All manner of housekeeping

First, some bloggy housekeeping.

1.Some of you lovely folk leave me comments and I click over to your Wordpress blogs, leave a comment too and I know it disappears into The Cyberspace.

If you've visited and left a comment, please check your spam folder. I would hate to appear inhospitable :)

(especially since I had such a lovely conversation with someone last night about hospitality)

2. And the Google + folks - I don't know how the heck to find your blogs - I just click on something and hope it goes to the right place where I'm leaving comments ...

3. Last but very definitely not least, the normal comments are behaving in a terrible fashion. I don't mind (okay, I do) them behaving badly ALL the time, but I do go a bit crazy when they're erratic in their behaving badly fashion.

So, some of your comments come through to email and some don't. Sam tried to help me decipher this "huge bloggy dilemma" over supper the other night, and we think it's got something to do with people commenting from WP accounts. It would be WP, wouldn't it? Because I hate it something terrible.

Do you know the only reason I blog on Organising Queen using WP is because when I was going through The Crazy Newborn Stage (that lasted a year), I needed a scheduling tool and at the time, Blogger didn't offer it, so I paid my lovely technical VA to move everything to WP all so I could schedule posts. Or use the times of less-than-totally-crazy for good.



Mental housekeeping

This may not be a shock for some of you but it was for me. I realised about two weeks ago that I'm actually never going to go back to work at the old secret place.

Is that strange?

It started when I was trying to make a friend date and I said, "I'll meet you at ____ shopping centre, but not at That Place".

Even when I totally get over the issues, I know I'm the type who doesn't look back. Also, this may be paranoia talking but I'm sure some people have badmouthed me.

So that's that.

Very strange to admit it to myself but totally freeing.

Business-y housekeeping

I went through my mailing list system last week and had a ball deleting things. I went down from about 43 templates to just 6. Yes! I love deleting things!

As part of that process, I also went through printables I'd created, added them to a members site I have going and sent out the link to all previous and current users of my ecourses, and clients, of course. It felt delicious (Sam, I always think of you when I use the word "delicious") to have all that stuff being used and the old things off my site.

I also made sure all my articles are in the online directories I use. When my VA is done uploading them all (this is important but not urgent - we have two lists we work from), there'll be 103.



Real housekeeping

Some of you on IG saw me start the real house stuff. I went through my kitchen and Nanny S went home with half a table of stuff on Friday. That was after the 5 jerseys and two maternity long-sleeved tops I decluttered.

I love my wardrobe with white space!

Next I'm attacking those handbags.

D asked me if I want a bag for my birthday and I said NO!!!! I mean, no, thank you, I have quite enough :)

this is not my house - I need to tell you about this though!

So where have you been doing housekeeping in your life?

PS on my list today, to do the personal budget (business is done and tithe paid) and sort out my My Documents. I've been downloading like crazy and just dumping things willy nilly. It's got to stop!

Working like a slave and overcoming procrastination

I've been working like a slave the past couple of nights:

Thursday - prepped my talk for tomorrow night

Friday - did the handout

Saturday - completely prepped my workshop for Tues and did the handbook and emailed the people who have registered thus far. Another mailing goes out tomorrow so there will be a last couple of stragglers, there always is.

I must say, even though it felt like a lot of pressure, I love this new way I'm doing things because it's actually saving me time.

Before I used to put together all the content, do the handbook and THEN start marketing (and hope I had enough people to make the time spent worthwhile).

This time I wrote out about 5 - 6 lines of what I wanted to cover, put up a sales page and waited for the people to register.


And of course only then churned the content and handbook out last night.

It felt a bit overwhelming when I first started but I did my procrastination trick (I tell myself I only need to work for 15 minutes and if it's really not coming together, if I'm not "flowing", then I can put it off til another day) and sure enough, the writing flowed (it always does) and now it's done.

It's about 7 pages longer than I was aiming for (23 instead of about 16 - I just thought 8 pages in an hour... 16 pages in 2 hours...) but it is nice and comprehensive and one person already emailed me back to say she's very excited for Tuesday.

And now I need to write some blog posts for Mon and Tues, because I'll be out on Mon til 9:30 and then busy on Tues til 9 pm again.

What are your tricks to overcome procrastination?

PS I feel like a genius and also a bit of a fool - you are going to be AMAZED at my post tomorrow about how I'm saving lots of money :) (I also spent R1100 today on plastics so don't get jealous yet :))

PPS finished the Happiness Project - loved it (8 out of 10) and want to start putting up some blog posts

Good news and a wake-up call

Last week Thursday I had my annual gynae appointment.

I was kept waiting for 40 minutes which does not impress me in the least, but that's not the point of this story.

When I eventually got into his rooms, this is how the conversation goes:

Him So how are you doing?

Me Fine

Him Is there anything you're worried about in your life?

Me (thinking) well, I'm 150% sure you don't want to hear about my business woes and my website that's constantly getting hacked. even my friends don't care

Me Um, a few things

Him Well, your blood results came back from the lab and your ____ levels are elevated.

Me (eyebrows shoot up) WHAT?!

Him Well, let's have a look and then we'll talk.

So he examined me, did my Pap smear, took blood pressure, checked b**bs, whatnot.... and he says, "oh, there's a cyst" (almost like a pleasant surprise - what's with that?!) when he scanned me "but otherwise you're a very healthy young lady".

