Last night we had a very informative meeting about childcare in the work place. A group of parents at my place of business are banding together under the guidance of the amazing Myfawny to try and get a better childcare situation for our company's needs. It has always baffled me, even before becoming a parent, that a company of our size, with the wide range of schedule, and that actively recruits from all over the globe, not just the local region, would NOT have some system in place to help with childcare. We don't even have a resource sheet available. There is literally NO HELP from the company, other than fellow parents sharing the knowledge they have gained through independent research.
Come the fuck on.
Every department has people with children. And in today's society, almost all home have two working parents (or in my case one!!!). Even in the situation where there is a parent who stays home with the children, there are going to be times when childcare is needed. Bottom line: At some point, every single employee with children will need the services of a babysitter or daycare facility, why does the company have NO RESOURCES for this?
I'm not even talking about the grand dream of company assistance or even better an on-site childcare facility. I'm talking about starting with a damn piece of paper and an established relationship with some local care providers. One of the ideas brought up at the meeting was finding providers who would give a discount to our employees, like many of the other businesses in town.
I hear all the arguments: insurance, time, money, space, and I think- yeah... but... if other businesses can do it, why can't we?? I see the biggest obstacle being the show schedules and that many of us work late at night. But, why should we all be scrambling to nail down one of the same pool of young adults that cost $10/hr to watch our kids at night. Also, why the hell does it cost so much these days?? When I babysat as a teen, I was happy to get $10-20 for the NIGHT, 3-4 hrs, not just one hour with one (probably sleeping for most of the time) kid. It kills me. Not just from a financial perspective, but from a "what is this world coming to" perspective.
For the most part, I have to admit, I am not entirely affected by this drought. I have an amazing situation for which I am incredibly thankful. However, I do need a backup plan(s) for those times when my normal care is just not available. And it does happen, and in those moments I reach a low level of panic because I have no safety net. I have no reliable resources beyond my friends. This last offseason/early season, I did find two local providers who were wonderful and I know that I can always call them in a pinch. I'm more than happy to pay for good care, and I don't often have to, but I cannot imagine having to fork over the amount of money some other parents do on a regular basis. Seriously it would be close to my ENTIRE salary if Char was in full time care at a standard facility. I just don't even know how people do it. It blows my mind that we as a community cannot find a better way to meet this basic need.
Something that was brought up at the meeting was the attitude of some non-parents. It has been said that people with children would be getting special treatment if they got childcare assistance. To those people I say: Were you never a child? Were you never in daycare? Were you always in the arms of family? Did your parents never struggle to make sure you were properly cared for? Do you like to see your friends struggle? Do you want children to see their parents stressed out? Do you not care about the well being of your company-mates and the future of our world? Have you never been aware of the wonder that children hold, how fast they can internalize the struggles of adults, and how they are immensely affected by the attitude of the community around them? Are you so selfish and self centered that you cannot see that we as an entire company and community will MAKE BETTER ART if this one burden was taken away from some of us? OPEN YOUR EYES AND YOUR HEARTS!!! Be present. Be a part of a change for the better. Be part of a brighter future for the whole community.
I want my daughter to grow up without having to worry about who is taking care of her. I want her to always feel appreciated and loved and looked after no matter where she is. I don't want to have to stress out about money or time or who is taking care of her tonight while I'm at work til 11-12-1-2-whenever. And I want everyone with children to experience the same sense of calm over their childcare situation. I know that is not the case, and I want to change that.
LIttlest Electrician
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Opening, Discouragement, Hope, and other things
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has officially opened its 2014 season. The Cocoanut had a fantastic opening night, including child bothering, Artistic Director lap sitting, wedding ring stealing, and much more pure comedy. A great night was followed by 3 days off. Unheard of. I'm a little out of it right now because I'm not used to all this time. We go for round 2 tomorrow. Let the improv games begin!
I've been feeling internal pressure for my Tupperware business. I'm not getting parties, which means I'm not getting sales. I think I'm picking the wrong places to hand out catalogs, as I am mainly going to businesses. They are hard to follow up with. Here in Talent it is a little easier because a few people I can talk to directly, but in Ashland I'm more anonymous. While I was lamenting exactly this yesterday, my beau pointed out that I have still be going at it, no matter what the outcome, and he thought I was doing a really job. I have been working hard at selling this weeks special promotion, and that is going fairly well, thanks to the help of my amazing big sister in California. I am ever so grateful that she has stepped up to the challenge.
