Rhea Lana of South Tulsa~CONSIGN NOW!!!

 

It's that time of year to clear out your closets, prepare for Spring and earn some CASH!  I'm not talking about garage saling. I'm talking about consigning.  With consigning you set your prices (Rhea Lana even gives you suggestions to get your items moving off the racks and shelves), and make 70% of your sales!  70%!!!  That's the highest percentage of any other sale in this area.  Plus, there are options to make 75% or even 80% of your sales through referrals.  You refer 3 new consignors with at least 15 items, then you get 75% of your sales.  Refer 5 and get 80%.  Simple as that!

Now if you're thinking I don't have time for this, let me ask you to reconsider.  Especially, if you enjoy serving.  Did you know consigning allows you to help others?  It's such a win-win situation.  You clear out what you no longer need and earn cash.  Then later someone else comes along and snatches up your great brands and deals.  You get cash, they get great deals.  How can this go wrong for you?

It can't.

So now that you are fully convinced of making the most of your resources, then here's how you get started.  

• Visit Rhea Lana of South Tulsa's website.
• Click on 'Consign' on the far right pink menu bar.
• Click on 'Sign up to consign'.
• Fill out the info.
• Then check out the Merchandise Prep and Pricing Points section.

It really spells everything out nicely for you!  From items you'll need to prepare your goods, all the way to getting them to the store and checking your sales LIVE.

If you have any questions, the owners of Rhea Lana South Tulsa go above and beyond for customer service.  Not to mention, you can always ask me!  I would love to help you.

***If you are going to consign for the first time with 15+ items, and you heard about this from me, I would LOVE to be your referral!  You know me...always watching the pennies :)

Turning the Hearts

I have done this whole 'Yes/No' dance in my head all day.  Do I?  Do I not?  Is what I'm really trying to get across going to come across that way?  OR, is it a 'Look at what we're doing' type thing?

So it came down to this...

Yesterday I met a man named Larry.  Little Man and I had the opportunity to hand Larry some brand new socks and put them in his new back pack.  The one he traded out for his holey Walmart sack.  Then Chunky Monkey and Little Miss handed Larry a new toothbrush, soap, and toothpaste. Larry was friendly, had a spark in his eye, and knew what he wanted.  Larry let us in his world.  Let us serve him and in turn let us open up to a little more love.  Through his hurt, he still had joy.  I am thankful for him.

We live a pretty cush life here at the Torres household.  In fact, having a home puts us in the top percentage of wealthiest people in the world.  Puts a little perspective in life, right?  Yes, you, having a home makes you rich compared to the total population on Earth.  Being in the upper percentage of cush life livers, we wanted to make sure we extend ourselves even in inconvenient times to show others what you have or do not have makes no difference on the quality of love you receive.  A person is a person no matter how small...  I love me some Dr. Suess!

I digress...

When I started our list of service projects each month for 2014, I thought it would serve at different places each month allowing the kids to find their passion in serving.  After spending an hour at Tulsa Homeless Outreach, I knew we were to go back next month.  Watching and helping people find what they were needing, I realized we have those things in our home...unused...just sitting there...collecting dust...overabundance...doing nothing.  I couldn't NOT go back.

So this is where we stand for February.  My little family of 5 will be meeting at 11th & Denver on February 23rd @ 3pm again.  In the meantime, the needs we saw is what I am asking for.  If you would like to help, here's what would be great...

• Socks.  Ladies' and Men's.  Darker colors work best because you can't tell if they are dirty.  The black ones went first.  White ones were taken, but only after all the black ones were gone.
• Shoes.  Sturdy comfortable shoes.  I witnessed a man in flimsy house shoes trying to find shoes in his size.  His foot looked to be about a 13, like Steven's, but he settled for a much smaller shoe and put them on.  OUCH!  Can you imagine settling for a shoe 2-3 sizes too small?
• Backpacks.  Again, dark colors and pockets galore.  Duffle bags work too!
• Individual sized snacks, travel size wipes, bottled water, band-aids, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss...my mom had a great idea of making blessing bags to pass out. 

