It's 80's day! LOL

Well, one thing about not feeling very well (still) is getting to sit and watch movies all day. I am watching Footloose now, and was watching Breakfast Club earlier. I admit, I did watch the lifetime movie network (my fav) for awhile earlier today.

I don't know what is going on... it is the lung thing again. I am hacking up 'icky stuff.' So, I guess I have to go to Dr Doogie Howser again on Monday. What is up with me that I have had such trouble getting well this year? I guess the emotional stress with everything is taking a toll.... maybe.... or maybe it is just that kind of year for me. At first I was thinking it was allergies, but I don't think so anymore. Boohoo.

Well, beyond that, I have been compiling my downline surveys. I want to know how and when they want to talk with me! And, this is funny, most of them don't! ROFLOL OK, I am good by email. I think it is because it is easier for me to stay on task than on the phone. I get on the phone and get chatty. Not that it is bad to get chatty, but then it is much harder to get the questions answered and brainstorm. Now saying that, it many ways it is easier for me to brainstorm on the phone. Oh brother!

Alec continues to work on his story for his language arts class. Will this ever end? Oh yea, thankfully it is due on Monday so it will end.

OK, back to Footloose.

Naked Butt

Kassie got her summer haircut today. I always put her in the lion cut for the summer. She really does look like a little lion. I always forget how tiny she is until they shave her back 3/4! Then I remember again, every spring. She looks teriffic, and seems to feel great too.

Aspen and I worked on "no bark" some more today. It finally seems to be working to squirt her with some water. Now I just say "no bark" and pick up the bottle, and she is quiet! Woohoo. I sure hope this works, because she has been getting worse.

Discovered that Alec wasn't being truthful about working on his 'book' project in his Language Arts class (that is what they call English now). So, that took up the better part of the afternoon into evening. The bottom line is now he is working on it, without any help (except to keep him in his room) and doing a great job! He is such a funny boy. So talented, and so stubborn. Oh, maybe he gets that from me.... a little anyway.

Casey is studying for his FOUR tests tomorrow. LOL I have a feeling if 5th grade is like this, I am really in for it during high school. Oh well, he is trying. And, that is important too. Another so talented and so stubborn.... I feel a theme.

Less than a month till cruise time. Woohoo, I am looking forward to a week off! Nite nite!

What really bugs me!

I felt FINE all day today, FINE. All of a sudden this afternoon I couldn't get warm enough. I ran to Safeway to get stuff for French Dips for dinner. The next think I know I feel like I am getting sick. ACK! OK, I can not get sick right now. Although now is better than two weeks from now. LOL It feels like a sinus infection beginning. So, I took airborne (love that stuff) and some thera flu. It hurts to swallow! Did I mention I felt FINE a few hours ago. Weird weird weird.

I think yesterday was too tough! I took Alec to his therapist's. We talked about life, it was exhausting! LOL Alec is such a wonderful kid. And he just doesn't get the things the rest of us get. That is so hard, it makes me sad for him. Someday he will meet a woman who will love and appreciate his kind heart and love of all things living. But, until then we need to live through middle school.

Last night marked a landmark in his mathematics career. I bought him a graphing calculator at Target. (Boy do I love having Target 2 minutes away). It was neat to show him how to graph linear equations and now the newest thing for him... quadratics! I loved watching his eyes pop as he could see what changing the a, b, and c did to the parabola on his screen. I know it made a big difference for him, as his memory is a series of pictures. I do not understand why his school doesn't have them. I have been out of the classroom for 8 years, and we had them wayyy back then! Hehehehehehe.

Casey went to Bradley's house again today. It is funny to see him growing up and becoming his own person... well, Casey always was his own person. But, now there is no doubt! ;-) He sure does have his own ideas, even down to the eating a deli sandwich instead of a French Dip with the rest of us! I think he could be a Vegetarian someday. Time will tell!

All for now, off to see who gets voted off of American Idol tonight...

Love you

It seems impossible that my dad has been gone for 22 years
today. This is a wonderful photo taken during WWII when he was a fighter pilot. There are so many things I never asked him. So many things I didn't know that I would want to know! I was only 20 when he died. I remember him telling me that "communication is the most important thing." I thought that was so unusual. And many people I have told that story to over the years also thought it was different. Most people say love or compassion..... but ya know what. I think it is true. Over the years I have discovered that without communication, the others just don't work. Ahhh dad, I am so much like you. I miss you everyday. Thank God you were here for me through my childhood. You may be gone, but you will always live in my heart.

Toenail Clipping 101

Well, I had a first in my clipping days today! I clipped the birds claws. We were planning on taking him to the bird store and paying the $5 for clipping. But somehow it wasn't happening. So I ran down to the pet store, two minutes away... (did I mention how I LOVE the conveniences of the city?) and picked up bird nail clippers. They pretty much look like cat nail clippers. Anyway, I thought to myself....self, you better buy some quick stop just in case. And, sure enough on the last one I got Johnny just a little too close and a little blood. So, I stuck his nail in the quick stop, and it stopped! WOOHOO. Nothing like a new adventure.

