Out of Time

One more day before I have no excuses for not focusing on work. Rats.

Blogging 101

Wow - this is my 101st post. Check me out!

We returned from vacation today. School starts on Tuesday. Two more days of summer, and then back to 'reality', however we are defining that this year!

Life is Good

Love this brand. Love, love, love it.

There is a whole store of it here in Stone Harbor and we have been there at least four times in the past four days.

Mike has four shirts (two purchased on this trip). Me, too. The kids now each have two. And I long for more (of course, this is a consistent theme that doesn't necessarily only apply to Life is Good products).

Perhaps a sticker for the car? A cute little bag? Hoodie? Thermal? As their product line expands, so does my need for more and more...

Despite the fact that one part of me feels like a suburban stereotype, the rest of me gets all caught up in the feel-goodness of it all.

Tonight the whole family was wearing Life is Good wear - all of us wrapped up in cottony-soft optimism.

Life really IS good.

And, there it is again...

The working mommy guilt.

Now, let's remember. I am self-employed. I work at home.

I have been home with my children what feels like 24/7 for the past 2 1/2 months.
All the time.

Doing fun things with them.

Staying up until all hours of the night to get my work done.

But Sprouts gets SO angry if ever the work in any way interferes with my undivided attention on her.

I have been doing some freelance work - to get some actual money flowing in to the ever dwindling bank account. And every time I have had to take some time to work on the project she has been so very annoyed with me.

WHY do I have to do this project? All I EVER do is work (tell me about it!)

Tonight, in the midst of packing for our week-long vacation at the beach, I also have to do some additional work on the project I finished last week. Sprout was all tucked in and called downstairs, quite outraged that I hadn't checked on her (to make sure that no monsters had eaten her??)

I went up to her bedroom and she said "WHY haven't you checked on me?" and I said "Because I know you are fine. Safe in your room, in a house full of love. And I have a kajillion things to do tonight."

And she said "WHY are you always DOING SOMETHING???"

And that, is the big question. Why am I? But wouldn't I kind of always be doing something anyway? Even if that something was watching TV? Or reading a book? Or staring at a wall? Still something.

I had a flashback to her kindergarten graduation picnic. Back when I was still employed, although on a part-time basis, at a real job, surrounded by people who worked in their offices all day, every day and had no interest or concern in how available I could be for my small-ish child.

I took the morning off to attend her picnic at a local playground. But had to give a presentation an hour away right after lunch. So as the kids sat down to eat, I attempted to say good-bye. And then there was crying. And begging. And "None of the OTHER Mommies have to leave to go to work!" (Why don't they???)

Of course I went. And I felt awful about it.
But I had responsibilities on the other side of the fence, too.

I long for a life on one side of the fence.

But, you know, with income.

Sweet Life Giveaway

Sweet Life in the Valley is giving away a Gift Pack of Lip Stuff for Crispy Kissers. Go enter their contest and you could be the big winner!

Mommy Blogger Love

Right back at ya "A Window to My Crazy Life".

Thanks for the great review - glad your kids are less crunchy and crispy!

Unapologetic - Sort of.

Stuff for Sprouts products are almost, practically vegan. Cream for Extra Crunchy Kids is. Lotion for Crunchy Kids is. Lip Stuff for Crispy Kissers isn't.

Beeswax.

Bees? Really?

I have no sympathy for the bees. None.

They would take our wax in a second (if we had some). They would buzz right next to our ears and scare us, and then sting us just for fun and then take our wax.

And laugh their little bee laughs (bzzz...bzzz...ha...).

So when anyone asks if the product line is vegan, I want to say "Yes", because really, bees? But I can't say it. Because it isn't true. And I tell the truth.

But seriously, bees?

In case you were wondering...

Still true.

Split Personality

Now this is a little weird.

I am just one person. One brain. One set of hands. Writing two blogs. Pretty much at the same time. Same level of awareness when I sit down to write.

And yet...this here blog gets this:



And this one gets this:



Weird.

Even better, because I have to bust on my brother. His blog gets this:



Hee hee.

Watch this Space

Sorry I am not being good about posting over here everyday.
I am juggling.

Kids in half day camp, freelance project, inquiries related to the potential sale of Stuff for Sprouts, setting up the Baby Steals deal for next Wednesday, responding to sample requests from my latest press release, getting ready for parties this weekend, attempting to spend a moment with my super-cool husband (who is currently sleeping...as I should be).

Blaarrrggghhh...

But I am also posting over here...so check both...because you know you miss me.

It's Genetic

I think it well established that I am a product junkie. I have more lotions and potions than pretty much anyone I know. And when I couldn't find things that I liked I actually went out and created some for my kids.