At the beginning of the week, I was $200 and 2 weeks away from my first major Tupperware goal. If I can sell $200 retail value worth of product by March 8th, the company will pick up the remaining $69 owed on my business kit, which means I'll have gone into business for myself for only $30. Whoa. That being said... I've already bought a bunch of stuff for myself! Lol! Not to mention sales aids. So I've already put more than $69 into the business. This is why I will feel completely downhearted if I cannot make that goal. As of earlier today I was $170 away, not including the sales that will go in at the end of the week. Those will put me closer to $100 left. $100!!! In a week! Oi. I know I can do it if I can just find the right people to ask to either have a party or buy a few items. I mean, if I could get 5 people to spend $20... done. The problem that I run into is asking. Because it's sales right? Not a charity. Though in reality it is a sort of charity. It's the "Make sure both Charlotte and Maria eat in the off season, because Maria gets really cranky when she's not eating enough" charity. And trust me, I'm probably still not eating enough out of fear of running out of funds somewhere down the line. But that is my hyper-money-conscious, must-plan-way-in-advance self reacting that way. I know it's not all as dire as that. I have already had some very generous offers from family and friends. From the bottom of my heart (and stomach!) I am thankful. And Charlotte doesn't even realize it, but she is thankful too.
Still... I'm selling something. Therefore it's income. And therefore, since it is really benefiting only me and requiring others to spend their hard earned money toward my personal cause, it is extremely difficult to ask. Putting myself out there is not something I do easily, but I am getting better at it. This is my personal challenge to myself and why I am going to stick with this no matter the outcome. I need to do this to further myself personally so I can further myself professionally in any path. Confidence is key. And success is about determination. Not hearing "No" but hearing the hidden requests, the unspoken information, that will get the "Yes".
I've been feeling internal pressure for my Tupperware business. I'm not getting parties, which means I'm not getting sales. I think I'm picking the wrong places to hand out catalogs, as I am mainly going to businesses. They are hard to follow up with. Here in Talent it is a little easier because a few people I can talk to directly, but in Ashland I'm more anonymous. While I was lamenting exactly this yesterday, my beau pointed out that I have still be going at it, no matter what the outcome, and he thought I was doing a really job. I have been working hard at selling this weeks special promotion, and that is going fairly well, thanks to the help of my amazing big sister in California. I am ever so grateful that she has stepped up to the challenge.
At the beginning of the week, I was $200 and 2 weeks away from my first major Tupperware goal. If I can sell $200 retail value worth of product by March 8th, the company will pick up the remaining $69 owed on my business kit, which means I'll have gone into business for myself for only $30. Whoa. That being said... I've already bought a bunch of stuff for myself! Lol! Not to mention sales aids. So I've already put more than $69 into the business. This is why I will feel completely downhearted if I cannot make that goal. As of earlier today I was $170 away, not including the sales that will go in at the end of the week. Those will put me closer to $100 left. $100!!! In a week! Oi. I know I can do it if I can just find the right people to ask to either have a party or buy a few items. I mean, if I could get 5 people to spend $20... done. The problem that I run into is asking. Because it's sales right? Not a charity. Though in reality it is a sort of charity. It's the "Make sure both Charlotte and Maria eat in the off season, because Maria gets really cranky when she's not eating enough" charity. And trust me, I'm probably still not eating enough out of fear of running out of funds somewhere down the line. But that is my hyper-money-conscious, must-plan-way-in-advance self reacting that way. I know it's not all as dire as that. I have already had some very generous offers from family and friends. From the bottom of my heart (and stomach!) I am thankful. And Charlotte doesn't even realize it, but she is thankful too.
Still... I'm selling something. Therefore it's income. And therefore, since it is really benefiting only me and requiring others to spend their hard earned money toward my personal cause, it is extremely difficult to ask. Putting myself out there is not something I do easily, but I am getting better at it. This is my personal challenge to myself and why I am going to stick with this no matter the outcome. I need to do this to further myself personally so I can further myself professionally in any path. Confidence is key. And success is about determination. Not hearing "No" but hearing the hidden requests, the unspoken information, that will get the "Yes".