(I'm loving how people call me, a 37-year-old, a young lady)

But that's good.

Anyway, so I put all my clothes back on and go have the chat.

On the bright side, the endo is under control.

So even though the birth control patches make me slightly pudgy, they are keeping the endo at bay which is FABULOUS.

I've had 4 gynaecological surgeries aside from the C-section and all of those were for endometriosis. Obviously I'm very keen to not have any more unnecessary surgeries if we can keep the endo at bay with birth control.

He feels the same as I do.

But here's the interesting thing.

Despite me thinking I'm all cool and being zen about this website/ business thing, my blood is telling another story.

Not only that, but that cyst is because of stress.

I'm quite amazed.

Amazed that there are all these other symptoms of things going on so there's no more pretending.



The cyst is not serious and will probably disappear again because those ____ levels are not crazy high, just elevated to above normal.

But I took that as a wake-up call.

I don't want other stuff going on in my body (we won't mention those other scary words!!!) when I can do something about the stress, for instance.

I need to relax more.

Last week Tuesday night I looked at my business to-do list for the week.

I'm very ambitious and love pushing myself hard to achieve. ALL self-imposed, of course.

But I thought, "I actually just want to read and relax tonight".

I had things to do though. What I did do is work out a new time schedule for the week.

I've cut down my business hours by one-third so I can build in more time to relax. And I'm taking a three-day weekend except for quick sales fulfillment that literally takes less than 5 minutes because I have my systems set up.

And since I made that decision last Tuesday, I tripled my weekly sales and got a new client.

Hmmm. Do you think God's trying to tell me something?

So that's it.

I'm going to still set my weekly goals (what is Marcia without goals?!) but once my allocated time is up for the week, then it's time to relax.


How well do you listen to your body?


Is this too woo-woo for you?




P.S. What do you think of the new blogger interface? Hmmm, I'm still finding my way around but I don't like that it looks like WP because I hate WP with a passion. One thing I'm loving is seeing how many page views vs comments I'm getting :) (the cry baby linky got 203 page views vs 18 comments)

Five on Friday

1. When you skip ONE day of reading blogs and your reader announces that you have 120 unread items, it's time to declutter blogs. I'm also thinking about re-categorising my blogs into those I comment on and those I don't, so that I can focus my attention if I'm pressed for time.

2. Last night I was really, really not in the mood to socialise especially after the website story (I'm sure you guys are so tired of hearing about this - imagine how I feel!) but we had our fertility babies six-weekly get together. As usual, it was lovely to get out and connect with the girls, talk nonsense, laugh at other people's parenting issues knowing you're all in the same boat and just have a good time.

3. Straight after my post, I had two coaching calls, one of them with my coach. She listened, listened and listened some more, we chatted a bit and then she prayed for me. I then sent her a section of this post and she sent me the MOST wonderfully encouraging email last night.

4. I've been on a mentoring course for the last two days and it has been fabulous. I'm not much for a lot of theory but I had tons of insights which I have noted down should I feel the need to blog these at any point :)

5. And I've got to say it's really, really nice when the thing you think you're awesome at (for me, coaching) is affirmed by total strangers. They require us to use some specific models with our mentees which I don't use in my business but despite all that, the process still felt very natural to me and the woman had to pry us out of role play (me and my partner) because we were so into it.

And for me?

Well, I have not been getting to bed quite as early as I'd like but it has been earlier than last week.

I haven't exercised this week and I won't go tomorrow morning either.

But I have been kind to myself.

I worked really hard when in the office this week (all of two days!) and even though there are things that are undone, I'm not going into my work email to work this weekend.

I cancelled a workshop that I felt was just too much to do at this point.

I have not been beating myself up about this website. I breathed and wrote to the web person and am taking it easy. Well, for me.

I asked God for clarity and the best way to fix everything and today I twigged that I could take down the hacked page while the website is being fixed. So hopefully things look alright now, otherwise tough. I am done.

What have you done for yourself this week?

You are kidding me

Poor Julia got an "earful" when she emailed me last night to ask me if everything is fine with my website.

See, I had someone mail me to tell me they couldn't access a page on my site.

An "earful" is me venting on the computer :)

I sent the person's email to the web lady who fixed it all the last time and I've just checked and she's replied.

My website's been hacked again.

I honest-to-goodness do NOT have the fortitude to deal with this ANOTHER month in a row. That was 1 July to about 14 July, and here we are again, 3 Aug (yesterday), a month later.

No way!

Why me? We fixed everything, I've been checking for updates, etc.

What am I supposed to do?

I'm so glad I'm fresh off an emotional intelligence course because I'm "pausing" now before I respond and take action.

In any event, if you care, please just pray for my mental energy and clarity of thought.

Because I am THIS close to clicking delete.


New post here

A bit down/ 40th

It's very strange for me to feel so blah about life but I really, really, REALLY want July to be over.

I know I can just "shake things off" and yes, I'm trying but there's this pervasive feeling of stress and anxiety lurking in the background.

I really feel like my website being hacked "knocked me for a six" and more than that, wondering where my resilience is. This type of thing wouldn't even have shaken me before and look at me now.

Also I did the budgets last night (on time for a change) and while our personal budget is seriously looking good (and actually balances - no missing money!) the business one is terrible.

