My 2013 Resolutions

Resolution  [rez-uh-loo-shuh n]  noun
Definition:  determination, strong will


Many people don't participate in making New Years resolutions for themselves.  A lot of people don't want to "waste their time" making a list of something they feel that they probably won't commit to.  That's understandable.

I used to be one of those people.  I would make a list of things I wanted to do within the new year and would stick with it for maybe 2 months tops and then start slacking.  It's a shame really.  I've disappointed myself too many times doing it this way.  But this year...I feel more headstrong and feel that with a little help and support from my family and friends, I WILL accomplish my goals and will have a bigger smile on my face come December 31, 2013 than I have in previous years on that date.

So without further ado, here is my list of goals for 2013.

Write it down.  I have depended so much on electronics for things within the last 2 years of not being in the working field.  This is not a bad thing, but for me, I noticed it was.  When I worked I used to have sticky notes all over the place in my office, of "to do lists" or goals, or reminders.  Same with being at home.  I would write lists of chores, or meals, or "to-dos".  Since I've gotten away from having an organized office space, I've used my lap top and phone more for things like that and I have realized that if I don't have the list in front of me, it doesn't get done.  If I have to search for it in my phone or app or laptop then it will get overlooked more than looked at and will get pushed to the back burner.  This year I will be physically writing down my work outs, my Scentsy meetings, my chores, my grocery lists, etc.  And to do this, I have purchased my first Erin Condren Life Planner!  I have seen so many people use these and speak so highly of them, so I thought I'd give it a try!  I'm already in love!  Plus it was a nice gift to myself for beginning my own business :)

Isn't it pretty? :)

Believe in myself.  There's a particular reason that I've learned and it is why I haven't done well at following through with things.  That is fear of failure.  If/When I quit, I don't give myself the opportunity to fail.  I don't have to make myself deal with the disappointment.  I think the path that I am on is a good one and it's making me realize more and more how to believe in myself and when I actually do, I'm usually rewarded.  I am also learning how to deal with disappointment because nothing is perfect and nothing will ever go 100% as planned.

Stick to fitness.  Using my first resolution mentioned above, physically write down a weekly workout plan and stick to it.  I can't drink coffee without a lot of cream and a lot of sugar, so my goal is to stick to hot herbal teas with honey.  Drink more water.  Eat less junk.  Sometimes I think that maybe I don't want it bad enough to keep starting and stopping, but I really do.  Motivation is key and it needs to happen every day, not just every now and then.  I'm working on that!  I am running a 5K race in 131 days after all.  I have to be ready for it!  Plus I seemed to have gained my baby weight back.  :(  Damn you holiday treats!

Get it together.  Organization is key.  Over the years, I have somehow become more and more disorganized and I have realized that it has caused me much unnecessary stress.  Hopefully in the Spring or Summer of this year we will be in a different house and can better organize our things since we won't be relying on a usually flooded, spider dungeon basement to store our things.  Also when we are able to, we will be getting rid of A LOT of things that we don't need or use and this will help!

Stick to blogging.  I love that I have picked up blogging a LOT in the last 12 months and I want to continue to do that.  My goal is to publish 2-3 posts a week every week.  Along with writing more often, I hope to finally come up with a new redesign and finally feel comfortable in my blogging skin.  Not that I don't feel comfortable now, I just feel different from what I started out with.  I'll just be "Cassie" instead of a mommy blog "Mama Cassie".  Not that I mind being a "mommy blog", but I'm more than just a mother.  :)

Be in photographs.  I have thousands upon thousands of pictures that I take and there aren't really many of them that I am in.  I also would like to have more pictures of Justin, Annaliese and I as a family of three.  We don't have many, other than "specific occasions  that we have a picture of us three in.  It's been almost 15 months.  This should stop.

Read a book (or 12).  I am giving myself a challenge of reading a book a month for the year.  And no, a 10 page Dr. Seuss book doesn't count here.  I do love to read books and blogs too, of course, but lately I have only been reading blogs and have put my books on the back burner.  I think I can.  I think I can.

More of me.  Concentrating on my new business, going to the gym, doing crafts, reading books, baking (healthy) goodies...these are all things that I love doing that I haven't given myself time for lately.  It's very challenging to find a balance of family, marriage, and personal time, but I know it can be done and it can be done in a healthy way.  Balance is also key.

