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The Empowerment Mansion

The Empowerment Mansion is a vision that shortly will become a reality.On September 19-21 I will host the first Empowerment Mansionat Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.This is a beautiful 5,500 acre estate.This will be a time of rejuvenation and masterminding.The goal is to return refreshed, focused and ready to conquer the world.As a young woman, I worked in the Poconos as a maid to earn tuition for school.The day is fast approaching where I will return to help others in realizing that dreamscan become a reality.
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LIPSTICK TRICKS

How can I keep my lipstick from bleeding?Lipstick bleeding outside the line is not a pretty sight, but it’s nothing a little powder can’t fix. With wedge sponge in hand apply powder to the corners of your mouth, where bleeding usually occurs. This might remind you of eating a powdered doughnut, but what a difference it makes. Whisk away powder with clean end of your sponge, and your lipstick will no longer overstep its boundaries.

How can I make my lipstick last longer?Would it be great if you could go the entire day eating & drinking with your lipstick intact? Well, you can. First liberally apply your favorite shade of lipstick. Then place a tissue over your mouth, blotting all the while. Dust loose powder on top of the tissue with a powder brush, in order to set the lipstick. Remove the tissue, and then reapply lipstick. There you have it-beautiful color with staying power.For a complimentary consultation send an email to cmitcham@marykay.com or leave a comment.
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TIP: To open up your eyes and create the illusion of larger eyes, you can apply white or beige eyeliner round the inside "wet tissue" of the eyes ( the inside rim).APPLICATION:1.Highlight shade: Apply to lid and browbone. Apply to the inside corner at the bottom lashline.2.Midtone shade: Starting at the outer corner of the crease, bring the color in toward the inside corner to the brow but not all the way over to your nose.3.Contour shade: Sweep it across the base of the upper lash line and up into the outer area of the crease. Sweep it underneath the lower lash line for definition, except for the inside corners. Apply you highlight shade to the inside corners of the eye to help your eyes appear father apart.For a complimentary consultation send an email to cmitcham@marykay.com or leave a comment.
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How to Research and Evaluate Potential Residual Income Programshttp://www.RichAndRichHomeOpportunities.comFinding programs that offer the potential for residual income is easy to do. A simple search with most any search engine will bring you literally millions of websites that will clamor for your attention. Yet when it comes to finding just the right program for you, individually, suddenly the ease of finding what you are looking for is somewhat curtailed. Yet do not despair, how to research and evaluate potential residual income programs is a questions that can be answered in detail!First and foremost, take an inventory of your interests and then seek for programs that seem to be the closest matches. Remember that the more interest you have in a program the more likely you are to dedicate time and effort to make it work and thus the more likely you will be to make money with residual income.Next, find a product that will provide you with the revenue stream you can live with. Some will have a steady income potential, while others are seasonal and thus will have spikes when income will be markedly high only to taper off for months at a time. Riding out the lows and profiting off the highs is vital to making money with these programs, if you are able to ride out the lows. Those unable to find a steady income stream that matches their expectations may wish to consider signing up for more than one opportunity, thus generating a number of income streams.A vital step surprisingly overlooked by the majority of those in search for the most promising residual income programs is the market research. You do not need to commission fancy studies, but instead conduct your own market research for any given product you are thinking of making the main staple of your online endeavor to see if the market is already heavily saturated with others selling the same or a similar product of this kind. If this is the case, you will be wise to move on to something else instead.As you research residual income potential, you will find that services – rather than products – have one of the highest potential for generating residuals. Whether you are selling insurance products or financial services, the fact that consumers who purchase such services usually develop a severe case of company loyalty works decidedly in your favor and you can count on much repeat business in the future.Shifting gears, you may consider the product side of the equation by taking a close look at wholesaling. This is a highly competitive field, which in some cases might be a risk, but also one where you have the chance of making a lot of money if you are closely tied in to the consumer trends of the current market conditions and ensure that you have the wares to sell to retailers ahead of the trends.It is evident that residual income opportunities abound online, and for those inclined to do so, these types of business opportunities will at times also translate well into an offline kind of business!-----------------------------------------------------------------To find the best home based business ideas andopportunities so you can work at home visit:http://www.RichAndRichHomeOpportunities.com
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I am currently scheduling "Power of 10" workshop for corporate, ministry teams and women's groups. Each workshop is scheduled with a maximum of 10. Schedule your workshop today email monarchpublicationsllc@yahoo.com include name, telephone number, email address, date and location.Photobucket
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Please Stop and Read!!!!!!!

