The More Things Change. . .

The More They Stay The Same.

It's amazing how no matter how many people filter through, no matter how many years pass, things really stay the same. And this is a good "staying the same".

I had a LOT of drive time this afternoon between work and home [Note to self: Make sure you put your flash drive in your bag BEFORE you head home for the weekend - had to go all the way back for it]. This might have been a bad thing, except I'm getting very comfortable driving and talking on my cell phone at the same time. Yes, Dad, I always use my headset. So, during my extended travels, I was able to talk to three clients to confirm parties next week, a fellow distributor to plan an outing this weekend and pump each other up for our weekend shows, and get caught up with 2 of my cousins.

So where does the whole "The More Things Change" thing come in? My cousin's boyfriend's sister's son (did you follow that? Read it again if you got lost.) is graduating this year from the same high school as me. She got the announcement in the mail this week. I was asking her what the design looked like for this year's class, in particular, I was curious about whether the kids were still using a rather prominent element that came to be 2 years prior to my older sister's announcements were chosen. The class of 1987 had a lot of interesting characters that made up the student body. One of the boys was quite memorable, not only for his fun, wild ways and gregarious personality, but also for his artistic inclinations. My high school's mascot is the Wizard, which is incredibly unique, and has an interesting story all it's own. But, I digress. During his senior year, this young man decided that his legacy to his classmates would be to hand draw the artwork for the commencement announcements. It is a stunning drawing of a Wizard in long robes, wearing the "traditional" hat and holding a lightening bolt in one hand and a crystal ball in the other. Ever since it's first appearance, that beautiful drawing has "made the cut" and been included in the announcements. Not by mandate of the school, but by vote of each year's senior class. And the class of 2008 kept up the tradition.

It's good to know that no matter how many years pass, or how many seniors "make it to the blue chairs", that there is still something special that continues from year to year. So memorable is this piece of art, that when I finally made it home later today, I felt compelled to pull out my senior year scrapbook and look at it again.

Can it Possibly Get Any Better??

I got back yesterday from National Convention in New Orleans and am just SHOCKED at how much better and better my business opportunity keeps getting.

Aside from the sheer joy of spending an entire weekend away with the best ladies I've ever met in my life and the fun that was had out on Bourbon Street, it was also a surreal experience watching so many people get recognized for so many incredible accomplishments. Seriously jaw dropping what some of the distributors are getting done.

And the new things to work towards are also no less fantastic. I've been working today to reevaluate all of my goals for 2008 and beyond because of the changes. I love the feel of that fire when it gets lit!!

It's Finally Time!!

Finally, Finally, a weekend away from the routine. It's Convention Time, kids!! I can hardly wait to get down to New Orleans and celebrate all of last year's accomplishments with the other lovely Slumber Parties distributors. I think that this year will be even more fun than last year, having been in for two years with previous "convention experience" under my belt. I think that my friends and family that I am leaving behind are just a bit worried about the extent to which I plan to let my hair down.

At least this year I know which local "joints" are the best ones to hang out at and which are the ones not worth going into. My roomate and I have strategically planned out our evening party-hopping in order to maximize the fun and still make it to a couple of training sessions.

She and I already tempted fate Monday night by going downtown to the Bon Jovi concert - I haven't laughed that much or had that much fun in years!! It was totally worth the ridiculous amount I paid for the tickets. Good grace, when did it get so expensive to go to a concert?!? The best part was, of course, spending two and a half hours enjoying the view that is David Bryan - the keyboard player. I could stare for days. . .

Alright - I simply must go and pack, then off to bed early, as my flight departs at the unholy time of 6:05 a.m. What was I thinking when I booked this thing?

New Year, New Me

OK, so it's already more than halfway through January and I still haven't done anything to update my blog, but, hey, I've been crazy-busy!

