Slippers-n-Sangria

It seems like I started this whole Silpada thing purely out of selfish reasons, to become more financially independent. At least that is what sometimes creeps in. How can this silly jewelry business, when all you do is have parties and entice people to spend their hard earned money on pretty jewelry, really do anything to glorify God in my world or just beyond me. I think I am feeling some guilt, and worry that God won't bless me because this seems a frivolous venture. But even though I haven't earned a red cent yet in my little business, something is truly happening, and if I sit back long enough to look at it, I can see it. It is changing me. I pray all the time that God could please bless me through this business in many different ways. Yes, financially. I really need to feel secure, and I need some freedom. But also I pray that what ever I do in this business, God is glorified because of it. And you know what, it is happening, and it is even spilling over into my full time job. I am seeing myself differently at work. I am putting more effort into the people I work with, the children I work with, and am not just getting through my day flanked with frustration. I could still find myself fired, that could still happen, but it doesn't seem to matter as much lately. I pray that I can put myself firmly in his hands everyday, and he seems to take care of the rest. I am opening myself up to possibilities more and more everyday.

My first party for Silpada, my Open House, is this coming Thurs. I already have many different people coming, than came to my party when I was only the hostess. I am praying that people bring people who are not a part of our agency, so I can begin to branch out. I see this taking off, even if it is in steps. And there is so much I want to be able to do. I want to take care of my dogs, because they are my family, I want to be able to see friends & family more often, I want to be able to Tithe at church especially since I am a member now, and I want to make my house special for me. Not to mention that it would be nice to be able to save for my little coffee dream. Thank you, my blog friends, for your support and prayers. I know I will have a great turn out at my party, just on prayer alone!

Frustrated?

I don't know. In someways I am, and in other ways I am hopeful. I am working on getting my Silpada business up and running, but man it can be hard. I sorta hoped that it would just take off because I think it is fun, and other people should too. I can't believe all the people I run into that don't even want to listen to me when I am telling them there is no sales pitch and no pressure to buy. They don't believe me. Another friend from work actually said to me, " I am not a home party girl. I don't do things like Pampered Chef, for example." She said this to me...I'M NOT EITHER!" Still, she doesn't believe me that these parties are fun. Sometimes I don't know what to do. I refuse to start being pushy. I don't want to be that girl that people turn and go the other direction because they are afraid that I am going to hound them. This is what I have done so far:

* I have gotten the word out by email and by word of mouth.

* I have talked about how my co-workers can book a party and be able to get free jewelry at staff meetings (just a couple mtgs).

* I put flyers in people's cubbies at work, and catalogues in different department as well as mine.

*I set up a Silpada Bookings Calendar, which I keep in my office next to a catalogue.

* I wear the jewelry every chance I get.

* I then set a date for my Open House, which is Feb. 28th.

Still, no bookings. I have taken hints from my training CD's and look for opportunities to be excited about Silpada. Example, if someone compliments my necklace, I tell them where it is from and that I sell it now. If someone comments on the jewelry being a bit too expensive, I talk up the hosting a party thing and getting what you want for free, using my experiences as example. Still nothing. I do know there are people coming to my party, so I am really hoping they bring people outside the work crowd. I have offered tickets for door prizes for RSVP's that are coming, and more tickets if they bring friends. I went to the dollar store and got some really cute items that I will package up for the event. I also bought some things to spruce up my jewelry display that are so me. I

* I went to a dinner party last night, and brought along invitations to my party, which I handed out at the end. Of course, the group of ladies I invited from this party all work Thursday Nights, and one lady already buys Silpada from a friend of hers. Bummer.

* I handed out invitations to some ladies at church. They say they are going to come, but who knows.

* I have flyers to hand out in my neighborhood tomorrow.

So, this week, I am going to send out my reminders for my party, and start giving out tickets to those who are coming. And I guess we shall see. I will also include people who do not live in Colorado in being a part of things through email. So, as you can tell, I really am going for this, but am fighting feeling a little discouraged. My Sponsor says that this is the hardest part, but it will get easier. I am praying that it does.

Green Chili Soup



Ha! I finally have a good recipe to share. A lady from church made me dinner last week, and it was sooo good I had to make it for myself! I know you cooks out there have made something sorta like this, but it was very simple, so I am sharing it anyway:

2 Chicken Breasts
* Boil in 2 cups water and 1 Chicken 'Knor' Bouillion cube for 15-20 minutes.
In crockpot, add diced up chicken breasts
1 can Green Chili Enchilada Sauce
2 cans White Northern Beans, do not drain
Cook in crockpot all day! Come home to yummy soup smells. Add some tortilla strips, grated chedder cheese, and salsa on top.

Bling!

My new venture revealed.

I have decided to start selling Jewelry.

The company is called Silpada Designs.

Silpada Jewelry is awesome!

I say this, because I am truly hooked on it.

I love real Sterling Silver, and jewelry that lasts!

