Do I Get a Coin?

It's a few days after the 1-year mark, but I'm celebrating one-year being soda-free. Last year at this time I decided to give up sodas, soft-drinks, colas, whatever-you-want-to-call-them. I don't really know what led to the decision, except for noticing that my then-2-year-old was trying to drink my soda and I didn't want her to start the habit yet. I'm sure there were other factors, but I don't really remember them a year later. I gave my neighbors my two 12-packs of my Coke Zero from my pantry and determined that if I was giving away that much money in soda, I was going to follow-through, by-gosh-and-by-golly! Aside from a little Ginger Ale to soothe an upset stomach, I have succeeded. I've switched to tea--both hot and iced--and drink a lot more water than I used to. I did have a sip at an event about a month ago, and ended up pouring the rest of the cup I'd been poured down the drain. The taste no longer appealed!

Who We've Become

Last weekend was my 15 year class reunion. I found it really interesting to see how my classmates had changed over the years. I didn't recognize the majority of the men; they'd filled out in so many ways. The ladies--well, they hadn't changed as much. Women apparently find their long-term faces in adolescence. Granted, some I hadn't known to begin with. I spent most of the evening walking up to people I'd once known, at least cursorily, reintroducing myself and asking for names. From a girl who once stood under the tree just waiting for someone to invite her to play, this was quite the change. I am reminded again that all that stuff from our childhood and high school really doesn't matter. What matters is the people we've become, and whether or not we're content with the lives we have. Something one of my classmates said rang all too true, "When it all comes down to it, we're all just doing the same things just in different towns." After 15 years, we all talked about the same things: our kids, our jobs and where we've been. We're all facing the same kinds of challenges. As Michele also said, "we're just trying our best to raise our kids and make good lives for ourselves." Any y'know what, I'm pretty content with my life as I'm living it. I just thought I'd share what I realized after 15 years. 

Business start

My first gathering was fairly successful. We had fun, and I practiced my presentation on people I already know and who are more forgiving of my foibles. I also recognized that I needed to refine my game. Best of all though, was getting to show my friends and fellow scrappers the products that I'm so enamored with. The whole order process went smoothly; my only problem was in correctly figuring the shipping and handling, but I've now ironed that out and I'm good to go for next time. The products arrived less than a week after placing the order. I've had orders for just myself come in that quickly, but I'm impressed that an order with multiple orders and so much product arrived just as fast. Now I'm getting set to go to my first gathering as the consultant and not hostess. It will be a new and interesting experience.  

A New Venture

Well, tonight's the night--my big kickoff open house. That's right, open house. For what, you might ask. Well, the short story is: I'm a new independent consultant for Close To My Heart (scrapbooking and stamping supplies). The long story: I was introduced to Close To My Heart products about 2 years ago when an acquaintance invited me to her open house when she kicked off her business. I immediately fell in love with the products. The coordinating papers and stickers, the easy-to-use stamps, the compact organization! I spent so much on them at first that Fred put me on a “scrapbooking allotment!”  When that happened, I went through my catalogs and made so many wish lists that I knew the pages certain products were on at every gathering I went to. Kimberly (my friend and consultant) suggested a few times that I'd make a good consultant. I pooh-poohed the idea, after the experience I had with another direct sales company a number of years ago.  Another friend (also a consultant) mentioned that I'd make a great consultant, and again I shrugged off the idea. Well, when Fred got his most recent orders, I really started thinking about what I wanted for myself--beyond being "(military) wife" and "mommy". What was my dream in the long-run? I started talking to Fred about “someday” opening my own scrapbook store. He frowned and said, well, if you want to do that, I’d rather you do like Kimberly and sell Close to my Heart. You already know and love the product. You talk about the stamps and paper with anyone who even mentions scrapbooking. 

That was in March. I looked into it a bit, and then decided to wait on it, but started praying. I decided that if someone I didn't know offered to host a gathering, then I'd go ahead with the business. In April the PWOC and chapel sponsored a papercrafting day. It was an incredible blessing to be able to socially scrapbook like that. The vast majority of my "toys" are from Close To My Heart and several gals were oohing and ahing over things. I also had my idea book with me and was sharing it around. I mentioned once that I was thinking about signing up as a consultant. At the end of the day, Suzy, a woman I met only that day said, "If you do decide you want to do it, I'll host a party for you." That was that...and I think I'm ready for my first gathering tonight. 

I'm "benign"

For those of you who knew, or those of you who are finding out by reading this post, I had surgery on the 26th for a mystery-lump in my jaw area. It had grown between February and September '07, so the doctors ran further tests. I had a CT scan that showed it was an enlarged lymph node, which could potentially be cancerous, but the blood work did not indicate "markers" for malignancy, but the surgeon felt it would be prudent to remove the mass. The surgery went fine; my scar is healing nicely; and the tests results are in. The mass was/is benign in nature, the result of something Dr. Martin (why do I keep thinking about shoes when I say that?) called "reactive hyperplasia." Just thought I'd share the news, now that it's all done and over with. For those who knew and were in prayer over this with me--thank you for your prayers as I prepared, recovered and waited for results.