Launching a Home-Based Business: Action Steps That Generate Success

In conjunction with launching my new business, I decided that a Home-Based Business Launch Series on the blog would be a great way for me to keep myself in check over the next few weeks. To teach is to learn twice, right?

I told you guys in my last post that I wholeheartedly believe in the direct sales model. I have seen lives transformed within this industry. In fact, the only reason why I am offering all of this hot info fo' free is because I care, & I believe that this industry has the power to change lives. You just have to know how to work it.

Yes. Yes I will, Mr. Cuban.

My goal in doing this series is to help you see the potential that exists within yourself. This series will examine what the first 90 days of being a home based business owner might look like. My goal is not to recruit you to work for me. I will not be shoving my business down your throat. In fact, I will try to keep all references to my specific business at a minimum. Except for this shameless plug right here: If you want to know specifics about my business, please feel free to ask.

Also, this is a very methodical way of starting a business. I am very much a type-A, plan it out, organize it, put a label on it type of boss. That's just what works for me. Every single thing I suggest to do might not be applicable to your situation. In the beginning, the "Action Steps" might not seem like there's a whole lot of action going on. Trust me when I tell you that this business can be explosive. The action is coming. My personal philosophy is prepare, prepare, prepare. When you lay a proper foundation, your business will be more organized in the long run, and you'll be more successful because of it. Remember that Rome wasn't built in a day.

The action steps I am offering will be applicable to just about any home based business with the direct sales model (and even a few tips for women brave enough to be launching their own products). I admit that I do not know every single direct sales company out there. I have been in the industry for 5 years, and there is still a lot I have to learn. But I also feel like as I have developed my own team and grown as a direct sales business owner, I have learned so much. Knowledge that's shared is powerful-if what I have learned helps even ONE more woman or mother achieve her goals, I will consider the time and effort I spent on this series well spent.

Basically I really care, okay?

So let's get into it then, shall we?

When you get started, you really need to carefully consider the company you are considering signing up with. Action Step: Do your research. Do you own any of their products? Do you use them regularly? Typically what happens is people will attend a home party as a customer, learn about the company and what products they offer. Could you see yourself in the consultants position? My suggestion to you is be a customer first. Try the product or service out and see how it works. If your interaction with the company and consultant is satisfactory, move on to the next step.

You need to clearly understand what you're getting into. Action Step: Do some more research. What does it cost to sign up as a company distributor? Are there any minimums, meaning, is there a set number of product you must sell in order to remain an active consultant? 90% of the time this information can be found on the company's website. If you google the company (which is something you absolutely should do), their info should come up as the first or 2nd link. Action step: Click that link and look around. What does their website look like? Remember that this is the website that YOUR potential customers will navigate. Distributor information will be found somewhere under a link that might say, "Join my team," or "Distributor info." Look at the website and gather all the info you can for yourself.

The distributor info page is so, so, so important. Spend time there. Understand how you will get paid and how your commissions will work. Are there sales goals your company expects you to hit and in what time frame does that need to be accomplished? Most, if not all direct sales companies offer some time of start up incentive. I will give you an example: Let's say I signed up to be a distributor for a jewelry company. If I sell $1,000 worth of their product, what is the reward? Commission, hopefully, but are there extra "kits" on the line that you can earn for selling a certain amount? You want to know about these so you know how to appropriately set goals for yourself. I challenge you to not leave ANY of these "kits" or bonuses on the table.

Action Step: Write it down. I would invest in a notebook and keep it handy to write down questions you might have, or ideas that might come up. You'll also have to remember passwords and most likely your consultant ID number, so get in the habit of writing these things down and keeping them together. I personally love Erin Condren notebooks (that link gives you a discount!) because they are functional on the inside and make it easy for me to organize my thoughts. I can also keep a running to-do list over on the side to help me stay on top of my goals. The front of it says, "The secret to getting ahead is getting started," which motivates me like you wouldn't believe.

All of the previous action steps can be done in a few hours or so. When you've decided that this is the company you want to work for, and this is the product you want to sell, sit on it for one week. Action Step: Analyze. The last thing you want to do is make a quick decision and jump into something you aren't prepared for.

Recognize that your schedule will have to change to accommodate this business. Think about your schedule for a week, and consider how you can shift your lifestyle to better accommodate it. Time spent on the business will mean time spent away from family, chores, kids and other fun activities. There are only so many hours in a day. Realize that this is where the work actually starts.

Action step: Analyze some more. Do you have a physical place where you can conduct your business? Will you be utilizing an office space, and is that place organized and ready for a business to be in it? Will you have to hold an inventory and how will that inventory be organized? If you need to make any purchases for desks, shelves, bulletin boards, or the like, is there something you can sell to generate some income for it? Clean out a closet or two and have a yard sale-you'll probably generate enough to cover the cost of your new distributor kit and any office supplies you might need. Set a date for yourself, within one week, to have all of this done. If you plan your work and work your plan, it'll get you in the mindset of goal setting, and set your brain up for success too.