I realize many of you love visuals.  I didn't take my phone for pictures because I had this feeling in my own head of, "Look what we're doing."  That's where I am so thankful for my SIL.  She had her phone and made it so natural to take pictures.  She is gifted in so many ways I am not.  I love her to pieces.  So here's our kiddos stepping out and serving.

 Could we all take a moment and pay some respects to the lady pushing the stroller?  That's me.  My mom is in the blue. Don't confuse us.  I am the one who had run 4 miles, rushed to a pedicure I earned from Arbonne, and then never showered.  Let's all say it together...'Ewwwwww!'  I'm not gonna lie.  I was stinky!

 

 The kids getting right in and helping people find items they needed.

 

I want to brag on Chunky Monkey for a bit.  My nephew has always been so shy to meet new adults.  Like hide behind you and not want to look.  Not while serving.  He went up to every person and asked if they wanted a new toothbrush, floss, or toothpaste.  In fact, he asked so many that he was out of brushes before anyone else.  He has always had such a compassionate heart towards others. We were blown away on his ability to remove his own fears because compassion took over.

I would love to have you join us in February.  Until then, please partner with our family in collecting these goods!

Rest

I have a love hate relationship with my alarm.  When that thing goes off in the wee hours of the morning, I want to literally throw it through the wall.  Instead, I drag my sorry self out of bed, put on the workout clothes, wash off the drool remnants and eye boogies, and head out the door for some exercise. 

After I'm done, it's all love.  I loved the workout.  I loved getting up and home before anyone in my family is awake.  I love sitting in my living room in silence aligning my thoughts and spirit for the day.

Monday I began re-reading the book of Daniel in the Bible.  Great book.  Highly recommend it.  Adventure.  Crazy people.  Focused people.  Amazing. 

I was in chapter two reading about the king who wanted to kill all of his wise men because no one was able to interpret a dream he was refusing to tell.  Basically, he wanted the wise men to read his mind.  Seriously?  No man can do it.  The king then became outraged and ordered every wise man to be killed.  Uh, mentally unbalanced much?

Daniel, exuding awesomeness, pleaded with one of the king's most high men for a little more time.  Once he was granted the time, Daniel asked his closest friends to pray for God to reveal the king's dream and the meaning of the dream.  Then Daniel went to sleep. 

Ummm, hold up?  He could be killed tomorrow and he went to sleep?  He wasn't tossing and turning all night.  Bawling his eyes out.  Frantically calling his family and friends.  Posting his drama on Facebook.  He asked his friends to pray and believe God would reveal the king's dream, then went to bed.

Funny thing.  In Daniel's moment of rest, God answered his prayer in a vision...a dream.  Daniel believed God would come through.  He wasn't stressed.  He slept, and in his sleep the answer was revealed.

How many times have I been faced with a trivial situation and laid in bed mulling over what to do...what to do...what to do...

Did I ever find answers during those mulling sessions?  No.  During those times I kinda need to do Daniel's method.  Pray and rest.  I'm all about resting and I am thankful for God's command to rest in Him.  I can do that.  If he came through for Daniel, he is more than capable to come through for me.  So that's my focus.  Just a little resting in Him.

Helpless

Last October I was able to witness one man accomplish his biggest goal yet.  A marathon through Chicago.  I really cannot express enough how incredibly honored and proud I was (and still am) to be his wife.  Steven trained for so long and struggled through mile 23-26 in his race to accomplish his goal.

That trip will forever be etched in my mind.  It was an extended weekend of watching people achieve great feats of courage and stamina, it was a time to spend with our greatest friends, and it was a time focusing on each other without kids around.  All of those memories bring such tremendous feelings of thankfulness, but there is a little dark spot on the weekend that I haven't shared with anyone.  Because, you know what?  I'm bothered and embarrassed by it.

Monday, after the race, we spent time on Magnificent Mile to shop and allow Steven and Erica (she also ran the marathon) some time to work out their legs before hopping on a plane.  As we were heading from over priced store to over priced store, we walked passed a man who was very clearly struggling.  He was wearing a hospital gown struggling to push a barely functioning walker down the street in the opposite direction as everyone else.  He literally passed by my right shoulder so closely that I had to pull my arm in a bit or I would have knocked into him.

