Cell Phone or Landline?

I was a little surprised last weekend when my cell phone rang with an automated reminder about my dentist appointment on Monday. Luckily I heard it, as I don't usually answer my cell phone when I'm home. When I mentioned this at my appointment, they said their new automated system uses that number to call because it's most people's number of choice. They switched my numbers around for the future ;)

What about you? I've thought that maybe if I had a cool cell phone case or something I may be more inclined to want it close by, but I'm not sure. It's not like my cell phone is new to my life - I've had one since the days of the giant bag phones - but I've just never made it my primary contact. I still like the old-fashioned comfort of a bigger phone that I can do the magic should crunch with to multi-task. And please don't suggest a blue-tooth - those things drive me nuts!

The Usefullness of a Three-Year-Old

Today is shaping up to be a busy day fast! Last night I talked to my chocolate show hostess for Sunday, and she wanted something special to make for a birthday party on Saturday. She lives in the same city where a store is that I need to make an exchange at (I somehow picked up 2T shorts the other day instead of 4T!), so I said I can drop some chocolate mousse off today. She's going to make the mousse and use it to fill cupcakes and a cake - yummo!!

Originally today was a stay at home day after all the busy-ness so far this week, but I figured it would be good for us to get out. So the list was: Drop off mousse, Do exchange at clothing store, post office (this is on the list an unhealthy amount of the time!).

At 9AM the phone rang. I picked it up, because by 9 Maggie is about to wake me up anyway (yeah, we're not morning people). It was a woman who's running a fundraiser I'm participating in a couple weeks from now. She realized there will be a lot of traffic through their place on Saturday, and wants supplies to take orders ASAP! So I figured I'm already committed to leaving the house, and I offered to drop it off this afternoon (tomorrow is happily busy!). She's a half hour in the other direction, but it's got to get done, so I'm glad she called today while there's still time.

Luckily Maggie is very tolerant of our errand running days. The first thing she said today was, "Where are we going today?" Oh, kid, if you only understood ;) Once I sat down to work on this post, the doorbell rang. I'm not a fan of answering the door in my PJs, so I asked Maggie if it was the man with the brown truck or the man with the white truck. So glad I have her to screen my visitors! It was the man with the brown truck, which was very good news. He's the polite one and rings the bell before leaving my packages on the porch. Tastefully Simple for dinner, here we come!

America's Test Kitchen - A Guest Blogger Post

I appreciate the guest post, Marian Combs

Quite simply the best baking related TV show that I have ever witnessed is America's Test Kitchen on the PBS station. What differentiates this show from all the other blase culinary based programs is the scientific approach they take to their recipes. Not only do they test different baking ingredients and techniques, they also test how different kitchen equipment can alter the taste or texture of a baked good.

If that weren't enough, they also go through various basic cooking ingredients with an approach to finding the very best ingredients on the market. Watching this show via satalite tv HD Deals , I've discovered things like what the best grocery store olive oil brand happens to be and why or which non-stick skillet does the job best.

The show is hosted by Christopher Kimball and includes Chefs Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin-Davison as well as equipment expert Adam Reid and lab tester Jack Bishop.

Another clever little gimmick the show uses is animated shorts on why not to do certain things. In particular, my dad, who is rather adamant about not wasting food, would enjoy the sensibility of not using actual food in these demonstrations that lead to inedible dishes. Before, I used to bake cheese cake and it always seemed to sink. Now, instead of guessing, I know exactly what I did wrong and what I need to do to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Customer Service..

As soon as I started this post I was informed that I've used this title before. What can I say - I'm passionate about good customer service!

What I'm wondering today is what this means to you. One of the best lessons I ever learned in customer service was when I spent a few years working for a major national mortgage company. Their policy was that all calls and emails were returned within 24 hours. If a client complained that their call or email was not returned, I was one of the people who researched to make sure a call or email was received, and then looked to find an outgoing call or email to the same client. If that original call or email was actually not returned within 24 hours, that was grounds for termination of the employee.
That's right - if you didn't return someone's call or email with 24 hours you could be (and frequently would be) fired. Period.

Some people thought that wasn't 'fair.' Huh? I think it's a wonderful model and I still follow it. Even my husband agrees that if you get a message and set it aside to answer 'later', it will usually never be addressed.

It now drives me crazy when I send emails asking for information, or leave phone messages if that's a recommended contact, and I never hear back. I'm not talking about people I want to do business with me. If I don't hear back, I can take a hint ;) I'm talking about people who are supposed to be there to support my business, or people who have solicited me for a project or program. It really makes me not want to be affiliated with them, because I can only assume they treat the rest of their clients the same.

What is your criteria for continuing to do business with someone in regard to customer service?

Welcome Home, Dad!

So my poor parents had a bit of extra adventure tacked onto the end of their vacation last week. On nearly the last day of their trip, the RV wouldn't start. Thankfully they've got 5th wheel insurance, which towed the beast to a repair shop. My mom headed home (since she's not retired yet and her office expected her back after vacation) and my dad waited for the motorhome to be fixed. And waited. And waited. Then he waited one more day for a vital part they needed to order.

Finally, I talked to him today and he's on the road on his way home! He was really amused when the shop called him and said they'd forgotten to write down the mileage and wanted him to drive back. The joke was on them - he was already a couple states away! Maybe they'll be more careful not to forget something important to them in the future ;)

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow!

TOMORROW is the last day to get the special $49 Sweet Smile business kit from Dove Chocolate Discoveries! You can start your own chocolate business for just $49! The kit comes with:

Products

1 Chocolate Martini Mix Bottle
1 Box of Cinnamon-Dusted Almonds
1 Truffle Fudge Brownie Mix
6 Chai Tea Packets

Printed Material

1 Welcome Packet
25 Spring/Summer 2011 Catalogs
50 Order Forms
FREE Professional Web Tools
(includes 60-day trial of website, e-newsletter & e-promos)

If you just do your own show for your friends and family, you would make more than you spent and have products left over!! Please think about whether this would make your financial life easier (and more fun!) or if it might help out someone else you know. I can work with anyone in the 48 contiguous states (sorry, we don't do business in Alaska or Hawaii yet), and I do reward for referrals as well.

There's more information at my website, or feel free to comment and I can contact you with more information (my comments are moderated by me - if you include personal information I will not publish your comment, but I will receive your information :) ).

Big Money, No Whammies!

Whew. I'm good with numbers, honest. I've done jobs in banking (even opening IRA Accounts, debt management, collections, mortgages...all that stuff that usually stumps people who love words like I do. Lately I feel like I spend half my time chasing figures and moving stuff around though. I don't even have a job as an Online Broker or anything, but with all the big changes around the house there's suddenly lots of stuff that needs attention.

In a couple weeks it should all die down again, but maybe I'll have to start Stock Trading just to keep the numbers side of my brain awake. I remember hearing lots about Online Trading years ago, but it seems to have fallen by the wayside since the recession struck. What do you think - will Mobile Trading make a comeback as the economy improves?