Once you've prepared a place for your business, gathered the basic office supplies and are ready to go, take another Action Step: Meet for coffee with a successful distributor. This can either take place at her place if your are comfortable, or a mutual, public location like a Starbucks.

And then get ready for the fun to begin.

Stay tuned for Post #2 in this series, Launching A Home-Based Business.



**This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links may or may not include paid links. Affiliate links make it possible to participate in series like this one, where the author is not paid monetarily but may benefit from shared links or referrals.** 

Why I Retired From Thirty-One, & How I Feel About Direct Sales

A few months ago, I decided that it was time for me to let go of my Thirty-One business. After 5 years with the company, it was an extremely hard decision to make. I am not the type of person that enjoys leaving things unfinished, and that was very much how my Thirty-One business felt. I still had goals I wanted to achieve. I still had a down-line of people that I was trying to bring up. It did not feel like I was making the right move.

So then, why do it? I am a very busy mama of two beautiful boys. They are my world, and if I'm going to be leaving the house for any length of time, it better be for something that I'm extremely passionate about. Most of you know that I have gone back to work this year as a dental assistant as well. So my time is extremely limited.

Likewise, my needs as a consumer have changed. I have approximately 436 Large Utility Totes and I don't really need any more! I'm not the girl I was 5 years ago when I started this company. I'm almost 30 now. I'm not interested in the same things I used to be interested in.

Simply put, I have just outgrown that company and what it offers. That's not to say that Thirty-One isn't a great company for someone else. It was just no longer fitting the bill for me. Between the product change-over every 6 months to the absorbent shipping costs that eviscerate my profits at the end of the day, I'm just ready to move forward to something new.

It felt unfinished though, because the truth is, I am absolutely in LOVE with this type of business. I wholeheartedly believe in the direct sales model. I 100% did not care for the last 5 years if every single person I knew called me the crazy bag lady. I love it because of the flexibility and financial freedom it offers. No one from corporate was going to call me and say, "Hey, we really need you to slow down, you're selling way too many purses this month." That was not a call I ever had to worry about. The opportunity to advance was and still is endless. From the day you sign up, your paycheck can only go one way.  Up. How far up it goes depends solely on YOU. That kind of power and potential is both amazing and terrifying. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Direct sales is an incredible way for people to become their own business owner almost instantly. It doesn't require the same type of financial investment that traditional small businesses do, but the rewards are endless. Check out one of my all time favorite excerpts from one of the first books I ever read in the industry.

"Enter the direct-selling business-small, lean and incredibly efficient. As a direct-selling professional, you can choose from hundreds of fine companies that sell every product or service imaginable-from women's apparel to state-of-the-art nutritional products. In exchange for a minimal investment (most under $100), the company agrees to research, design, test, manufacture, store, ship, and in many cases, service its product-all at its expense. You, in turn, agree to become the company's "marketing department," acting independently to share the products and find new customers, who then become your clients. For every sale that you make, you are paid a commission ranging from 20 to 50 percent. As a direct-selling professional, you have the opportunity to work part-time or full-time and can expand your business enterprise by engaging and training other people, who also love the products, share their enthusiasm for the business, and gain new customers. For this you are paid additional bonuses." -Build It Big, from the DSWA

Umm, I don't know about you guys, but doesn't that sound awesome? And, wait a minute, don't you already promote brands and services that you like? When you try a restaurant that you love, what is the first thing you do? You tell a friend, or write about it on social media. What are you doing? Advertising! When you put on a shirt with a logo or a specific branding (Ralph Lauren, Lacoste,  Guy Harvey, etc) you are directly advertising for that company! We all do these things daily, except we don't get a reimbursement check for doing so. The beauty of direct sales is that your influence pays you back.

Not only that, your influence can help lift someone else out of a dire situation. I know plenty of people whose lives have been completely transformed because of their home-based small business. On my old team, a sister's husband was diagnosed with brain cancer, and because her business was incredibly successful, she was able to schedule her work entirely around her husband's chemo schedule. She was able to spend every single hour of treatment with him, and when he ultimately ended up losing his battle, she was able to spend every moment by his side. Because she was the financial support of the home, she did not lose her home or her cars as a result of his death. She lost her husband, which is tragic enough on its own, but she was able to fully mourn the loss of him without worrying about the bills piling up in his absence. She described the relationship that she had with her business like being Noah from the bible, only that she built her boat before before she knew the flood was ever coming. Her business was the boat that carried her family through the flood.

