Pit Bull Red and the Fall

Our president of Arbonne, Rita Davenport announced on stage that Arbonne is launching PIT BULL RED lipstick. That is fun! It makes the fact that I fell yesterday a little better. I was headed to church and fell and knocked myself out. I am so sore today I can hardly move without wimpy cries. It is mainly my bloody elbow, bruised shoulder and sprained leg. Not so much the pride then as I am not always graceful. Why I fell made Scott a little mad since it was a spider that caused the downfall. I was just minding my own business when all of the sudden said spider appeared and I back up tripping tumbling down. I could have died. When I came to I freaked out hyperventilated and jumped in tot he car and drove. Crazy. I then had a nurse Sheri check my pupils and blood pressure while the men stood around debating whether I had a concussion. I did think it was 6 hours later than it was and kept getting the days mixed up OH and I lost the car. I don't usually lose cars. OH well I think the lipstick sounds fun and I LOVE to support women who are making a difference like Sarah. Even if it is moral support!

It comes in 3's

It is strange how death often comes in 3's. We had a few over the last little bit. Our cute founder and old owner of Arbonne Peter passed away. He lived life large and made life fun- our hearts go out to his family and we thank them for the wonderful life we enjoyed for so many years. He was truly one of a kind crazy fun. It brought back lots of zany times over the years in different countries on trips with Peter. One time he made the whole cruse ship wait while he let some late stragglers get back to port which then he told the captain to full speed ahead into some rough waters which made the awards ceremony quite fun as we slipped across the stage with the waves. Some of the stories are not OK to put on a blog because they would make you blush (they still make me blush) but he had a big heart and we will always be grateful to him for the awesome memories. It doesn't seem odd to me that when Scott left Arbonne full time right then Peter died. Peter was a big reason Scott did Arbonne. Then we found out Ben's dad had died. I hate it when dads die. They were off to Montana- hope they are safe as it is stormy. Then Michele's friend's husband ended his life. That was the worst one of all, because you know the poor family will suffer so much. Death is never easy and I really feel for everyone who has lost a loved one, espically in such a sad sad way.

Fun fun

I am LOVING the new line:) It really makes me happy. My mom is off to New York for 11 days to be with Uncle Al, we are getting ready for some whirlwind week long trips to... Lake Powell (houseboat with Steve, Wynn and kids:), Disneyland (a total surprise for Kelsie and Kaden- hats of to Marlene for keeping that one quiet), Scott's family reunion, a romantic get-away surprise for Scott (who never reads this), a week in Park City, plus stops for Arbonne in CA., NV., and southern Utah. It is tricky because in the old days we could just go off for long periods of time. Now we have to be in Utah for Sundays and as many Tuesday as possible. Scott loves serving and it has been kind of fun to figure out how to keep work taken care of. It is forcing us to be more scheduled which is a good thing. While in between trips I was home for a really neat fireside by Kalai, his music is hard to describe with words the sound is something. He is what Hawaii, Alaska, hippies and a hand have in common. Plus it was cool to hear his testimony of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, and what it is like to be in the world of music. The youth really liked him. I missed my first YW event it feels weird to not be doing something 4 times a week but being on the road makes it kind of hard. It will be there waiting for me when I return in between trips. I miss the sisters and the YW. At least I'm with Scott.

F.Y.I.

We are just home from a week in Las Vegas where Arbonne launched the new F.Y.I. for young individuals. It was really cool to sit there and think I started to use Arbonne as a teenager. Just think there I was as a 15 year old loving my Arbonne, never thinking it would be the career I would share with my husband and family all these years later. I love the new stuff. Very fun. You can check it out at www.fyiarbonne.com. Plus the first event I went to with Arbonne there were only 350 people, we had 15,000 total consultants. This time we had 16,500 in attendance and over 1 million consultants and we are just starting to launch outside the US. Australia will be the first stop. Adding 2 countries per year after that. Think of all the Mercedes on the road. Think of all the charity and children who have been helped. We raised 1 million for battered women and children. We have raised tons for the red cross. Most of the other VP love to give to charity. How cool to help more people be self reliant and debt free. Money can be a huge stress and effect more than your pocket book. If we didn't have Arbonne in our lives I would not have had the friends and mission opportunities I have had. I would not have had the flexibility to care for my ill family members. I would not have seen so many places and met so many people. I can't even begin to say thanks to Arbonne.

