave us all, accepted us all, interceded for us all. I'm thankful that when I know not what else to do, I can always turn to our God, El Shaddai, and know that God will hold my praying hands. I'm thankful for praying hands.

Activism Against Gender Violence

16 Days Of Activism Against Gender Violence (November 25 - December 10)

~ This is a great way to get involved, get educated and get moving against violence in Darfur and around the world. Tune in here every day from November 25th - December 10th for special information and updates on the 16 Days event.

For more information, go to: http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/16days

Day 3 - Days of Thanks

Today I am thankful for tears. I'm thankful for refreshing tears that flow when your heart needs the release the most. I'm thankful for the soft loving hands in my life that are there to warmly wipe away my tears. I'm thankful for tears of joy when your heart feels as if it might leap from your chest. I'm thankful for tears of laughter that flow so effortlessly as your side begins to ache and your breath escapes you...those tears of laughter that come when you least expect it, most need it and thoroughly appreciate it. I'm thankful for tears of sorrow that walk you through your moments of pain. These are the warm tears that stream down your cheeks as you remember someone you have lost and your heart breaks with the emptiness. I'm thankful for the tears.

Day 4 - Days of Thanks

Today I'm thankful for the food on my table. I'm thankful for the meal I cooked that I didn't ruin. I'm thankful that I have food in my belly and in that thanks I pray for those who will fall asleep hungry tonight. Let's all do our part to help end poverty.

Day 5 - Days of Thanks

Today I'm thankful for freedom of religion. Today I worshiped the God I love in the church I chose and I am not persecuted for it. There are so many in our world whose lives are at risk just for praying to their God. I pray that some day we can all enjoy freedom to love and worship God.

Seven Tips to Cut Fat & Calories During the Holiday's

A great girlfriend of mine is a health expert and personal trainer. She sent the following to me in a recent email. I found it very helpful for the upcoming holiday's and hope that you do too!

The average American consumes thousands of calories at a traditional holiday dinner. This year, avoid the fa-la-la-la-fallout with these healthy Thanksgiving and Christmas recipe tips from our nutritionist, Stephanie Green, R.D.

1. Appetizers: Plain Mountain High is just as thick and creamy as sour cream and tastes the same. It's also a great replacement for half or more of the mayo called for in dips, salads, and dressings.
   
2. Soups: Nothing says comfort like warm, velvety soup, but heavy cream layers on fat and more. Use Plain Mountain High instead to add body and creaminess while cutting fat, calories, and cholesterol.
3. Mashed Potatoes: Everyone loves the creamy richness of sour cream mashed potatoes, but Plain Original Style Mountain High offers the same flavor and creaminess and cuts fat by 80% and cholesterol by 66%. Lowfat or Fat Free Mountain High reduces them even more.
4. Sweet Potatoes: Candied yams or sweet potatoes sprout up on holiday buffet tables like mushrooms after a rain, but they're marshmallowy calorie traps. Try whipped Heavenly Sweet Potatoes made with Plain Mountain High Yoghurt and skip the butter and marshmallows.
5. Green Bean Casserole: Green Bean Casserole is a perennial favorite, but canned soup concentrate adds unnecessary sodium and fat. Our Green Bean Casserole solves the problem with yoghurt and seasonings for a great new dish.
6. Pumpkin and Other Pies: Whipped cream sure does please, but it does waistlines and arteries no good. A dollop of Vanilla Mountain High is a better garnish. It's lower in fat and adds beneficial probiotic cultures to support your digestive health.
7. Desserts like Pumpkin Bars: To reduce oil or shortening in recipes, replace three parts with Mountain High Yoghurt. If a cake recipe calls for 1 cup of oil, for example, use ¼ cup of oil and 3/4 cup of yoghurt. Use Plain for savory recipes, Vanilla for sweets.

Check out more about Mountain High Yoghurt products. Thanksgiving and Christmas & New Year's recipe menus are available on the Mountain High web site for more great ideas and traditional recipe makeovers!

Day 6 - Days of Thanks

Today I'm thankful for Date Nights. Marriage is hard, but if you believe in happily ever after than you must know that it doesn't come without a lot of hard work. Date Night is an easy way to help make happily ever after a possibility. Keep falling in love...day after day after day.