I remember hearing her story and literally bursting into tears as she was telling it (in a room full of probably 200 women), and I remember telling myself, "I want that ark. I want that security." To this day I have a little cartoon picture of Noah in my office reminding me that our flood could come at any time and that my business could be the thing we float on. 

It is because of that experience and that story that I could not walk away from the direct sales industry as a whole. And let's face it, I'm a type-A control freak. My dad always taught me to have a plan, and then have a back up plan in case the first plan didn't work out.

So last month I officially said, "Good-bye," to my Thirty-One business, and hello to a new venture. It is something I'm passionate about and I am excited to share it. It feels good to have something that I'm working towards again.

I wanted to make a sort of semi-public announcement so that people know why I left Thirty-One. It's not because they are not a great company-truly, I am so grateful for everything I learned and every person I've met in the last 5 years. I am just personally ready to capture a new market. My interests have simply expanded, and I have enough Large Utility Totes to carry all of my stuff in for the rest of my life.

If you want to know what I'm getting into, you better get subscribed!! It's a ground floor opportunity that I'm super pumped about. And if you have lips, you want to know!

Also, over the next few weeks, I will be doing a series on launching a successful home-based business, and the practices I think you need to put in place to start yourself on the right foot. I'll try to post every Wednesday, and right now I have 4 different posts planned. If you are thinking about jumping into the direct sales world, or are already involved but need to revitalize your business, please join me!

I do want to thank my incredible customer base that has kept my Thirty-One business going for the last 5 years. You truly don't understand the influence you make on a home business. When you buy anything from me, you are not helping another CEO buy his 5th yacht. When you buy from me, you make a choice to directly contribute to the success of my family, and you can not and will not ever fully understand what that means to me. I loved being your Thirty-One consultant, and I look forward to earning your business again in the future.

And to my girls in my downline, please know that I still believe in your potential and I will still be here to support you. Maybe not in the same capacity, and maybe not the way you wanted, but it'll be okay. You are strong, confident women and you are capable of so much greatness. I believe in you and I am excited to watch you grow. And hey, now you roll up to the highest paid consultant in the company, ABG! Y'all have got this!

With love,
Cara

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

According to Instagram, twenty-two weeks ago I posted a delicious photo and promised a blog post on an incredible recipe.

That was before I got a big girl job and my son started t-ball.

So, it's been a little bit, y'all.

But seriously, whatever, I have no valid excuse as to why I'm just now getting around to posting it. It's probably because I am the worlds largest procrastinator, ever.  But since I'm the CEO of my own life, I have been living to the fullest for the past few months.

You guys, I'm not even kidding, we've been doing everything we want. 

 We've been hiking, multiple times. 

We've been on a few small road trips. 

The baby turned one. 

We've been on some pretty fantastic dates.  

I started crossfit, we've been to a plethora of amazing new restaurants, Jacob has lost 40 pounds since the start of the new year... 2016 has just been awesome.

I'll even throw in the ridiculous, "hashtag we are so blessed" because we are. Truly. Our lives are at full speed and we are loving every minute.

That's another reason why I love this dish. Our lives are so busy right now, so I don't have time for meals that take an hour to prep. Nor do I have time for these ridiculous, off-the-shelf exotic item in which all of the flavor resides. I need simple, fresh recipes that are literally bursting with flavor so that I can enjoy them and get back to the aforementioned boys in my life.

I'm going to go full disclaimer on you guys right now and let you know that I am not responsible AT ALL for the creation of this delicious soup. Side bar: I am and have always been a pen and paper kind of girl. I'm all for the digital world, but I regularly scribble recipes down on whatever sticky note/scratch pad is laying on my desk. That's how this one got started. I think I probably saw it on Pinterest, I quickly jotted the ingredients down, and then it stayed on my desk for a few weeks. And then one day when I was cleaning the many piles that are my office, I came across the note, and decided to make it for dinner.

And it was the best soup ever.

But, when I say soup, please don't think of like a brothy, high liquid to content ratio. This is like a creamy, delicious vat of Mexican flavored goodness that will leave you so full but not miserable.

I searched high and low for the original pin & blog post, but I can not find it anywhere. So if this is your recipe, please let me know, and I would be beyond happy to give you credit for it.

Want to know what the best thing about this recipe is? I can totally be done in the crock pot.

I know, I know. It just keeps getting better and better. Wait until you see the ingredients. You probably already have all of them on hand. 

Please excuse the apples. They are not invited. You need 1 cup of salsa, 2 cans cream of chicken, 1 can of corn and 1 can of black beans. We also add a pinch of cumin at the end and occasionally I will add 1 to 1.5 cups of water to it, depending on how thick it is.

AND THAT'S IT. 

 Go from this...

To this...

In 2-4 hours on high, or 4-6 hours on low.

Top it with your favorites: sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, Mexican shredded cheese, and some crushed tortilla chips, or just eat it plain. You really can not go wrong with this one.