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Sorry babe, but we're not best friends
My boyfriend is rad. But he's not my best friend. And he knows it, cause I've told him so. And he agrees with me.
I regularly see in social and standard media people referring to their partners as their best friends. On both sides. And this is great, for those people. I absolutely, sincerely, love love and people being in love, and if for some of those people that means they as a couple are best friends, I applaud them. But for me, I need an outside source, someone I can "dish" to.
Now, this doesn't mean that my beau and I don't communicate well. This is probably the most honest and open relationship I've had. We can talk about anything, but we don't. There are things I do not share with him because frankly he doesn't care. Nor should he. And I don't need all the intricate details of every interest he has ever had, thankyouverymuch. Yet, the conversations keep rolling. We are constantly learning new things about each other, and it is amazing. We are not afraid to tell each other the silliest things we can think of. We are also not afraid to be upset in front of or with each other. Sometimes we're a little too open. A regular question we both say out loud is "Why am I telling you this?" He's the only person I've ever met that talks more than me, so you can imagine how wordy we are together. But no matter how much we share, he is not my best friend.
My best friends are a couple of ladies and another dude. Why do I consider them best friends and not my boyfriend?? Because in moments of truth, their love is unconditional. Because we can say the hard thing without fear of rejection. Because loneliness isn't a consequence of a misunderstanding. Because sometimes I need to complain about my guy, and he is not the appropriate audience.
I can tell my wonderful, thoughtful, caring, infuriating, perplexing darling anything I choose. And sometimes I choose to spare him because those are the things that best friends are for.
I regularly see in social and standard media people referring to their partners as their best friends. On both sides. And this is great, for those people. I absolutely, sincerely, love love and people being in love, and if for some of those people that means they as a couple are best friends, I applaud them. But for me, I need an outside source, someone I can "dish" to.
Now, this doesn't mean that my beau and I don't communicate well. This is probably the most honest and open relationship I've had. We can talk about anything, but we don't. There are things I do not share with him because frankly he doesn't care. Nor should he. And I don't need all the intricate details of every interest he has ever had, thankyouverymuch. Yet, the conversations keep rolling. We are constantly learning new things about each other, and it is amazing. We are not afraid to tell each other the silliest things we can think of. We are also not afraid to be upset in front of or with each other. Sometimes we're a little too open. A regular question we both say out loud is "Why am I telling you this?" He's the only person I've ever met that talks more than me, so you can imagine how wordy we are together. But no matter how much we share, he is not my best friend.
My best friends are a couple of ladies and another dude. Why do I consider them best friends and not my boyfriend?? Because in moments of truth, their love is unconditional. Because we can say the hard thing without fear of rejection. Because loneliness isn't a consequence of a misunderstanding. Because sometimes I need to complain about my guy, and he is not the appropriate audience.
I can tell my wonderful, thoughtful, caring, infuriating, perplexing darling anything I choose. And sometimes I choose to spare him because those are the things that best friends are for.
Whirlwinds
The last few days have been difficult. I was in tech all week, which meant little time at home or with my baby. It definitely showed in both instances.
Sunday night, Char Star slept with me, cause I was tired and just wanted to cuddle. She doesn't not stay in one position though, so I am often woken up by little feet or hands jabbing at me. I am okay with this. But it did mean little good sleep.
Monday was a train wreck of a day, with one decent spot toward the end. Both Char and I were tired and cranky. We got into a screaming match at one point because she destroyed the downstairs and I really didn't have time to clean it up. But I did anyway, and instead of taking a short nap when she did, I had to spend all the time taking care of my business and the house. I also didn't get to clean my room at all, which had previous been a priority.
Monday night was my first doTERRA class. It was a moderate success. I had 3 people come, one of whom is on my team, the other two are new to EOs. I think it went very well, especially since we went over time discussing all the different oils and ways to use them. I will be setting up one on one consults with each of the ladies that came, and eventually holding a Medicine Cabinet Makeover with one of them. I will be incredibly happy to get two new enrollments.
After we got home, it took awhile to get Char to sleep and that just put me over the edge. Thankfully for me, but problematic for him, Ed had come over. He helped a bleary, teary, tired, frazzled mama get herself and her house back together. I felt bad that he walked into a terrible situation, but he took it in stride.
