Let's Just Zip On It

So today I did a touristy thing right in my own backyard. Something I have never done before, in a tropical climate or elsewhere, I went zip lining. 

Not just once but across 10 different zip lines that took over 2 hours and travelled up to 75 kilometres an hour across the coastline of Petty Harbour. Some of these lines went 2000 feet in length and were 300 feet above where my feet would normally comfortably stand on the ground.

Why the heck would I do that? Some may ask, including myself at the starting point. Well one reason was because I was offered the chance to do this at no cost to me, but also to put in on my "Look Back" list.

Yes my "Look Back" list. I heard a fellow zip liner comment today that this was one item off her bucket list, I thought "me too" but then I realized it would have been the only thing on my bucket list to cross off as I don't have a bucket list! So then as I was waiting in line to get on the zip line and put my life in the hand of a piece of strap and a pully, I thought of what I would put on my bucket list and came to one conclusion. I don't have a clue what I would put on it. 

Another thought was I really don't care for a bucket list. Why should I stress myself out over things I may or may not get to do before I die? That sounds depressing as my list would probably get filled with things like climb a great pyramid or something outrageous that will never happen. 

I would much rather look back at the things I did do, experiences like today that come around by chance or a little bit of planning, those things I want to remember and recall stories for my daugter. Hey,  I might come off sounding like a cool adventure seeking mom! So I now have a "Look Back' list. Instead of crossing items off,  I am piling them on!

A few items on my list so far:

1. Zip lining in Petty Harbour ( I survived!)

2. Cave tubing in Belize

3. Parasailing in Nassau

4. Swimming with Stingrays in Half Moon Cay

5. Climbed a waterfall in Jamaica

6. Chilled with the monkeys in the Panama Rainforest ( and went to the Panama Canal!)

No I don't take a million vacations a year, most of these were cruise ships stops, but when you sit down and thing about the things I did I look pretty damn adventurous!

So stop looking for things on some elusive list and start looking back on the things you have done, whether they be from some far away place or camping with a long lost friend for the weekend. Those are your accomplishments and memories, own them!

Trust me, I am hanging on tight!

Want more info on the zip lining I did? Here is the website just in case you want to add to your "Look Back" list.
www.zipthenorthatlantic.com

Windows Down, Radio Up

Since it has been cold in Newfoundland for the past nearly seven months. I was surprised to realize last week during a rare appearance of the sun, that my AC is not working in the SUV.
Now I realize that driving without AC is pretty much uncivilized in today's society and I do planned to get it fixed when I find a day with 25 hours in it.

But I found myself thinking back on a simpler time when I had my first car and it did not come with AC, working or not, it just wasn't even an option with my good old power blue cavalier. (such a pretty girly car that was)

My cousin and I would just drive around town with the windows down, music blasting, sunglasses on, sporting a sun burn on one side.

I realize now that the convenience of AC has taken that little bit of summer driving joy away from us. I still love to open my sunroof and have the AC on. My husband then grumbles about "that doesn't make sense and you are wasting gas" and closes the sun roof. The sunshine goes away and a little bit of me wilts inside. I still do it when he is not in the SUV, our little secret.

So as a drive around giving myself a new hairstyle in the wind, a great song comes on the radio and I crank it. It all comes back to me. This is fun! This is happy! This is Summer!

So I want everyone to try it, it is hard to be in a bad mood when you have your favourite song and the sun is shining. Turn is up loud! It is not the same without volume, you ears will forgive you just this once.

And now sing.

I am not kidding, just give it your best American/ Canadian Idol shot! Don't worry no one else will hear you. They all have their windows up :)

I have an appointment to get my AC fixed tomorrow but I promise myself I will still take time some days to roll my windows down, turn the radio up and just let it go.

Daddy In Charge

Daddy Walter and Charlotte in the harbour
2011

I went shopping one evening when Charlotte was a little pass two years old. When I came home my husband Walter was sitting on the couch watching tv, Charlotte was sleeping, the dog was still alive and everything seemed in order. Good job hubby, good job. 

