Settling in: It's back to business

So after a FAB-U-LOUS time in Dallas, I am "Settling in" at home and getting back into the swing of things.

It's funny how when you leave, and get a little R-n-R, you want to think you're coming home to a better place than when you left it.

But the dishes still weren't done, and the house looked like a bomb went off.
*sigh*
I guess there's no surprise there. But still, I had *hoped* for a little of my relaxation to come home with me.

While we were getting tons of new training, along with free products (which is pretty common at any leadership conference), there was some sad news. Apparently, someone jumped from the balcony into the atrium at our hotel. Pretty sad stuff. They went door to door in the hotel that night trying to figure out who the jumper was.

But it got me to thinking (like most things do). That is NOT how I want to go. Not my idea of the way I want to be remembered.

But that's what we do in business every day. We give up. Quit. Throw in the towel and take a proverbial flying leap off the nearest balcony with no regard to the devastation it may leave behind.

Several of our consultants saw the man in his descent. Can you imagine the shock and horror that these women have to live with now? There was no regard for them in his jumping. Why should there be? He didn't know them, and must have figured that there was no one that cared enough to save him to jump.

But I look at my business. The people I work with, and I am re-committed to helping people succeed. But I'm also re-committed to helping my family be the best it can be.

I don't want to be remembered as a splotch on the carpet of life. I don't even want to be on the carpet of life - I want to soar above it. I also want to take people with me for the ride.

Because life is an incredible ride. It has bumps, twists, turns, ups and downs like any good ride. It's NOT for the faint of heart, but you can be under 4 feet tall to enjoy it.

In fact, I find that you almost HAVE to be under 4 feet tall to enjoy it, and that's just sad.

Let's bring back the childhood fun, and silly times. Let's live life instead of subsisting in it.

And we can still hold each other accountable to what matters most like good grown ups do.

While in Dallas, I made a pact with my roommated to achieve some goals before our annual conference in Reno in August (I can't wait! I've never been to Reno!). First, I made the commitment to keep building my business and helping people build theirs. I plan to promote 3 new leaders by conference (4 would be ideal, but I'm trying to be realistic!). I also committed to being in Reno. That sounds like a small committment, but the size doesn't matter, only the level of determination behind the committment. And mine is fierce.

I also learned I'm only a few hundred points away from earning an incentive trip to aruba, which is also exciting. Of course, my husband has plans for the weekend of the trip, so even if I win it, I probably won't go.

But it's not about the winning. Winning is nice, but beating your personal best is better. I'm having THE BEST year I've ever had in Direct Sales, and I'm loving every minute of it. You can't imagine the feeling when you're helping others reach their goals and build their dreams. It's kind of selfish to say it but I love the way I feel when I get to help others. It's just SO gratifying.

So I'm home, getting back into "life" again. Settling into a few comfortable routines - and a few new ones. I'm excited about what 2008 has already presented to me, and I'm even more excited about where I'm headed. My new Home Party Solution program is about to launch, and the feedback has been very positive for the program.

But the kids still need tending to, and the dishes still need to be done, and this year more than ever, I have an optimistic, positive and power-filled outlook on being what I call a "businessmom". I have a tremendous opportunity to love my kids, be there for them, AND build my growing business in a way that I can be proud of.

I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it... or maybe that's just the cold Michigan weather!

Is THIS what it's like to be old?

Okay, I'm going to classify this under the "TMI" heading - but if it helps even one person, I have to share it - you know me.



I am sick. I mean ill, as in acute bronchitis and creeping crud and all that yucky stuff... but my boys are sick, too.



You know what that means... My husband's next.



It starts with a bad headache that comes and goes....and comes and goes... My husband just had a few yesterday.



Then a wave of dizziness and coughing. My oldest got that today.



Then heavy coughing, body aches, and fever - my baby's got that today.



Then it gets really yucky. I had that yesterday. I'm feeling a bit better since I went to the hospital. The doc loaded me up on turbo antibiotics and an inhaler to alleviate the bronchitis.



But the worst part is the stress incontinence.



Yes, I said it. There it is. Laugh if you must, but it's true.



I pee when I cough really hard.

I pee when I sneeze.

I pee when I am hacking up a lung.

Here a pee, there a pee, everywhere a pee-pee.



Are you done laughing yet? Me neither.

I pee when I laugh, too.



Nope. It's not funny. And it got me to thinking, this must be a glimpse of what it's like to get old. Losing control of parts of you that your THOUGHT were firmly under your control.



OY.



So I had a clever idea. My baby wears diapers, so he doesn't care if he pees all over everything. My oldest wears pull ups on occasion, so this is no big thing for him.



Yes, you can do the math and make the linear connection here. I got "adult diapers".



Seriously, you can stop laughing now.



But let me tell you, these are NOT comfortable. I mean, they may help to fight against wetness, but they aren't winning any beauty contests. They are scratchy, cling in all the wrong places, sag in all the other wrong places, and while they're effective, I certainly don't feel confident when I wear them.



No wonder old people are crabby all the time. If they have to wear these ungodly things I TOTALLY understand.



On the bright side, my issue is temporary - which is good because I'm headed out to Leader Retreat in glorious Dallas, Texas this weekend. Actually, we're hanging out at the Embassy Suites in Frisco, Texas, which is North Dallas, but this place is SWANK! Check out the photo gallery here.

This is a picture of the atrium (courtesy of the hotel). I've never been to Dallas (that's a blog post all by itself!), but they weren't kidding when they said things are bigger here:

Our Annual Leader Retreat will feature prominent speakers in the Direct Sales Industry. Last year, for example, Belinda Ellsworth was our Keynote speaker. This year, Jane Deuber will present a special session for Directors only. Pretty exciting - if you're into direct sales!

But I also look at the amenities of the event, and this one purports to be full-blown awesome:

• Complimentary made-to-order omelettes each morning (or if you don't like eggs, there's a complimentary breakfast)
• A full course of fine dining between each training session (no box lunch here, folks!)
• Complimentary business center access and Wi-Fi
• A COMPLIMENTARY reception every evening in this glorious atrium (yes, drinks of all kinds, folks)
• On-stage recognition for leadership levels
• Tons of Free products from our new catalog
• Networking opportunities galore

Plus, did I mention I'm NOT taking the family with me this time!?! Can you say working vacation? Woo hoo!

Yes, while I'm living "la vida loca" in Dallas for afew days, my husband, who should be hard and heavy into that cold by then, will be tending to our precious children at home alone.

Yes, you did hear me snicker. Hee hee.

But before you think I'm cruel and callous, I did save a few "adult diapers" for him.

And for me, there' be no "wee wee wee all the way home".

You saw it coming. Admit it.

Okay, you can stop laughing now. Seriously.

Seriously.