Dear Sisters,

I have discovered that I can puddle jump!  I can jump from one stone to another and eventhough I can slip a little, I can hold my own and keep from landing in the water.

The last few days have proven that.  With all that is going on in my world, I have felt pressure beyond measure and have been feeling as if I have the weight of the world on my shoulders.  I thought that I was just going to voluntarily slip off the stone because I just was too overwhelmed, but I didn't.....I stayed strong and when I realized that I could handle it, I gleefully jumped to the next stone..or the next trial or thing that I needed to overcome.

My daughter was given options that she could choose from to make decisions that will affect her life and the lives of her children.  She was also given stipulations and a time frame to make those decisions, and I am happy with that.  I don't feel like the evil mother for giving these stipulations and requirements because I know they are in the best interest of all involved, especially me who needs to feel good about myself and raising my other children.  I can't live the lives of my older children who have made decisions in their lives not in line in what they were taught, and Sisters...I feel so accomplished in this area that I was ready to move on and work on another area in my life.  I will not "back jump." either because when I jumped from that stone, I left those feelings on it, I did not take a one of them with me.  I have always had a problem with revisiting issues, but once I had resolve...which this time I did, I was confident in leaving it behind.  Now I get to work on the next situation which I land on and it may be something easy or something a little more difficult.  Whatever it is, I can handle it and with confidence that I can do what is necesary to overcome it and rise to the challenge of it. 

My next challenge is dealing with some of the tension I am feeling with keeping everything going on in the household. Today I am sick and fighting the flu, and had to go to work becuase I have to get a full week's work in order to keep the bills paid.  I have dubbed myself, "The Queen of Extensions," because I have had to get extensions on all of my bills to coincide them with my payday.  I hate doing this becuase there is always a late fee from $15.00-20.00 tagged on the bill, so I am out of pocket even more.  My husband doesn't receive unemployment unless he is seeking work, and last week his ankles were bothering him so badly it was hard for him to walk. 

I have to be honest when I say that this is a tough stone to choose to be on.  I could have chosen an easier stone, like getting off the Red Bull that lately I have been drinking just to maintain my late hours of working on The Broke Wives' Club when everyone is gone to bed. I know that I can substitute other things for the "Evil Red Bull," energy drink, and I am certain that I am going to hear it from some of you, but it has run it's course and I am getting tired of drinking it.  My body doesn't respond to it the way it used to and I haven't had one in a few days.  At first I was a little cranky, but it's all good now.  Hey guess what??? I have eliminated that issue and can completely jump over that stone.  I don't need to grab the bull by the horns anymore, if you get my drift!

On the stone that I have chosen, I probably will sit on it a little longer.  It is no easy solution where finances are involved, especially in my world.  I know that this is a situation that will not get the best of me and I have to look for ways to make it better.  I have to take deep breaths and back away when I am stressing out about it.  I have to remind myself that I have the power to make significant changes in my life and those changes will reflect my attitude on how I look at things.  I remind myself that I am not a victim, that I am a survivor of much trial, tribulation and affliction, but I am strong and can endure much and conquer all that lie before me.  I can be the strongest link in the tow chain and can show by example that strength in helping other Sisters on their journey.  I will not sit on this stone forever, I will not allow myself to become so comfortable that I make no progression.  I am working on myself while working on the situation and when the time is right, I will make the confident jump.

Sisters,  what stone, rock or mountain are you on today?  Look around you.  How comfortable are you?  Do you feel trapped, victimized, lonely or beaten down?  Are you looking for ways to get off of what you are sitting on.  If you aren't, start looking for a way today.  If you are already a member of The Broke Wives' Club, then look for the tow chain...it's out there.  You are the missing link.  Stretch your hand forward and lock your link with another.  Do you need the name of the link to help you get started?  Let me hear from you.  I might be your link, Siobhan or Haley might be your link...one of our wonderful Sisters and Mentors may be the link, but you will never know until you make that first step and reach out.