From a purely business perspective I could easily just stop the whole thing BUT and this is the thing... I know that God gave me a vision for speaking encouragement and inspiring action to hundreds and hundreds of women. If I take a moment, I can close my eyes and see it plain as day.

I know that is my destiny.

And there's nothing in life that scares me more than not fulfilling my potential. Nothing.

I am trying to be faithful with my gifts.

But yet the question is - am I really making a difference if no-one's being impacted? Of course not. So what's the point?

And I can't justify all the time, effort, energy and money if there's such a small return.

I think I'm doing all the things that people say to do. Marketing regularly, providing good content, etc.

I know a lot of this introspection is also because my birthday's coming up in a mere 13 days and it's a good chance to do some soul-searching, adjust goals and correct the course of my life.

When I turned 30, I had a party and sent around a book for people to write notes in. A friend wrote something like "only 30 and already you've done so much".

That was cute at the time but I now feel "nearly 37 and what have you done the last 7 years?"

(except for the babies, that is)

*sigh*

There is no point to this bit of the blog post except to say, if you pray, please pray for me. I could use some encouragement and/ or clarity/ wisdom.

Thanks.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who thinks so much about fulfilling her potential and making a difference. I know I'm not, I just feel that way because not many people talk about this stuff.

Do you think about these things?

************************************

D was still way too sick to take care of the kids by himself on Sat and wanted me to cancel my colleague's 40th but I just can't do that. I know how annoying it is when people RSVP yes and don't pitch, even with valid excuses, and I really wanted to just be there for her.

So I sent my MIL a text "from D" in his tone and language (no frills, just the facts :)) and of course she agreed to come "help him" with the babies.

While I was giving the kids their breakfast I realised we were totally out of bread (we ate my last two hot cross buns from the freezer) so I did a run to the shops. I thought I may be late for my 10:30 hair appt only to find out that it was a 10:00 appt and I was in Pick & Pay at 9:55.

I phoned and she said she could do me at 10:30 too so I whizzed around tossing food into the trolley, paid and raced to the hairdresser.

Raced home, dressed, raced to the venue.

About 5 minutes away from home I realised I'd forgotten my present so raced back, got present and again raced to the venue, our beautiful building at work.

I hope I'm still working there when I turn 40 because I am so having my 40th function there too.

It is just such a magnificent building.

Of course I was a little late and she made a comment which didn't land properly with me.

(a cute thing I learned on the course on Friday was the word "land" - how is that "landing" with you? :))

She does score low on the intrapersonal scale (I'm not fantastic on that scale either btw) but I sat and seethed a bit until I heard her say the same thing to the next 3 latecomers. Sadly, that made me feel better.

I had a lovely time even though I knew no-one at the table.

A did a lovely thing which was to write down something nice about EVERYONE there (similar to what Kirsten did at her baby shower) and she said these things out loud. To about 36 - 40 women.

Yes, some tears were shed. Not by me (my nice stuff was just about being so organised even after the twins were born - I say "I need to be organised otherwise I'd be crazier") though.

Food was good, speeches were lovely and I had a delightful conversation with the photographer, interestingly enough.

Gave her some advice but also learned a thing or two from her, not about photography but about ministry.

I was just ready to leave when I saw D'd sent me two texts asking me to pick up some things.

Do you know how I hate being sent for things? Especially random stuff.

But I tried and after trying two shops, just gave up on one and spent too much money on the other because I wanted to get home to the babies.

D was totally out of it but my MIL and the kids were having lots of fun playing outside.

I love arriving home and hearing their voices go "Mummy!" (K) and "Marcia!" (Connor - this is a new thing which I still find cute) with such happiness and excitement, so much so that I can't be a grouch.

Crazy times and we didn't even bath them last night.

I just felt like I was running right from the time I woke and I needed time out.

Anyway, I plan to have a party for my 40th and this will be one that my kids can come to (they'll be 5 years old!). I like the idea of a "come as you want to be in 5 years' time" - it is so "me" - but who knows how I'll feel closer to the time.

By the way, for me it's not about an expensive party but about the celebration of life.

Do you have plans for your 40th?

PS Kendra and I had some girl time this afternoon. We went to get my prescription filled and then spent a rewards voucher at Exclusive Books on some . She is so tiny that she sat in the little shopping trolley basket, charming everybody :)

PPS I am totally back to normal from the stomach bug, enjoying creams, butter, all sorts of food again :)

So... not shortlisted and other bits and bobs

This morning when I got to work (ran to a meeting, I should say, to be more accurate), I saw some filming happening and twigged that it was part 2 of the auditions.

I was just thinking, "well, they really should have said thanks but no thanks" but then I saw an email had come through very early this morning.

Hmmm.

Anyway, 15 people were shortlisted but horror of horrors, they put ALL the auditions on the intranet.

Gosh!

Fortunately I'm number 58 or something so there's lots of scrolling to do to get to mine.

Once I have a look, I may post it just for a laugh IF you promise not to link to it and mention my company (the branding is very clear) in comments, other blogs, etc.

I do like my job and want to keep it.

*************************

Speaking of which, for the 5th year in a row I've been asked to complete the best companies survey. Every year I desperately hope they won't pick me and I scream when I get the email.

Aaaarghh!

They all laughed this year when they heard the scream from my desk but really, out of 1200 people, I'm in a random sample of 350 every single year? I think not.

*************************

I am STILL stressed about this website of mine.