My husband asks for this every week, and even my kiddos will eat it, so you know it's good!



Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup 

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts*
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup of salsa
1 can of corn
1 can of black beans
1-1.5 cups of water*
1 teaspoon of cumin

Optional toppings, dressed to your liking:
chopped cilantro
avocado
green onion
cheddar cheese
sour cream
crushed tortilla chips

Directions:

Coat your crock pot evenly with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken in the bottom of slow cooker. Add cream of chicken soup, salsa, 1/2 cup of water, cumin and stir. Allow to cook for 2-4 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high (with frozen chicken, 6 hours on high, 8 on low). Remove chicken and add drained can of corn and drained black beans. Shred chicken with mixer and a paddle attachment or two forks. Incorporate shredded chicken back into soup. If the mixture looks too thick, add 1/4 cup of water at a time until the mixture is to your liking.

*Side note: I have found that frozen chicken usually releases a lot of broth & water into the soup and gives it great flavor, but does add cook time. I typically use frozen chicken and set this up in the morning before work (at 7 AM), so I will put it on low. When I get home at 4:00 the mixture is usually slightly bubbling and the chicken is almost always done. Sometimes I have to add a little water, sometimes I don't. You will have to play with the water amount depending on the chicken you use and get it to how you like it. With our kiddos, it's easier for them to eat it if it's a bit thicker, so we never add more than about 1/2 a cup of water total.


Eat well!
-C

Are You Thinking About Buying A Gun, Ma'am? Part 2

Read part 1 here.


It hurt.

The first time I pulled the trigger, my life was changed forever. My dad's Mossberg shotgun went off in my nine year old hands and the recoil really, really hurt.

Like I felt it for days after, y'all.

I say that my life was changed, though, because my curiosity was gone.

We were at the gun range with maybe 4 or 5 of my dad's guy friends, all of them bringing their own firearms, and not one of them accidentally discharged. No one got hurt. And my curiosity was wiped away because I felt how hard I had to pull to squeeze the trigger. It was not an easy feat for my small hands. Sure, it was probably easy for my dad, but for me, I had to really squeeze to get the gun to go off. And just like my dad said it should, it surprised me when it went off. I guess because, in my mind, I thought I only had to move the trigger back a few millimeters for it to fire. That was not the case. So as I was pulling it back, I thought, wow, you really have to want to shoot this gun to get it to discharge.

My curiosity, my timidness, my anxiety was gone. With one shot. Dad asked me if I wanted to shoot it again, and I politely told him, "No, thank you." I remember going back and climbing into the back of his pick-up, and sitting there for the rest of the day thinking about how my shoulder felt like it was dislocated.

It was my first crash course in recoil. One that I desperately needed and am so thankful I got.

I didn't fire another gun until I was maybe twelve. This time it was a little .22 pistol which went off with a little bit more ease than the shotgun did. The recoil was light, and it was a great gun to use while perfecting my sighting technique.

My parents built a gun range directly on their property, which was subject to different regulations since we lived outside city lines. We shot often. As an only child, I knew my parents room was loaded down like Fort Knox with firearms, and my dad often had me help him clean them.

Guns were just a part of my life. It wasn't uncommon for there to be one at the dinner table with us when I was in high school. 

I never worried about safety. My dad always carried a firearm for personal protection, so I never feared for my surroundings or worried about getting robbed when I was with him. When we watched the news at night, my dad would take his gun out of his holster and lay it on the coffee table. I remember hearing story after story of robberies, car-jackings, murders, and thinking to myself those things could happen to anyone, but I know my dad wouldn't go down without a fight. That was comforting.

As a latch-key kid, I was often home for 2 to 3 hours a day without my parents. I had to walk about three quarters of a mile down our dirt road from the bus stop to the house. My dad constantly questioned me about what would I do in certain scenarios, and how would I protect myself in certain situations.  What would you do if someone tried to take you? Punch them in the nose. What would you do if you were home alone and you heard someone breaking in? I would grab your gun and protect myself. My personal favorite, when we were out at a restaurant one night-identify all of the exits without looking around. Well there's the one we came in through, and there's a second in the back by the restrooms, and I'd imagine there's a shipping door in the back of the kitchen.  Always questioning, always mentoring, always guiding. That was my dad.

He instilled a sense of personal responsibility for my own safety in me from a very young age. My dad taught me that it wasn't a cop's responsibility to make sure that I was safe while walking down the street, but instead, my own. He taught me that by being aware of my surroundings, I can reduce the likelihood that I will become a victim of an assault or something far worse.

And naturally, when the time came that he could legally equip me with a firearm, he did just that. My dad gifted me a Beretta 92-FS and a box of ammo for my 18th birthday. And naturally, when I got my own apartment in a college town with considerable amount of crime, I never worried, because I knew that I was capable of protecting myself in my own home.

