The last time Oprah was here I managed to get 4 tickets and I auctioned them  on Ebay, I received 2,000.00 and our pantry fed over 200 families in our community.  For the last two and a half years I have seen grown men who were Executive's cry on my shoulder because they had to get food from Minnie's Food Pantry which was named after my mother and inspired by a few words that Oprah said to me.  I began my quest in search of something that would provide a legacy for me and I knocked on alot of doors looking for Oprahtunities.  I wanted to BE the difference in our community.  I've spoken to thousands of kids in schools and at groups about giving.  I have exhausted every dollar in my personal checking and savings account because of a few words that Oprah personally said to me.  "Pursue Your Passion".  It has been an adventure to say the least.  This week Oprah will be in our state and she told me she would come back over 7 years ago.   I have several stories and Oprah encounters but the one most dear to me is this one. Nothing Happens by Chance Nothing. I have done as she instructed and now I am ready for a big Oprahtunity moment.  Here is my true  moment in my life.

In May, I videotaped my father in his hospital room asking Oprah Winfrey to let me attend a taping of her show.

My father, Robert Hawthorne, was also my pastor and friend. He was a silent force in our family of eight. He treated my mother like a queen, and my sister and I were his little princesses. Dad had been a pastor in Plano for over 30 years, and he loved God so much he traveled eight hours each weekend to his hometown, Jasper, to get another church started.

In late January, he thought he had contracted the flu, but after many tests and battling a sickness doctors could not diagnose, he died six months later. As his first-born daughter, I was devastated and still am as I write this. I remember walking in my father's hospital room while he was watching Oprah. I told him that I was going to attend her show before the end of the year. Dad loved me so much he allowed me to videotape him on his sick bed. My intentions were to send the videotape to Oprah and hope for tickets, but, unfortunately, I lost the videotape. But last Wednesday, I woke up to a bed of tears. I was in Chicago; I was going to attend a taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show, and I was overwhelmed with emotions. I recalled my father's words to me, and I reflected upon that moment in the hospital room. I got dressed and put on my father's praying hands, which my mom gave me at his funeral.

Dad, are you watching me? Can you see what's about to happen?

I was so confident that he knew that this day would come. I entered the doors to Oprah's studio. They seated me on the first seat of the front row. Who would have thought a plain old girl from Plano, Texas, would be sitting on the front row of Oprah's show? The audience coordinator asked who was happy to be there, and I screamed. He called me up on the stage and told the audience I would be Oprah. He told me to sit on the famous couch where she interviews her guests. I sat on the couch but realized I was sitting where the guests sat, so I immediately switched seats. The audience laughed. I grabbed Oprah's pillow and held it. I was thinking about my conversation with Dad. I held the pillow tighter. I am sure nobody understood why I was so overwhelmed.

Then the audience coordinator said, "Cheryl, you will be Oprah. Go outside the famous doors and come back in." I lost my composure. I, the preachers' kid, Robert Hawthorne's daughter, was about to walk through the same doors that the queen of talk Oprah Winfrey did. When the doors opened I walked through them just like Oprah, and I shook hands with the audience members and I remember one lady jumping in the aisle to give me a hug. (Was that from my dad?) As I walked up on the stage, I listened to the crowd cheering and yelling for me. I motioned for them to sit down, but they continued. I looked up and thought, "Dad, this is for you."

I am convinced that those praying hands worked for me. Oprah says that nothing happens by accident. I believe that

Are you living paycheck to paycheck like most Americans?  Once a week I will randomly post a deal of the day on behalf of the Sisters of Savings just for YOU.  The Sisters of Savings website has over 1.9 million hits per month, that tells me people are desperate for help and my dynamic sister, Lynette Shofner, will assist me in finding and sharing the best Deals and Steals with you in the area.

On every profile you create they ask the question What is your favorite Movie.  During these tough times hopefully it will make you stop an consider the things that are most improtant in life.  For me that's my faith, family and friends.  Make Monday's Movie night.  Visit Redbox.com and sign up for their FREE newsletter and every Monday they will send you a code to receive a FREE movie.

In addition to Monday Movies this month is March Madness and Redbox.com also has a code for a FREE movie on Wednesdays too.  Remember this is a FREE movie rental.  What are you waiting on,?  Sign up and remember to leave me your comments.  If you email me a great deal and I use it, you never know what you will receive.  In order to be successful, there is something you must do, I need to know that you understand the advice I am sharing with you and that you are applying it to your life.  You have to tell me how you are doing and what you need help with and I will be here to assist you.

Until next time, Sisters of Savings will teach you how spend less  and give more.  We also offer a workshop the first Saturday of each month.  Visit www.sistersofsavings.com products link  for more information.  Until next time.

Cheryl Jackson

Check out my non-profit www.thegivingmovement.org Real People, Real Stories, Real Simple- GIVE 

With the struggle in the economy, consumers will see more stores closing their doors and we  will have the opportunity to purchase our favorite must have products at reduced prices. 

As a retail store owner this week I was faced with a decision for my store, The Giving Boutique.  We are relocating ( just moving across the street) but I had to decide if I wanted to pay movers to box, pack and move the items or just put all of my stores inventory on sale.   Needless to say since I am a Sister of Savings,  I decided this would be the perfect time to pass some savings on to the consumers which means you can find designer suits like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren  and other brands that  retail for up to $169.00 on sale for $20.00 and all our jeans and pants are just $10.00  and nothing is above $20.00 in the entire store.  Many business owners are facing the same decisions. This is a buyers market.  You can see store closings on every corner. 

The temptation is always there, clearance items everywhere and what should you do?  You walk on by.  Just because a store is closing don't run to the first sign that says 20% off.  The store will continue to mark down their inventory because they are leaving and if you are patient you can get items for pennies on the dollar.

Ask yourself if you really need the product.   Google the product you need to find the lowest price and then be prepared to wait it out.  I found software I had to have that was $79.00 for $1.90  What have you found because you were patient?  Tell me about it, I love reading about great deals!

Until next time keep saving and giving.

Cheryl Action Jackson

My son RJ and my sister Chandra was in the same spirit and so we loaded up the car and headed to Victory Park.  We were about to experience the swearing in of the first Black President.   My heart was pounding with anticipation.  As the ceremony began, it seemed as though I could hear all the conversations of my mother and grandmother and those that had gone before me. I could see their eyes filled with tears and I as mine began to flow, I could taste the past pains and as the winds began to dry my tears it was as though God was saying, it's over now.    I was overtaken with emotions.  I was filled with love, peace and although it was cold, my tears warmed my heart. 

I watched as they swore Barak Obama into the office of the President.  I know we aren't supposed to do the ugly cry but I felt it coming. Little by little the tears began to flow and then the faucet went on full force.

I remember learning the Gettysburg address in the 4th grade the words "Our forefather's brought together A NEW nation" and that is the feeing I had.  It seemed that in the 30 minutes of this ceremony, a new nation was conceived. I am proud to be a part of this nation.  I pledge to do my part to make the world a better place.  My nonprofit, The Giving Movement will be a huge part of this iniative.  Join the movement and create a profile.  Let's be go givers.  Let's love our neighbors as ourselves.   My name is Cheryl Jackson and I am proud to be an American!