Hello, Sping? Is that you?

Last week I was grumbling about snow. Today I am going to praise Mother Nature a little. It’s BEAUTIFUL out today. Yay! The sun is shining and the sky is clearing up a bit. Temps are suppose to hit the 60s…and even hit high 70s in a few days. Spring is in the air again.

Now…when will I find time to start prepping my garden? I have seeds. I just need about 24 extra hours in the week. Maybe 48.

Strike it Gold! Ends March 31!

Tomorrow is your last chance to order your Strike It Gold Canyon!
Every 26 oz Heritage Candle is a winner!

*grumble**dang snow**grumble*

Dear Mother Nature,

I know that I live in Ohio - a state that gets snow anytime between October 1 and April 30. However, it is cruel to subject us to beautiful days of high 60s-mid-70s degree weather one week and then plummet to temps in the 20s and 30s the next week...complete with snow. This must not continue. If it does, the residents of Ohio (and other surrounding states) may be forced to file a class action suit against you.

Sincerely,

Ama - who firmly believes that snow should only fall between December 1 and the last day of February.

Spring is in the air

Spring is in the air...

Really, it is. Last week we had a few days of beautiful weather, and this weekend brought rain. Lots of rain.

While trekking out the back door this weekend, I noticed that some of my plants from last year are starting to grow again! There are little stalks of chives and garlic chives, and new green growth on the strawberry plants. I haven’t checked the rest of last years planting to see how they are doing. I should take a few photos of the new growth.

I’ve also seen some grass growing…in my garden. That will need to be taken care of! I really need to devise my final plan for gardening this spring. Seeds have been ordered (thanks, Knitty Jen!), and plants have been discussed (with dad). Now…do decide where I want to put everything.

Why host a Gold Canyon party?

So, Ama, tell me why I should host a Gold Canyon party?

Well, my friend, there are so many reasons!

• For a minimal investment (just a few refreshments – soda, chips and dip, brownies, etc.) you can earn at least $20 in FREE Gold Canyon product! Most of my hostesses have earned at least $40 in free products and one item at half off the price!

• It’s a great “excuse” for spending time with friends and family. Whether hosting a general Gold Canyon party, or a themed one such as Spa Day, Ugly Candle, or Wickless Wonders, nothing beats the time hanging out and having fun!

• Thinking about earning some extra income? Try hosting your own Gold Canyon party and see what your potential earnings may be! Consider the party a "try before you buy" experience.

• Shop at home and give to charity at the same time! When you and your guests purchase Gold Canyon products, a portion of EVERY purchase goes directly to children in need through our Prayer Child program. Additionally, the proceeds of every Candles for Kids candle is given to the Prayer Child foundation. Want to give more? You can also donate any amount of money desired just by adding it to the order form.

• Are your candle jars coated in soot? Is there a tunnel of wax through the middle? When you host a Gold Canyon party, you and your guests will learn the proper way to care for a candle, and just why Gold Canyon's double wicked candles are the best in the field!

• With over 100 scents available, Gold Canyon has a scent for everyone. By hosting a party, you will be able to sample each scent, choosing those that you know you will love. Also, with a new catalog coming out three times a year, the variety and of decor and scents suites every season.

• Looking for a different fundraiser for your group, but aren't sure that Gold Canyon is the right product? By hosting a party your friends and family can check out the Heritage line of candles and sample the popular scents available for fundraisers. It's a great way to try before buying!

If you're happy and you know it...

The other night as we were chatting away like we often do, my friend S shared a blog post with me from another friend of hers. The post was a meme about happiness (and included knitting and reading, two awesome things). I’m going to borrow that idea and share a short list of things that make me happy.