Now that things are back to just busy (as opposed to crazy-busy), I can take the time to update things. 2007 was a year of change for me and now that I've had a little time to look back on what happened, I am happy to report that all of the changes were very good for me personally, as well as professionally. Things are all going in the direction that I want them to go and I'm really excited about what 2008 will bring.

My business is starting to hit it's stride and things are becoming automatic for me, which is a huge blessing and now allows me a lot more freedom with my time then I thought. I can get everything done that I need to and still have time for myself, my friends, and my family. Not only that, but I had a personal best in sales and began to build my team, which will create some stability and a foundation for a prosperous future. It has so far been a challenging and fascinating journey, learning to be a leader and I am enjoying my role not only with my downline, but also on the bigger "stage" that facilitating trainings and meetings bring. There is so far no where to go but up with this amazing opportunity that I jumped into just 2 short years ago. I feel like I have really come into myself, learning so much more than I thought possible and realizing that there is more to life than the small circles that I was once a part of. There are many to be helped and there is nothing more rewarding than the thank you that I get when something that I have said or taught ends up changing or improving someone else's life.

My day job is still in a lot of transition right now as we go through the pains of being merged with another company, which should be complete in the first half of the year. I think that the change will be a great wake-up call for some that have become complacent with regard to their position in the company and will also offer a lot of room for growth for me personally, as I have been informed that the new company has already shown interest in moving me to a position that better fits my skill set. This will also be a great time to negotiate a better work schedule for myself so that I will have even more time to devote to my business and be able to watch it grow at an even faster pace.

2007 brought a closeness with my family that we haven't had in quite a while. There were a few months of tension and stress, but things are now coming full circle to where there is better understanding of each other and what we all need (and don't need) from each other. Hopefully this will continue in the same direction and I foresee some major changes in the players.

As for my personal life, which I know everyone is always so worried about, it is going quite well and I am enjoying all of the things that a single, unattached girl can in a big metropolis, including those fun one-on-one social interactions with those of the opposite sex. Yes, readers and worriers, that would mean dating. Gasp! Only time will tell whether the fish on the line gets hauled into the boat, or whether I let him get away - I am hoping for the former and not the latter!

There were a few chapters in my life that I had to close the proverbial book on and though it was quite painful, the further I get from the situations, the more I know that I made the right decision. My stress level has dropped tremendously each time I separated myself from something that I knew deep down wasn't working for me and ironically, I have found even more time for some of my life pleasures that I thought I no longer wanted to do anymore. The creativity and passion that I once felt is now coming back and I am enjoying my "craftiness" once again. I am even starting to feel the writing bug once again and that voice has been silent for many years. The ideas seem to be flooding into my head and I am enjoying getting them down. Sadly, I miss the people that I had to say goodbye to, as well as a few fun activities that I will no longer be a part of, but I know that there will always be fun memories to draw upon.

2008 looks to be a glorious year in many ways for me and I wake up every day feeling blessed to be a part of many things that I know are greater than myself, but that I contribute to on a regular basis!

It's That Time of Year!

It's finally upon me - time to go out Christmas shopping. I've been dreading it, trying to avoid it and hopelessly fretting over it for quite a while now, but I can't let it go anymore. It officially stared yesterday when I was at a craft show and found the perfect things for the kiddos - couldn't believe how cute and the guy cut me a deal because I needed so many!!

Time to get out into the crowds. I am hoping that between 2 and 5 today that there will be fewer people out there since that is when the Bronco game is on, but we shall see. Thanks to TiVO, I won't miss a moment of the game!! Here's the kicker, though. I have to unload my car BEFORE shopping. Who has to do that, except me!! I've had 5 parties this week and the car is loaded down with all of my business stuff, leaving no room for any kind of shopping.

And where shall we go trekking this year? To an amazing place called Southlands Mall - it seems like every time I need to go to a specific store for something, it's out in that neck of the woods - I don't even know why I attempt to shop anywhere else anymore since everything I want is right there. No more bopping around all over town - just park once and it's all right there!! I LOVE modern malls!!