My main (old) website is fixed but I bought a new, more in line with my current coaching topic, domain and this new one does one thing and one thing only - it redirects to the old website.

This new domain still shows all those hacking messages and I can't get the Google instructions to work to verify that it's mine because I have to upload a google file (done) and then click on that link to verify. Of course it brings up the warning and doesn't verify, so it's a catch 22.

I really had to exercise extreme self-control last night as I wanted to a) cry and b) click on delete website in my dashboard.

Instead I prayed and asked for peace and calm and worked on the darn thing for HOURS. Hours I intended to write blog posts and workshop material.

Oh yes, I'm having a workshop, live and in-person in Jhb. I'll tell you all when I've put together the content.

It takes me 2 hours what it will take a tech person 10 minutes to do. This is NOT my unique brilliance and I've been so frustrated.

I'm THIS close to doing the following:

a) deleting the domain
b) paying my virtual assistant to sit and manually edit the URL on 62 of my online articles to the old URL (SUCH a waste of money)
c) order new business cards - I have not one, but TWO sets printed with the new URL. Again, R1000 down the drain (and the one set is STUNNING, from moo)

My friend Nat told me last week that I shouldn't sweat the small stuff and yes, I get that it's not life and death, but it is SO frustrating my shoulders are in knots.

Remember the new URL has been "out there" for nearly a year and so I keep getting very kind people (my readers are the best though) sending me these helpful emails like, "I'm not sure if you know this but it looks like there's something wrong with your website".

I want to just scream. Or punch something.

This is not me, not professional!

I'll let you know after I speak to another two people tonight, one my coach.

*************************

Let's end off on a good note.

Here are some pics my friend, Caren, took and sent through to me. These are so special and I'm so grateful for them as I'm in just that one pic on the photographer's blog.

I love this little girl so much! She has the best neck for kissing. Connor has the best cheeks :)

How's your week been?

PS From the sounds of it, many of us are having really trying weeks. Even my colleague said she can't WAIT for Friday!

This week's me time

Last week when I participated in the 52 weeks challenge, I went to visit each of the people above me in the linky thing and someone said something about taking a day off work just because.

Hmmm.

I liked that idea and because I'd had such a busy weekend, I decided to do the same.

We have this automated leave application system at work - you put in your leave online and it sends a message to your line manager to approve it.

I like the efficiency but I don't like that it has removed the connection and talking part of it.

So if he's in the office, I tell him when I want to take leave and then do the online thing.

This week I chased after him and told him I wanted to take a half day's leave and sorry for the short notice.

He says, "oh, Marcia, what's wrong?"

I said, "oh nothing, I just need some time off because I'm knackered AND I had a busy weekend".

He laughed.

Anyway, the leave was approved and this afternoon I escaped to come home.

Did some quick shopping on the way home, played with the babies and then holed up in my study when they went for their nap and for an hour afterwards.

I've mentioned to one or two people behind the scenes of the blog that my friend's son's death has really thrown me - it's felt like "what is the point of ANYTHING?" and I've been stuck.

I had a look at my diary (daily planner) and I have NOTHING in there since I heard the news. Literally empty pages for three weeks.

Yes, I've been plodding along but if I stop to think more than 3 seconds, all the emotion comes flooding to the fore and I start crying again.

Yesterday was 4 weeks since his death and on Sunday in church, the message was about leaving hurts in the past and moving on.

Of course that really spoke to me and I decided to take some small action steps today.

I planned out my goals for April - June, did detailed planning for April (the book will now be written in May), did more planning on some teleseminars I plan to do over the next 3 months and it was good.

It's amazing for me (I don't know why it still amazes me because I know this is what happens) how creativity comes and how ideas just FLOW when I get organised with my planning first.

I'd originally planned to read and do nothing but I really do function best in an ordered environment, especially when my mind is organised :) so doing my goals was best for me today.

Other than today, I had the photo workshop on Monday, a massage on Tuesday... and tea with my lovely friend, Natalie on Wednesday to talk Mondo. Julia, you are on my list - we'll have some virtual tea soon and also talk Mondo. And on Thursday, I declared email bankruptcy :)

That's it from my side.

What did you do for yourself this week?

PS tomorrow is my first infertility talk. I only have 20 minutes but I'm prepared to talk very fast :)

I fired a client & me time

Despite one or two emotional things (like Mondo), I had a great week...after Monday.

• The babies are healthy again - gosh, is there anything better?
• Two recruitment agents contacted me about applying for jobs and the best? I happily declined because I'm already earning far more per month than what those companies are willing to pay. Even without the salary thing, this does WONDERS for my self-confidence!

Some of the things I did for me:

• I went to the fantastic Love Languages workshop
• I had my hair done on Thursday
  
• Today my tank is full as we went to visit an old friend for lunch (she and I stood next to each other in Chem Lab 19 years ago and that's how we became friends. today, neither of us is doing anything to do with chemistry, unless you count mixing bottles of formula :))
  
• I fired a client

Okay, more on the client thing.

this is not this particular client - this is an old pic I found on this computer - in fact, this lady was a GEM to work with

My intention is to work with people who value my expertise and respect my time and energy. This person clearly didn't (she's been 10 and 15 minutes late for telephone sessions) and stood me up twice, the second time without texting or emailing.

