Good news first!
I had my Scentsy Launch Party over the weekend and had SO much fun! I really think I am going to enjoy doing this.
I had 13 people confirm they were coming and the day of the event, I kept checking my Facebook and email to make sure no one was cancelling. So far, so good.
And, then at 5:30 pm, I had my first person cancel. OK. That's OK. I expected at least one.
The party started at 7:00 pm and my first guest arrived at 6:50 pm. I welcomed her in and she said, "I have good news and bad news".
Oh no.
She had unexpected company and couldn't re-arrange their dinner plans for that evening. She was supposed to bring her mom to the party and now neither of them could come.
:(
She took 2 catalogs and I gave her my 2-minute mini-presentation and off she went.
I started getting worried. This was NOT looking good.
All in all, I had 7 people come so that's still a good turn out in my book. Everyone was very receptive to the products and I had a great night with sales.
So good in fact that I was promoted to the next level and I'm now getting the maximum commission that I can get!
Can I get a WHOO to the HOO?
I already have a party lined up with my sister-in-law and a co-worker of my mom's is interested in hosting a party was well. My goal is to have 1 party per month so it's looking good so far!
Now for the bad news.
My friend Tammi (see previous 2 posts) is really struggling through this first chemo treatment. The nurse told her it would get worse before it gets better but I don't think Tammi was prepared. She had the meds administered last Friday and each day, she seems to be in more pain and feeling worse. The nurse told her it's her immune system shutting down because it's been in this virtual battle all week.
Tammi said she feels like she has the most horrible case of the flu, without the fever.
It is breaking my heart. I hate this. I hate knowing she is in pain. I hate knowing that this was only the first round and she's going to have to do this every 3 weeks for the next 6 months. Cancer is such an unforgiving bastard.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
The Grass Isn't Always Greener
I finally caught up with Tammi (see last post). She was in great spirits, which didn't surprise me. That's just her.
We chatted for over an hour. A long overdue chat. We send quick notes and emails to each other but we haven't really talked in almost 2 years. Not like that.
She confided in me that she was going through a divorce. A messy divorce.
She told me her husband was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and his destructive behavior had finally taken its toll. I understand it. 35 years later and we have that in common too. While I'm nowhere near a divorce, I understand the damage that can be done when living with someone that has the disease.
So, my good friend is a single mother to 12 & 8 year old girls, her mother passed away in 2011 and she just divorced. Holy shit.
That's alot for anyone. And now? Cancer.
During our short emails and conversations on Facebook, she never even hinted at any of this. Her life seemed, well? Perfect.
She seems to be in a good place with the dreaded word: cancer. I can't say that she has completely accepted it but she is slowly wrapping her head around it. Years ago, she adopted a "clean eating" philosophy. She exercises. She doesn't use any products that contain toxins. That's all good for someone battling cancer and starting chemo.
She is having a lot of inner turmoil with the chemo. She is viewing it as putting something "bad" in her body. I respect her values but damn it! Just do what you need to do to get that crap out of your body! Last night, she actually posted in her journal that she almost postponed treatment. WHAT?!
I know it's scary. Really scary. She is supposed to have her first treatment this morning. I am praying and praying that she goes. I know everyone has their own beliefs but I honestly don't believe a holistic approach is the sole treatment option here.
I looped back with my friend Sandra (the OB/GYN) and she's still very cautious. Tammi has the most common form of cancer - Invasive Ductal. She found a small, hard lump during a self-exam but it wasn't tender and she has a history of cysts. A few weeks later, she found it again and this time it was sore. 2 days later, she had a mammogram.
Tammi told me it's a small tumor (5mm) and it is NOT in her lymph nodes. I hung up feeling relieved and optimistic. And then Sandra said some things aren't adding up and she's wondering if Tammi is telling the truth. Let me preface that by saying I completely understand that it is extremely difficult to take in all of the details when speaking with doctor after doctor. I'm not in any way trying to imply that Tammi is "lying". But, it is entirely feasable that she may be forgetting some stuff.
Sandra still thinks the course of treatment is extremely aggressive for such a small tumor. She thinks Tammi also has metastatic disease. That means the cancer is a traveller and jumping to chemo makes sense for that.
I'm so torn with what to believe. I want to believe Tammi and that everything will be OK and it's not a big deal. But, I can't ignore a doctor who understands what is going on.
I guess that's neither here nor there. It won't change how I support her. I will not allow her to go through this alone.
I know you don't know my friend but please say a prayer for her.
We chatted for over an hour. A long overdue chat. We send quick notes and emails to each other but we haven't really talked in almost 2 years. Not like that.
She confided in me that she was going through a divorce. A messy divorce.
