Whirlwind weekend

Happy Tuesday my friends. Last Thursday was the big event for Refuge for Women and it was so great!!  Yall, I WON an apple watch and airpods!!!!! So here is a funny story, we had a great auction with some wonderful gifts like trips to Belize, a diamond necklace, spa packages, 2 guns, etc. One of the items i really really wanted was the Cricut so that i could create some fun vinyl stickers and crafts.  I bought 10 auction tickets and put 7 of them in the Cricut jar, one in the Apple watch jar , one ticket for yoga classes, and the last ticket in a spa package. I seriously thought i would win the Cricut but i won the apple watch and i was SO shocked!  So shocked that i didn't even verify which gift i won at first. I went straight to the Cricut and boxed it up with all the goodies that came with it like vinyl, the tools to use, etc and put them in the box. I was just about to walk away when a lady walked up and asked who she should talk to regarding one of the winnings. I told her if it was On hand on the table, she could take it but if its a certificate for something, a volunteer could help her. She said well i won the Cricut and so of course my head snapped back and i head said Wow- i won it too. She then showed me where her auction number was taped tot he plastic frame with picture of Cricut which i completely missed. HAHA!  So i said i wonder what i won, and that's when i saw my name on the Apple watch picture.  Then the lady with Cricut said she would trade but truth is I've been wanting the watch for a long time and really thought i would have got one for Christmas but i didn't.   I knew that so many people would be filling up that jar for the Apple watch and the likeliness of me winning was slim so i never even considered me winning it. YAY!!!
The guest speaker was amazing. Her name is Sandy Storm and she is a survivor from sex-trafficking. She's an author of 2 books and huge advocate for rehabilitation for human /sex trafficking. Her story was very moving and we were so lucky to have her speak to the huge audience.  We don't have our final numbers yet but i am pretty sure we beat what we raised last year which is so wonderful for a Nonprofit org. I got to see my good friend Melissa who actually got me into this group and she used to work with us at our "real"job.

Our director Abby

Sandy Storm

After the gala event, i had to switch gears and get trailer loaded for my junk show that was Friday night from 6 to 9 and Saturday 9 to 3.  Friday night went very well but Saturday we had a crazy monsoon rainstorm that lasted all day. I was so bummed because we literally only had a small handful of people show up to shop. I ended up shopping from others booths and bought a super fun huge birdcage topper with an idea for my Halloween party in mind. I still had great time and love making the junking connections and hanging out with my vendor buddies.

Vintage radio that will be perfect for Steampunk party

That's my cage! So excited

I am just so sad about the Notre Dame fires.  I've heard its under control now and that the main part of the foundation can be rebuilt.  So amazing that they were able to rescue many of the artifacts and treasures from the church.  Here are a few of my pics i took from last year when visiting there. I took tons of them but i don't have them all saved to laptop so maybe another time...

I sure hope you're having a great week so far!!

Ups and Downs

Happy Hump Day.  I tell ya, I am plugging along staying busy prepping for my Junk Show in 3 weeks and the big Gala for Refuge for Women event the same weekend.

I am sanding and painting and getting things together. I’ll post pics of some of my things I repainted another day . I had a meeting last night with RFW making centerpieces and getting handouts and stuff ready. We have one more meeting next week to tie up all loose ends before the event. Its going to be so great because we have a wonderful guest speaker and an auction with some awesome things. There are spa packages, hotel rooms, jewelry, and even a  few guns ( hey we’re in Texas and the gala is in rural area) , some purses, all kinds of stuff for the auction.  I can’t wait!  Yall will hear all about it after the event.

So this past weekend was filled with a lot of emotions. The lowest of low and the highest of highs and it really messed with my body and mind.  A very dear friend of mine was in a horrific car accident last Thursday night/Friday am. She and her husband were hit by a car driving 100 MPH.  For all of Friday, it was 50/50 on whether she would survive.  I was drained from holding my breath literally for hours. Slowly she is showing improvement. They were finally able to wean her off the ventilator yesterday. She’s still sedated and will be in ICU for a while.  She broke her arm – a bone popped through her skin and they operated on that and put in a plate, she broke her neck but is not paralyzed, almost all her ribs are broke on right side and some on the left, and fractured pelvis.  We don’t know how much brain damage she may have.  Her husband was driving and has stitches on his mouth from the air bag and is just beat up and sore from the impact.  They were driving her old BMW and she was T-boned on passenger side after he hit them from behind and spun them around.