My policy is to reschedule if more than 24 hours' notice has been given, or if the reason is valid like sickness, etc. but if no cancellation, then no refund or rescheduling.

I'm very reasonable and so to be 100% fair, I have offered to do 20 mins of her 45-min session but if she is not prompt, then that's it.

There is just something about boundaries that's good for you and good for other people and by tiptoeing around it, I'm not doing me or her any favours :)

So that's what I did for me.

What did you do for yourself this week? Or what are you doing for yourself this weekend?

P.S. It's a public holiday in SA on Monday (Human Rights Day) so we have a long weekend but I have TONS to do. After I hit publish, I have to prepare my talk for Monday night and then assemble 4 travel journal kits.

Getting unstuck with Mondo, business bits and bobs, & Valentine's

I have been behind on my Mondo Beyondo stuff since a certain lesson two weeks ago.

I just got stuck and couldn't move.

I then chatted with my coach today (who has also done Mondo). Interestingly enough she got stuck at the same place and we are very different people.

Even more interesting, just the fact that I talked about it for a good 5 mins made me want to revisit the Mondo work.

So I did tonight.

I've just spent 3 hours "catching up". Now people on the forum said to just "be" and "marinate" and other such passive things that don't work for me. I'm a take action kind of gal.

And so I did. I read everything and commented on nearly every single lesson.

And guess what? someone wrote something that hit me between the eyes. They wrote the very thing that unlocked my being stuck.

I finally got why that lesson bothered me so much. I couldn't figure it out from the obvious but it's the hidden things.

Isn't that fantastic?

When I'm stuck, I basically become paralysed and need to figure things out (often with a coach) so I can take acion. Taking action always gets me moving again.

How do you get going when you're stuck with things, decisions, actions in your life?

One of the lessons was to look at your list and look for trends (they called it something else but that's basically it).

Mine all centred around being recognised for achievements, living a simpler life and travel. Oh, lots and lots of travel. Nearly a third of the list is travel.

***********************

In other news, one of my current clients told me that she wants extra coaching time. She was already on my most expensive coaching package so I am now officially being paid the most I've ever earned in my life.

MONDO! Best year ever.

It's not the money, it's what it represents - people recognising my expertise.

***********************

I also signed up a new client today - she asked for a quote yesterday and today phoned back. When I was about to discuss packages, she said, "oh the money is not an issue. I just need your help desperately" :) love it!

***********************

Also, I finally got a dvd from the tv show. Now I need to figure out how to upload just my snippet to YouTube and then I'll email you the link, Deanna. And anyone else who wants to see it.

***********************

I worked so well at work today and then again with the personal trainer that I am now absolutely finished, so off to bed.


Tomorrow D and I are going out for lunch, without babies, while V babysits, and then on Sunday afternoon we're going for a movie while MIL babysits. I hope she copes.

That's our Valentine's celebration. We don't do expensive gifts - living a simpler life and all that jazz...

To those who say you can celebrate your love any day, I'm going to ask, well, do you really? We all need opportunities to celebrate love.

So what are you doing? And if you're single, what are you going to do to love yourself?

P.S. whenever you see gorgeous pics of us, it's all thanks to Jeanette :)

There's nothing quite like a deadline

The TV segment airs probably next Sunday and I gave out my new website during the interview so I am frantically rewriting copy.

I've narrowed my niche a lot more from what I used to do and the website represents me more. It seems to be working as I have tons more clients.

Only thing is I'm having to rewrite most of it.

So I've been emailing clients for testimonials, uploading new pics, checking links, etc, etc.

Dreadfully boring (for me) but I have outsourced everything else possible and now the rest is up to me. Only I can write what I do in a compelling and passionate fashion :)

Or at least at a reasonable cost.

I paid a girl to write some copy for me on one of my sales pages for my bestselling product since I figured I make lots of money off that page anyway and .............. no difference. Also it seemed she just made more subheadings out of my existing copy. I was very cross. I hate wasting money.

So unless I can pay thousands (I can't and won't) I will do it all myself.

Last night I spent about 3.5 hours writing, tweaking, working on the website and am happy to say I finished 6 pages.

I have 2 main pages to go and then there are 4 off of the one. Those will have to wait for tomorrow and Tuesday.

I was FINISHED last night and actually had to take a Norflex because my back was so sore. My eyes were too and I couldn't even read!

Today I honoured my body and rested.

Took babies to church, did a quick stop off at the Crazy Store for some "aeroplane toys" and then home. It was crazy hot so after lunch we put them down for a nap and you know what? K slept for 2 hours and C slept for 2 hours 10 minutes. Unheard of.

The best thing is D and I also slept for 2 hours. May this be the first of many, many Sunday naps.

When they woke we played "boats" which is where each child sits in a plastic storage container and a parent pulls them around the entrance hall. They love it and I just love their little giggles.

Yesterday afternoon we had our Fertility Babies Christmas Party. We held it at a pre-school (one of the moms owns it) so it was fabulous - toys, sandpit, see-saw, etc, etc.

We got to see all the babies (the oldest kids are a year older than mine so it's nice to see the future, although those kids are SO well behaved) and best of all, meet the husbands. The host is a single mom who used donor sperm. D is very impressed that someone would do this parenting thing alone. So am I. I said to him, "well, think of Eve. Single and with TWINS."