I am easily accessible.  I am a message away...we all are.  You can find me tonight on The Attitude Shift (blogtalkradio.com) at 9pm ct.  You can talk to me there.  You can talk to me on The Broke Wives' Club Youtube channel.  You can facebook me at Donna M. Butler on Facebook.  You can go to The Broke Wives' Club fan page and leave me a message.  You have no excuses to sit where you are, the world is too full of excuses at this time.  Make the change...shift gears in your attitude and watch the results.  Again, take advantage of what I am giving to you and go "From BROKE to STOKED!"  Hook the tow chain up and stop being stuck.

Make this a great day!  Peace out.

Donna M. Butler
Founder, The Broke Wives' Club
"From BROKE to STOKED!"
www.thebrokewivesclub.com

 Dear Sisters,

It was a great day and I accomplished what I set out to do....spend time with my husband and youngest children Elle and Michael away from all of the stress going on in our home.

We woke up this morning had breakfast and to their surprise took them to the zoo where we spent a couple of hours walking and talking and enjoying the wonderous beauty that it at our fingertips. 

As we walked, I was tickled to watch as my son would run ahead a ways then turn to make certain we were behind him.  A couple of times he ran back to me and took my hand.  It made me feel good to know that he wasn't having so much fun that he forgot about me.  Moments like these are priceless.

For a few hours I didn't have a care in the world.  I wasn't worried about housenotes, pregnant daughter, and other things that had been plauging me over the last few weeks.  I know that you can't run away from your problems, but it was nice to put them on hiatus for a time. 

Sisters, sometimes we need a little intervention in our lives.  Sometimes when we least expect it, the least likely situations can help us grow stronger and gain momentum on our journey.  This is the part  where others step in.  My children and husband played a significant role in my attitude shift today and throughout the evening as I type this blog entry.  They did not realize it until I told them how grateful I was for the day we had together.  Later in the evening I received a call from a Sister who was really down in the dumps and truly needed a tow.  I quickly forgot about what was going on in my life and reached out to help. My problems didn't seem nearly as bad as we started working through her ordeal; and we did work through it.

We should always look to lose ourselves in helping others when our own problems seem insurmountable as I thought mine were becoming.  Our mountains can become molehills as we help someone else who is having an uphill battle and need a tow.  We should also have a support system for ourselves to help us as I needed help.  I didn't realize though that my family was an awesome support system...even the youngest children in my family.  I have learned much from them this weekend and I have taught myself much.  That is the beauty of being open and receptive to the things that are now made available to me as well as you in The Broke Wives's Club.  I almost forgot about some of them and started playing the victim game.  The housenote and pregnant daughter were still there when I came home and the other things going on in my world were the same.  it was my attitude that had changed and made all the difference in the world.  My attitude shift had allowed me to help someone else.  My attitude shift was something learned from great people who have given me the tools needed to shift gears in my attitude.

I am learning as I go Sisters,  I can't offer a chance at change to you if I am not making a change myself.  I can't tell you something works if I haven't tried it myself.  This is one of the reasons we bring inspiring and proven guests to our radio show as well a to our website and Youtube channel.  This is why I write this blog.  I want you to hear the truth...the ups and downs, the tragedies and the triumphs in my life and I want to keep it real, raw and unscripted.  How often to you see that, especially with so much going on in the self improvement , motivational and inspirational world.  There are those who want to offer advice who have never experienced foreclosure, pregnant daughters, broken marriages, broken finances or whatever may have a woman down.  These are those I call vultures.  They hoover and go in for the kill taking your finances and promising you that you can become rich, strong and self made like them.  You spend your money, they take it and send their books and audios...you probably don't even ever read or listen to them and they end up gathering dust or given away to Goodwill, Salvation Army or a local church bazar.  You find yourself worse off because you now are just that much more broke.  This too is considered the part where others step in.  You thought that they would make you feel better, look better and have more money...after all they almost guaranteed they could do that for you.  Look at their pictures on their websites, book jackets and dvds.  They are smiling, they don't have a care in the world.  We buy into it thinking we want that smile as well.  We never get it.....at least not permanently.