Today I lost another close family member to violence. My brother Kris was killed 3 years ago on October 19th. Murdered. I thought at that time the world ended for me. I figured there was no reason to live. Even with all the blessings I'd received and all the accomplishements I had under my belt, I still didn't want to go on. This was someone who knew me better than anyone and shared tons of secrets that he took to his grave and now at such a young age my family and I have to put him in the ground because we as young people are killing each other and not valueing life.3 years later, August 4th. Another family members is murdered. My cousin that I grew up with and have known for as long as I can remember, gone just like that because of violence. I cried my eyes for the whole day asking God why he did this to our family. Again. We were just getting over my brother and now my cousin is dead. Both of them gone to violence. But it ain't God. It's us being stupid and resulting to violence about everything. I'm so sick and tired of us killing each other. Do we not know that this is permanent? Once we pull that trigger, that young man or woman is not coming back.This is a never ending cycle and I'm tried of it. Not just my family but almost everyday your hearing about someone being gunned down and the family and friends of the one who was killed wants revenge. We are so quick to blame the ways things are on the white man when really it's us. Killing eachother over stupid stuff and I'm tired.If you are reading this right now listen to me GET YOUR LIFE TOGETHER AND MAKE SOMETHING OF YOURSELF. If you aint't got nothing but just a little bit, thank God for it today because tomorrow ain't promised to none of us. If you got kids, live for them. They deserve a good life. They deserve to grow up with mommy and daddy even if mommy and daddy aren't together. Whatever it is that you are doing with your life right now whether it be working a part-time job at Mcdonalds or a CEO at a company, keep pushing. Because you have the power to stop this cycle. Just keep praying and staying strong. Raise your kids. Don't let the streets get a hold of your babies. We are suppose to bury our parents not the other way around. Please start valueing life. Understand nothing is promised and the things you got now won't go with you when God decides to bring you home.Love everybody and don't envy anyone because they may have more. Appreciate everything and every body in your life right now.I woke up this morning as happy as I could be only to learn that my cousin was shot the night before in the back of the head. It hurts and I know there are plenty of you who have been there.Come on ya'll let's stop this cycle!!!!!!!Dominique
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WIN FREE CANDLES!!!!

WIN FREE CANDLES!!!!Weekly Drawing-Win FREE Gourmet Scented Candle and Bella Body Bar16oz. and Yummy to the bottom of the jarEnter up to once a day to increase your chances of winning:http://www.MuchBetterCandle.com(Click the jar icon next to contact info)Winners are selected each Monday and the winner’s name will be posted on the candle drawing entry page. Winners will be notified and all products shipped directly to them.
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No. 12 NATURAL HEALTH and HEALING August 2008

No. 12 NATURAL HEALTH and HEALING August 2008FOODS THAT HEALPineapplecalmative - diuretic – laxative - stimulantUses: acidity, constipation, jaundice, liver (clean), & scurvy.Nutritional Value: Vitamin C - Folic Acid - ManganeseTEA THERAPYGreen TeaUses: Daily Tea – Food Poisoning – Kills Bacteria – Cavity Prevention – Cancer –Prevents Cancer - High Blood Pressure – Nervous System – Heart – LiverParts Used: Leaves - PowderPreparation Method: InfusionHabitat: ChinaAROMATHERAPYIncense/Oil/Flower: Sage (Salvia officinalis)Aroma: Fresh HerbalAction: Purifies the body, inspires the mind, & soothes the soul.Ways To Use: Add to body oils, lotions, etc. Burn oil in oil burner.Habitat: Egypt, SpainREFLEXOLOGYHealth Concern: Liver ProblemsReflex Areas/Points: liver (19), lungs (12), small intestines (32)

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Did You Pray Today?