My friend and I have been friends for over 30 years.  We were Hooters girls together when I was in college.  She caught my bouquet at our wedding. The thought of losing her was crushing.  I am an empath. I absorb others pain and sadness as well as happiness.  I woke up Saturday morning after  really not sleeping at all just a weight around my neck waiting for any signs of good news from Dr updates.

On the opposite side of spectrum, my cousin adopted a precious beautiful baby girl that was born early Saturday am and that was what we so needed.  I didn’t ask permission to post pic of baby so maybe another day for that.  The baby was such a special gift. My cousin Lauren and her husband Chris ,adopted a sweet baby boy (Amos) 2 years and it was a wonderful occasion. We knew about the whole process and knew when the baby was due, etc.  Literally seconds after Amos was born, they drove to the hospital and got to hold him just hours later.  Our new baby Evie was a different story.  They actually got to be at the hospital during birth and Lauren even got to cut the umbilical cord.  I know being there during the birth will be a memory so special for them. The adoption process came very quick and with only a few weeks’ notice but it all worked out perfectly.

My friend has a very long painful road ahead of her but she survived and she’s a fighter. I can breathe again just knowing that.

Friends, life is so fleeting. As cliché as it is,  hug your loved ones and tell them every day that you love them.  

I haven’t shared a picture lately of my dogs. They bring me great joy as you know if you follow me on IG. LOL I post them a lot!

Here is my handsome Jax. His favorite place is on top of the couch pillow. 

Refuge for Women ( North Texas)

I’ve mentioned a few times my activities with an organization that I am a Core volunteer for Refuge for Women of North Texas.  By Core, that means I’ve gone to multiple training classes , interviews and have had background checks to be allowed at Safe house with the women.   We’re currently in 6 states total but with plans to expand every year. RFW is about aftercare for women who have been trafficked and sexually exploited.  It’s a non-profit, faith based organization that provides long-term care for those who have escaped the from human trafficking. Its no charge to the resident and offers up to twelve months of safe housing with around the clock care. They have weekly sessions with licensed professional counselors to help them achieve their goals and healing. The residents work through the program to reclaim their identities and to overcome addictions. They will develop life skills leading to  a healthy ,balanced life and financial independence. 

There are 3 phases: Phase 1 is Healing for the first 6 months.  Phase 1 provides the stabilization and safety for victims of trauma in a therapeutic atmosphere to sustain safe relationships, rebuild trust, and maintain a lifestyle of structure that promotes recovery. The daily schedule includes classes, recovery meetings, recreational activities, exercise, Bible studies, solo and group counseling.  The classes are designed to aid in healing from things such as trauma, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual addiction, and codependency.

Phase 2 is Job Prep for 3 months – During this phase, the women are equipped with the tools and training to achieve and maintain a healthy well-grounded life. This includes computer education training, preparing a resume, participating in mock interviews, exploring careers through internships, and receiving job placement assistance.  They are assisted in setting personal goals in the areas of higher education, financial planning, and their own personal growth. They continue to receive individualized coaching and weekly support meetings.

Phase 3- Employment- 3 months. During this optional portion of the program, residents are offered continued support, assessment and accountability from the program director, individual counseling and additional life skills development.

The safe house is wonderful. Its even got a pool for them to exercise and play in during the warm months.  The residents share rooms with other gals so they learn to trust and share pretty quickly.

Some staggering statistics:   At least 75% of prostitutes were sexually and/or physically abused children.

92% of women who were involved in prostitution said they wanted to leave, but couldn’t because they lack basic human services such as a home, job training, health care, counseling and treatment for drug or alcohol addiction.

Over 31,000 human trafficking cases were reported in the US in the last 8 years…. If that is the number reported, what is the actual number of occurrences?

AND so far 169 arrested for human trafficking last weekend during the Super Bowl.

The 3 top states with most human trafficking activity are California, New York and Texas .

In April we are having a huge fundraising Gala so I’m about to be very busy in preparation for that ( I have a meeting tonight , and every week now until April 11).

January was human trafficking awarenesss month so we were pretty busy with events, speaking engagements, panels, etc to get the word out.

So that’s that.  Now you know what I’m talking about when I mention RFW and post pics from events.