She told me her husband was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and his destructive behavior had finally taken its toll. I understand it. 35 years later and we have that in common too. While I'm nowhere near a divorce, I understand the damage that can be done when living with someone that has the disease.
So, my good friend is a single mother to 12 & 8 year old girls, her mother passed away in 2011 and she just divorced. Holy shit.
That's alot for anyone. And now? Cancer.
During our short emails and conversations on Facebook, she never even hinted at any of this. Her life seemed, well? Perfect.
She seems to be in a good place with the dreaded word: cancer. I can't say that she has completely accepted it but she is slowly wrapping her head around it. Years ago, she adopted a "clean eating" philosophy. She exercises. She doesn't use any products that contain toxins. That's all good for someone battling cancer and starting chemo.
She is having a lot of inner turmoil with the chemo. She is viewing it as putting something "bad" in her body. I respect her values but damn it! Just do what you need to do to get that crap out of your body! Last night, she actually posted in her journal that she almost postponed treatment. WHAT?!
I know it's scary. Really scary. She is supposed to have her first treatment this morning. I am praying and praying that she goes. I know everyone has their own beliefs but I honestly don't believe a holistic approach is the sole treatment option here.
I looped back with my friend Sandra (the OB/GYN) and she's still very cautious. Tammi has the most common form of cancer - Invasive Ductal. She found a small, hard lump during a self-exam but it wasn't tender and she has a history of cysts. A few weeks later, she found it again and this time it was sore. 2 days later, she had a mammogram.
Tammi told me it's a small tumor (5mm) and it is NOT in her lymph nodes. I hung up feeling relieved and optimistic. And then Sandra said some things aren't adding up and she's wondering if Tammi is telling the truth. Let me preface that by saying I completely understand that it is extremely difficult to take in all of the details when speaking with doctor after doctor. I'm not in any way trying to imply that Tammi is "lying". But, it is entirely feasable that she may be forgetting some stuff.
Sandra still thinks the course of treatment is extremely aggressive for such a small tumor. She thinks Tammi also has metastatic disease. That means the cancer is a traveller and jumping to chemo makes sense for that.
I'm so torn with what to believe. I want to believe Tammi and that everything will be OK and it's not a big deal. But, I can't ignore a doctor who understands what is going on.
I guess that's neither here nor there. It won't change how I support her. I will not allow her to go through this alone.
I know you don't know my friend but please say a prayer for her.
Monday, March 18, 2013
What It Feels Like To Get Hit By A Bus
I woke up this morning, came downstairs, fed the cats and casually picked up my cell phone. I had one text message.
I clicked the icon and it was from a childhood friend (Sandra) that asked if I saw the Facebook post of another childhood friend (Tammi).
You have to understand Tammi. She is the type of person that literally knows someone wherever she goes. She is the definition of the phrase "social butterfly". She is outgoing and fun-loving and has the BEST set of dimples you will ever find.
She is an accomplished author and journalist (with a published book and everything) who has worked for 2 of the biggest newspapers in the country.
She was my first true friend. She moved here from Tehran, Iran in 1980. Her father was in the Air Force and stationed there. When all of the civil wars broke out, they came back to the States. She was in my 3rd grade class and we've been friends ever since.
So, I went to Facebook, curious to see what Tammi was up to now.
I had been seeing rather cryptic posts from her over the last 2 weeks but didn't think much of it. She asked for recommendations for good waterproof mascara and another post just said, "I'm radioactive".
She's always travelling and visiting weird places so I figured she was doing something adventurous.
And then I found her post. A link to a site called Caring Bridge. Unfortunately, I knew the site.
My heart stopped a beat. Who is sick?
My dearest friend was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer on March 1st. She starts chemo this week and had a port implanted this morning for the treatments.
I haven't spoken with her in person yet because I know she's receiving more calls and emails than she can respond to. I sent her an email and told her to call me when she's ready. She isn't the type of person to dwell on things or ask for pity. She doesn't want sadness around her. I figured it was probably best to NOT call her just yet because I don't know if I can keep myself together.
I literally feel like I've been hit by a bus. And, then it backed up and hit me again.
Typical as you grow up and have families of your own, we aren't as close as we were growing up but she's still someone very special to me. Aside from my family, she's been in my life longer than anyone else.
We were inseperable growing up. We had sleepovers every weekend. I was a part of their family and she was part of mine. We sat down and made a list one time of everything we had in common and it was amazing. I still remember some of them:
Both of our middle names are Marie
We were both born on the 9th of the month
We were both born in Alaska
Our mom's are both named Carol
Our Dads were both in the Air Force
We even looked alike when we were little. I went to prom at her high school because I hung out with them more than my own high school.
I know she will need support and strength and friendship over the next year. I will be there.
P.S. - if you haven't had a mammogram recently, get off your ass and schedule it! I am!
