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Thanks
Mom & Dad
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Early last week my mom and I were on the
phone. I was telling her that it looked like my husband, Darryel,
would be going to Paris in May for work and I was thinking of going with him
- I've never been to Paris! My 2nd wedding anniversary was last
Thursday and Darryel and I got a card from mom & dad. In the
card was a note that read "Here is something to start off with for
Paris" and enclosed was a check. I flipped the check over and
took a look ... and then I gasped. Whoa mom and dad - Paris here we
come!
After I finished day dreaming about Darryel and I lip locking at the top
of the Eiffel Tower my thoughts turned to my parents. As I was
growing up my mom used all of those great one liners that mom's do;
"Because I said so, that's why!" "I told you so," and
the all time favorite, "You'll understand when you're
older." I can't specifically remember what I was supposed to
understand but it's true, we all definitely understand more when we get
older. It kind of comes with the territory, don't ya think?
We'll here's one thing I have come to understand (this is something that
will never be uttered at 16, but given some patience and a few decades a
parent just might hear it) - My mom and dad are excellent parents.
What I understand now and had no inkling about as a kid was that they
took parenting very seriously. Every day in every way their goal
was to develop a daughter that was educated, kind, proud, disciplined and
happy. A daughter that would know the value of money, that felt
safe and secure at home, that had a foundation in faith, a moral compass
to guide her and knew with unwavering conviction that she was loved.
Did mom and dad mess up from time to time? Sure (and so did
I). Did we get in knock down drag out fights when I was a
teenager? Of course! Have we both done and said things to
each other that we regret? We wouldn't be human if we hadn't.
We've even wasted some years not speaking at all. But now, at 40 years
old, I love, respect, appreciate, admire and understand them
more than I ever thought possible.
It seems there's not a day that goes by that I don't hear of a child
whose chances of a happy life is being jeopardized. Maybe it's
neglect, abuse or abandonment. Perhaps mom or dad have an
addiction. Given the economic climate of recent it might be that
his home has been taken away. Possibly the parents just have a bad
case of 'I don't give a ___' (insert your favorite word). No
homework to be done, no rules to adhere to, no food on the table or
encouragement to be had. I'm grateful to be able to say that those
were not the parents I grew up with.
The parents I grew up with laid down the law about being home for dinner,
made sure I did my homework and ate my peas, dragged me to church every
Sunday, didn't opt for buying me Jordache jeans instead of paying the
mortgage, gave me a butt whooping if I talked back, punished me if I got
below a B in school and told me to get a job if I wanted a new stereo (and
I did). My dad even trekked out in the middle of the night one time
to track me down after I climbed out of my bedroom window to meet up with
a friend. (What did they expect anyway...sneaking out of the house
is obligatory of teenagers!)
They put Band Aids on my scrapped knees, always made sure there was
something under the Christmas tree, hugged me when I broke up with
my first boyfriend, cried at my high school graduation and visited me at
college to make sure my fridge was stocked and I wasn't starving.
My mom was home in the morning when I left for school and there making
dinner when I returned. My dad worked in civil service for the New
York State Department of Transportation. The job didn't pay much in
the beginning and, for many years, he took on a second job to pay the
mortgage, put food on the table and make sure there were presents on my
birthday. Late at night he would study for the next State test so he
could get a promotion and one day he was able to finally give up that
second job. Through it all he managed to teach me how to ride a
bicycle, take me fishing and chaperon beach outings for me and my
friends.
I don't have a child of my own and can't speak knowledgeably about what
it takes to raise one. I think though, that I can say with
confidence that the journey of being a parent is defined by the decisions
you make every minute, every day. When the guiding force behind
those decisions is a dedication to being the best parent you can possibly
be there's a fairly good chance you may, at some point in your 70's hear
from your child:
"Mom and dad, thank you. Thank you for your love and your
commitment. You took the life of a tiny little human being and gave
her more than a fighting chance in this world. The outcome of your
devotion is a woman who is loving, generous, kind, educated, inspired,
happy and confident. I am guided with a solid moral compass, have
strong friendships I cherish and a fabulous husband who loves me.
The foundation you've given me has guided my purpose and developed into a
woman you can be proud of. For all of these things I am truly
grateful. You done good!"
I finally understand.
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New
Website Additions
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We've
been busy working on the website and have a few new additions for you:
 Jennifer
Jack, founder and owner of Good Fortune, delivers stellar products and service
with a smile. The idea originated in her heart, started in her kitchen,
and has grown to her family’s dairy barn she and her mother renovated in
the Appalachian foothills of Tennessee. Jennifer is only one of
forty-nine certified Cold Process soap makers in the United States,
noting Good Fortune as one of the highest-quality producers of all
natural soap and body products.
C. Lizzy is a mother/daughter team
who gather inspiration from each other and are following their artistic
talents. Liz is the mother with the fabulous creativity and imagination.
Cari is the daughter with the business background who happens to paint
and create too. Together they are painting, soldering, dreaming, molding,
cutting, laughing, foiling, gluing and growing in friendly Fargo, ND.
Annie & Mark Danielson founded
their company out of a desire to help a town they love dig its way out of
a coal mining boom gone bust. They started their company with a few
picture frames and a dream to create a 'company with meaning' and now are
one of the largest employers in Southern Colorado and one of the best
wall decor artisans in the country. La Muse carries Annie &
Mark's 'Small Talk' signs. Each wood sign is 8.5" x 2.75".