Owning a gun, to me, was no different than owning a drill. It was a tool I could use to accomplish a job. That job was protection.

Thankfully, I have never been put into a position where I have ever had to use it.

But I'm so thankful that I've always had the choice.

I obtained my concealed carry permit when I was 24, and my Beretta 9mm was just too big to carry for personal protection.

So for the first time ever, I went and purchased my own firearm.

Part 3 coming soon.

Budget-Friendly, Awesome Last Minute Gift Ideas (That People Actually Want!)

What's up y'all?! Are you guys as excited for Christmas as I am? I don't know why but this year I'm really pumped for Christmas. Last year Christmas came and went, and I was so happy when it was over. Maybe it's because I was miserable pregnant and we were facing a move less than 3 weeks later. That was probably it. But this year we are all settled in our new apartment, we are saving for a down payment on a house, we have a beautiful new baby boy, and this mama is frugally decking the halls, y'all.

I can also really feel God at work in our lives right now. It's been a great year and I'm finding myself trusting Him more and more in each and everything I do. We also finally started tithing... I'll post more on that later (and why we JUST started), but I feel like we are finally putting our treasures, hearts and mind into God's plan for us. 2016 is going to be our year, I can just feel it.

At any rate, let's get down to brass tacks.

Yea, it's "tacks" not "tax". I learned that the other day and couldn't wait to tell someone. Google it, for real.

TACKS!

I love giving gifts to people. If I had to guess my love language, I think it would be gifts. As soon as I meet a person I try to remember their birthday, anniversary, or any little date where I can send them a handwritten note or something small (not all gifts are shiny and big-these days, a handwritten note is a gift!).

Rarely do I come across a person or family where I'm totally stumped on what to them, or how to gift something to their family. I was having this conversation with a friend a few days ago, and she was telling me she is the exact opposite. She said that she has a hard time buying for everyone on her list, and staying under budget.

What?! How could this be so? She made me feel as thought I had been born with a little bit of a gift, because I love any opportunity where we can celebrate something else with someone, and gifting falls hand in hand for us!

Christmas is an incredible time for gifts. God gave us the most incredible gift when he sent His son to die on the cross for each and every one of our sins. He sent his son, through Mary, to Earth for us to experience Him in the flesh! That is how much He loves us! Maybe that's why I am experiencing so much joy this Christmas-because the birth of Jesus is where and how it all started! For that, I am so incredibly thankful.

Okay, back to the tacks again. Gifting isn't easy for everyone, I've learned. So fear not, darlings, because I have some great last minute gift ideas for you.

"Oh-Your-Gift-Is-In-The-Closet-Unwrapped" Gifts

Y'all, God has put some incredible people in our life. Last year we had 3 or 4 families give us small but thoughtful gifts that we were just not expecting. They so greatly warmed our hearts! I'm not one of those people that has to give something just because I was given to, and I certainly don't think any of the people I'm referring to feel that way. But because I love gifting so much, it's always a little awkward for me when someone gives me a gift and I don't have something to give them back. This is why around the holidays I throw together a few "just incase" gifts. 9 times out of 10, these are homemade cookies on a decorative plastic plate in some cellophane, or maybe a homemade "jar of cookies". Everyone who comes into the house at Christmas time is someone that we have quite frankly stopped time to be with, so they all leave with something.

My latest addition to this rotation is my most favorite, and it's under $20 + a bottle of wine. Got your attention now, right?!

Look at that adorable little Perfect Bottle Thermal! Pictured here with the large utility tote, it makes a great gift for anyone you know that loves wine. Stick a few of these in your closet so you're ready to go when someone gives you something unexpected. You can do one of two things with this bag. Option one, take the bag and put it in a bag and give the bag as a gift. I think, personally, a bag in a bag is a little silly! Go with option two! Toss a bottle of red wine in there and the gift is the wine while the bag is the bag! You and I both know they'll love the bag for its use, but you don't have to waste time or materials wrapping it! Afraid of wine?! Don't be. I recommend a red wine because it can sit on the shelf for a while, and it's also great to cook with. If your friends are vino's like mine, a nice medium bodied Merlot makes a great gift. If they aren't winos, I don't know anyone that hasn't had Lambrusco. OR, pop a bottle of champagne in there, and you've set them up for success for New Years! Look at you, awesome gift giver-you've saved your friend a trip to the store!

Family Gifts

We have a LOT of friends with a LOT of kids. Bless their hearts, they just keep popping out babies and inviting me over to hold them. And every time I go over to their houses, these mamas always handle everything with such finesse. I have a friend who has four kids, two of which are mono-mono twins, so they are ultra special, but she always looks fabulous. So put together, so calm, so collected (NOT my gift). I would love to get gifts for all of them, but I would be well into triple digits if I bought for each and every one of all of my friends kids. If we weren't saving for a house next year, I could probably pull it off. But for that reason, we have decided to gift these larger families one gift that the entire family can use together.

