Did you Know...................?

Have you wondered how soy candles came about?

I am always looking for information to pass on to you about how soy wax came about. One of my team members, Dave Dobbs, came across this information and I wanted to share it with you!

In 1991, Michael Richards, was looking for an alternative for beeswax, that is when he developed soy wax. There was a big demand for natural wax candles, but beeswax was about 10 times more expensive than paraffin. As Michael entered the candle industry with beeswax products he realized there was a growing demand for natural wax candles. He tested different natural plant waxes and finally ended up with a vegetable wax which was made with partially hydrogenated soy oil, coconut oil and palm oil. He also blended beeswax with soy wax to make an economical natural wax candle. Then in 1995, the Body Shop, a national chain of stores, was the first to offer soy candles to the general public. The first natural wax candles which were delivered to the Body Shop were a mixture of beeswax and almond oil. Later on the almond oil was completely replaced with soy wax. Michael Richards succeeded in replacing the expensive beeswax with soy wax in 1996. The soy wax producer Candleworks negotiated in 1997 a research project with the University of Iowa which resulted in the study: "Increasing the Use of Soybeans in the Manufacturing of Candles". And in 1998 The Indiana Soybean Board unveiled at the Farm Progress Show special patented soy wax, Harvest Lights, which was developed by a farmer-funded group. A lot of research was done to proof the benefits of soy wax. Leading to 2 scientific publications: •Rezaei, K, T. Wang, and L.A. Johnson. Combustion characteristics of candles made from hydrogenated soybean oil. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 79: 803-808 (2002). •Rezaei, K., T. Wang, and L. A. Johnson. Hydrogenated vegetable oils as candle wax. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 79: 1241-1247 (2002).

Thank you, Dave, for doing the research and sharing this with us!

Satisfy Your Senses today!

~ Mary

Sunday Stills ~ Barns

This weeks Sunday Stills Challenge is

~ Barns~

As I am just now getting back into the swing of things and havent posted a SS Challenge in a while, I decided I was going to walk out to the barn and take a shot,lol. Although it may not be one of the better barns around here, it stood still and posed long enough for me to get these shots,lol.

I hope you enjoy them, and I promise to really work hard on getting better shots for Challenges to come!

To check out other great pictures for this weeks challenge visit: Sunday Stills, who knows you may want to join the fun!

~ Mary

I Dabble.................

Just recently I have been having the urges to create something. I have made things from handmade soaps, fabric memo board, soap cozys for example, but this time I decided to create jewelry.

I want to share a few of those creations today. I asked around to several jewelry ladies in my Sassy Sisters In Sales group, about the different things, from how to "connect the dots" so to speak. I must say there is a lot of talent in that group! When I asked what went over best for them in their shops, the most common response was "things that come from the heart".

So, I purchased materials that pulled to me, or caught my eye, if you will. Brought them home and put them out in front of me and started putting them together, but not "connecting" them, I wanted to be sure they looked right. This is what I came up with:

"Pink Flower Power"

Flower Power at its best! This really cute bracelet is made up of pink and white mother of pearl beads, silver chain and claw clasp. Measures approx 7 1/2". $7.00 (reg. $10)

"Mystical Flight"

This is a beautiful dark green and black gemstone necklace, enhanced with silver butterflies. Elegance with a touch of fun! It also has a toggle clasp for closure.
Necklace measures approx 20", Pendent measures approx 1 1/2", Earrings measure approx 2" from ear loop down. $20.00 (reg. $25)

"Blue Reflections"

This is a fun chunky necklace. Made of glass, glass w/foil, and metal beads, a toggle clasp for closure. The pendent has a reflective quality to it. Measures approx 22" $15.00 (reg. $20)

"Me To You Treasures" is the name of my hand made business. Although I currently don't have a store set up for online purchases, these pieces are for sale. I have this listed lower than normal price. You can purchase any of these at the discounted price by sending me an email (soysuccess@gmail.com) to tell me which one(s) you want and I will send you a secure email invoice through ProPay. Packages are mailed as soon as payment is submitted. I do not receive your card numbers or information from you submitting the invoice.

Shipping is $1!

Please put Blog Purchase in the subject line so that you receive your item at the discounted price!

Thank you for letting me share with you, a bit of my creativity!