There are a lot of vultures out there.  I have met some of them, had phone conferences with some of them and can almost tell immediately if they are in it because they have a passion to help others or a passion to get rich from others who are looking for ways to change their circumstances.  This again is the part where others step in.  This is where you need to be on your toes and read between the lines and ask yourself if this is in my best interest.  You have the right to do that you know.  This is where you step in and do your research.  Go behind the smile and frufrah and ask others.  Use your good judgement and the old adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it is."  Find out if they really have to offer you is for your benefit.  If it's not, drop it like its hot.  I did.

In closing, as I step down from my soapbox...at least for awhile, I want you to know that you need to go for what is real.  I want you to do your homework on The Broke Wives' Club.  I am not asking you for anything but your time and for you to help create the largest tow chain of women helping women that you will ever find. There may be a time in the future that you want to purchase a Broke Wive's tee (which is in the works) or something, I don't know...but I assure you that TBWC will never take advantage of your trust in helping you go "From BROKE to STOKED!"

Ask questions of me and I will provide you honest answers.  That is where the trust comes in because without that we can't make the links in our tow chain strong.  We have to be able to depend on one another.

Plan and execute a good week and we will talk very soon.

Peace out.

Donna M. Butler
Founder, The Broke Wives' Club
"From BROKE to STOKED!"
www.thebrokewivesclub.com

Dear and Sisters,

As I sit in the office and watch the school buses roll by, my mind reflects on my children.  The innocence of my 6 and 8 year old and how I have tried to protect them as well as my older children throughout their lives.

Most parents go out of their way to protect their children from harm.  We start when they are born.  We wrap them when they are infants in warm blankets when it is cold, and we bundle them up in coats, hats and gloves to keep them warm when they are older.  When they become young men and young women, we try to wrap them up to protect them from that same cold, but they give us a look and make certain we know that they are old enough to know what to wear.  We feel that tugging at our heart when they start to become their individual selves and have that desire to make their own decisions on some things.

What I don't think we are ever prepared for is when they make a decision that we know will either harm them or cause them heartache.  I am going through this right now.

As many of you know through my blog and Youtube video, one of my daughters is pregnant a second time.  She is pregnant with twins and is unmarried to the father.  She has moved back home.  i feel the burden of worry as I watch her try to take care of her 1 year old while growing bigger with the twins.  She has a difficult time managing and what makes matters worse is that a couple of days after moving back home, she quit her job.  She said that she could not find anyone to take care of her 1 year old.

This weekend I had the pleasure...or should I say the displeasusre of speaking with the children's dad, who advised me that he had no intention of marrying my daughter at this time.  He stated that he didn't know her well enough yet.  Do you have to ask how that made me feel!  I think that if you stuck a piece of paper to my skin it would have caught fire.  I looked at my daughter who was openly crying at this point.  Good, I thought to myself, this should put things in perspective for her.  That hope was quickly dashed when she still left with him to go have lunch.  She was back within 45 minutes still showing evidence of crying.  I talked to her about her plans and she had no answers. 

As a parent, I thought about what she must be going through.  She has been given a time limit by my husband and myself to make decisions about what she will do. We both have talked to her about adoptioin as well as counseled her on how tough it will be trying to raise three small children with no job, husband or other financial help.  She informed us that she is unable to receive child support because she put the children's dad on it before, but changed her mind, therefore the state will not go after him again, which I am certain is fine by him.  He is unemployed anyway, so they wouldn't get anything from him, but he would be held accountable and have a flag on his driver's license when he tried to renew it, or something like that.  BIG WOW!

I remember talking to my daughter about sex.  My husband had the same talk with her.  He is always very blunt with them when it comes to this subject and uses his own teenage/young adult experiences.  This daughter replied to us that, "I know about sex!" in a voice as if to say I am no longer a child who needs to be protected.  You know that voice?  Did you use that voice?  I remember this daughter and her plans to be a teacher when she graduated from high school.  I remember the light in her eyes when she first started her online college courses.  I remember how she laughed.  That all seemed to go by the wayside as I looked at her tired, swollen (from crying so much) face.  She is lost, confused and is nowhere near the path that she started on.