10 REASONS TO PRAY1. To get your eyes off your problems and onto the Lord (Ps. 121:1)2. To get close to God (Isa. 64:7)3. To unburden your heart (Ps. 142:1-2)4. To make your requests known to God (Matt: 21:22)5. To be free of suffering (James 5:13)6. To resist temptation (Matt: 26:41)7. To receive God’s reward (Matt: 6:6)8. To hear God (Prov. 8:34)9. To be healed emotionally (James 5:13)10. To have joy. (John 16:24It is good to include certain key points in each prayer time:☼ Tell the Lord how much you love Him.☼ Thank Him for all He has done for you.☼ State how dependent you are upon Him.☼ Tell Him everything that is in your heart.Zanira Says SMILE
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InfaCity Seeking Wedding Vendors

We are seeking wedding vendors from all avenues. InfaCity LLC is an online auction marketplace for wedding products including rings, dresses, invitations, catering, photography, and more. With the economy in a slump, more and more people are turning to auction sites for bargains. Place your products and offer your services on InfaCity LLC for free. You can also open a free store! This is an excellent opportunity if you advertise on a shoe string budget because we do all the marketing for you. We started in June 2007 and have a great response from brides. So far we have close to 100,000 hits to our site.Register Today!Free Registration!Free Listings!Free Store!Free Homepage and Gallery Featured Spotlight!Low 3% Closing Fee Only if Item Sells!Questions? Call (800) 871.4773Wanda McDowellPresidentInfaCity LLCwww.infacity.com"Where buyers and sellers of wedding products meet"
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Before You Tie The Knot....

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Before You Tie The Knot
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Location: Long Beach, CA
Before You Tie The Knot" is an engaged Couples retreat. Topics include Relationships, Finances, Home, Housekeeping/Chores and Children/Parenting. Facilitated by Rev. Angela Butts-Chester of Blessings All Around http://www.blessingsallaround.com$1500 for the weekend per couple, $300 deposit (both are non refundable) Hurry! We are only accepting 20 couples for this event! You can make your deposit payment below or pay for the entire seminar. Full fee must be paid by October 20, 2008 NO EXCEPTIONS!Package includes:3 day/2 nite hotel staySeminarsBreakfast/Lunch ~ Dinner is on your ownSwag Bag
Information
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Cost: $1,500.00
Location
2640 N. Lakewood BlvdLong Beach, CA 90815View Map
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Start Date and Time: Fri, Nov 21, 2008 05:00 PM - 02:00 PM PST
End Date: Sun Nov 23, 2008
Organizer: Lexus Events
Venue: Holiday Inn Long Beach
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Lexus Events is giving away a customized Wedding Day Coordination package.To Enter:Send an email to couples "@ "lexusevents.biz with the following information:1. Bride's Name2. Groom's Name3. Wedding Location4. Wedding Date5. Wedding Website (if applicable)6. A 250 word essay on the details of "your story" (how you met, your engagement, your wedding details, etc). Most importantly this essay should explain why you should be chosen as the winner. Be sure to include a photo!The entry deadline is August 31st, 2008. The winning couple will be announced on September 15th, 2008!Rules:*Entries must be 250 words or less and include a photo of the couple. Include the wedding date, location and any details about your wedding.*If wedding is outside of the Bay Area, winner will be responsible for providing transportation and hotel accommodations for travel from Oakland to wedding location.*Only one entry per couple. All entries must be emailed to couples "at" lexusevents.biz with the subject line "Wedding Day Coordination Contest" by August 31, 2008.*Wedding must take place before May 1st, 2009 and is subject to our availability*Winning couple must sign a contract.*No cash value.
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Trump sets up shop in Vegas with posh, smoke-free hotel

