Ecstatic!
I just restored the iTunes library that was on my Nucor computer (that I obviously don’t have access to anymore.) Jonathan sent me a link on how to do it once before, but I never did it, and lost the link. So, I googled “restore lost iTunes library”, and found a link to this blog post: http://dougwick.com/2009/01/04/how-to-restore-a-lost-itunes-library/. This guy has obviously done his research; I didn’t look past this blog post. His instructions worked perfectly! I’m very happy to have all my music back. I was able to get all the music I had purchased in the iTunes store and the music I had ripped from CD’s. I am a very happy girl right now!
My Current Challenge
If you know me well, you know my life has changed quite a bit in the past few months. I went from a job in corporate accounting motivated by climbing the corporate ladder, to a work-from-home mom motivated by making my daughter smile. I have A LOT of time at home. I have one awesome new job, and on equally-awesome older one, both of which I can do from home.
My current challenge is finding my motivation. I have the two jobs to get done. I need to do better at keeping the house clean, and I also need to get on an exercise plan. I haven’t quite figured out how to get it all done as well as doing the normal stay-at-home mom stuff, like volunteering at Livvie’s school, preparing more home-cooked meals, and being here to do all of Livvie’s homework with her. These are things I didn’t do when I worked outside of the home (as ashamed as I am to admit that, it’s true.)
I have thought maybe one solution to this problem of not-so-epic proportion, is making a weekly schedule and making myself abide by it. Would I cheat? Would I be motivated by the possibility of not completing all my scheduled activites? I need to feel like it HAS to be done. Don’t get me wrong, I am not overwelmed, just. . . re-adjusting.
When life was constant go-go-go, I made a list, did what was on it, checked activities off the list, and moved on the next. Life is little less hectic now, and I’m finding I operate better when I’m busy and under pressure. So, now I gotta figure out what makes me operate well under my current scenario (which I would NEVER say is not busy!) Life is just different now. Best kinda different I’ve ever experienced, but an adjustment nonetheless.
A New Path
My world has really changed over the past few months, and I am beginning to love my life as it is right now. God is directing me in paths that I never dreamed, and I can’t wait to see how He molds me into what He planned me to be.
My Premier business is about to reach new heights. My Premier mom, Pam, always says, “God blesses effort.” There could not be a truer statement. I have been a stumbling block to my Premier business in the past because I have made a lot of excuses for not working it as I should. I have also let situations in my life discourage me, making me think that I couldn’t have a successful business, instead of letting my business “be the bulldozer that tears down the problems” in my life. I am really addressing this aspect of my business, and turning that situation around, and I am so excited about it! I have recently signed two new wonderful Premier daughters. Carly and Alison, I love you! I can’t wait to help you build your own successful Premier businesses. I’ve got some great Premier promotions and events coming down the pipes. Stay tuned in to see.
I have also just started working on a finance project for my church, Crosspoint Community Church. It’s a temporary gig, but is just a little different than anything I’ve ever done before. I’m stoked about my new job in the ministry of Jesus Christ. I truly believe this opportunity is THE reason that my corporate career took the path that it did. When we pray for God’s will in our lives, we never know exactly what we’re gonna get. The thing about God’s will that is so amazing. . . it’s perfect. That’s right, I said Perfect. God’s will is ultimate perfection in our lives. Does that mean that every moment will be bliss, and we will be forever protected from turmoil and strife? Absolutely not! It just means that lives lived according to God’s will, will always glorify Him. I can’t thnk of any more perfect mission for my life than to glorfiy God in all that I do.
Most Awesome News of All
I’m no longer in pain! The chronic pain in my neck that has plagued me for the past 2 1/2 years, is miraculously gone. That’s not to say that I don’t have a bad day once in a while, but they are rare. I shared this with my wonderful friend Jason tonight. He was shocked to hear my news and asked why I have not shared it with our life group. I guess I have been afraid to say it out loud for fear that the pain would reappear. The truth is, once I decided to “let go and let God,” He took the pain away. All I had to do was trust Him. Jonathan and I (and my mom and dad, and my Premier family, and my church family, etc.) had both been praying for a miracle for a while. This is proof positive that God is still in the miracle business. There are 27 million Americans that suffer with chronic pain on a daily basis. Chronic pain is intense pain for which there is no apparent reason, or no treatable cause. It affects its victims not only physically, but mentally as well, causing depression and anxiety disorders. And, “suffer” is the only word to describe how these people live from day to day. For the rest of my life, I will continue to pray that medicine finds a way to help chronic pain sufferers live a more comfortable life.