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Got great news on Monday! Woo-hoo! Then I was scolded by Maggie for yelling in the car. When I told her I was just excited, she said, "I know you're excited, but it's just too loud when you yell in the car." I guess she's been listening?

Maggie had her first dentist appointment on Monday as well! I wish now that I'd thought to take pictures :( That could have made a fun scrapbook page. I really would like to get back into the frame of mind where you're planning out pages as events are unfolding, and taking the right pictures! Now I feel like I spend half my time just trying to keep up!

As busy as this week felt as I'm setting it up, I need to keep reminding myself that it's VITAL to get this week's list done, because there's no wiggle room to make up anything I miss during next week! This week is booked with personal stuff, and next week is sweetly booked up with chocolate business ;)

Anyone had a lot of luck with a wireless headset for their computer/phone? Hubby got one for me last week and I love it...for the three days or so that it held a charge. We exchanged it last night for a wired one. I figure the range on the wireless didn't make it all the way down the hall anyway. So far I've only tested the call quality on his cell phone (down the hall) but it seems to work well. Excited to make some calls with it! Book a chocolate show so I can call you! ;)

The Waiting Game...

I'm on pins and needles today! Last night we put in an offer on a house we'd like to buy closer to hubby's work. The seller has been pretty quick responding on stuff we've seen, so we'll hear something today, or tomorrow at the latest (the deadline to respond to our offer).

So now I'm going to go try and distract myself for a few hours, by actually stepping away from communications, instead of just browsing pendant lighting and other house stuff on the computer all day ;)

Hopefully I'll have good news next time I'm online!

Plans for the Week

The weekend was great! Maggie especially enjoyed getting on stage - repeatedly - with the Fairy Queen at our fairy tea on Saturday :) But now it's back to the grind...

• Monday AM - Dentist appointment for me. If Maggie does well watching, we'll schedule cleanings for both of us ASAP.
• Tuesday - Find a Carter's store as close as possible. When we were at a mall (about an hour away) a couple weeks ago, we got most of a discount card filled up...by spending $20 on Tuesday, I'll have another $10 FREE. What a great way to get a jump on summer clothes for Maggie.
• Wednesday - Still need to call a friend, but hopefully meeting up downtown for lunch.
• Thursday - Since we've missed gymnastics the last few weeks, I'd really love to give Maggie a chance to run around at open gym, which is held several times on Thursdays.
• Friday - Welcome to April! Doctor's appointment and start packing/gearing up for chocolate parties on Saturday and Sunday.
  

Moving our Tree?

We've got a rather interesting addition growing on our kitchen ledge. No fancy hydroponics or anything, but with some time and a lot of luck, maybe a tree.

The little baby tree was originally crammed between the slats on our deck, in a tiny pile of dirt. I think hubby just thought he was being amusing when he brought it in and put it in water in a little shot glass. Months later, it's still hanging on to life! Go figure.

Last week Maggie and I decided it was time to upgrade our mini tree to a pot with some dirt. It's been almost a week now since I put the little bugger in a giant (compared to our sapling, anyway) pot with some potting soil. So far, so good! It seems happy, and I'm resisting the urge to water frequently, but I'm not sure if something that was living solely in water for months can be overwatered....

Any advice on raising a tree from a twig to something life-sized?

Rango

On Thursday, Maggie and I were part of a busy house-hunting schedule. We met hubby on his lunch from work to see a house just a couple miles from his office, then she and I had a few hours to wait before meeting hubby and our realtor after office hours. Originally we were going to just stroll around a local mall, but I ended up parked by the cinema, and realized we'd been wanting to see Rango as we walked into the mall. Luckily it was starting just 20 minutes after we arrived, and matinee tickets were only $5 each!

Before I give my opinion of the movie, I have to disclose that part of the reason a movie looked so appealing was because I was tired. Maggie had the stroller, but I didn't really want to be on my feet for nearly four hours just looking around. Two hours in a cushy movie seat sounded like an excellent break for me! That being said, I admittedly 'rested my eyes' a few times during the move. Sorry, Johnny Depp - please don't take it personally! Maggie and I were the only two in the theater - I don't think I've ever had that happen before, and I don't think it was any reflection on the movie, just on the fact that there weren't many cinema patrons at 2PM on an average Thursday afternoon.

The movie was a fun twist on a regular animated feature. There were a few parts where I laughed at the adult-type humor that Maggie didn't get. She gets so mad at me when that happens, but it just makes me giggle more. Maggie said her favorite part was when Rango's had caught on fire. I believe this is also a part of one of the previews, as she told me about it at the very beginning. She keeps telling everyone about her favorite part, and asking about their favorite part, frequently not understanding that most of the world has not seen the movie ;)

Overall, the movie is about a 'domesticated' lizard who wants to be a screenwriter/actor. While traveling in an aquarium in the back of a vehicle, the aquarium falls off the vehicle and shatters, leaving Rango for the first time a 'wild' lizard. He tries to get right into the role in his new desert community. After casting himself as a hero, he figures out the role may not be all it's cracked up to be. Of course a happy ending prevails and Rango and his friends save the day, while he also wins the girl, of course. Watching Rango was a great way to spend an afternoon :)

Like a Baby's Butt

There seem to be so many acne remedies nowadays, and they seem to be working. I don't know if it's just because I'm not anywhere near a high school on a regular basis, or if they hand out md clear at freshman orientation or something, but I just don't notice as many people with blemishes as I used to. Or maybe I'm just always so busy chasing my toddler I never get to look at anyone's face ;) What's your experience?

I remember going to school with a few people with really damaged skin from acne. I was lucky enough to never have more than a few blemishes here and there. I've never done a lot to take care of my skin, and even now just wash with water and use moisturizer. I suppose genes must play a pretty good part - thanks mom & dad!

10 Random Things for Friday

1. We need to go to the library today because of that darn book that's due a week earlier than the rest of 'em.
2. I'm strongly considering doing lunch at Applebees as part of that trip. I'm totally hooked on the all-you-can-eat soup and salad. YUM!! Anyone want to join us?
3. I slept wrong on my shoulder yesterday and it still hurts a bit. But I think it feels a little better than yesterday. And I'm putting some tylenol in my pocket - maybe it'll help a bit if it gets to that...
4. I am SO. Ready. For. Spring!! Really - super-tired of being shivery and cold. :(
5. And I'm also sort of in the mood for a Saunder's eclair with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Oh yeah. I think it looks like it may start warming up a bit next week again.
   
6. I just remembered - Applebee's is probably off the books for today, since I still have an artichoke in the fridge - YUMMO!! Next week, for sure, Applebees.
7. I also need to go to Kinko's today (I don't think I'll EVER call it 'FedEx Office'). I ordered a bunch of flyers for my fundraiser options for April, but I intentionally ordered them in half-sheets to make them go further. My printer doesn't cut, and I have no intention of cutting 150 sheets manually when Kinko's can do it in a minute for a couple bucks.
8. I won't be eating anything soon if I don't get off my darn yoga ball and start cooking.
9. Maggie has announced she wants her nails painted today so she'll be ready for fairy tea tomorrow. Yay!
10. I got a pork thingy out for dinner tonight and need to figure out what to do with it...hmm....
    