I don't know what family isn't hurting for some extra family time. These days it seems like we have to give ourselves permission to just have time together as a family. My go-to for this gift is to stick a bag of popcorn, movie theater candy and a family friendly DVD into this zipper pouch. Much like the perfect bottle thermal, it doubles as an extra gift for mom, and the gift for the family is what is inside. She can use the extra zipper pouch for years to come, and the kiddos get to benefit from what is inside. This gift can easily stay under $30 for the whole family, especially if you get your DVD around Black Friday or out of the right section in Walmart. Many of today's kiddos have never seen the Christmas classics. What a treat it would be for them to open this bag to some hot cocoa and frosty the snowman on Christmas Eve.

Got a family that doesn't have kids? Get them a deck of cards and some poker chips to go inside. Or get them Cards Against Humanity, but only if they're horrible people.

Homemade Gifts! 

I'm convinced that personalized gifts will always be everyone's favorite. I could find something for everyone on my list from those personalization places in the mall. Unfortunately, it would probably also involve my entire paycheck. But I still love to give a good personalized gift. Fortunately, there are so many DIY options out there. Two years ago I wrote a guest post for my friend's blog about making monogrammed Christmas ornaments. Those ornaments were so fun to make, and my oldest son even got to help me! You can easily knock off 10-12 people on your list in under $40 with gifts like that.

And what's better than to give a great homemade gift is to also give it in a bag they can reuse time and time again. These timeless memory pouches are a great, budget-friendly way to stick something small into a bag that can be reused for years to come. In my opinion, it really puts a personal touch on it that separates it from a regular Christmas bag. My personal favorite use for the larger bag is to use it as a laundry bag when we are traveling. I also have one that I store our tree topper in so each and every year I know it's safe. Any homemade gift in one of these is sure to be a hit.

These bags are also great for dressing up a gift card or a small box with some jewelry in it. Or how about a college kid who is traveling back and forth a lot? Create a little "survival pack" for them to keep in their car. You never know if you'll find yourself stranded on the side of the road. Put an LED flashlight,  jumper cables, tire pressure gauge, and a can of fix a flat together inside the big bag and give them the gift of road side security.

I have attached the link to each photo to make it super easy for you to order these. All Thirty-One orders must be in by December 10th for guaranteed Christmas delivery.

Subscribe to my blog by email or leave me some comments, and I might just send you something for free this Christmas! We are just starting to get planted here at The Circus Act, and I want to get to know my readers. So tell me, what is the best gift YOU have ever received!?

Be well!
-C

Essential Oils for the Oncoming Cold

You know it when it's coming. It takes hold of all of us in different ways. Every person has their symptom-it might be a lingering headache, feelings of lethargy, or a sore throat. And when you get whatever your symptom is, you know an illness could be in your future. 

I was fortunate to have been blessed with a pretty stellar immune system. I typically get sick one to two times a year. When I do, the illness is usually pretty mild. My little ones immune systems are still developing, though. My oldest will get sick at least one time each fall. It typically comes between Thanksgiving and Christmas, or right after the first cold snap-whichever comes first. 

This year, our cold snap fell on Thanksgiving! Temperatures dropped into the low 40s, and even though we were prepared with jackets and sweaters, it seems as though this year’s sickness is coming right on schedule. Generally speaking, they get sick first, and then it gets passed to the rest of the house (even though I sanitize everything -_-). So as soon as I start feeling it, I know they are too. 

My symptom is a sore throat. This morning I woke up with one. I actually haven't had an upper respiratory infection in a while, so you could say I was due.  I also ran a 5k last night in 40-degree weather and rain, so that could be why I'm feeling lethargic. Either way, we are in full scale, DEFCON 1 sickness preparation mode. And this mama is pulling out all the... 

Wait for it... Essential oils! 

I could write a dissertation about how I got introduced to essential oils and their benefits (some day I will), but the bottom line is, they're fantastic. So here are my go to essential oils and my first line of defense against illnesses. 

Thieves. 

Thieves is a blend of essential oils exclusive to the Young Living brand, developed by four French thieves during the 15th century. While robbing the dead and dying, they coated themselves in this unique blend of oils that supported their immune and respiratory systems¹. These oils included clove, rosemary, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, and few others. 

My first line of defense against an impending cold is to diffuse this oil in the common areas of our home. This can help purify the air and also disperse the tiny particles that make up the oil into the air so they can be inhaled. 

I also put thieves on the bottom of all of our feet before bedtime and cover the kiddos feet in socks. My husband, who was totally against buying the oils in the beginning, now asks me to put thieves on him when he starts to feel sick. 