With all of the wonderful changes going on, I’m still experiencing a little difficulty financially as I figure out how to work out the logistics of income that is not the same every week. I know, sounds funny coming from an accountant. I’ll figure it out. I need to book jewelry shows desperately!!! I will be announcing a Mother’s Day special and Mystery Hostess Show in the next couple of days. Please email me at msjewelrylady@gmail.com if you are willing to host a home jewelry show. I will make it very stress-free for you, and you will earn LOTS of FREE JEWELRY!!!!
I’ve no doubt that I”m exactly where God wants me to be right now. First of all, I’m continuing to be at home with Olivia. I love it! I’m working with two absolutely wonderful God-centered organizations, Crosspoint Community Church and Premier Designs Jewelry, and I’m pain-free. Sitting here, reading back over this post, I’m ashamed at how many sentences start with the word “I”. It’s not about me, it’s about my Lord who has created this bright new path for my life. I am so incredibly blessed!
April Premier Hostess Promotion
Happy Easter!! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. . . and I can get off my butt and do all the things I have been meaning to do such as updating my blog. There’s so much to say that it can’t possibly be done in one blog post, but I would like to share an exciting new promotion from Premier Designs Jewelry.
Double Hostess Bonus Awards
From now until April 24th, Premier has doubled the $25 bonus awards that you can earn by hosting a home jewelry show. You can now earn $50 for reaching each of the following home show goals:
- Hold the home show on the originally scheduled date
- Have 10 or more guests in attendance
- Obtain $100 in advance orders before the day of your home show
- Help me book 3 future home shows
There is also a 5th $50 bonus award during the promotion. Simply, let me share the Premier business with you and you will earn an extra $50 in FREE jewelry.
That’s $250 in FREE jewelry just by reaching all of those home show goals!!! Plus, you will still earn the normal hostess benefits: 30% of the retail from the home show in FREE jewelry, AND 4-8 half-price items (depending on the retail from your home show.)
If you are interested in hosting a jewelry show under this promotion, send me an email to msjewelrylady@gmail.com. The promotion ends on April 24th. We would have to work quickly, but it can be done!!
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Comparisons Make You Feel Like Poo!
“I make as much as she does; why can’t I dress like that?”
“She’s had three kids, I’ve only had one, why can’t I have that body?”
“She’s got it all together, always on time, always looking good; why not me?”
“Why, why, why???”
Ladies, does this sound familiar? Or, I am the only one that is constantly comparing herself to other women? Why is that we can never be good enough. . . for ourselves?
I never have a hard time thinking of all the blessings in my life: my family, Livvie, Jonathan, the roof over my head, and the food on my plate. This isn’t a pity party about what I don’t have. It just never fails that I find some quality in another woman that I wish I had myself. I guess to some extent it is healthy, but to some extent, it’s just dangerous to my mental well-being.
I think that women are naturally competitive. We want to have the most well-behaved children, the best hair, the neatest home, and the cutest shoes. Identifying qualities within ourselves on which we would like to improve is healty. Self-improvement is a good thing. But at some point, I think we should all just realize certain things about ourselves that are just simply parts of our personality,and without them, we wouldn’t be ourselves. For instance, I am forgetful. . . extremely forgetful. Flighty as the day is long. I realize this, and I do things to help me not forget EVERYTHING, such as maintaining a planner. However, sometimes I forget to write things in the planner, or forget the planner all together! So, although I do things to keep me from forgetting the important things in life, at some point, I just have to realize that being flighty is part of what makes me me, and I will never be that woman who has it “all together” (even if I do have the cutest shoes!)
Ladies, God made you who you are. Be the best you that you can be, but LOVE yourself.
A Year to Celebrate, Cookies, and “Speciael Poeple”
It’s girl scout cookie time. All of the pre-ordered cookies are here, so if you ordered cookies from Livvie, please let me know a good time to deliver them. However, if you did not pre-order, I can still take orders, and they will be filled pretty quickly. Just let me know. Livvie and I have spent a good part of the past two days sorting cookies. We took preorders of 316 boxes of cookies. It’s a TON of cookies, and they are spread out all over my apartment at the moment.