Just off the Strip: The smoke-free Trump International Hotel & Tower doesn't have a casino, but it certainly doesn't scrimp on service.What's new: Trump International Hotel & Tower Las VegasClaim to fame: The Apprentice mogul Donald Trump makes his first move into Sin City. But unlike his Atlantic City properties, there's no casino here. And it's smoke-free.Vital statistics: A 64-floor glass tower with 1,282 condo suites; about 300 currently are rented out as hotel accommodations.The scene: Serene. Set by itself off the Strip near Wynn Las Vegas and the Fashion Show shopping mall, the 2-month-old Trump (quiet as a tomb during this reporter's visit) is the antithesis of your typical, line-up-to-check-in Vegas casino hotel. Affable and attentive staffers in hip suits and dresses designed by Trump's daughter Ivanka usually outnumbered guests and condo residents in the marble lobby with chandeliers, crystal-beaded pillars and living-room-style cocktail lounge.Bedding down: Trump's Atlantic City digs aren't known for understated tastefulness, but suites here are aces in that department. Kudos to Trump kids Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric, who oversee his new hotels. The look is modern, chic and upscale residential. Suites are decorated in subdued chocolate, butterscotch and cream tones. Blond wood cabinets have books and objets d'art on shelves. Even the smallest studio has a fully equipped kitchen, cooktop and Sub-Zero fridge, plus marble bathroom with jetted soaking tub and separate glassed-in shower spacious enough for four. The only tacky touch: a welcome gift of "Trump Ice" spring water, whose bottle bears the likeness of The Donald. Tip: If train whistles bother you, ask for a room on the street side of the tower.Who'll like it: Those with a taste for luxury, tranquility and peel-me-a-grape service. Staffers are notably caring, personable and proud to have Trump on their résumés.Who won't: Serious gamblers, smokers and the party crowd.Wining & dining: Food and drink are priced for high rollers ($11 for "Mr. Trump's whipped potato purée"), but of fine quality. Be prepared to drop $15 on a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and $26 on a scrumptious lobster Cobb salad. Dinner entrees at the DJT restaurant, offering "modern American" cuisine created by Trump Sr.'s personal chef, run $34-$68.Indulgences: An "attaché" button on the phone to call Trump's spin on butler service; TV images that magically appear on the bathroom mirror at the touch of the remote; a spa and outdoor pool with servers who offer Trump sunscreen; a giant martini shaker in every room.The deal: You can score a $199 midweek rate through Sept. 1 for a top Vegas lodging choice that would probably cost three times as much in Manhattan.Information: 866-939-8786; TrumpLasVegasHotel.comBy USA Today - Travel News
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YOU DON'T KNOW

