Creating The Perfect Face Canvas For Your Mineral Makeup

These have been exciting times with my business! I have been experimenting with our new Mineral Makeup Beauty line and all I can say is WOW! I am looking forward to the many possibilities this additional line will bring.

I have tried several other Mineral Makeup brands and comparatively speaking I think our company's ROCKS! Plus it's kind of cool to buy from my own store instead of online companies or the local mall - you have to admit!

I will be posting a full review with all my feedback, helps and hints soon. I have been happy with all the products and a couple get absolute raves. I am still experimenting and creating my favorite looks.

My #1 favorite product thus far has been the Mascara. It's incredible! Tired of putting several coats of mascara on to lengthen and curl only to get that heavy feel on your lashes? (Which I can't stand by the way) You need to try our's as you will LOVE it!

Today I want to talk about the important considerations for creating the perfect face canvas to apply your Mineral Makeup to.

Mineral Makeup has many benefits and women who rave wildly about it. On the flipside, it has it's critics who say it's drying to the face, looks cakey or leaves creases that actually accentuates wrinkles and fine lines.

It is my opinion that these less-than-perfect successful results come from two areas. First, check your ingredients in your Mineral Makeup because not all of them are created equally. Second, there are some tried and true "musts" when it comes to creating the perfect Mineral Makeup look.

This is my professional opinion from years of experience in the skin care and cosmetics industry prior to my present company. It is also my consumer observation because I have to tell you frankly I have tried some other lines that have not lived up to the reputation of a finer mineral makeup.

I am proud to be associated with my company and again I must say they've outdone themselves with this great product line. But before you even get started let's talk about.....

CREATING THE PERFECT CANVAS FOR YOUR MINERAL MAKEUP

Just as an artist paints or creates on a clean canvas, so too is it true that your face becomes your canvas when it comes to applying a great Mineral Makeup look.

The overall condition of your skin is a factor in your success with application.

So back to basics:

What is your current skin care regimen?

A good skin care regimen consists of cleansing before the application of any products to your facial skin. Skin care products are a personal preference and I have mine but I am of the theory that less is more.

Personally, I use the cleaning bars our company makes and don't do a lot besides that (other than moisturize or use SPF in Florida if I am going to be outdoors).

Before even getting started with our Mineral Makeup, you will want to have your face cleansed from impurities of the skin, any oil build-up etc. That's the beginning of a great canvas.

If you are prone to acne or roascea, you will want to consider a toner to neutralize and have the cleanest start possible.

Once your facial skin is properly cleansed, the next key factor to success with your Mineral Makeup application is moisturize, moisturize, moisturize....

Now I know some will say "But Mineral Makeup is supposed to moisturize". While that is very true and it's one of the many attributes of mineral makeup, again you want to create the best facial canvas. Applying your moisturizer a few minutes before your mineral makeup, giving it time to dry in, insures that any fine lines and wrinkles you are concerned about have the additional moisture before makeup application.

If you are in a more tropical climate or are going to be outdoors, you may want to apply a moisturizer with SPF protection. Even though the natural minerals in mineral makeup to a degree act as a sunscreen you will want to be sure to use the SPF as a protection.

So you've cleansed and moisturized and you are ready to go....

Well....almost. Depending on your skin, you may find that you have what I call "trouble areas" on your face. For me, it's a scar on my cheek that I got as a child from scratching chicken pox. And a blemish on the side of my face that is the result of some adult acne that never cleared up 100%. We all have those little trouble spots but I am going to share a great pointer with you on how you can further diminish them.

Light application of a yellow base has a tendency to cover imperfections and create more even tones. Once the foundation is applied, you will not even know that the yellow undertone is there unless you over-apply it.

Use care not to use a heavy hand and by applying a yellow toned base before foundation application, you can cover up those trouble areas. By the time you layer your Mineral Makeup on you will hardly know they are there!

One of the nice things about Mineral Makeup are their versatility and in my case with our product line I have actually been using an Eye Shadow that has a yellowish base and it's been doing "double duty" as my concealer. The shade is Water Lily and it has the right yellowish tone without looking too gold or metallic. It's working like a charm!

