Giving Thanks and Such

Sometimes, when you think it's all ready to come to an end you have to go back to where it all began. Today I want to give thanks for:

• six degrees of separation
• friends who insist that you come out among the living simply because they need to be out among the living
• having people who will celebrate the day of my birth again and again until I say stop
• side hustles
• pizza, beer, rum, and Wii
• cash as presents
• surprise flower deliveries.

Aaaaaaaaaaaand, Scene!

Whew!

On Sunday, I was headed to my Mom's in the thick of our first real winter snow when I watched this minivan breeze off the ramp and lose control. The vehicle hit another vehicle in oncoming traffic and then went head on into the median. I didn't stop driving. I did call 911. I told my mom about it when I got to her house and we both shook our heads.Where could this person be headed to that they wouldn't risk missing a green light?

Tuesday night after cheer practice, April came home to tell me that one of the boys in her class was in an accident. The accident happened on Sunday. She wanted to know if I'd heard about it because it was by my house. The boy and his sister are fine; their mother died. I cried. I lament the fact that I these children are now homeless orphans. How often do we hear of tragedy and overlook it because it doesn't affect us directly? This incident humbled me again.

Yesterday, I received the most beautiful bouquet of flowers. I've never been one to put much stock in gifts but I loved the feeling of being remembered by someone! Anyone! I had almost forgotten what it feels like to get flowers. This brought all those bubbly feelings back to the surface.

I need you all to know that I did not stay true to my New Year's Resolutions to lose 50 pounds or work my MLM business. But I did manage to meet my MLM minimums every quarter without fail. Tips to all MLMers out there. Leaving catalogs in hair/nail salons, dentist offices, and spas really does work. Just be smarter than me and remember to update your business cards when you change your information. *gives wink*

Michael Vick wants a dog.

BAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHA!

He says that it will help people see that he really is a good guy. Now. I love Michael Vick. And I was all about letting him back in the NFL. I was serious when I said that dogs are not people and that there are rapists, drug users, and wife beaters among the ranks of the overpaid. But there is no way in hell I condone giving him another dog. That's like letting a pedophile run an at-home daycare.

Thankful Thursday

For some reason, I find myself in the mood to give the bird to a majority of the world. It's ok though because when all else fails I can find my center during a thankful Thursday. I live for this day simply because it forces me to slow down and find joy and peace in everyday situations. So, here it is.

This week, I'm thankful:

• for my sanity


• that people still stand up against what's wrong


• that I have an opportunity to build a real financial future in lieu of spending the rest of my days working for someone else


• that yesterday is over (it was a bitch!)


• that Happy Hour is tomorrow


• for dress sales


• that I met my annual minimums in my Gold Canyon business


• that I get to keep selling The World's Finest candles


• that the love of my life is out there somewhere waiting for the day when he can put up with my craziness and listen to me snore

What are you thankful for?

That’s My Truth, Summed Up For Your Feminine (Or Masculine) Judgment

(Or Today’s Early Morning Thoughts)

I love the movie "Waitress" by Adrienne Shelley. There's just something about this film that resonates hope and humility.

Two weeks ago, I slid into someone else’s car and caused enough damage to take the front plate off her bumper. I told her that I would pay her today and I did because I’m a person of my word. I feel as though I did the right thing by paying her in full even though she came to me with an entirely new estimate that’s $150 more. And she got this estimate yesterday. Even though her and her hubs got four done on the day I hit her vehicle and I allowed her to choose which shop. I find it strange and a lot under-handed, but we’re moving forward. And truthfully, I would be here in a puddle of tears if Ethan hadn’t fronted me the dough.

I love my father. I really do. But as a very wise woman (CBS111) once told me, “When you were a kid, it was ok because kids are more accepting. But now you’re an adult with standards and he’s not meeting them”. (Or something along those lines). The point is that dealing with my father is a constant let down. For four years, I have tried to have “the talk”. If you grew up with both parents loving you completely and supporting you fully then you don’t know “the talk”. If you’re strong enough to live your life without needing other people’s acceptance (Bravo! [non-sarcastically] I really do aim to be more like you) then you definitely don’t know “the talk”. But I grew up with my father participating… intermittently. Say, every four to six years. And I resent him for it. I often feel abandoned when people walk away from me, even if it’s just for the night. I have a hard time separating – even temporarily – because I don’t honestly believe that I will see that person again.