Thanks to Eva for the support! She has blogged about obtaining social work degrees online, antiquing and soccer.

Wickless Candles?

Have you heard of Scentsy yet? Okay, okay, I'm sure if you know me and know my passion for nearly all direct sales, you've heard of Scentsy. They've been growing quickly since 2004, and were recently named to the 2010 Direct Selling News Global 100 list of top direct selling companies, and received both the Direct Selling Association (DSA)'s 2010 Success Award and the DSA's 2009 Rising Star Award.

They are lucky enough to have recently added my best friend from elementary school to their field of 'Escential' Consultants. I almost added 'sales' to the middle of her title, but as Jodi says on her bio page, "Direct sales is very much not my style....I am still not a sales person. I'm not selling a product. I'm sharing an experience."

If you haven't seen Scentsy's wickless scents yet, please check out Jodi's page. If a home party isn't your thing, you can still order directly from her and be enjoying your memory-evoking scent experience soon! Let her know I sent you :)

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I need direction. Random feels so...random. At least on Fridays I can number to ten and know where to start and when to end. This? Could just go on and on. Like Maggie talking about waking up and finding presents from Santa for her, and her daddy, and her mommy. Yes - I've heard this story multiple times this week.

One of the kid's books we have from the library is flagged for a two-week due date. Usually that happens with the holiday books for the closest holiday (like if this were an Easter book). It's Harold and the North Pole. I'm not sure if that's supposed to be a really bad joke about the weather we're expecting or what.

I got an order today from out-of-state from someone who found my website through the internet. Big time yay! My unhealthy addiction regular monitoring of internet stuff is paying off :)

I'm excited to have plans tomorrow with friends we haven't seen in a couple weeks. And then lunch with hubby on Thursday. Always nice to spend some unexpected time with the sexiest man I know (Thursday, not Wednesday, that is!).

Does anyone use Creative Memories StoryBook Creator software? I just got the demo that I'm totally looking forward to playing with later on. And assuming I like that, I'm getting the full version which is on sale this month for just $44.95! If you are using it...your advice?

A mere few ounces of Cherry Coke have taken the edge off of my headache. I'm pretty sure it's actually my neck that's out of whack. I did switch my mouse hand at the same time I started the Cherry Coke. Regardless of what gets credit, I'm glad to be feeling a bit better!

Yay for Cupcakes!

I have been totally loving cupcakes lately. There's a store near us (that I've since found out actually has three or four locations within a couple hours of us) where Maggie and I stop a couple times a week to get huge, moist, delicious, fancy cupcakes. My favorites are the red velvet and the grasshopper ones (chocolate mint, not real grasshoppers).

I like to think that it was my extra business lately that helped them decide to go national! It was announced on Yahoo! last week that they're expanding. I'm not sure if they'll be a franchise business or if they'll actually somehow run all the locations, but trust me, it's a treat for the rest of you!!

Supermoon Saturday!

Thanks for the heads-up, Tammy!

Tonight be sure to go outside and check out the "Supermoon." The moon will look bigger and brighter because it is the closest it has been to the Earth in nearly 20 years.

The full moon, or supermoon, rising in the east at sunset on March 19 will appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter at its peak. The moon will be more than 221,960 miles away - the closest it has been to earth since March 1993.

Learning...

Some jobs - you can do anywhere. If I were to take my chocolate business to another location, state or whatever, as long as the company allows it and has shipping to the location, all I'd need to learn about would be different tax rates on purchases. No big deal!

But if you are an attorney tucson, for example, you can't just up and move somewhere else. Attorneys, nurses, and other professions certified by a board usually require state-specific knowledge. I've been seeing a lot of this in proofreading some documents about law in Michigan. The details are nuts, and I'm just reading them for spelling, grammar, and consistency from post to post or section to section!

When I think the knowledge is overwhelming, I'm grateful I don't have to learn it at this point in my life, but on the other hand I do remember learning the laws that applied to my jobs in banking, collections, and debt management, in particular. It was stuff that just became so ingrained I didn't really have to 'think' about it much by the end. I am grateful I never tried to move or do anything else to change what I was doing mid-course though!

Living the Sweet Life!

There are only SIX DAYS left to get the special $49 Sweet Smile business kit from Dove Chocolate Discoveries! You can start your own chocolate business for just $49! The kit comes with:

Products

1 Chocolate Martini Mix Bottle
1 Box of Cinnamon-Dusted Almonds
1 Truffle Fudge Brownie Mix
6 Chai Tea Packets

Printed Material

1 Welcome Packet
25 Spring/Summer 2011 Catalogs
50 Order Forms
FREE Professional Web Tools
(includes 60-day trial of website, e-newsletter & e-promos)

If you just do your own show for your friends and family, you would make more than you spent and have products left over!! Please think about whether this would make your financial life easier (and more fun!) or if it might help out someone else you know. I can work with anyone in the 48 contiguous states (sorry, we don't do business in Alaska or Hawaii yet), and I do reward for referrals as well.

There's more information at my website, or feel free to comment and I can contact you with more information (my comments are moderated by me - if you include personal information I will not publish your comment, but I will receive your information :) ).

So Pretty!

They say flowers don't last long enough as a gift, but I think the folks who say this are discounting the power of a memory. Every time I see a ProFlowers TV code or drive past a flower shop lately, I've been remembering the beautiful roses that hubby sent me for our wedding anniversary while he was in Germany.

It's even more touching to me that he had to go to so much trouble to get it done. The delivery place just didn't listen to his instructions and his mom had to follow up afterward to correct the florist's mistakes. Hubby not only ordered the flowers, he had to call in other people to make sure they got to me. How sweet is that? :D

What a Great Helper!

Last night as we finished up dinner, we all wanted to go out shopping, so we were in a hurry to get everything wrapped up and put away. Unfortunately, the dishwasher first had to be emptied. So as I put away the leftovers from dinner and hubby emptied the bigger dishes from the dishwasher, he handed the silverware tray from the dishwasher and the silverware tray from the drawer to Maggie and instructed her to, "Sort them."

She did.


She sorted them all out of the drawer and back into the dishwasher tray, and was quite pleased with herself for completing the task!

Note to grownups: Need to specify the source and the goal location for sorting from now on!

Welcome to Michigan

How do you make sure a weekend getaway will turn out nice in Michigan without some sort of weather insurance? Simple - book all indoor activities!

The trip I talked about recently is finally booked! We are spending a couple days at an indoor water park with friends, and it includes an awesome, famous chicken dinner - Yay!! I'm actually not the biggest fan of wearing a swimsuit and doing water stuff, but watching Maggie have fun with friends is always a good time! And just feeling 80 degree weather and pretending it can be that gorgeous in April? Sign me up!