Do an assessment of your skin care regimen and take the extra few minutes to create the perfect face canvas for your Mineral Makeup application. The results are well worth it.

It's OFFICIAL - My Company Is Now In The Mineral Makeup Business!

It's official that we are now in the Mineral Makeup business with our new Beauty Line and all I can say is WOW, WOW, WOW!

First because the opportunity to become a "product of my own product" and buy my mineral makeup from "my store" (myself) at wholesale prices versus going to the mall or online makes great sense to me! I am impressed with the line and it's rather extensive including foundation, loose powder and finishing bronzer, pressed powder, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, lip gloss and quality brush sets including a large Kabuki brush for application. Great color selections too!

Second because this is the kind of product our company is famous for. Great ingredients with superb benefits to your skin and face and even gluten free! This product just adds quality and credibility to our already excellent line of candles and home fragrance items.

Third because this opens doors to many new retail and customer opportunities! It is going to be great to be a one-stop-shop for my ladies to buy not only their cleaner burning gourmet candles but now their mineral makeup too. This is going to be great...for them as well as for my business. When you combine quality products with personal service it sure beats ordering online and not knowing what you are getting.

Fourth because I see opportunities in this Beauty Line for many out there looking for a business with true potential. I mean, how would you have liked to be in at the beginning of say Mary Kay or AVON? I mean truthfully think about it! This fabulous line just rolled out today, June 1, 2009 so those who jump on board with this company for the mineral makeup are truly in NOW at the beginning! How incredible is that?

Mineral Makeup is all the buzz. It's a hot commodity and I'm excited to announce it's debut to everyone who follows my blog.

Please visit my website and you can see the line by going to My Company Website and then the Products tab. It shows everything including the color selection. The products should be available in the shopping cart area - under the Shop Online tab - for purchase soon so stay tuned.

Come check out our new line and all we offer at:
http://www.coolcandlebusiness.com

If you are one of those people who would love to be in on the beginning of something BIG take time to read over my site and consider joining our team today! Not only are you joining a great company but a great team! I make my living not just retailing products but in coaching and mentoring my team to success. In your success is where I realize my own. I am sincerely interested in hearing what you are looking for from your life and let's see if this great business will fill some of those needs.

BUSINESS IS GOOD today!

Real Moms, A Belated Happy Mothers Day & Misc

This Mom Blogger wishes all of you Moms out there a belated Happy Mother's Day. Again I find myself MIA and have to make a more serious commitment to my blogging activities. I am sure all Moms out there can relate. Too much to do, not enough time to do it in....

There's been a lot happening on the Mom Businesswoman front here and it's all exciting, challenging and believe me keeping me busy!

Over the past few months I've welcomed some new business partners in my Home Gourmet Candle Business from around the country. Each of them is a wonderful addition to my candle business family and brings their own talents, gifts and enthusiasm to the table.

I dare say I am blessed because there is so much negative swing on the economy and small business. It's why I rarely watch the news or listen to the media anymore. I choose to put blinders on and not "buy into" the propaganda.

While I can not refute that today's world economically is different than it was a few years ago, opportunities still exist out there! You have to look a little harder to find them. Often times they are disguised as hard work, often for very little pay in the beginning but in the long run so worth it. It's a time to reinvent yourself....who you are, your WHY, your goals and what you want your life to look like months and years down the road.

We have to become believers - in the system and in our own destiny. I know for some it's hard to find that faith in light of all the negative spin on the economy but we can create our own opportunities to survive, if not prosper, despite what is going on all around us.

Thanks to my circle of customers, business partners and networking friends I consider myself truly blessed. My business and opportunity still presents itself to me every day and that in itself is a blessing.

Okay, so I'm off the soapbox. You know what I am saying. I have become even stronger in my convictions on some things:

First, that we must support our small businesses, local economy and that Made In The USA is more than just a slogan but saves jobs in America. I am finding ways to support my fellow WAHMs, local small business and companies that value the American worker instead of buying from Corporate giants who import from other countries.

Second, I have become more creative in my personal finances. Figuring out where I can get the most value for my money, how I can benefit from that purchase by shopping online and receiving discounts and/or rebates or some benefit to my family. Locally, I am taking advantage of those coupons and discounts too! I find myself being more frugal and looking for the greatest benefit from all the purchases I'm making today....

