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Bragging rights

Ok, so I don't like to brag about myself. But I feel I can brag about my kids anytime, right?

DS had the 12 & under short course state championship swim meet last weekend. He didn't make any individual state times, but was fast enough to swim on 3 of 4 relays that were available. His best friend beat him in the 50 yard backstroke to take a spot on the 4th relay, which of course we were very supportive of. (Plus that way we only had to go to 3 sessions, as there is only 1 relay per age group per session, and as it was we were there Friday evening, Sat morning and Sun afternoon!)

So the first relay he swam really well! He was the backstroke leg of a 400 yard medly relay. They were the B relay team, and ended up in 14th place out of 18 teams. Not bad.

Day 2 was the highlight of his swimming career! It was the 200 freestyle relay, where all 4 boys swim a 50 yard freestyle, one at a time, just like a relay you would see at track & field. DS was the slowest seeded swimmer, and his coach put him in 4th out of 4 boys. The other 3 boys on his team are all in a more advanced group, and all had state cut times in the 50 freestyle. Well, after the race was over, our boys came in 11th! Awesome! But more awesome for us was when I saw DS's split time on his portion of the race. Not only did he BEAT the times of the other 3 boys on his team (which doesn't matter, just a personal thing), but his time would have been a state cut time, if it had counted! In relays, only the first leg counts as an individual time. But most importantly, now DS knows he can swim that fast!

I was so proud of my boy! Of course, DH was too! After the race was over I was ecstatic, and was accepting congratulations from all the parents around me. (as if I had swam the race, hee hee) We were all wondering where DS pulled such an incredible time from! He beat his previous personal best by nearly 2.5 seconds! So I was sitting there glowing, and DS came walking over, with the biggest grin I have ever seen on his face! He came running up to me and gave me a huge hug, which he doesn't do much anymore in public, being the "mature 12 year old". He was all teary eyed, and my tears were just flowing as well. I heard one of the other parents say "Seeing expressions like DS's make all of the driving so worth it!" That totally made it worth sitting at the hot pool for hours and hours!

Sunday he also posted a personal best time, and also beat the other 3 swimmers on his relay team. I just knew he was still flying on the high from Saturday!

Now he is already talking about swimming all 5 sessions at the Long course state championships in July! And getting some individual times as well.

We have a month off now, and start the next season at the end of March. DS can't wait! Neither can I.

My special offer!

I’m asking for help! I’m really close to my goal of earning the trip to Los Cabos for DH & myself. But I need a little help to get there!

I’m offering 2 ways to get free candles!

#1 – Have a $250+ show in March and you could get your choice of 2 or more of a list of 10 items each at a 60-70% discount! PLUS, if you host a $250+ home or catalog show and submit it to me by March 29, I will add $50 to your free hostess credit! Remember, you can schedule a home show or a catalog show!

#2 - Would you like to get a free candle Gift tin? They are Nectartini or Cherry Orchard. Just make a purchase now and get one of them for FREE! Make a $50 purchase and get them both for FREE!! I will be happy to send you a flyer that shows the pictures of the items mentioned above.

Act now, as this is a very limited time offer!

I must be crazy

So DD has been bugging me since November about going to see a concert. One of her good friends (who is way more spoiled than she is, believe it or not) got tickets, and of course she NEEDS to go too. (segway, this other girl has a phone in her room! And she is 9-10 years old!)

I told her that I would keep an eye on Ebay for good seats at a decent price. I looked at Ticketmaster, they were sold out right away. Not a good sign. So for the past 3 months I've been watching, and bidding where possible, to no avail. Oh, and the concert is this Sunday. So tick, tick, tick. (no this is not the show 24, or I might have to blow something up)

So today I looked, and some guy posted 3 sets of 2 tickets. He also posted his phone # if someone wanted to combine to get 4 or 6 seats. So I called. Looking at the going rates, the cheapest tickets were well over $100-150 a seat, which is highway robbery. After a nice conversation, I decided to buy the 4 tickets, for less than that, but still more than any ticket for any concert I have ever been to.

