A little down

I really don't have a reason to be 'down' - life is going great mostly.  But, I've been kind of sad about how my Uppercase business has been going.  It was going so well before Christmas, then it just sort of 'died'.  I didn't think I was ever going to get a party again, much less a recruit.  I remember how extremely excited I was to get started, and I just thought this was going to be so big.  And it did help pay for Christmas last year, and a few other things, but now I'm worried about even making my quarterly quota.  I'm only $15 bucks short, so I'll probably put in an order myself. 

What has 'stirred' this up, is that major announcements have just been made -  Uppercase lowered all the quarterly sales quotas for demonstrators higher than associate (I'm at the associate level)...AND bumped people up by making the requirements for advancement lower.  Thing is, I still have no recruits.  Don't think I ever will at this point.  Without at least 2 recruits under me, I do not get ANY leads from the Uppercase website.

Some great things have just been released though - etched glass vinyl (great for glass and mirrors) AND chalkboard vinyl.  YES!  Now you don't have to use that horrible chalk board paint!

I've also been considering adding another direct selling company under my belt - and just promoting it on the side at my Uppercase parties.  Not sure, we will see.  Many of the makeup companies don't have the quarterly quotas like the other direct sales companies.  I might meet with a Avon rep tomorrow.

I just have the scrapbook trip coming up - the first weekend in May.  I was really hoping that I could make enough sales before then to pay for the room and some scrapbook goodies.  I have $250 bucks or so in my Uppercase checking account right now, but I need at least another $100 or so to pay for the room.  I could make it if I could just get one good party, or two 'ok' parties.

My website is http://natalie.uppercaseliving.net (in case you wanted to take a look around).

Torn

Ok - It has been time to upgrade my current cell phone for OVER a year.  I mean, my phone is from the dark ages!  I've wanted a blackberry for a while, and now that so many people are starting to get the iPhone - I think I might want one of those.

However, the reason why I'm having a hard time with this, is I could get a basic phone for free - but the Blackberry and iPhone's are around $200 each - along with a $40 a month fee for all the services. 

I feel selfish for even wanting one - I mean, do I really *need* all those features?  No.  Do I *want* them, YES! 

And with our current situation with Eric still looking for a job, I'm having a very hard time justifying it.  Then Eric's sister and BIL got them, he plays with hers for a while, and then jumps on the bandwagon wanting one, which doesn't help the situation.  So, I'm not sure what to do. 

Oh and get this, about the time I decided that I was going to do it, that we could manage - our car insurance bill went up by $45 bucks a month - which made me start rethinking it again.  WHY! 

I guess I'll make a decision eventually.

A Beautiful Week

The weather was just gorgeous this week.  Peyton even got to wear shorts two days!  Of course, now that it is the weekend it is supposed to be cold and rainy - go figure, but you can definitely tell spring is coming!!!

Tuesday, Paula's surgery went well.  I took off the afternoon on Wednesday to go spend some time with her in the hospital and help her.  She looked pretty good but was in pain, then on Thursday we went up with Peyton - so we only stayed about 45 min before he had had enough.  But on Thursday she was sitting up to eat and even went on a short walk with us.  This week we had family outside time twice - we washed the van, pulled weeds, E cut the grass, and Peyton played with his riding toys and wagon.

I also had a full week at work, more busy than normal, and we are all getting upgraded to Vista, and that has been somewhat stressful at times.  Tuesday and Thursday I had lunch 'dates' - Tuesday with my work friends Jenny, Christina and Jenna - then Thursday with some ladies from church - Jen and Celeste.

Paula will hopefully be getting out of the hospital today.  They are having a jewelry sale/benefit for one of the ladies at church that was just diagnosed with cancer this afternoon, and I'm going to try to go to that.  I also have to finish up my assignments for the Esther class I'm taking before SS tomorrow.

Here is to a great weekend!!!!!!!!

Recovering

Paula looked great yesterday, she was in pain and didn't move much, but overall she looked really good.  When they did the surgery, they were ready to remove any cancer in her abdomen/uterus area.  And they found NONE.  Praise be to God!!  She did have two spots that they removed that looked like they were once cancer, but that was it.  We are all very happy - but of course cautious as well.  She did have that spot on her spine during the last scan, so I'm very eager for them to do another scan.  But it was so nice to hear the good news.

Right Now

We are loving the new Mellow Mushroom that opened a few months ago.  It is going to be hard to stay away.  And notice the prenatal vitamins?  Yes, I started taking them again about a week or so ago.