I cant wait to share more with you soon, I wish you the best, have a great day!!!

Do something special for yourself today, Satisfy Your Senses!

~ Mary

Then & Now...WOW!

We talk about how time flies. We know our kids are growing, but until we look at old pictures or go through their closets to weed out the clothes (and shoes) that they grow out of way too quickly, we just don't SEE it.

That is what happened to me, although it wasn't my child that grew......

I was looking back at old posts and found a pic of my daughter and her puppy Bo (short for Bocephus, yup just like Hank Williams Jr.) Anyway, this pic was taken on our Thanksgiving "holiday" while we were visiting my brother in Texas. We had just received him, he was only 8 weeks old at the time and Kaitie was 4yrs old.

November of 2009

Bo is a very loving, playful pup. Like any other dog, he likes to run, play, sleep, and eat. Recently, I started noticing how much more he ate, how much louder his bark was. I was sitting here the other night and giggled when i heard him howl for Kaitie, which he does quite often if he hears her in the house and he thinks he can get her attention. To which he would generally receive a doggy bone/cookie for his efforts.

Now, This is a pic of Kaitie and Bo only a few months (3 months) later.........!

February of 2010

After putting these two photos together, I just couldn't believe how much he had grown in that short of time. And thus, lends to me wanting to share this with you.

Kaitie and Bo are pretty much inseparable. I know that in the very near future I will need a horse lead to even take him to the park,lol! Cant even imagine what he will be like when he turns a year old this September!

Thank you for letting me share a bit of my family life! I hope you enjoyed this "peek" into the lives of my "children", I will be sure to update as they both grow! Have a great day and remember, don't take the small things for granted, they are quick to bring new meaning to "making a mountain out of a mole hill"! Or in this case a "Horse out of a puppy".

Grab hold of life and Satisfy Your Senses!

~ Mary

Guess what I heard ~ Brown Bag Parties w/ Christina

Have you ever heard of Brown Bag Parties?

If not then you are missing out on a LOT! Check what Christina has to say about Brown Bag Parties ~

Hosting a Brown Bag Party

I have been told time and time again that nothing in life is free.

WELL, that is not entirely true!



Hosting a Brown Bag Party is FREE!
That's right! Book your Brown Bag Party and invite your friends over for a fun night in.


Not only do you get a night of FREE fun with friends, you also earn 20% of your party's sales in FREE product! That is double the industry standard! Brown Bag Party really appreciates about our hostesses and we want you to know it! Also take advantage of the monthly Hostess Exclusive Packages available.

Christina has more to tell you on the subject! To read more on what she has to say and offer visit {HERE} I hear there are some great deals for May Hostess!

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Please stop by her blog (it is age restricted, she has children herself and doesnt want underage children to "happen" upon her site, I can respect that!) ~ Leave a comment on her most recent post and I will give you a 10% discount on your next order with SoyLicious.com! Just email me with your order to (soysuccess@gmail.com) and you will receive 10% off plus a deal on shipping!

With many wonderful items to choose from, you are sure to find Something, to Satisfy Your Senses!

~ Mary

Did you know about this?

Have you heard about this great Ground Floor Opportunity? Would you like to earn extra spending money, money for a car payment or extra money to help with the house hold budget? Check out this information, it may be just what you are looking for! Never hurts to know more about your options, right?!

Cotm Flier

The costs of the kits are as follows:

COTM ~ $29.95

Start Right Kit ~ $74.95

Fast Track Kit ~ $299.00

If you would like to visit my online site to learn more, then please click on this link {My Candle Shop} To receive an information packet including scent samples {Fill out this Form} And yours will be mailed in asap! If you already know that this is a perfect fit for you, I would love to welcome you to my team of exceptional people, just {fill out this form} and you are in business for yourself!

If you have any questions, please fell free to ask. I am more than happy to answer them. You can post them in the comment section or email me personally at soysuccess@gmail.com!

I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great day!!

~ Mary Reid

Founding Consultant & Team Leader

I Learned how to do something new!

I have just recently got brave and decided to try "Scribd" and wow this is really an awesome feature. So for the first document I wanted to share my flier on all the Electric & PlugIn Tart Melters that we carry.

