I'm back ....

This past summer was crazy!!

Now ....where do I begin? 

I think ...
instead of playing catch up .. I'll just start blogging and as I share I'll do some back stories.

For example ..

Brooke started college in August ...
meaning ...
she moved out.

Yes, I cried ....for days (weeks)!!

But I'm all better now.
She's been coming home on Friday's .....
doing some laundry ...
then heading back to her dorm on Saturday.
I'm just happy to see her!!

We had Parents Day at the Kansas City Art Institute this weekend and we got to spend the entire weekend with her.  It felt like old times!!

Here's a picture of Brooke and I ..taken with my hubby's iPhone (we've gotten horrible about taking pictures with our iPhones .. but we're happy they take decent pics).

  Dave mainly took this picture to show off our crazy colorful umbrellas....
and after looking at this picture ...
I'm going to buy myself a black umbrella ....or maybe I can find a clear one!!  Too bad he didn't get a picture of my purse ....

I should save this story for another day ...
but just let me just say ...
make sure you have the right Coach Outlet before you purchase a Coach bag online!!
Last week I was called STUPID ...by the company that sold me a FAKE  and I guess they are right .. I had a stupid moment.  Another lesson learned .....the hard way.

I've since found the real Coach outlet and received a beautiful Coach bag (that's the real deal).  If you need an invite to the real store let me know (it's the only way in ..is to be invented either by a friend or by a Coach outlet store).

Gotta run ..... I have five video tutorials to film now that Dave is out of town .....
having him at home is like having young children .. or barking dogs. 

See ya!

Touching base .....

hey there,
I bet you're wondering where I went!!
So ...
here's the latest ...

I went to San Antonio for the Stampin Up! Leadership conference.
It was wonderful!
The weather was awesome!
I had a blast!
And the best part ....
was hanging out with all my fellow demonstrators!

I tell everyone that being a Stampin Up Demonstrator is more than selling product ...it's about belonging and being a part of something.  The classes & clubs are fun ...but the relationships we develop are GOLD.

Miss Bella survived without me ...or I should say I survived without her...Barely!
Anytime someone would ask about her I had to break out my phone and show pictures.

She'll be 5 months old tomorrow and she's almost 11 pounds.  I love her more and more everyday ...even though she's not potty trained yet (we had gone almost two weeks without an accident and then last night she forgot :(

Moving on the next subject .....

The day after I returned from Leadership ... the painter showed up to paint my kitchen cabinets.  They look awesome!! But it was a lot of work to move everything ... all my kitchen drawer contents were all over my house.  If we needed a spoon it was like "wait ...where did we put those".   On the 15th we're getting granite.  Dave has wanted granite ever since it became popular ... and since he's paying for it so I'm in :)   Then over Spring Break we've having our floors redone ...and everything from our main level has to go in the garage :O   (YES, I'm freaking out ...but trying to not think about it!!!)

So ...that explains why I'm not posted on my blog ..... between working, Bella and the home improvements.  I'm stretched thin ...too bad being stretched thin doesn't make you lose weight!!

I''ll try to take some pictures and share them soon ...but I'm not sure you want to see painted cabinets that don't match the counters ... once the granite goes in ...it will look awesome!

Hope all is well with you!!!

me again .....

I'm decided to post again real quick .... after venting ... I received a really nice email from a customer.

She said she appreciates how much time and effort I put into my blog and that I'm on top of everything... letting everyone know what the specials are ... etc..  

So .. I feel better now ... just hearing from a few people that they get how much I care and how much time I spend working.   I'm not complaining but I really have worked 60 hours already this week (16 was on Wednesday) and I'm still working.  (Just filmed four videos this morning and now the editing begins).

 Just wanted to let you know I appreciate the comments/emails ... and I'm feeling much better!!

Have a great day!
p.s.  I'm going to try to update this site with all the pictures of Bella ...very soon!!   it's so easy to post them on Facebook.  But I know some of you dislike Facebook ...so I'll get you caught up.

Disappearing act

Sorry I've been gone for a while!  Some days I think everyone wants me to write and some days I think you must think I'm looney and wondering why I'm writing.
And ....when I get sad or depressed I hide or pull a disappearing act.

I constantly tell my children that if they can't say something nice ...don't say anything at all.  People have always felt the need to correct me or change me and I just want to tell people to please lighten up.  We should have fun ...we should laugh and we're going to make a lot of mistakes.  But we're human ...we're supposed to!!  It's all a part living our live to the fullest. 

This year I've met some of the nicest people in my life ....I've also met some of the most negative.  And when you don't feel well ...the negative tends to weigh very heavy on your heart.  If those negative people really knew me ...they'd already know I beat myself up enough as it is.  I'm opinionated and have high standards and even I fail myself ...often!!  But it doesn't stop me..... it just sets me back a tad.

Sorry for the downer post but I wanted to let you know why I was hiding!!