And DS doesn't even really want to go, or so he says. Might just be a 12 year old "I hate my sister so anything she wants to do I don't" thing, I hope. DH does want to go, which is what helped me to decide to buy the tickets. 3 out of 4 ain't bad, right?

Oh, and the concert?
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High School Musical.

*Sigh* I must be crazy. Tell me I'm not crazy!

shameless plug

Ok, so I think you all know that I sell PL candles, don't you? And you all know that last year DH & I went to Aruba. That was a free PL trip. Well, it was free for me. DH we paid a discounted rate for.

So this year, the trip is to Los Cabos Mexico. My goal is to earn both trips for free, or only have to pay a minimal amount for DH. That is where YOU come in!

If you or anyone you know it interested in getting some GREAT candles, just let me know, and I'll send you a link to our catalog. I don't really want to post that here. I am offering 20% off all purchases, as a little thank you to you!

Thanks for humoring me in my little venture!

So I officially have a preteen

DS turned 12 on Sunday. It feels odd to have a pre teen child. So sweet, he went to another kid's birthday party! We decided to wait until January to have his, especially since he can't make up his mind what he wants to do. Other than go to Wisconsin Dells, which isn't happening.

He is all of the sudden being more helpful though, so that could be a big plus. He helped me carry a cooler to the van, without being asked!

74 hours until we leave for warmer weather.

If I don't get back here, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

update

So I was googling something (don't remember what), and one of the top results was my blog! That reminded me to post an update. After all, it's been over a month!

So Winter is here, summer is gone. Darn. However, it will be around 50 here next week, so that is good. I just don't like Winter. It really creates too many problems for me. Driving during snow storms is horrid, and it's cold out. Can't really wear sandles, or walk around bare foot too much. About the only good thing about it is people burn more candles in winter. Not sure why, cause I burn them all year round. You can always use a good scented candle, especially when the air conditioning has been running for days.

We had a big swim meet this weekend. Both kids did FANTASTIC! I am so proud of them. DD actually qualified for the finals in the 100 yard Butterfly, but she was going to a birthday party this afternoon, so we pulled her out of it. DS was an alternate on a couple of races as well.

Got a call from my dad. He had stopped by a couple's house who he is friends with, for no apparent reason, other than to say "Hi". The wife wasn't feeling well, but seemed ok. Then the next day he got a call from the husband. The wife died! I feel so bad for him, and my dad. He was thankful that he had a chance to stop by. God does work in mysterious ways. RIP Mies.

I'm gearing up for a busy couple of weeks with PL. Doing a couple of fund raisers, including 6 different shows as part of a group fundraiser for the swim team. I sure hope it goes well!

Then in January the Los Cabos trip contest starts! So if any of you want to help me earn it by buying some candles, or trying PartyLite for yourself, let me know! (end shameless plug)

Is Summer over?

Wow, did we have a super fantabulous weekend! It was in the 70s both Sat & Sun. Worked great for DD's birthday party! We went roller skating, then to a pumpkin farm, where we took a hay ride to pick our own pumpkins. We've been going to Jim's Pumpkin Patch since DD was 1 month old!

After arriving back home, we played, ate pizza and ice cream cake, played some more. Then DD & her friends gave each other "make overs". That means putting make up on, and not in huge amounts either! Then watched Harry Potter and to bed! I couldn't believe they were all sleeping by 11:30pm, until 7:30am! Guess the high level of activity helped!

Yesterday the temps were only in the 50s, today too. There is talk of the dreaded 's' word, possibly tomorrow night. But it won't stick, since the ground is too warm.

So how's the weather been in your neck of the woods?

P.S. Anyone need candles? :)

Why do we blog, then don't?

Ever notice that blog entries go in streaks? I wonder why that is. Do our lives go in streaks, where we are too busy to blog, then not? Or are we too bored to blog, then not?

For me, I'm just too lazy.

Or a motormouth.

What's new?