10 Random Things for Friday

1. Artichoke leaves no longer have mean pickers on them. (I've been meaning to tell you this!)
2. I'm really bummed - I wanted to get a manicure tomorrow, but I wasn't able to plan far enough in advance, so there's nothing available :(
3. I feel like I've gotten a few things accomplished today, even though Maggie and I are still in our PJs so far.
4. I'm not excited about lunch. I've eaten at home for like a day and a half straight! ;)
5. I now have the rainbow song stuck in my head from 'Sid the Science Kid' a few minutes ago.
6. Wait til you see the picture and story of Maggie's antics last night!
7. I'm still really bummed about not getting a manicure tomorrow :(
8. Maggie keeps asking me if we can wear shirts today. What she means by this is 'without jackets.' Other people get confused when they overhear her asking if we can wear shirts. Like maybe we usually run around without shirts? Go figure.
9. We make be presentable yet today - Maggie is asking for her bath.
10. I may have my last chocolate show for the month tonight. I technically have one scheduled next Sunday, but with no guest list, I don't have a party.
    

The Schedule Grows...

This weekend has gone from wide-open, to filling it up with fun activities. Friday night I'm doing a chocolate tasting show, but after that we really had nothing written in ink.

Saturday morning I'm going back to a woman I met last month for a manicure. By mid-day our friend we usually do lunch with will be free, so we'll be back to that (missed out last week since we all had other plans!). Saturday afternoon I want to look for an Easter dress for Maggie in case we decide to use bunny pictures for personalized photo gifts for any of the spring holidays coming up. And Saturday night hubby is going to check and see if some other friends want to meet up for dinner.

Sunday doesn't have plans yet, but as fast as Saturday filled up (since 6PM on Thursday!), I'm sure something will fall into place.

Get Smart - The Movie

I don't even know how long ago I was browsing around Netflix and realized there's a movie based on one of my favorite childhood shows - Get Smart. I remember playing make-believe in kindergarten. I was always Agent 99 (the only girl star of the show), while Brent was the Chief and Jimmy was Maxwell Smart. Ahhh...good times :)

Get Smart (the movie) was actually much better than I expected. The humor was stupid but still very funny. Hubby had never seen the show and still appreciated the movie. I was afraid I was only getting it for the nostalgia, but it ended up being a pleasant surprise. Steve Carell was PERFECT for the role of Maxwell Smart. I may even put the movie back in the queue to watch another day. I expect I'll still be quite tickled.

Still House Hunting

So hubby went and saw a house that he thinks may be a winner today. While it has some of the regular stats like four bedrooms, an office, a three-car garage and a big yard, we're both letting our imaginations run wild for the basement.

He said it has several rooms in the basement. Besides the utility room (boring), there's a game room (with room for ping-pong AND pool - guess we'll need billiards supplies), a space for a play room for Maggie and friends, and another room with a large walk in closet that would make a perfect office for me close to said play room.

I think we'll all head out and take a look on Saturday. If he's still as excited and it looks good, we'll start trying to work magic with the numbers, I imagine. And if not, I'm sure we'll find the right one when we're supposed to :)

Too Much German Influence?

Since we living in Germany for a few months in 2007 and hubby has to travel there for work a few times a year, we've had discussions about the cultural differences between the two countries.

One of the things we caught on to right away is that when German women go out, they are usually dressed well and wearing full make-up. I must admit, it's a welcome sight after the sweat pants or pajama pants women drag themselves out of the house in here in the USA. On that note, I don't know if it's the German influence or just the way I've always viewed things, but I just cannot bring myself to leave the house with no make-up on. And the only yoga pants or pj pants I wear are for exercising or sleeping in. People told me these things would change once I had a child, but so far I've stood my ground.

Tonight I only reinforced it again. Maggie and I didn't go anywhere all day, so while I did shower and get dressed, I didn't do anything else besides put a headband on to keep my hair out of my eyes. When I realized at dinner that we didn't have enough milk for breakfast and we decided to run to the market, I went and put on eyeliner and mascara. Not a full make-up, but enough for me to feel presentable.

Give and Get is Here!

Give and Get is Here!: "Enjoy 30% off from March 17-20 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a non-profit."

Changing Dreams

I think the first career I dreamed of was being a teacher, then a nanny. By high school, I didn't think I liked kids enough to have any, but working with them and giving them back at the end of the day sounded tolerable.

While I was still in college, I worked in the library for a bit and liked that, but full-time librarians have a lot more schooling than I wanted. I really loved my job doing medical data entry, and considered looking at some health care careers, but I'm not fond of things that could be gross, and most jobs in that field require at least some training in 'gross.'

Now I figure my dream job has really come around a lot more to working-to-live and not living-to-work. My first and best job is being a mom and wife. The jobs I've had in direct sales, especially my current job with Dove Chocolate, really gives me the opportunity to use my time as I see fit, and have a little extra money to spend when I want it. It may not be the sort of job people think to dream of, but it helps make my dreams come true every day.

What Color Limo?

Okay. I know most blog quizzes end up being written by teenagers and the answers make NO sense in reality, but this one caught my eye for Maggie. She keeps saying she wants a 'lemon-zine.' I don't even remember how it started, but she was thrilled to see the picture of me in the limo in Vegas. Thrilled, but a little jealous too ;)

So here it is - what color limo should I ride in??

You Should Ride in a Black Limo

You crave success, and you don't mind indulging in luxury on your way up to the top. You have no problem following the rules, especially if it means you'll get ahead in life. You create a logical environment in every aspect of your life. You try not to get unnecessarily swayed by emotions. You are diplomatic and tactful. When it comes to dealing with other people, you are all class.

What Color Limo Should You Ride In?

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

Kids Talk!

Maggie's starting to be much more descriptive about the people she sees around her. The other day she saw a heavyset woman in a restaurant and asked the dreaded, "Mommy, does she have a baby in her belly?" Luckily the woman in question was out of hearing range of that one. Today we were shopping for groceries when she demanded, "I want those black ladies to stop laughing!" Yikes! She's still obviously young enough to just not know better, but I was mortified. Fortunately luck was on my side again, as I think their laughter drowned out her comment.

I want Maggie to start noticing more benign things as she goes through the rest of this stage. Why can't I hear, "Mommy, why is that man wearing an ankle brace?" That I could deal with (even if I don't necessarily know the answer) without wanting to hide!

Hump Day!!

Whew! It's been a busy week already! After trying very hard to run several errands on Monday (finished all but one), I totally forget a vital phone call yesterday (guess that's on the list for today!). Last night by the time I remembered I was at my chocolate party.

Tonight is my Thirty-One party. Have you seen their bags and totes? I've only got one that I won, but I haven't actually used it yet! I'm always interested in checking out what's new with direct sales, and I'm sure my friends and I will have fun.

I'm also determined to get back to my business calls today. I officially don't commit myself to doing them when I have evening plans, but with three parties this week, the calls have to get done sometime! Hubby got me an awesome treat to help out - it's a wireless headset that I can use with my Google Voice phone. I'm really excited not to kink my neck to talk and take notes, and to just make calls without walking to the kitchen to get the phone and be distracted by six other things...

Tonight is also Dove Chocolate Discoveries' weekly opportunity call. There are just EIGHT DAYS left with our $49 business kit available - if your own business is something you've considered, do it now and save $110 off the minimum investment starting April 1!