Third, that going green and saving our planet is something we all need to do and think about! Our national economy does depend on that as we are so dependent on products and companies that pollute our environment, ruin our national resources and nature and just generally do stuff that is not good. I can't turn a blind eye to that.

Onward to another fun and exciting happening in my life. I became City Leader and Director of Operations for a social networking site for Moms here locally. It's been a wonderful opportunity and it's exciting and growing daily. I thank my new friend and associate Dayna and City Mommy for making that happen.

I've added a link to City Mommy to the blog where you can visit and if you are a Southwest Florida Mom sign up and join in the fun!

It's an online social network. Think of us as the Facebook of Southwest Florida Moms. Online there is a Message Board/Forum, Groups of interest, Calendar of Events, Shopping Links, Business Directory and more....

Offline we are in the planning stages of events in Southwest Florida that will be fun, family-friendly, include our children and provide some fun outlets for get togethers and play dates especially this summer when the kids are out of school.

So if you are a Southwest Florida Mom please be sure to join us today and create your profile by clicking the City Mommy button.

If you are interested in promoting your business to Moms in Southwest Florida please get in touch with me because this group and venue is going to provide you with an excellent opportunity to do so! You can email me at my email address for the group which is citymommyswfl@embarqmail.com.

So that's my life on a professional level of late...

On a personal level I had a wonderful Mother's Day and hope all of you did also. I had a nice little getaway with my son and a group of family friends at Fort Myers Beach. We stayed at a hotel, the kids played and had a blast and it was just overall a good time.

It's hard to believe this is my 9th year of being a Mom. Where did the time go? My baby boy is now very much a young man and amazes me every day!

I created this fun trip down Memory Lane for those of you who know us and wanted to share it. Several have told me it made them want to reach for a box of tissues but it's a great look back on my little man. I made it for him. He loved it and so did others so we decided to share it on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdzSkeBny7A

I look at my son today and he's grown so much. That little angelic creature is now a big boy with long legs and a typical 8-1/2 year old boy complete with all that goes along with it....

I shared this on the City Mommy Message Board recently but wanted to share it with my Mom Blogger friends as well. It's entitled Real Moms and is a tribute to Moms as well as a statement about the growth pattern of our children from baby to tween to teen to adulthood.

It touched me on several levels. First because admittedly I'm a Real Mom and my life although I strive for the best can be crazy at times and a Murphy's Law kind of existence. I'm sure a lot of you can relate.

Second because when I look at the growth pattern part it saddens me because most at age 45 are supposed to be asking "Wonder what Mom thinks about it?" As a forty-something woman I lost my Mom already and this was the first Mother's Day without her with us. It was bittersweet in that sense. I miss her daily and I don't think I'll ever get over that feeling.

So here it is with my wishes for a belated Happy Mother's Day to all. I'll catch everyone next time. Stay happy, productive and blessed!

REAL MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother....

The Images of A Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Mom doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She's clueless.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman?!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom thinks about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

The MIA Blogger Flies Back On The Radar

Long time, no blog. Many good intentions later I resurface....

Think of me as the caterpillar in the cocoon. I have been in a cocoon for months now.

Today I resurface and the butterfly has flown! I am back with a renewed sense of self and direction. Today I fly in the beautiful form of a butterfly with growth and change a major part of my life.

As I journeyed back to my Blog, I read some posts that made me reflect back on where I was then or made my cry. A lot can change in a small window of time, yet it can take months to bounce back.

Thus my cocoon. My cocoon is a metaphor for my hiding out and waiting for the change to occur within myself.

Summer of 2008 to present presented me with a lot of life changing events, challenges, mixed emotions and even sad times. The growth and change had to occur for a transformation to take place.

So, you ask, why have I been in a cocoon awaiting change or transformation?

First and foremost, my wonderful Mother passed away in August. Despite my desire and plan, the plan of her life was carried out by my Higher Power (God). That's not to say I easily accepted that plan for her life or in spots even resisted it, questioned it or felt emotions like anger, loss, confusion and the like. Believe me I did and still have days where I do.