More "us" time.  By the time the toddler is in bed and asleep, most nights the husband and I are too tired to even look at each other, let alone cuddle and watch a movie.  I miss spending time along with my husband, ya know?  He's still my world and my best friend and I want to spend more nights alone with him.  I think we need to arrange at least one night a month where we find a sitter and go have dinner out together.  We need time to ourselves on a more consistent schedule.

All in all these are things that I want to put my everything into trying for this year.  All I have to do is believe I can and I will.  Here's to believing!

CHEERS 2013!

Do you have any New Year resolutions?  If so, what are they and how do you plan to stick with them?

New Year- New Title: Work At Home Mom

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With this being my first post of 2013, I have some exciting news to fill you in on!  (Not so new if you already follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram)

I am pleased and very excited to announce that after thinking long and hard about going into the Independent Consultant business, I am now an Independent Scentsy Consultant!  Check out my shiny new consultant logo to your right!  Click on it and it will take you to my official business website!  (thanks hubby!)

*applause*

Scentsy Fragrance offers a variety of home and personal fragrance products, including scented wickless candles and decorative ceramic warmers, which together provide a safer alternative to burning wicked candles.
If you remember correctly, I had posted here a few weeks ago about possibly going this route for a little extra income for our family.

So you ask why did I choose to go with Scentsy and becoming an independent consultant?

1)  I love Scentsy products!  I believe in their products.  I'm excited to represent their products.  If there's one thing I know about being in sales is you have to believe in what you're trying to sell and how they outweigh their competitors.  Done!

2)  I get to meet new people along the way!  Although I tend to be a shy person in some aspects, I am still a social person and love meeting new people!  You never know who you might come across.  They might become a good friend to you!

3)  I get to make my own hours!  I can set my own schedule!  I can't tell you how excited I am about this part!  Being a stay at home mom and having the desire to continue to be a stay at home mom, this is very important to me.

4)  I can feel better by contributing financially to our family again and by doing something I love and am passionate about!  I think this will help me in so many ways!

5)  I can be creative and market my business!  I can also do my own promotions and games to get some more clientele!  This is exciting!  Pinterest, here I come!

6)  I can make money!  I can earn all inclusive paid for vacations!  I can set goals for myself and strive for them!  Being out of the working field for over 2 years, I lost track of many things that I didn't think I would miss.  One of which was making financial goals for myself.  I'm back on it and it feels great!

I am very, very excited to announce my business to all of you and I hope that you will support me in my decision!  No, I don't mean ordering from me (although that would be really nice if you wanted to)...I just mean praying for me and believing in me.  That's all I can really ask for.
So THANK YOU in advance for your support!  I really appreciate it!

So now to get to the fun stuff!
Check out my business website : https://treatyournose.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Home

Also check out my Facebook business page and "LIKE" it while you're there:  http://www.facebook.com/TreatYourNose  This is where I'll be announcing specials and promotions!  So if you're ready to treat your nose, let me know! :)

Your Independent Scentsy Consultant,

Color Run, Here I Come!

You all have probably heard of a Color Run, right?

It's a national tour of a mapped out 5k in many large cities where people of all ages can participate in running, walking, skipping, crawling to the finish line while getting blasted with a rainbow of powdered color the whole way through!

Check out this video!  It pretty much explains everything that happens!  :)



Well my best friend, Takia and I had tried to sign up for The Color Run last year and participate in the Washington D.C. tour.  Unfortunately two weeks after the starting sign up date, they were sold out!  I didn't realize how popular it was at the time.  We were very disappointed but prayed that there would be another opportunity ahead.  I signed up to be on their VIP email list to be one of the first people to hear about another Color Run event in the area.  I received an email stating that there will be another race in D.C. in 2013 and sign ups will start on Dec 1, 2012.  I mentioned this to some of my friends and quickly got a few "We're in!" responses!

Well...

We're in!  I have signed up and I am officially going to do my first ever Color Run on May 19, 2013!  I can't wait to have another 5k notch on my belt!  This time, my friends and I are going to try to create a time to beat for all of us!  Motivation is key for any work out and it helps to have friends and family on a journey with you to do so!  I am so excited for this new adventure in our Nation's Capital!
I am ready to get back on schedule with running and working out and be ready to run this awesomely messy color race next year!

I'm blessed to have my awesome friends, my always supportive family and my super supportive and awesome blogging buddies!  Thanks for being there to cheer me on!

1 Year Bloggerversary!

It's really officially official!  Today I have been a blogger for a year!  It has officially been one year since my very first post!