This is a difficult time for her, as well as me.  Being a woman and having adopted her as well as four others, I can see why she feels that she must take care of her children, but there are two sides of the coin.  If they had not been adopted, it is certain that they would be in awful shape, if alive right now.  I know that the three mothers that were responsible for these children were overwhelmed and took routes I know they didn't plan on, but they also did not have a Plan B in place which is what we all need.  I like to call it the "What If???" Plan.  What if this doesn't work??  What if I need to change this or that???  I failed to have a "What If????" plan a few times in my life, and the results have not worked in my favor.  I found myself scrambling, desperate and making even more mistakes!

Sisters, get your Plan What If in place if you don't have one already.  Never be caught without it.  I will keep you informed on what is going on and feel free to share your point of view on this blog and any of my other blogs.  I don't have any answers on this one.  I just know that I love my daughter and try to do right in my counsel to my children.

Take care Sisters.  Much love to you!

Peace Out.

Donna M. Butler
Founder, The Broke Wives' Club
"From BROKE to STOKED!"
www.thebrokewivesclub.com

Dear Sisters,

As I come to the end of my weekend, I think about the goals that I have set for myself and how many of them I accomplished.  I planned on staying in bed on Saturday at least until 9am.  I didn't wake up until 9:43, and was able to lie there and bask in the quiet and comfort of my bed.

I also had the goal on working on a project that will involve many of you.  I managed to complete it and with Siobhan and Haley's approval, we are going ro put it into play. We are all very excited about what we are going to bring to our Sisters and look forward to when we will be able to announce it.

I turned off my cell phone last evening and kept it off until this am.  I enjoyed the downtime and I am sure my husband did as well since he says that my phone is an extension of my arm.

Anyway, it felt good to accomplish those goals even if they seem small to others.  They were my goals.

Goals are very important in life.  They help us find progression, realize our strengths and weaknesses and help us to make plans for the future.  Without them we are spinning our wheels and going nowhere.  I know that from experience. I went through almost 25 years of my life with no set goals in place.  Sure I had desires, but they never seemed to manifest into accomplishments.  They went by the wayside and  I chalked it up as why does everything have to go against me.  That is when I was very close to my archenemies "Self Pity" and "Resentment."  I let them keep me down for so long that I lost my self confidence and the will to set goals and make changes.

As I travelled down the bumpy road of life, I have encountered much trial and adversity.  I have been knocked down by the best and can't imagine how I have been able to pick myself up.  But when I hit rock bottom and found myself painted in a corner, I came to realize that the only person who could help me was me and it was me that had lost the hope in myself and what I could accomplish, no one else was to blame.  When I realized that I could make it and in turn help others who were in similar situations as I was, I began to plan and set goals.  I made a plan to create a website, set a goal to have it up and running, and it's just that, up and running.  Membership is growing in The Broke Wives' Club just like I planned and I have goals that are set and they will become a reality if I but apply myself, have faith and do all that I can to make it happen.

Sometimes we are faced with issues that there seems to be no way out, and we have to make changes that we may not like.  I have had to make adjustments and do things to take care of and provide for my family and it has been a hard road for me to travel.  There is a phrase that I have had to repeat quite a few times lately.....Sounds like life to me.

Sounds like life to me....it is what it is. There are no free rides, we have to work for what we want and if we have talents we have to put them to use.  I can attest to that and I will do all that I can to acheive the goals that I have set forth and call on the Universe and my Father in Heaven to sustain me and help me to stay on track.  I have friends who also bring their wisdom and concern fo r me to the table and I know that with all this behind me, things can and will work out.