But, those days are becoming fewer and farther between. Instead of questioning things I find myself today on a path of rediscovery. What is the plan for my life? What can I do to change the future? How can I be a better me? How can I honor my mother's memory and actually make her proud? How can such a profound loss bring about positive change?

Deep thoughts for me to grapple within the cocoon. While I felt safe and warm, it wasn't a thoughtless existence!

Join me at Squidoo and read my tribute to my mother! I would love to count you among my friends there!

http://www.squidoo.com/A_Tribute_To_My_Mother

The loss will never subside in my life. My mother was just too important a figure in my life for that to probably ever happen.

When the butterfly emerged from the cocoon, she discovered there were ways to carry forward sharing positive results from a sad event in her life. Like to hopefully bring peace and positive thoughts to others dealing with illness and death. Or to achieve what is now a major goal on My Bucket List (what I want to achieve before I leave this world) which is making a difference. One of my major goals is to raise six figures during the remainder of my lifetime to help fund Cancer and Stroke related causes. I see that as how I can make a difference and help support the road to prevention, early detection and a cure.

During the Holidays, which were especially tough for me and a year of "firsts", my melancholy was brought into check when I saw the resilience of my son. For a little person, he showed remarkable insights, faith and coping ability with what was a major loss in his young life. His Grandma was like his other parent so the loss was substantial. The three of us lived together since the day I brought him home from the hospital. It was all he knew. Yet he showed maturity and wisdom beyond his years in much of my sadness.

While I wasn't at my best, I shyed away from a lot of things. Blogging of course being one as you can tell. I found it better to hide in my cocoon where I didn't have to put my best face forward for the world. At times, I didn't have to put on any face at all.

Then the realization hit me right after the Holidays and I found myself questioning "Is this really what I want my life to be?"

After taking a long hard look, I realized that the best way for me to snap out of it, so to speak, was to look at my son and his resilience. And to reflect on the person my mother was (a fighter until the end) and decide that the best way to honor the two people closest to me in my life was to break out. Fly free and let the butterfly emerge.

The cocoon is a metaphor for my Comfort Zone. Let's face it, we all have them. It's easy to crawl into that place in our lives especially when bad things happen. Or when things don't go our way. But all that does is imprison you further instead of allowing you to grow. The caterpillar in the cocoon can't become a butterfly without growing!

We all could grow from working on our Comfort Zones and how to step out of them. For more on the subject, visit me here:

http://www.squidoo.com/step_out_of_your_comfort_zone

I am sure by now you can tell I have discovered Squidoo. Squidoo initially for me was a way to promote my business online and it wasn't until I lost the will to further my ulterior motives there that I found what it really can do! For a time, I backed away from not only my Blog but Squidoo. I wasn't really interested in furthering my business because I was too busy feeling sorry for myself, finding something wrong in the world and keeping myself bogged down in the busy work to really want to. True confessions!

But then the unselfish Squid emerged. That's what they call us in the sea of Squidoo!

I have always had a love for writing. Those who have known me the longest will remember that from my high school days even because the school newspaper was a major passion for me. Those of you from Bishop Verot will surely remember the Viking Spirit! Over the years, I have still written things but most were personal journals and every now and then a business related article.

Squidoo has become therapeutic for me, renewing my passion for writing. It's likewise renewed my passion for making a difference, helping others and giving to charities that made their way onto My Bucket List. Someday I will publish My Bucket List for the world to see but I keep adding and editing still.

Give me time, after all I just emerged from the cocoon a couple of weeks ago! Bye, bye, cocoon! You kept me safe and warm during the holidays. You allowed me to grow to where I feel cramped up enough to want my freedom. Now I'm ready to fly!

So the MIA Blogger is back with a renewed sense of direction and purpose. Let's all transcend into butterflies and Rise, Shine and Fly with a new sense of purpose in 2009!

RECRUITING SUCCESS - Become A Stop, Look and Listen Detective

As you go about your daily life you will find clues every day about people who might be interested in your business opportunity.

I will give you the same advice I used to teach in a Head Start Lesson at school when talking about crossing the street:

STOP LOOK & LISTEN

The advice we give small children when learning basic life lessons about crossing the street can apply here. While we are far removed from our Pre-Kindergarten years, we are on the "street of life". Every step we take is a pathway to building our business. Lifestyling our business and following those three simple steps could yield lots of clues and open the doors to sharing your opportunity.