I've had a busy month! August is PL's bonus month for earning next year's trip to Los Cabos! DH & I have set a goal to earn both trips for free, so I have quite a challenge ahead of me. As a result, I decided my goal for August would be 15,000 points. I actually acheived 14,680! Plus I helped one person start her new business with PL, and I think she will be sponsoring her daughter in the near future! Yeah! My team is growing, and we need to keep that up! We're still struggling to maintain the unit though, so growing is good!

Work is in a bit of a holding pattern. I'm trying to focus on cleaning off my desk. Yeah, right.

Kids had off of swim this month, which was great timing. Next week DS starts back, 4-5 practices a week! DD starts back 2 weeks later, 3-4 times a week. Of course they aren't at the same time most days, and sometimes not even the same facility! So here we go back to taxi driver! Thankfully gas prices are going down!

We're heading down to see my dad & sis for Christmas this year. Right now we're driving (yuk) but it beats $500 each for flying!

Ok, that's my update!

A little sad

Today would have been my parents 49th wedding anniversary. But they only made it to 41 before my mom died, of cancer.

Happy Anniversary Mama. I miss you.

I'm baaaaack!

Wow, was that a fun 5 days! St Louis was hot, hot hot! 103 on Wed & Thurs, or something close to that. Wicked storms Wed night! Tornado in East St Louis. Saw a bunch of broken windows, downed trees near the Arch, and this big piece of metal (like 10'x10') wrapped around a pole in front of the Dome, where we were. But our facilities (& hotels) had power, so it ended up good for us. I'm so sorry for all those peeps in St Louis area who STILL had no power as of this morning.

Anyway, Conference was awesome! Had a great time, laughed a lot, cried a lot, shared info, ideas and gambled too. I got to walk on stage in recognition of PayDay, and earned an extra $1000! I didn't win any extra prizes, but a friend of mine did. She won another $1000 and the entire Holiday Product line!! Whooo Hoooo!

We went up in the Arch, in this little Mork type pod. It was a bit freaky. Then on top it was swaying quite a bit, since some big winds kicked up while we were up there. The pic is me at the top, 630 feet up. Oh, and cell phones don't work very well up there. go figure. As we were going back down, we heard some fireworks, and managed to catch the finale. Very cool.

PL's new Fall/Holiday catalog is now available, and I love it! There are 6 new scents and a bunch of dift holders! My favorite new scents are Brandied Apricot and Roasted Chestnuts.

Oh, and next May, we are going to Los Cabos Mexico for the incentive trip! I'm going to have to do some research, as I've never been to the west side of Mexico! But we will! Also, next year's conference is in Houston, at the end of July. Geez, can it get any hotter?

{Insert sales pitch} I am having a 25% off candle sale, from now until August 9. If you want me to send you the list and info, just send me a PM or email.

Ok, enough for now, gotta get to bed.

Meet me in St Louis

Just a few more hours until I get to go to St Louis! yeah! It is PL's National Convention. This year is very special for me. I am going as a Unit Leader (as of April 1, no foolin) and this year I get to go on stage for special recognition! I won't be alone, as there are probably a few hundred of us who earned a cool $1000!! But still, how totally cool it will be!

I had to go and buy a new outfit to wear. It is black long pants (yeah, black, and it 'll be 100+ degrees) and a tan with black piping sleeveless tunic. Looks quite professional, to match the dress code, but I think I look good in it, and the sleevelessness will help me not to get too hot.

I am hoping to do a winery tour, and of course visit the River boats. I hear they have casinos. Shh, don't tell DH.

Another great part will be when we find out where next year's trip will be. Remember Aruba? I earned that trip for free. DH & I have already decided we will earn both trips for free next year. So anyone need candles?

I love summer

It is hot here, for Wisconsin Standards, and is going to get hotter this weekend. Near 100 F with heat index nearing 110F. I say awesome. As long as I can sleep in air conditioning. Otherwise I get crabby, and my evil twin comes out for a visit.