08/05/08"MORNING NEWS”Good Morning!Oh what a Happy Day! I don't know about you but Jesus has washed my sins away. How is everyone? Blessed I'm sure! I was on a blogtalk radio show last night with Rhonda White. If anyone would like to listen it you can go to her site. www.Rhondawhite.com She does several shows but has different guest every Mon. 5:30-7:00. I received many compliments and prayers from the call-in listeners. I also was requested to be on another show by a caller and received an offer to come to Atlanta to speak to a Women's Ministry. I say God is GOOD. So whenever you consider throwing in that towel think about it twice. As just yesterday HE said "call HIM up and tell HIM what you need". I called and gave it all over to HIM. I could no longer fight the battle alone. The burdens began to pull from my body. I had a NEW ATTITUDE and each time the old tried to come back HE sent forces to keep it off of me. I say AIN'T NOBODY LIKE JESUS. Give HIM some of your time.Be Blessed,ClevetteSOUL FOODSo But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.Psalm 55:16YOU DON'T KNOWHow many of you are weighed down with a bunch of luggage that is filled with nothing but burdens? It gets pretty hard to move around. Sometimes people ask why I walk so slow. I could open my bag and then they would see. You can give it over to Jesus. When others see you they don't know the troubles that you've gone through. You could've walked from out of a dark home, no money in your pocket, a companion who beats you, bills overdue. They DON'T know. However others are so quick to judge. The word says let he who is without sin cast the first stone. When someone gives me a black robe and a gavel I'll take the position on. Until then I'll leave that position open.As I previously mentioned I went to a prayer breakfrast on Saturday Aug 2, 2008. This prayer breakfast actually extended into the luncheon hours. The Father, may believe you're playing that word game, first sounds like. SPEECHLESS! I rested a moment once I did get home and began checking messages online. There were several greetings from a new network that I joined so I started there. I had people welcoming me. So I began to respond and send messages to other new members as well. I came across a member named Adrian. Adrian had music on her page as many do. People always compliment my music I had not added mine to this group as of yet. She had 2 songs. The 1st song "YOU DON'T KNOW" had me going so much I had to bring up another screen just to continue doing what I had started.As I continued to greet other members the music stopped. The 2nd song didn't play. I didn't think too much of it. So I played the first song again. This time the Holy Spirit was released. I couldn't type, I couldn't do anything but PRAISE THE LORD. I could only sing along saying, YOU DON'T KNOW THE BLESSINGS HE'S GIVEN TO ME. YOU DON'T KNOW LIKE I KNOW because HE'S A HEALER, HE'S A PROVIDER, YOU SHOULD KNOW HIM LIKE I KNOW HIM. YOU DON'T KNOW THE THINGS THAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR ME. The more I PRAISED OH PRAISE HIS NAME. The things seemed to get lighter the luggage seemed to disappear. By the time the song ended I was almost at my front door. The chair I was sitting in had wheels but I was doing a stomp. I had made it to the front door from the other side of the room. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LORD IS DOING FOR ME.What was really AMAZING to me, after that song I started hearing a storm. Anyone that knows me, knows that when I pray really hard there is always a THUNDERSTORM. Where did it come from? It was the next song, tell me God wasn't working with that. As my books deal with storms, not thunderstorms, but the first time I prayed to the Lord to make a change in my life there was a terrible "thunderstorm". Adrian, I THANK YOU! My spirit THANKS YOU! God THANKS YOU! Jesus THANKS YOU! I did a Holy Ghost Stomp and nobody is mad but the devil and he is a liar. Let everybody say that I AM HEALED. THANK YOU FATHER in your precious name. I pray for the networks and all of my "new" friends. I pray for all of my readers those who sick make them whole once again, those who are need of employment guide them to a place that will work for You. Bless us all Father and forgive our sins. We thank You for all You have done and the blessings yet to come. Place Your hands over all of our ministries to broaden our horizons and for us to move forward in which we will build up Your kingdom. This is our prayer in the precious name of Jesus Hallelujah Amen.Oh and by the way that 2nd song was I Turn To You by Christina Aguilera. The Lord can take a load off of you.You Don't Knowby: Kierra KiKi SheardI can remember my mother told meDon't let no one speak for meWhen it comes down to His blessingsNo one can give Him praise for me but meCHANNELJust trust GodHe'll always come through for youYes He will (I know, I know that)I believe, cause my eyes have seen whatMiracles He can do, mountains that He can moveAll things are possible through HimI'm tellin you!CHORUSYou don't knowThe blessings that He's given me, you don't knowLike I knowEven if I had a thousand tongues, I'd need moreYou should knowWhat He's done for me, He can do for youYou can tell it, let me tell youWhat the Lord has done for me!CHORUS 2Now let me tell you 'bout what He did for my motherAnd at the same time took a load off meJust when the doctor said that is was overMy God He stepped right in and gave her back to meBRIDGEHe's delivered meOut of hopeless situations (situations)And the devil used (used to try to break me)(But here I stand as) A living testimonyAll those who's trustin' HimPut all your faith in HimThey will never beDefeated or cheated out of the victory!I'm too BLESSED to be STRESSED.It is my desire to give comfort, peace, and joy while riding "Through The Storm".www.QCleSurvivesTheStorm.com
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Rhythms for Ruby

Greetings All, I know that I sent this out before, but I wanted to send it out again in asking for prayers, support for Ruby and her children. Ruby's conditions may seem to be endless with all that she has to contend with now in the natural but thankfully we know that what we see in the natural is not always the final destiny.

