Home Sweet Home

I returned on Sunday from my third trip in less than six weeks.  Can I just say that I am SO glad to be staying home for a while?

(Well, that is until we go away again for my hard-earned, all-inclusive trip to a Cancun resort in April, compliments of Tastefully Simple.)

I've traveled more in the last 12 months than I have in the last eight years combined. San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, Disneyland, Kansas City, San Antonio, the Mexican Riviera, then Anaheim again last weekend. Whew!  It's hard being me...!!!  ;)

The convention this weekend was a major high point. I used to think that the idea of public pats on the back or on-stage recognition was a little vain and arrogant. I now see the error of my judgmental ways! I was awarded for having the most new recruits for my region and was recognized as being #2 in sales, regionally. My head is currently the size of my bedroom! I could get used to this type of high. But don't worry...I'm quickly being reminded that I'm not a superstar in the regular world. No red carpet for me at the grocery store, no cheers and applause when I walk downstairs for breakfast in the morning. Just boring ol' me in my regular little life.  Which I love, by the way.

Another fun announcement is that I'm featured in our new catalog, which comes out March 1st. That will make for an awkward moment in my upcoming parties over the next six months!  "Oh, and look at page 11.  Who's that girl with the big blonde head?" Would you like your catalog autographed?  Because I can make that happen.

I really am enjoying this little business of mine. I've fought direct sales for so long, but having food tasting parties is more fun than work. 

And who would have thought that I was the type of person that was motivated by carrots being dangled in front of my face? Work hard and earn a free Cancun trip...okay! Continue to work hard and go to the Leadership Conference in San Antonio for free...okay!  The current incentive that I'm working toward seems significantly beyond my reach, but I'm going for it anyway. The trip is to Quebec City (Canada) and not only hinges on my personal sales and recruitment, but also developing leaders on my team. Thankfully, I only need a few new girls on my team for the recruitment quota, but I'm going to have to kick my parties into high gear to meet the sales requirement. I like that part of the incentive is dependent on my team's success. It's so fun to see them succeed and I can potentially be rewarded for helping reach their goals. Something I was doing anyway!

I've never enjoyed "working" so much in my life. I'm just so glad I agreed to join Tastefully Simple last year that I'm oozing with excitement right now. I don't know if I ever shared this on my blog, but Mike was the one who encouraged me to start this journey. This was completely the result of me submitting to my husband; I enjoyed things just as they were. But, as it turns out, Tastefully Simple filled a hole in my life that I didn't realize I had. 

A year ago, I thought I was too busy to start a business. I also thought I was too busy to homeschool. Unfortunately for you, I do spend less time blogging, but I also spend less time watching t.v., chatting on the phone to friends and wasting my day away on Facebook. It turns out that if something's a priority, you rearrange your day to make it work!

I really do love my business. I love that I have the flexibility to work how much I want, when I want. I love that I'm not stuck in the Christian mommy bubble that I've been limited to for so many years. I love that our products give people more time with their families and keep them away from the dreadful drive thru. I love the friendships I've made. I love the girls on my team. I love that people love Tastefully Simple parties. I love that the income I'm making gives us more choices in our home. I love that Mike is no longer stressed about our finances. I love that my only roles in life are no longer limited to "wife" and "mom".  I love. my. job.

This is not a sales pitch, by the way, I'm genuinely being sincere. I'm not going anywhere with this random rant, so I guess I'll stop now. :)