Every other weekend I have the joy of helping out at Nails by Mercede working the front desk. Scheduling appointments- checking clients in/out - towels - and well, simply enjoying the community I’ve found there. A young woman called to see if she could get in for a quick gel manicure. She said she was a new mom and could not be away long. I told her, with removal and application she would probably be here for 45 min to a hour. We scheduled her appointment. Prior to her arrival, I told the tech, please keep this in mind. New mom - little baby at home - she want’s to get in and out. When she arrived, she looked tired. 😴 I’ve never had the joy of being a new mom, but, I know lots of women that have. It was a clear sign of a sweet momma -running on not much sleep. But still, she had a “glow” about her. ☺️ Mom’s are simply the best. 💯 Some of you are mom’s. All of you HAVE moms. They are definitely the lowest paid - but yet the richest of us all. I can’t even imagine the exhaustion/excitement/anxiety and simply just worrying about this sweet little human that YOU made!! HOLY MOLY.. If you’re lucky enough to be a mom. YOU ROCK! For the rest of us - YOUR MOM ROCKS! Let’s never forget this - they deserve all the things. Most especially self care. 🥰 Gel manicure done in 45 minutes. She was grateful. I asked her how old her baby was? She said 10 days old!!! HOLY WOW 10 sweet days.. 10 day’s of what I can only imagine has been - not much sleep - lot’s of feedings, diapers, and tears. From both of them. I am only guessing. I told her - You did a good thing - stepping away, even if it’s only a quick manicure. Because as a caregiver, you need to be OK for that little one. If you’re not taking care of you, you will not be able to take care of that sweet blessing. You will miss this someday. Time is a thief. So, enjoy these day’s. BUT take care of yourself!!! I told her I was proud of her for stepping away and she should be too! I could tell she was happy to have stepped away, but definitely anxious to get back to that sweet baby. (My husband hasn’t even texted me) lol haha

I took Ellie out for her afternoon walk, before coming to work at the salon. I noticed my neighbor, that lives in the apartment below, had these beautiful baskets out on tables. I, of course, being a shopper at heart, had to ask questions. I was surprised to learn they were hand made by Rose, my sweet neighbor. (Let me insert, I've not actually "met" her, but say hello whenever I see her). And she just seems like a sweet soul. A young lady, whom I am guessing is her daughter and a young man were manning the tables. I asked what was going on, she said, my mom makes these baskets and they we're selling them for Mothers Day. Now, I know what you're thinking, "So is everyone else," but, for me, this sweet lady's baskets got me thinking how I wished my mom was still alive, I would have totally bought one from her. The prices ranged from $20-$65 and honestly, I thought - wow - that is pretty inexpensive. I took a video, with their permission and asked the owner of the nail salon where I work, if they come in on Saturday and/or Sunday and set up a table to sell them. To my surprise, he said YES! So, when I get home from the salon, I. am going to let her know - I am excited for her. We're usually fairly busy on Saturdays and Sundays, so I am praying she sells a ton of them. So, if you're in the Orlando/Winter Park area and you want to support my neighbor Rose, let's make it happen! OR if you want/need a pedicure come see us at Nails by Mercede in College Park!

This morning, before I opened my devotion book, I took a pause. This week, I learned that I was receiving an unexpected $321 bonus at work. I was excited and proud of myself. I referred $1M to our Small Business team in 2025. That bonus was a total surprise and an absolute blessing. When I receive unexpected provision, I donate a portion to one of my favorite charities. Blessing to blessing.. 💟 It’s rent week. My normal paycheck deposited into my checking account - rent will consume the entire deposit. I am traveling for work in the next week, so, I was happy to know there would be funds, not only to donate but also for my upcoming trip. Even though I will be reimbursed for what I spend, the “extra” was going to be most helpful. Guess what? The bonus was not deposited. I do not have that “extra” yet. During my morning devotion time, I sat for a minute, before opening my devo book. Even though it was disappointing, maybe even frustrating - at first, that it didn’t hit the bank account, it was just that, extra. So, how could I be upset about something I wasn’t expecting in the first place. I simply thanked God for always providing what I need. Knowing that I have NEVER been without. Not ever. I know I am always provided for, but God. So, this would be no different. I asked Him to clear my mind of the noise and open my heart for what He had for me - then I opened Jesus Calling - my daily devotion book, here is what I read: May 1, 2026 THE PRESENT MOMENT is the point at which time intersects eternity. It is also the place where you can encounter Me - your eternal Savior. So keep your thoughts focused on the present as much as you can, enjoying My Presence here and now. Invite Me into whatever you are engaged in. Ask me to help you do your work heartily. Working collaboratively with Me lightens your load and enables you to be more effective. Share with Me not only your work but also you leisure - thanking Me for both. When something upsets you, don’t let fearful or obsessive thoughts take over your mind. Instead, talk with Me about whatever is troubling you. Then can all your anxiety on Me, knowing that I care for you.

