LETTING GO and LETTING THEM FLY…

No matter how old your children grow to be or how far away they travel, in a mom’s heart they are always close and at home. She can feel their joys, their pains, their let downs and their triumphs, and although she may not be able to kiss it and make it feel better like she once did, and she may not be able to reach out and give her tender touch or a comforting hug, there is one thing that she can always do – PRAY! In the last week this realization really hit home when my son Chris called me from Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio where he is training to become a Combat Medic for the Army and told me that he didn’t pass his EMT National Registry Test. I could hear the disappointment in his voice (up to this point he had a GPA of 85%) and a sense of, “Mom I wish you were here to give me a hug and prepare my favorite comfort food.” But I am several hundred miles away and all I could do is listen to what he tells me; then put on my cheerleading uniform and cheer him on for the next time (they get three opportunities to pass this test because it is really tough, and it should be they will be expected to save the life’s of injured soldiers).

I know I can’t quiz him like I once did before a test or make sure he gets a good night’s rest and I can’t make him that perfect breakfast for brain power the morning of this big test. But, I can encourage him and Lisa too every chance I get by text, email, a handwritten letter (people serving our country in the military really like receiving letters from loved ones), a voice mail, a phone call and a good ole heart to heart with my heavenly Father and ask him to guide Chris, to give him the wisdom to make good choices when it comes to choosing to study rather than play – yes, in the Army they still have that opportunity and then, let God take the wheel and lead him down the path he has purposed and planned for his life! When I trust and call on HIM to HELP I know that Chris will pass that test!

So Father give my children the strength and wisdom to be all you have called them to be. As a mother, that is all I can ask for because I know they can’t do it alone!

Faithfully,

Cinderella

SOLD OUT and SURRENDERED to the CROSS

A few Friday evenings ago Frank (my husband) came home so excited about a young woman he had just met in the parking lot of our neighborhood Wal-Mart. I know some of you are probably asking yourself, “Why is she (me) not upset about him coming home excited about a young woman he just met?” Well, Frank - aka - “Baby Jesus” our daughter Lisa nicknamed her father that because he is sold out to our Savior and loves meeting other people who share that same affection! First, he handed me this handcrafted wooden cross and said, “This is for you!” Then he said, “Honey, I just met this girl, her name is Lacy and we had the coolest conversation and I want you to met her.” To which I replied, “REALLY… DO TELL ME MORE?” He continued… Well, he said, she is selling these crosses for a Ministry she is involved in that helps people that are recovering from drug and alcohol addictions, but it’s more than that he said, they worship together as a community of believers. Lacy ended up there after being arrested for possession of an illegal substance and she was given a dilemma by the judge, “JAIL or Strong Tower Ministries? She chose Strong Tower and has never looked back! Lacy has been clean and sober for over two years and is now employed full-time at Strong Tower Ministries. She shared her amazing recovery story with me about how God has delivered her from being addicted to heroine and prescription pain medication and how thankful she is for Strong Tower that was placed in her path that helped her get there! She said, “All I had to do was SURRENDER to the CROSS and GOD provided ME with HIS MERCY and the SHELTER of HIS STRONG TOWER!”

Frank was right! It was an AMAZING STORY of RECOVERY! Thanks for sharing your story with us Lacy, may you continue to STAND STRONG!

Check out Strong Tower Ministries at www.urmystrongtower.com

Faithfully,

Cinderella

I see MYSELF...

As a CREATIVE SOUL this is how I see myself...

For me the WORDS come FIRST. I definitely like painting the picture first with the words; then, coming up with the vision of the artwork or digital image in my head. Next, I grab a pen or a pencil, starting writing, then sketch the image or snap a photo. PRESTO! I have a story or the beginning of one anyway. The word "presto" reminds me of how much I love MUSIC!!! Looks like I have more than one FIRST LOVE. Music has always inspired me in so many ways...

Yes, my FIRST LOVE will always be the WORDS - WRITTEN by hand - CONNECTED to EMOTIONS - LEADING the WAY to YOUR HEART! And to me, "THAT"S REAL LOVE and REAL LIFE!"

Cinderella

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Cinderella Field, yes, Cinderella is really my name. Cinderella is not an easy name to live with nor is it easy to speak up and say it each and every time you meet someone for the very first time; “Hello BLOGGERS!” Okay, I’m glad that I got that out of the way, what a relief! I know you are probably asking yourself, “Does she go by “Cindy” for short?”My response is “yes, there was a time when I went by “Cindy” for short, but not today.”