Sisters, how is your goal planning and vision for your life coming along?  Are you planning on living your life to the best of your ability, or are you going to settle for whatever comes your way and just exist?  I plan on living my life to the fullest and doing all that I can to help those with similiar goals.  The tow chain is getting longer and we need stronger links to help us out of the muck.  I for one know that being stuck without a llifeline can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming, bur I have a chain and it is available to us all.

In closing, I want to hear your goals, your vision and your dreams.  Write me, make a video and share it with your fellow Sisters on our YouTube Channel.  Respond to this blog if you are feeling me. Having a strong Sisterhood can and will make things easier while you are on your journey.  I close with love for each and every one of you.  I dedicate myself to helping you on your journey and I depend on you to help me on mine.

Peace out.

Donna M. Butler, Founder
The Broke Wives' Club
"From BROKE to STOKED!"
www.thebrokewivesclub.com

Dear Sisters,

This has been quite an educational week for your girl.  I faced demons and enemies of my past and have won the battle this time.  I know that they will return as they have most of my adult life, but as I learn how to deal with myself truthfully, I am finding that the battles are easier to win.  I have realized just how much control I have of my life and my attitude, and I can honestly say that when you know that you are in control, things...especially adversity can be overcome.

A very wise person told me a couple of  weeks ago that when I am bombared or troubled and feel like I am at the end of my rope (that is exactly what I felt like), that I should just put on some music and start dancing...right then and there.  After a long day at work and dreading to come home to even more than I had left behind at the office, I decided to try something different.  I put on a Michael Jackson dvd and proceeded to dance in the living room with my grandsons and two youngest children.  They loved it, and when we held up our hands and shouted, "Get loose!" I was laughing and having a wonderful time!  I didn't have a care in the world as I danced with the youngest members of my family.

It was a release and once that release occurred, I was able to breathe, step back from the things that were heavy on my mind at the time and come back to it at a later time refreshed and renewed.  We danced for close to an hour and then we sat in the floor and ate popsicles.

Sisters, when we stopped dancing the problems were still there, but I was able to realize that just because I could not control the problems, I could control my attitude in dealing with the problems. I had a SHIFT IN MY ATTITUDE, and it had a ripple effect on those around me and there was a sense of clarity, not those clouded feelings and enemies of doubt, worry, confusion and self pity.  It is hard to feel that way when you are dancing and carefree, if only for an hour, but it was possible and I had acheived it.  What a revelation!

In closing, I want to assure you that our problems will not be solved by dancing, but you will find that when you do something out of the box like dance when you are dealing with troubling issues in your life, you will find an outlet that can air out so much and give you room to breathe, which we all need.

Sleep well.  i know that I am.  It is Saturday and I plan on being lazy tomorrow, spend time with my family, work on Broke Wives' stuff and you know what???  I think I will dance.

Peace out.

Donna M. Butler
Founder, The Broke Wves' Club
"From BROKE to STOKED!"
www.thebrokewivesclub.com

Dear Sisters,

I am preparing to return to Louisiana...home as it is to me now.

Yesterday was an emotional rollercoaster.  The funeral was filled with sadness, regret and for me anger at times.  There is so much tied up with this portion of my life...this woman whose ashes were placed in a beautiiful urn and encased in a mini casket for all to look at.  I still don't understand why all of this was done.  She was not that kind of woman.  She would not have wanted such fru frah and fuss made about her, but I guess if it made her children feel better than it's a good thing.

Which brings me to another trend/tradition or whatever you may want to call it.  Why do we wear black to funerals?  Some say that it is the color of mourning.  I love the color black.  It is my favorite color.  It makes me feel sexy and sophisticated.  Should I feel that way at a funeral?  I must admit I felt pretty sexy wearing my black skirt with the slit, my black sweater and black fishnet stockings.  I must have looked pretty good as well as my friend reminded me of a moment in time when we lost ourselves and put everything on the line with our friendship.  It was a wonderful memory, but just that and we were quickly reminded to never revisit that place again.