Rhythms for RubyOn Saturday August 30, 2008 (Labor Day Weekend) there will be a benefit Fund Raising Concert for Ruby Blount at the Middle Township performing Arts Center at the High School.Ruby grew up in Whitesboro and graduated from Middle Township High School in 1983. Last December she was the victim of a tragic accident and as a result of that accident her leg had to be amputated.Because she is/was well known in Whitesboro, many people have heard about her accident, but have been at a loss as to what to do. But now the whole community is coming together to support her after the Whitesboro Reunion in the evening at the High School.The fund raiser is called "Rhythms for Ruby ". It will be a show featuring local talent (Hamer’s school of Karate, Dancers Two Dancers, Joanne Reagan’s Dancers, local singers and Tap Dancer Karen Callaway Williams (Riverdance, “Play On” On Broadway) among others. Karen has enlisted the help of some of her entertainment friends including dancers from the NJ Tap Ensemble and Savion Glover!!!! (Happy Feet, Sesame Street and Bring in the Noise/ Bring in the Funk on Broadway!)Fund raising ticket prices are $35, $20, and $10 (for children 12 and under). Because this event is sponsored by Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, PO Box 412, Whitesboro, NJ 08252 all donations are tax deductable. 100% of the proceeds will to go to her. She is in great spirits and is thankful to be alive, but she needs our support.The Lord has blessed her with life, health and strength!! Please come to hear her powerful testimony. She truly is an over-comer!A “ Silent Auction “ will be taking place prior to the event. More information will follow.Karen Callaway Williams has asked if the community would assit in making sure that our elders who desire to attend this event have transportation to and from the PAC Center.Isaiah 58: 5-7, Matthew 25: 31-46, Proverbs 3: 27, Galatians 6: 9-10
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What Now?

Suddenly (or so it seems) you're no longer getting up and going to work each day! You've finally retired and wonder what to do now and wander from room to room or thing to thing. You're feeling a sense of helplessness and aloneness even though you're not always alone.This feeling of being cast aside seems to permeate everything you do. The long awaited joy in retirement seems elusive or non-existent. You're tired of this feeling and are ready to feel good again. You can you know.Can you remember when you bounced out of bed so full of joy you thought you would burst? You can do the same now. Getting out of bed may take a little longer. But as you roll out of bed embrace that joy. Allow that memory to flood your body with the feeling of joy. Stand and stretch bringing the joy all the way from your head to your toes! This is a great way to start your day.
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Big Gyrl of the Month

Congratulations goes out to Vernise Berlin from North Carolina!!! She is the August Big Gyrl of the Month, and trust me when I say the Big Gyrl is sharp! She is fierce, edgy, daring, and beautiful. Great makeup and coordination girl!Thanks to all of the ladies that entered, every month my voting team’s job is getting harder and harder. That means that BGC is reaching to more and more ladies which is fabulous! Don’t fret if you didn’t win and please do not get discouraged, you are considered every month. Please visit the Big Gyrl Info page today and admire this Plus Diva doing her thang!Next Deadline :8.31.2008 1159PM ESTStay beautiful and blessed,BGC Incwww.biggyrlclothing.net
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The UnFranchise

Welcome to the Future of Business. Now.Market America’s UnFranchise® Business Development System is a proven business plan with clear vision and strength, enabling Independent Distributors to earn residual income, which can lead toward financial security. This powerful system offers unparalleled benefits and support with no territorial restrictions — only the opportunity for Distributors to build their business as fast or as slow as they desire.To get started building an UnFranchise business and earning residual income, Distributors follow a detailed plan and are provided a custom Web Portal and management tools to run their business. Market America provides the products and services, creates the marketing materials, and handles the shipping and distribution. Most of the administrative and operational duties of an UnFranchise Business are handled by Market America, allowing Distributors to focus on serving their customers’ needs, and creating a lucrative business and financial security for themselves.Click here for more information about our company.About

