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.

40 hours and counting

Ok, so it is just about finally here. Our trip to Aruba. I alternate between giddy with excitement and overcome with anxiety. It's not about the trip, that is the excitement part. My anxiety comes into play with leaving my kids home with my dad. Individually they are all wonderful, but I could totally see my kids trying to take advantage of the situation, and conversely see my dad try to rule with a non bending iron fist.

Hopefully they don't kill each other.

We are going to have so much fun in Aruba! There is a bunch of stuff that PL is hosting, like a welcoming reception on Saturday, and an awards banquet on Sunday. I think there is going to be a big Karoeke party on night too. I heard it was open bar, which is the only way we would go. Don is going to do a volleyball tournament, and I will do the slot tournament.

I will raise my glass filled with a sissy fruity drink to you all!

Baby geese are cute

So last night while DS was at swim practice, I went for my customary 1.2 mile walk. It was raining a bit, but I had my umbrella, and am determined to get enough exercise anyway, so why not?

On the way I saw these 3 pair of geese, and their little goslings. OMH, they were so cute and fuzzy looking. I counted over 20 of them! So I stopped and watched them waddling around in the grass, and told them how cute they all looked. Well, Mama & Papa goose didn't like me talking to them, and started to usher them away from me. So I walked on, and then on my way back saw them again.

I wish I had a camera phone.

testimonial

Ok, so I have to give this testimonial about myself and my 'journey' to becoming a Unit Leader with PL. Let me first say that even creating this blog has been extremely difficult for me. I like to talk, but I have a hard time sharing in front of really large groups. And who wants to hear about me anyway? Feh.

Countdown

I am so excited! 20 days until THE BIG TRIP. Yes, for those who know me, you know we are going to Aruba. No, we are not looking for Natalee, and yes, if we see Greta V.S. we will attempt to push her off a dock (per Cyg's wishes).

Today I was able to rent a Suzuki for a decent price. After calling 4 different car rental agencies, none of which even knew what/where Aruba was, National came through for us. We plan to drive around the island one day to check things out.

DH is trying really hard not to remain negative about this trip. It really bugs me that he thinks it might not be worth it. Feh.

Ok, enough for now. I don't know what else to write. I am new at this, so this'll do.

RIP

I am sad today. Yesterday my sister in law passed away. She had just turned 44. She had a blood clot in her heart. I know there is a fancy name for it, but I don't remember it right now. I know she is with our Lord, and probably yelling at us to stop being so sad, but I can't help feeling this way. Her youngest is 18, and while that is better than a younger child, she is completely devastated. She is mad at God right now, and I'm praying for her to get past that. She has been so sheltered, and it just isn't fair that she lost her mom. Mom won't be there at her wedding, when/if she has children, the list goes on.

I feel bad for the other 2 kids too. The boy tried so hard. He performed CPR, to no avail. I know he is thinking "I should have done more", but realistically, there wasn't any more he could do.

And the oldest. She is getting her life in order, branching out on her own, but always comes home to the nest. Mom was the real reason. Now they have only their dad.

I also put myself in this situation. What would I do if I lost my husband? I would be 100% completely Lost without him. I think God is reminding me of this, and to not take him for granted, and to understand that he isn't perfect either, but that I must accept that.

That's a heavy load for a Friday.

It's a first

Ok, this is my first post to my new blog. Thanks to Puffy & Arkie & Vols for suggesting I start one.