Wonderful Women Wednesday

Each week, I try to feature a woman who I just think is wonderful. This week's honor is going to Amy over at My Friend Amy. She is worthy because of the time and effort that she has put into the book drive for Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart. This is a passion of her's to do this and I just think it's stellar! Congrats Amy!

Wonderful Women of Wednesday

This week's Wonderful Woman is someone who I enjoy hanging out with! Priscilla and I met "accidentally" at an Advocare mixer one night and we were supposed to already be friends according to the sponsors of the mixer. We hadn't ever met before then but now we are good friends. Priscilla inspires me to live a healthier life. She is my friend as well as Advocare coach. The above picture shows Priscilla before Advocare...if you scroll down a little more, this is what she looked like 6 months after starting Advocare...and today, well, she just looks awesome!

She is a very caring wife, mother, and teacher. She holds the attention of gifted middle schoolers every day teaching them math and science concepts. Her students love her and she loves what she does.

Anytime I'm having a bad day I know I can pick up the phone and give "P" a call. She always has something witty to say and she's brutally honest, which is the one thing I appreciate most from her. When I ask her if I'm fat, she gives me the "yeah you are look" along with a snarky comment and I know it's time to get back on the wagon. I really appreciate that from her! She's awesome and very deserving of this week's spotlight.

Wonderful Women Wednesday

This week's honor goes to "Ms. Dee" D. It has been quite some time since I've seen Ms. Dee but she is more than worthy of this weeks honor. I met her when I was in college and she eventually became my house mom. More than that, she because like another mother to me. I lived with her and her family (plus a couple more college roomies) for a little over a year. I really looked up to her at the time, and continue to do so. She worked at the local hospital as a nurse and that's what I was going to school for. Needless to say, she had myself and one of her daughters in nursing school at the same time. Not sure if you've ever been around people in nursing school, but it's stressful! She had 2 at the same time!! She's amazing. She helped me and her daughter survive and be successful in nursing school. It's also because of Ms. Dee that I had my first "real job" as a CNA at the same hospital.

My absolute most favorite memory of the time I spent with Ms. Dee is EVERY NIGHT she would have her case manager work spread out on the floor and I my nursing books and care plans and we'd pop in our favorite movie, "Dirty Dancing" and sing while we worked. That's how we dealt with our stress! Everytime I watch that movie now, I think back to that living room floor and how much we *didn't* get accomplished each night by having our girl bonding time.

I still hear updates on Ms. Dee from time to time because my "grandma" Dortha volunteers at the same hospital where Ms. Dee works. One of these days I hope to be able to go back to visit with Dortha, Ms. Dee, and all my other friends still in the area.

Wonderful Women Wednesday

This week's "Wonderful Woman" is my dear daughter Melody. She is a huge asset to my family and her daddy and I love her dearly. She just found out this past Monday that she has completed all the requirements to have finished homeschooling at the tender age of 17! I am so proud of what she has accomplished and how hard she has worked to be finished with high school already. She is a great all around Christian young lady. She has been known to help out at church on Ladies' Days, she occasionally fills in to teach a Bible class, and she's a great babysitter. Last I knew, her plans on to now study for her SAT and prepare for college with a major in criminal justice.

She enjoys reading and is one of the main reasons I got back into reading. We share many common interests in reading and she's stacking up books for me to read faster than I can read them. She also enjoys playing virtual computer games, talking on the phone (what teenager doesn't!?!?), and riding 4-wheelers. She's most looking forward to what she's getting for her graduation gift, but I can't say because she will read this!

Do you have a wonderful woman in your life? Why not leave a comment about her!

Wonderful Women Wednesday

Today's wonderful woman is known as Kayla H. Kayla is a former student of mine, as of Friday, May 22. This young lady totally amazes me. She helped me to organize 5 blood drives this school year and played a huge part in running them. As a result, she won a scholarship from the American Red Cross! Kayla has been my right hand for the past couple of years at school. She is also the first student that I have taught all 4 years of high school (this was my 4th year teaching). When we started the CNA program, I didn't think I'd see a CNA so soon, but Kayla is the first student from our high school to become a certified nursing assistant.

I can't even begin to tell you how proud of this young woman that I am. She has faced many obstacles in the four years I have known her, but she has met everyone of them head on and survived. She has an adorable daughter who is 2 and the highlight of her life. She is one of the few teenage moms who's been able to "pull it off" and stay in school. Kayla plans on starting her nursing career this fall at a local community college.

Kayla if you read this (and I hope you do!) I wish you all the luck in the world. You are more than deserving of my "Wonderful Women" award for this week along with the other blessings that will fall your way throughout life!!!

Wonderful Women Wednesday

Today's Wonderful Woman is someone very near and dear to me. Francis Briney, affectionately known by multiple members of my family as "Aunt Faffy" has played a huge role in my life. Aunt Faffy and her husband "Uncle Ralph" lived "up the sidewalk" from my maternal grandparents. Everytime we went to my grandparent's home, we also saw them. I am not sure just how the whole "Aunt and Uncle" routine got started, but I know that my mom and her brother and sisters have always referred to them as that.

Aunt Faffy had this house that had that smell. You know the one I'm talking about...old person smell with a mixture of downhome freshness after a batch of baked chocolate chip cookies. I mean no disrespect by this...it's just one of the things I remember most about her house. I loved going to see her and her dog. She taught me a few things about life (especially boys!!) and she was always encouraging me to pursue my singing career.

The last time I saw Aunt Faffy was on my wedding day. I wish I had the picture to put on here but I can't put my fingers on it at the moment. I was so thrilled to have her as an honored guest at my wedding. That just meant the world to me!! She passed away recently, but not before losing a granddaughter and daughter-in-law to cancer. She is still an inspiration to me today. I miss those Saturdays 'down on the farm".

Wonderful Women Wednesday

This week's "Wonderful Woman" is actually a bunch of wonderful women!! I'll never be able to name them all, so please know that if you are a nurse or a teacher, I think *YOU* are a wonderful woman!!

This week is National Teacher's Week as well as National Nurses Week. Today is Teacher's Day and Nurse's Day. Both of these professions are near and dear to my heart, as I am a registered nurse and a teacher.

Be sure to thank and honor the teacher and/or nurse in your life. They put their best foot forward daily to ensure a better tomorrow!