Wanna stump your friends?

I have moved to an area where many of the local ladies participate and thrive in their own direct sales businesses. Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, A Taste of Home, even Tupperware! If you are looking for a little sales job on the side, chances are one of your friends can hook you up.

Being the kind of person that likes to support her friends in their ventures, I went to a Mary Kay party last night. The purpose of these things multi-faceted...to introduce you to 'well, the best line of skincare on the planet', to sell you products, and to see if this would be the opportunity you need to give you the kind of lifestyle you want...making six figures by working part-time. So, I have to ask myself, maybe I am not a good friend. I don't want to wear make-up all the time, I don't want to ask my friends to buy things from me, I don't want to spend my evenings peddaling my wares or going to conferences in the hopes of earning a car or a vacation. So what am I doing at this thing?

Apparently the director notices my apprehension as I am not jumping out of my seat to show her what is in my purse for a drawing ticket...do I have any questions about the company or the product? Very quietly, so as not to disturb anyone who might be ready to jump on board, I ask about...palm oil.

Yup, I did. I initially got a cold shoulder from all three purple clad ladies. "Why does that concern you?" one asked..."Oh, you know, the whole deforestation thing."

I think maybe I won't be asked back.

Cyberschool

Cole and I have been cyberschooling for four weeks now. One month down, eight more to go...mostly we are both enjoying it, however I think we are beginning to get on each others' nerves. He has a very different learning style than I do, for example, he can balance on a fitness ball and sing while taking an algebra test. Conversely, I get distracted by the phone ringing, the dog needing to be 'watered', the laundry needing to be changed over....things like doctors' appointments and guitar lessons are slipping through the cracks.
Sheriff Brody's immortal words echo in my head,  I think we're gonna need a bigger boat. In my case, a more developed calendar, help with the housework and maybe a carpool buddy.

"It takes hands to build a house but only hearts can build a home."

Working and homeschooling being the latest challenge, I have taken some advice and begun planning menus for the month. The next challenge...getting to the store...

I don't believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings, gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at. – Maya Angelou

Yesterday, I am told, was “National Sister Day”. Me, I was blessed with three beautiful women whom I share blood with, not to mention Alberta, Melissa, and Jen who later became “blood sisters” with me in our childhood games. Ya Ya. 

The word, ‘sisterhood’ in my heart’s opinion is very similar to ‘servanthood’. Likewise to be sought after, in that what we do for each other is to service each other’s hearts and well-being and in many cases our physical health. Titus 2 talks about doing good (for goodness sake) and having integrity. I think this is a good definition of sisterhood and servanthood too.

Which women in your circle are you praying for? Who do you send a meal to? A flower to? An encouraging word to? If you don’t have one, ask God and He’ll put someone in your heart, I ga-run-tee!
And to Sheila, Theresa, and Toni-Anne…a little something from Doris Day…

Save The Monkeys, Save The World

I’ve deemed Thursday “Save the Monkeys, Save the World” day in honor of number 7 on my bucket list. Let’s save the monkeys today by not buying any more household cleaners.

Malcolm and I, like the rest of the world are feeling the consequences of our tumultuous economy. Gas prices soaring, taxes increasing, general food costs going up, yadayadayada. In an effort to live green, we have had to develop some economic strategies when it comes to environmental responsibility. On those weeks when Seventh Generation, Pureology and the like are slightly out of reach, and sometimes just because I like playing in the kitchen, the kids and I make our own soaps, shampoos, cleansers, laundry detergents and such. Keeping our bodies and our conscience sparkly like a Cullen.

Gonna Wash That Kryptonite Right Outta My Hair Shampoo

¼ cup distilled water

¼ cup liquid Castille Soap

½ teaspoon oil (grapeseed, jojoba, olive, avocado, something vegetable based)

3 Tablespoons of Rosemary & 1 Tablespoon of Lemongrass

-or- 4 Chamomile tea bags

2 teaspoons Tea Tree Oil

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Boil distilled water, add rosemary and lemongrass –or- tea bags (in tea strainer if you have it) and steep until fragrant (about 20-30 minutes)..
Strain leaves and let cool. Mix all ingredients and add to water and stir well.
Mix the tea tree oil and vanilla into the water. Add soap.

I like keeping this in a spray bottle, because it is thinner than commercial shampoos and because spray bottles are fun but any bottle works.