I'm always available if you've got questions, but tonight you can be even more anonymous by calling 1-800-511-7985 and entering passcode 473504 at 8:00PM Eastern time. They'll do an overview of the business, and then there's plenty of time for questions and answers. If there's something specifically you want to ask, speak up! If not, listen in and see if you hear the answers to questions you hadn't even thought of. If you call because of this post, please let me know and I'll offer you an extra incentive if you or a friend signs up by the end of the month!

More Shopping Questions!

I love seeing how many more things you can get online every day! I don't think there's yet a local grocery place I can order from, but I can get organic produce, or buy gold online. I remember - as a book lover - being so excited about Amazon.com. I could browse books for days without leaving my computer, and have the paper copy of them show up just days later!

I also purchased a lot of maternity clothes via eBay or stores that weren't near me when I was pregnant with my daughter. It really opened up a whole range of options that wouldn't have been available without the internet. And one of my favorites currently is my color copies. When I need color copies of flyers for my business, the cheapest and yet still quick way to get them is from a printer who I believe is in the Chicago area. I upload my documents and they print and send however many copies I want - usually in only a couple days.

What is your favorite, or most unexpected, thing to get online? Share your secrets!

Need a Giveaway?

With spring officially just days away, I feel like I want to freshen everything up - even me!

That's why I was so glad to have found this Sephora giveaway at Handmade Reviews. I've never claimed to be too much of a girly-girl, but I could get lost in Sephora for days! If only I were the first one in my husband's life to be like this, I may be able to get away with it from time to time...but he used to have a friend who was much worse at it than I was, so he's never willing to take the risk. Now that Maggie's out of the stroller, I'm afraid of getting too distracted and losing track of her as I dream. For now, Sephora is mostly an online store for me.

What I wouldn't give for a little extra shopping there just for me :)

Cowboy Gets Online - A Guest Blogger Post

Thanks to Wm Rowe

I’ve owned a small shoe store in northern Michigan for over 30 years. When my wife and I first started the business back in the 1970s, it wasn’t necessary to take credit cards since most of our rural customers used cash to buy their cowboy boots. In the last few years, however, I’ve noticed a steep decline in customers who are willing to pay with cash and have lost countless sales when customers just don’t have the money on them.

I did some research this winter on different merchant account services available to businesses like mine, and I’ve finally implemented the Shoe Barn’s first ever credit card processor! My clients are going to be really happy I’ve made purchasing easier, and I’m pretty excited to bring my business into the digital age.

We’ve opened ourselves up to a whole new world of possibility, including creating a transactional website that offers our products nationwide. Can you imagine a man in California walking around in my handcrafted cowboy boots? I never thought I’d live to see the day!

Twitter Spelling Test :)

Created by Oatmeal

No Statement for Me!

Hubby got his Social Security statement the other day. You know the one - it tells you if you work until retirement age what your monthly benefit will be? The funniest part of the statement for every one I've ever received has been the part where they tell how much they think you made each year since you've been working (and paying into social security disability and taxes).

The funny thing is just remembering when I thought I was making some bank and able to spend it on whatever I wanted and having fun in high school. Now? It turns out I was making a few hundred dollars a year back then! If I made that much now I'd be devastated! Hubby's good laugh the other night was seeing how much he'd made the year he worked at a local hamburger shop - usually washing onions out of the floor mats in the kitchen. Sadly, the memories are probably worth more than the actual wages they paid him!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I'm usually super-annoyed when hubby's alarm clock wakes me up, but today at 6:09AM I heard that it's expected to be 60 degrees on Thursday - woo-hoo!!!

We were a little better about waking up this morning. The time change is still killing me! I want to sleep late, and at bed time I am not tired. :(

When you get fruit somewhere - say for example at the 'give a quarter and eat it while you shop' apple bin - do you wash it? Some old hag at our local grocery store scolded me yesterday for letting Maggie pick an apple from the bin, and EAT IT. I explained that the store probably washed them, since they were intended for immediate snacks. She pointed out that 'other kids' may have touched them then! Oh, noes! The same kids who drool and lick the play equipment at the mall? The same kids who put the plastic fruit at the library in their mouth? Yeah, whatever. I told her Maggie has a strong immune system, and it hasn't killed her yet.

I can kind of see the surface of my desk in some places! I want to continue straightening up in here (my office) but today I also need to start getting ready for my chocolate show tonight, and it seems like I have people stopping by, but I can't remember what time. I think that means I should be getting showered and dressed! Hahahaha....

Party Time!

I host a direct sales party at my house once a month or so for a few reasons:

• I'm supporting the industry I work in (this one means a lot to me!). How can I keep telling hostesses why they should have a show, and how fun and easy it is, if I never do it myself?
• I love getting free stuff from the various hostess programs.
• It makes me clean my house!
• It keeps me in contact with my friends and gives me excuses to invite them over. Different friends tend to show up for different sorts of shows.
• The more parties I have, the more successful they tend to be - my friends know I have these parties regularly. They know I have no expectation of them showing up and/or purchasing every time. They also know it will be fun and I love enjoying their company regardless of our theme for the evening.

This month's party is in just a couple days, for a new company called 31. They sell nifty looking bags, and the cool detail is that embroidering is available on all the bags and totes. You can get your name, nickname, a favorite phrase, or whatever you want on a bag just for you - or for a gift!

And the hardest reason on the list (cleaning my house!)? I'm already ahead of the game! It was cleaned well last week with all sorts of green cleaning supplies, so I can sit back and get excited about making a new Dove Chocolate treat for my friends and family to enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Beef Stew from Wildtree. It was good for the night and will keep us alive another day, but I don't know that I'd buy it again. (the product was just the sauce, I added the beef, carrots, potatoes and onions)

Tuesday: I have chocolate work, so Maggie and Daddy will be on their own!

Wednesday: I'm hosting a 31 party, so we'll gorge on appetizers - YAY!!

Thursday: I'm thinking maybe Hamburger Helper. I picked up a new cheesy hashbrown one I've never seen before. I'm liking lots of green vegetables lately though, so I think we may have some asparagus or brussels sprouts with it.

Friday: Back to chocolate work for me! Busy week :)

Mid-Spring Vacation - Here I Come!

Years ago hubby - and then hubby and I - used to go to the Miami Boat Show in Florida every February. But the fun we had there wasn't the sort that would work around an infant or young child, so it worked its way off our agenda.

One year we did a little week-long or so driving tour visiting friends and seeing the sights through and around Pennsylvania and the DC area. It was fun for us an Maggie.

Now that Maggie is getting a little older, we want to show her a good time too, and not just bring her along. So we're staying really close to home for a short trip, but I think we'll have lots of fun! We're just staying a couple days at a cool looking resort with an indoor water park. We'll get to chill on the rustic furniture, have a fabulous 'winner-winner-chicken-dinner' and get away for a little bit, anyway. We're also going with friends, so it'll be fun to share the laughs and watching the two kids interact too ;)

I can't wait! Hubby keeps teasing me because every calendar we has says 'WATER PARK' in big letters across the days of the trip. I'm trying to give myself something to look forward besides having a job I love every month.