If you took the time to click on the hyperlink I just gave you, well thank you.  Yes, that is technically my very first post, but there was really no content in it.  No feeling.  Just a greeting and a very short introduction of me and why I decided to hop on the blog band wagon.

Needless to say, I have had a few intentions with this blog since a year ago.  This blog started as a modern day mommy diary/baby book.  After I gave myself a redesign and not just used a template from a 3rd party and added some buttons and a badge, my blogging head was held a little higher and I began to write more about my life and experiences, in addition to being a "mommy blog".

I then got brave and wanted to stray from Blogger and buy my own domain name and use WordPress, but without knowing anything about the ins and outs of being self hosted or not...I backed out of that (for now) and have been blogging everything under the sun on Our Foto Friendly Family blog.  Once I am able to become self hosted, I will, but I predict that will be some time from now, as that is not really high on my list of priorities.  I am doing just fine on this little "free" blog of mine.

Now, I'll admit, I feel that I have out grown my blogging skin here a little and I don't want to be known as "FotoFriendlyMom" forever either.  I will eventually change that when I am ready and able.  I am, however, very comfortable in saying "one year down, a hundred to go" because I love blogging that much, that I can see myself doing it forever...or at least as long as my hands can do the typing as my brain does the talking.  :)

So here's to being a blogger for a year, thus far!

CHEERS!

How long have you been blogging?

Cassie, The Independent Consultant?

Hello everyone!  Please take a seat.  

My name is Cassie and I am your independent consultant for today.

Thank you for having me in your beautiful home with delicious snacks and beverages to indulge in while I share with you the reasons you should buy the products I represent.


Does this sound like me?  It could, I guess.  Lately, it's been weighing on my mind heavily whether or not it is me.

After Annaliese's birthday party in October, Justin and I decided that if we wanted to stay on track to buy a house next year, that it would be best if I went back to work.  *Boooooooooo!*
Buying a home is a huge deal and it's been a goal of Justin and I's since we got married.  Little did we know that it was in God's plan for us to have a baby before buying a house...which we're okay with.  ;)
I know, I know...  Going back to work is not the worst thing in the world.  I guess I just didn't see myself going back to work until after we were done having kids and possibly even after I finished school.  But as you know every household is more financially stable with 2 incomes, so a mommy has to do what a mommy has to do.

So with that being said, I have been on the hunt keeping in mind our 2 options.  I could go back to work part time in the evenings and weekends and make a couple hundred dollars a month extra, still stay at home with Annaliese during the day, and lose our family evening and weekend time OR I could go back to work full time Monday - Friday making a decent amount of money, take Annaliese to a babysitter, and pay a small fortune for daycare while trusting someone else to help discipline and raise my child while mommy and daddy are at work.  UGH!  Both options sound hard to swallow, especially after being a stay at home mom for almost 14 months.  I have applied for a few part time evening jobs prior to Black Friday and played phone tag with people for weeks.  Then I started applying to my old employer hoping to get a full time job there, but so far no luck.

However lately I have been wondering about becoming an independent consultant.  You know, those people (usually women) who sell Avon, Pampered Chef, Longaberger, Tastefully Simple, Mary Kay, Thirty-One, Scentsy, Tupperware, Lia Sophia ...just to name a few.  Ahem.  The sad part is, I know someone who sells each and every one of the brands I just mentioned.  My sister in law, Jenn, just began selling Thirty-One.  Click here to check out her website and contact her with any questions you may have about their fun and stylish products.  AND while I'm here, my mother,Teena, sells Lia Sophia Jewelry (which I LOVE).  Click here to go to her website and see if any of their stuff catches your eye.  Both Thirty-One and Lia Sophia always have awesome monthly specials!  I own a lot of both!  What girl doesn't love bags and jewelry?!

So why turn to sales?  Well I have never considered myself to be a sales person before.  In fact, I am not good at all at pushing a product down someone's throat and convincing them to pay top dollar for my product because it's the best.  Well then again I have never tried to.  I have been considering it because I know there are so many 'women' out there who sell this stuff and make a good living from it.  I know it's hard work, I know a lot of it is networking (which I'm becoming better at), but I am passionate about some of these brands and have used them for years and I believe that I could learn to be a good sales person.  Plus I would get to make my own schedule!