She also did party packs for the kids which I loved, loved, loved. Homemade playdough with a little roller and two cookie cutters and best of all (you know how much I love notes), a note from her child saying something like "I asked my mom to make some for you too and here's the recipe in case your mommy wants to make some for you". D and I both LOVED it!

I've just wrapped 10 Christmas gifts - yay! My study is still a mess as this is the dumping ground for everything we're taking on holiday but it will have to wait til later this week to get tidy.

So, how was your weekend? And what are you looking forward to this week?

This week I'm looking forward to finding out what salary increase they're giving me. I have a feeling it's going to be bad... on the bright side, I'll then be happy to escape and go on HOLIDAY!

I survived the TV thing!

The cutest little girl in the world

I love squishing her!

Well, my hair was not looking the best it's ever looked but I was calm and centred when I got there and it was great.

(Thanks for your SMS, Caren - I appreciated it very much)

I wore black pants and a very un-Marcia-like top but it worked. I read in a recent book that because I'm a Choleric, I need to "soften" up my default setting of wearing black and red power suits (I squirmed when I read that because it is SO me).

So I wore a soft, chiffon-type top with ruffles (!) down the front. Very non-Marcia.

When I told D, "I bought a top that is the exact opposite of anything I'd ever buy, he described it to a T" - I love that he knows me so well LOL

I've said this before but it is SO wonderful working with professionals - I love it!

Everyone knew their place and did their thing beautifully.

The director was low-key and not overbearing, the sound guy was awesome, the camera guy was also fantastic and the presenter and I got on very well.

Her baby was born on my hubby's bday last year so my kids are 20 days older and we had tons to talk about, besides the time management.

The actual interview was great - she asked all the questions (very naturally and not forced at all) and I answered them all very nicely according to both the filming guy and the director.

They then filmed over my shoulder and some wide-angle shots, and then some footage of us walking on the balcony outside for intros, etc.

I love, love, LOVE anything "behind the scenes" so I was VERY intrigued to see exactly how they do things so there's continuity and how the hair must be "just so". Fascinating. I think I would be a good director actually. LOL

Do you also watch the "making of" clips on DVDs? Those are my favourites!

So it airs in a few weeks' time - eeek! {Is that apostrophe correct?}

And I can finally relax.

Although tonight's "relaxing" involved doing the budget.

I've made an appt with a financial planner for next week to come talk about updating our wills (Mash, I got scared silly after I read the article you posted on that online newspaper!) and seriously saving for the kids' education and boring things like that.

Now I've got to send a lovely thank-you email to those people and then off to bed.

How are you guys doing with Christmas prep? On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being all done? (I'm about a 6)

P.S. look at the beautiful jacarandas in the background - OH, I love them!

Hair drama and jealousy

So I had a hair appointment this afternoon to get my hair blowdried for the Tv thing tomorrow.

She'd just started when I saw it - TONS of grey.

I knew I needed a touch-up but I didn't know it was that bad.

I asked her if she could do a colour but there wasn't enough time before they close at 5pm so she couldn't help me.

I rushed out of there to Pick & Pay, bought some 10-minute hair colour and as soon as I hit publish, I will be doing my hair myself.

Now bear in mind that I can't actually blow dry my hair properly like the hairdresser can and tomorrow's thing is too early to go first and then get there, so I have to just do the best I can.

Oh, I'm dreading this evening.

Tomorrow, I need to just focus on the purpose of it all - me sharing my knowledge. The producer sent me some questions to get me thinking and she did a fabulous job - they are fantastic questions, things I could answer in my sleep.

So at least I don't have to worry about what to say.

Only about how the camera adds 10 pounds (as if I need any more help!) and about my crazy curly hair!

On the bright side, imagine how much more worrying I'd have to do if V was still at Home Affairs :)

As far as the babies are concerned, Kendra's started getting seriously jealous if D (mainly) or I pick up Connor. She howls and wails like we just told her we don't love her and her world is ending.

Yesterday when we got home after our date, V was busy bathing Kendra. I went into the bathroom, chatted a bit and D went to check on Connor.

D eventually comes into the bathroom, holding Connor. Kendra sees this and BURSTS out crying.

We thought she'd stop after he started talking to her but no. I had to take Connor so D could console her.

What on earth?!

We've had it very mildly before with Kendra, never with Connor, but never this WAILING for minutes on end!

Is this jealousy or something else?

P.S. Thanks to the comment from Sweets on yesterday's post, I now know exactly what to do for our babies' eventual passports. Just another reason I love blogging.

How we celebrated our one-year anniversary with nanny V

Today we celebrate one year with V.

D wrote her a lovely thank-you card - all true - about how much we appreciate her and we wouldn't have been able to do it without her.

I had one of those professional pics printed, put it in a nice photo frame and wrapped it.

Today was her first day back after all the Home Affairs drama.

Well, you should have heard the squeal when she opened her gift.

She loved it.


Yesterday D's mum looked after the babies in the morning and D took another half day to look after them in the afternoon. She said she LOVED her time with the babie.

I worked since I have that filming thing on Thursday... which is stressing me out, by the way. I have to keep reminding myself that it's going to be awesome when it is over, and then again when it airs. It will be fabulous on my media page as I'm going to market it until kingdom come. There's no way you can buy this kind of credibility. And hopefully it leads to TONS of speaking engagements since I am now ready with my new website :)

We applied for our new passports today - no, we're not planning a trip per se. It's just that I believe you need to be ready when Flight Centre sends out those emails I can't seem to resist. When I'm emotionally weak, I just delete them without opening otherwise I'd be booking holidays to South America. There's just something about using a credit card that doesn't feel like real money...