STOP: Take time to pay attention. Don't always be in such a rush that you aren't aware of your surroundings. Everyone is always in such a rush these days. Often times we overlook even simple courtesies like saying "Good Morning" to a clerk who waits on us or someone we meet. Or pass by the opportunity to stop and give a cheerful word or even just a smile to someone. Or compliment them on what they are wearing or something else great that you notice about them. As you make your way through your daily life take time to Stop and take in your surroundings. Be aware, involved and engage with people in your daily life, even if it takes a few extra minutes, because those few extra minutes can open doors for you.

LOOK: Are you on a mad dash running in and out of places as you do your errands? Take time to take in the scenery. Look at your surroundings. People watch. Don't be so caught up in the task at hand to forget to smile, greet or be of assistance to someone you meet. Take an extra minute to thank someone who went out of their way for you. Say "Good Morning" or flash an extra smile to the people you meet. Look around you and be aware. A simple gesture in today's hectic world can open doors to conversations and opportunities for you also.

LISTEN: When you engage people in conversation, is it all about you or THEM? Are you a good listener? That is an invaluable skill in our business. I always tell my son it's why we were born with two ears and one mouth. We should be listening twice as much as we are talking. Same is true when we go about our daily lives. When you go up to a clerk to help you, for instance, is it all business or do you take time to greet them, thank them, maybe even compliment them on something about them or the job they did for you? Such little gestures open the door to more conversation. It makes the person you are interacting with feel appreciated. Good listening makes another feel appreciated. Take time to hear people....really hear people...and they will appreciate that. It will also open doors and create rapport and relationships.

STOP LOOK AND LISTEN! Put it all together! When you do people will engage you in conversations even if they are brief that will give you clues. As you are talking to people in your daily dealings and go down the street of life you will find clues that they might be open for, willing to look at or possibly a good candidate for your opportunity. Subtle hints and clues you pick up when walking, talking and interacting will help you open doors to recruiting new business partners.

I will share some clues you might stop, look and listen for when going about your daily life and routine as well as your business activities.

BECOME A STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN DETECTIVE!

You can become a Stop, Look and Listen Detective in the area of Recruiting. Just as a detective looks for clues to solve a mystery, you can identify where you might have an open door to talking about your business. Or who has a need in their life, a "Why", a reason to want to look at a business opportunity.

When lifestyling your business and going about your daily life there are opportunities everywhere if we just Stop, Look and Listen for them. Are you picking up the clues?

Here are some suggestions, subtle hints or definite clues you might have an audience to talk to about your business. This is in no way comprehensive, just some ideas, and I am sure as you become a Stop, Look and Listen Detective you will find many more.

* People who say they need extra money.
* People who express concern over the economy.
* Someone you meet who is working a second or part-time job.
* Someone who is out of work or afraid for their job security.
* Mothers with small children.
* Parents with grown families who are feeling "empty next syndrome".
* Parents with children in college who have financial worries.
* Anyone who seems unhappy or dissatisfied with their job.
* People who seem like go-getters who want something more from life.
* Someone approaching and concerned about retirement.
* Someone middle aged who seems unsatisfied with their life and finances.
* A person shopping a luxury item or big ticket purchase.
* People upset about their income tax situation.
* People who are retired but seem to feel the need to be busy.
* Anyone who might open the door to financial concerns and worry.

Not to forget those of you who retail one on one or do Home Parties and Shows, there's lots of Stop, Look and Listen Detective Clues there too. Again this isn't all of them I'm sure but gets you started looking for your clues.

* Party guests who give the most input about your product
* The guest at a party with the largest order.
* A customer or reorder customer who places a large order.
* Guests at parties or customers who ask lots of questions.
* People who bring extra guests to a show or party.
* Anyone who stares at you during the presentation at a party or show.
* The guest who picks up a product and demonstrates it.
* The guest who lingers after the presentation.
* The person who is naturally attracted to you as a person.
* People who nod their head when you give your recruit talk.
* Customers or party guests who give you referrals.