OK, I'll Play

From Andrea's blog at http://buriedinpaper.blogspot.com

Accent – I don't have one, but everybody else sure does!

Drinks - Mostly water, occasionally Sprite. Alcoholic is just about anything with Vodka.

Pets - I have a cat and a part-time dog. I used to have an aquarium with fish, but they didn't make it through the move. Right now I just have a glass box with yucky water in it. Maybe I should do something about that.

Essential Electronics - laptop, i-Pod, Palm Pilot, Cell Phone

Perfume - I've gotten away from wearing it, but when I do, it's usually something with a vanilla scent to it. Maybe I should do something about that, too.

Gold or Silver - Silver

Insomnia - Sometimes. A lot less these last couple of weeks, which has been nice.

Job Title - Romance Enhancement Consultant. And Senior Business Support - hopefully soon to be Legal Compliance Analyst.

Most Admired Trait - I don't think I have one. I know for a fact that no one envies my life!! I know I don't! :-)

Kids - Nope. But maybe someday.

Phobia - I don't think I have one.

Religion - Christian

Siblings - One older sister

Time I Wake Up - 5:15. Also known as O'Dark Thirty

Unusual Talent or Skill - I can talk to total strangers about all kinds of sexual things without getting embarrased. Is that a skill?

Vegetable I Refuse to Eat - Tomatoes, Mushrooms

Worst Habit - Procrastination. I'm quite good at it.

X-rays - 2004 on my kidneys.

My Favorite Meal - Anything that resembles American comfort food - steak and potatoes, beef stew. I love all of that stuff!

If you would like to play, have at it!

What Was I Thinking?

Oh, yes, it's official. I've over-extended myself yet again. I even know exactly how it happened. I remember the date, I remember where I was, I remember what I was doing, who I was with and I even remember the conversation. I just didn't bank on the results. Bad move on my part.

I have been appointed as co-chairman of the Colorado Slumber Parties Holiday Party. For the whole state. What was I thinking?

And to make it even more fun, the "committee" has had 2 meetings, and my co-chair, who shall remain nameless, for now, has already bowed out of one committee entirely, leaving me with 3 to handle, and now, tonight, she has given up her co-chair duties. Thankfully, someone else is stepping up to the plate to help me a little, but COME ON!

What was I thinking?!?

Starting to Feel Like Home

After spending the better part of the last 2 days unpacking boxes and deciding where things should go, my new condo is finally starting to feel like home to me. It's interesting what things make you feel like you're a little more permanent in your new space. Like being able to put a tablecloth on the dining room table, finding somewhere to put all of the casserole dishes, getting all of the "office" stuff into the office - not unpacked and put away, but at least the boxes aren't in the living room anymore.

Happily, my dad is coming down tomorrow to help me move my aquarium, which is the absolute last large piece that needs to come over. Then after that, this Sunday morning I will be finishing up the last of the moving and then next Saturday, it's time to clean and then be DONE with renting forever!!

My mind is starting to grasp how big of an accomplishment this has been and I can finally admit that it's awesome, and - I did it!!

Newly Discovered Bliss

I've recently discovered that I love working in bed. Love.It. Had absolutely no idea until about a month ago. Right around when I moved into my new condo. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I don't care.

Now, as much as I love it, there are still a few obstacles to making it the absoute best thing since sliced bread.

First, when I had my cable installed, I didn't through very clearly where I wanted the DVR installed. I ended up having them put it in the living room. In hindsight, a BIG mistake. That I need to get corrected so that I can do all of the cool things you can do with DVR from the comfort of my bed.

Second, The work space has a lot to be desired. Now, I have a lap desk, that serves it's purpose pretty well. But, what I really want is this:



It is a beauty to behold - available through the greatest store ever invented for readers - Levenger. This little wonder can be used on either side of the bed and can adjust to several heights. It's also strong enough to hold a laptop computer. Which, by the way, is the key to my love of working in bed. Right along with the whole wireless internet amazement.

