All the World's a Stage

Wow, I have really been behind on my blogging!   I've pretty much been working 7 days a week at the moment between Arbonne, Restaurant #1, and Restaurant #2.   Hopefully my days of bartending are numbered.  I can't wait until I can spend my days providing health and wellness products instead of alcohol!  Haha.   I'm very sorry that I've been so behind on reading your blogs and commenting, I literally haven't been home in what seems like over a month!   My schedule should be calming down soon, and I'll catch up, promise!  

I've been thinking a lot lately about how important it is for me to do what I enjoy.   I really love my Arbonne business, and that's why I am determined to succeed in it.   But another true love of mine that I have truly neglected, is acting.   I absolutely have a love affair with the theater.   I was super involved during high school, and I really miss it.   I was in every play, president of the drama club, lived and breathed acting!  For a lot of reasons, I made the decision when I graduated, not to pursue a career in acting.    If I could, I'd be center stage on broadway right now, but I realized that choosing a career in theater meant giving up a lot of things in my life that are really important to me, and so, I gave it up.  I still believe that I made the right decision, but even now, almost 10 years later, I miss it every day.   My husband and I love going to plays and musicals, but sometimes watching them literally makes my heart ache.  The older I get, the more I find myself thinking about how I want to be able to act "at least one more time."  

So... I'm thinking of auditioning for a local dinner theater that is close by.   They are having an open casting call in July.   I haven't been able to make up my mind yet.   Even if I did get cast in something, I'm not sure I could even do it with my schedule.  But, part of me just wants to try, even if it doesn't work out.   

For the audition I would need a one-minute monologue, a song, head shots, and an acting resume.  I started putting together my resume, and the only acting experience I have is from high school!   Haha.   I don't think my chances are great, but I guess there's no harm in trying!   

I have one month to decide what monologue I want to do and what song!  Any suggestions?

I'm ready for my close up.   ; )

(Don't forget to enter my giveaway!)

Personal Blender Review and Giveaway!

Well I feel like I have "made it" in the blogger world!  I have been contacted to do my first review, woohoo!   CSN Stores has thousands and thousands of awesome products, so it was hard to choose which one I wanted to review, but when I saw the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender, I knew that's what I wanted to try!

I drink Arbonne's protein shake every morning (no meat for me...gotta get that protein in)!!!   I love to blend my protein in with some ice and a banana to make it really yummy, and I go through blenders really fast!   So, I was actually really skeptical of this thing, especially when I pulled it out of the box and saw how small it was.   But let me tell you, apparently size really doesn't matter!!   This thing is awesome!   I threw the protein in it with ice, a banana, and water, and no kidding, in like 3 seconds it was all blended!   That's better than the big blender I have.   Plus the best part is that the whole thing lifts out and has a travel lid so you can take it with you.    This to me is a definite plus because it means only one dirty dish!   I'm drinking from it right now and the lid does a great job of not leaking.   Plus it's small enough to fit in the cup holder of your car.... very cool!   It's 14 oz and has stainless steel blades, and one button that you push to blend.  Very easy to use.

I'm totally in love with this little device!    

You can buy it here..... or, thanks to CSN Stores, you can win one!!!

Here's how:

1.  MANDATORY:  Follow my blog (1 entry)

2.  Visit the CSN website and comment about a product they offer that you'd like to have. 

 (1 Entry)

3.  Blog about this giveaway, facebook it, tweet it.... (2 Entries for each)

Just Dance... it will be okay

Well it's over!   Sunday was my dance recital.   I woke up Sunday morning feeling like I was going to throw up!   It's funny because back in the day when I used to be in plays and stuff, I hardly ever got nervous!    But I sure was nervous Sunday.   Mostly because I did not feel at all confident with the dances. But, it turned out okay and most importantly, I had a lot of fun.   Yes.... I messed up a few times.... but we're not going to talk about that....

It did feel great to be on stage again.  I have really missed it.  

I was in two routines.   First off was Jazz.

Then Modern... 

We weren't allowed to video, but there was a professional videographer there.  Once I get the DVD and watch it, I might post it... we'll see.... haha!