Mary and Mark

We are having a fabulous time in IL and WI. We wnet to my favorite custard shop Culvers and the cheese is worth the flight alone along with the Kringle and our dear friends and Arbonne work buddies. They have a big peaceful home that is just beautiful and they are amazing hosts. I love the floor plan they have and how fun and kind they are. Scott of course loves the Brat Stop, he did over do it on the cheese curds and is now paying for it. Mary is a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys and I have the best memories of being with her at Texas Stadium several years ago. We had a photos taken on the 50 yard line. Since I know nothing of sports it was fun to be with someone who has a passion about it. Mary is very steady and calm. She does get nervous, especially when we were not up on time. Mark is a sweet teddy bear. They are hilarious together- opposites attract. I am having a challenge of keeping my thoughts in the present and not on the flight home. I made it this far and I guess everyone is right and we will make it home with no incident. It is scary to me that fear can be so unrealistic and I can know in my head all the logic yet it doesn't get into my heart. I love to travel and see new places. I think of this area like a country time lemonade add, except this time of year it is more like a hot cocoa ad. The people are friendly. Lent is huge so every place you can think of has a big fish fry on Fridays. I have asked about Lent but no one knows for sure why they observe it. I admire people who keep their faith. As I know people think us "Mormons are weird". It keeps snowing which is changing our plans to site see this trip. They have cancelled all church services and the whole town is kind of folded up in a blanket of snow... only the bunnies are venturing out to play. Scott wants to desperatly bring home Buddy... the 5 month old golden retriver Beth and Dean adopted. I won't be surprised if we have a new addition to the Riffle house. Beth is severly allergic. They love him he is a good puppy but they are looking for the perfect home. So are they have spent 3,000 on poor Buddy. It is breaking her heart to find him a new home. Beth and I had a great talk about faith and God being aware of us. They are amazing people.

Roger at Lupitas

One of the reasons we flew to IL. was to help Mary do an Arbonne booth at a trade show. Due to the weather being very bad there were some very slow times. I went to the food demo at the trade show presented by a local restaurant owner named Roger from Lupita of Kenosha. He was fantastic. I learned to make fresh salsa, guac, rice and some type of pork Scott loved. What I enjoyed the very most was his spirit and his story of coming to America and turning his life over to Christ.

I wish I had a photo of him... (I do have one of my with Sponge Bob which I at first thought was a big Chunk of cheese.) Roger was a warm and friendly man with a great love of family, freedom, and food. He came across the border illegally at age 17. He got in to drinking and lead a very unhappy life. Some one gave him a chance to change and make something of himself. He thought of his parents in Mexico and all they had done for him and he took this chance. He quit drinking and he went to church where he met and fell in love with his wife (of many years now) He was not making much money so he moved up north where he was given another chance as an insurance sales man. He barley knew English. He became a citizen and worked very very hard to pass the tests and exams in insurance. After years and much money he did it. He worked for years in the business and did well. Then one day a memory came to his mind of his mother in Mexico and how she used to sell food on the roadside. Roger would help her. He took a huge risk and opened a restaurant. It is named Lupita after his mom. She came to America to visit and they took her for a walk. As she looked around she saw the sign and said hey-- there is my name. They told her yes there is your restaurant. I wish I could record his story I am not doing it justice... if you are ever in Kenosha, IL you must go eat at Lupita and meet Roger and hear his story. It made me cry.
Yummy Mexican Rice

2 tbsp. Goya Olive Oil

1 tomato, diced small (or boiled and put in blender with water)

1 packet Goya Cubitos En Polvo - Powdered Chicken Bouillon

1 Packet Goya Sazón with Coriander and Annatto

1 cup Goya Extra Long Grain Rice

2 cups hot water

garlic powder (a little)
onion powder (a little)
I think also some salt

1. Heat oil on medium in a saucepan with a cover. Stir in rice and cook for one minute. Stir in tomato, Cubitos En Polvo and Sazón and cook for one minute.
2. Add water and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, cover and lower heat. Simmer for 25 minutes. Fluff and let sit covered for 5 minutes before serving.

