Rhinestone Pepper- Took a Blogging Vacation!!

I took a breather....from blogging and work but I'm back. This is a tough time of the year for business yet I feel the first of the year will be better. Much I have to offer can help those less fortunate than myself. Every job I've ever had has been trying to make the lives of others better. I was the chief executive officer of a financial institution for more years than I want to admit.

I love my independence now. I work for myself. I'm a tough boss and hardest on myself. I do love have the flexibility that I have in my life. I never knew how much I was going to enjoy saying goodbye to corporate America.

Now I have my life back and my rhinestones....that sounds like perfection to me!!!

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Bad Hair Cut...Now That's Pain!!!

I moved to Charlotte two years ago and the biggest trauma for me was finding someone to do my nails and my hair to my satisfaction. I was lucky, the first time out with my nails. I discovered a great nail tech. She is a perfectionist and skilled artisan. I never have to guess how my nails will look....they are always elegant, long yet natural looking. With my vivid red colors they do stand out so...nothing sexier to me than gorgeous red polish on my nails and toes. It just seems to fit perfectly with my rhinestone jewelry.

I wasn't as lucky about my hair. I had been so lucky in Mississippi. The same guy had cut my hair for 25 years. He knew what my hair would do and would not do. I trusted him implicitly. I never had concerns when he would experiment and give me a new style. It always worked. I guess I was naive. I told the first hairdresser here about my personality and what I wanted...I thought we understood each other. I was wrong. I ended up with a horrible hair cut. Took 9 months to grow it out.

I finally found someone who is very good yet she's also opinionated. She also thinks she understands my hair better than she actually does...my hair has a mind of it's own. So a month ago, the worse scenario happened....she went crazy with the scissors and I'm back with the BAD hair cut...the nightmare for all women. Men just don't understand. All I want to do is to crawl into bed until it grows out. My hair is a direct reflection on my moods. Great hair means I'm on top of the world. So if my writing ever seems a little negative...look to my hair.

Have a Merry Christmas and and AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Making My List For Santa!!

It's that time of year again...Santa is almost here, just a few more days to go. In the past year, I do think I've been good. I've worked hard to become a better person and have achieved a few steps towards being a more patient person. I've had to draw on that patience daily with my daughter now living with me.

I do think I'm becoming a better parent and perhaps my daughter is actually becoming a better daughter also. We just seem to enjoy each other' company now. Dilly, my cat, might deny that I've been good this year. I've had him on a diet for the past few months, so I'm not his favorite person anymore. I hear him talking about me behind my back!!!

Now as to what I want for Christmas from Santa....just to be loved and appreciated. Everything else will fall into place with that in my life.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Reflection on Holiday Season

In my heart...I'm "It's a Wonderful Life". I want to believe in the fairy tale. Life for me growing up was much darker than that. My father is a chronic alcoholic and my poor mother coped as best as was possible. Our holidays were difficult most years. The food was always great yet the mood in the house was a direct reflection of the amount of alcohol my father consumed that day and his day could start at 5:30 a.m.

I loved the Christmas season when my daughter was young. I got to live my fairy tale moments through her. This year the man in my life isn't in town, so I'm feeling a tad lonely tonight. My daughter and I are going grocery shopping for our Christmas dinner tomorrow. Just like my mother, there will be way too much food yet I can be assured that there will be no angry words on that day. The one part about growing up is I can have peace in my household and I love that. I need that.

So everyone should plan to eat too much, get those special hugs and enjoy the upcoming days for the simple pleasures they bring.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- How do I end up with Loners?

Growing up I always felt I had a dramatic soul. I was timid and shy yet inside I was a rhinestone Diva. I've always been the type of person who has to talk when I'm upset or concerned about something. Getting those thoughts out of body are integral to my internal peace. How then do I end up having so many people in my life that are just "loner" personalities? They hold it all in or run and escape to themselves rather than talking to me?

I guess I attract that type of personality. My ex kept to himself for 25 years. To survive, I had to do the same....it was just like a living death. My daughter has Asperger's Syndrome and she doesn't show emotions..so no help there. The man I'm involved with right now is like my ex so here I am with no one in my life to bare my soul to. I have to say that he does come closest to understanding me...men and women's needs are just so different.

Maybe living with two of "me" would be too much sparkle in one room any way. Never really thought about it before. Guess I'll just hang out with my "loners"...I've got the "world" to talk to...I've got my blog.

Rhinestone Pepper- Pooh my Kitty in the Dryer...OOPS!

I have another story about my kitty that was named Pooh. I will warn that it's a tale about pussycats and household applicances. Unfortunately, I do have experience yet the stories all have a positive ending....I made a video for you.







Pooh really was my first child and he lived for many years after his experience with the clothes dryer. To me he was baby....even took him to the photographers to have his picture made. I
found this one tucked away.....




The photo really doesn't do him justice....he was a very large cat. He weighed between 20 and 22 pounds and his hair visually added pounds from there....he was a BIG cat!! He was still my baby though.









Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- A Day of Relief

Yesterday was a happy day in our home. We got the news that my daughter's request for Social Security Disability was approved. I'm most proud, as she did everything herself in placing the claim. They did a formal evaluation with an appointed doctor and I'm guessing that his recommendation did help. The approval was really a surprise as I'm told that odds were against her. As a parent, I constantly worry about how she would fare without me around. At least now, she does has have some financial stability.

Next step is for us to get her the medical help she needs. Since she presently has no health insurance, we've held off doing anything. I think she's finally ready to accept any medication as needed.She has had a tough time accepting the fact that she has Asperger's Syndrome yet she's finally come to peace with it. It's a good day for us...great early Christmas present!!

I didn't blog yesterday as I was making videos for work...feel like the video queen now. I'm a person who hates having their photo made...making a video is the last thing I enjoy doing...but you do what you have to do for work!!

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper