Thursday, July 10, 2014

I switched from facebook pages to groups! So here is my selfish giveaway!

Plain and simple I have found closed facebook groups are the way to go for my direct sales businesses! Which means I lost a ton of fans!

PLEASE read this short entry for instructions before entering! I have to disqualify people who don't follow em!



SO! To rejump start my groups you can win one of TWO prizes!

FIRST Post in any of my groups (links below) / have people post saying you sent them!

I will be drawing one person at random for a cool goody bag valued at at least $50!!

Second!

Good ole rafflecopter below! Entries are for joining groups and spreading the word!!

IF YOU ARE A REP for one of the same companies I am!!! Go ahead and take the entries but do NOT join that group! Where it asks for your name put REP so I know why you didn't join!! I will however be confirming you are a rep for these companies if you win and chose this option!!

(extra entries into the first giveaway if you make your spread the word posts personal and say something about why you support my businesses or my companies or something! So get entered into the first by playing in the second!)

They are both over when the rafflecopter ends!

Oh and the prize for the rafflecopter? A FREE Hostess exclusive item from 31!!!

I didn't make the Pure Romance group mandatory because I know some may object to that! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Those things no one talks about.... In support of my childhood

I am currently in the middle of a study and survey to see what common people feel about sex offenders and our country's current sex offender registry. This is not what the post is about (that will come when I finish collecting data and followup surveys), but it lends to my current understanding of what I am about to write..

I know many of you will not agree with me. I know this is a very sensitive subject. I believe someone has to say it aloud. Someone has to not be worried about getting bashed for defending the "child molester".

Before you get your commenting fingers ready I do not mean to defend child molester's of their crimes. I am not even going to rant about punishments fitting crimes today.

Today, I want to talk about Father Andrew McCormick, or Father Andy, as so many of my classmates affectionately knew him.

I will link the news stories here in a moment so you can gather your own (unbiased?) news information, but first let me tell you the story as I see it.

An unnamed accuser of 26 years of age, (I am 29 now, so had to be in one of my siblings classes or between two of them, we were all close together), claims that Father Andrew molested him and attempted to force oral sex. The accuser claims it is because his mother asked Fr. Andy for help, believing her son was gay. The accuser mentions severe mental distress, feelings of suicidal urges, a drug addiction and many other resounding and painful consequences from the incident.

Here are the links, as they can tell the story with, hopefully, less bias:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20131215_Five_priests_removed_from_ministry_amid_abuse_allegations__two_restored_to_duty.html

http://www.inquirer.com/local/pa/philadelphia/20140306_Former_altar_boys_testify_in_priest_s_defense.html?authenticated=1394080575363

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/altar-boy-reveals-grim-details-philadelphia-priest-sex-abuse-article-1.1706488

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20140225_Gag_ordered_in_latest_trial_of_a_priest.html

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20140228_Prosecution__Priest_targeted_then_assaulted_boy__10.html

I used a few sources, and some have repetitive information, but I wanted to be varied in the voices I used to set the stage.

Priests and other professions where there is constant contact with children, such as teaching, do have a slightly higher rate of alleged pedophilia. It is a scary truth. It is why we must be extra vigilant with the people to whom we entrust our children.

I knew Father Andy well. I remember finding excuses to drag out my volunteer work, not wanting to go home and do chores or be grounded as I usually was. I remember the trips my brothers took as altar boys. I remember how he let me debate him (as if I had the right to debate an adult), about whether or not our parish was ready to allow female altar servers.

I remember how he would have the ladies at the rectory give us ice cream and Pepsi when we were folding all the flyers that would be delivered door to door by the older kids and adult volunteers. I remember the very first time I met him (or what I think was the first time). Father Andy was a big part of my very Catholic childhood living less than a block from my church and parochial school.

I am a survivor of sexual assault. I find it hard to believe anyone would want to lie about having gone through that embarrassment and turmoil and terrible experience. I find it hard to believe anyone would want that label. The accuser says he isn't suing for money. They say he has a good job. He has overcome the addiction and mental issues that this alleged incident has caused. No one, not even the defense attorney can suggest the alleged victim is lying.