 "How was your night" I ask. He shrugged and said "It was fine." Ok, unadventurous night it is. A little while later I go into the bathroom. Charlottes sleeper was soaking in the sink. I inquired as to why it was doing so.

"Well," Walter started. "I wanted to put Charlotte in the bath, I took off her clothes while waiting for the water to run and while she was naked she decided to poop. Everywhere." 

So I will point out to people that Walter's reaction to all things poop is utter disgust. Weird considering what most men accomplish in the washrooms themselves. 

"So I put her in the tub so she wouldn't run around and do it again, and then I threw up in the toilet, then the *&@%# dog came in and ate it, so I threw up again and threw a towel at him to leave, all while Charlotte sat in it in the tub."

I sat there in utter amazement. How the hell could a chain of events happen like that to him, and when asked how his night was he said "fine". And he never said a word until I inquired about it. 

Then I started to laugh because honestly it was fricken funny! (Only because it was him and not me) I will never let him forget it. (Such as putting out there forever on a blog).

So lesson in life, "fine" may mean you were up shit creek, with a toddler, a toilet and a dog! 

Direct Selling Mamma

Can you really make money with direct sales? All those work from home companies floating around out there these days featuring photos of happy people holding money or on vacation with the family, seems to good to be true.

Direct selling has been around for a long time. I mean woman have been "Avon Calling" since the late 1800's, so there must be something to it.

Many woman dream of working from home rolling in the dough one home party at a time, but is it realistic.

In the past I have been a representative for Mary Kay, Avon, Creative Memories, Epicure, and now Scentsy.

Some of these I joined mainly for the value packed starter kit, and then I didn't do anything with it. What I have heard a fellow representative refer to as a "kit napper".

I have been with Scensty for two years and have a team of 3 in my downline- meaning they signed up under me. I actually have a shot at earning a trip to Cancun this year. So how and why is this business a success over the others I have tried and how can it work for you?

Here are the lessons I learned and tips I can share.

1. Find Your Passion. Don't sign up to sell make-up if you don't wear it. I was a scentsy client before deciding to become a rep.

2. Know your target market. Your family, friends and co-workers are normally your initial customers as your work to build your brand. Selling Mary Kay, which is a little pricier than your regular makeup,  when I was 20 and could not afford to buy it myself, nor could any of my friends was not really an encouraging experience.

3. Research the company. Scentsy has continued to jump the ranks of direct selling businesses. It is currently in the top 20 of 100. They have a strong group of leaders that encourage and engage everyday via social media sites. I am a fan of getting a "pay check" in stead of selling keeping the profits form each individual sale I do as some companies do. This is something to think about. How do you want to get paid? What other aspects are you looking for? Make note of them when you research.

4. Be prepared to work. Customers will not come throwing money at you. You have to have dedication and patience to stick it out. I have a Facebook page for my Scensty, I update it pretty much everyday. I email my customers to keep in contact. I am out there attending vendor show as well. My recruits actually came to me to find out about the business. Be out there, become well known and eventually people will come to you.

5. Support the direct sellers: This tip is not really about selling from a home based business but buying it. When it comes to gifts, especially Christmas shopping, consider looking to direct selling companies and local home based business for ideas. Big Box stores won't be as happy or appreciative to sell you a gift as a person trying to make a little more money themselves.

I have known representatives from some companies to earn free vacations every year and make $40,000 plus. I am not near there myself, I only have enough free time to make this a part-time effort, but I do make money.

If you think about it many companies have start up cost that range from $20 to $200. It depends on the value of the kit. The products in the kit often cost more than the fee. If you put in an order or two many times you will make your investment back. You often have little to lose to give it a shot.

If you want to checkout my Facebook page it is https://www.facebook.com/jennpc.scentsy

Cruising for Money... or Money for Cruising?