Here’s the story…

My daughter at the ripe age of three asked me in front of an adult that was telling me she was concerned about my daughter, oh by the way, my daughter’s name is Lisa. Anyway, my neighbor at the time; was concerned about Lisa and her making up stories. She continued to say, “ I know that your family has moved around quite a bit and well, Lisa makes up stories.” To which I replied, “Oh really like what?” Well, she tells me that she has a younger sister and I know that she has a brother that is older and that her mommy is “Cinderella.” Lisa was playing in the yard with her daughter at the time my neighbor and I were having this discussion and she ran over and started saying, “MOMMY… MOMMY… and I looked at Lisa and said, “One minute, honey, Miss Cindy and I are talking, but Lisa INSISTED I give her “MY ATTENTION” and she asked me this question?” “Mommy, why do you lie to people about your name?” WOW! OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES… sometimes come words that STING and BRING a REALIZATION! I was a Mommy teaching my children each and every day to be happy and accept themselves and others as God had created them to be, and I was not comfortable with who I was and what I was named? What a LESSON Lisa just TAUGHT ME? I turned back to my neighbor at the time, which shared the same name I had used for years in place of my REAL NAME and said, “ Lisa is telling the truth, my name is Cinderella and that’s what you may call me from this day forward.”

Getting my family to do the same and embrace my new identity was not an easy task. My husband Frank asked; that I not introduce myself to his business associates as Cinderella because they would have a new name for him “Prince Charming” and he was not ready for that and neither was the Oil and Gas Industry that he works in, a very MANLY WORLD, but over time he got used to it.Okay, admittedly, it took him awhile… “YEARS!” In fact, there are days that I am sure it’s still not easy for him and I understand it all too well.

Some of my other AKA’s and nicknames he has for me are: Honey – that’s what he calls me most of the time. If he calls me Cindy or Cinderella, I know it’s not going to be a conversation I am going to enjoy – much like the one when I say, “ Honey, we need to talk.” You know how guys LOVE to hear that, RIGHT?

We have two adult children, our oldest is Chris (who will turn twenty-one in August) he serves our country in the Army and our youngest, Lisa (just turned nineteen in May) is in her second year of college at a University in Oklahoma, they call me “MOM.” Chris who has a “dry sense of humor” calls me “Cinderella” to get on my nerves every now and then, and Lisa says, “Mom don’t get upset, it’s just a NAME.” They are my PRIDE and JOY and I feel BLESSED to have the HONOR of calling them, MY BABIES!” They are going to LOVE reading that some day - NOT! LOL

My niece refers to me as “AUNTIE ORGANIC” I love that nickname! My husband’s friends refer to me as “C” I like that too! My mother-in-law still calls me “Cindy” and sometimes “Cindyrelle.” My mom calls me “Cindy” and that’s better than “Lucy” that’s what she nicknamed me growing up. I never understood “WHY” and I still don’t have the answer or a clue for that one, and neither does she?Anyway, I am happy answering to any of them, except “Lucy!” LOL

To be honest with you; “I prefer Cinderella.” And, according to Lisa, “It’s okay! It’s just a NAME… your name Mom!”

END OF STORY…

BEGINNING OF BLOG…

I am interested in your name and how it came to be, so email me at CinderellaField@cox.net

Cinderella and Lisa

Cinderella

Frank, Chris and Cinderella

About My Blog

The purpose for my blog is to create a GIRLY blogspot just for women. A gathering place where women of all ages and stages can connect, exchange and share their experiences in the areas of Faith, Family, Friends, Favorite Finds, Food, Feeling Healthy, Fashion, Fun and more…

And, that’s all about what it means to YOU and ME.

It is my HOPE that it will INSPIRE and SPEAK to your HEART and SOUL in many ways. Our blog will be updated weekly to provide you with insightful, inspirational and helpful information from me and other women from all walks of life. Hopefully, it will encourage you to pursue a lifestyle of healthy living. Promote you in your spiritual and personal growth walk and give you the opportunity to get involved in community interests whatever that may be for you that will bring us together to encourage one other and others.

We will blog information on upcoming EVENTS, updates on SMALL GROUP happenings; what they are up to and what they are looking forward to in the future.

We will share personal real life stories of women just like you about what they are doing for themselves, their families, their friends, their church and their community that is making a difference.