Why? Because what if he isn't? How could we possibly make a victim feel like it was a bad idea to come forward? We WANT EVERY single victim, every SURVIVOR to come forward and name their attackers. We want people to know it is SAFE to come forward and you will be protected and supported. So how can we ever doubt almost anyone who comes forward?

(I was told I was lying by some of the people closest to me. I was told it was consensual. I was told I was depressed and disturbed. I would never want to say those things to someone else if there was even a percentage of a percent chance I was wrong.

So I won't. I won't say Father Andy is absolutely innocent. I won't say the alleged victim is lying. I wasn't there. I DO NOT know. And I think that is what eats at me the most. I cannot be certain, and I really, really want to be, one way or the other)

So we take it to trial. Obviously no one can fool 12 people with the sole purpose of deciding what is true and what is false. Right?? The guilty are always convicted. The innocent always go free and have their lives cheerfully restored.

Except that isn't what is being decided. Guilt or Innocence will not be determined. That was determined many years ago on the day of the alleged crime.

The jury is deciding if the prosecution did a good enough job proving guilt. They are deciding if the defense did a good enough job maintaining innocence. They are deciding if they believe the accuser. They are deciding if they believe the accused.

The prosecutor is speaking about the socialization Father Andy had with all of us as children.  She is calling it "grooming behavior". And you know what. It did groom me. It groomed me to stop and pay attention to people below my station in the eyes of society. It groomed me to truly believe every voice should be heard with respect. It groomed me to believe in going out of your way to be kind on a daily basis. It groomed me to believe that religion has something to offer people no matter what you truly believe. It groomed me to be a more compassionate and loving person.

All the comments being spewed on these news stories and other posts and articles about this case are hateful.

They say things like "fry him" and what a horrible man Father Andy must be.

My 5 siblings and I just shake our heads in disbelief. We wrote letters in support to the defense lawyer. We speculate over who the accuser could possibly be, as if that would give us some clue as to why our childhood memories are being ripped apart and called into question.

I get angry when their are comments from people who met him just once and 'sensed something was off" and "knew there was something wrong with him". I get saddened beyond belief at the comments from people who never met him but say he "looks like a pedophile" and "I would never trust someone who looks like that with my kids".

I have scraped and shaken my memory looking for some hint that I could be wrong, that he could be guilty and I do not see it. I personally know assaults come when they are least expected from people we trust. I still cannot fathom it.

Maybe I am wrong and God forgive me for doubting the accuser if I am. God forgive the accused even more for abusing my undying faith in him and the faith of so many like me if that is the case.

But what if I am right? What if my siblings and classmates are right? What if he is truly innocent?

Chances are he will be found guilty anyway. And if he isn't? He will be doubted for the rest of his life. This generation of parochial school children will be deprived of the great influence Father Andy had on my childhood as will the next and the next. A good man's reputation will always be in question no matter the verdict.

If found innocent his supporters will sing it from the rooftops but it will not be enough. A google search of his name will always bring up the case. There will always be people that no matter how overwhelming the cries of Thanksgiving, they will look for doubt. People will complain how yet another "molester got away with it" and how we need to "fry them all".

Sexual assaults are unlike any other crime. Once accused, you are guilty. This is especially true if the alleged victim is a child. We all know it. Charges for sexual assault are so broad we often do not even know what the actual crime was just by looking at the charge.

If he is found guilty, some supporters will be in shock and disbelief. Some will be angry at him for deceiving them. Some will still claim his innocence loudly, some will mumble it quietly after Sunday mass, and people who never knew him will still rant and rave about how his sentence isn't enough or how he got what he deserved.

Innocent or guilty, this man's life will never be the same. No matter the verdict, so many of our childhoods are being called into question.

Say an extra prayer tonight that justice is done, and that all involved find peace in their hearts and minds and souls. No matter the verdict, and no matter the truth of the events of that Holy day of obligation a decade and a half ago, both the accused and the accuser need our prayers.