The gentlemen at Clay Spirit Studios hand draw each
design using Prisma Color pencils, then blend and polish to create a
seamless transition of one color to the next. With the use of bright
colors and intricate details, their whimsical designs and motivational
words create an uplifting message. They hope their designs will encourage
and inspire everyone to make their world a better place. La Muse
carries Clay Spirit's magnets - each are 3" x 3" and made of
high quality aluminum.
Other new website offerings include:
1. An extended product line from Museware Pottery with more
platters, plates and frames that can be personalized to make unique
gifts. Please order all personalized items by November 30th.
2. Extended product lines for Kathy Bransfield Jewelry, Spooner Creek & Curly Girl.
3. Journals Unlimited - These beautiful, hard cover
journals come with 'prompts' to get those writing juices flowing.
We've added just a few to the website but look for more in the coming
week.
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Upcoming
Events & Holiday Savings
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Snack, Sip & Shop at La Muse
Join us on either of two evenings in December and receive
10% off of your entire purchase.
Nosh a little, shop for that perfect gift and toast to our
3rd year anniversary!
(which, incidentally is TODAY - Nov 20!)
Tuesday December 1st & Wednesday December 9
6pm to 9pm
LA MUSE WILL BE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
BEGINNING NOVEMBER 23
Can't join us at the store?
Shop online at www.ShopLaMuse.com
now through December 7th and use
coupon code "Joy09" to receive
$5.00 off of a purchase of $25.00 or more! Pass it
on!
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Be A Fan!
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Did you know when you are a Facebook Fan of La Muse you are the very first to
learn about special offers, events and new merchandise? Plus you
get to see pictures of shop goings on like this adorable one of our
resident four legged friends!
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Passing It
On
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I
am proud of my City!
For the third year in a row La Muse will
participate in the City of Alexandria's 'Holiday Sharing' program.
This program matches willing donors with a low income family,
senior/disabled citizen or a foster child. The donor receives a
modest holiday wish list and off we go! We purchase items off the
list, wrap them and have the opportunity to deliver them personally (my
favorite) or bring them to the Dept. of Human Services offices for
distribution to the lucky recipients. This year the City was faced
with large increases of requests for donations that amounted to
approximately 750 families, 200 elderly/disabled citizens and 100 foster
children.
As I am writing this newsletter I emailed
Suzanne Kratzok, my contact at the DHS office, to see how many more donors
were required for those needing assistance. Her response to me?
Everyone at this point is basically covered! Can you imagine
that? Each of these people will get a little something for Christmas
all due to the kindness and generosity of the residents and businesses of
the City of Alexandria. If that isn't a bright spot in these icky
economic circumstances I don't know what is!
***The City is still seeking gift cards for
teens in foster care and grocery cards for families and senior
citizens. If you would like to donate a gift card feel free to
email: Suzanne.Kratzok@alexandriava.gov
or send it to La Muse and I will make sure it gets to her. Remember,
these don't have to be large donations, $20 goes a lot further than you
think.***
Meet
my friend Gina...
Everybody's got a friend like this; She's
smart, sexy & sassy - fashionable, fun, outgoing and a real go
getter. The world is just a little more fancy with her in it.
She always looks good and has a closet full of product to  help with the process. Hair care, skin
care, foot care, body care, nail care, cosmetics ... you name it, she's got
it or has tried it. With a friend like this you don't have to waste
your dollars trying new potions and lotions, she's already done it for you
and can give you a 'ya' or 'nay' on just about anything.
Enter my fancy friend - Gina Marie.
Throughout the years Gina has tried hundreds of different product lines to
keep her face fresh, her hair silky and her skin as smooth as a baby's
bottom (all of which she manages to do). All have tried to impress
her, most have failed and only one line has stayed in her bathroom for
years - Arbonne International. Arbonne is a line of Swiss formulated,
American made health and beauty care products. Over the years Gina
has turned me and my friends on to one Arbonne product or another and we
each have our favorites that we swear by. Recently she's decided to
capitalize on all the product testing she's done and referrals she's given
away and become an Arbonne distributor.
Give yourself a little treat this holiday
season. Talk to my good friend Gina and tell her you want skin as
smooth as a baby's bottom too - she'll have you looking fab for all those
holiday parties in no time!
Here's her website: gmc.myarbonne.com Here's her
email: gina_cassano@yahoo.com
Be sure to tell her "Deb sent me" for the friends and family
discount!
20%
off at Ten Thousand Villages
Ten Thousand Villages is a neighbor and friend
to La Muse. They are located just around the corner from us and have
stores throughout the USA. They are always sending customers over and
we appreciate that! Our stores are quite synergistic - I sell hand crafted
items made in North America and they sell hand crafted items made around
the world.
The manager Kate, recently emailed me a 20% off coupon and I've decided to
share it with you lucky and wonderful people! It can be used here in
Alexandria, at their website or at any one of their stores throughout the
country. CLICK HERE to download the coupon!
 Ten Thousand Villages is an
exceptional source for unique, handmade gifts, jewelry, home decor and
personal accessories representing the diverse cultures of artisans in Asia,
Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. One of the world's largest fair
trade organizations and a founding member of the International Fair Trade
Association (IFAT), the company strives to improve the livelihood of tens
of thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries.
IF YOU'VE ENJOYED THIS NEWSLETTER PLEASE
FORWARD IT!
You can either click on the "Forward to a friend"
button at the bottom or just hit that little forward button on your email -
c'mon you know where it is, use it! :)
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