• Time with the hubby. Since he’s an over the road truck driver, the hubby isn’t home every day. In fact, he is only home two days a week. Often I will be working one of those days. This makes for a sad Ama, as it means less time together. So, what time we do spend together makes me happy…even when we are annoying one another.
• Spike. I love my puppy boy. I will readily admit that I am more than a bit crazy about him. Yes. I talk about my dog a lot. He is my baby boy. While he snores loud and is often stinky, I love his bouncy little self.
• Books. For those who know me and who have viewed my other blog, this is a big DUH. I’ve always been a voracious reader. The BA in English Liberal Arts? That’s because I like to read. The career choice of librarian? It’s a book thing. Books have long been a source of entertainment, education and escape. One of my fears is actually losing my sight and not being able to read (Yeah. That’s a bit silly, I know).
• Music. Once upon a time I dreamed of being a singer. I couldn’t imagine life without music. I still can’t, though I no longer dream of singing on a big stage (well, not too often). Music can transport a listener to a different place and time…much like the written word can.
• Crafting. I collect crafts and supplies. Knitting. Scrapbooking. Stamping. Beading. I could possibly open a craft store with what I have. Maybe I should. I go through spurts of doing each craft, sometimes overlapping. It’s a creative outlet.
• Friends. Both the old and the new. While I enjoy my time alone, I equally enjoy being surrounded by good friends, talking about anything and everything. I’ve been blessed with some very caring people whom I am proud to call my friends. Some I have known for over twenty years. Some I just met recently. All are special and wonderful in their own way.
• Food. I love good food. Maybe a bit too much, but c’est la vie. There is something about a well prepared dish that can really enhance an experience. For instance, on my recent trip to Boston, my friend R and I ate at a Dim Sum restaurant. The experience was very cool in and of itself, but the fact that the food was delicious just made it even more memorable. I love food. I love eating it (obviously). I love making it, too. There is just something about preparing a dish and having it well received that is good for the soul. Ah. Food, glorious, food.
• West Virginia. I grew up in the Northern Panhandle of WV. It will always be my real home. Yet, every place I have visited in the state has felt like home. The very ground calls to my heart and I never want to leave. I dream of owning a plot of land on a mountaintop, overlooking the green valleys…listening to the rustling trees of the forests…breathing the fresh mountain air (ok…maybe a bit tainted with the pollution of the steel mills and coal mines, but that’s the good stuff, right?).
• My family. Yes, they often drive me crazy. That’s part of family, though. We are always there for one another. My sisters and I have grown closer as we’ve all become adults. I can’t imagine either one not being in my life. I only wish they lived closer.

Pay Day!

It’s the tenth of the month, and that means it is Gold Canyon Pay Day!

My commission for February wasn’t huge, but I’m still pleased. I didn’t have a traditional party schedule, other than the one at my house which was canceled due to snow. My total commission for the month, including overrides, was $140.09. Some of that I retained when I entered orders as a party. The rest – $69.25 – was deposited into my checking account today. Yay!

Not too shabby for a few hours worth of work.

I’m already up to about $75 in commission for this month. That’s just from one party! I have another party scheduled for later in the month. I know that I’ll hit override commissions for this month. I’m almost there already!

All active Gold Canyon demonstrators earn at least 25% in commission. That means for every $100 in products sold, we earn $25. Once we hit $300 in sales (in the US. $345 in Canada), our commission goes up another percent (26%). We can actually earn up to 36% commission! That doesn’t include money earned off of our downline or from traditional fundraisers.

Check out the Personal Sales Commissions chart:

party day

Yesterday was a party day, and not just for me. While I headed out to do a candle party, the hubby headed to his sister P’s house for a birthday party. Our niece E will be 13 on Wednesday. How did that happen?!?

My party was a success. This is especially true considering that only ten days passed between booking the party and its happening. About 15 people were invited and 4 people attended. There were a few who couldn’t due to family birthday parties. As I said, it was party day.

So far the sales for the party are around $240. Ten more dollars in sales and the hostess will be getting one half price item and $40 in free products! There are a few more people who have expressed interest in ordering from the party, but couldn’t attend, so I feel confident that it will close near $400 in sales.

FYI: $400 in sales = $100 in commission for me. Not too shabby, eh?

And, an added bonus: One of the people who attended yesterday has booked a party at her house for the end of April. Yay!

In other fun news, tonight is knit group night. As if that wasn’t awesome enough, I will be getting those evilly adorable knit kits tonight. Here’s hoping it doesn’t end up as money wasted and I will actually be able to make those sweet baby hats and diaper covers.

It's kind of a secret...

Shhh. Don't tell my niece E that I love this song. Or that my hubby said that he likes a few songs by this group.

Why? Because in the not so distant past she was obsessed with this group in the typical twelve-year-old style. It was Plain White Ts this and Plain White Ts that. I'm not sure, but I think the world may have revolved around them for a while.

That was about a year ago. Fast forward to yesterday. The hubby and I had the radio on in the car and Hey There, Delilah came on. I have heard the song a few times, but didn't know who sang it. In my defense, I rarely listen to the radio anymore, opting to listen to audiobooks instead. So, it wasn't until it came across the radio screen that I found out who the artists were. Color me surprised. That's when the hubby confessed that he really likes a few of their songs. He mentioned the below one as well.

Tonight I finally looked up the song. Yup. I recognize it. Maybe from a commercial or something, though that doesn't make much sense either, as I really don't watch TV. (No. I don't live in a cave or under a rock).

For the first time I actually listened to the lyrics. Wow. They are pretty awesome. It's one of those songs that kinda sums up how I feel about the hubby. So...I'm going to be a bit cheesy and dedicate this song (and post) to him. Just don't tell E about us liking the group, OK?