Now for the health update .... I have some good news and some not so good news.
My foot .... is finally pain free.  I can walk without any pain.  This summer I thought I was going to die the pain was so bad.  I've been going twice a week to my Chiropractor and I'm happy to report it's no longer hurting.  She said I'll always have the spur but I can live pain free as long as I do my homework.  (I love her!!)   

My thyroid medication was increased by four times and I have more energy.  More like the old Angie ....except it doesn't last as long.  4pm is usually when my energy departs for the day :)

So, now for the bad news .... my right side is still hurting me non stop.  My right thumb is still numb.  My neck is no longer hurting ...but my shoulder, back and arm hurt something awful!! I ask my doctor on Monday was I ever going to feel my thumb again and she said "yes" but I'll admit I'm getting worried.  All the Quilts I was going to make for Christmas ...again has been put on hold.  I'm not sure why ...but God must have other plans for me.

Last but not least.... My eyesight is still blurry.  I went back to the doc a few weeks ago and one of them said that even their main doctor took 8 months for his eyes to blend.  I wanted to say "why didn't you say that to me sooner" but I kept my mouth shut.  I have to say I'm worried that I may never be able to look at a computer screen again without this blurriness.  But I continue to pray it will get better. 

So....that's it ... now you see why I haven't posted much lately.  I just want so badly to share good news instead of all the concerns I still have.

Thanks for all the emails asking me where I'd gone and if I was okay ....I'm sorry I worried some of you. 

On a lighter note ... I have two positive things I will share soon :)

Have a great day!!

Chase update

I'm happy to report Chase is doing better every day....thank the Lord!!  He's still non weight bearing but the wounds are looking a little better.

Today I found myself counting the days until June 7th .... that's the day they'll take Xrays to see if he can start putting weight on it. 

This week would have been his last week of high school ...but instead he's finishing up here at the house.  Turns out it's been a Good Thing ....he worked on school work for over five hours today.  I've never seen him focus on school work for that long ......ever!!  I'm thinking ..... did that surgery do more than fix his ankle?   I'm just kidding ..but it did cross my mind :)   It's probably due to the fact that he and I are home alone and it's quite .... all that noise at the school  can be very distracting.

Well, I gotta go ....Stamp Club is tomorrow .... two times .....along with conference call at 8am & the house cleaner is coming at 10 ...add that to taking care of myself, Chase ... two dogs and the bird.  I'm wearing myself out and the day hasn't even started yet :)

See ya!

Wow

OMG .....something is up with Blogger.  My blah blah blah post was gone ......and I found it in my drafts ...but it was missing parts of it.  Who knows how I ended it...I've re-posted it but it's missing the ending.

I guess I need to Google what's going on with Blogger!!

Blah blah blah :)

I could come up with a whole bunch of titles today.....but what it boils down to ..... Is I'm all out of sorts..... Or I got the blues!!
I think that's the problem :)
It's not un-common for me to have days that I run around like a chicken with it's head cut off .....or have a sad day here or there .....but it usually only lasts a few days and then I'm back to normal.
But ......let's face it ....I'm no spring chicken!!
I guess all those nights of no sleep is catching up to me .... Remember I always say when it rains it pours and sometimes floods?
That's how I feel right now....any subject that you can think of ....it makes me sad.
What the heck?
Have you ever heard that if you write something .... it's like purging it?  Let's hope this does the trick.  I've started several posts and abandoned them ...but I'm sticking with this one regardless of how it turns out.  By now  you should all know me :)

I have so many emails ......I'll never get caught up!  Kim was helping me check them but she got a new job and she's working around the clock for them.   She did join as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and I hope one day she gives it a try.  (She was very excited about receiving her kit yesterday.)

Here's my life .......I go to my office to get some work done ....Chase needs something ...back up those 30 stairs ....I go back to my office ....the dogs start barking ... Up 15 stairs I go ....get back to my office ..the phone rings and I left in my bedroom ...back up 30 stairs.  Get back to my office .... Chase needs to take a shower, or something to eat or to go the bathroom.   I can't get a single thing done!!!   If I had small children ....there's no way I could have the kind of business I have.  How can I have a creative thought? Or whip out a card when at this point I'm just counting the minutes until the next interruption?

Chase is doing great and I'm so happy he's moved past the incredible pain....and Thank God we're sleeping through the night again.  I'm not complaining about taking care of him .... I'm happy to do so and I know further down the road we're going to have some real good laughs about this time. 

So, here's the other stress factor ..... Last week .....when things went south for Chase ....at the same time some announcements were made at Stampin' Up! That affected my business ...or I should say affected how much money I will make next year.  On the plus side ...it's increases the potential for my team members ...the wealth is now being spread among many instead of the top 10.

Since I've been in the Top Ten for 2 years in a row ....I will admit I was hoping for a few more.  But you know me ....I'm a hard worker and I'll figure out a way to make up the difference.

At the same time as all that ....Dave was out of town.