Hope that this helps you to hone your recruiting skills and find some opportunities that are on the street of life in your every day doings and activities.

Become a Stop, Look and Listen Detective! Find those clues and add to your Recruiting Success Story!

The Value Of Being There For Family.....Priceless!

I love those credit card commercials that talk about various purchases and then culminate with a special item, event or occassion and say "Priceless".

I've been MIA a lot from my blog (as I'm sure those reading will notice). Mainly since March but with reason.

I am getting back in the swing of my online internet activities more now including getting back to blogging. I've missed it a lot but have had limited time resources to do those "extras" if you will. I already run two small businesses - one from my home being my Gourmet Candle Business which is pretty much a full time job and the other I run a shop at our local flea market mall, Fleamasters, where I own a shop called Everything Webkinz. A fun business venture with my son!

Having two businesses on my plate plus things going on within my family has made time and freedom a valuable and appreciated commodity. It is time and freedom that I want to talk a little about today....

I share this story simply because I want to illustrate how important both time and freedom can be.

I often speak about how being a WAHM (Work At Home Mom) has been a dream come true for me with respect to my son. It's been more than that with respect to my family and I want to share with you some of that story.

My mother has fought two battles with colorectal cancer. She is an incredible woman with a strong spirit and devout faith. I admire my mother more each day the older I get. Her courage, her outlook, her faith, her deterimination and her loving nature. She has always been an incredible support to me, accepted me for who I am and inspired me to be the best person, mother and daughter that I can be. There was no option ever in my mind not to be there for my mother 100% during this.

In early 2007 I was still employed by the School District. That was when my mother's first diagnosis hit us. It was a hard time for our family and a lot of unknowns which made it scary. My son, mother and I live together so it didn't just hit close to home - it hit home! I was scared and worried about her. She was a big help with my son with respect to his school schedule and my schedule at the school I worked at (which were different schools). I had morning bus duty to get the children in our class from the bus plus an hour commute in the morning which began long before my son's bus time. Even the Before School Program at his school wasn't open yet I left so early in the morning. She did the things for me as a single parent that I couldn't do for my son myself and was a blessing to me for that! I looked at the logistics of what was before us with her cancer surgery and early recovery stages and made the decision to request FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) from our School District during that time. I was out of work for about a month.

Having had several illnesses myself during that school year I had little personal time left. I thought this was the best decision for everyone concerned. It allowed the school to get the same substitute for me during this time because I stated when I would leave and when I would return to work. Working with Head Start children I knew the importance of structure and schedule as little ones aren't often equipped to deal with a lot of change. I thought it had worked out well. I took the time unpaid under FMLA thinking it was good for me, the children and my school and the program.

I won't go into the reality but let's just say all parties were not in agreement. I was made to feel that I was disruptive to the children I taught and basically made to feel unreliable and undependable. The end result wasn't good. It saddened me because I really did love what I did as a Helping Teacher. I genuinely loved those children. It a decision no one should have to make between your family and your job. Especially in light of the fact that I cared for the children who I worked with that year. But in the end I had to do what was right for my mother and my son. My family comes first. That's really all I can say.

Flash forward to December 2007 where I am no longer working for the School District. I am a WAHM home with my son and able to do all those things I was missing when I worked at the school. I was there in the morning to take him to his bus or drive him to school whichever the plan was that particular day. I met his bus or picked him up at school in the afternoon. That in itself was what may seem like a minor thing to some but those mothers out there know that little things like that are important in their children's lives.

Right before Christmas my mother underwent some tests with our suspicions already that her cancer was back. Nine months to the day from her surgery in March 2007 we got the news. This one to me was scarier and more aggressive since it came back so fast. Her treatment plan this time obviously much more intense: radiation, chemotherapy, surgery followed by more chemotherapy and a couple of more surgeries before we will be done. I am anxiously awaiting that day...not for me...but for her so that she can go on enjoying her life without all that the cancer has caused in her daily life.

She had that surgery in March of this year. Which is a big part of why many of my online activities, including blogging came to a hault during that time. It was a difficult time but I thank God every day her prognosis is good. She's had a lot of complications and some weeks feels like an endless series of doctors, appointments, tests, labs, hospitals and medications. I look forward to the day when things will be back to normal for her. I know how tiresome it is for her but she is so courageous through it all.

