Switching gears. Can you help?

This week I have been thinking a lot about what a blessing my Usborne business has been in my life.

When I started five or so years ago, I was relatively new to the area, and I wanted to get a mom's night out or two on my calendar and meet some other mommas. And boy have I been able to do that.

Last night I did a show with a fellow Hillsboro momma whom I met at one of the shows I did in my first year in business. Since that meeting years ago, I am happy not only to call her a regular customer but a friend. That's what I started this for, and it feels so good.

It feels nice to be invited into her home, to drink a glass of wine with her, to discuss parenting issues...oh and present some books. And without this business, I might not have met her and that would have been a shame.

At the end of August, I was introduced to another group of mommas whom I may not have meet except through this business. And on Monday I get the privilege of going to lend my support to one of them who's scheduled for surgery in a couple of weeks. Wow!

Now having said all that, I have made money in my business. But it's never really been my focus. Some people start in a direct sales business with a goal of say paying a certain bill, and I didn't do that. But I also feel like maybe I should have. Because knowing you have a car note to pay may be the motivation you need to pick up the phone and get those four shows a month scheduled.

Soooo while I really enjoy the meeting-new-mommas aspect of my business, for 2012 I am going to switch gears a bit and focus on a financial goal. *Gasp! I know, right?!*

In December 2012 I will be (gulp) 40. And I plan to celebrate in Vegas. My goal is for my Usborne business to pay for this.

How can you help? I know you were just waiting for me to ask! You can host a show for me. Invite a few friends over, so I can meet some more amazing mommas and have my life enriched. Now that's not saying that I don't love it when random orders appear on my web site (www.enjoygoodbooks.com). But sitting down with a few people, getting to know them a bit, and helping them find great books for their kids or nieces and nephews, or grandkids is really what I'm after.

Four shows a month from January to November, and I should be able to pay for the hubster to go to Vegas with me, too.

Can you help?

More gratefulness

I should probably check what I wrote on my last gratitude list before I start this. But I'm afraid that if I don't start typing now, I wont post anything at all. And that wouldn't be the end of the world, but since I have the turkey in the oven and the kids are occupied, why not post?!

Anyway, I am grateful that we have food for me to cook. Which means that I, in turn, am grateful that my husband is employed. And I will keep repeating this to myself all day since he will be missing Thanksgiving dinner because he is at said job.

I am grateful that my parents and my brother are here for a couple of days.

I am thankful for a friend and neighbor to go to the gym with, so that I can't back out of going. We even went this morning. So I will not feel guilty about trying each dessert. I will be grateful that I have desserts. And I'll be even more grateful when she invites me over for some of that flavored vodka she mentioned.

Also I am thankful that no one in my house has a serious dust allergy. Because yowzah I don't dust nearly enough, as I re-discovered when I was cleaning the guest room.

Gobble, Gobble people. Have a great Thanksgiving.

You know spin is hard when...

I've been to four whole spin classes. And you know what I'm looking forward to? A nice, easy hour-long work out on the elliptical in the morning. I'm not even concerned about hitting the gym at 6:30 a.m. I'll get an extra 30 minutes of sleep after all.

That class has just been kicking my butt. My cooter has finally stopped hurting after class at least. In class is a different story. In class I am happy for the 5-minute climb that takes us out of our seats, so that should tell you something.

At today's class I had to keep reminding myself why I was there. That it was only an hour after all. That I would be happy about the end result. That the pain wasn't as bad as the first time at least.

But let me tell you, I really am so happy that tomorrow is only the elliptical.

Conquering countertops

Every flat surface in my house looks like this. It's driving me nuts. I get it cleaned up, and it returns to this within 24 hours. Today's goal is to use my child-free time to get these surfaces cleaned up. It's a crying shame people. Have any tips for keeping counters and tables clutter free?

BD Spoilers Maybe, Maybe Not

If you read the book, I guess you really can't have spoilers for the Breaking Dawn movie. OK maybe a few. I am still processing it and just wanted to point out a few things that I really liked, because I have to focus on the positive to justify staying up half the night.

*I liked that they added speeches at the wedding reception. That wasn't in the book, but it added a dose of reality. And some of the speeches were funny.

*Go Team Charlie! I was happy whenever Billy Burke was on screen.

*Bella's wedding dress was spectacular. And that kiss was hot.

*Most of the honeymoon scenes were entertaining and well done.

*The addition of a fight sequence or two worked great.

*Bella's makeup was good. She looked wrecked.

*It ended just as it should have.

Sleep? Who needs it?!

I am one of those people. I am going to the midnight showing of Breaking Dawn.

It's 9 p.m., and I am already sleepy. I'm supposed to be up and out the door at 5:45 a.m. for a 6 a.m. exercise class. I am committed to lunch with friends tomorrow plus Movie Night at the kids' school and an all-day bazaar on Saturday. (Come visit me and 70 other vendors at Liberty High School. My Secret Savings Phrase: Santa's Workshop.)

I am insane. I guess I will sleep on Sunday and be jittery from massive caffeine consumption until then.

A lot of time pricing, no time shopping

It seems like I spent the whole day today making my grocery list, cutting coupons, and pricing things in all the circulars. I mean all day. And how much shopping did I get done? Zero! We still have no food. I think we can get through breakfast in the morning but not much else.

I know I will feel so good when I see the savings at the end of my grocery receipt, but until then I wonder whether my savings will really match up to the time I spent. Fortunately I don't have to go to a bunch of stores once I finally make it to the store. And if I wasn't so tired from being up at 5:30 a.m. and going to spin class and spending what could have been my nap time cutting coupons, I'd get up and go to the store now. But really I don't think I can manage it.

But now that I've thought of it, I really should because I wont have any time to go tomorrow either. *sigh* Here I go...any minute now...