And at the same time  .......I noticed other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators were starting to receive their packets for the Alaska cruise.  I earned the Alaska trip in just 4 months .... But had to cash out because it was the same week at Chase's graduation.  Turns out .... it's a good thing we cashed out ..... Because I'm not sure he could handle being in a wheel chair on a cruise!!!  The part that makes me sad is ...I'll miss seeing all my demo friends .....and all the gifts you receive while on the cruise.  The pillow gifts are always the best!!!

There's several more little things .....but I won't go into all them.  Let's just say I'm ready for this phase to get on outta here!!!

Oh and by the way ....for my customers that are reading this ..... You've been so great during all this ...honestly your patience has just blown me away and I will do my best to make it up to you ....but it's going to take a few months (after I'm back at work full time)!!

See ya!

Don't be alarmed :)

 I love changes!!!

I decided to change my blog back to the original colors :)

And.....until I get my head back on straight ....I'll be making little changes everywhere.
I got a much needed break last night and went to see two movies back to back.  Water for Elephants and Something Borrowed.   I loved both of them!!  But then again I love movies!!

See ya!

p.s. I normally don't like movies that are made after I've read the book.  For example, Message in a Bottle was an awesome book!!!!  I hated the movie...I'm pretty sure had I seen the movie without reading the book I would have loved it.   But these two movies ....met my expectations and Water for Elephants exceeded them! 

I'm in the mood to talk/type .......

When I'm tired and emotional I find myself always wanting to talk or write ....it must be the journal keeper in me.  I guess it can be said you're either a journal keeper or not ....maybe we're even born that way.  I started my first diary at age ten and look at me now ...a full fledged blogger.   Just saying I'm a blogger still sounds funny ...couldn't there be a prettier name? 

Oh well, Chase's surgery was on Friday and there's lots of details I could share but the one that I want to share today is kinda strange ...... All of his nurses had names that started with M.  His first nurse was  Marley ....she was very nice to us and she was very patient with Chase and I.  The hardest part for me was just leaving him!!

Once we were taken to his hospital room....... his nurses name were Micah (I may have spelled it wrong)...... next was Mina and after that Mike.

Isn't that so strange that they all had names with M's?

I'm just thankful that everyone we encountered was nice and that he came out of surgery okay!! 

I started this post yesterday and then Chase needed me so I put it on draft ...but now I'm back. (Yesterday was his first shower ..... and let me say we've very thankful to the person that invented shower chairs!!)

The past few days have been crazy ...but Chase and I have had moments that we've laughed like crazy...for example I dropped his entire bottle of pills and had to crawl around his room making sure I found all 85 of his pills (yes I'm keeping track of how many pills I give him everyday).  Next .....was one of his trips to the bathroom .....resulted in him banging his head against the wall ...by accident of course!
Then ...this morning .....he accidentally whacked his cast with the crutch ..... when he did that..... he had to say "he is my child"  :)

The biggest laugh of all has been .... the doctor called this morning and said it was time to take out the nerve block thingy .... dang it ...I'm the person that has to have my husband hold my hand at the dentist. Why is he always out of town when I need him?
 
So ...Chase starts to pull off the tape ....and proceeds for the next 10 to 15 minutes making Jim Carrey sounds and expressions.   At this point we're both wondering if maybe his leg should have been shaved...let me just say..... I warned him the removal of tape would be as painful as the surgery.  Maybe not quite that bad but you know what I mean.

Once he removed the tape ....it was time for the catheter  ..... I had to walk away a few times and Chase said I'll do it ....and then he proceeds to pull it out.  Turns out it wasn't so bad after all ....I bet when I ask the doctor "if there was any way I could screw it up" made him laugh when he got off the phone with me.  Or maybe all the episodes of House we've watched this week has me thinking all sorts of weird stuff.

By the way ..... we've brought Brooke over to the dark side .....she joined us yesterday on our House crusade.  She even instructed us that we can't watch another episode without her.  That's not realistic ...what are we supposed to do all day?

I bought the series Firefly and I'm trying to convince Chase to watch it with me ...but we're reluctant to start knowing that it ended with season one ...just like Moonlight.  That reminds me .... what is Joss Whedon working on now?  Dollhouse ended last year ... and I haven't seen his name come up lately.  I guess I have a new subject to google or bing.

If you're trying to figure out who Joss Whedon is ...we can thank him for Buffy the Vampire Slayer ....and I'm pretty sure he did Angel as well ...or maybe he started it and then departed.   Can't you tell when the writer changes on a show?  For example after the writers strike a few years back ....the writer for Moonlight changed ...of course we all knew it ...but we still loved the characters enough to deal with it (Watch the first 6 episodes and compare them to the last ....night and day different).

Remember the title of this post?  I'm in the mood to talk or type ..... I was totally telling the truth!!
While we're at it ...I had a thought ....I'll share it with you  ...plus how many people lost interest after the first two paragraphs of this post?