On a very positive note I got to talk with my friend Vicki in So California today. I haven't visited with her in FOREVER and it is awesome to catch up. We had Calculus together my freshman year of college. WOW, that was forever ago..... Of course, Vicki sat in the front row, and I sat in the back row. Our professor was a crack up. He never had matching socks, and was very typical to what you would THINK a math prof should be! =-)

I woke up sore today. I took a fall on the stairs yesterday. It really just shook me up. But, I sure woke up sore today! I could feel it on my whole left side.

Enough for today. I did find this picture of the boys with Mr Roloff. He is the 'grandpa' of the Little People Big World Show on TLC. Yes, they live in Hillsboro. Soon, I will upload my tulip photos.... I think! LOL

Spring Cleaning

Zzzzzzzz.. That is the sound I should be making right now! We did some spring cleaning in Alec's room. Wow, what a job! We got rid of tons of books and he got to take him to the used book store and get some new ones. He was able to get rid of a lot of things that he hasn't let go of before. I think maybe we are growing up! I know how hard it is for him, with the Aspergers. But, I think he is really trying, and I appreciate that!

Casey got to go to a writing festival today at Portland State University. He loved it. He works so hard at school, and on all of his homework everyday. I am so proud of him that he tries. In fact usually we do about 2 hours of homework each night. So, when he is selected to go to these things, I am very proud and know he earned it! Tuesday he gets to go to the lava caves =-)

What did I do today? Well, other than work on Alec's room and do laundry I got boxes packed for new CTMH consultants. I am so glad that I offer them homemade goodies. It would be easier without them, but it is sure one of the things I appreciate that my upline did for me. Hopefully they appreciate it too!

Also, we are looking at doing Disney World before convention next summer (2008). I hope it works out, it would be awesome. But there are a lot of things that will have to fall in place to make that happen.

Off to watch Numb3rs now. LOVE that show! We TIVOed it last night, so we are going to watch it together. Both boys like it too! What a funny show to be a family show!

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I went to JoAnn today and got some garden statuary stuff. It really makes me smile to look out into my backyard, where we have 7 huge pine trees, and see all the stuff hanging in them. I planted some shade hydrangeas and bleeding hearts under the trees last weekend, and now I am adding the garden stuff. It is just cute and fun. Usually I am not into cute. But, somehow it works for me outside. hehehehe

I am working on getting my packets mailed to my newest downline. I am excited to have them join us. Seems like there is never enough stuff to send them to get started! I guess I just don't spend enough hours in my scrapbook room. =-( Maybe there aren't enough hours in the day. LOL

I realized today that the CTMH Alaska cruise is only one month away. I am overwhelmed by all of the things I have to do between now and then. Yikes. Then I am home for a week and off to Florida for a week. I know it will be awesome. Yet, it just seems like there are still so many hoops to jump through before I get there.

I am trying to get help in Puyallup. But, don't have enough yet. =-( Danielle will be with me. Yahoo. Mike will come on Sunday to finish it up and pack it up, while Danielle and I head over to the Port of Seattle for the cruise! Wahoo. But I don't think I will have enough help to do create and takes or classes. Oh well, less to plan for. It's all good. Now I just need to decide what to demo and I will be good. =-)

Wonder who I will dial for dinner tonight? ;-)

Milestone

As of today I have 55 first downline. WOW, how exciting. I am not sure what excited me about that number. But, I have some FANTASTIC ladies on our team. I can't believe how excited I am! WOOHOOOO. I love CTMH and am so glad I can share it with others! Woohoo. Did I mention woohoo!

It was 2 years ago this month that I made Director. And, two years before that I became a Sr Executive Manager. April is a good month for me. Maybe because it is my birthday month and I believe that all things are possible. And, all things are possible... it is true.

I also mailed over 700 snail mail info pieces this week. About 600 postcards and about 100 letters with CTMH info. I am feeling good right now, like I am working.

So, it is a milestone day in my CTMH career, in a milestone month. THANK YOU to everyone who made this mood possible. I sooooo appreciate you, all of you! BIG HUGS

Accomplishment!

When we play the "high low" game at dinner, I often have a high that is about an accomplishment. I always feel good when I get something done. I am getting ready for my Scrapbook & Stamp show in Puyallup next month. I wish I had some local consultants that wanted to go and help! But, I digress. Right now I am excited that I am ready to place an order and be good to go!

Mike is going to run the show on Sunday because Danielle and I will be headed over to the port of Seattle to go on the CTMH cruise to Alaska! I am soooo ready to be gone on a ship for a week. There is nothing like the water to me.

I am kinda excited about looking into the MLM software that Sarita is using to track her work. Anything that makes me more organized would be an awesome thing!

This week is the first week of the 4th quarter for Alec. It has been quite stressful so far. Change is so tough for him. But, today he did a great thing in Social Studies. I am soooo proud of him. He really wanted to do one part on the group presentation & got stuck that he couldn't. He cried in the hall, poor kid, but got over it, went back into the room and did a different part. Wow, this is HUGE progress and I am thrilled. I can't imagine how hard it is for him when his emotions are breaking down and his logic tells him it is ok. But, this time, he was able to move toward logic and realize his emotions are a little wacky sometimes. So, my high for the day was somewhere between getting wayy closer to ready for the expo & Alec going with the mind instead of the emotion! Woohoo.

