Sometime there is sadness in our journey, but there is also lots of beauty.
If I could have a choice, I never chose to be with you. If I could have a choice, I never chose to live in trauma all those years with you. If I could have a choice, I must have chose happiness when I was suffering from sadness. If I could have a choice, I chose my career instead of waisting all those years chasing and caring you. If I could have a choice, I chose myself not you. If I could have a choice, I chose friends over loneliness being with you. If I could have a choice, I chose world over a small apartment stucked in it with you. If I could have a choice, I must chose freedom instead of being your slave. But that was past… Yes, a past which I erased…
About books, movies, cooking, and advice Decorating, shopping, and finding the best price Life, love and raising kids Along with do-hickeys, what-cha-ma-call-its, and thing-a-ma-jigs We’re just two Texas girls Straight from the sticks The only thing we won’t gab about Is religion and politics!
Advice—an opinion someone offers you about what you should do or how you should act in a particular situation.
When you were a kid, remember how you turned up your nose when an adult offered words of wisdom?
Then you got older and found yourself using the same guidance with your kids!
Yeah, well, good advice is good advice, no matter the century. I mean, the Ten Commandments have been around a while and they’re still relative! Okay, maybe I’m stretching it a little because they’re considered more than just advice, but you get my drift.
Today, the Gabbin’ Gals and some friends want to share some of the best advice they’ve received.
“You can get married anytime—all you have to do is lower your standards.” (Ann’s momma)
“A man never leaves unless he has another woman.” (Ann’s momma)
“You can tell the minute a man touches you if it’s for his benefit or yours.” (Ann’s momma)
Friendships/morals
“Use your brain. That’s why God gave it to you.” (Susan’s Daddy)
“Clean don’t rub off on dirty.” (Ann’s momma)
“Pretty is as pretty does.” (Ann’s grandma) (Susan’s grandma). I heard those words many times when I was growing up.
“Nothing good happens after midnight.” (Ann’s daddy)
“If you saw someone jump off a cliff, would you do the same thing?” (Something Susan’s Daddy always used to say when she got in trouble for following the crowd)
Fashion/Beauty
“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” (TNBW member, Lauren shares her mother’s advice referring to women in Spandex)
“Never wear a pair of new shoes on a shopping trip.” (Susan’s mother)
Finance
“Put something back for a rainy day.” (Susan’s mother)
Borrow money from a pessimist, they don’t expect to be paid back.” (TNBW member, Memphis Trace. I’ve credited his penname because he’s still borrowing money using his real name)
Everyday Life
“Tomorrow is another day.” Scarlett O’Hara.
“Don’t believe everything you read.” (TNBW member, John Hamler, quoting Abe Lincoln)
“Reality is never as good or bad as people claim. (Ann’s friend, Dagny)
“A job isn’t done when you’re tired of it. It’s done when you finish what you said you were going to do.” (Susan’s friend, Robbi)
“When you’re talking, you’re probably saying something you already know. If you shut up and listen, you might learn something new.” (TNBW member, Tai Baker)
“Nothing in life stays the same, so treasure the good times and accept the bad, knowing that this too will pass.” (Susan’s friend, Sheryl)
“The good Lord gave us two ears and one mouth…listen twice as much as you speak.” (TNBW member, Don)
“There’s no reason not to stay clean. Soap is cheap.” (Susan’s grandma)
“Wherever you go, there you are.” (TNBW member, Dirk B.)
“Every day starts fresh and new. You get to decide what kind of day it’s going to be.” (Susan)
About books, movies, cooking, and advice Decorating, shopping, and finding the best price Life, love and raising kids Along with do-hickeys, what-cha-ma-call-its, and thing-a-ma-jigs We’re just two Texas girls Straight from the sticks The only thing we won’t gab about Is religion and politics!
Pennies Make Dimes and Dimes Make Dollars
SUSAN: One of the many things we Gabbin’ Girls have in common is that we both love a bargain. We’ll go to just about any length to sniff one out. And it only makes sense. Our mantra is: Why pay a dollar for something when you can get the same results for a fraction of the cost?
To save money, you need to be familiar with your brand names. That goes for clothes, makeup, or hair products. You could lose out on a great sale if you don’t. Another thing to do is to check stores regularly that carry them. You never know when they’re going to run a sale, markdown, or have a clearance sale.
When I stopped coloring my hair, my beautician recommended I use shampoo for gray hair to keep it from looking dull and yellow. After some research, I came across Generic Value Products Conditioning Shampoo. They compare it to Clairol Shimmer Lights. 6.99/16 oz or 10.99/33.8 oz. You can order online, or if you’re lucky, you can catch it on sale at the store. Clairol Shimmer Lights is 12.99/16 oz or 21.99/31.5 oz. The generic brand does everything I want, and I save money!
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like to pamper themselves every once in a while. Dr. Teal’s products are great and don’t cost an arm and a leg. Walmart carries a line in several scents (Lavender, Milk and Rose, Milk and Honey, Vitamin C and Citrus and others). They range in price from around 5.00-10.00 for a 32 oz bottle, and I love them! I’ve also given them for gifts.
Listed above are some of the posts from Carrie Amanda’s YouTube channel. My daughter does Beauty on a Budget tutorials on makeup application, price comparisons, and tells you where you can buy for less. She haunts Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Dollar Tree and keeps her viewers informed on all the latest there and at Walmart.
ANN: YAS! The Gabbin’ Gals love a bargain!! Many years ago, I joined an online survey site where I shared my opinions about products and services. You may want to give one a try. Just search the internet for ‘survey sites.’ You can earn cash by answering questions or trying products. They once sent me a bottle of liquid makeup to try for a month. I’d never used a liquid. I’d been using Merle Norman cream foundation for years. The bottle of test makeup I received was in a Clinique bottle. After a month, I was hooked. I loved it. At the end of the test period, I answered the final questions and imagine how surprised I was to find out I’d been testing a new product by Cover Girl! I’ve been using it ever since. After all these years, it only costs about $7.00 per bottle where the Merle Norman I’d been using costs about $23.00. Talk about a bargain!
Another product I strongly endorse is also a shampoo. I may have mentioned it before. Suave Sheer Color Radiance. It only costs $2-$3 per bottle and it lathers as good or better than most expensive brands.
These are just a few ways to save money and look good while you’re doing it. I’m sure you all have “finds” of your own. Please feel free to share them with us. We’d love to hear them.
Susan A. Royal 