I think it would also benefit me by allowing me to work on my public speaking skills.  I have always had stage freight, but did really well in speech class (finished with an "A", thank you very much) probably more so because I HAD to in order to graduate.  This also applies to me when my friends like to write down a song to sing at Karaoke Night, and to my surprise when my name is announced, I can't possibly back down now, so I sing, and I do really well.  I guess it's that initial believing in yourself that I have an issue with...

Being a direct seller/independent consultant isn't your typical "work from home" job, because with the title, comes a lot of travel (depending).  I think that it would be a great thing for me to get out of the house more (other than my weekly trip to Target) and meet new people.  I love meeting new people!  I have always been very friendly and always had many friends and acquaintances so I think a job like this would allow me to take advantage of being physically social again.

Anyway, my head has been spinning about this for weeks now.  I have chatted with some friends that sell products, had conversations with "strangers" on Twitter about it, and even met with some over coffee to talk about it.  I think I have made my decision, but I want to ask you first.

Have you (or someone you know) ever sold a product as an independent consultant?  If so, how did you fair?  Did you enjoy it and all of the benefits?  Or did you not feel that the squeeze was worth the juice?

Still pondering...

No Day But Today - An Inspiration Post

Sometimes all we need is a little push to get going, right?  A little inspiration.

Whether it be coffee or a Redbull to jump start your morning...

OR friends and family who care enough for you to encourage you to follow your goals...

OR complete strangers who unintentionally inspired you by deciding to live a healthier lifestyle and document their success in the process.

I can remember being a teenager, probably 14-15 years old and noticing that with my womanly body changes, I could no longer eat what I wanted and not participate in gym class and not see the negative effects on my body.  My mid section has never showed that I have any muscles, my thighs used to be very strong and shapely from my earlier days of dance class, but now they just jiggle and have no definition.  I am sore almost daily and I used to think that this was normal.  Getting older involves more pains in places you didn't know could hurt and stiff and sore more often than not.  Well allowing myself the time to research and speak with some online friends and some "real life" friends, I've learned that this is not the case.  This is not "the normal"  This is just a result of not taking care of myself!  There are people in their 60's who don't wake up with as much pain as I do on a daily basis.  Something has to give!

Well ladies and gents, today is a new day and it's time for ME to turn over a new leaf!  Shortly after my 27th birthday, I got my 3rd tattoo.  It's on my foot, it's a picture of 3 butterflies and it has one of my favorite quotes (and songs) ever.  It's a quote from the Broadway musical RENT.  A quote that was to be my daily reminder to live everyday like it's my last, to not procrastinate on my self and life goals because tomorrow is never promised.

"No Day But Today"

Sadly I have been procrastinating and not been living by my own motto.  Well this changes today.  For the longest time I have had every intention to slowly work my way toward my goals of quitting smoking (yes it's a bad habit, I've been on and off from since I was 15) losing weight, getting into shape, have a healthy lifestyle, finish my college degree and write again.  I have been mentally ready, but never put the hard work into it.  I'm not saying I'm never going to eat another cupcake again in my life, but I am just going to make better eating decisions and really take control on what I put into my body.  I have always started and stopped.  Started and stopped.  And frankly I am tired of the vicious 'starting and stopping' cycle, so I am going to stop stopping!  One week ago I quit smoking again (I did NOT smoke while I was pregnant) and this time for good.  I have not had hardly any cravings because I believe I am mentally beyond ready to be QUIT FOREVER.  Now that I've quit smoking, I feel like I can finally put my lungs to GOOD use and start running, like I've wanted to do for 3 years now.  I have a treadmill, I bought fancy running shoes and have only gone running maybe a handful of times.  Not Good.  But today...I started.  I have made progress.  I wanted to actually run, but because I was on "baby duty" while Justin was working overtime and I don't yet have a jogging stroller...I used my motivation and walked.  I walked 2.27 miles while pushing a stroller!  That is a great start for me!  Yeah it took me awhile, but with neighborhood traffic and Annaliese dropping her sippy cup often it was hard to keep a steady pace, but I did it!  I just need to keep up that momentum and finally do what I've been wanting to do!

And let me tell you I didn't get to this point by myself.  I had help.  There have been a few inspirations lately that have given me the will power to finally do it.  I guess I'll start with thanking NIKE - "Just Do It".  Haha!  Ok but jokes aside I have learned a few good lessons in the last few weeks.  I plan to gather all the information and inspiration I have come across and use it to my advantage.

My daughter, Annaliese.  She is always my first and foremost inspiration.  I want to do everything for her and better myself for her.  I, of course, want to accomplish my goals for myself as well, but she is my world and I'd do anything for her.