Weekend in Review

Busy, busy, busy!

Friday hubby had off work for a medical test he needed, so Maggie and I did our best to cater to his needs and make him as comfortable as possible...until 6PM when his dad came over instead, and Maggie and I met up with friends to head to Disney on Ice!

We all had a great time at the show. Joel's mom wasn't sure if he'd really want to sit and watch the whole thing, but he was really into it and having a ball! Maggie's biggest concern during the whole first half of the show was only that she wanted cotton candy.
While the show was great, I was really disappointed when we first arrived and there were NO BATHROOMS after the hour drive until after we waited in line at will-call to get our tickets, and then waited in line again to go through security, before going up about a billion steps to the nearest bathroom. It was close, but Maggie was luckily able to hold it!

Saturday I was excited to head to Toledo for our first Dove Chocolate Discoveries team meeting there. It was really fun getting to meet one of our new team members, reconnecting with Jacki, our marvelous host who has been doing the business for a while, and signing up another new member for our Toledo team! I'm really excited to expand that area, since I regularly get company leads from people in and near Toledo looking to have their own chocolate tasting parties.
Hubby headed out with some work friends Saturday night, but he had time to take us to a delicious dinner at East Side Mario's. I still get to have leftovers for lunch tomorrow - bonus!

Sunday the time sprung forward an hour, which of course means we started out what felt like an hour later than usual. Fortunately I'd started preparations for Sunday's chocolate tasting on Saturday night while hubby was out, so I was able to be on time by the show in the afternoon. The show was a good time, and my hostess will have fun picking out $75 in free chocolate tomorrow!
With the running late and time issues, I missed having a good lunch, and ended up with a killer headache by the time we got home. Hubby was nice enough to let me try and sleep it off - yay!
Although we ended up with a late dinner, I'm feeling better now and have gotten a lot of stuff accomplished this evening.
I'm ready for a fresh Monday start and another productive week!

Weird Things I Thought Everyone Knew...

I saw someone post on Facebook tonight lamenting the cost of animal vaccinations for her new puppy. She actually said she wished she could get short term health insurance Blue Cross or something. Several people had piped in before I even read the post that you can get insurance for your pets - just ask at your vet's office!

I somehow already knew that. I think it's one of those catch-22 things though, if you can afford monthly insurance for your pet, you can probably already afford their regular medical care. The pet insurance companies aren't the same as the human ones, and of course they have to base some expense on different breeds and things that experience different problems, but the general concept sounds similar! Go figure - did you know about pet insurance, or are you struggling to just keep insurance for yourself and your family?

Sunday Stealing: The Burnt Toast Meme (Part Two)

Is it me, or is this pic creepy?

Today we ripped off a blogger named Fridge from the blog Buzzing Fridge. Buzzing Fridge's last post was in 2010. He states he got it from Toast. Since we've got Toast's pick (Fridge never shared one) we thought that we'd post it. Toast has had a blog since 2003, but when he reinvents it, he deletes his archives. So we have no idea where Toast got it. It's 50 questions, so we will do it in three parts. Had we had found the old blog, we would known where Toast got it from. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Burnt Toast Meme, Part Two

Cheers to all of us thieves!

17. Who would you like to show up at your door to say they love you? Umm...my husband?

18. Last furry thing you touched? Audrey, the cat.

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? Do vitamins count? Or maybe some big, bad caffeine?

20. Do you miss film or does digital work for you? Digital is so much more affordable!

21. Favorite age you have been so far? Always the current one - may as well enjoy it!

22. Your worst enemy? Myself ;)

23. What is your current desktop picture? Maggie and hubby in the Snoopy cars at Cedar Point.

24. What was the last thing you said that was funny? Probably something to tease Maggie.

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? Easy - a million bucks. Assuming that means dollars, and not male deer...

26. Who can't you say “no” to? I think I can say no to anything, if I have to.

27. The last song you bought or downloaded? I don't even recall - it's been too long.

28. What time of day were you born? 9:06AM.

29. What’s your favorite number? Why? 13. Just because. And it happens to be my birthday.

30. Where did you live in 1987? At my parents' house.

31. Are you jealous of anyone? Sometimes.

32. Is anyone jealous of you? Probably sometimes.

33. It's been almost a decade. Where were you when 9/11 happened? At work.

Redecorating Dreams

It's been so long since I've just flipped through the television channels and watched whatever caught my eye. Okay, at least a week, anyway. I think I'm one of the few who doesn't get ideas from the home makeover shows as much as just feeling inadequate. If I were to try and set out laying those little glass tiles they do in their awesome looking retro bathrooms, or kitchen backsplashes, I'm afraid I'd end up with only grout showing! So much for the pretty sparkly glass tiles.

What's the best home project you've done? Although I'm not much of a hand at it, my husband did a beautiful job on our wood flooring and our ceramic tile in the kitchen. I also appreciate our re-done bathroom with the crisp white tile on the ceiling. And the lady at the home improvement store told him it couldn't be done! ;)

Sunday Stealing: The Burnt Toast Meme (Part One)

This was actually from last Sunday (March 6), but since I missed it then, I figured I can do it now, right? Here goes!

This meme is swiped from a blogger named Fridge from the blog Buzzing Fridge. Buzzing Fridge's last post was in 2010. He states he got it from Toast. Since we've got Toast's pick (Fridge never shared one) we thought that we'd post it. Toast has had a blog since 2003, but when he reinvents it, he deletes his archives. So we have no idea where Toast got it. It's 50 questions, so we will do it in three parts. Had we had found the old blog, we would known where Toast got it from. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Burnt Toast Meme

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? My new eyeliner didn't last.

2. How much cash do you have on you? Right now? None, cuz I'm in my PJs already. But I think there's like a whopping $4 in my purse...

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR? Four.

4. Favorite planet? Earth. I've never lived anywhere else.

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? Hubby. And he never leaves a message because he keeps trying other numbers til he finds me :)

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone? I've only got one. Some weird techno beat, I think.

7. What shirt are you wearing? My Detroit Tigers hoodie.

8. Do you label yourself? Nah. The cheap labels fall right off, and the really good ones rip hair out when you pull them off.

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing? I think I got the slippers on my feet from Target. No brand name.

10. Bright or Dark Room? Bright, lately.

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? Absolutely nothing.

12. What does your watch look like? Does anyone really wear a watch anymore? I just check the time on my phone if I need to.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night? Either sleeping, or wishing I was.

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say? "Hahahaha....she's so cute!"

15. Where is your nearest 7-11? Maybe a quarter mile away? The parking lot faces my street, but I think the actual store address is on the other main street.

16. What's a word that you say a lot? Details....

Bills, Bills, Bills

Unfortunately I don't mean the kind that become laws! I can't wait for April, when I believe we'll get three paydays instead of two. On the last payday, we were scheduled to pay the cable bill, electric, car insurance, and our once a year payoff of the boat insurance. I was all ready to make a payment on the boat insurance, but hubby stopped me because we save so much by paying it in full right away. Glad he was keeping an eye on it and stopped it in time for the savings.