What would we do without modern technology?

I'm slowly learning that it's the little things that make people the happiest. Small steps. That's what counts.

New Beginnings

The day has finally arrived! I am closing on my condo this afternoon. I'm still not excited about it, but I think that's because of knowing that my luck tends to run very thin. I'm sure that my excitement will grow throughout the morning, as I treck to NOrthern Colorado to pick up the cashier's check for the down payment. Once I am done signing those 5,000 papers to take ownership of my condo, it's then off to pick up more moving boxes that a friend of mine has been saving at his work.

And then? An actual evening out where I get to socialize and have some fun with another friend of mine. Comedy Works and then dancing at The Stampede. I haven't done either of these things in ages.

Tomorrow is more high adventure as I go shopping for a new car. An SUV in order to grow my business to where I want it to be. And, of course, a bigger payment. And higher insurance. And more gas.

Ah, to begin life anew!

Occasionally, Things Go Well

In just under 48 hours, much progress has been made in my world! I got the second insurance check today, which will get deposited tomorrow. I got my closing scheduled for next Friday and there is only one more piece of information that is needed to finish that up. My apartment has been getting cleaned up a little more each morning. I had a very fun and relaxing dinner with a friend this evening and now I am home getting ready to tackle all of my outstanding to-do items for my business.

It's amazing what a couple of days will do!

Physical Clutter is a Reflection of Mental Clutter

I read this statement today and it pretty much hit me like a ton of bricks. My personal living space has gotten out of control (again) and I haven't been able to figure out what my problem is. This statement is the only thing that has made any sense to me in the last month. And it's little wonder.

I am currently trying to close on a house, which includes all the minute detail involved with finally separating myself entirely from my ex-husband. Plus trying to pick a moving date, coordinating the escape of my current lease and deciding whether it's just easier to hire movers than to attempt to ask anyone to help me to move, which, incidentally, has never worked in the past. It usually ends up that it's just me and my dad moving me somewhere. Super fun and entirely too tiring.

I am also trying to research cars to buy, which is a lot harder than it sounds. I'm running out of time to do this and the stress is building. Quickly.

Still dealing with the theft from my garage. I did get the first check from the insurance company so I can get my electronics replaced. They are giving me a huge hassle regarding replacing all of my business product. I now have to provide and excel spreadsheet with each item written out, the retail price, my cost, and whether each item is net or retail. Did I mention that I've already submitted a list of everything stolen? And that I had to get SP Corporate involved? They had to fax a letter to the insurance agency explaining that I purchase things at a discount and then sell them to customers at retail price. Hasn't American Family Insurance ever heard of running a business?

I am starting to not like my day job. At all. I can't stand the fact that I own my own business, where I make every single decision, and yet I have to stand at a copy machine during the day and take orders from other people. I hate it. And there's nothing I can do about it.

I am trying to run a business in my spare time, which is eating me alive. I am so tired all of the time and can't find the energy to stay awake after I get off from my day job to do the customer service that my customers deserve. I booked 4 parties on Thursday night. Have I mailed anything out? Have I followed up? I haven't even written the thank you note to the hostess from Saturday afternoon and it's already Monday.

And I'm supposed to be training to do a 150 mile bike ride in July. I can't fit in going to the gym.

Somewhere in here I have to find the time to pack up my apartment in preparation for the move. Which I can already tell will be put off until the night before the movers arrive (since I will probably just hire them, since it's easier than depending on people).

Which brings me back to the state of my personal living space. Disaster. I can't manage to take the trash out. I have 6 rolling toolboxes sitting in my living room because I'm afraid to leave them in my garage for fear that they will get stolen. There are piles of paper everywhere and I never have time to deal with any of it. I can't even put away things that I have purchased recently - it's all just sitting in the shopping bags. I don't know what my problem is, but it's getting to the point where I am becoming paralyzed by the mess.

Calgon can't even take me away from my own hell.