I clicked the icon and it was from a childhood friend (Sandra) that asked if I saw the Facebook post of another childhood friend (Tammi).
You have to understand Tammi. She is the type of person that literally knows someone wherever she goes. She is the definition of the phrase "social butterfly". She is outgoing and fun-loving and has the BEST set of dimples you will ever find.
She is an accomplished author and journalist (with a published book and everything) who has worked for 2 of the biggest newspapers in the country.
She was my first true friend. She moved here from Tehran, Iran in 1980. Her father was in the Air Force and stationed there. When all of the civil wars broke out, they came back to the States. She was in my 3rd grade class and we've been friends ever since.
So, I went to Facebook, curious to see what Tammi was up to now.
I had been seeing rather cryptic posts from her over the last 2 weeks but didn't think much of it. She asked for recommendations for good waterproof mascara and another post just said, "I'm radioactive".
She's always travelling and visiting weird places so I figured she was doing something adventurous.
And then I found her post. A link to a site called Caring Bridge. Unfortunately, I knew the site.
My heart stopped a beat. Who is sick?
My dearest friend was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer on March 1st. She starts chemo this week and had a port implanted this morning for the treatments.
I haven't spoken with her in person yet because I know she's receiving more calls and emails than she can respond to. I sent her an email and told her to call me when she's ready. She isn't the type of person to dwell on things or ask for pity. She doesn't want sadness around her. I figured it was probably best to NOT call her just yet because I don't know if I can keep myself together.
I literally feel like I've been hit by a bus. And, then it backed up and hit me again.
Typical as you grow up and have families of your own, we aren't as close as we were growing up but she's still someone very special to me. Aside from my family, she's been in my life longer than anyone else.
We were inseperable growing up. We had sleepovers every weekend. I was a part of their family and she was part of mine. We sat down and made a list one time of everything we had in common and it was amazing. I still remember some of them:
Both of our middle names are Marie
We were both born on the 9th of the month
We were both born in Alaska
Our mom's are both named Carol
Our Dads were both in the Air Force
We even looked alike when we were little. I went to prom at her high school because I hung out with them more than my own high school.
I know she will need support and strength and friendship over the next year. I will be there.
P.S. - if you haven't had a mammogram recently, get off your ass and schedule it! I am!
Friday, March 8, 2013
A New Adventure & Shameless Plug
I'm starting a new adventure! I have become a Scentsy Consultant.
For those of you familiar with Scentsy, you know what an awesome product it is!
If you aren't familiar, it's a wickless scented wax that melts in a decorative warmer using a low watt bulb. I was first introduced to Scentsy two years ago when a good friend started selling it. I fell in love immediately and became an avid user.
There are over 80 scents to choose from and there's a warmer for anyone's taste! The wax smells amazing and you don't have to deal with soot, smoke or an open flame. All pluses in my book!
And, let's face it. Who wants to see a nasty, sooty, black glass jar sitting on a table?!
In addition, they have extended the brand to include super cute plush animals, travel items AND skin, sun and laundry care products! All available in those awesome scents! I'm excited and nervous to get started. I love the product so I know I picked the right opportunity.
Starting my own business is freaking me out a little.
I've been toying with the idea for the last few months. Really, since we knew my husband's job was up in the air and when I started having those stupid car problems. Besides having fun, a little extra income couldn't hurt, right?
If you'd like more information about Scentsy or if you'd like to place an order, email me and I'll send you the link to my website. I can ship anywhere! :)
Wish me luck - I'll need all of the support I can get!
For those of you familiar with Scentsy, you know what an awesome product it is!
If you aren't familiar, it's a wickless scented wax that melts in a decorative warmer using a low watt bulb. I was first introduced to Scentsy two years ago when a good friend started selling it. I fell in love immediately and became an avid user.
 |
| This is the warmer that is currently in my daughter's room. They make GREAT night lights! |
There are over 80 scents to choose from and there's a warmer for anyone's taste! The wax smells amazing and you don't have to deal with soot, smoke or an open flame. All pluses in my book!
And, let's face it. Who wants to see a nasty, sooty, black glass jar sitting on a table?!
In addition, they have extended the brand to include super cute plush animals, travel items AND skin, sun and laundry care products! All available in those awesome scents! I'm excited and nervous to get started. I love the product so I know I picked the right opportunity.
Starting my own business is freaking me out a little.
I've been toying with the idea for the last few months. Really, since we knew my husband's job was up in the air and when I started having those stupid car problems. Besides having fun, a little extra income couldn't hurt, right?
If you'd like more information about Scentsy or if you'd like to place an order, email me and I'll send you the link to my website. I can ship anywhere! :)
Wish me luck - I'll need all of the support I can get!
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