Anyway, as I sat and listened to relatives and friends come up to the podium and say things about the woman whose ashes were incased in front of me, I thought about why some of us were in attendance.  I even questioned my own motives for being there.  I wasn't really as fond of this woman as most were standing up attesting their love, fondness and great memories with.  I don't think she liked me very much as well.  She tolerated me because I kept her child happy and that was more important to her than anything...her children.  She was in fact a loving mother eventhough she was at times a little too indulgent where they were concerned.

I was there to see people that had been a part of my life almost a lifetime ago.  I wanted to see how some had aged, how some had changed and how some were still stuck in the rut and didn't change a bit.  I will honestly say, I could not have been more right about some of the people I reconnected with.  Without mentioning names, some of them were still on the same path and the only thing that had changed were their age.


*****************************************************************
The above was written on Tuesday 2/24.  I am back at home and sitting at my desk at work.  I am still reflecting back on my return to Seattle.  It was nice to visit the place that I once called home, and I will always have fond memories connected there, but it is no longer my home.  I have made a home and a life in Louisiana.  Does that mean I will live in Louisiana for the rest of my life??  Maybe.  I don't have that answer right now and it is not even something crossing my mind at this time.  Right now though, I am happier here and have the best memories right here.

Last night I had another eye opener which is helping me on my journey.  Motivational Speaker Paul Martinelli, was our guest on The Attitude Shift last night.  The show was awesome, amazing and I was uplifted and carried a little on my journey, landing safely at a place where I am sitting a little straighter this morning, and have a higher level of self confidence and am more motivated than ever to take TBWC to the next level.  Paul advised me a couple of weeks ago to push the send button for a couple of letters I had written and were holding until I got the courage to send them. Sistes, when I pushed the send button two very special and meaningful things happened in my life.  I am unable to share the results at this time, but I promise I will when I am able to.  

We talked about passion for what we are doing in our lives.  I asked if I was being obsessive about TBWC as many have told me.  Paul said that if you don't love and hunger for what you are doing, than you will let it go.  He asked me if I would be willing to let one of myy children go if they were kidnaped.  I answered with a resounding no and he said that same love and desire should be on whatever project I am working on. 

That love is in me for TBWC.  I am grateful to have something in my life other than caring for my family that I am passionate about.  That passion can bring you a long way.  It is something that drives you to do better to make a better way for yourself.  It is something that you apply time and talent to.  Something that you pray about, something that you nurture and something that you put your all into.  I have found that and I am stoked about it!

It has been a full circle ride for me this week.  I am happy to be me, happy that I have made choices in my life whether good or bad that have molded me and shaped me.  I am confident in where I am going at this time.  I have a come a long way in a short time.  I know that the road will not be smooth and I will hit bumps...even potholes at times.  I am on this journey of life and I am crusing in my red corvette, Al Green music blaring and my mohawk is flying.  I am in control.

Sisters, close your eyes and visualize your journey.  Remember the roads and paths you have taken.  Relish in them and remember where you can go. Have fun, take time to smell the roses and when trouble, disappointment, failure and heartbreak come calling...which they surely will, embrace yourself and know that you can handle it.  Easy to say, hard to do, but with effort and diligence, and a hand to hold every now and then...anything is possible.

Peace out.

Donna M. Butler
Founder, The Broke Wives' Club
"From BROKE to STOKED!"
www.thebrokewivesclub.com

Dear Sisters,

I make this entry from the Holiday Inn in Renton Washington.  As I mentioned on my YouTube Channel (search The Broke Wives' Club), I am here for the funeral of a friend's mother who I have known most of my adult life. 

As many of you know or don't  I was born in Seattle and moved to Louisiana when I was in my 20's.  I met my husband here and have only returned back to Seattle during the adoption process for 3 of my daughters.  That was 11 years ago.

I had mixed emotions as the plane touched down at SeaTac Airport.  I was glad that my daughter Haley, her husband Ben and my 2 beautiful grandsons were going to be here with me.  They are here job seeking and when my friend's mother passed, they took it upon themselves to help out in anyway possible and they have been a lifesaver to this family. Haley has typed up the program, made the flower arrangements and has been a comfort to them as she is so much a part of me and my closeness to this family.

