Building a Business...

Just thought I'd add this in... Brent and I in Mexico this past trip... October 2005. We're heading back in June. It would be wonderful to have friends join us in Mexico... the Mexican people truly have our hearts... and God is truly working through us to reach out to them. Come join us...

And where I am now within my little world... I am discovering a lot about myself lately. I have recently reunited w/my best friend from high school (Rayelynn). It's really been great talking with her again and talking about our lives and what has happened with each of us since high school. We were such close friends throughout high school that I feel like we just picked up where we left off. Actually, we "left off" on some not-so-friendly terms... but forgiveness is a powerful thing and friendships can be mended. So, just like back then, we are so comfortable sharing our hearts and fears with each other... it really has been a great blessing for me. Rayelynn is an Arbonne Skin Care Consultant and was in Missoula this past weekend for a conference. I went downtown to visit w/her for a bit and through her sharing of what she learned at her conference, I realized that we share some similar desires. Through our talking, I have come to realize that I have a huge "want" to be a part of something with other women, making new friends, building my own business. That's why I'm always wanting to be some sort of consultant with a Direct Sales company. I did Pampered Chef for 5 years, Usborne Books for about 6 months (I think) and now I'm a Cookie Lee Jewelry consultant. I LOVE Cookie Lee because I've always loved jewelry. It's a great fit for who I am. But the biggest thing I've now realized is that I just want to be successful... in my own way. I want to have a prosperous business that allows me to be home with our boys, take care of my family and my home, and have some time for me also. I've been seeking this for just about forever... and I have it... and it's actually our salsa business. I've been trying to give my heart to other companies and give my best to THEM. I need to be giving my best to US, our salsa company, the business that will someday support my entire family and allow Brent and I to be home and raise our family together, running a business together. THAT is where my focus needs to be. I'm still doing Cookie Lee on the side, but I have discovered a new commitment to our family business... something I didn't realize I was lacking until this weekend. So thank you Rayelynn, for sharing your passion with me. It made me realize I am placing my passion in the wrong area of my life. I'm refocused and very thankful.

We have sent vendor packet requests to 2 major companies - I won't mention who they are, just in case I decide to be supersticious and jinx myself. :) One company received our Vendor Packet about 2 days ago and the other received it just this morning. We are sending another Vendor Packet to one other major grocer tomorrow. I don't even know what to think... no idea what our chances of approval are... so I just have to wait it out. But I am not a patient girl, and have already called the first 2 companies today to see what's going on. Hoping to hear back sometime later today. We always send samples of our salsa along with our vendor packet, so hopefully they're all sitting in a big conference room snackin on our salsa, saying "where has this been all my life?!" ... I can hope, right???

Brent has an incredible recipe that is our next product... hopefully to be on store shelves by May... a guacamole of sorts... we're calling it "Chunky Avacado Dip"... even thinking about calling it "Salsa-Mole" because it's avacados with our salsa mixed in and some other secret ingredients to add some extra "Mmmmmm" to it. We have had many people sampling it this past week and everyone is going crazy for it! Already have people asking how soon they can get it. Wow... we still need to design and print labels... all sorts of things. But we're working on it and we really feel it will go over quite huge! Pretty soon, we'll even be offering it for purchase on our website, just like we already do with our salsa. I'm surprised by how many people in other states are ordering our salsa... word travels quickly, I guess.

Our new house is FAB-U-LOUS! I have to find the cord to my digital camera, so I download my images onto the computer and email them out. We just had tile laid in the dining room, new furniture in the upstairs family room and a medicine cabinet, shower curtain and decorations for our bathroom. Everything looks so nice... feels good to be getting settled in!

I have been in quite a dark mood for about 4 weeks. I was talking to Brent about it 2 nights ago and had one of those "AH-HA" moments. It was actually a relief to figure this out, as I thought I was heading into a deep depression. I figured out that it's because of my coffee drinking! I get really wacko when I drink too much coffee, or coffee on a consistent basis. I've been drinking 2-3 cups every day for over 5 weeks. Duh Tari! My body has changed, and I can no longer handle coffee. And it isn't even caffeine... I drink Chai tea every morning instead of coffee and I'm just fine. No mood swings, no feeling strange and emotional... no grumpies. Something about coffee just swings me right off my rocker, and it took me this long to remember it. SO, I've had no coffee yesterday or today. I've had Chai tea and Green tea and I feel great. The thing that made me so sad, is Brent's comment to me "Not only are you not smiling with your face these days, but you're not smiling with your voice either". That was awful to hear. But I know he's right, and I'm VERY thankful that I have figured out the problem, and that it was an easy change.

My girlfriend, Jenna Maxwell, is coming to stay here Friday night. We are friends from Vegas, but she is now in Oregon and I'm in Montana. Jenna will be here for just a couple of days, but I am SO excited to see her!!!

Hope this finds you all healthy and happy. "Peace out", as my little Ryan says...