I also use Thieves household cleaner² and clean the common parts of the house that we all touch but often don’t get sanitized, including door handles, toilet handles, light switches, sink handles, refrigerator doors, cell phones, and remotes (this is what I will do later this afternoon, actually!). Sometimes I get a little crazy, but doing this makes me feel like I’m doing all I can to combat the spread of germs. 

R.C.

R.C. is another exclusive blend from Young Living that can support proper respiratory function³, and this one replaces how I used to use Vick's Vapor Rub. R.C. is a unique blend of Cypress, Spruce, and multiple genera of Eucalyptus. I (always) dilute R.C. in a 1:1 ratio with a carrier oil (coconut oil or jojoba are my two favorites) and rub it on my chest. I will also rub this on my kiddos backs if they have a cough or stuffy nose. I find that this blend really helps support my respiratory system, but doesn't come with the stickiness factor of the Vick's. In fact, after my skin absorbs the oil, it feels as if there was never anything there in the first place, and I often reapply! 

Lavender. 

Lavender is one of the most popular oils in clinical aromatherapy practice⁴. It's extremely versatile, and has been studied for years for its effectiveness. I find that it’s a terrific aid in helping me fall asleep! Sleep when you recovering from an illness is so important. While you are sleeping, the body's natural processes that fight infection are strongest⁵, so it really is vital for your recovery. Lavender provides a soothing, slightly floral aroma that has been proven to help people fall asleep⁶. Any time the babies are restless, they want to get in bed with us, and I find that when I diffuse lavender they usually go back to sleep easier. I also love to use lavender behind the kids’ ears if they start pulling on them or if my oldest complains of an ear infection (never use essential oils in the inner ear canal). I find that for viral ear infections these will soothe my babies just as well as acetaminophen, and I would much rather give them something that doesn’t have a laundry list of side effects (always see your physician to confirm the presence of a viral or bacterial infection). It's one of Young Living's most popular oils!⁷


So those are my go to oils for combating illness! Today I am diffusing Thieves in the great room and lavender in the bedrooms, cleaning with the Thieves Household Cleaner and rubbing R.C. on all of our chests and praying that we escape this one! My oldest starts swimming lessons tomorrow and in a few weeks it’ll be Christmas, so to say we are busy is an understatement.

If you are in need of some essential oils or would like to do some more research, feel free to visit the sites below.  I only use Young Living Essential Oils because of their Seed to Seal Guarantee, so it is for that reason I only recommend their brand⁸. If you are in need a sponsor to guide you, please feel free to email me or message me for my sponsor ID. I love sharing the benefits of these amazing oils with family and friends.

Hopefully everyone had a great Thanksgiving and can stay healthy through out these winter months. I will be in the kitchen cooking up some Sheppard’s Pie tonight, in an attempt to finally rid our refrigerator of leftovers!

Be well!
 -C

1. www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oils/blends/thieves-essential-oil  
2. www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/home/natural-cleaning/thieves-household-cleaner
3. www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oils/blends/rc-essential-oil  
4. www.decodedscience.org/lavender-essential-oil-chemistry-and-therapeutic-properties/21340  
5. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20398008
6. https://sleepfoundation.org/bedroom/smell.php  
7. www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oils/singles/lavender-essential-oil

8. https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/discover/seed-to-seal

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Young Living Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Four Rules for Gun Safety

Today I took my "license to carry" course for our new state.

It was really quite an experience. I have always really enjoyed firearms-people might call me a little bit of a gun nut, and that's fine. I'm okay with everyone knowing that this is something I'm passionate about. I'm also passionate about a person's God given right to defend themselves, by all justifiable means. In today's world, guns and self defense are a hot topic. You can be absolutely skewered in today's Court of Public Opinion if you are caught having to justify yourself and your use of force-especially if it becomes deadly force.

So in order to familiarize myself with our new state laws, I decided to retake the license to carry class. I certainly didn't have to, but I wanted to make sure I was covered under the fullest extent of the laws here, should I ever need to use deadly force. That meant having an in-state resident license. This matters because in January, my state will allow in state residents with an in-state permit to carry their firearms openly. I have no desire to carry my firearm openly, but it makes it less of a hassle to have an in-state license.

I say today was "quite an experience" because I actually did learn quite a bit, and I got to see things from the side of some of my more liberally bent friends (I do still love you guys). Number one, I learned that some of my friends are partially correct when they say it is too easy to get a firearm. I say that because there were clearly some newbies out at the range today. I also learned that only a staggering 8% of concealed carry holders take additional classes after they take their CHL course. So that means they go buy a gun, they take one class and then they put their gun in a bedside table and never pick it up again, unless they need it to defend themselves. That's kind of scary! As gun owners, we never know if we will be put in a position where we have to use deadly force-but we need to be prepared if we do. Having additional training makes it easier to react in those stressful situations when adrenaline is pumping. Having additional training keeps you proficient with your weapon, and gives you confidence behind the trigger.