We went from the airport directly to the home of my friend's mother.  As I walked up the stairs he stood at the top and I was amazed at how old he appeared.  I saw in his beautiful hazel eyes that he had been crying and had not had much sleep.  He smiled as we embraced.  In that hug many years flooded back into my mind.  We had been inseparable at one time, having laughed together, loved together, travelled together and saw each other through relationships, heartbreak and disappointments.  This was difficult and words could not express what I was feeling.

As I made my way into his mother's home, I could still feel a hint of her presence.  There were things around the room that expressed her style and classiness.  She loved collecting things that were different from the norm and it was displayed.  There was also a room full of children of various ages, and I was able see not only his children, but he like myself is a proud grandparent.

We spent the evening talking about what we had been doing over the years besides having children.  It was great hanging out and when I got back to the hotel, we had a nice quiet dinner and we all went to bed.

I anxiously look forward to going to my old neighborhood and a few other places I am interested in seeing again like Pike Place Market and having seafood at Ivar's on the pier.  Seattle is where I was born and raised and it didn't feel like I have been away long at all. Things just fell into place and aside from missing some of my children, I am happy to be here, just not under these circumstances.  I will not only take time to reflect on my friend's mother, but to clear my head of some of the things going on in my life.  I hope that my daughter will have taken the time while I am away and sorted some of the things we talked about and that she thinks that I am pressuring her with.  I hope that my children will miss me and realize some of the things that I am responsible for and do for them.  I think that sometimes they take me for granted and that this time away will do them all good.

In closing I just want my Sisters to know something I am sure they already know.  We all will die someday.  What  type of legacy we leave behind is not only important to us, but to our children and those that have touched our lives and those that we hopefully touched.  I know that my friend's mother touched my life and I will remember her always for her strength, love of life and mankind.  She was beautiful inside and out and will be missed by those who loved her.

Until tomorrow.....

Peace out.

Donna M. Butler
Founder, The Broke Wives' Club
"From BROKE to STOKED!"
www.thebrokewivesclub.com

Dear Sisters,

It has been a long and emotional weekend, and needless to say that I am glad it is over.  It is hard to believe...I take it back, no it is not hard to believe that I survived.  i survived because I am on the path of going from BROKE to STOKED!

I realize that I can not be responsible for the actions of others and I realize that I will not be a victim to someone else's mistakes.  I realize that the message of The Broke Wives' Club is one that I will live by and apply in my own life..  I won't be a hearer of the word but a doer, and I will make the most of my opportunity to help women who are and  have the desire to shift their attitudes and step out of the box. 

Visit The Broke Wives' Club YouTube Channel and see what's on my mind.  Click the link below.

. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-WGV_WeLrk

Peace Out.

Donna M. Butler
Founder, The Broke Wives' Club
"From BROKE to STOKED!"
www.thebrokewivesclub.com

Dear Sisters,

As I sit pondering my day, my week and the start of 2010, I can't help but think about the goals I have set for myself and for The Broke Wives' Club.  There is much to do and I am grateful for this opportunity to do something worthwhile which will help others, especially women who have travelled the journey that I have and still on.

There have been and still are the NAYSAYERS who continually say that there is no way we will be able to get other women to join us in making this opportunity work.  I have been told repeatedly that we live in an "I" and "ME" society.  I agree, but I don't believe that there aren't women out there who have the same desire I have to make a difference and leave their mark for good.  I have met and talked with those who have reached their goals and are living comfortably and are looking from their ivory towers.  Some of them smile and say, "What a cute idea!" and "I'm on board, tell me what you need," and the minute Siobhan and I pitch what we are looking for we get the "Come back and talk to me when you have this...." or "you need this before I do this...." or "sign this before I do this..." and one of my favorites, "I will need you to pay me this so I can give you this..."  We have heard it all and I only grow stronger as I realize that we are going to have to go with our passions and sincere desire to bring The Broke Wives Club to the world.