On another note, Jonathan and I have been together for one year as of yesterday. It’s been a great year, and I hope for many more. In celebration of our year together, Jonathan took me to Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Then we went to see Confessions of a Shopaholic at the Rave. The food at Ruth’s Chris was spectacular. It was my first experience at the restaurant, and I was pleased. The movie was also pleasing. I was very entertained. The movie addressed the meeting of the superficial with what really matters in a heart-warming, funny, and mostly light-hearted fashion.
On the medical front, I have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday with a doctor of alternative medicine. I was referred to him by my neurologist. Hopefully, he’ll have some good ideas. Then, on Thursday, I have an appointment with a hand doctor who will evaluate whether or not to try and correct the carpal tunnel syndrome in my hands/wrists. If he decides to do that, I think it will be the first step towards me being able to be productive in a work environment. As it stands now, just typing this blog post makes my hands go numb and my wrists ache. Please keep praying for me.
Now, just typing the prior sentence leaves me with sense of guilt, and here’s why. Tonight, Livvie accompanied me to some Premier training in Decatur. For the most part, she was very quiet and well-behaved. At one point, my mind drifted and I found myself thinking about everything but the training at hand. I was thinking about my upcoming doctor’s appointments, my career, what will I do if it were to change, me, myself, and I. Then, I noticed that Livvie’s mind had drifted too. She had pulled out a notepad and some brightly colored markers that she had packed in her purse. She had labeled the top of the paper “Speciael Poeple” and numbered it all the way down. Then, she just started listing people. Papa, Mommy, Mimi, Sarah, Grant. . . on and on. (Yes, Papa was before Mommy.) When my mind drifted, I thought all about me. When her mind drifted, she thought all about the “speciael poeple” in her life. I learned a lot from my daughter tonight. In fact, she is constantly teaching me the things that I should be teaching her. She is such blessing. God ALWAYS knows what He is doing. There are no “accidents.”
Premier Valentines’s Specials
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. What better gift than jewelry? Here are some specials that I will be offering through the entire month of February. These make great gifts for family members, friends, or girlfriends, or just take advantage of them to spoil yourself!!
- Always and Timeless rings are great for young daughters
Buy the Always ring at 25% off for just $23, or the Timeless ring for just $16.50!!
- Amore necklace
Amore necklace is beautiful in gold with a beautiful sale price of just $22.00!!
- All about charm
Buy any of the Charmed, Charming, or Charrm It pieces at 25% off, or buy the complete ensemble at 30% off.
- Cherish bracelet
At 25% off, the sweet Cherish bracelet is just $21.75!!
- Especially Yours bracelet
The Especially Yours antiqued silver bracelet is also 25% off.
- Ever After ring
The Ever After ring is on sale for just $33.00!!
- Forever and Lots of Love rings
Forever is also a beautiful ring for a little girl, and is on sale for just $19.00. The Lots of Love ring is a great choice for the pink lovers on your gift list and is also on sale for $19.00!!
- Heart to Heart bracelet
The Heart to Heart bracelet, regularly priced at $33, is on sale for just $24.00!!
- Love at First Sight ring
The Love at First Sight ring is one of my personal favorites. It is on sale for just $42.00!!
- Proposal ring
The Proposal ring is a beautiful rhodium plated piece, and is on sale for $25.00!!
- Roma ensemble
What a great value on the Roma ensemble! These two pieces are on sale as an emsemble, which can be bought at the wonderful price of just $29.00!!
- Samantha ensemble
The Samantha ensemble can be bought at 30% off, both pieces for just $41.00!!
Sweetie anklet and Joelle necklace
Sale price for the Sweetie necklace is just $19.00, and the Joelle necklace is $14.00.
Together, Heartfelt, and Priority rings
Sale prices for these beautiful rings are as follows: Together is $16.00, Priority is $27.00, and Heartfelt is $26.00.
Two Hearts necklace
The Two Hearts necklace is a trendy look where the toggle closure is worn in the front. It is on sale for $29.00!!
Valentino necklace
The Valentino is reversible which makes it two necklaces in one. That’s two necklaces for just $27.00!!
Please call me or send an email to msjewelrylady@gmail.com if you would like to take advantage of the great savings on these beautiful pieces. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!!
Enlightened
Last weekend Jonathan introduced me to a company by the name of Investools that might change my life. Jonathan had attended the Get Motivated seminar in Huntsville last Wednesday, and there he signed us up for an investing seminar. He called me on Friday at 4:30 and asked me to be at his house by 5:30 to talk to someone on the phone who was going to walk us through a website sponsored by Wealth Magazine. My first reaction was, “What has he gotten us into?!!” I thought this was some kind of scam. But I thought, Jonathan is an intelligent man, and I trust him.
