Packing and Preparing for She Speaks

It was great hearing your sweet voices last night on our pre-conference call. I can hardly wait to meet each of you face to face! Micca Campbell did such a good job clarifying things for you as you put your talks together. Check out her site if you missed any of the details.

Also remember to check out the Speakers Track on the Proverbs 31 website. This page will also give you more details on preparing your talks and what you can expect from your small group evaluations.

Both Micca and I are available to continue to answer your questions and to serve you.

Here are the notes I promised on last night's call.

What should I pack for the conference:

Patience - There are bound to be a few hiccups and oopsies.

Jacket, sweater or pashmina wrap – The hotel is chilly, some think it is cold.

Tote bag or briefcase – You will be given a notebook with the handouts for your breakout sessions. There are so many wonderful resources you are going to want to take home.

Extra Pens -

Comfy Shoes – You'll be doing a lot of walking from your room to the Conference Center.

Business Cards – They are a great way to connect with the ladies you will be meeting.

Extra Money to purchase Resources - Leave some extra room in your suitcase for Resources and other purchases.

Earplugs – Your roommate might snore.

Please Leave all "Bossy Boots Attitudes" at Home

What should I wear when presenting my Two Talks:

Don't be afraid to let your clothes tell a little about your personality, but don't allow your wardrobe to be the only thing your audience remembers.

Dress as if you had been hired to speak for a real event.

· Wear colors that are complimentary to you.

Be sure your hair doesn’t cover your eyes or your face.

Choose a light perfume or fragrance.

Basic manicure and good hygiene are important.

You don’t have to have a professional manicure/pedicure,

just be sure fingernails and toenails are clean and well groomed.

Proper fitting undergarments are important.

Choose clothes that fit properly and make you feel comfortable.

You don’t want to wear clothes that have bulging buttons or zippers.

· I’m going to suggest that you not wear sleeveless outfits, see-through or sheer fabrics.

Don’t choose wild prints.

· No headlights please! The hotel is chilly – some think it is down right cold.

Be sure you don’t show too much cleavage.

You don't want your "sisters" coming out to play.

Choose accessories that show your personality,

but don’t wear jewelry that makes noise.

· Check to make sure the heels and toes of your shoes are polished and in good shape.

· Don’t wear jeans, t-shirts or flip flops when presenting your two talks.

Remember the best rule of thumb:

Don’t wear anything that will distract you or your audience from your message.

That's it friends. I'm so excited to meet each of you and will continue to pray for you as you prepare for this wonderful conference.

She Speaks Questions?

Micca Campbell and I are so excited about our Pre-Conference phone call for those ladies registered for the speaker track at this years Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference.

It will be a fun time with two girlfriends sharing a few tidbits of information from our years of experience at She Speaks. We'll be encouraging you and answering many of your questions.

If you have a question, please post it here and we will try our best to give you the answers you're looking for.

Dining Room Re-Do

Let me start by admitting that I'm not a decorator. I don't even pretend to be one, but my sister Maria is. Although Maria graduated as a chemical engineer she also knows how to decorate anything beautifully! She's always on the look out for things at Marshall Home Goods, Target or GoodWill or consignment shops. When she knew I was ready to tackle my "way over due" dining room she got right to work and gave me some great advice.

Here is the before picture. You can tell it was done in the late '80's. While I loved it for many years, I'm sure you'll agree that it was in bad need of updating.

Tah Dah!!!!!!! Here is my newly repainted Dining Room.

Good thing I had Pandora Radio blasting out some country songs during this long and tedious project. :-)

It took two coats of primer and two coats of paint.

I used my favorite brand of paint:Benjamin Moore

This paint is a bit pricey, but well worth the money as it covers beautifully, cleans without peeling or flaking and touch-ups blend in so well, I've never had to repaint the entire wall just to cover a small wall boo-boo.

After sampling six different colors on all four walls, I finally settled on the color Horizon.

It's a light gray with green undertone.

I love it because in some light it appears to be gray, in other light it appears to be a soft green/gray.

Wow! Talk about color making a difference. The room feels completely different.