Here are some of my other recent inspirations:

Earlier this month while I was lost in the blogging abyss, I came across a catchy blog name of Tatter Scoops.  Maureen wrote a post titled 5 Reasons Why Being Fit Rocks.  She truthfully and jokingly stated how she no longer struggles to "hover" over public toilet seats anymore and how she is able to have a playful exercise with her son.  Seeing this post, I left her a sincere comment of how I admire her dedication.  Soon after reading my comment, she wrote another post with inspiration from ME titled My Five Fitness Motivations.  She is a single mom who works from home and wants to do everything in her power to be physically and mentally stronger for herself and her son.  She meets with a group of friends and attends a gym and has been doing Chalean Fitness routine.  She has also been sugar free since October (I couldn't do it, I love my sweets!) and has completed a carbohydrates free for 3 months!   Nothing is going to keep this girl down!  How can you not admire someone like Maureen?  Keep up the good work girl!  You look great!  Check out her current stats in her most recent post here.


My friend from high school Kyra, who in the last few months started writing at Nine Months, tells her story of always struggling with her weight.  She lost a good bit of weight in her early-mid 20's and since having her little bundle of joy in Sept 2011, Royce, she was the highest she had ever been in weight and has been determined to get the weight off again.  She has been measuring herself every week.  She started out with the Couch 2 5k walking/running 1-2 times a day, eating healthy, and doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  I am inspired by her dedication being a work at home mom and still finding time for her job, family and work out time.  Keep going, Kyra!  You've done it before and you can do it again!


My sister-in-law Jenn, who is a beginner blogger, writes at Jenn I Am and is also a runner.  She has been in the Army reserves for over 10 years and has pretty much been in shape since deciding on her military career path.  In the last few years she has taken up running as a hobby and loves it.  She has done 5ks for charities (one of which I joined her on) and hopes to someday do a half marathon and maybe even a marathon.  I believe she can do it because she is determined enough!  She lives at home with her husband (Justin's brother) and their 4 dogs and a cat.  Life is busy between their daily Monday - Friday jobs, her Army life, chores, and attending to 4 dogs, but she still finds time to keep up with her hobbies and do the things she enjoys such as running, crafts and cooking.  I really admire this about her because there are things that I love to do and don't because I have made excuses that I don't have time, or I don't have energy.


Allie, who writes at A Couple. A Dog. A Baby. Their Blog. is a photographer and is able to be a work at home mom who loves to blog about her darling little boy and her husband.  Allie's husband has recently wanted to get on the train to lose weight and Allie, being the supportive wife that she is, has decided to join him.  They are both making healthier decisions in the kitchen and Allie has even provided a yummy recipe for us to try!  She is also doing the 30 Day Shred and posts pictures of her more defined muscles on Instagram. I am really amazed at how well this woman looks after having a baby.  There is no reason I can't push myself to do the same!

Jen, who writes at Runner Mom, is a mom to 4 kids and has a deep passion for running and photography.  She writes blog posts of how relaxed she is during a run and how inspired she is after a run.  A recent post titled A Thought For Every Mile expresses this.  She writes of how she ran a 10 mile run on a day that she didn't even really feel like running...but did it anyway.  Now that is dedication!  I want to be that way.  I want to push myself to do the things I love and do the things I want to do because I know the great feeling of reward will be there after it's all said and done.  Very inspiring, Jen!


Lastly another fellow blogger, Ado who writes at The Moma Log, told us of her amazing 7 year old daughter, Ella.  On the way home one day, Ella decided in the moment that she wanted to run the rest of the way home...and she did.  Please watch this short inspirational video (with a great song choice) of Ella, being young, free and finding her love for running.





I want to take a piece of all of these ladies and their stories with me on the road when I run, when I cook healthier, eat healthier and write more.  I will also think of you all when I walk across stage to get my college degree.  It's not about just running, or losing weight, or writing.  It's about accomplishing my goals.  I have gotten to the point in my life where I don't want to start over again, I want to keep going.  Maybe it's because I am months away from turning 30, but I'm not afraid of that number.  I just want to do what I want to do and have wanted to do.  Reading these blogs and hearing their stories is for me, like watching one of those movies that makes you want to get up and change the world.  I am getting up and changing me.

Thank you ladies, from the bottom of my heart.  It may not be much to you, but it means so much to me.

"No Day But Today"