Our new grill.  We have been using it almost daily (not usually for steak though).

I'm finally trying to finish this quilt.  I started it over 4 years ago. 

Peyton is still in love with the Wubbzy cartoon.  He asks for it by saying 'Wow Wow' and bringing me the remote.

I'm in the process of totally re-organizing my scrapbook area.  More to come on that.

Getting some seeds started early for my garden that I'm going to attempt to grow this year.

Eric - constantly searching for Falcon's rumors

Peyton - thinks his potty is a toy, and doesn't really understand that he is supposed to go to the bathroom INSIDE the potty.  Right now he thinks it is just a fancy chair with a hole in it for his favorite toys.  Oh, and something for him to stand on so he can reach things.  Eventually it will be used as a potty though, right?!?

Surgery Tuesday

Paula is having surgery Tuesday to remove her ovaries, tubes and any suspicious tissue/tumors in her abdomen area.  She will be in the hospital for at least 3 days so she can heal some before she leaves and so they can monitor her very closely.  It is going to be a pretty serious surgery - so we are a little nervous.  Not sure if I'll get to go to the hospital during the surgery - or if I'll wait until Wed to go see her.  Eric will be there for the surgery though.

Peyton - 29 months

Last weekend, I asked, "Peyton, do you want to take a picture with your cars?"  This was the answer.

Is he getting old enough to start 'posing' for me?  This melted my heart.  then he wanted me to take pictures of him with all his cars and look at them immediately (on the view from the camera). 

So - he is almost 2 and a half.  Wow.  The last week or so his talking has really just exploded!  I mean, I think he has learned about 20 or so new words - and he is actually starting to try to say words when we are working/talking with him.

What a find

*This is my first attempt to post via email*

I went to Goodwill today at lunch to kill time pretty much, and look for some great deals. Most days, I leave empty handed. Today was one of those awesome days were they actually had stuff I needed and wanted! A ‘large’ lady like myself must have donated her whole Maternity wardrobe, because there was a ton of 1X and 2X pregnancy items. I bought 2 pairs of pants and 4 shirts. I have lots of XL and 1X items from the last pregnancy, but they were mostly summer. So I’m hoping that this time we will have a spring baby and I will need some more wintery clothes. I got all that for about 25 bucks, and when I was pg last time, one pair of pants would cost more than that. So I was happy with that find.

Then I got a electronic book for Peyton. The kind that has the buttons you press for sounds as you read the book. He will love it.

Then I found the best deal of the day. A Singer Serger. For only $15 bucks. STEAL. It isn’t a large serger, it is a smaller one, but it is a serger none the less. I don’t make clothes anymore, and haven’t in a while, but I always said that if I had a little girl it would be so fun to make her ‘boutique’ like clothes. I figured, for $15 bucks, even if I don’t use it and end up selling it on Ebay, it will be worth a shot.

So I spent way more than I should have (went in with $20 in my pocket). But I couldn’t turn down the clothes when I know how much maternity clothes cost (and we will hopefully be needing them again somewhat soon). I’m actually contemplating going back and buying more of the clothes that were on sale, but I don’t think I need to spend more money. At least not until Thursday when I get paid again.

And on another note, I’m thinking of opening an Etsy shop with some scrapbook goodies. I have seen a couple really cool altered book ideas, and I’m thinking about making a few to see if they sell. Not sure yet. I get all excited about stuff, then when it comes time to actually do it, finding the time is a whole other story.

Snow Day

Well, it snowed again this afternoon for about an hour or two. So I got some pictures!!!!!!! Once the snowing stopped, the snow disappeared once again. I think it might snow like this off and on today, but I'm not expecting anything exciting to happen (like schools/work closing).

And after about 20 minutes, Peyton had had enough!

Snowing in GA

This morning, on the way to Sunday School, we noticed a few snow flakes among the rain. By the time we got to church, the snow was starting - but nothing was sticking. Between Sunday School and big church - we went outside, and the snow was coming down so hard and it was actually starting to stick. Eric and I sat by the window during church and over the hour, the snow started to let up and melt everywhere it had stuck at. It was so sad, the whole service we kept looking out and getting excited (we wanted to take Peyton to play in it) - but by the time we left church, it was just raining again. As we got farther and farther away from church, we noticed none of the houses had snow on their roof's and our house/neighborhood didn't look like it go any snow. At least it was beautiful to watch come down! Oh, and of course I didn't have my camera.