We are blessed Sisters, to live in this time and era where there are so many opportunities for women of all shapes, sizes and color.  We should be rejoicing and ready to help one another discover and reach our potential.  I celebrate my life at this time, despite the struggles and roadblocks I have incurred along my journey.  I know there will be more and with the help of mentors and Sisters, I know that I will overcome them triumphantly and use my experience and example to help others in their journey of going from BROKE to STOKED and shifting their attitududes.

Have a great day Sisters! Remember you are a significant link in our Tow Chain and we need each other to make it work.  I am going to try and keep warm during this snow event we are having in Louisiana.  I may really need a tow chain before the day is over!

Hey, don't forget to check out some of our Sisters on YouTube.  They have a lot to say and have found the perfect way to be heard.  Here is a link to Lisa who as always is in rare form! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd_W2mU2fdw

Love to all of you, I remain your Sister.

Donna M. Butler
Founder, The Broke Wives' Club
"From BROKE to STOKED!"
www.thebrokewivesclub.com

Dear Sisters,

As I sit writing this entry, my thoughts are on a special friend who I have spent the last two days getting to know better and helping her through a tough time where she really needed a friend, a confidante...a Sister.

This weekend was meant to be one of relaxation and working on a few projects pertaining to TBWC.  I had it all planned until my phone rang and I was asked to talk to someone who was troubled and needed help.  (By the way, this Sister knows that I am writing this entry and I have her ful permission to do so)

Anyway, when I got on the phone with this Sister, she was troubled and was even more troubled when she heard it in my voice that I didn't really feel like dealing with what she needed.  After all, I had plans...it was my weekend...I wanted to rest and get ready for the 
Superbowl game tomorrow.  But it wasn't going my way, and I guess my voice was a dead giveaway.  I thought about this dear woman on the other end of the phone and could see her face in my mind.  I knew her personally and I knew that she needed a friend...she actually needed more than that, she needed a Sister and that Sister was me.  I was the one who she chose to help her what she was dealing with and she had every confidence in me.  How could I talk about a large tow chain of Sisters helping each other the way I do and not be willing to help a link in the chain?

We started off talking on the phone and later met and talked through the evening.  We continued talking until just a few hours ago.  I put my love, compassion and charity into listening to her and talking her through what she was going through. Time was not an option and as we worked through things I felt that my weekend eventhough I had other plans was just as fulfilling if not more than I could have ever hoped it could be.  I was there for one of my Sisters and she showed me how much one link is worth.

Sisters, we have to walk the walk... We just can't say we are concerned about each other and then turn away when we are called to help.  We have to be true to our words when we say that we are Sisters.  We have to keep our hand extened and when it is taken, hold on to it tightly and pull with our might.  I have learned much this weekend.  I have learned that I can make a difference in the life of a Sister who feels that she has no way to go.  I was blessed with the opportunity to help, and I was helped with the confidence that TBWC can really be a vessel to help Sisters grow closer when there is so much strife and backbiting between women today.  We have to pull together and not stab each other in the back, take each ot each other and be true to the Sisterhood.

I am tired, but in a good way.  I know that instead of laying around watching Lifetime movies I helped a Sister with drama of her own.  I feel a sense of accomplishment as I prepare to go to bed.  I also have a feeling of comfort as I know my dear Sister is feeling better than she was 24 hours ago.  She is on her way to recovery and is hoping to be strong enough soon to help another Sister by giving her the hope that she has now.

I challenge each and every one of us to remember that each of us is a link in this tow chain.  Not one of us is bigger than the other and though we may not need something like my friend did today, there may come a time when we do..and when that time comes, don't we hope that there will be someone there for us...another Sister?

Good night Sisters.  May we find comfort in one another on this journey, and may we always look to each other as REAL SISTERS.

Peace out.

Donna M. Butler
Founder, The Broke Wives' Club
"From BROKE to STOKED!"
www.thebrokewivesclub.com