Will I Ever Catch a Break?

I can't seem to win in the game of life. Every time I turn around, there's a new obstacle to hurdle. Even when things seem to start going in a really great direction, something happens.

This morning, I went to my garage to load up to meet with my mortgage broker and founf that it had been broken into. Unbelievable!!

So, instead of just loading up my car, I have to call the police to file a report, talk with the management office to have locks changed, notify all the credit bureaus to put a fraud alert on my accounts, call all of my banks to alert them, change all of my online passwords and every other thing that is associated with this mess.

And what was stolen? My product demo. And part of my inventory. And my I-pod. And my Palm Pilot. And batteries - that I just bought yesterday. And a bunch of cds.

Can't I please just catch a break?!?

Well, at least I know how it will turn out!

You Will Be a Cool Parent

You seem to naturally know a lot about parenting, and you know what kids need. You can tell when it's time to let kids off the hook, and when it's time to lay down the law. While your parenting is modern and hip, it's not over the top. You know that there's nothing cool about a parent who acts like a teenager... or a drill sergeant!

Would You Be a Cool Parent?

It's Official - I'm Addicted

to the t.v. show '24'. I just started watching the first season on DVD and I'm HOOKED!! I have to send the first one back and actually WAIT for the next disc. Might be easier to just start buying the seasons and keeping them for myself!

Round 5. And Counting.

It's snowing yet again in the metro area. Shoveling has officially commenced. I was able to get out of the house for about an hour today to run a couple of errands. I probably could have gotten away with not going out, but it was good to be able to see whether I could do it or not. For the second week in a row, I've had business meetings canceled due to the weather - which is getting old, fast.

Apparently it's a good day to finish my taxes.

Enough Already - Sheesh!

It started snowing again today. For the fourth weekend in a row. It's also wicked-cold out there. So cold, that I only went out and shoveled once. I'll pay for that decision tomorrow morning, I'm sure. This snow is SO OLD!! We're not used this "snow staying around for days" thing in Colorado. We usually don't mind a big storm here and there, because USUALLY, it melts away within 2 days and then we can wear shorts again until the next snow fall. But, this is ridiculous! I'm not even a homeowner - I'm just a renter - and I've had to shovel a lot of the white stuff this year. Good grace, I hope when I own my place, I don't have to shovel this much. Ever.

I'm going a little stir-crazy today, can you tell? My family held their monthly breakfast today and I called the parentals to tell then that I wasn't going to make it. They (no, my mom) tried to send me on a guilt trip for not going. Didn't work, though! I stood my ground and said 'Nope - not going to drive in this'. Of course, if a party had been at stake, then I would have been there!! Gotta love perspective!

Ten Words

I was given an assignment by a friend of mine to come up with ten words that start with the letter 'R'. Then I also have to explain why I chose that particular word. So, here we go:

Reason - there is a reason that everything happens. Even the bad things. We may never understand or even know the reason, but it's out there and at some point we will all be better for all of those unexplained things that happen to us.

Right - From the immortal words of Professor Dumbledore, "the time will come when one will have to chose between what is right and what is easy." I think this phrase sums up everything I have experienced in my world over the last 3 or so years. And I dare anyone to argue the point with me.

Rich - We all dream of being rich, but I think that we forget to define the word. It means so many different things. I have realized, slowly, but surely, that although my bank balances dip into the red zone more often than I would like, I am still rich. I have a job. I have a wonderful business opportunity. I have family and friends that I know support and respect me - and even a few that I know love me. I have a place to lay my head at night, a pantry filled with too much food, a car that runs, pets that adore me, and aspirations to motivate me. I am rich in every sense of the word.

Resourceful - It seems that whenever a challenge comes my way, things all fall into place and I end up on my feet. Hmm, maybe I live a more charmed life then I give credit.

Relax - this is certainly a state of being that I am always striving for. Happily, I think that I am at my most relaxed when I am at full speed. I seem to thrive on getting it all done with seconds to spare. I wonder what it's like to get things done ahead of time.

