Day 25: Optimal Health Care

In September, I began to have a severe pain in my back.  I could not sleep all night.  The moment I woke, I did not go straight to the coffee pot as normal, but straight to my phone and call my insurance to see if I had coverage for chiropractic services.

They directed me to Optimal Health Care in Texas City.  My first visit that same day, I could hardly fill out the paperwork I was in so much discomfort.  They allowed me to get on the machines right away and I got a first slight adjustment just to help me survive to my next visit with complete xrays and plan.

Long story short, I was instantly helped with the combined therapy they offer.  Below I have photos of some of the machines I use.  They have also supplied me with a shocking type mini device to calm muscles tensed from pain.  We used that for awhile.  Also, we got a back brace.  This was good for the time, but I have had to only use it for a week or two on and off as needed.

Their therapy includes, machines, chiropractic adjustment, shots in trigger points and massage with hand vibrators.

I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know this team of people who have brought me quickly to a no pain existence.

This is where I start out each day here.

This swivels quickly side to side and a quick vibrating type motion.

This one feels really great.  You sit with feet tucked under some foot rest, then let your weight rest backwards stretching your lower back mainly.  Crossing your leg over the other also gives a great stretch to your leg/hip joint.

This is my favorite nurse.  She and her team gives you an injection in trigger points to help make everything else more effective.

This is the main chiropractor that gives all adjustments, Dr. Davis.

Once you get the injection, one of the nurses help with a massage using a hand vibrator to help get the injection throughout the muscle area.

Once a week, I use one of the tables that not only holds you with your feet elevated but also 

vibrates to help separate the spine areas that want to touch, causing pain.

Positive feeds on this, one of three, slideshow is available to view while on machines.

I snapped a pic of a patient getting an adjustment.

Here is a perfect spine.  Mine has some curve caused from years of living and a few car wrecks I have been in.  This is the goal.

Two of the nurses that work the floor area and does various other jobs.

This was my least favorite machine as it vibrates so much your nose tickles and ears and all drives you crazy.  For only 1.5 minutes, I found, one day in pain, it was the main one that did a great job instantly.

Super close to this practice on Palmer Highway, Texas City, is my little stopping place.  I log onto their internet and catch up before heading home or to another client home or to shop for clients.

#optimalhealthcare #texascitytexas #starbuckstexascity #chiropractic

Day Twenty-Four: Monday

I am not sure what it is but MONDAY is the longest day of the week.

Mine started with "get up, and look at Facebook".  FINALLY, my daughter and her hubby announced publicly the pregnancy of their first baby!

So, I had to dig through my over 1k pics in my phone and get that one pic of the RED LETTER DAY when they gathered both sets of parents to tell us the news!

Just yesterday I found the perfect baby bed in the perfect neighborhood at a super clean house just for little baby Kennard.  Sweet.

Some hours spent with Hannah, then lunch and off to first day of early voting.  It was a three hour wait but had to be done.  Thankfully, the weather has been near perfection.

Then, to watch Hannah's first multi-consultant Lularoe online sales and view the albums of some fun new prints and styles of the company through her team.

My favorite comment of the day.  I screen shot it, cropped and embellished.  Love.

 My well deserved sticker!!

Here is a snap shot from my phone of a live Facebook sales happening tonight and...will continue tomorrow night at 6:30.

Just stop in and watch the sale, ask questions, give your comments and if you see something you would like, you can purchase.  She sends you a Google Doc to complete and make your payment.

It's a fun way to shop.

Join this page and the link to go to the Multi-Consultant sale is there.

#votefortrump #votedfortrump #lularoe #earlyvoting #grandchild #redletterday

Day Twenty-Three: The Powder Room

The powder room is the one room that you want to look fabulous.  It is the one room that your guest will visit, in private, and will feel wow'd by your aesthetics.  Make it super welcoming, unique and interesting.

Let's pretend this is our inspiration piece of art we want to use in this space.  We will let this guide us through the process.