I shouldn’t have had those Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs for breakfast. I know better. But I can’t eat anymore Easter M&Ms. I’ve had so many that I can taste the dye. Oh! That’s right. Forgot to tell you. I went on an Easter candy binge because it was ALL ON SALE! Bags and bags of candy for less than $2/each. Yes, please! However, I now have 5 (yes, f-i-v-e) unopened bags of candy still left. They will probably end up in some trail mix.

There are only 22 squares left to make until I can start to put together my mom’s blanket. I’m very excited about it and I know that she’ll love it. The hard part will be trying not to give it to her too soon.

If the VP walks through here one more time, I’m going to assume he’s stalking me and just me. He probably doesn’t even see the other two people in the row because I’m so fly.

My shoes today are fabulous. I don’t wear them enough. Probably because I no longer budget for pedicures. I should go back to that. I’m not a foot person. That’s why I hate doing my own feet. Don’t get me wrong, I do my own feet. I just don’t like it.

I drink waaaaaaaayyyy too much alcohol. I’m thinking I’m going to cut back… maybe… slightly… probably not.

The candle biz is going to the dogs. I just don’t have the energy or the desire anymore. Good thing I didn’t buy inventory.

I don’t want to live with Palmer. He’s a nagging, whiny vijay. This is why I couldn’t bring myself to date him. I will probably work two jobs just so we’re never around each other. I need to devise a plan for ATL like A-effing-SAP if I intend to make it my permanent home (which I don’t).

Which reminds me, I need to get serious about moving to Spain. I’ve been talking about it since I came back from my class trip Ten.Years.Ago. It’s time now, don’tcha think?

Good Gracious! I’ve wasted over an hour writing this post. No wonder I’m getting the stink eye from the VP who just walked through the other aisle but definitely saw me looking at him instead of working. Maybe I should’ve put my headset on so it would have been less conspicuous. Note to self: next time, put your headset on.

Where Has the Time Gone?

We are less than two weeks into the new year and I'm not making much progress on my resolutions. Firstly, I can't begin to tell you if I'm losing weight because I have yet to go and purchase a scale. And it's been so long since I've been to the gym that I'm afraid to show my face because the last thing I said to my trainer was, "It's winter. Who cares if I get fat? No one can see it". But I know he'll see it. I SEE IT! I can't fit into my jeans. My $100 jeans!! Dios Mio! What have I become?

On the bank front, I have begun some research. And let me just say that banks, as a whole, suck major butt. It's like none of them are any good anymore. And credit unions are ass hats too. They want to be major players (and charge like they are) but they don't have half the perks of the big boys. So, I've got it narrowed down from the hundreds of options out there to like... 6. 6! Sigh...

Travel is looking up. I've decided that my trip will be to visit both my Grandmothers. They live in the same city, less than 15 miles from each other. I just can't stand Grandma S. She's so mean. But with my bro as a buffer, I should be fine. And I want to visit Ethan in Oki. But we'll see on that. I don't think my pockets are deep enough for that.

On the craftiness front, I am ahead of the game. I'm working on this winter wolf cross stitch that is going to be bad ass when I'm finished. Someone offered me $5 for it. I told her to save her breath. The materials cost $15 and I'll have major hours in it. And I bought a calligraphy kit.

I wanted to go to church yesterday but I was sick. I still am sick. But that's still a priority and I'm hoping to make it to a mid-week service of some sort. I'll keep you updated.

Love? NFL is gone. He lied. We didn't spend NYE together. I yelled. He hasn't called since. 'Nuf said.

To revisit the idea of having a theme day. I will make mine on Wednesday and it will be my day to weigh in. I have decided to keep track of my progress on this blog. Only God can help us now.

Well, TTFN.

Resolutions

Last year was all about my finances. Making more money while pinching pennies to pay down your college indiscretions is hard work. It will also stress you out to the brink of no return and cause you to make some (sometimes very) bad decisions. Although I didn't reach my goal of being completely debt free I did manage to get extremely close and will be debt free by April 2010. My credit? Well, that still needs some time to recover.