The idea is to set up home parties with hostess that are fun, relaxed, and with no pressure to buy anything.

Those who know me well, know that home show products are not my thing.

I don't love going to these so-called parties where you play games, listen to a sales pitch, then feel tremendous pressure to buy something before you leave.

Hate that!

I had two of my own parties as a hostess, and had so much fun and was able to get quite a few pieces for free!

The best part is that the people who came had fun too, and didn't have to worry about me or the Rep. pressuring them to buy.

My last party I had was the wine and appetizers party before Christmas.

People came, drank some wine, played with the jewelry, and had fun.

Only those who really wanted to buy something did.

There was no pitch, true to the Reps. word.

So anyway, I have been struggling financially since the dawn of time!

I'm tired of it.

I knew I needed to find something to help suppliment my income, but I really wanted to do something that was fun.

So, I decided to give this a try.

I have received my own Silpada Rep. number and website.

I'm getting business cards, and working on training right now.

This Saturday, I went to my first Silpada meeting with regional Reps.

Everyone was very nice and supportive of me getting started.

As a Rep., I can sell jewelry individually through the catalogue and my website.

I can have my own Open Houses, and help others host their own parties.

I love that it is a Girl's Night Out theme.

I can even travel, and do shows other places/states and be able to write most of the trip off!

You will have to check out my website once it is up.

I just created it, so it may be a couple days before it is officially up and running.

Here is the website address:

mysilpada.com/chris.stromer

I hope you check it out and see what you think.

I am excited, and can't wait until this starts getting off the ground.

Not much has happened yet.

Pray that I get some parties scheduled soon.

I really need this to work.

New Years Resolutions Update




I wanted to put in a quick link to my previous post so you could refer back, but I can't figure out how you do that. Karen, you did this once, can you help me out? Anyway, I thought it has been a month, and in order for me to stick to my resolutions, rather than dump them by now, I have to do regular updates. More for me than you though, sorry!:)
Resolution #1: Lose 10 pounds

Well, this may not be very accurate I am afraid. For years I have avoided getting on a scale by principal. Scales discourage me. So, it is not a habit. I have had to remind myself, so I have only gotten on it twice in a month. I really don't know what I weighed for sure Jan. 1. But from the first time I weighed in and this last Friday, I lost 1 pound! I am choosing to celebrate this, because for some reason, even though I don't have a lot to lose, it is extremely difficult for me to lose period. Even when I had a personal trainer and ran! So, this is a victory for me! I have been really good at keeping a consistent work out schedule. I have only missed one scheduled day in a month. Pretty good for me! I am walking with doggies, switching up hand weights and yoga and pilates. I have been doing pretty good with portion control, allowing myself to slip on that once in a while. Snacks have been hard for me. Mainly because days I am out in the classrooms, I can't bring in my own food, so that means no snacks. I started out with carrots, nuts, and fruit. The fruit eating part continues to me a big challenge for me. When did I start not wanting to eat fruit?! Apples rotting in my fridge as we speak.

Resolution #2: Giving up Control to God

This is has been up and down for me, but mostly up. God is really working on me. Life at work is VERY stressful right now, and I am not feeling job security for a number of reasons. But he keeps reminding me that he is in control, and you know what? I am not freaking out nearly as much as I usually would be. I feel ok about whatever the future brings for the most part. He has always seen me through. Not to say I don't have a few moments though. I am working on some new ways to make a living until I can realize my dream, and I have to put myself firmly in his hands everyday.
Resolution #3: Make new friends

This has been a slow progression, but I am moving forward here. I joined the Easter Choir at church, and have met a couple different people even though we haven't had a rehearsal yet. This Sunday we will. I have been going to a Wed. Bible Study, and will go to the once a month Women's Group this coming Thurs. night. I do have to work on skipping out of church as soon as it is over, instead of sticking around and try and talk to someone. I have also been more open to different situations, like when I met my friend at the bowling alley last weekend. I met her husband's bowling league wives. They were mostly Airforce Wives, and they turned out to be great. They even want to set me up with someone. :)Resolution #4: Coffee Dream

This one sadly, has taken a back seat for the time being. I have been running into some difficult financial issues, and I have had to re-evaluate my life, expenses, etc. I am working on a new venture, which I will share in a blog soon. But until I get my feet planeted more firmly, I just can't move forward with it yet. I have gotten applications at a few places, but they really aren't hiring right now anyway. This is their slow season.

Resolution # 5: Keep in contact with old friends.

I really am working on this one. Too often, I get caught up in my own little world and things I have to do, so calling people gets put on the back burner. But I have connected with a couple friends in the last month, one I hadn't talked to in quite a while. That was fun. I will keep this one close to my heart though, and not let it go. I do hope that some of those friends will call me too though. I tend to get discouraged when it is me doing the calling. I am working on that one too.

So, really I am doing well here I think. There have been a few moments when I have wanted to ditch my resolutions, especially the working out one, but the thought of writng you my progress kept me going.