The value of being there for my mother....Priceless! While I was there for her first surgery and cancer I had to return to work. I wasn't there in so many ways to help her along in her recovery. Her second time around I was already home. It has been a blessing to me to have the time and freedom to make those appointments with her. To be there to take her to those tests and get the results. Being home allows me to be there when she needs me during her long recovery process as this one is going to be much longer than the first. We will get through this as a family and it will be a distant memory when she is well and we've moved on. But for being there right now I'll use that word again Priceless.

I am blessed that I have the business to fall back on. While I've been doing all of this my business continues on especially the residual side of my candle business. What a blessing that is to have the check direct deposited even if I haven't worked a full time week in several months.

Now that I am back to a more full time work schedule from home and juggling those appointments with Mom, I am realizing the true value of time and freedom. It's quite a change from the feeling I had a year ago when I had to decide between being there for her and my job. Today, there is no decision.

Am I getting rich for all the time away from the business? Definitely not! But I am getting paid over and over again for the work I did months ago in building my team and business. My team has been incredible through all of this - understanding, supportive, helpful to one another and I thank each and every one of them.

I consider myself rich in many other ways. With the blessing of time and freedom to be there for my son as well as my mother during her cancer battles. We aren't done yet but it's nice not to feel the pressure from outside influences anymore.

There is always time to make more money. My goal is to get my mother well and make up for some lost time. In the meantime I have a great team that I call friends still working their businesses and making part of my time and freedom during this time a reality. That is a true blessing and as we build and grow I know great things are ahead for all of them too. Including the time and freedom to be there for when their families and loved ones need them. And I will return the goodness that they've shown me 100%.

I know that's not in fitting with the theme of those credit card commercials as there's usually a material thing tied to the end of it. Whereas my priceless thing sounds so simple and is not material. You might never know how valuable it is until you really need to call it in. When something happens in your life and you face tough decisions. Thanks to this business I've had the time and freedom to do what I've needed to do without having to make the hard choices I did in 2007!

"The Value Of Being There For Family....Priceless!".

Friday Frog Story - For My Frog Friends

TINY FROGS

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a running competiton. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower...

A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the frog contestants. And so the race began, but honestly:

No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. The crowd made statements like:

"Oh way too difficult"

"They will never make it to the top"

or

"Not a chance they will ever make it to the top"

The tiny frogs began collapsing one by one. Except for those who in a still fresh tempo were climbing higher and higher...

The crowd began to yell at this point "It's too difficult! No one will make it!"

More tiny frogs collapsed, got tired, simply gave up...as if they began realizing the crowd was right and they wouldn't make it.

But there was ONE who cotinued higher and higher and higher...

This one wouldn't give up! The crowd and frogs who were dropping out were amazed at this one. Surely he would quit soon, right?

Close to the end all the other frogs had quit trying to climb the tower. Except for that one tiny frog who wouldn't give up...

After a big effort and one last charge, giving it his all, he FINALLY reached the top!!!

The spectators and all the rest of the tiny frogs wanted to know how did this one frog manage to do it?

How did that tiny frog find the strength to succeed and reach the goal?

It turned out...

That the determined frog and winner was DEAF!

Since he didn't hear the crowd he never bought into the idea that he couldn't do it! His mind was so focused on the goal it never occured to him that he could not do it!

Moral and wisdom of the story:

Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic because they are the "dream stealers". They will take away your most wonderful dreams and wishes. Be true to the wonderful dreams and wishes you have in your heart!

Always think of the power words have (There's life and death in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21)

Everything you hear, read and talk about will affect your actions and your outcome!

Therefore:

Always be positive. Fill your mind and your days with positive actions, affirmations and deeds. Don't get caught up in the negative buzz or gloom and doom around you. Remain the optimist and look for the silver lining (and be positive about) every situation and circumstance that comes your way.

Be like the winning frog and be DEAF when others tell you you can not fulfill your dreams! Keep focused on the goal and you won't hear the negativity going on around you.

You can do it!

HAPPY FRIDAY TO ALL MY FROG FRIENDS!