Sherwin Williams | Nightowl   SW7061

Counter top, flooring, and accessories

      

   

    

   

Let us help you get started!

www.donnamadden.me

#interiordesigner #decor #powderroom #donnamadden #helpmewithmyhome  #goodcandle #monogrammatches #antiquegold

Day Twenty-Two: Comfy and Cute

A great event that takes place in 2 days is my daughter, Hannah's first group consultant Lularoe online party.

Hannah started with Lularoe one year ago.  At the time, she was an assistant to one of Houston's Stylist, Julia Browning/JA Runway and got to help style on the Debra Duncan show twice.  She also  worked with Stage Stores in their call center and enrolled in Houston Community College in Fashion Marketing.

Since her new endeavor, she had just made her first promotion as "trainer" with the company which means not only does she make her own commission but a % of all of those under her.  This breaks off quickly but of all the companies I have seen, there is an honest retail business that brings in the $$ if you never recruited one person.  Hannah's down-line came in strictly by her example of a good hard working consultant herself.

Here is a little sample of videos she has done for her business.  This was when she had just began and the juices were flowing.  

Lularoe clothing are the most comfortable clothing you will ever wear.  The sizes xxs through 3xl are so flexible, you can easily purchase on an online sale and be confident it will fit.

Hannah does Pop Up Boutiques in homes and businesses that she sets up her entire clothing inventory.  The host invites her friends and family to shop.  Refreshments are light as the ladies do not come to eat, for a presentation or to chit chat so much, but to SHOP.  They try on the clothing, make their purchase and take home that night!  For every 10 items sold at a pop up, the hostess gets a Lularoe clothing item of her choice.

Information and contact information can be found on her site:  Facebook/StyledbyHannah.Lularoe

Here is an Instagram post of playing with prints of my Azure Skirt and a Irma top.

The Carly dress is one of Lularoe's newest member of the family.  Here Hannah and I both have on our Carlys.  The Carly runs large and allows you to wear at least 2 sizes.

Here Hannah has a Carly dress in a side knot and a Cassie skirt under it.

Here is Hannah at a Lularoe Conference in California with Patrick, Lularoe's lead designer and developer.

Tara is Hannah's upline sponsor.  She met Tara at a Pop Up Boutique and instantly fell in love with Lularoe.  Tara in only 6 months longer than Hannah just made her second level in the company, coach.  Her banker husband just announced he is leaving his job to work with Tara full time.  They love their time together working this dream.

Here is Deanne, founder and owner of Lularoe.  Her story is incredible.

Join Hannah tomorrow night as she and her group unveil their freshly Lularoe inventory on albums on their group page.  Then Monday, they will start live Facebook sales!

Join Here First, then you will find the link on a post to Lula Goal Slayers.

See you there!  You get to comment with everyone at the party!

#lularoe #deanne #patrick #hannahkennard #Julia @JRrunway #houstoncommunitycollege #greatdayhouston 

Day 21: Favorite Quick Big Inexpensive Recipe

Everyone loves when you can find something that is quick, delicious and does not break the pocketbook to make.  This has been a family favorite and I have even used it for a crowd.  

I also shared this recipe at a Ladies Gathering at our church when speaking on "Living Large on Little".  We prepared and served it beautifully. 

Tip One:  Purchase Ground Chuck in a large package and Saute' all at once. Separate into one pound portions and freeze.  This way, when you need a quick meal, you can take out, make this recipe or another one of your recipes that calls for ground beef as a first ingredient.

Tip Two:  Barefoot Contessa shares her secret of knowing how to stock your pantry for meals when you don't feel like going to the store.  So again, store these ingredients and you will always be ready to go.