Market America is a product brokerage and internet marketing company that specializes in One-to-One Marketing. With more than three million customers, Market America has generated over $2.4 billion in accumulated retail sales and paid out close to S1.5 billion in accumulated retail profits and commissions to over 160,000 Distributors worldwide.Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina — the Company employs more than 500 people globally with international operations in the United States, Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia.By providing online shoppers with the products and services they want and need — backed by the Company’s people power — Market America is fast becoming the World Wide Web’s ultimate online destination.If you are doing ANY shopping online and not getting paid for it yet, check us out. We have partnered with the likes of KLS, Phat Farm, Target, Travelocity, Victoria's Secret and much more to bring our customers and distributors the ultimate shopping experience!Contact me for more information!
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Welcome to Our World

The best exercise for the heart:Bend down and pick someone up...Tim Russert Black. Female. Accomplished. Attacked.By Sophia A. NelsonSunday, July 20, 2008; B01There she is -- no, not Miss America, but theAngela-Davis-Afro-wearing, machine-gun-toting, angry, unpatrioticMichelle Obama, greeting her husband with a fist bump instead of a kisson the cheek.It was supposed to be satire, but the caricature of Barack Obama andhis wife that appeared on the cover of the New Yorker last week rightlycaused a major flap. And among black professional women like me andman y of my sisters in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, who happened tobe gathered last week in Washington for our 100th anniversarycelebration, the mischaracterization of Michelle hit the rawest ofnerves.Welcome to our world.We've watched with a mixture of pride and trepidation as the wife ofthe first serious African American presidential contender has weatheredrecent campaign travails -- being called unpatriotic for a singleoffhand remark, dubbed a black radical because of something she wrotemore than 20 years ago and plastered with the crowning stereotype:"angry black woman." And then being forced to undergo a politicallymandated "makeover" to soften her image and make her more palatable tomainstream America.Sad to say, but what Obama has undergone, though it's on a nationalstage and on a much more prominent scale, is nothing new toprofessional African American women. We endure this type of labelingall the time. We're endlessly familiar with the problem Michelle Obamais confronting -- being looked at, as black women, through a differentlens from our white counterparts, who are portrayed as kinder, gentlersouls who somehow deserve to be loved and valued more than we do. Somany of us are hoping that Michelle -- as an elegant and elusivecombination of successful career w oman, supportive wife and lovingmother -- can change that."Ain't I a woman?" Sojourner Truth famously asked 157 years ago. Herringing question, demanding why black women weren't accorded the sameprivileges as their white counterparts, still sums up the African American woman's dilemma today: How are we viewed as women and where do we fit into American life?"Thanks to the hip-hop industry," one prominent black femalejournalist recently said to me, all black women are "deemed 'sexuallypromiscuous video vixens' not worthy of consideration. If other blackwomen speak up, we're considered angry black women who complain. Thissociety can't even see a woman like Michelle Obama. All it sees is ablack woman and attaches stereotypes."Black women have been mischaracterized and stereotyped since the daysof slavery and minstrel shows. In more recent times, they've beenportrayed onscreen and in popular culture as either sexually availablebed wenches in such shows as the 2000 docudrama "Sally Hemings: AnAmerican Scandal," ignorant and foolish servants such as Prissy from"Gone With the Wind" or ever-smiling housekeepers, workhorses who nevercomplain and never tire, like the popular figure of Aunt Jemima.Even in the 21st century, bla ck women are still bombarded with mediaand Internet images that portray us as loud, aggressive, violent andoften grossly obese and unattractive. Think of the movies "Norbit" or"Big Momma's House," or of the only two black female characters in"Enchanted," an overweight, aggressive traffic cop and an angrydivorcée amid all the white princesses.On the other hand, when was the last time you saw a smart,accomplished black professional woman portrayed on mainstreamtelevision or in the movies? If Claire Huxtable on "The Cosby Show"comes to mind, remember that she left the scene 16 years ago.The reality is that in just a generation, many black women -- whowere mostly domestics, schoolteachers or nurses in the post-slavery JimCrow era -- have become astronauts, corporate executives, doctors,lawyers, engineers and PhDs. You name it, and black women have achievedit. The most popular woman on daytime television is Oprah Winfrey.Condoleezza Rice is secretary of state.And yet my