Honoring Our Veterans

Hey y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a fabulous day! For those that know me, know that I love the military, HOOAH. I'm a Navy brat and an Army wife. While this post has absolutely nothing to do with the science behind personal care products, it has everything to do with honoring our nation's Veterans.

My husband is on his 25th year in the Army. The military has been very good to me and my family. Growing up in a military home, I learned discipline from a very early age. Moving every 3 years molded my personality. Saying goodbye to old friends and hey to new friends was an emotional cycle, and one I'm very glad to have experienced. It especially helped me in my teenage years when being a follower would have been an easy choice.

When my husband Prevo returned home in 2006 from a tour in Iraq, he wrote the song, 'Veteran's Hand'. It's about his experience while being in a foreign land, away from the comforts of home and everything you know. Away from everything you hold to be true and dear to your heart. Last year, Dennis, a brother in arms, contacted Prevo to ask permission to use his song in a video to honor Veterans. Some of you may have seen this video on my post last year and I wanted to share it again.

Our Nation's Veterans, past and present, deserve to be honored for their dedication, service and sacrifice. A favorite quote by Gen. MacArthur says it all, "Duty," "Honor," "Country" - those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you want to be, what you can be, what you will be".

Thanks to all Veterans and their family members. I greatly appreciate your dedication, service and sacrifice. You will never be forgotten.

Thanks for stopping by y'all. Have a wonderful day!

Veterans Day Tribute

Hey y'all!

I hope this post finds you having a great day! Today we honor all military veterans, past and present for their service and sacrifice. This day is especially dear to my heart because of my strong military connections. I'm a Navy Brat and an Army Wife, HOOAH!

Spoken by General Douglas MacArthur at his farewell speech, "Duty," "Honor," "Country" - those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you want to be, what you can be, what you will be".

{care of Istockphoto.com}

My husband, Prevo, was contacted by a brother in arms to ask permission to use his song, Veterans Hand. Dennis put together the following tribute to Prevo's song. Hope you enjoy and please pass it on.



Thanks for stopping by y'all and have a great day!


Cactus & Ivy

A Love Story or What?

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. It is down right cold in my neck of the woods and I really believe it should be illegal for the South to get this cold!

As you know, I am on Twitter, where I have met fabulous individuals from all walks of life. I treasure the friendships I've made. A particular tweet from @TreesInstead prompted me to write this post.

On the Trees Instead site, they are having a Valentines Day Love Story Giveaway. The story that receives the most votes will get $250 AMEX gift card and an acre of trees to dedicate for your loved one in any US State, Canada, The Amazon or Israel. So, without further ado, here's my love story. So, after you read my story and feel it deserves a vote, then go on over to Trees Instead and cast away.

I met my husband, Prevo, on June 12, 1994. It just so happened that O.J. Simpson was in the midst of a hot police chase. Any who, I met Prevo at a club in Columbia, SC. We hit it off and I did something I've never done. I gave him my phone number. We danced into the very wee hours of the morning and I just knew that I'd hear from him in a day or two. Wrong!

A week later, I contacted a friend of mine, who contacted a friend of hers, who happened to work for law enforcement. Yes, I know what you are thinking, "she stalked him". Well......yes and no. I wasn't your average, daily variety stalker. I wasn't going to cause him bodily harm if he turned me away, I just wanted an explanation of why he was essentially blowing me off. That old "woman scorned" thought was churning in my head.

To sum things up, I turned up at his parents house because I was given their address. Little did I know that his father's name is Prevo as well. Can you picture Prevo's face when he pulled in their yard and saw me sitting under the pecan tree, drinking a beer with his parents? Oh yeah buddy, you aren't seeing things. It's the crazy, blond chick from a week ago. All I can say is "deer in the headlights".

Fast forwarding to the year 1996, we decided it was time to get married. We decided nothing formal but we didn't set a date. December 11th rolled around and I was sitting in the kitchen getting the 15th of the month bills together, when Prevo walks in. He had just told his boss where to shove it and then casually walked into the kitchen. I looked up at him and in a matter of seconds from just walking by me, he was naked, standing next to the fridge, shot-gunning his second beer. What did I say? Yep, you read me right!

I asked him what was going on and his reply was, "You wanna get married, or what"? And my reply was, "I guess so". So, Prevo got dressed and I had 10 minutes to put up the bills and off to town we went. We were married by the Magistrate and his secretary was our witness. There wasn't a dress, rings or friends to stand up for us. Yeah, I know. It wasn't very romantic but it makes for a funny story and I wouldn't change a thing.

Prevo wrote a song about how we got hitched. It's called, what else? "You Wanna Get Married, Or What"? And you can listen to it on Prevo's myspace, it's song number 5.


In August, 2005, Prevo's guard unit was deployed to Iraq for a 15 month tour of duty. The 122nd EN CO CSE was responsible for route clearance, or known as clearing IED's (Improvised Explosive Devices). We both knew the unit would be in harms way on a daily basis but I had confidence in Prevo's ability as a soldier to lead and perform the tasks at hand. HOOAH!!

It was the longest 15 months of my life and I thank the good Lord for the internet! We kept up with each other via instant messaging and emails. When it was night here, it was the next day there. He'd send me pictures of his life in Iraq and I would update him on the happenings in our home town.

This year will mark 15 years together and 13 years of marriage. Although my story is not all lovey dovey and full of "Awww", it is a love story nonetheless. I couldn't imagine my life without Prevo. We enjoy each others company so much that we would rather do things together than apart. The distance we experienced while Prevo was in Iraq just solidified in us the desire to spend as much time together because you are never guaranteed tomorrow.