Anyway, the passport place is close to where MIL works and lives so I scored some points by phoning her and inviting her to lunch with us.

At which point things went a bit sour as D decided to talk about the Christmas plans and we were told they are our kids so it's our job to run around after them (true) and we shouldn't be lazy. Which is when I jumped in and said, we are definitely not lazy.

D is very all or nothing so he's like "well, that's it - we just won't go to functions" so I had to calm him down and say we'll think about it. Oy, family!

We then raced off to see Eat Pray Love and ... it was disappointing but that's because I read the book. No book has ever lived up to the movie, except for hunky John Cusack in Runaway Jury. Feel free to disagree :)

I loved the part in the movie where she said to her friend that she had a box under her bed of clippings, brochures, etc. of places she wanted to travel. I can relate.

Are you always passport-ready? Last year when I was pregnant, we planned a trip to Ireland and a week later we were off. Love it!

I went to gym this evening (new class and very good workout - the guy was new so I was showing off again - will be very sore tomorrow) and did stirfry for supper so am feeling very virtuous.

And now I need to go finish book number 7 for November, a lovely Irish book :)

Gosh! Things are moving

The speaking gigs are confirmed.

They are paying me my 50% deposit as we speak (yay!).

After dithering a bit on what to charge (as I've been out of it for two years what with the IVFs, pregnancy and baby stages), I just decided on a number and stuck with it.

I think I may have been a bit too low as they were VERY excited and said "great! we'll see you at the briefing meeting".

So off I toodle to Large Corporate on Tuesday and it turns out the client plus the event planner both had me in mind (separately) which is great and a nice confidence booster for me. Lovely when whatever you're doing marketing-wise somehow all works out. Even if you don't quite know what that is...

Three events are Jhb, Cape Town and Durban - 150 people, 50 and 35 people respectively. NEXT week!

But this is an EASY one for me - I need virtually no preparation as they loved the first topic I suggested, I don't need to prepare a slide presentation or handouts. Easy-peasy!

I just show up and do my thing.

Only thing is... I fitted on all my suits and they look disgusting on me (why, oh why are my thighs so fat!) so I'll be shopping this weekend in addition to having the babies' party.

Jhb gals - where can I find a nice suit quickly? I'll probably start with Woolworths...

Setting the intention

Isn't it strange how just putting something out there makes things happen?

Yesterday morning I wrote about how I was sure I wanted to do more speaking. When I got home, there in my inbox was a mail from an event planner looking for a speaker who was fun, quirky and practical!

I said "I am EXACTLY what you need" in my email back to them.

Things are hotting up - they liked my speaker profile and testimonials already and want the client (a corporate) to meet me next week..

Yayy!

I am petrified since I haven't done a HUGE event like this for about two years (just before IVF number 1 actually) but I know it's all normal and I will be great once I'm there next week and then on the actual speaking days (a series of three events).

I'm the fish Mike Murdock spoke about and speaking is the "water" in which I thrive.

Do you set intentions?

On the work front, it's performance appraisal time. Yuck and double yuck.

I enjoy the chatting and the feedback but it is a FARCE because while they say it's linked to bonuses and such, it actually isn't so it always feels a bit like "what is the point?!"

Oh, I have a feeling that this one will be a little different as I learned on my Expert Negotiator course that I give away too much to preserve the relationship (doesn't everybody?!).

To those who work outside the home (see how PC I'm getting? LOL), do you do performance appraisals? And how do you feel about them?

P.S. My friend with the twins, C, got a job after about 3 years of leaving corporate life! She'll be working for one of our partners from mid-July and is busy interviewing for a nanny for her girls. D & I have been praying for the perfect nanny for them as her husband is understandably anxious.

P.P.S. I can't believe it's July. We have 3 birthdays this month! I'm the odd one out :)

500 posts and a long, long list

I can't believe it - these last 100 posts have FLOWN by.


And post 400 was only on 3 March!

When I was going through that electricity thing and I had that headache, I realised that things need to change around here.

1. We gave notice to the tenants so at least we'll know that any future electricity usage is all ours.

2. I'm going to stop worrying about my business - nothing has changed and I am still excellent at what I do (I do know this deep down) even though my marketing is not yielding the results I want.

3. I also decided that I need to relax more so I've hired a new virtual assistant.

I've had two so far - first one was great but went through some personal stuff and as a result, wasn't doing my work on time, etc, etc. I technically am owed about 10 hours' work but I chose to just let it all go and close the loop. Keep the relationship and all that jazz.

Second one was okay, but worked much slower which is not good for me (I like things done yesterday!) and if he doesn't know what's going on, doesn't ask but avoids the conflict so I thought to give him one last chance.

I made a manual of how to do my weekly newsletter, emailed him and asked him if he could commit to do this piece of work on a weekly basis with a 24 - 36-hour turnaround.

No answer in 2 days so I decided that was that.

I put out my work on a freelance site and was INUNDATED with job applicants. Took some time last week filtering through the responses but decided on 3 people. 1 of those didn't get back to me within 48 hours so again is out (I have to be tough because otherwise it's not helping me as the task falls right back to me again) and so I am testing the other two.