So, another day comes to an end...... but, a good day, and a day with progress. I am looking forward to an even better one tomorrow.

Sunny Sunday

Ahhh the beauty of a lovely spring day in Oregon. It is still cool, the flowers are blooming, it is wonderful! Today we rented a pressure washer and got the driveway and back area cleaned up for spring. It looks new again. Well, it isn't all that old, the house was only built last spring. But, nevertheless, it looks awesome! I added my new hummingbird feeder to the back yard, and a few new plants from Home Depot. I am ready!

I even got a nap in this afternoon & some work done! Woohoo. I realized that there are only two weeks left of this CTMH sign on special, so I better get the word out to whoever I can! Plus, I only have just over four weeks unti my Puyallup Stamp Show. Yikes! Time to make more lists. I am excited about May though. There is a ton going on!

Until then, I am going to enjoy the April showers and flowers!

I figured it was time to put a pic of my girls on the blog here... keep watching, maybe someday I will add a picture of my boys!

Tulips Everywhere

Wow, we went to Woodburn to the tulip festival today. It was muddy & we all got yucky. But, WOW it was amazing. I loved it. I am so glad I finally got to go and see all of the beautiful tulips. It is amazing to me how beautiful God's paintbrush makes some things.

On another note I got to see Diane today. It seems that I don't see my downline (or talk to them) nearly enough. It was great to see her, if only for a few minutes. We are both in the Portland area, so it should be easy, right? But I guess with kids and husbands and busy schedules, it isn't so easy. I have got to figure out a plan for seeing everyone more often!

We are starting to prep the back patio for summer. I can't wait to start sitting outside and eating there. There are not enough flowers for my back! Maybe I will have to have a floral open house! LOL Actually, that is a great idea..... hmmmmmm.

But, the bottom line is I got NO WORK done today =-( Boohoo. Tomorrow is another day. Now I am sitting on the couch with Aspen (the German Shepherd) watching Numbers. I love this show! Nothing like a relaxing Saturday night. But, now that it is getting nicer I am starting to want to get social again. Till tomorrow...... tulip dreams......

Wooohooo!

Taxes are DONE for 2006. I am so excited when I get them done. It feels like such a big accomplishment. Of course, I wouldn't deal with the if it weren't for TurboTax. So, thank you to those TurboTax people! LOL

Alec is off today, teacher grading day. He is working on his Ireland project. He seems kind of interested so that is a good thing.

I am getting ready to work on sending out some information on the CTMH consultant opportunity to some leads I have. I love sharing the enthusiasm of the new consultant! I feel so fortunate that my team is ALL people I like!

Now to move onto the next thing on my list...getting ready for my Heirloom show in Puyallup, WA next month. I can't believe it is just over a month away! ACK. Maybe this weekend, after I send those letters, I will get on that! Hopefully.

Thursday

OK, I am tired now! I have spent the whole day working on taxes, and am not done. I hate that feeling. Hopefully it will all come together tomorrow and I can hit the submit button. During this time I forget why I quit using a professional. But, I think I still take more care than most! And, I would be organizing it anyway, so oh well.

Alec is home sick today. He says he has a stomach ache. Hard to tell with him. Is it the age? Is it the Aspergers? Is it the stomach? Notice I always think it is that he is sick last. I feel badly that I think like that, but he has trained me well I guess.

I have so much to do between now and the CTMH cruise it is starting to freak me out. But, I am going to compartmentalize and move forward. I can do this! Right now I am all about getting the taxes DONE. Then I can move onto my Heirloom show in Puyallup next month. OK it is true the 20th and 21st will be here before I know it. Hopefully I am in better shape than I realize. But, I have to get on the stick and get some helpers for this show! Hehehehe. The heirloom gals have called me twice now, the pressure! I can get it together.... I think. I can, I can, I can. Maybe if I keep saying that out loud I will.

The sky is overcast today. This is good because it makes me feel more like working and less like playing. I would also like to be sending out some letters to potential new consultants. I guess I have to do the Heirloom stuff first, after the taxes. Taxes. Don't ya just hate taxes. Too many issues in 2006, with the move to the city and all. Oh well, I am off to the doctor with Alec now, and then back to the taxes..... LOL

I did it!

I can not believe I am finally going to jump on the blog bandwagon. I am stubborn so it took me awhile! I am excited to see if I can keep up. I had a good day today, went to the fixture store with Denise. I didn't find anything I couldn't live without, maybe next time! LOL But we did get Burgerville for lunch. Tonight I am working on my website & wondering who got kicked off of American Idol. We shall see.

Our younger son won first place in his grade (5th) for his Science Project. I am sure glad he did since we had moldy sandwiches in our house for a month! YUCK. Our older son got an award 'kicker' for being a great kid at school. He gets fun extra stuff like getting to go in the school 5 minutes early--this is a big deal with you live in Oregon! LOL