Yesterday I felt alot better. My day started well and ended wonderfully when I came home to a surprise. Very clean house!! Ed finished what we started the night before. I immediately texted him thank you. He said it seemed like I needed a break. Yeah, that's an understatement!!!! He even changed the sheets on my bed and folded some of Char's laundry. Geez, sometimes he just really blows me away. It's too bad he wasn't actually here for me to give him a huge hug.
Today begins anew. I'm rested. I have a plan. Hopefully I have time. I have a beautiful baby girl and a thoughtful caring beau. Time to go out and kick this world's ass!!
Sunday night, Char Star slept with me, cause I was tired and just wanted to cuddle. She doesn't not stay in one position though, so I am often woken up by little feet or hands jabbing at me. I am okay with this. But it did mean little good sleep.
Monday was a train wreck of a day, with one decent spot toward the end. Both Char and I were tired and cranky. We got into a screaming match at one point because she destroyed the downstairs and I really didn't have time to clean it up. But I did anyway, and instead of taking a short nap when she did, I had to spend all the time taking care of my business and the house. I also didn't get to clean my room at all, which had previous been a priority.
Monday night was my first doTERRA class. It was a moderate success. I had 3 people come, one of whom is on my team, the other two are new to EOs. I think it went very well, especially since we went over time discussing all the different oils and ways to use them. I will be setting up one on one consults with each of the ladies that came, and eventually holding a Medicine Cabinet Makeover with one of them. I will be incredibly happy to get two new enrollments.
After we got home, it took awhile to get Char to sleep and that just put me over the edge. Thankfully for me, but problematic for him, Ed had come over. He helped a bleary, teary, tired, frazzled mama get herself and her house back together. I felt bad that he walked into a terrible situation, but he took it in stride.
Yesterday I felt alot better. My day started well and ended wonderfully when I came home to a surprise. Very clean house!! Ed finished what we started the night before. I immediately texted him thank you. He said it seemed like I needed a break. Yeah, that's an understatement!!!! He even changed the sheets on my bed and folded some of Char's laundry. Geez, sometimes he just really blows me away. It's too bad he wasn't actually here for me to give him a huge hug.
Today begins anew. I'm rested. I have a plan. Hopefully I have time. I have a beautiful baby girl and a thoughtful caring beau. Time to go out and kick this world's ass!!
Saturday, February 15, 2014
The home stretch
This has been a rough week. I am tired. Tomorrow night is first preview for The Cocoanuts. I will have to try not to cackle with an audience on the other side of the glass. It is not sound proof.
Today I did something crazy for me. I talked to strangers. A bunch of strangers. We did a Tupperware event called "Embrace the Community" where we went out as a team and just talked to people. We offered them little gifts and had drawing entry forms they could fill out. As one guy pointed out "they're trying to get contacts." Well, yes. Of course. It's network marketing. It's all about contacts. 2 of my people won prizes, so that was cool. And I now have a bunch of people I'll be sending catalogs to. Even if they don't have a party, they were interested in the product. Funnily, most of the people I got were younger. But we all had a great time, and it was awesome to connect with my Tupperware teammates and get to know them better. Doing things like that also helps me come out of my shell a little more, which is the only way either of my ventures are going to work.
Numbers update: Put in a $200 RS order on Friday, which means I am now down to $250 by March 8th. Three weeks!!! I have to get at least two parties squeezed in somewhere, as my average right now is around $100/party. I'm hoping these leads today will help.
Monday is my first doTERRA class. I'm very excited! Though I just realized a bunch of stuff I bought for it might not get here cause it's a holiday. Ugh. Well, I haven't checked the mail today, and it's highly possible it's already here. If not, copy machines exist.
Okay, I"m fading. I really want to say more about the class but my brain is getting fuzzy.
Today I did something crazy for me. I talked to strangers. A bunch of strangers. We did a Tupperware event called "Embrace the Community" where we went out as a team and just talked to people. We offered them little gifts and had drawing entry forms they could fill out. As one guy pointed out "they're trying to get contacts." Well, yes. Of course. It's network marketing. It's all about contacts. 2 of my people won prizes, so that was cool. And I now have a bunch of people I'll be sending catalogs to. Even if they don't have a party, they were interested in the product. Funnily, most of the people I got were younger. But we all had a great time, and it was awesome to connect with my Tupperware teammates and get to know them better. Doing things like that also helps me come out of my shell a little more, which is the only way either of my ventures are going to work.