Today also made me realize that not everyone grew up around guns like I did. In that, I mean that the natural ability to handle a gun has not been modeled to everyone by someone who loves them and wants them to be protected, like my dad did for me. Today made me realize that yes, there are some people out there who need to have a little bit more training before they start carrying a firearm. Does it mean they shouldn't have one? Absolutely not. Everyone has the right to self defense-but they also have the right to educate themselves on gun safety. They owe it to their loved ones, neighbors, and fellow citizens to follow up on additional training, and to hold themselves accountable with their weapon. It's actually paramount to preserving our gun culture that we are educated and making smart decisions with our weapons. It's also paramount that we model these behaviors to our friends and family.

That begin said, I want to add to the discussion four very practical, very applicable rules of gun safety. The term "rules" does not mean "laws". You won't find this in any state penal code. It's more of a set of guidelines for gun safety. Think like the 10 commandments of being a Christian, except less wordy.

1. Thou shalt treat every gun as if it's loaded.

I'm going to stop with the thou shalt. But you absolutely should treat every gun as if it has a live, chambered round in it. If you treat every gun as if it is loaded, you'll never be surprised if the gun "goes off".

2.  Never, ever, EVER, point the gun at something you wouldn't be prepared to destroy.

This one is tough, because you can do it without even realizing you're doing it. I like to pretend that there's a laser beam shooting out of the tip of the barrel, and its trajectory can destroy anything it crosses. So when I lay it down on a table in front of me, I'm aware of what is in front of it. If I'm loading it or activating the decocker on the side of my Beretta 92, I'm watching where the front of the gun is pointing simultaneously. If I'm handing the gun to my husband so he can put it back in the safe, I'm passing it to him with the muzzle pointed down between the two of us, instead of back at myself, while also watching the floor because that's where our children are playing. Constantly be aware of what you're pointing the gun at every moment you're handling it, and you'll never have an accident.

3. Always be sure of your target, and know what is behind it.

This one is two part. First, always know what you are shooting. So if you wake up at 2:00 in the morning to a strange sound, don't just grab your gun and start firing through a wall. It's likely that you'll injure a member of your own family. If it's dark in your home, turn a light on before you pull the trigger. Your 5 year old isn't breaking any laws by getting a drink of milk from the refrigerator at 12:00 in the morning. You will be if you unknowingly shoot them. Always, always, always identify your target.

Secondly, know what is behind your target. Contrary to popular belief, bullets don't hit a person and then explode upon impact. Some will fragment, but several different types of bullets will go through a person or object and out the other side, and continue on with enough speed to injure another. It depends on several factors: the caliber of the gun, the type of bullet, the grain of the bullet, and the distance between the object being shot and the tip of the barrel. So if you shoot something, you absolutely need to consider what is behind it. Drywall will not always stop a bullet. Also, there's a high probability that if you shoot something, you'll miss. What is behind your target, plus a 5 or 6 degree shift each direction if you mess up? I ask this because most houses have a split floor plan. If you're standing in the doorway of your master bedroom, shooting into your living room because someone is in your house, where are your children sleeping? Chances are they're behind your target. And what is the relative location of your neighbor's home? As a gun owner, you have to consider this every single time you pull the trigger.

4. Keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to pull it.

This is one reason why I have such an issue with the Amy Schumer SNL gun skit. Through out the entire video (where she is subsequently making fun of gun owners), she has her finger on the trigger. I realize that it's satire, but if there's any way to identify yourself as a person who is truly uneducated about firearms, that's it. This finger on the trigger position has been perpetuated by Hollywood and while her point was to degrade gun owners, she in turn added herself to the list of people who demonstrate and further spread these bad habits. People who have little to no firearm experience watch that video, go out and buy a firearm and think it's okay to walk around with their finger on the trigger. Thich contributes to things like negligent discharge and shooting your neighbor while you were "just cleaning your gun". Never put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to fire the weapon. While handling a firearm, you should keep your finger outside of the trigger guard, resting on the side of it directly below the slide until you are ready to shoot. Even when we are at the range, I will keep my finger outside of the trigger guard until my sights are aligned-then I move my finger over and fire. Don't be like Amy Schumer, please. 

These four, seemingly simple but significant rules will help keep you and your family safe-especially if you are new to the firearm world. I would highly encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about firearm safety to sign up for the NRA's basic pistol or basic home defense course before purchasing their first firearm. There are also many training schools that offer women only classes, so you can go and learn how to safely use a firearm with your girlfriends. Developing safe gun habits are critical to the safety and security of not only ourselves, but our children and those around us!

Be well (armed)!
-C