My sister and I were talking yesterday about new TV programs and how they decide what shows to air.  We're both huge Friends fans and we both love Chandler (real name is Matthew Perry ...or that's his famous name).   But ever since Friends he can't find a hit .... I'm pretty sure it's not him.  Much like Alex O’Loughlin after Moonlight (Hawaii Five O works for now but we miss the dark and dangerous...and the romance).
So, here's a thought .....just maybe whoever is in charge of pilots ..... they need to start running them by normal people.  Sometimes a fresh perspective is what they need.  For example ... Mr. Sunshine .... I hate to say it......as much as I wanted to like it .... I did not!  I love comedies but it was more than that ...it was crazy....and not in a good way.  I knew it on the first episode and I forced myself to watch

  Are you cracking up?  Who the heck am I?  No one really ....except that I depend on those shows to distract my brain every night so I can go to sleep ... that makes me a fan of prime time TV ... and who better than me to have an input? 

I think the key is all this is "TRUTH" ... we all want to be nice and that interferes with the truth.  But time and money can be saved if more spoke the truth.  How could you test a show and not know before it's aired that it doesn't fly?  Or is it me?  I know we all have different tastes .... for example some may have hated Buffy and I loved it ...but you can recognize a good show between a bad show .... even if it's not your cup of tea....or can you?  If they were to ask me ...I could do it :)

If anyone makes it to the end of this post ... sorry ....I promise I haven't lost it ..... sitting with Chase since Friday has made me a little stir crazy.....and I'm not leaving his side until we see how much pain he's going to have without the nerve block.

See ya later (if I haven't scared you off)!!

p.s. you already knew I was an opinionated person didn't you?

Kansas Blizzard

As most of you heard .....or are experiencing it yourself.....we are having ourselves a Blizzard.
Yesterday we had a tad bit of ice/sleet or something but when we woke up this morning we only had a dusting......it's 10 or 11 inches later.

On one hand I enjoy days like this....but...when I'm already behind.  Not so much.  Dave is like a big kid when it snows (one of the reasons I love him) but ....he also drives me crazy!  I say that in a loving way....although when I was chopping carrots & celery this morning...not so much :)

I spent most of my day upstairs cooking.... saying I need to work.  I finally gave up...he wins for today.

Tomorrow is another story....his flight just got canceled ....oh dear ...where can I send him so I can get something done?  I am not cooking tomorrow.....we have leftover homemade chicken noodle soup.  Maybe I can send him out to help pull stranded motorists out of the ditch .....he pulled one out this afternoon...in his big red truck :)


Here's a video of him & Chase shoveling snow ....excuse the shaking....how could I carry a tripod in that snow? I was lucky I didn't fall over my own two feet!!  

Stay safe!

Catch up!

It's been what....25 days since my last post?

I'm not sure what I was thinking when I said I was going to post a picture a day!!!   


Since I was here last....I went to Nashville for the Stampin Up! Leadership meeting.  It was a total blast and I had the best time! 

Let me count the ways....

I got to spend time with my family & I spent 24  hours with my sisters.....without any children (we need to do that more often).  We laughed so hard....I miss moments like that more than anything!!  

I got to spend time with some of my fellow Stampin' Up! demos (especially the other Angie).

My downline that attended just fit right in and I'm so happy she attended!!

During the Rich's speech he called me on stage and gave me some gifts.  One of my team members wrote in about how I had taken her calls and helped her ...to be honest once I heard my name on stage it all became blurry!!  I really appreciate that they did that....both my team member and Stampin' Up! (and yes I had to go to the bathroom and cry).


Leadership was great!!  The content and the classes were the best ever and I'm so thrilled that the career plan improved!  We all got the message that Stampin' Up! truly cares!!


The next trip was to Arizona with Dave.  I have to admit...at first I was like "I can't believe I'm going out of town again".  But once we arrived ...all I can say is WOW!  Sunny and in the 70's ...while it was in the teens at home.   And the spa we visited was the best ever!  I swear the next time he asks me to go I won't put up such a fuss!!!  I'll also take an extra suitcase so I can bring home some goodies from Ikea.

Once I got home I called my sister Kim and told her I want to move where the weather is 70 year round.  She said somewhere in CA is the place...wonder if I can convince Dave to move there when we retire??  Kansas has HORRIBLE hot summers and HORRIBLE cold winters!  Nashville used to have better weather but I think our weather has moved to them :)


Now for some reality TV chatting....I told myself I wasn't going to watch American Idol.  I liked Simon and didn't think I could handle it with him being gone.  Turns out..... I really like Steven Tyler and he's doing a great job on the show.  It looks like he has a heart of gold!  And I love how he really gets into the music and closes his eyes when he's getting into it.  I think I finally figured out why I like the show... emotion. I cried at least three times .... so many of those stories touched my heart.  I'm really going to try to not get so obsessed like I did last year.....but no promises.

Next comes the Bachelor....Yes I've never missed one..why would I now?  I love it!  What can I say ....I'm a girl!  So... I have several favorites...but I'll keep their names to myself.  I look at those girls now and think that could be my daughter and I wouldn't want anyone talking trash about her.    But...can I just say ...the black eye girl...she scares me!!  