This year, I have decided that I am going to work on Physical Me. Or at least the Me on paper. You know? Dating Profile Me? That needs some work. Because men can't see that you have paid off all your student loans. They don't notice that there's only one credit card in your wallet and it has no account balance. It's not obvious to them that you learned to knit and became disarmingly familiar with $1 movie rentals so that you could one day wake up and owe nothing to everyone. Instead, men have a tendency to look at your ass as you walk by, and mine has been widening steadily.

So, here are my resolutions in order of importance to me.

1. Lose 50 pounds ~ roughly 1 lb a week. Which is more than reasonable and can be done with sufficient strength training.

2. Save $300+ a month (starting April 2010). I'm already living without it as I'm pouring all of my income into debt reduction. And really $300 is less than half of what I'm putting into my debts, so really... this is no thing.

3. Find a new, better bank. This will involve research on my part. But it's necessary because I'm getting the shaft by my current bank. I enrolled through work and I'm getting no perks. None. Not to mention they were bought out in last years fiscal crisis, so basically, I'm getting it royally with no vaseline.

4. Budget wisely (and follow) in an effort to live better and prepare for the future. The biggest mistake I made this year was not thinking and planning before I leapt into my debt reduction program. I did not save or leave any room for error. Thankfully, I haven't had any 911s (yet).

5. Become more crafty. Yes, I'm already a young June Cleaver. Go ahead. Mock me. I find peace in crafts. Not to mention that people love hand-made gifts. One of the girls at work had her miracle baby and I made her a birth announcement. For me, it was solace. For her, it was... More. I can't even explain the light in her eyes but it made me feel good. So, I want to do more of that this year.

6. Join a church and begin giving again. This is another selfish one. A) It will get Grammy off my back. B) It will allow me to meet more people and network. C) I will feel like I belong somewhere again. D) Mr. Right may actually be there (I've already looked everywhere else).

7. Open myself up to receive love. Let's just say that I was "cautiously optimistic" in 2009.

8. Look for a more fulfilling career. I feel like I am at a stand still at my current place of employment and I can't stop wondering if there is more out there.

9. Buy new furniture. I still have my 13" tv from college and a hand-me-down bed that even the dogs can't get a good night's sleep on. It's time.

10. Go on at least one real vacation out of this state.

11. Get my car working properly. (Maybe I should move this one up?)

12. Work my MLM business.

There you have it! My goals for 2010. I'll keep you posted on how this all works out.

Why, Yes I Am!

Yesterday evening, I went with a friend to check out a product that he sells. He and I are both very determined to be independently wealthy and so are always open to new opportunities. Basically, we're the new Amway generation. Most people that enter into Multi-Level Marketing or MLM do it for extra cash, vacations they can't afford, or because a smooth talker convinced them that they too could get rich quick! But Chad and I are different. We are hustlers. We are champions. We are determined to at least make back the money we invest.

What Chad didn't know was that I've been in MLM since I was old enough to sign a contract. So I've been there, done that, and can tell you who will and who won't be around six months from now. All that aside, his goal was to recruit me. I can't blame him, as anyone in MLM will tell you, ask absolutely everyone you've ever met because that is the only way that you are guaranteed success in your own business.

Last night, I'm sitting talking with the local Regional Director and I can see the lust (for me to be in his downline) in his eyes. He asked what business opportunities I had previously been a part of and I shared, including the one I currently participate in. The mental war between us was intense. He, the hunter, trying to keep his heartbeat in check so as not to lead off his prey. Me, the hunted, knowing my predator and that I possess the only thing he currently wants. The dance was careful and calculated. And then he caressed me with words soft like Angel Whispers. Yes, he guessed my age and pegged me a year low!

That's right! According to this man I not only don't look my age but I, in fact, look younger. As a single, twenty-something, non-white, professional woman, I was floored and totally took it as a compliment. The giggling and blushing persisted for at least 60 seconds. Unfortunately for him, I snapped back into business mode the moment he mentioned compensation packages and products. I find their compensation program lacking in incentives and the quality of their products inferior. But I told him to keep me updated. This MLM is still young. If it were a child it'd still be wearing diapers. They will find their way. And when he can feed me a cookie that doesn't taste like carob and cardboard, I just might reconsider.