These are the new chairs Tom and I agreed would be our anniversary gift to one another.I've always wanted Louis XIV chairs and I found these at Restoration Hardware. Maria suggested I have them upholstered in velvet. We chose the color Fog. It's a soft gray. I just LOVE these new chairs.

I'm jumping up and down over my latest find. It's a silver plated bowl and I found it at a consignment shop for just $12.00! I scooped it up with a small silver plated bowl for $5.00.

I canhardly wait to find a use for that little bowl.

Maria (my Dallas decorator) suggested I put small orchids in the silver bowl and cover them with sheet moss. After speaking with my friendly plant nursery expert Lisa, she recommended these plants over orchids since the lighting in my Dining Room is not conducive for orchids.

I think my $12.00 sliver bowl with those plants looks fabulous.

And this is the outcome so far of this work in progress. I still need to find things for the walls and a skinny thin buffet. This room is only 12x12 and I don't want the room to be "closed in". I'm toying with the idea of painting the table base, maybe even the mirror. A new rug, wall shelves?

Like I said, it's all a work in progress on a tiny budget.

This may take awhile...

Father's Day

Father's Day always brings a bit of sadness my way, it's a reminder that my daddy is dancing with Jesus and I'm unable to wish him a Happy Father's Day in person.

Here are a few quotes about Father's Day that will bring a smile to my face. I hope you'll enjoy them too.

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. ~Author Unknown

Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name. ~William Wordsworth

A father carries pictures where his money used to be. ~Author Unknown

The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God; I call him Dad!
~Author Unknown


I love my father as the stars - he's a bright shining example and a happy twinkling in my heart. ~Terri Guillemets

Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever. ~Author Unknown

Here a few helpful hints on being a great dad.

Schedule a few moments of together time every day.

If you live with your child, one of the best ways to meet with your child at least once a day is to have at least one meal together every day. We used to take turns talking about the best, funniest or most interesting thing that happened that day.

Tom always enjoyed bath time with our sons and our sons loved Tom's bedtime stories.

Make sure every child feels valued and noticed.

Every child needs to feel loved, noticed and valued. Every child craves positive affirmation from their fathers. This can be a simple as small gestures, words or actions that convey the message that you support, value, notice and care about each child. Send them a "hello" text in the middle of the day. Tuck a note into their lunchbox. Hug them. Or sit down and watch "their" TV show. Small gestures are as powerful as big ones.

Make a special date for just the two of you.

Tell them you've set aside a special time for the two of you, and ask your child to select an activity they would enjoy doing with you.

Model healthy relationship behaviors.

Your child learns about relationships from watching you and copying your behavior. The way we behave and communicate as adults has a lasting effect on the parent - child relationship.

Happy Father's Day!!!

How Men and Women Communicate

Oh friends, If you've ever struggled communicating with your mate I've got great news for you.

Watch this segment from Charlotte Today and take notes from this interview with Mike Vaughn.

I know Mike well, as I worked with all the therapists at Carolinas Counseling Group for more than four years. Friends, I've witnessed this practice minister to and help so many families. I've learned so much from them and have seen our wonderful marriage and love for one another deepen greatly. I guess "free" therapy is a great perk when you work in a counseling office.

Better communication with our mates is an important priority and the next six minutes could make a huge difference in your relationship.

She Makes it Look Easy

Hey friends,

It's the weekend and I wanted to let you know of a give away. Check out my friend

Karen Ehman's blog. She is teaming up with my friend Marybeth Whalen for a great give away.

If you've ever looked at another woman and thought, “I want her life”, then you're ready for the truth!

While on the surface that "woman" appears to have it all–she appears to be:

better looking, has a better home, a better marriage, and better-behaved children.

"She" makes life look effortless while you feel like life has sucked all the life out of you.

Oh friends, when will we learn that the grass isn’t greener on the other side?

Truth be told, the grass is only greener when it's watered regularly, some weed and feed is regularly applied, then the outcome is: regular mowing, then and mow and mow some more!

Check it out and find the truth for yourself!

Back Stairs Before and After

Okay, so the freshening up continues. Here is the back stairway before and after.

Yep, your eyes are seeing correctly, there is a diamond pattern in that carpet.

Would you expect anything less from me? I say a girl can't have enough diamonds...

That's it for today friends, I'm off to hang some pictures.