I guess I better stop now...although I could rattle on forever!!


See ya later!
p.s. I'll try to not wait 25 days to post again :)  and please ignore any typos!!


oops I'm back....is anyone watching Off the map?  and what the heck happen to Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice?  I'm having withdrawals!!

Happy New Year!

When I look back over the past year....on this Angie Everyday blog of mine.... I see a lack of photos. Or I could say "what this site is missing is some pictures"!!


I love taking pictures....before I found scrapbooking and card making it was right up there on the top of my list (next to reading and watching movies).


So, I decided to see if I can load a picture a day for a month. I hope (and pray) that I don't mess up in the first week....but you never know what life will throw at you!!

I've mentioned it several times in the past month....I'm truly blessed to have my job.  It allowed me to take off when I needed it most and attend my uncles funeral without feeling any regret. 
I'll admit when I take more than a day or so off work I start to feel guilty but this time I was at peace with my decision.   I'm a tad stressed about how behind I am now but I'm going to pray like crazy that I get caught up soon!!

I hope that each of you reading this has a Blessed 2011!!

Rambling

Weird title! 
I was thinking maybe I should just date it.
I don't have any one particular subject.....just me rambling... or maybe I should say venting.

I got home late last night...my flight was delayed a few times and by the time I got home I was so tired I could hardly eat!!

I learned a lesson last night....some times I'm opinionated.... I've seen people run through the airport and I've thought to myself they should have gotten there sooner.....  But after last night....I've learned my lesson......when all those people wouldn't let me pass them.... I realized they're thinking the same way.  That maybe it was my fault I was running late....but it wasn't....it was the airline.
So....I'll never judge people running through the airport again!!


This post is seriously going to be a venting....leave now if you must :) just kidding.   Maybe I should say warning warning (who remembers Lost in Space?  everytime I type warning warning I can hear that robot saying "warning warning danger danger"....I loved that show!).


Today I woke up thinking I'm going to have a productive day and I'm going to get started early.  Fluffy and Sissy woke me up around 6 and after that my brain got to thinking....so off to work I go.

Some time after 8am I needed to add an event to my ipad calendar (ical)...so I added it and turned it off.   But....I thought to myself I better double check I entered the right year (our year is about to change) and when I tried to turn it on....it didn't work. 

I about freaked and spent the next hour doing everything I could to fix it.   Charging it didn't work, connecting it to itunes didn't work....nothing.  I was in total panic mode!!  By the time 9am rolled around I had made myself an appt with the apple store.  I left with enough time to get there....except.....not one car but two of them.....got in front of me and drove 30 in a 45mph.  I missed my appt by 8 minutes. 


Long story short...even though I missed my appt the manager was able to do a hard boot on it and it came right up. I could have hugged him or something I was so happy!!  and I was thanking God it wasn't broken!!


The heater people came to fix our furnace today.  Hopefully we'll not have any more mornings of waking up without heat.  The ignite thingy needed something. (that sentence is worded all wrong but it's late and I'm tired.)


Tomorrow is another crazy day!! Blood work in the morning for Brooke ....then off to the mall ...she starts CAPS next week and needs business casual clothes for five days a week for the next five months.  We've very excited she's in the program!!  I wish they'd accept me as a student :)


After that I need to get Fluffy to the vet....she's not doing well and I'm afraid to take her in.  I really hope they don't mention the cancer word again!!!


Thanks for listening to my rambling!  
See ya!

One down & more to go!!

I can strike one item off my list of things that was causing me stress :)

Brooke and I have been struggling with our washing machine for months and with both of us working with one hand and a defective washer....can you see the picture?  One big pile of dirty laundry :O
(I really should be taking pictures to share with my stories.....that's a scary thought.)


So Dave and I went out yesterday and bought a new set.  Our dryer was one that I had bought in a yard sale several years ago and it was having issues too.

They're being delivered tomorrow and I'm looking forward to washing our clothes for one cycle only (you don't want to hear all the things that crazy washing machine was doing!!).  By the way we bought a Samsung but please if you have one that doesn't work right...don't tell me. I don't want to hear anything negative.  If I think positive thoughts all will be well!! (that's how my brain thinks.)


Hopefully that new set can work miracles and get us caught up!!

p.s. Thanks for all the kind emails and comments about my "i got the blue" post!! I love y'all :)

I'm ready

I've been secretly working on some things and I'm finally ready to share.
I've started the process of trademarking my name.   I was already in the process ...but when my good friend told me how her computer crashed and when she went to find me ....... and there are several people using my name.

So, instead of dealing with it myself....I'll just turn it over to the lawyers.  I have gone through a whole range of emotions.  For some blogging is an emotional outlet but for some of us it pays the bills.  I've said it many times...since I did not go to college .....being able to contribute to my childrens college fund is a dream come true!!