As I looked down, I was able to catch a glimpse of why he needed a walker in the first place.  His right foot was wrapped in bandages covering his toes that were barely there.  Just bloody stumps that were grotesquely infected.  My heart hurt from the 2 second glance.  I heard a little voice in my spirit that said, "Help him," but I did nothing.  An overwhelming feeling of helplessness came over me.  We were leaving in a few short hours.  I didn't see any nearby places to get food.  What was I to do?  How was I to help?  I had so many thoughts, yet I did NOTHING.

I can't tell you how often I think of that man.  I know nothing of his life story.  I know not if he was on drugs.  He was very clearly dazed, but honestly would I be if I were him?  Possibly.  I wouldn't want to live that life.  Bottom line he is a person.  A man living, breathing, walking, and hurting.  I did nothing.  It shames me and motivates me at the same time.

This year I have mentioned our family is focusing on one service project each month.  At first, I wanted to ease into it.  Go with something that required little time and effort and gradually increase the service.  That serves no one, but me and my own convenience.  After a little digging I came across the Tulsa Homeless Outreach Program.  That prompted me to touch that sore spot of not obeying the call to help.  Although I cannot go back and fix my mistake, I can make some proactive changes.

For the next week or so, we are collecting gently used adult backpacks (we are good on kid backpacks) and new adult and children socks to pass out those in Tulsa who are homeless, living in their cars, or transitioning to apartment living.  I've heard all kinds of comments since announcing this.  Comments of praise and comments of concern.  Here's what I stand on...

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

Nothing is going to get better.  It's not."

-Dr. Suess, The Lorax

My family is not there to judge why someone is on the streets, or who will get what based on how I think they'll receive a gift.  My family is there to show that we care.  We care that people are living lives less than what we have right now.  We care that people are hurting.  We care that people have dependency issues.  We care.  So if not caring does nothing and betters nothing, than by golly...WE CARE!  That's our only motivation.  

My kids may be disturbed by what they see.  They may be uncomfortable.  Heck, I know I'll be uncomfortable, but I'm looking forward to serving.  

If this is something you are interested in joining, please let me know and I will pass on the details.  Regardless if this is your area to help serve, I encourage to find somewhere to plug yourself into and make a difference...your church, your work, your relationships...lots of opportunities!  As you serve, would you share with me?  It might just peak my interest and I can add it to our monthly lists!

Menu Monday

You thought I was leaving you high and dry again, huh?  I kinda am.  However, I have some new and yummy recipes for you to add into your rotation.  For me this month, theses are all considered 'detox friendly' or 'clean' or 'whatever you want to call it'.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp

 

{Pic via Not Enough Thyme}

Coconut Chicken

(omit heavy cream)

 

{Pic via Beezy Body Fitness}

White Beans with Spinach and Sausage

{use chicken or turkey sausage instead) 

 

{Pic via My Side of Life}

There you have it.  Three new goodies.  I hope you have the best week ever.  That's what I'm preparing for!

Serve My Flesh, Serve My Feelings, Serve Nothing

Man, did I wake up to some stinky news yesterday morning.  Put me in some kind of bad funky mood.  Kind of bad mood where you pick of the phone and vent.  You feel bad for the friend who got that call, right?  You should.

Here's the deal.  The news I received really wasn't bad news.  It was the manner in which I was ready to handle the news.  I wasn't.  I wasn't ready for my day.  I made a fatal mistake.

I was lying in bed with a quiet house and not one of the Little Torreses was awake yet.  That in itself is a little miracle.  I awoke on my own without an alarm and there wasn't a child standing next to my bed asking for breakfast.  What I should have done was reach over and grab my Bible and journal, but I let my flesh decide what to do.  I reached for my iPad...

Hmmmm, let's see what's coming through on email this morning.

And there it was.  My no good terrible news staring me in the face.  It seriously put my feelings in a funk.  Then my thoughts started chasing my feelings.  No bueno.  It took a good portion of the day to refocus my thoughts and control my feelings to where I wanted them to go...back to peace and happiness.

