Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer

Most of you that know me, even a little bit, know that I DO NOT like summer.  I'm not big on summer activities (other than a skin damaging good tan!) - and I often marvel at the fact that I have lived for over 30 years in a place that has seemingly endless summers!  As I get ready to do indoor activities today, since outside it promises to be hot and steamy again, I have been thinking back to childhood.  My mom loved her hi-fi!  She belonged to a couple of record clubs so there was always a new stack of 33's on the turntable, she always cleaned house to music (I do too!).  I particularly loved Nat King Cole, and I learned all the words to his songs. 

I wonder why it is that I don't like summer?  I know heat is one thing, I prefer cool/cold mountain air, tall trees, sparkling lakes, sweaters and  bank fishing- oh and a fire in the fireplace.  But deeper than that I think is that I love routine, schedules and the 'order' that seems to be in place the rest of the year. While most people look forward to the relaxed days of summer, I actually start counting down the days until Labor Day - when my routine is back in place. 

I keep many countdowns on my phone and this is my favorite one right now - just 23 days until my home is transformed with  simple fall decor- quilts, gourds,  and pine cones that I have collected from the mountains .  Often I have to close the blinds and turn the AC just a little cooler in order to complete the ambiance.  I feel kind of weird that I don't embrace summer, I seem to be a loner in that respect..... those lazy days that Mr. Cole sang of just don't appeal! But what would life we like if we were all the same?  Variety and differences are empowering.  I spent so many years trying to fit into a mold that other people designed for me. I dressed and ordered my home as I thought my mom  and society expected.  (Yet she was probably the last person that would tell me to 'follow' - she was such an independent and strong woman, if I had asked she probably would have said  BE YOU!) What I wouldn't give to talk with her now and express how important my individuality is to me. I think she would approve.

If I want to grow my hair long at 58 years old, gray and not 'socially acceptable' - I can.  If I want to keep a tree in my home, (Christmas tree) decorated for each season just because it makes me happy - I can.  If I choose to simplify my life and not be driven by the 'more stuff' mentality, I can. If I want to work at Direct Sales - even when people think it is a scheme or a scam - I can, and succeed at it. Not with the goal of more stuff, but with the goal of provision so that I can live simply in a mountain cabin someday.  I wish I had been as comfortable in my own skin and with my own self at an earlier age,  life would have been much different!

What drives you?  Do you work yourself to exhaustion so that you can have more stuff?  Do you strive to save so that you can take an extravagant vacation, then are so tired you don't enjoy it?  I think that is why simplicity appeals to me so much - to be able to embrace and enjoy the simple pleasures that God provides, too bad our world revolves so much around the 'stuff'.  

So, as I endure these last lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer....... I dream of peace, on a mountain- wearing a sweater that I knitted.  

The land down under......under what?

This has been a whirlwind summer!  First it started out pretty mild, by Texas standards. June temps stayed in the 80's for the most part and we even had some rain.  July saw me jetting off to a national conference for my work, then on to the cool and beautiful mountains in California/Nevada.  Some might have nightmares or anxiety about spending 3 days in a large cabin with 18 former classmates from 40 year ago, but I can say it was a blast!  We reminisced, we ate (too much junk food) and we laughed a lot.  Now it's back to the real Texas summer, endless 100 degree days, dried up countryside and just blah.  I really do not like summer.

Since I do my work from home, and almost entirely online, I have been pondering all of this social media stuff.  The company I work for, Jamberry Nails, is about to launch our business in Australia and New Zealand.  Such an exciting time to think I might actually have new team members in one of those countries!  When it was first announced about the expansion I was kind of down, realizing that I have no personal contacts there and that there would be no way to 'build' in a country so far away where I know no one. Those of us in direct sales often have to be creative.  On a little side note, did you know that direct sales is one of THE leading home based businesses in the country, especially for women?  No it isn't a pyramid, no it isn't a scheme.  Those of us in recognized Direct Selling organizations sell a quality product and it is sent directly to you, no brick and mortar, no middle man.I pride myself on excellent customer service.   Jamberry Nails are made in the USA and our warehouses and distribution are all in the USA. But enough about that.... back to social media.

I often don't sleep well so sometimes I'm playing games on my electronics or reading.  One middle of the night session I was updating my business posts and sent a new message targeting Aussie land.  I was imagining cooler weather (they are about to enter fall and winter), I was picturing the beautiful and varied countryside in that continent....I was dreaming. So I just made a post about that.  I also started telling everyone I know about the ground floor opportunity coming to Australia and New Zealand.  Truly a once in a lifetime chance to build a home business like no other, for very little money!  (Imagine the very first Mary Kay or Avon consultants in a country, what do you think they are doing now?) 

I sometimes long for the days of simplicity, and I'm still very much simplifying my home and possessions.  I long for the quiet home in the mountains with very little "stuff".  But my business is the way I will achieve that.  Social media is ingrained in our life style and I can tell you I now have conversations and budding relationships with some women 'down under', I have CONTACTS!  I also share with my current customers and have received other leads in that way.  Do I shout it from the streets? No.  I simply share how very much this business has changed my life and I truly believe it is going to be the vehicle to continue to change our lives for the better.  Has it been easy? Not always.  When I was at conference I listened intently to the ladies that are at the top of the business, the successful ones.  The common thread is they didn't give up.  They trudged through the months that were slow, they kept believing in themselves and their product.  So as I keep sharing everything I love about my job, I keep on.  I believe.

Before I attended conference I only knew these 2 women through our online team page. We all (along with one other) agreed to room together.  It was kind of like going to camp, but for grown ups in a luxury hotel!  We worked out our routines, which can be interesting for adult women! We started with our common love for the company and we enjoyed some fun times together like this pajama party that the company had for us.  We are still little girls inside. We started that conference simply as online acquaintances and ended it as life long friends.

I'm going "down under".  I don't know exactly how I will get there, I just keep throwing my line in the water and doing posts like this.  Social media is helping me connect with like minded women around the world.  To better ourselves, to build self confidence, to believe in ourselves and to have fun! 

Do you know someone in Australia or New Zealand?  A stay at home mom perhaps, or someone later in life, like me, that needs a boost or a purpose for the next stage in life? Someone struggling and wondering how to make ends meet? Jamberry may be the thing they are looking for.  A young company, but established enough to be here to stay.  Going places, and fulfilling dreams.  Refer me!!  Or join me ;-)

A BIG PS:  Last summer when I joined Jamberry I was stressing over the $99 investment to get started.  This summer I paid for that conference and California trip with my Jamberry income.  What a difference a year made!!

http://conniecowan.jamberry.com/join

http://jamberry.com/au/en   to learn more about  the Australia opportunity (or message me!)

http://jamberry.com/nz/en New Zealand