And if there's any money left over I'm going too.  I know by then I'll be in my 50's but I say it's never to late to start anything.  The day I bought my first Mac is the perfect example.  I told the guy I'm too old to change systems...I had always used a PC....and he said in your line of work....you need a Mac and then he proceeded to tell me how easy it was.  So...I took a chance it was one of the best decisions I've ever made!!!  Honestly!!! I could go on for hours but I won't do that to you.   But can I just say the minutes I used to sit and wait for those darn computers to boot up.....it's a thing of the past. I love my mac.


I know ....this has turned into a short story...or a long story.  You know this blog has kinda turned into my journal.   I love to write....hence the reason I have five thousand websites....just kidding.  I only have about 30.  I was just thinking the other day....when I'm dead....morbid I know.....my sites will carry on.  Probably longer than we want them too :)  


Okay....for the next thing (had to list trademarking my name first ...it's just so awesome).

I've started an official forum ....and I jumped in with two feet...without knowing what I was doing.
So, I've been going in circles.....can you picture that?
Anywho.....I finally made a decision that I'm going to start it out as a Team Forum.  And later ....after we've added content I will decide who to open it up to.  I want my dear customers to be next....but then I also have my demo friends ....and that brings up how can I afford it if I open it to everyone.  The bandwidth thing is still over my head.  
So, why did I do it?   I should follow my own advice.  I tell my downline when you plan something...have a goal in sight.  That way you know what steps to take.  For example if you're doing a craft fair.  What is your goal?  Do you want to sell product or do you want to plant seeds and get leads?  By knowing your goal...it allows you to work smarter.  

But I didn't do that....with the forum.  What is my goal?  Until I figure it out.... my team and I will use it and I'm excited...really ....I am!  I'm just scared of the money thing....we've all heard horror stories of people going over their bandwidth and their bills being thousands of dollars.   See...that's what's holding me back!!

Gotta run....didn't work yesterday and now I'm two days behind (because I work from 7am to almost midnight...isn't that like two days of work?).


See ya!

Busier than a bee

I'm not sure my brain has ever worked as hard as it has lately!!

But ....before I go into that....let me just say....

I HATE BEING SICK!!  
It's such a waste of time!!  I just want to act like a three year old and fall to the floor kicking and screaming.   This is not the time for me to be sick.
But then again....when is a good time?

Now that I've gotten that off my chest :)

I have a few exciting things to share....I start with the craziest!


My latest ipad app that I love is Talking Tom (although I think I'm changing his name to Porkchop).  I had a cat when I was 15 and his name was Porkchop and I swear Talking Tom reminds me of him.

Anywho.....everything you say....Talking Tom repeats...but in a silly voice.  And you can scratch him and he purrs or pulling his tail .... you know...he's not so happy.  I woke Brooke up this morning with Talking Tom repeating what I was saying....like "I love Brookie" and when he copies your laugh....well....it's a hoot!  

Now for the business stuff.  My Chic n Scratch  Classroom has started and other than the decor I believe it's ready.  It took me so many hours it's just scary!!  But people have joined....they are excited....me too..... and my first private video is loaded and ready to view after the (15th).  I'm so happy to almost have the setup complete...and once we get through a couple months I think the hard part will be over.

My next adventure is reminding me of the days when I started my Chic n Scratch blog.  I used to stay up half the night trying to figure out how to set it up.  The words typelists and all that were so foreign!  I would ask for help but no one would help me.  I cried a lot!!  I bet I ask at least 25 people how to take pictures for my blog and how to make them look good.  That's why when I figured it out I posted a video on my site.....I want to help those that have the same problem.  For me it was light....and editing software.  You need more than a camera and a lightbox!!


So....I'm back to square one... my new adventure seems to be a world of people that think with the other side of their brain.   I'm not a stupid person...I can pick up something really fast.  But I swear it just baffles me why a company would put out a product and then make it so difficult to manage.  The manual is 640 page long and after you've read it ....it still doesn't tell you how to make changes.  Seems to me more people would buy a product if it was a tad easier to use....maybe I'm missing something?  (insert scratching head here)

Most of what I've learned for my websites....I've googled or watched You Tube videos...but this time there are no you tube videos available...what a bummer!!!
But you know me I'm not giving up....but in the back of my mind I'm wondering...is this a sign the adventure is too big for me?

Who knows..... I'll just continue to pray!!

Gotta run...grocery store is calling (not really but you know I have to get supper ready before Dave gets home)
 
p.s.  I had a dream last night that I went shopping with Shelli and her daughters (Shelli the founder of Stampin' Up!) ...that was a real trip because when I woke up I could have sworn it really happened!!  That's what you get with pain meds :O

Jibber Jabber

Is that even a word?  And where did I hear it?

I woke up this morning and decided instead of checking my email with my coffee....I'd post my jibber jabber :)

So, here is goes..... "am I still working out"?

I'm happy to say YES.  I really think I feel better when I do!! Yesterday was not a work out day and I felt like crap all day.  But...it also could have been it's the end of the week and I'm exhausted.

