Chemo Comfort Bags

Hello!

Alright friends and family! I have something really great that I’m working on! I want to sponsor 31 chemo bags to the Piedmont Cancer Center next month. And I need your help! One of my many goals this year is to GIVE BACK. And this is just the first endeavor!

Each and every bag will be tagged in memory or in honor of a loved one of the specific person who donates. Check out the pictures below of the items that made it into just SOME of my friends bags last year!! Your $25 donation will provide a large zip-top tote bag that has 7 pockets and I will take care of the rest! They can use the bags to carry their personal items (books, electronics, drinks & supplies) to/from their treatment appointments throughout their journey. I know we can pull this off together and bless some amazing people during a time when they could sure use a blessing!

Here is how it works: You can sponsor as many bags as you would like for $25 each. I will use ALL of my commissions that are made on the bags to fill them with things like chapstick, warm socks, blankets, crossword puzzles, tissues, candy, etc. If you would like to sponsor a bag, you can email me (vlynnstewart@hotmail.com) with “I want to sponsor ___ bags!” I will follow up with you via private message!

Getting Organized

Every now and then I get really engrossed in one topic and I feel as if I eat and sleep that topic.  I research everything, watch a million YouTube videos and find out how others feel about that topic.  Right now it is planner organization.

Remembering correctly, I have always had a planner.  Not that I used it regularly, but I always had one.  I think it was probably 2013 and I discovered the Erin Condren planner.  I loved it!  However, I was so careful with it that I ended up wasting a lot of pages.  The next year I had a Plum Paper planner...but I couldn't resist, I had to buy the new Erin Condren one with the removable covers.

Now with my EC planner - of course I needed to make it look right.  I am love loving all of the Plan With Me videos on YouTube.  I've even made my first sticker order on Etsy.

I'm writing all of this to say that organization is really an acquired skill.  Just because I have a fancy planner, doesn't mean my life will be better.  It doesn't mean that I will stay on top of all of the tasks that I have written down.  Having everything in one place is a great benefit, but it does no one any good if you don't adhere to what you wrote.  My goal is to stick with it!

2015 - Year of the Sheep

The other day, I was driving in my car and thought of how great it would be to start vlogging this year.  Then I realized, I haven't blogged in forever.  Actually, I didn't blog once last year.  Although surprising, it actually coincides with the year I had.  It was an amazing roller coaster of events and emotions.  It would take tooo long to recap - but I will sum it up in these few words.

• 1 job change
• 3 car accidents in a 1 month period
• an MRI
• too much stress and worry
• set up for success

I am unbelievably grateful for where I am now.  God has truly kept me and blessed me and shown me favor in more ways that I could every imagine. 

2015 is the Year of the Sheep according to the Asian zodiac calendar.  Some sources say that it is a symbol of peace, tranquility and healing.  That is something I truly need this year.  At my church's watch night service, some of the sermons preached were so timely. 

• Don't Forget to say Thank You - Luke 17:11-19
• For all that God has done in our lives, don't be like the 9 who refused to acknowledge the healer..say Thank You.  I think of the times where this was not the case for me.

• One More Year - Luke 13:6-9
• We are being given one more year (or more..) to get it right.  Don't waste the time.  Do what you have been commanded to do - bear fruit for the Lord.

There were other sermons, but these truly touched me.  If you only knew what I went through last year...but I made it through! Praise God.  I look forward to so much this year.

And I promise not to be a stranger!

Sleep

Does anyone ever feel like you go through spells in your life where eight hours of sleep is something that will never happen?  Ever since I have started my new position, that hasn't just become  what I feel, but an unfortunate reality.

I always try to take something that could be meant our taken as bad and try to spin it.  It's actually is pretty nice to hear off  work earlier and not always feel like I am rushing if I go to anything after work.  I'd love to hear about what you have done to cope  with transitions that affect your sleep patterns.

Hostess of the Month Club - Thirty-One Gifts

Hello everyone!  It has been such a long time since I posted...so much has happened!  I got transferred to a new position at work and after being in our corporate office for 9 years, I am not working at an on site client site.  It's a change but I have grown to love being there and meeting so many great people!  I plan to share more about that later.

As I posted in April, I am an independent consultant with Thirty-One Gifts.  I had only found out about the company a few weeks before I signed up.  I am now in love with the products and carry them everywhere. 

Do you love Thirty-One as much as I do?  Here is an opportunity for you to get great hostess rewards without having to have a party in your home.  I am looking for 6 ladies or men (at least) to join my Hostess/Host of the Month 6-Pack.  You will have to commit to spending at least $35 each month on Thirty-One products.  The 6-Pack will start when we have 6 people.  Each month, one person will get the "host" the party that month using the orders placed by the other 5 members in the pack.  You can get more rewards the month you host by collecting outside orders from family and friends.  What an easy way to get free and 1/2 priced products.

FAQs:
Why spend $35 a month?
By spending $35 a month (before shipping and tax), this will open up the Monthly Customer Specials to all members of this group. We all love the monthly specials and this is a great way to make sure we get them! It also guarantees that each monthly hostess has a party volume of $210. Maybe even more!

Can anyone join? – SURE! As long as you live in the USA you are able to join. Products will be shipped directly to you.  The sales tax will be calculated from where you live.

How will you decide who will host which month?
To be the most fair, months will be assigned by alphabetical order. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or list your questions in the comments below so that everyone will see the answer.  Will you be in the 6-pack?

Help When You Need It Most

Earlier last week, I was speaking with my mother and somehow we got on the subject of her medications.  As you may know, if you read my blog posts, that my mother is a Lung Cancer survivor.  Currently she is doing well as there is really no evidence of the disease in her.  God has truly been so good!  Everyday she takes a targeted chemo pill called Tarceva.  Tarceva is extremely expensive and unless you have co-pay assistance, there really is no way that you can afford it.

Earlier this year, she filled out the paperwork for the Chronic Disease Fund who has helped with co-pays in the past.  My mother said she called them earlier this week because she hadn't heard from them.  They had run out of funding for the year.  But what was worse, is that they never notified her!  Insane.  As I got over that shock, the realization set in that she has only a few pills left and no way to pay the $1200 co pay for it each month.

I called Genentech, the manufacturer and they open up a case.  Through the case workers, they helped look into several other companies, who as it turns out, have run out of funding as well.  What is going on?!?

Genentech is trying to see if they can assist her directly. I pray that you will join me in praying for a solution.  Since 2008, she has been a warrior and fighting.  I believe someone will come through so my mother can get the meds that have been working for her.

Thirty-One Gifts Open House

I am excited to announce that I am a new Independent Consultant for Thirty-One Gifts!  As a way of sharing all of the great products that Thirty-One has to offer, I am hosting a virtual online open house at my website through April 19, 2013.  You can view my online party details at my website.

In its 10th year, Thirty-One is a company that celebrates women.  The name is taken from Proverbs 31, the bible passage that speaks about the virtuous woman.  A woman who not only cares for her family, but serves her community, is industrious, and is an example for all.  I strive to live up to this example of a Godly woman.

Thirty-One offers products that are functional as well as attractive. 

This month, I currently am running 2 specials.  For ever $35 you spend, you can get our Jr Rec and Roll duffle for just $10 or our Pro Duffle for $25.  Also, visit my website to take the Mother's Day personality quiz.  You may be one 6 lucky winners who will receive a solution set for you and your mom.

We have a lot of bags to choose from - one I am sure that will meet your needs.  Which Thirty-One bag or tote is your favorite and what would you use it for?