Numbers update: Put in a $200 RS order on Friday, which means I am now down to $250 by March 8th. Three weeks!!! I have to get at least two parties squeezed in somewhere, as my average right now is around $100/party. I'm hoping these leads today will help.
Monday is my first doTERRA class. I'm very excited! Though I just realized a bunch of stuff I bought for it might not get here cause it's a holiday. Ugh. Well, I haven't checked the mail today, and it's highly possible it's already here. If not, copy machines exist.
Okay, I"m fading. I really want to say more about the class but my brain is getting fuzzy.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Long day's journey
Into a late night. Still at work. I'm not getting out of here at midnight. I really hate these long days. They make me nervous about driving home with Char because I'm so tired. It is also irritating that my schedule has been changed twice today, resulting in a way longer day than I was prepared for.
I want to cry. My baby doesn't care about my work schedule. She's going to be awake at 7am no matter when I get to sleep. I have to work the schedule they give me, which doesn't and shouldn't account for my baby. Not to mention we are currently getting our schedule one week at a time, about 3-4 days in advance right now. Makes it difficult to plan for anything.
In better news I got another Tupperware sale today and am pretty sure I've made as consistent doTERRA customer. Little victories.
I want to cry. My baby doesn't care about my work schedule. She's going to be awake at 7am no matter when I get to sleep. I have to work the schedule they give me, which doesn't and shouldn't account for my baby. Not to mention we are currently getting our schedule one week at a time, about 3-4 days in advance right now. Makes it difficult to plan for anything.
In better news I got another Tupperware sale today and am pretty sure I've made as consistent doTERRA customer. Little victories.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
So much for going to bed early!!
I told myself an hour ago that I was going to bed in half an hour!! Obviously that's not so, and I didn't even finish everything I wanted to do tonight. Though I am closer.
I spent some time working on the Success Challenge through my Success Planner and Lead Guide. Some deep stuff there. Sunday I went to Arin Ingraham's Pathway to Diamond seminar at Ashland Springs Hotel and it was a total kick in the ass. In a very good way. I now have more tools to get further ahead in my business. I've done some brainstorming and idea bouncing and I think I have come up with ways in both businesses to generate interest. I'm having a class on Monday, for which I made flyers tonight that I can pass around tomorrow. A few big ones and some smaller leaflets. I need to invest in some plain cardstock.
Today I downloaded Napolean Hill's Think and Grow Rich. I have read the intro. I'm excited to get into the meat of the book. It is suggested in the forward that the reader only tackle one chapter a day, so that will be my goal. I'm not sure how reasonable that is with everything I have going on currently, but at the very least, I will say that if I start a chapter, I will finish it that day. I'd like to read through the book by the end of the month, and then read it a second time. There are plenty more books I need to be reading too, in general. I should finish the Wheel of Time series. I'm on book... uh... 10? Stuff is getting good! I hope some of my predictions are right.
I spent some time working on the Success Challenge through my Success Planner and Lead Guide. Some deep stuff there. Sunday I went to Arin Ingraham's Pathway to Diamond seminar at Ashland Springs Hotel and it was a total kick in the ass. In a very good way. I now have more tools to get further ahead in my business. I've done some brainstorming and idea bouncing and I think I have come up with ways in both businesses to generate interest. I'm having a class on Monday, for which I made flyers tonight that I can pass around tomorrow. A few big ones and some smaller leaflets. I need to invest in some plain cardstock.
Today I downloaded Napolean Hill's Think and Grow Rich. I have read the intro. I'm excited to get into the meat of the book. It is suggested in the forward that the reader only tackle one chapter a day, so that will be my goal. I'm not sure how reasonable that is with everything I have going on currently, but at the very least, I will say that if I start a chapter, I will finish it that day. I'd like to read through the book by the end of the month, and then read it a second time. There are plenty more books I need to be reading too, in general. I should finish the Wheel of Time series. I'm on book... uh... 10? Stuff is getting good! I hope some of my predictions are right.
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