Here's goes some TMI........when I was in the shower Thursday....I was shaving my legs and when I went to run the razor over my calf...a little muscle popped up.  I was thrilled!!! Haven't seen one of those in a while!  
As far as weight loss...I stopped weighing myself because it was depressing me.  I've not lost hardly any....but I know that muscle weighs more and I'm confident I'll start to shed. Although...who starts a weight loss program right before the holidays?  What was I thinking?

Next subject....when I purchased the Kindle and then the ipad...I kinda stopped going to the bookstore.  Or I would take Brooke and stay in the car (I know sounds worse as I'm typing it....but seriously do they want me to whip out my ipad and made a purchase right there).  Back to my story....when I read books for pleasure I prefer reading it on my ipad...but when it's motivational, self help or educational I like the book in my hands.  I re read sentences...what can I say it takes me a few times to really process it.  So, last night Brooke and I head to the book store.  While she's shopping I'm in the back of the store looking at books about computers, web design, photoshop, blogging...you know books that teach you stuff (own a bunch...read very few).   Before I get to the story I need to ask...isn't the book store like the library?  Are you supposed to be quiet for the most part?  Who can listen to someone talking a mile a minute and buy a book.
That's what we experienced last night....two young girls came over with their coffee and cupcakes and decided to talk the entire time.  And the coffee area of Borders....is at the front of the store in the opposite corner...so they left where they were supposed to be and found our quiet corner and ruined it for us.
There was one lady on her laptop trying to work....I'm sure she felt the same way.  I finally told Brooke.....I had to go I couldn't listen to the conversation another minute.
As an adult...what should I have done?  I'm pretty sure I failed that test. I admit I growled all the way out the door.  That was sooooo rude of them.  Should I have said something....or gotten management?  Would they have cared?  I'll tell you this....if I could have read the words on the pages...I would have bought more books ...but they were so distracting I couldn't understand the words.
So....book store owners.....  figure this one out for me.  The basket of books we purchased out weighed & their two cups of coffee and a cupcake bigtime!!

Okay here come another biggie....it just maybe too much info for you today.

Anytime I've confronted someone...it's always been a disaster and I don't mean little ....I mean major...it always backfires.  Here's an example....back in 1998 we had just moved to IL ...we had been there for two weeks and I drove all the way to Merrillville, Indiana ....to the nearest Sams.  When it came time to purchase...I walked up to the registers and there was a lady that was standing between two lanes...I said very nicely...."which lane are you in"?   she replied back "both"...well I laughed and said I" don't think you can do that"...seriously have you ever seen a grown woman do that?  Okay maybe some of you reading this have..but in the south...that's just called rude.

She then proceeded to chew me out and mock me the entire time she was in the store.  We had moved from Tennessee in 1995...so my southern accent was very strong then... she tried to mock my southern accent but it was just terrible.   Since Brooke was little and I was terrified they had a gun...I never said another word to her....just let her rant like a crazy person.  Had Brooke not been there...more than likely it would have been ugly but it's best it happened the way it did.  I still do think it's funny....if you think about it.  What's not funny is how she handled it.  She could have said I'm really in a hurry or I don't feel well.  I was open for discussion...but clearly she wasn't.
I sure hope whoever that was...she doesn't read my blog...and lady if you do...I FORGIVE YOU.

My blog post looks like a short story and everything I've read about blogging says keep it short and sweet.   That's hard for a person that likes to talk.

Have you seen the movie "Remember Me"?   Rent it...I wish I had known what the movie was really about.  When I saw the previews...I thought it was about a dysfunctional family.  It's really about so much more...I sobbed at the end ...well in the middle too.  If you've seen it...the scene with the little girl & what those girls did to her....broke my heart!!!  
Tonight I'm going to see a double feature "You Again" and "Life as we know it".  It's been a while since I've seen two...but I remember the days when my best friend & I would go from movie to movie (sometimes we even saw three) not sure my hiney could handle that now.

See ya later!


p.s. remind me to tell you about Door Dingers :)

Favorite TV Programs

Let's talk about my Favorite TV Shows this season.


I think Hawaii Five O, Cougar Town & Vampire Diaries are the only shows I watch live...the rest of them are are set to record on my DVR.
I don't like Survivor on Wednesdays!! But I'm watching it.

Must see TV on Thursdays....still going strong ...except the line up is Vampire Diaries, Greys Anatomy, Bones, Fringe, CSI & Private Practice.  There's no way I can watch all those in one night.


Love Vampire Diaries.....can't get enough.  Greys...it's always good....but would like to see Lexie & Sloan hook up.  (or should I say get back together?)
Fringe....don't like the switch back & forth between universes but I love Peter....loved him when he was Pacey on Dawson's Creek.  If there was just a tad bit of romance mixed with all those gross stuff I would be happier.
CSI ...I watch it but its not the same with out Grissom I'll always miss Gill.  I keep hoping he'll return but I guess not.  
Private Practice...good and not so good.  I don't like Violet with Pete...I thought Addy looked better with him...they were a hot couple.  I love what's her name with what's his name...when I said that my sister said their names...but all of a sudden I've forgotten them again.  You know blond lady chick...dude that is best friends with Violet?
Bones...oops....still on my other DVR ....need to watch them...maybe I'll pull an all nighter and get caught up.  I like the show but I just wish he'd go back to being Angel :)
Is this TMI?