So as I was spending my morning regrouping, it became even more clear.  I could have avoided this entire situation.  Had I denied my flesh of wanting to check in with my little world BEFORE checking in with God, then I would have been prepared to handle a stinky email.  It would have allowed me to focus on what was important for my day, for my life, for my family, and for others.  It would have given me a clearer spirit and mind to handle what I was going to read.  So I got this for you today...

Serving my flesh will only serve my feelings and that will serve nothing but deceit.  God has a bigger plan for my life than how I feel about something.  When I take the time to align my thoughts with God's thoughts, I am in a much better place to serve others.

So here's to taking the time to align ourselves with God and to not serve our feelings and flesh.  Those two things will take us to really bad places.

Had I opened my Bible, written down my prayers and requests to God, and opened the book I was reading, I would have found this first...

You have to trust the favor of God to do for you what you cannot do for yourself.

-Mark Batterson

The Circle Maker  p106 

 

Reading that first would have changed my entire outlook of a little email.  I have God's favor to do what I cannot do myself.  WORD!

PS-For those of you concerned of my no good terrible rotten news.  It really wasn't that bad once I put it in perspective, but it sure did teach me a lesson!

Making It Meaningful

Do you ever have those little areas in life where you think you are in control, but the moment you try to control it is the moment when you realize you had little power to begin with?

Hello? Am I the only crazy one around here?

Let's take my holiday eating for example.  Each bite I was well aware of what I was eating.  In my head I recognized I should not be eating it.  I did it anyway.  Since I had the thought of  I should not be eating this, then I thought I was in control.  Sadly, I found out the little power I actually had today.

Today Steven and I, along with countless others, began our Clean Eating Challenge.  I've been asked numerous times why I would commit to something like this when I appear to be in shape.  You know, the first time I did this I wanted to see if I could do it.  I wanted to see if  what others were saying was true.  I wanted to see if I had more energy, if I would sleep better, if I would trim up, if my workout performances would improve, if, if, if...

All of it was true. I did stick to the plan 99.9% of the time.  I saw results.  I loved the results.  Life changes were made in regards to how we thought about food.  Foods I thought I could never give up rarely enter our house now.  I am thankful for those changes.

However, this time around I have a totally new set of goals. 

After letting myself indulge every single day for the entire month of December, I was beginning to see that snacking  and sugar was taking a toll on my energy levels.  One month of really throwing out a healthy diet and I could feel it.  My clothes felt it.  My skin felt it.  My sleep felt it.  My energy felt it.  My attitude felt it.  All of those areas are affected by my intake of food.

My goal for focusing on eating clean this month is not to improve my energy, sleep better, trim up, or perform better on runs or workouts.  I know those things will come, but this time I want to make it meaningful.  I want to focus on eating what I should and not what I want.  Since I created a cycle of indulgence, I want to recreate a cycle of discipline.  Disciplining myself for nourishment, not cravings.

That's a hard one.  Considering it's 9:30 at night.  I am full, yet I want to eat.  I want to sneak in my pantry and peruse the shelves for that something just right.  Mmmmm, cravings!  They sure are sneaky.  So instead, I'm typing on my laptop about cravings, sipping on my detox tea, and avoiding the kitchen altogether. Honestly, that power feels good.

I do have a purpose in all of this.  I want to share with you what my partner and crime (Erica) and I have done to help others who want to break those unhealthy cycles as well.  When you choose to go through the Clean Eating Challenge, you get support.  Lots of support.  First off, you get your products from Arbonne.  Top notch, researched, ahead of the times products.  You will also receive a full menu, recipes, and shopping list for 4 straight weeks.  On top of that you will be added to a private facebook page with others who are  participating in the very same process, at the very same time as you.  A perfect little support group.  AND, you also have the chance to compete for one of two $100 gift baskets.  It's a recipe for success!

Each month, we will have a group begin on the first and continue on for 30 straight days.  January tends to be the month people start with a bang and then fizzle out.  It is our hope that with all the tools we have put together it encourages others to stick through the hard times.  Changing life-long habits is difficult.  I'm not promising ease, but I am promising worth.  You are worth it and you will see worth when you make it meaningful.

What are your goals for the year?  Maybe this is the time for you.  If it is, I would love to share with you the how-to.  I truly believe this is for anyone! 

Make it meaningful, peeps!  Love you all!