back: Sarah B, Cat, Jill, Dawn Marie, Sue; middle: Christine, Lupe, Lisa, Pamela, Sarah J; front: Cindy

Inspiring thoughts, ideas and information provided by women business owners.

The purpose of Keystone Women's Circle is to unite, support and promote women business owners. A keystone is the stone in an arch that binds all others in place. In a circle of stones, every stone is a keystone. We believe that together we can create a foundation, not of brick and mortar, but of relationships and mutual support, enabling all of us to prosper.


Thursday, December 16, 2010

Some of my keystone sisters are not having the best of days so I will post a quote you have probably heard me say before - I do not know the author but I do love the words.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Hoping you will all be dancing again soon,
Lisa Fahey
www.speikercompany.com

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Gotta love it!

Okay guys, so it really feels like winter now.  I haven't seen snow like that since I can remember.  We tried to shovel a couple times on Saturday to keep up with things but with the wind we eventually said "screw it" and went inside for some hot chocolate.  Sunday morning as we thought we would try and go to Unity service but quickly changed our mind due to the 3 foot drift over our entire driveway.  We bundled up and started working.  We had to shovel in layers since it was so deep.  We would get a few few of driveway uncovered than have to rest.  More hot chocolate than back out again.  We are stubborn Minnesotans and refuse to buy a snow blower (kicking myself for that stubbornness on Sunday) but anyways, we kept at it.  A few hours later and a throbbing back and arms, a neighbor who lived down the street about 5 houses and who we've never met, comes over with his small bobcat kinda thing and helped us uncover the end of the driveway.  As I stood back and watched him work, I felt so appreciative for the kindness of people who are willing to spend their time and energy and gas to help those in need.  It made me start to think of ways in which I could help others.  Pay it forward idea.  I thank my neighbor and friends and family for making winter a little warmer.
May you all be blessed

Happiness....,
Sarah Bran de Leon
www.calmwatershypnosis.com

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Baby its cold outside.......

It seems like just yesterday, I had my favorite flip-flops on and I had to be careful at the end of the day when I would start my car because the stirring wheel was so hot from sitting in the sun all day!  Hard to believe!  That is Minnesota for ya! 
I found this Japanese proverb and thought is was worth sharing.

                One Kind Word Can Warm Three Winter Months.








Have a wonderful rest of the week, and please be kind.


Lisa Fahey
www.speikercompany.com




Sunday, December 5, 2010

Mom and Me Holiday tea (and Dads, Grands, Aunties too!)

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Oohh, I am getting in the mood are you?  Well if you are not, I suggest you come to Mom and Me Holiday Tea Saturday, December 11th 10am.  We will surely share this Christmas spirit with you.  Join us for Tea, Cider, treats and stories with Mrs. Claus. 

That's right MRS. CLAUS is here early to wish us all a Merry Christmas!  Moms and daughters, Dads and sons, grandma and grandpa, aunties and uncles young and old, all are welcome to this wonderful Christmas event presented to you by the Keystone Women's Circle. 
Where: Mystic Journey, 109 N. Meridian St. (next to Golden Touch Jewelry) Belle Plaine.
When: Saturday, December 11th, 10am
Cost: $5 per person, no more than $15/family.
Don't delay, RSVP by Monday, December 6th call 952-873-3364

It is also gift basket day at Mystic Journey.  Enjoy a day of shopping and free gift wrapping with 10% of sales benefiting the Southern Valley Alliance for battered women.
Sarah Jaeger, Mystic Journey

Friday, December 3, 2010

Local Holiday Shopping

Holiday Boutique at Kingsway (The Lutheran Home Campus) Dec. 3 2pm-8pm

Little House in the Country Holiday Boutique. St. Johns Assumption church 26523 200th street Belle Plaine. Saturday December 4th 9am-3pm and Sunday December 5rd 11:30am-3pm. Dept. 56 collectable, Potted spruce tips, Holiday treats and more! Directions: Go north on hwy 25, then a right when you see the St. John's Assumption sign.

Bring A Blanket, Get A Free Lunch
Subway Restaurant’s annual Bring A Blanket collection is Sunday, Dec. 5 all day at participating Subway Restaurants, which includes Belle Plaine. Those who provide a new or gently used clean blanket will get a free lunch. Blankets collected in the Twin Cities metropolitan area will be given to Bridging Inc for distribution during 2011. Blankets collected in greater Minnesota will be distributed to organizations in each community. 


Holiday Boutique at Rectory Bed & Breakfast  Dec. 5 10am-4pm. 
www.belleplaineherald.com


Marion's Place OPEN HOUSE this Sunday, December 5th 1-6pm. An enchanting location for events & gatherings. Check out this new Belle Plaine jewel. 23961 Kittson Blvd Belle Plaine. Directions: cross over 169, turn right on Hickory, and head on up the hill until Hickory ends, at which point you can only turn left. Go straight ahead until the road turns to gravel, then watch for the farmhouse on the left.

Have a Fun and Snowy Weekend! Pamela Healing Essence Massage

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Why exercise may not be working

Okay, some news for all of you sweating your butts off and not seeing any results.  A recent article posted by Time addressed that issue.  Why do so many of us exercise long and hard and not see results that we're expecting.  Well recent studies found that exercising stimulates hunger.  And that many people who workout lose the benefits because they end up eating more!  It takes an hour of walking to burn 500 calories.  How long does it take to eat 500 calories?  Not long. The study also found that people who worked out tended to lead sedentary lives the rest of the time.  So for best results, instead of working out hard for an hour 3 times a week, than being sedentary the rest of the time,  try and remain active throughout the day, and focus on healthy eating.  to read the full article go to:
 http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1914857-1,00.html 

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Happiness....
Sarah Bran de Leon
www.calmwatershypnosis.com