Most of us have heard the same advice for years and years: drink more water. It's simple, easy to remember, and generally good advice. But if you've ever felt like you're doing everything "right" and still not quite feeling your best, hydration might be one of the reasons why. Because the truth is, hydration is not just about how much water you drink. It's about how your body absorbs it, uses it, and maintains balance throughout the day. WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN YOUR BODY Your body is constantly working to maintain a very specific balance of fluids inside and outside your cells. This balance is what allows your muscles to contract properly, your brain to communicate clearly, and your energy levels to stay steady. Water is a critical part of that system, but it doesn't work alone. Electrolytes - minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium - help regulate how water moves through your body. They act as a kind of control system, guiding fluids into your cells and helping maintain the environment your body depends on to function well. Without enough of these minerals, the water you drink may not be used as efficiently as you'd expect. WHY YOU CAN DRINK WATER AND STILL FEEL OFF This is where things start to feel a little confusing for people. You might be carrying a water bottle, refilling it throughout the day, and still noticing moments where your energy dips or your focus feels slightly off. It's not necessarily dehydration in the obvious sense, but more of a subtle imbalance. When electrolyte levels are low, your body has a harder time holding onto and properly distributing fluids. That can lead to water moving through your system quickly rather than being absorbed where it's needed most. The result is a feeling that's hard to pinpoint. Not exhausted, not sick, just not quite at your best. THE ROLE OF ELECTROLYTES IN EVERYDAY LIFE It's easy to associate electrolytes with intense workouts or long days in the heat. but your body uses them constantly. They support:

What a fun day today, at the Orlando Pickle Festival! I was there to volunteer for One Heard for Women and Children. Lots of crazy food choices, all of it under $10. Pickle pizza, pickle ice cream, pickle everything. Every food truck had a “pickle themed choice”! There were also craft vendors, t-shirts, popcorn, ice cream, lots of yummy choices. It was a hoot. I noticed all walks of life. People from every generation, it was so much fun. Just chatting with the attendees, while checking them in; Scanning tickets and placing bracelets on their wrists. Making idle chatter and small talk. Everyone was so nice. I would joke and say, she’ll scan ya and I’ll wrist band ya! (I was a poet and didn’t even know it)! People laughed.. no one seemed to have a "chip" on their shoulder. They were all kind. There were so many people that suffered heat stroke. One lady was sitting down, and she just all of the sudden tossed her lunch, covered it with dirt, and did it again! I asked her if she was OK, she said, yes, I am just overheated. I have water. I went and got the paramedics. She needed to get out of the sun and they needed to get her a barf bag and electrolytes. I am actually not sure what they did for her. Another girl, literally collapsed, while waiting in the pickled pretzel line. Which, BTW was the longest line out of all of the food trucks. Except maybe one of the ice cream trucks. I love being a part of something bigger than me. This event was raising money for One Heart for Women and Children. I love that. It allows me to love on people in our community. It fills my heart for sure. When I left, I couldn’t help but reflect of some of the children that were clearly obese. It’s just sad that we’re not teaching our children the importance of moving your body. Eating Whole Foods and not feeding them crap all of the time. As adults, we should do better. Our kids deserve better. It’s not about vanity, or being skinny. It’s about long term health and living a full life.