I love to talk about TV shows....but fewer and fewer people are watching them.  

Are you wondering how and when do I watch TV?  It's no secret that my motor runs non stop.....so I have to shut it down ....o wait...I may have confused you....my motor is also known as my brain.
When I'm done with work.....my brain still thinks about it.  So, everynight...when I'm done with work...I watch a program or two or three.  Depends on the night of the week.  After I watch TV I then read a chapter or two ....or if the book is really good I may read for an hour or two.  Bedtime is between midnight and 1am :)


Back to Programs since that is the subject for the night.
Other shows I love are Cougar Town!! & Mike & Molly!!   & Parenthood.  I feel like I'm missing one or maybe two.  
Oh, I just remembered one...CSI New York.  I'm happy it's on Friday...gives us something to watch...thanks CBS :O


Another one...Brothers & Sisters. I miss Robert and the show has lost something...besides Robert. I love Sally Fields and she's hilarious!!


Better go ...tomorrow is going to be a very long day!!!

p.s. I may have made a mistake or two with my grammar ....but I'm tired and just want to talk/type...you know what I mean?  don't hold it against me :)

my hybrid & the decision

 Last Saturday we started the search for my new vehicle.  Dave was turning in his company car and that left me without a ride.

For the past 18 years I've driven fleet cars ...purchased from the company that Dave works for.   But this time....timing was an issue (among a few other things).

So, we decided to test drive new so we could see what I liked and then the plan was we'd buy a used version.   And we tried.  We spent Saturday thru Tuesday searching....and it was painful with a capital P!! 

I test drove so many that I told Dave to just buy me one and I'd be happy (but I was secretly hoping he'd arrive with my favorite). We wanted a good price but there are some things I really wanted & since I've always driven fleet vehicles they've never had any bells & whistles.  Don't we all know by now I'm a bells & whistles kind of girl?

We drove new & used and I kept coming back to the Mercury Mariner (okay I need to insert this here....if you have had any negative things happen with a Mercury Mariner or a Hybrid, please don't tell me...I don't want to know...I know some of you have only good intentions.... but if you tell me I will worry and then not be happy).

Back to the Mercury Mariner....when I drove it...or from the minute I sat in it...it felt like my car (SUV).   On Monday they let me bring it home for the night.  On Tuesday I took it back and almost cried. 

So it was back to square one going from dealer to dealer searching for a car. We checked out Nissan and Honda on that day.  Them not letting us drive the car alone....did not allow us to talk freely about the pros and cons and I was ready to run off the lot...not walk. 

If any car salesman reads this post....if you want to sell a car...you need to give your customers some space....allow them to test drive it alone! It's possible I would look closer at the Pathfinder but I felt crowded ...does that make sense.


Tuesday night I was a basket case! I was done searching and wanted someone to make the decision for me.
I called my sister Deanna....or maybe she called me.   Since I'm the oldest I'm normally the advice giver but this time Deanna dished it out to me.

I've been saving my money to help pay for Chase and Brookes college education and I was feeling guilty...how can I buy a new car...if I wanted to help with their college fees?  And Deanna reminded me that when is the right time?  When they are both in college?  That made sense....and then we discussed that I'd keep it long enough to pay for it.  We chatted some more & when I got off the phone ......I went upstairs and told Dave I was done.  I wanted the Mariner and I would make some sacrifices to get it.  On Wednesday he made me wait all day to get it (okay he was working but you know it felt intentional).  I was so afraid someone was going to walk up and buy it!


I've driven it all over town and I love it!

We had the perfect sales rep...he did not pressure us...he never called the house....he gave us the info and then gave us a chance to think about it. 
 

I love the Navigation system...I love the hands free phone feature! The stereo is awesome (I still listen to my music loud..it's an escape from reality).  The sunroof/moonroof is very cool...and the best of all is I'm figuring I may have to get gas once a month...maybe less.
I hate going to the gas station and buying a Hybrid makes me happy!!

Have a great day:)

Still going :)

Do you ever feel like the Energizer Bunny?

 You know how he just goes and goes and goes...... That's me....right now!!


So, I'm trying to look at what I do and figure out how to make it more manageable.  If I were to get really sick or something....I don't know if I'd ever get caught up.
In less than one week I had three people ask me if I was mad at them....of course I'm not!  I just can't get caught up!!

My emails have increased to over 600 a day.....I need help. I'm never getting to the bottom of them and then that drives me crazy and make me feel bad.  At this point if I checked every email...everyday...I'd never stamp again :O

  Once the holidays are over I'm sure it will level out but right now it's crazy!  Don't take it wrong ...I'm not complaining but I just want to have a better control.  


Next subject...wait...how about I create a new post?  Be right back :)