Do you pay your bills online, or the old check and stamp method? It took me a long time to switch to online, but hubby already had his stuff there, so I finally bit the bullet and started doing it all from the same place. Now it's so easy I don't know why I waited!

Yay! Zombies!

The other night hubby and I got a new (to us) zombie flick from Netflix. According to IMDB it's Wasting Away, but it was in our queue as Aaah! Zombies!! Either way, it was unique!

This particular zombie flick was from the zombie's perspective. It had a really cool way of showing you how the zombies saw things in color, and how everyone else saw the zombies in black and white. The zombies were really slow, and thought the people they couldn't understand (because everyone else talked and moved so slow in comparison) as 'infected.'

It didn't have a lot of gore as a zombie movie, but I didn't miss it. While they definitely promote it as a comedy, I merely found it amusing, but I'd love to add it to my collection of zombie movies. The love story was touching, and I definitely appreciated the happy ending (for most of them!).

Save, Save, Save!

It's tax refund time - yay! I'm excited to plan a little weekend getaway for us to a local indoor water park, just to break it up ;)

I know a lot of people talk about what a waste it is to let the government have money 'interest-free' all year, but it's always such a nice treat when we get it back. I'd be so bummed if we owed money and had to come up with it at this point instead of a nice bonus.

What's your best tip for having a little stash show up periodically? Do you clip coupons? Do you use cheapestautoinsurance.net? Are you the queen of discounts?

I can never keep track of that sort of stuff, but I'm good at knowing how to make a few bucks here and there. By participating in focus groups, or a few odd jobs I pick up from time to time during the year, I have walking-around money when I need it.

Zombies!

Created by Oatmeal

Ends Almost Meeting?

I love when a plan falls into place :) I have a couple things I want to save for, and I just may be able to make my goals!

I remember being in college, and working, and wondering if I'd need payday loans to pay the rent before my check came in again. It was close more than once. I suppose that's what makes me appreciative of things usually working out.

This spring is going to be busy to keep all the balls in the air, though! I'm starting my test-scoring job again next month (which meant a late night last night getting all the prerequisites done), plus some editing on the side, plus trying to continue doing six to eight chocolate shows a month.

But it sure is fun being able to sign Maggie up for the activities she wants, and not having to ask for as much money from the family budget for little things. :)

Breastfeed - Every Ounce Counts

I got to hear one of my favorite PSAs on the radio again today. It was women commenting about the benefits of breastfeeding. Someone says something about the calories burned by the mother each day, then someone mentions immunity benefits for the baby, then there's a comment about preventing breast cancer for the mother, then they get back to the calories burned by the mother. I always kind of chuckle. If burning calories is the best reason a woman can come up with to breastfeed her baby, well, at least she's breastfeeding the baby.

They finally suggest this link for more information. I couldn't find the audio from the radio commercial we heard, but there's a couple brief videos I can't figure out how to embed. It's also not the page just about breastfeeding, although that is the graphic on the page, and there is a link that's not hard to find to breastfeeding info.

I respect the fact that not everyone has a successful breastfeeding relationship for whatever reason, and that's not what this is about. I would just love to see more women try. Like the ad says, "Every Ounce Counts."

Burning a Hole...

I've had a few bucks in my Paypal for a couple weeks now. I know, it sounds like a silly gripe. I keep forgetting exactly how much, so it makes it hard to spend with my Paypal debit card. I finally decided to get a couple fancy cupcakes for Maggie and I yesterday. As I spent that $7, I received the same amount back in from a job I'd done - hahahaha.....

Apparently I'm destined to have a few bucks left until I hit eBay or another retailer who accepts it. What should I shop for? Clothes? Books? Maybe something fun for Maggie or an xbox 360 controller?

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I even blow-dried my hair this morning, and it still ended up a very bad hair day :( I may be wearing a hat to Disney on Ice tonight!
2. My head has wanted to hurt for a few days now. I think a Cherry Coke on the way out tonight will fix me up...
3. I'm in a funk again, but I think I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope it isn't a train.
4. Maybe I should start a poll about cutting my hair again. I'd love to grow it out and ponytail it, but I tried for like a year and it never got long enough...
5. Apparently I'm a fan of ellipses today ;) ....
6. I...erm...totally forget what #6 was, since I got up to answer the phone and chat for a bit in the middle of it.
7. I want to eat something salty, but I'm all out of Dean's French Onion Dip. That's the best way to eat Ruffles Potato Chips :(
8. I totally want to get on planning a water park vacation for us next month. I really need to get the lead out to work my way down my growing to-do list!
9. By the way? I'm cold. Yeah, big surprise I know.
10. I really like Faygo Rock & Rye. Have you had it? Just one reason I love living in Michigan - yummy Faygo pop!
    

Snug as a Bug in a...

I always tease Maggie when I'm bundling her up in warm clothes, or strapping her in her car seat, or tucking her in bed at night. There's an episode of a kids' program called Word World where the animals try to figure out a rhyming word to complete the phrase, 'snug as a bug in a...' Now when I say the beginning, Maggie shouts out, "Rug!" It still amuses me every time.

One of the things that really makes me feel snug is one of my favorite holiday presents from last year. I'm so perpetually cold, I'd told hubby I'd like an electric blanket again (I don't think I've had one since I was in high school!). He had a suggestion, and got me something I'd never heard of. Did you know there are heated mattress pads? They are awesome! Ours has a pre-heat setting, so I get it all toasty for the first half hour I'm in bed, and then turn it down to a low but cozy setting near the bottom of the dial. If I wake up at all chilly during the night (which I usually don't), I just bump it back up to the nice high pre-heat! I love it!

Tell Me Thursday

As yesterday's picture illustrates, Maggie is very happy that her mom is a chocolatier! One night for dinner, I melted some leftover chocolate and we used it to cover strawberries I'd gotten on sale at Meijer. Yum!!

This is the last month to sign up as a Dove Chocolate Discoveries chocolatier for just $49! I'd love to see more people take advantage of this awesome price to start your own business. You'll make back your initial investment by doing just one show - and that could be your own! You get paid at least 25% of the total sales of every show you do, starting with the first one. There's really nothing to lose!

Yay for Me?

Well, we finally ate at home (mostly) all day, and didn't order more take out food (unless you count the leftover pizza for breakfast, but that was ordered yesterday!).

Unfortunately, I was very disappointed in my dinner attempt. We had chicken baked with BBQ sauce, baked potatoes, and asparagus. I overcooked the asparagus, the potatoes didn't bake enough, and the chicken (of course) wasn't enough on its own. Oh, and then the cat had diarrhea during dinner, so I got to follow dinner up with giving the medium-haired calico a bath. Ever tried to give a cat a bath? Luckily she trusts me so it wasn't as bad as it may have been...

Tomorrow I'm off the hook for cooking. Hubby's doing a fast, so Maggie and I may go out for lunch (although so far she's requesting 'ocean nibbles' at home), and then dinner is whatever. She's been asking for a bologna and cheese sandwich, so I bet that would thrill her.

Friday we'll be running hubby around all day, but he seems to think he may be up to going to Disney on Ice that evening (are you still interested, S & J?). We'll see....