Electric & Plug in Melter Flier

I really Like how this turned out! So this being said if you have any questions please feel free to ask away and I will be happy to answer them! Have an awesome day! I am very excited to have learned something new today! This has given me a great idea on how to do training documents for my team!

~ Go out today and learn oto do something new! You will be glad you did!~

~ Mary

Product Review..Honey Pie Accessories ~ Wipe Cases

Honey Pie Accessories

I am really excited to tell you all about my most recent purchase! Not long ago I purchased this Wipe Case from Honey Pie Accessories. The bright colored strips caught my attention right away. Now those that may know of my daughter, know that wipes are a necessity around my house and on the go. Although most would associate having wipes around generally if you have an infant or toddler, I will not be the first to say that having them for school aged kids is a must as well, so why not do it in style!

I decided that I would put this to use in my truck, since this seems to be when we have the most need for wipes, always on the go and always a mess to follow,lol.

It has fun bright colors and always easy to locate in our rushed time of need. I havent lost it or had to search very long to find it. Lolly pops and quick snacks on the go has made having wipes handy as well as the quick clean up after a happy meal. What mom doesnt know of this???

Now as for the wipe case, I have had compliments on it as well as when people see it they are always asking me "what is that?" Its fun and for moms that carry a purse/diaper bag, it is easy to locate and not dull looking like the plain cases can be.

When I ask my daughter to get me the wipes she doesnt take forever getting it, she sees it right away and as an added bonus, she says its so pretty and made for big girls, the ones she with out covers she says are for babies, lol.

So in my opinion it is great to have one that makes her feel like a big girl!!

These Wipe Case's would make great gifts for new moms! But......

Wipe Case's aren't just for moms. They are great for when you go out to eat and not every place offers those neat little packaged wipes. And for our husbands that work in the field, as one of my friends have mentioned, as well as my husband who is in construction, these are great to wipe their hands with BEFORE they touch the steering wheel lol. And we all know that fast food doesnt always mean quick, easy and clean. I find I spend more time cleaning up after a meal on the go than I would have if I had time to actually stop and eat. And we coffee drinkers all KNOW that they arent spill proof and what is sticker than spilt coffee?

Okay so enough of me "rambling" here. I just want to say that I think this is a great idea to have around and fun to boot! I recommend this product to others.

The only thing I can think of that would make this product perfect, is if a travel pack of wipes was included.

I look forward to seeing more that Honey Pie Accessories has to offer.

Maybe my next wipe case will be covered in denim? Hum, now that would be a fun one as well!

HPA has many hand made items such as bows, tutus, burpies and more. Check them out by clicking on this link: Honey Pie Accessories!

Check them out today and tell them I sent ya! ~ Mary

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I have in no way been paid to do this review. These are my thoughts and opinions on the item that I purchased.

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I apologize for the appearance of this blog post. Blogger isnt cooperating very well at the time of doing this post. Please feel free to leave a comment below, Thanks!

Urine or You're Out!

Like most folks in this country, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I

pay my taxes & the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit.

In order to get that paycheck, in my case, I am required to pass a

random urine test (with which I have no problem).

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people

who don't have to pass a urine test. So, here is my question: Shouldn't

one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to

pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with

helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a

problem with helping someone sitting on their BUTT----doing drugs while

I work.... AND buying drugs with my Tax Money???

Can you imagine how much money each state would save if people had to

pass a urine test to get a public assistance check? I guess we could

call the program "URINE OR YOU'RE OUT"! Pass this along if you agree or

simply delete if you don't. Hope you all will pass it along, though.

Something has to change in this country - AND SOON! THAT is a CHANGE We

WANT

P.S. Just a thought, all politicians should have to pass a urine test

too!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This was sent to me in an email, and quite frankly I agree. I believe in help others, there are so many people that need help at one time or another, unable to help the circumstances that surround them. Sometimes that one instance of help is what gives them a second chance, I mean, we're human right?!?

So, I think that if some one is going to get free assistance from my tax dollars then I feel they should undergo the same test I have to to get the job that pays for it. Just sayin.............

And yes I know it costs us to do the tests, but the cost is incomparable to the amount of assistance that is given. If they fail they should be required to wait 3 months before reapplying. Just my random thoughts on the subject. ~ Mary

I would enjoy to see your comments on the subject...........