My childhood memories are anxiously awaiting the verdict. Child me is over there sitting quietly, biting her nails on the sly so as not to be scolded, with questions and fear in her eyes looking at the adult me for answers. Answers I will never have.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

WINNERS have been chosen and are listed with each prize! Congrats all!

Teamining up with some awesome friends to bring you guys some AWESOME prizes!

First from my NEW Lilla Rose Business!

I LOVE these flexi clips. I have had the (minor?) annoyance for YEARS of breaking elastics, stretching them out, snapping claws for my hair etc!

I discovered these flexi clips that are made of music wire and zinc (ya know the stuff the nuts and bolts holding your chair together are made  of!)

So the first winner I draw is winning any flexi on my site that is $16 or under (uh that is most of them! Browse here: http://www.lillarose.biz/suziesunshine (save that link there will be an entry in the rafflecopter for it!)    WINNER:  JENNY CAMPBELL PRATT







NEXT! I am still loving my Thirty One! (link here: https://www.mythirtyone.com/suziesunshine )

And recently changed all my URLS and rededicated myself to the CELEBRATE, ENCOURAGE and REWARD portion of my business!

To Celebrate I have a Super Organizing Utility Tote in my stock (retired print but HEY! $50 item!) that is going to our second winner! Mine is new in package so I stole a pretty pic from google of it opened up!

WINNER: JENNIFER WATSON




Let's see what is next! Not much I can donate from my writing page so I decided you can have $20 paypal to buy some books (or whatever obviously!) Because to be a good writer you READ!

The link will be in the rafflecopter :) I do my project bookings through facebook and email.. no fancy website yet :) WINNER: AMBER HILEMAN





Next! The Amazing Shannon Sprau is a Team Beach Body Coach!

Some links: Website- http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/healthywife

And FREE support: https://www.teambeachbody.com/tbbsignup/-/tbbsignup/free?referringRepId=248367

(hint: save that one too!)


She is giving our FOURTH winner the following:

Hip Hop Abs - Dance your way to hot, sexy abs and burn the fat off your entire body with Shaun T's fun, exciting dance program! Using Shaun's revolutionary Absolute Engagement technique, you'll "Tilt, Tuck, & Tighten" your way to 6-pack abs without doing a single sit-up or crunch. ($19.95retail) *Shakeology Taste Sampler - This is the perfect way to try Shakeology's most popular flavors before committing to a full-size bag or combo box. The sample pack contains 4 single-serve packets of Shakeology (2 Chocolate, 1 Vanilla, and 1 Greenberry), a copy of the Shakeology Welcome Guide, as well as 6 mouthwatering recipes. With this new taste sampler, you'll easily figure out which Shakeology flavor you love the most. ($19.95retail) yes, I copy pasted--- no I didn't fix the format -- bad lazy blogger-- bad! WINNER: JENNIFER MATHEOS RICE







Let's be honest- I am jealous of THAT winner!







Then! For our FIFTH winner! The Spectacular Stephanie Allred is giving away a $10 Gift Card to her Paparazzi Accessories Shop! Her online shop is:  http://addalittleflourish.storenvy.com/ (again, remember that link!) WINNER: JENNY CAMPBELL PRATT





I use their jewelry ALL THE TIME and do not break out! I love that for $5 each piece (and often for the set!) I get different looks for every outfit :)

Next our sixth winner!!

The Fabulous Becky McCalla has donated a PearBerry sugar scrub and body dew set from Pure Romance! Her website is : https://www.pureromance.com/rebeccamccalla

WINNER: MarcandKelli Bryson





Now for all the entries- I WILL be confirming things like making accounts and purchases! Please only enter if you completed the entry! If you don't play fair ALL your entries get removed before I draw, not just the bad egg ones! Easy Peasy Rafflecopter for you! There are LOTS of easy and free entries so play fair.

Closes February 21 at 12:00 am!








a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Repeat after me- Facebook is not my closet...