I love how it stays light later, and most weekends you can see fireworks somewhere around. We just went to Sussex Lion's Daze tonight and saw some fireworks. They were ok. Finale was great. But it was mostly ground works, and those big Boom flash fireworks. Sadly, no 'waterfally' ones.

I also love how the kids are busy in summer, but I don't have to help with homework. Going to pick up DS from a week long camp. He went last year and had a blast. This year went horseback riding. I can't wait to hear how it went. I missed him, but we had some good bonding with DD.

The only thing I don't love about summer are the bugs. Mainly no see ems and mosquitos.

Oh, and on an unrelated note, I got a pedicure & manicure last night. New girl started at the salon I go for my haircuts. Relatively cheap too, but it took too long. I am impatient. Now I have pink nails. OPI Blushingham Palace.

Yesterday...

Yesterday I got 3 bouquets of flowers! Carnations, roses and a lovely basket from my sister! I also got some candy (M&Ms, licorce and more chocolate). My co workers know how to suck up. I also got a nice necklace. I got a bunch of emails, cards and a few phone calls too.

I went to a PL leader meeting in the evening, so we are going to go out for dinner tonight with the family. DH was really cool about the meeting, he said I could do what I wanted since it was my birthday.

This blog stuff is a Pita

Ok, so I thought in honor of Cyggie getting a blog, I would make a point to add something every week. Well, today I want to add some links to other blogs. I added them in my templates, and while I see them when I preview from within the template, when I publish and reload the blog, they are not there! ARGH!!!! I feel like Charlie Brown when Lucy pulls the dang football away!

I find I have nothing to say

Ok, so I have this blog. But I really don't know what to say. I read some peeps' blogs, and they write novels. Here I am talking briefly about geese, Aruba, etc.

I don't know what to write. My brain is like my blog. Thoughts flit in and out, like a dragonfly.

So maybe I'll add more later.

Thanks Cyg.

I did it.

Ok, so on Monday I finally gave my testimonial at our monthly meeting. I sat in the parking lot before the meeting and rewrote the beginning, and then promptly lost my place because I couldn't read my writing!

But all in all it went well. I hope was able to make a difference and show someone that this business is something they can do.

I did get a cheer when I mentioned I am an accountant. I guess there were a few of us out in the audience. Also got a big cheer when I mentioned Aruba, and next year's trip.

The best thing about the meeting, it was short! We got done 45 min early, and then a few of us went out for a drink. As a result I got home about 1 hour later than I would have anyway! LOL

More Aruba

Ok, a few minutes to update some more. We had such a great time! PL treated us extrememly well. We had breakfast & dinner (and drinks) provided every day! We went horseback riding, which was super fun. During the horseback riding, we went to the Natural Pool, where we got to swim & snorkel for a while. Then after we rode on the sand and got to canter, which was cool. The weather was awesome. 92F each day, 80F at night. There was a bit more wind the last couple of days, plus there were jellyfish, so no ocean those days. :( We just had to deal with only the pool then! I got totally addicted to Rum Punch. I even make it back home now. Dangerous!

I learned a new game at the casino! 3 card Poker. One of my friends taught me to play 'blind' where you don't look at your cards, just bet. I won, then lost, then won again, so we came home with more money than we left with! Always a good thing!

DH had a wardrobe malfunction the 2nd last night. He jumped up on a big boulder and when he jumped off his planted foot's sandal broke, and he fell down on the ground, right on his side. Turns out he bruised some ribs, so it could've been worse, but the plane ride home was agony for him. Dummy didn't take any pain meds!

All in all a super dee duper vacation. I want to go back right now! But we're already talking about next year. General concensus is the trip will be western coast of Mexico. How cool will that be?! So if you want to help me out, and need some candles, let me know!

Ah, Aruba

I just love this picture. It takes me right back to the beach at our hotel.

We had a fantabulous time. I would recommend Aruba as a vacation spot. Not sure how it would work with kidlets, just because I don't know about activities. We do plan on going back, with ours, sometime in the future.