Prevo and I love the outdoors, enjoy riding 4-wheelers, the Redneck Roller Coaster (a post for another day), playing corn hole with friends, getting away together or just chilling at home. We built a house together and most of it we completed ourselves and survived! I've always been told that if your marriage survives building a house then all is good!

So, there ya have it. Just a little about me and my crazy, wonderful life that I have built with my fabulous husband, Prevo. I know we may sound like a bunch of hicks from the back woods of South Carolina to some, but we are actually quite a bit of fun and full of life.

There isn't a second that goes by that I am not thankful for Prevo. I would move mountains to do any and everything for him. Over the years, we have weathered many good and bad situations. All have made us a stronger couple and I see myself growing very old with the love of my life!

Thanks for stopping by y'all and I hope you have a great day! And remember, "Life is short, so eat dessert first"!! Woot!!


Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Duty, Honor, Country

Hey Y'all!

I hope this post finds you doing well. Today we honor all military veterans, past and present. This day is especially dear to my heart because of my strong military connections.


My father served 22 years with the U.S. Navy and is a Vietnam veteran. My husband, Prevo, is presently serving active duty in the U.S. Army National Guard and is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. My two favorite men on the face of this earth know about sacrifice. They know about Duty, Honor, Country.

Today I am honoring all of those who served and fought for their country. Spoken by General Douglas MacArthur at his farewell speech, "Duty," "Honor," "Country" - those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you want to be, what you can be, what you will be".

When Prevo was deployed to Iraq in 2005-2006, his unit was given the task of Route Clearance. For those that do not know what this means, his unit was responsible for clearing routes of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's). Talk about being on pins and needles every minute of the day until I heard from him.


Prevo has many nicknames and one of which is Shrek. He took a Shrek figure with him to Iraq and pretty much carried him everywhere he went as his good luck charm.

“The training a soldier receives before leaving home can never compare to the experience learned in battle but it helps to increase the chances that the soldier makes it back home.” ~ Prevo Rodgers, Jr.


While in Iraq, Prevo had a favorite place to go to unwind, write music and sing songs that reminded him of home. Before he left for Iraq, we went to the local bar in town to gather with all of our friends and members of our community. We took several shirts for people to write well wishes for Prevo. He is pictured above on that rooftop in Iraq, wearing a shirt signed by many who attending the gathering.


May we always remember the fallen and continue to pray for those in harms way. Take some time today to honor all veterans, past and present. They have sacrificed all to provide the umbrella of freedom we sometimes take for granted.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy

Guinea Chick With A Southern Accent

Hey Y'all!

I sure hope this post finds you doing well. It's 69 degrees out and there is a 70% chance of rain today. With the gloomy setting outside, this feels like a fun, getting to know me kind of day! Hang on y'all......

By now, you all know that I am the CEO of Cactus & Ivy, a cruelty free, vegan and natural spa and body products manufacturer. Cactus & Ivy is my baby and I take great pride in the products I create for all the present and future "Guinea Chicks" out there! And, you may be surprised to know that guys are "Guinea Chicks" too. There is such an animal as a male chick!

Now to learn a little more about how I pass the time when I'm not creating fabulous bath and body products. As I have mentioned before, I am the Army wife of Prevo and we get along like peas and carrots. Prevo is definitely the man I am destined to spend the rest of my life with.



Prevo has the higher percentage of talent between the two of us. Prevo is a singer/songwriter and I can't sing a lick. Not even in the shower or to the radio. However, I make a mean body scrub and Prevo's talent in that department is that he knows how to use it. Yes.....Prevo is a "Guinea Chick", the first to be exact! I am eternally grateful that he is willing to be my very first test subject for all products! Woo-hoo Prevo.....way to support your wife! I love you more than my luggage babe! You definitely ROCK!



For fun around here, we are usually gathering with friends and playing corn hole. Prevo and I make corn hole boards as well. There isn't a whole lot out there that we can't do. Oops, I forgot.....we can't shag and we live in South Carolina. Gasp!!

Before Prevo left for Iraq in August, 2005, we wanted to give him a send off that he would remember. We got together with a large group of friends and had the 1st Annual Hog Wrestlin' Event. We even had spectators! This had to be the best day, I do believe, that I have spent in all my adult life. Prevo and I were surrounded by people who know how to have fun and absolutely no animals were harmed during the event. The bruised egos, legs, arms and tail bones were all on the intelligent species and I don't mean the pigs! Many of us, (not me), ended up with poison ivy due to our neighbor making the mud hole in a poison ivy bed! Way to go...genius! And, just so you don't think I am "dissing" my neighbor, the "genius" line came from a radio disc jockey. He called my neighbor that after reading my letter on the air. That's another post I'll save for later.



Any who, back to the fun. Here we are in all our glory. It was a fabulous day and this photo remained on Prevo's desk inside his hooch in Iraq. It reminded him of who and what he had back home. It gave him more determination to serve his country and come home alive! Here's to great friends and good times! Life is too short to take it seriously ALL the time! Oh, and by the way, I am one half of the winning team! Oh yeah! Roy and I won the 1st Annual Hog Wrestlin' Event. Woo-hoo!

So, that's a little look into my private life. To some, it may look a little wild and not for them and that's OK. Prevo and I love life and we definitely live it to the fullest. I am leaving you with this. I will never compromise the integrity of myself, family, friends or Cactus & Ivy to get ahead in life. What you see is what you get! I am a loyal wife, daughter, friend and Small Business Owner. That you can take to the bank, even in today's' economy!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous day!

Lisa M. Rodgers
Creator-Extraordinaire
Cactus & Ivy