This is what I wound up repeating over and over again this week as I recommitted myself to my business. I do a lot of freelance writing. I also do direct sales and I am active in the gaming community as an event organizer and a forum moderator. I have a delayed toddler, legal troubles and more to do than one person can possibly handle. In short, I am a mom.

I have been neglecting the social media side of my business. When I went to organize it this week using Hoot Suite, I found that my poor little owl had so much to refresh every 5 minutes it was losing feathers from the stress.

So I started cleaning pages off my facebook and twitter feeds. I organized tabs on my hoot suite to break up the streams by page and social site.

At first I treated it like cleaning out my closet. "If I haven't interacted with this page in one year, I should probably unfollow it..."

My poor owl was still looking kinda tired. There are very few pages I interact with on a daily basis. So I got just one more app. This app was to unlike, unfollow and declutter my feeds.

When I do sit down to social network, even with the streamlining tools I have, wasting time reading 20 updates of memes isn't helping my business or schedule. It isn't making dinner and it sure isn't making me money.

Over the next few days I will be sure to do posts to "relike" all my personal friends pages and any pages I want to promote or use in my networking projects. I feel a little twinge of guilt for all the pages I like in a giveaway, I really do. And I didn't unlike the ones that always keep me really engaged with fun and useful posts, they stayed.

It was a reminder to me that I can use giveaways and networking to gain fans and customers, but I have to make an impression, stay involved, and provide a one of a kind experience to keep them.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Divorce

Some of you know what I have dealt with lately. A few of you know the more sordid details and they really aren't pleasant. Some have asked how you can help.

Well for one, if you are the praying type please say a prayer for a smooth transition for myself and my son. If you are not the praying type, send some good thought sour way.

As with most divorces my main problem with "getting away" has been money. They are days where I think it will be easier to stay.

I will be paid support when I leave so between my Thirty One and that my son and I will be just fine. It is the moving and stuff... well it is hard to raise the funds.

All of my commission for the next few months from

https://www.mythirtyone.com/suziemadeit

Will be going to this fund.

I have also started a gofundme for donations.

The link is http://www.gofundme.com/suziedivorce

Also ~~ Household items that we don't have doubles of would be a huge help because it is less we have to buy before we split up households. So if you have an extra toaster siting in a box or see an amazing sale on them etc... It would greatly help!

i appreciate poeple asking how they can help and every little bit helps! Thanks for all the good wishes and words of encouragement as well as the stories you have shared with me that inspire me to know there are better days to come again.


Win an Organizing Utility Tote or Super Organizing Tote!

This months special is PRETTY awesome! I just LOVE our Organizing Utility Totes, I have 4! I only have one Super Organizing Tote but I love love love that too! I will definitely be grabbing another during this sale!


This is the Organizing Utility Tote in Spirit Forest Green! Don't you love all the pockets?? And run one of our scarves through those awesome rivets and you can create a totally different tote! Oh and it comes in like 20 plus patterns!

Here is the description from Thirty One : This versatile, spacious tote keeps your clutter organized! Great for your cleaning supplies or sporting gear, or use as an everyday tote or gym bag! Seven side pockets are perfect for shampoo, magazines, your MP3 player and water bottles. Made from extra-tough nylon with stain- and water-resistant lining. Measures approx: 10.25”H x 15.5”W x 6.5”D


And the SUPER Organizing tote oh my gosh!

I use mine for my crocheting supplies thanks to a suggestion from my customer, Jennifer! 

Available in 5 patterns, lots of pockets and a zip closure! Here is the description from Thirty One:

This super-sized tote has tons of space, and it also has handles so it’s still easy to carry. It even comes with a zipper closure so you can keep everything neatly stored inside. It’s similar to our Organizing Utility Tote – just with more room inside! Measures approx.: 14”H x 19.5”W x 7.5”D


So which is your favorite? What would you do with one? Who do you know who would LOVE one?


Enter to in here:









a Rafflecopter giveaway