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. 

C's "babies"

Oh my, C's newest infatuation is with "baby sisters". The mother of our friend/neighbor just had her third baby, a baby sister for her other two girls. C has seen the baby now, not just the talk about her, and she is all about the "baby sister" concept. I keep hearing "I want baby sister," and "where's my baby sister." So far I've managed to convince her that her babydolls are quite enough. The "baby sisters" come with us just about everywhere. They come shopping with us, and they go about the house with us carried, in stroller or in cart. She's very conscientious of their needs: giving them a bottle, covering them with blankets, and making sure they take their naps. It's quite sweet. As for the future and real baby sisters, who knows. 

Sweet Pray-er

C has started praying with me when I pray during her bedtime routine. I noticed the other night that she was muttering while I prayed, and I asked her if she wanted to talk to God. She nodded vigorously and said "talk-a God!" Now she gets so excited when I tell her it's time to talk with God and Jesus. She is so aware of her blessings. I do the praying in terms of "requests" but she just says lots of thank-yous, and mostly for people. "Thank you God, (for) Pammie, Maddie, Miss Rachel. Thank you (for) kids, play(ing) with kids, fun, 'nastics, dance. Thank you (for our) tea party. Thank you (for) Papa, Grammy, Papa, Nana, Mommy, Daddy." Isn't that the most precious! I am so blessed by my baby girl. I wish I could claim some responsibility for her sweet spirit, but I think she just came made that way. 

Toddler Logic

We went to playgroup, lunch and then WalMart today, and the friend of choice was "tiny kitty." Here's what happened leaving WalMart. I am ever surprised and impressed by how smart my little girl is. Now if she could figure out potty-logic.

C drops "tiny kitty" on floor of car before I get the car started: Mommy, uh-oh, drop tiny kitty! 
Mommy: Where is tiny kitty?
C: on floor, get him?
Mommy gets kitty: hold on to him, because if you drop him, Mommy can't get him again until we get home.
Mommy starts car
C drops "tiny kitty" again. "Uh-oh. Drop tiny kitty 'gin...wait home." *Sigh*
Mommy: That's right, Mommy is driving so Mommy can't get tiny kitty until we get home.
C: Want Daddy.
Mommy: Why do you want Daddy?
C: Daddy drive car, Mommy get tiny kitty!

No oreos today, maybe later

Well, ya'll are going to have to keep coming back for those Oreo pictures. Something wacky's going on with blogger today. 

O-R-E-O

Betcha didn't know that there's something inherent about how to eat an Oreo cookie! I gave into my craving for the tasty-yet-bad-for-me cookies and bought some about 3 or 4 weeks ago. They sat in the cupboard untouched (really) for some time until C started begging for cookies. They were the only ones we had, so I handed her a few. She'd never seen me eat one. However, she sat down with the bowl and twisted off one of the tops, licked the white filling and set the cracker part aside. She did this with each one, and didn't eat the chocolate crackers until I told her she wouldn't get any more unless she ate all the pieces. It was so cute. I'll have to post the pictures later. It's taking too long to upload today.