One has direct experience with the system I use so she will do this week's one. I've given the other one another boring task and I'll use those to check their attention to detail, speed, accuracy and learning curve.

It's been a big investment in time doing the manual, finding suitable candidates, etc. but I know it will free up lots of time in the weeks and months to come.

Strange or not-so-strange thing - the minute I decided that I need to stop worrying about all this and that I am still fabulous (!), I got an email booking me for an event on Wed and a meeting request to discuss a joint venture - both for SPEAKING.

Did I not say that I wanted to speak more this year???

I am very, very excited about Wednesday's talk.

It's going to be a busy, busy week - we celebrate Youth Day on Wednesday so it's a public holiday.
This week's must do items

1. Go to gym twice (skipped one last week because of Sex and the City)
2. Phone exterminator (I have crawling insects in my kitchen and I've tried everything to get rid of them but nothing's working so even though I hate "wasting" money, these suckers must die!)
3. Dental appointment on Tuesday *gulp* (hate the dentist - it's that needle thing)
4. Write newsletter and send to VA
5. Finalise talk for Wed (it's 80% done)
   
6. Prepare personal development items for work
   
7. Write copy for new website - more on this later...

What's on your must-do list this week?

P.S. I decided on the birthday theme. It's kind of a secret for now (I need to see whether things are easy to get or not) but hopefully, we are good to go.

P.P.S. That is the colour of my bedroom wall. Now you can see why I had to take the red bags and stash them out of sight. What colour would you say it is?

MS, not PMS

Business has really been stressing me out lately.

I sent out a reminder email on Monday - an offer I'd just launched with a special to my subscriber base - had only a few more days before it expired. Well, I got 3 "unsubscribes" in the next 24 hours!

So I was quite depressed, thinking what is the point of this business and other thoughts along those lines. And I got absolutely no sales whatsoever.

Now do you know how hard I work to get people on the mailing list? I have to think of new things constantly so it's sad when I get unsubscribes.

I know that when I'm premenstrual everything seems out of proportion. I'm actually menstrual (I know, TMI!) so does that excuse still count?

So yesterday I sent the monthly newsletter and more unsubscribes. My word - what am I doing wrong?? I actually worked so hard on the newsletter and it was barely sent when a couple of emails came in unsubscribing so I just put my head on this desk and cried!

It's so sad.

However, today I took a chance and just sent an email with one of my e-courses to about 10 people who are not on my list but I know are kind-of interested and one lady sent me an email back saying, yes, she wants to buy, how does she go about it?

And I have an organising client tomorrow.

A small sliver of encouragement in a horrible week business-wise.

Speaking of work...

I realised the other day that my business is really not doing all that well.

Somebody who reads the blog (the business blog) emailed me and asked me to give her some tips on starting her business. So we were e-chatting and I told her that mine is very part-time at this point. And if I were to go full-time it wouldn't even pay 10% of my current salary.

So then I got to thinking - oh my word. I'm spending hours on the business every week. Now don't get me wrong - I love what I do - but I wonder if it should just stay a hobby and I should carry on in the corporate world forever.

I'm hoping that it's just a transition and that things will pick up. I bought an online success book and am working through all the steps. My numbers on my list are growing but I can't say the clients are really growing. So because I don't have many clients, I design products, write articles. If you look at the stuff I have out, it looks like everything is going well and sometimes I feel like a fake.

Oh well, I'll let you know how it turns out.

New cars, holidays, cancellations, farewell parties, etc.

New car
I'm buying a new car but not properly new (if you know what I mean). It is a 2005 Opel Corsa Sport and has 12000 km on the clock.

So I've been very busy organising all the paperwork, getting valuations for my current car, and so on... Huge amount of schlep - no wonder I don't do this very often.

Also, my sister works for General Motors and gets a discount for direct family members which is really nice BUT because I'm buying directly from GM, there is service from a dealer, car papers all nicely sorted out. It's a huge schlep but I have to keep reminding myself that I'm saving thousands this way.


Holidays
We're going to Thailand in 4 weeks and 3 days exactly. Woohoo.

We finally collected the tickets and travel vouchers from Flight Centre on Saturday so it feels more settled. I've started making my lists about what to take, what I have to do before we go, what we should do once we get there, and so on, and so on...

We went to look at digital cameras on Saturday and I'm nearly decided. Just want to check out a couple of other options.

Cancellations
I was scheduled to do an organising workshop for 3 ladies on Saturday. The one phoned me early that morning to cancel so I phoned the other 2 to cancel the whole thing. With less than 3 people, there is just no vibe (3 is already too little). So I've postponed it for two weeks - hopefully I can drum up a few more people.

Farewell parties
My colleague on the other side of my partition is emigrating to the US of A (Las Vegas actually) to marry her sweetheart. Long story about love across the ocean...

Anyway, so I'm organising her farewell party because ...well, let's just say she'd just get a "thanks very much and goodbye" if I didn't. So I'm hardly working these days - running around collecting money from people, organising venue, food, gift, etc.

Getting everyone to sign the card (I decided to get a non-traditional card so I got a die-cut notebook in the shape of a handbag) is another hassle. Why is it that everybody first needs to read the entire book before they write their two lines of inspiration - "all the best. have fun in vegas"?

That's what I've been busy with these last 10 days or so...