generation of African American women -- we're called, infact, the Claire Huxtable generation -- hasn't managed to becomesuccessfully integrated into American popular culture. We're stilllooking for respect in the workplace, where, more than anything else,black women feel invisible. It's a term that comes up agai n and again."In my profession, white men mentor young whites on how to succeed," afinancial executive told me, but "they're either indifferent to ordogmatically document the mistakes black women make. Their indifferenceis the worst, because it means we're invisible."As someone who recently left a large law firm to work in thecorporate sector, I have to agree. I liked my firm, but I always feltthat I had to sink or swim on my own. I didn't get the kind ofmentoring that I saw white colleagues, male and female, getting allaround me. The firm was actually one of the better ones when it came todiversity, and yet of 600 partners, only five were black women.A 2007 American Bar Association report titled "Visible Invisibility"describes how black women in the legal profession face the "doubleburden" of being both black and female, meaning that they enjoy none ofthe advantages that black men gain from being male, or that white womengain from being white.Invisibility isn't the only problem. I run an organization dedicatedto supporting African American professional women and often runempowerment workshops at various conferences. At a recent suchworkshop, I asked the participants to list some words that woulddescribe how they believe they're viewed in the workplace and th eculture at large. These are the kinds of words that came back: "loud,""angry," "intimidating," "mean," "opinionated," "aggressive," "hard."All painful words. Yet asked to describe themselves, the same womenoffered gentler terms: "strong," "loving," "dependable,""compassionate."Where does the disconnect come from? Possibly from the way blackwomen have been forced into roles of strength for decades. "Black womenare the original multitaskers of necessity," says one nonprofitexecutive. "We've perfected it because we've been doing it for so long.But people don't appreciate the skill it requires, and they don'trecognize the toll it takes on us as human beings."For all our success in the professional world, we have paid asignificant price in our private and emotional lives. A life ofpreordained singleness (by chance, not by choice) is fast becoming theplight of alarming numbers of professional black women in America. Thefact is that the more money and education a black woman has, the lesslikely she is to marry and have a family.Consider these stunning statistics: As of 2007, according to the NewYork Times, 70 percent of professional black women were unmarried.Black women are five times more likely than white women to be single atage 40. In 2003, Newsweek reported that there are more black women thanblack men (24 percent to 17 percent) in the professional-managerialclass. According to Department of Education statistics cited by theJournal of Blacks in Higher Education, black women earn 67 percent ofall bachelor's degrees awarded to blacks, as well as 71 percent of allmaster's degrees and 65 percent of all doctoral degrees.With all the challenges facing professional black women today, wehope that Michelle Obama will defy the negative stereotypes about us.And that, now that a strong professional black woman is center stage,she'll bring to light what we already know: that an accomplished blackwoman can be a loyal and supportive wife and a good mother and stillfulfill her own dreams. The fact that her husband clearly adoresMichelle is both refreshing and reassuring to many of us who long tofind a good man who will love and appreciate us.Recently, a friend who's a married professional mother of three girlswrote to me: "I think one of the most interesting things about MichelleObama is that what she and her husband are doing is prettyrevolutionary these days -- and I don't mean running for president. Fora black man and woman in the U.S. to be happily married, with children,and working as partners to build a life -- let alone a life of serviceto others -- all while rearing their children together is downrightrevolutionary."It's how so many black professional women feel. And our hope is thatif Michelle Obama becomes first lady, the revolution will come to us atlast.snelson@iaskinc..orgSophia A. Nelson is a corporate attorney and president of iask, Inc.,an organization for African American professional women.
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Jewelry Feature of the Week

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Continuing with the inspiration of summer, this week’s featured jewelry from The Pink Locket is the “Look at My Finger Ring.” This uniquely square shaped ring is wrapped with gold wire accentuating the dangling blue-green variations of stones will make people actually look at your finger. One of the first lines of rings by the company, this ring only lasted 5 hours when posted on our Etsy site for sale. Check out other rings by The Pink Locket!By: Kamilah Campbellhttp://thepinklocket.com
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