Needless to say, we spoke to the lady on the phone and she gave us a brief synopsis on the Investools website. I hadn’t formed much of an opinion at this point, but I was still trusting Jonathan. However, by the first half-hour of the seminar on Saturday, my attitude had drastically changed. I knew that I was about to learn some info that would answer a prayer and might just completely change the course of my life. I am so pumped about learning how to make my money work for me.
Over and over again over the last few months, God has shown me just how much he is in control. The plan that I had for my life isn’t what He had planned for me, but the steps that I took to get to “my plan” might just help me accomplish “His plan.” Last weekend, I learned that I already had some tools in my toolbox when it comes to investing. I plan to use those as soon as possible, plus I am going to use every ounce of energy that i can to learn more about it.
Generosity
This is a recurring theme in my life lately. I have two topics relating to generosity to tell you about, and I am excited about both of them!
First of all, thanks to Casey Graham of Rethink Money (www.rethinkmoney.org), I have a Monthly Spending Plan, and a Kill It plan for my debt (a get out of debt plan), and I am taking control of my finances. Why? In our Rethink Money seminar on Saturday, Casey asked us to identify one financial goal that we want to accomplish in the next twelve months. Mine is to be more generous in my giving (I have a very specific goal but will keep it to myself.) Casey taught us all how to get our finances in shape so that we can use our money to fuel God’s mission. Our money should be used in this order:
- Share some
- Save some
- Spend some
Unfortunately, most people use their money in the opposite order, and I am guilty of that. But over the next twelve months, I will reverse the order in which I manage my finances. I am excited about it!! I will also be living on a Monthly Spending Plan and working on my Kill It plan to get out of debt! I want my money to be used to glorify God. It is His. He has only allowed me to have what I have.
Next, on the topic of generosity is the wonderful company of which I am blessed to be a part, Premier Designs. Premier has a new Gift with Purchase Promotion for February. For home shows held between January 31 and February 27, any guest who makes a purchase of $75 will receive one piece of jewelry up to $40 in value absolutely FREE. If you are a hostess holding a show in February, this will increase the retail of your show, therefore increasing your hostess benefits. If you have a catalog show open with me right now, we will flip it to a home show so that your friends and family that make purchases will be eligible for this promotion. This is a win-win for customers and hostesses!!!! What a GENEROUS company!!!!
Also, right now I am having a 24-hour sale going on. It started yesterday, but you can still order today and receive these great discounts.
But 1 item, get 20% off your order or Buy 2 items, get 25% off your order or Buy 3 items, get 30% off your orderCall or email me today if you would like to take advantage of these discounts. My email is msjewelrylady@gmail.com. You can also twitter me: www.twitter.com/msjewelrylady.
He’s Still Working on Me
I haven’t posted to my blog in quite a while. I think there’s just so much running through my mind that I don’t know where to start. God’s working in my life, and I think that 2009 is going to bring about many changes for me, positive changes. The process of getting there is painful though.
I just returned from a Premier conference, and I am refreshed, motivated, and humbled. Every year Premier has a Verse of the Year. For 2009, the Verse of the Year is Proverbs 15:13, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” I want to start every day of 2009 by reading this verse.
One of the testimonies given at the conference was from a woman with generalized anxiety disorder that is running a successful Premier business in spite of her illness. She said, “Let your business be the bulldozer that breaks through the problems in your life.” She will never know what an effect that one phrase has had on me. For the past year, I haven’t had the will do to anything. I have let the pain in my neck handicap me in a lot of ways. This debilitating pain has affected me both physically and mentally. But, I think that sometimes our mental will can be stronger than our physical abilities. And God is stronger than any problem we’ll ever have.
Andy Horner, founder of Premier Designs, also spoke at the conference. He talked about the power of a positive attitude in all aspects of our lives. He said “Plant seeds and let God handle the results.” This is true for witnessing, for parenting, and for working our Premier businesses. A positive attitude is a seed that when planted and prayed over can have enormous results. I am ashamed to say that I haven’t had such a positive attitude in the past year. I have let my pain control my life. I’m embarrassed to even say that, but there it is.
I am so glad that God is working on me. He’s got a lot of work to do!!!! I do too.
Megan