Starting in June I'm going to be taking another modern class, and hip hop!!!  I'm excited to be gangster.

"We Run on Fumes"

Breathe in.  Breathe out.  That's what I keep reminding myself to do.  Lately I've been feeling a little overwhelmed.   I took on another job.  Why?!  Oh you know, because I'm crazy.  As most of you know, my main career focus is my Arbonne business.  But until I get to the next level in my business, I'm also bartending on the weekends for the extra cash.   So, when I was recently offered a job bartending at a more upscale restaurant in town (that's really hard to get into), I of course took it!  Here's the catch... they have like a month long training program!  Seriously.   I guess no one told them that it's bartending... not brain surgery!  And I can't really quit the job at the other restaurant because I'm not making tips at the new place yet until I get through training!   I took the new job just figuring I would take a few shifts, and keep a shift or two at the current place.... but as of right now it's turned into me working pretty much 7 days a week between restaurant 1, restaurant 2, and Arbonne.   I'm almost done with the training and then I'll finally figure out what my schedule is going to be.    Plus, it's like THE restaurant to work at if you're going to work at a restaurant...so I keep trying to convince myself it will be worth all the hassle. 

Arbonne is definitely my focus and I don't want all of this craziness to interfere with that.   I'm so close to getting to the next level in my business, and once I do, I can just do that full time!   But right now, I just feel a lot of pressure.   I'm second guessing my decision to start at this new place, because in the long run, I don't want to be bartending at all!   All I want to do is grow my business, and I'm doing all I can to make that happen.   

This pressure is magnified by the fact that my parent's keep offering me positions at the family company.   My parents own a successful digital print company.   They would love nothing more than for me to join my brother in the business.   I worked there up until about 2 years ago when I grew my Arbonne business enough for me to quit.   It's not that I don't appreciate the offers, it's just that working there didn't make me happy.   With my Arbonne business, I really love what I do.   A lot of people I'm sure think I'm crazy for not taking the offers they've presented, especially since it would mean a huge pay increase immediately.  But the fact of the matter is, I can't give up on my dream.   I started my Arbonne business 5 years ago, and I truly believe that I will make it to the top of the company.   I've watch other women rise to the top, get their Mercedes Benz (the company car), and I think, "why not me?"   Even though I could make more money now at my parent's company, in the long run I know that I can make fantastic money on my own terms.   Plus, I really don't want to work full time!   If we decide to have a baby in a few years, I want to be working from home...but still pulling in a great income!  

I made a commitment 5 years ago when I began this journey, and I intend to follow through.    Jake and I were talking about it the other day and he told me "I believe you will do it.  I can see that Mercedes in our driveway, I can see us in a better home, and you running your business the way you want."   I can see it too.   

And so, I'm going to keep doing what it takes!  My days as a bartender are numbered.   And even though I'm under a lot of stress now, I just keep trying to remember that it's temporary.   I'm willing to put in the time.  To do some things I don't want to do for a little while, so I can do what I really want to do for a long while.

Plus, a really awful side of me can't wait to park that Mercedes next to all of the people who have rolled their eyes at my promise, that someday I'd have one! 

After all, my fortune cookie just told me:

"Reach for your dreams.  Start with the spring rolls."  

(TWO more days until my dance recital....freaking out.)

Review and giveaway coming up.... stay tuned. 

I think I'll try defying gravity...

"I'm through accepting limits, cause someone says they're so.  
Some things I cannot change, but till I try, I'll never know!  
....I think I'll try defying gravity."

Tonight we saw the musical "Wicked."  It. Was. Fabulous.   I've always been a huge "Wizard of Oz" fan, so I knew I would love it.   I splurged and bought us front row orchestra seats!  It was worth every penny!   It was amazing being that close and getting to see every facial expression.   It is officially my new favorite musical, I absolutely loved it.  The music is so fantastic.   I was already teary eyed from the final number, when the cast came out for their curtain call.   Being as close as we were, I could see the tears running down "Glinda's" cheeks when she received a standing ovation.   I couldn't help but choke back my own tears.  It made me want to be on stage so badly!   I really miss acting.   