Oh, and I'll definitely be calling the vet tomorrow to see if there's anything I can do to avoid bathing the cat again. Yeah, for real.

Wordless Wednesday

A Nudge in the Right Direction

Luckily one of the things on my 'MUST be done' list for tomorrow is grocery shopping. It's not scott kay engagement rings shopping or anything, but maybe a teeny bit of retail therapy will make tomorrow a little more cheery.

And on that note, any suggestions for yummy recipes I can try? Hubby doesn't like any seafood, so that's out. I'm just not inspired to cook the same old stuff. I feel like a total moron in the kitchen, so half the recipes I see that I think look good, mention stuff that I would have NO IDEA where to find at the market. I'd be like the single guy looking for the toast aisle.

I did get a lot of old stuff cleared out of the fridge today so I'm ready to add some fresh new munchies, now it's just a matter of deciding what....

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I'm really ornery today. Just stating a fact. Nothing really 'bad' happened today, just little things are getting on my nerves more than they should. I think I'm going to bed very, very soon.

And I forgot my next random thing. Darnitall.

I've absolutely got to make a to-do list for tomorrow before I go to sleep tonight, in case I wake up still cranky. Right now I may be content to stay in bed for the rest of the week. So in addition to returning the wrong stuff I got at Party City and calling to complain about an order from another company that sent something other than what I ordered, I should schedule something less annoying.

I started making some calls to follow up on the leads I got at the women's expo last weekend for my chocolate business. I decided to kick it off with the easy ones - people who actually checked off that they want to have a tasting party, or more information on becoming a chocolatier. I made a whopping six calls. Got hung up on once, had someone say, "This is...er...um...you have a wrong number," when I asked for her, had someone ask me to call back in an hour, and left five messages on voicemails (including one for the woman who I called back when she asked me to). I'm frustrated.

I feel bad that Maggie has to be around me when I don't even want to be around myself. :(

First Job

How well do you remember your first job? What reminds you most of it?

One of my first jobs was as a cashier at a local family-owned hardware store. It was actually a pretty decent-sized business, with (I think) five stores within a couple hours. I worked at the biggest store, which also had the office staff. The building where it used to be has been greatly modified. It used to be inside a mall in the 1980s, and has since been converted to a strip mall along with most of the rest of middle America.

What reminds me most strongly of working there is the smell of cigars. Anytime the owner came in, you knew he was there by the smell of his arturo fuente cigars. It was kind of nifty, because as soon as you smelled it, you knew to step up your game and play by the rules. He always came in on Sundays. Anyone who worked on Sunday got free lunch while we were there. The owner of the store was friends with some local restaurant owners. They made the greasiest (and of course fabulously delicious) pizza and super-garlic-y breadsticks.

When I smell a cigar now, the first person I still think of is the owner of that hardware store where I worked wayy back in high school in my hometown.

10 Random Things for Friday

1. For the next major holiday (Mothers' Day?) I want the full version of Adobe, and a class so I can use it correctly. There are flyers in my head that need to be made!
2. I want a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting.
3. My mouse is acting up, but I think it's in my best interests. I'm not going to top my high score in Bejeweled Blitz again this week, so I should focus on my to-do list.
4. I also want a fresh artichoke, boiled and dipped in butter. YUMMO!!
5. I had my nails manicured/painted at an event I worked last Saturday, and they're still chip-free! Yay!! I usually have to touch up every day or every other day when I use my base coat, two coats of color and top coat. I just don't have that professional touch.
6. I feel like I have like 26 hours of work to finish in the next 20 hours (not counting sleep), but I'm getting too tired to even imagine where to start.
7. I started reading a team-building book, but their idea of team building is so much more corporate than my direct-sales vision that I don't think I'll read much more. I'll skip ahead to the last chapter, though, which is written by a direct sales motivator and tries to tell how direct sales team building applies to the corporate world.
8. Maggie loved seeing 'The Ugly Duckling' tonight, but she was a little confused. The play was re-written using a flamingo in a family of penguins, so Maggie couldn't figure out which one was supposed to be a duck. ;)
9. Frozen Peanut Butter Patties aren't as good as room temperature ones. Too bad they don't thaw faster.
10. I still can't wait for spring. I'm so tired of being cold :(
    

Bigger, Better, Faster, More?

What is it about guys that they always require an Optimized Cable Company?

Last night, approximately two and a half minutes before I was supposed to be out the door, hubby got home and rattled off something about straightening a path in my office (which is admittedly a pit) before I left so he could get to the VGA cables or something. Really, honey? When my system isn't working, of course I'm happy to help access anything that will lead to a solution, but when I'm not sure if it will even help my programs, or just his racing game, it's a little frustrating!

I realize I may end up eating my words once he accomplishes whatever he needs to get in the dark recesses of my office for. Maybe HDMI to DVI cables will help improve my Big Love viewing experience or something - I really don't know! And I'm biting my tongue from complaining too much about technology when he starts talking about getting more episodes instead of waiting for them to come out on Netflix. I suppose my ignorance is its own curse. I don't even know how my computer or entertainment stuff could be improved until he magically does something to make it so. Guess I'll find out soon!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I realized after making my menu plan the other day that we're going to MIL's house on Wednesday or Thursday for dinner. :)

I somehow forgot that I'd bought artichokes at the store yesterday when we were having lunch today. So now I'm cooking up an artichoke for a mid-afternoon snack - YUM!!

I'm so excited that the Sharpie marker 24-pack that I ordered yesterday delivered TODAY!! I was afraid it was just the boring old printer cartridge, but that is still on it's way. I see some coloring in my future this afternoon.

My kitty is home! She stayed at the vet last night in preparation for her dental cleaning and removal of a tumor today. Now she's got a big ole frankenstein stitch across the top of her head. Luckily the vet also found a small tumor on her hip that he was able to freeze off while she was out for everything else.

I think the first thing I need to do with my new markers is a gigantic to-do list. I'm still not caught up from all my time sick last week. I still need to get ready for a fundraiser on Saturday, a women's expo expecting lots of attendance on Sunday, and then my team meetings are next Tuesday and Saturday. What was I thinking? Hahahahahaha....Busy is usually a good thing :)

Where There's a Will...

I've had a couple friends have babies lately, and it always gets me thinking. Not just about our own family, but about how other people...well, make theirs, for lack of a better term. I remember one friend who had several boys and started researching methods of gender selection for their next. She was following a special diet and even taking over-the-counter drugs to change the 'environment' of her uterus by making it more or less mucus-y. I guess they said that would make it more or less hospitable to X or Y chromosomes.

Although that was one of the more inventive stories I heard, I talked to lots of people who opted for genetic screening once they were pregnant. I'm not sure where the desire for this stuff starts. Some doctors we talked to even years ago when we were having Maggie practically assumed you wanted it. And in looking at the baby forums back then, there were a lot of women who wouldn't imagine going through with a pregnancy without the knowledge.

What's your take on it? The technology is definitely there! If you were doing it all now, would you want to decide or even know the gender or other details about your unborn baby? I can see pros and cons either way...