I love vacations! I once read that the count down to a vacation is as therapeutic as the vacation itself. The planning, the excitement, the anticipation. I totally believe that. This time it is a little extreme though being I just booked a vacation for 2016. Too early to start counting days??

I have booked a Royal Caribbean Cruise with my husband, daughter, my parents and his parents. His parents have never been on vacation before so this is exciting for them. They asked to go in 2016 to allow to save up for the trip.

What a novel idea. Save up for a trip. Hmmmm I have always just booked it on my credit card and forgot about it. Smart idea? Probably not.

Since my husband refused to take this trip without a balcony room, this will be the most expensive cruise I have taken so maybe I should have a plan. I was browsing on kijiji for something last week and it came to me. Why can't I sell some of the stuff lying around my house?

So here is my new challenge for myself. To come up with the downpayment for my cruise (myself, my husband and Charlotte) without impacting my daily finances. I will sell some items online, cut my cell bills, count my change or any other creative ideas I can come up with.

Goal: $738

I can do this! I will keep you all posted!

Hair Of The Dog

No, I am not referring to the old adage of drinking more to lessen the hangover of last night's party. 

I mean literally the hair of the dog.

Chevy, my wonderful 12 year old mixed breed dog.
He looks happy right? Well he doesn't sweep!

It's everywhere. On the floors, under the furniture, on my bed, my clothes, my food (even right after I dish it up, I mean seriously?) and occasionally ends up in my mouth. 

As a pet owner, you tend to brush off the topic of fur, pun totally intended, and to learn to deal with it daily. 

I have a Shepard cross which at age 20 my husband did not really research to find out that Chevy would be a heavy shedder and even do this awesome thing twice a year called "blowing his coat" where pretty much all his hair falls our for a new coat. 

That's right nearly his whole coat' lying somewhere in my house. Now I have found ways to deal with this over the years, the invention of the swifter vac was bar none. I mean if you adopt a dog from a shelter you should be given one for free I think. 

When I sense a thicker layer of fur covering my belongings I know it is coat blowing time again and I take him to the groomers for a special shampoo and brush out. It helps tremendously. 

If you have any tips please post! Everyone loves ideas on how to deal with pet fur. I love the bugger shedding or no shedding so I guess I could learn to make a sweater out of it, after all it has been a long cold winter!

Cool find for parents!

My daughter says the darnest things, some really crazy things come out of her little mouth. I am always telling people the funny stories of the time she said one thing or another. I am sure other parents out there are the same.

But what is one day you stop telling the story or little details are forgotten. How are we going to touture or kids with embarrassing stories later in life if we can't remember them? I will be as if we failed as a parent if we can't embarrass our children!

I found this book at a local Chapters one day and it blew my mind. Yes! I need a place to write down those funny conversations! This bright cheery book has places to record date, people, age and place along with th conversation. For $17.99 I can now safety record those precious moments. Such as when my daughter said she thinks her poop is going to be ginormous this time and that she is afraid it will break the toilet. I will be able to bring that up later in life time and time again. One of the joys of parenthood.

You can order this on amazon too. 

http://www.amazon.ca/My-Quotable-Kid-Parents-Unforgettable/dp/0811868842/ref=sr_1_1/191-6728170-6697118?ie=UTF8&qid=1402367812&sr=8-1&keywords=my+quotable+kid+journal

Banking Shoes

I made $50 an hour today. Well it was for one hour but still if you could make $50 an hour would you? 

Anyone can really. It was simple, I took the RBC challenge. 

RBC bank issued a challenge this month for customers of other banks to bring in a copy of this bank statement and they would compare it to their bank accounts. They offered a $50 visa gift card (while supplies last) to the customers who came in. No sign up required.

Now normally I would never have paid attention to something like this. I am way too busy and frankly changing banks is a pain in the butt. But the more I thought about it the more it made sense. We go for annual check ups and visit the dentist and eye doctor annually. Why do we not treat our financial health in the same manner?

Think about it, what do you have to lose? I could walk out of RBC with the knowledge that switching banks could save me money every month and/or offer me more features or I walk out confident that my current bank is truly meeting my needs and is offering me a good price for services.