Relations - so many meanings for this particular word, as it relates to me and my life. With family. With friends. With business associates. With lovers. With those who may bless me in the future.

Reflection - I am starting to enjoy looking back on the path that my life has laid. For a long time, it was hard to reflect, but I am learning that there is something real to the phrase, "that which does not kill us, will make us stronger."

Real - I love the song by Trisha Yearwood "Real Live Woman". It's an anthem about how a woman comes into her own and realizes that she has more to give than a lot give credit for, that there is true love out there for everyone and that it's OK to not completely bend and break to unrealistic expectations.

Randy - I wouldn't be honest with myself and all of you if I didn't fess up to my wild side!

Ready - After a few rocky years of discovering who I am and where I want to go in my life, I think that I am officially ready to tackle all that will befall me in my enlightened future.

Sick of Snow

We in Colorado have had it with the whole snow-thing. Enough already. It snowed again yesterday - probably 3-4 inches in my neighborhood. I still haven't shoveled - I just keep driving over it, which is bad, because I'm going to eventually just mush it down and it will turn to an ice rink. How fun would that be?

So Long 2006!

I'm actually a little glad to see it go. I was hoping that 2006 would be my year - and boy was it! A year for many changes, not all of them good. So, now is a good time for reflection and to try and plan a monstrous 2007.

What did I accomplish in 2006?

1. Started my own home-based business. It has gone pretty well - I am #1 in sales for my immediate upline and am currently waiting to hear whether I made top 10 on my district team.

2. Graduated from college with honors - A Bachelor's degree in History with a minor in Political Science. This one was a tough one to accomplish, but I am glad that I did it - AND, no one can ever take away my degree!

3. Got laid off from a job that I didn't really care for - and found an even better one to replace it. This was truly one of the best things to happen to me this year, especially considering that through this, I really learned who my friends are. I'm still in contact with those that meant the most to me.

4. Got rid of a lot of "friend" baggage - again, this was due to being laid off. The true colors of those I thought I knew shone through and I am thrilled to have exited stage right from that entire dramatic production. Although, I got text messages from 1 person in a starring role and another in a supporting role on Christmas Day. The holidays - the most weird time of year!

5. I got to know some other friends a lot better and I am very happy to report that I think these are folks that will be around for the long haul. They are the sort that I share a lot of values with and who are also becoming a great support system - people I know I can count on when it really hits the fan. You know how good of friend you are to someone when you are honored to be on the "short-list" of immediate notifications when their new baby arrives.

And, so, some resolutions for 2007:

1. Expand my business by 50% over the course of the year. I did about $17,000 in sales this year and I would love to see that number double, but a more realistic goal is to increase to about $26,000 - this would be in a ramp-up to try for $50,000 in my third year, something that I truly think that I can do.

2. Pay off all of my unnecessary debt in preparation for buying my own place this year.

3. Nice lead-in from #2 - buy my own place. My dream would be to buy back the house that I once had. I loved that house with it's huge kitchen, porch in the front and yard in the back. But, alas, my income is a far-cry from what it would take for that, so I'll just "settle" for anything with a mortgage that isn't any smaller than what I'm currently renting. (For those that need to know - 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, ~1,000 square feet, and a garage). A pantry and linen closet would be nice additions!

4. Exercise a heck of a lot more. OK, so this one is forced from my doctor, but still, it's a goal. And besides, what resolution list would be complete without the "losing weight, eating right, exercising more" lie that we all write down.

5. Make better use of my time. I've decided that my mantra for 2007 will be "How Bad Do You Want It" and my theme song will be the title of the same name by Tim McGraw. Hopefully, this will help me make some better decisions about how I spend my time - as in, "is what you are doing right now moving you closer to your goals?" If the answer is no, then I need to change what I am doing.

Here's to the arrival of 2007 - MY year!!