I think that the sickness has passed to the next generation.

Three pieces of evidence:

1) The "book" shown in the picture is the most popular toy at our house these days. Sprout saw this at the toy store and had to have it. Counted out her hard-earned allowance money and took her little silver wallet back to the store and snapped it up.

I gotta say I wanted to play with it myself! It has little papers with faces on them and real make-up to put on the pictures - like coloring, but better! There is a guide-book that tells you what shape of eyebrows, hairstyle, and blush application is appropriate for each face shape.

Of course, after she carefully applies the cosmetics to the pictures she wants to try them out on herself (and no, I don't let her go out like that).

Even Tater has gotten in on the act. Nothing cuter than a 6-year-old boy carefully applying eye shadows (to the pictures, we're not THAT progressive) and asking whether the colors look right. Maybe I'm a teensy bit biased.

2) We made a potty stop at the Ulta this afternoon (yes, I am familiar with the availability of restrooms in pretty much every store in the area). Of course, I conveniently realized I had a coupon for "2 Points" worth of free stuff. The two kids both followed me around and smelled and tried everything they could get their hands on.

They were comparing the merits of two different kinds of facial scrub based on which smelled nicest. Tried numerous eye shadows on their hands (attracted to sparkles...apparently also genetic). And, while I was checking out, doused themselves in a number of perfumes.

3) Both children have a hair product of choice that they are very enthralled with. Tater has been having some sticking-up-hair days. So we got him some "Morning Miracle" spray mousse from Snip-Its. He LOVES it. If not watched carefully, he will spray himself multiple times during the day. Gotta say this is a vast improvement over his previous attempt a couple of years ago to tame his hair by slathering a generous quantity of hand lotion on his head.

Sprout has somehow changed her sleeping habits such that she wakes up with a fully formed nest on her head in the morning. She has become quite devoted to both Aussie 3 Minute Miracle conditioner and Johnson & Johnson No More Tangles Spray Detangler. I don't know that there have been any miracles, and there are still tears, but the nest is gone before we leave the house!

So, there you have it. Evidence that personal care product addiction is genetic. Or just fun!

Y'All Are So Awesome

Thanks so much to the people who reached out with ideas and contacts related to selling Stuff for Sprouts.

I so appreciate the support and good wishes.

And don't worry - I will continue writing (cause I know all of my imaginary readers would miss me so much if I stopped) and newslettering until the papers are signed and the door is bumping me in the backside...and then I'll be over here...getting started again!

Big Announcement

So, I have been letting this information out bit by bit...but I guess it is time to come completely clean (no, not pregnant...don't even go there).

I am going to sell Stuff for Sprouts.

Hurts a little to say it.

I spend 2 years developing the products and getting them to market. The last year has been so fun and challenging and exciting and crushingly disappointing and hugely rewarding. Business ownership is apparently much like Bipolar Disorder. But no meds.

But I am realizing that I do not have a) the time b) the money and c) the skill set to take Stuff for Sprouts to the next level of where it really needs to go to be successful. It needs to be in stores. Like, LOTS of them. So people can touch it and smell it and love it and tell their friends to go get some. And then they'll tell friends, and so on...

So, I am looking for someone who wants to hit the ground running with the product development already complete, website built, reviews posted...and take it to where it needs to go.

Sort of like sending kids to college so they can get to where they need to be. Not that I am even remotely ready for THAT. But philosophically similar.

If you know of anyone who might fit the bill - please send them my way!!

Oh, Canada!

I started filling out the forms to make Stuff for Sprouts products available in Canada. Apparently in order to be able to sell things in stores in Canada, they need to be registered with Health Canada. Who knew.

People in Canada can buy from our website, but stores in Canada can't stock our products until we register. Which is cool. The forms seem fairly straightforward, the filing appears to be free.

This in contrast to proposed legislation in the US that will require businesses like Stuff for Sprouts to register products annually and pay $2000 per product annually. Which essentially would make the barrier to entry impossible for little guys like us to stay in business.

First Health Coverage and now this...hmmm...we might want to look to the North a bit for some better ideas!

Burning Upon Re-entry

We had a wonderful trip to Florida to visit our friends. There are the kids at Siesta Key Beach with Flat Daddy.

All was wonderful except for the fact that Sprout and I both got sunburned despite wearing SPF 70 lotion...ouch!

I have to get the newsletter for Stuff for Sprouts out this week. Somehow July completely got away from me and we are due for a new promotion for this month!!

I did manage to get some pictures of Sprouticus in Florida as he was campaigning and making appearances at the Mote Aquarium. Have you seen him in your area yet?