Are your banking needs now the same as they were 5,10 or 20 years ago? Do you send emails transfers now and does your bank include them in your service fees or are you charged extra? I send about 5 a month and I was getting charged $1 each time as a fee. If I had a plan that gives me free email transfers I would be pocketing that money.

So take the challenge to any bank really. Sit down and see what your options are and then call your own banking representative to see what they will offer you if you are thinking of moving your loyal business elsewhere. Then make a decision that truly suits your needs and if you get $50 out of it then it's a bonus! I have new financial info and after a trip to the mall with my gift card I will have a new pair of shoes. Maybe dark blue ones in honour of RBC. 

Lookin' Good

"You look good today Jennifer," My father in law says as I dropped my daughter off this week. My first thought as a woman was "as opposed to yesterday?" But of course I smile and say thanks. On my way out I stop and think, he said the same thing a few weeks ago. What is it about me on those days that made me stand out? Then it came to me, my new red trench coat. I got it in my head a little while back that I wanted a red trench coat, not a black or beige trench coat, but a bright red one. I looked for awhile and finally hit jackpot at a local Winners. When I put it on it brightens my mood. My sister in law thinks I look like Carmen San Diego but I don't mind, adds to the allure. Everyone starts to fall into a routine when it comes to their look, you get up and put on the same style clothes, the name colour spectrum and do your hair in the same manner. We are creatures of habit. But what happens when we break it? Something as simple as a piece of clothing out of your daily norm (bright red tench coat anyone?) or wearing your hair down instead of up everyday. Trust me someone will take notice. It is a simple change but it can be such a boost for your self esteem. So find a new shade a lipstick, a new hairstyle, something, until then there is a red trench coat calling me from my closet. Think I will look good today.

My Daily Inspiration

Charlotte

Between A Rock and a Happy Place

I am the proud mother of a truly individual, unique, smart and outspoken three year old daughter. I also work full time. There I said it.

There may be some that applaud me and there are some of you that will disapprove of my choice. It is never an easy choice, although it seems to be increasingly common for mothers to get back into the grind. It is a decision that is often full of judgement from peers and guilt within yourself.
No one escapes the day where they cry horribly when you walk out the door. I think I cried a little and then drowned my sorrows in coffee. ( Hey I was at work remember)

I actually returned to work part time when my daughter Charlotte was 3 months old. I was lucky enough to have my mother in law visit to watch her while I went to the office each day for 3 hours. It started as a financial necessity. My husband is in the military, we were living comfortable but one income would not cut in.

When we relocated back to our home province Newfoundland, my luck continued and I managed to find a full time job with the SPCA St. John's as a fund-raising coordinator.
Charlotte was 8 months old.

But my job was flexible, allowing me to work from home, make my own hours as I worked many evenings and weekends.  I am proud to say I can let Charlotte wake up on her own every morning and we enjoy breakfast together. I can take her to every ballet class, every doctors appointment, if she needs me I am there. As  I look back on it, I am at peace with my decision. I have been there for every milestone. My mother in law still watches Charlotte and loves every minute with her granddaughter. Charlotte may still pout every now and then about my going to the office but she will grow up to see a strong successful woman in me (I hope!)

She loves to visit my office and help me "make mail" and of course playing with kittens is her favourite.  One of my happiest moments when it comes to work was the day that Charlotte looked at me after I picked her up at the days end and said "Did you get money for the kitties today mommy?"
She understands what I do, she has a sense of responsibility and a new sense of philanthropy ( I told you she was very smart!) because of my choice to go to work.

My life is never boring, I often stretch another hour in my day I swear! But it is where I am today that leads me here to you. I may not be an expert in everything but I have experience to share. I will be honest, upfront and outspoken. (like mother, like daughter) I promise there will be post to make you think, post to make you laugh and plenty of post to save you time and money. After all we do truly work hard for it so do you best to keep it!