Yummy fresh salsa on the spot

In the blender in this order…

½ yellow onion, cleaned and cut

1 to 3 whole jalapeños, boiled (Optional to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 to 3 garlic clove peeled

squeeze ½ a lime

1/4 cup fresh Cilantro, chopped (he grabbed a huge chunk of it chopped off the ends and threw it in the blender)

6 large, red ripe tomatoes, boiled (for a few minutes) peeled

add a little of the water from the peeled tomatoes

You can help push down the ingredients. Blend in blender… leave it still a little chunky.

Chips he makes using corn tortilla fried in veg. oil

Break In... and my heart

Today when I went downstairs to the garage my passenger window was broken. "THEY" had tried to break out the glass, then slide their hand through the glass to open the door. The glass was still intact but completely shattered. I guess the thick glass is held together with a thick laminate. At first I thought it was frost. It looked beautiful. Then I had the yucky pit of your stomach dread. It feels yucky. I feel unsafe. I wish I had a house with full time security. I wish I lived in a world where "THEY" had enough love in their lives and knew God enough to not break into others cars. The police woman who came was very nice. She had a sense of humor. I wanted to get pictures of the car window. I wanted to check inside the car and see if anything was missing. I opened the back door and everything looked like it was in place. Then I made the mistake of shutting the back door. Gravity had been taking its effect and the glass started to make these noises. It was eerie. The officer said "THEY" are usually going for one of two items... stereo or personal info like insurance and registration. She recommended I start up a neighborhood watch program. I think I will. I think it is time to take a stand and take back our community. We have 4 or 5 break in every month in my neighborhood. We were not the only ones today to wake up to "THEY" being awful. We were just one of the misfortunate. I had really let my guard down. Every other car in my building has been broken into over the last 6 months. I guess I thought with Mercedes AWESOME security system no one would be stupid enough to try. Had they moved their hand into my car the alarm would have sounded and it calls me upstairs and then the police. Scott thinks they noticed the security system after they attempted to break the glass out. Our insurance will pay for a new window but it foils my day. I had business appointments I was headed to. "THEY" are sleeping in this morning after a busy night of intruding. I have been praying for "THEY". I have been praying to be more open to the guidance of the spirit when I may be acting like "THEY". There are times am sure when I could be a better person. My car was a gift from Arbonne when I became a VP. It makes me even more sad that it was a hard earned gift that someone hurt.

I want to be more aware of how I am listening. Am I using my heart or my ego. Am I placing myself in others shoes so to speak or am I just thinking of myself. We could all be a little kinder, where have I heard that before...? (Pres. Hinckley, Jesus, my mom, Scott, the New Testament, Book of Mormon, Sheri Dew... you get the picture.) Just think had someone really listened to "THEY" they would have felt heard and had their needs addressed. Everyone has needs in this life. Then perhaps "THEY" would become someone who also cares. What if we each tried to be the shelter for just one person. You know the safe place where you want to run to and hear that everything will be alright. Imagine if we could be nice to someone so they don't grow up and break our windows...

One of my heros...

My friend Em is in a photo this month in our church mag. called the Ensign. She is an amazing woman of faith. She married a man she had known for many, many years. He was a great man. In life one of the challenges is that we each have agency. So when you fall in love and make promises for it to be forever no matter how true you are to the promise you can't control the choice of your spouse. They have two adorable children.

She is a wonderful mom who is now single. I have seen a growth and light that is really something. She was always an awesome person but she is also now so compassionate and always putting others first. I don't know how she does all she does. She is in Arbonne with us and she is enjoying success. She never gets down with the kids nor will she ever talk negative about her husband leaving. She is filled with hope and a beauty that truly radiates. She lifts others with her example and strengh. It was very hard for me to understand how she was so loving and forgiving. I think it is because her testimony of God and his plan for her. She is tall and darling and I am thrilled to see her featured in an article for single sisters:)