Note:  When I was starting my business, in between decor jobs, I created "Box Lunch Deliveries" and delivered lunches to corporate offices.  This was one of them that was in the rotation.  Our dessert choice with this recipe was always Brown Sugar Coffee cake.  Let me know if you want the recipe.  Awesome!!  Our lunches were always served with a pretty napkin and a fresh flower.  The presentation was my niche.  My customers loved their weekly surprises.  My tag line for my business then and still is:  "delight, surprise, satisfy".

Taco Soup

1 to 1.5 pounds of ground beef

1 package of taco seasoning mix

1 package of Ranch Dressing mix, dry

2 cans of stewed tomatoes, I usually get the Mexican Style but plain is fine

1 can of Rotelle tomatoes, I use generics

1 can of red kidney beans

1 can of pinto beans

1 can of whole kernel corn, I delete if on a diet

1 can of black beans

Remember, a total of 7 cans

Tip Three:  My little secret ingredient is to add a little cumin, if you have it.  If not, for pennies you can purchase fresh ground by the oz. at HEB.  

Tip Four: I am not a fan of large chunks of tomatoes in my soup.  If you are like me and would prefer a finer texture, toss the cans of soup in your blender or food processor for just a bit and it will do the job fast.  A quick rinse and jet spray will take care of the clean up fast.

Brown ground chuck, if not already done ahead.

Drain off any excess dripping from meat.

Add the taco seasoning package and 

the Ranch Dressing packet.

Add 1 cup of water and mix all together with meat.

Open all the cans and add, do not drain off any water 

from cans.

Optional:  Add the cumin

Simmer and serve.

Tip Five:  Here is how to serve.  I use a open type of bowl, add tortilla chips on the side, a dollop of sour cream in the center and/or shredded sharp cheddar cheese.  If you serve the bowl on a plate, you can add the chips on the side then some shredded lettuce and tomatoes on the side also to make even prettier adding a fresh touch.

It makes a nice presentation and even better served the second time around.

FYI:  Using a normal size ladle, if my memory is right, you should be able to serve 10 people and the cost will be around ten dollars!

Enjoy!

Day Twenty: People That Post Pics of Their Food and Lattes'

I have heard some that make fun of people who post pics on social media of what they are drinking or the food they are eating.  Here is my take on it.

For me personally, for example in this second pic, the caption was "favorite lunch with favorite guy".  When I post pics like this, especially on my Instagram, it really captures that moment for me.  It is a happy time.  Yes!  I am having my favorite lunch and what makes it even at a higher level, I am with my favorite person!

Capturing these "small moments" in our days teaches us to appreciate every small moment.  Don't think you have to wait until you are at your best friend's wedding or you just graduated from college, or your child had a birthday.  If you don't embrace the smaller moments of your day, you are truly missing out.

Our days are made up of moments.  Why not make them great?

Learn to appreciate every little "red letter" moment in your day.

The thing that begins to happen, every time you see a ray of light shining through a window and illuminating a glass vase, see a first flower bloom in your garden, get a new journal in the mail or a ton of other little things in your day...

you learn to live in the moment, appreciate every thing you have (be grateful) and realize all along you indeed do have a wonderful life full of nice surprises. 

Capturing these moments literally warms my heart when I take a stroll down memory lane by way of my Instagram "red letter" moments of my day.  Kinda like a visual calendar of my past.

How great is a latte with a beautiful swirl?  This is a meeting Hannah and I had at a coffee shop.

I love sketching and this coffee cup was just a picturesque moment.

Thanks for stopping by.

    

Day Nineteen: Mid Century Modern Office Design

Here is how it all began.  We had done nearly every room of this home.  The office is the very first room you see when you enter the home.  Mark has really cool taste and had some ideas of his own.

He shared his ideas for an entire wall unit including bookshelves.  We helped to guide the process. Once the pros got the main structure done, we were ready to put our touch on this space.

 Mark designed and made himself this super cool chandelier. ♥♥

Mark had his own collection of art he loved.  ♥♥♥

Mark and his wife, Latisha

Thank you Mark for allowing me to post photos of your office.