I've found lately that I really have a hard time learning the balance between ambition and humility.  I admire both qualities so much, and yet they seem to contradict themselves sometimes, at least in my case.   I want so badly to be a humble person, and at the same time I want to excel!   I guess the secret is in finding a balance.   What do you think?  Is it possible to "rise to the top" and still live a humble life?  

Speaking of being on stage..... this sunday is my first dance recital (well, first since I was 8)...and  I am sooo nervous!   I cannot remember all of the choreography!   I have 2 more rehearsals, and I will just die if I cannot get it together.  

"Run, run, leap, step...."   Sigh.... come on muscle memory!

My Mama's Cheesy Broccoli Bites!

I've probably mentioned it before that my mom is a fabulous cook!   She is constantly amazing us all with her wonderful recipes and gourmet spreads.   She can throw the best dinner party you've ever seen!    Last year I bought her a personalized chef's coat and she wears it whenever she cooks, haha.   She likes to pretend she is a professional chef!

Paula Deen has a contest going on right now where you can win $25,000 by submitting an original recipe using Philadelphia cream cheese.  You have to make a tutorial video and submit it as well.   So this week I filmed my mom making a delicious appetizer that she made up: "Cheesy Broccoli Bites."  They are sooo yummy!

She was really nervous to make the video, but after a few minutes she warmed up.  I kept telling her to just relax and to remember, as Julia Child says "never apologize!"  Haha.   Here is the video and a link to her recipe.  I think the video turned out pretty cute, and the recipe really is delicious!   I hope she wins!  

.....Bon Appetit! 

  

Messy Bessy

So.... I have a confession.   Ready?  This is one is shocking....

I am not the perfect woman.

I know... I know... how could this be!?   It comes as quite a shock to me as well.  But, alas, I must admit that there is one area in which I am severely lacking: ORGANIZATION. 

It's true, I'm horribly unorganized, and it's not hard to notice.   My car, my house, even my purse, all give me away.   You will frequently find me searching for hours for a receipt that has an important phone number on it, or a shirt that I stuck in a random box somewhere, or even a check that got folded up in one of my purses 2 weeks ago.....  (When my car got wrecked about 6 months ago, my husband came to transfer my stuff from the wrecked car to his, and found 2 of my paychecks stuck down in a bag in my trunk that were both like a month old.... yeah... I got scolded for that one!)   It doesn't help that my best friend, Wendy, is Mrs. Organized.   Whenever I go to her house I turn green with envy over her perfectly spotless home.   Why can't I be like that!?    I mean, don't get me wrong, my house isn't  "dirty," but it is definitely at least "messy" probably 80% of the time.   I've always been like that.  My room as a teenager was so bad that you couldn't even hardly walk in it due to the clothes all over the floor!!   I'm not quite as bad anymore... but there is still usually a pile of clothes at the foot of my bed.   It's a vicious cycle that goes like this:

Each morning I try on 5 different outfits.  Since I'm always running late and rushing in the mornings, the discarded outfits get thrown on the bed.   Then, Jake goes to bed that night and throws the clothes off of the bed onto the floor.   The pile gets bigger.... and bigger.... until I have a nervous breakdown from the mess and spend a whole day trying to reorganize my drawers and closets... only to make a bigger mess in the process!!!

Sigh....

I hate cleaning.   Like, actually hate it.   I get overwhelmed.   I don't know where to start first... and so most of the time I just don't start at all.   We let the sink pile up with dishes and the clean clothes sit in the clothes baskets until we can't take it anymore, then about once a week we do a blitz to get it all done before someone comes over and sees our mess!

It would be so much easier if we would just keep up with it to begin with!!!   Wendy, a.k.a, Mrs. Organized, has offered many times to come help me to get my house in order.  But do you think I'm going to let her see my closets!?   I do not think so.   

And household projects?   Just as bad.   We've been working on finishing our basement for like a year now.  So far all we have done is the framing, the wiring for the recessed lighting, and part of the insulation.   Sigh... maybe in another year we'll get the drywall finished?   

I need to hire an organizer.... or better yet.... a maid!!!!!!

Maybe I'm just lazy?