If you know a woman like I have just described or about an event or small group happening that you would like to share with us, please send me an email and I will post it for others to read about. Email me at cinderellafield@cox.net or leave it in the comment section.

It is my hope and prayer that you will look forward to getting to know these WOMEN. I INVITE you to come back and visit Cinderella Chats on a regular basis. Pour your favorite beverage, hot or cold and have a seat in a comfy chair and ENJOY getting to know us. I believe YOU will be INSPIRED IN SO MANY WAYS!

About Me

Read on to learn more about me. Click here to read about the purpose of my blog.

I am a CREATIVE SOUL that LOVES the ARTS! Music – Listening to it, singing along with it, and dancing to it. Working with my hands - writing, sketching girly art, and photography - I’m a “newbie” at it. Painting – I hope one day to give canvas a shot of color, not just my interior walls. I love decorating! I have a fetish for books, mostly self-help, how to/DIY and continual education material. Bottom line, I am a DORK! I LOVE learning! I’m a romantic at heart and a BIG DREAMER… I LOVE, LOVE coming up with new ideas and exploring ways to make them happen! I enjoy encouraging like-minded souls to pursue their God-given creative gifts, talents and dreams.

I share my love of HOSPITALITY every chance I get through event planning for Non-Profit organizations and hosting Cinderella Circles – small groups that meet monthly to share some Girl Thyme. Preparing HOMEMADE food for my family and friends is just about as good as it gets for me in the kitchen. I LOVE everything about FOOD! Shopping for it and the prep work is an adventure for me, not drudgery. I shop and support our local Farmer’s Market and Dairies. I am passionate and purpose-driven about serving others in my community and my church. I am very committed to a ministry called CELEBRATE RECOVERY and just joined OPERATION HOPE.

My Professional life consisted of many years in Sales, Marketing and Management in the Retail/Gift Industry. I worked for several big retailers and then in 2001 started my own business Ask Cinderella, Inc. My focus was Corporate Events/ Gift/Promotional Items/ Brand Extension. I left it behind to focus on creating the perfect girlie collection of whimsy wit and charming art for the gift books I have written with my friend Mary; that will speak to HER heart and soul - YOUR heart and soul. I will be sharing some of our creations with all of you who stop by to visit and read Cinderella Chats. Who knows? One day it may be the little gift book you pick up or note cards you select to send a “thank you” or use to write and say, “Hello, I am thinking of you!” To your girlfriends, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister or favorite female relative.
In the meantime, I will keep believing in DREAMS and sharing stories with you in the BLOGGING WORLD.

On a personal note: I have lived a REAL LIFE CINDERELLA STORY, all the good, challenging and every thing in between, and I must say, “I WOULD NOT CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT IT!” My life has not been a fairytale, and that’s okay. It provided me with the opportunity to become an OVERCOMER! It taught me to never give up on the world around me, the people in it, my dreams and certainly not myself or what God has purposed and planned for my life. All that stuff gave me a PASSION for helping others and for that I am thankful! I am not a religious person. I am a spiritual person who believes in God the Father, his Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I try everyday to live by the golden rule and the written word, but I must confess, I fall short sometimes.

In closing, I’ll admit, that I find the role of WIFE, MOTHER and FRIEND most REWARDING, and at the same time - CHALLENGING! For me, it’s what makes life interesting, joyful and worth living every moment of it!

Okay, I think that pretty much sums up who I am, and what I enjoy doing. If you would like to share something about yourself or what you enjoy doing, please do so in the comment section of my blog or email me at cinderellafield@cox.net

I look forward to hearing all about YOU!

Fun

FUN is…

LIVING LIFE to the FULLEST!

DANCING like NO ONE is WATCHING…

SINGING like NO ONE is LISTENING…

LOVING like NO ONE is GOING to HURT YOU…

LAUGHING OFTEN, it’s the BEST MEDICINE!

DOING for YOURSELF what YOU ENJOY the MOST…

BEING ALL YOU WERE CREATED to BE IN THIS LIFE

DREAMING BIG, SMALL and EVERYTHING in BETWEEN…

PURSUING YOUR DREAMS with ALL THE PASSION YOU HAVE INSIDE YOU

And…

NEVER STOP HAVING DREAMS

And…

NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS

Because…

YOU MAY JUST STOP SHORT of HAVING A WONFERFUL LIFE!

If you can do these things, “How could you not have FUN?”

Cinderella says…

GO MAKE SOME FUN and ENJOY LIVING IN EVERY MOMENT!