Founder's Trip, Day 2

Thursday morning I intended to sleep in, but I was awake fairly early, so I decided to go for a run. I probably went about 3 miles, enjoying the cooler air and the chance to be alone and think. After my shower and quiet time, I headed downstairs for breakfast and sat with a demo named Aly. (Those who are in my stamping downline may know who she is--she does the card kits for my 3rd level upline!) Aly and I had a great visit over breakfast, and I found out she is 10 weeks pregnant with her first! So we had more things in common--expecting babies and NOT being able to go to Hawaii because of them, ha!

After breakfast I got on the shuttle to the day spa nearby. I had decided to treat myself to a pregnancy massage and pedicure. This was the sign that greeted us as we walked in! I love it! Unfortunately, I began to worry a bit shortly after getting inside...the receptionist informed me that they had actually scheduled my appointment for Friday instead of Thursday! I'm not sure how this happened, as I specifically said I was looking for a Thursday appointment. Furthermore, Friday would not have been a possibility because of the tour at the Kanab manufacturing facility (more details in the next post on that!). At any rate, of course the spa ladies were horrified by the mix-up. They were able to get me a pedicure, but I would have to come back on Saturday if I wanted a massage. I did schedule it, but Friday evening I ended up calling to cancel because I was just too tired to get up and make a 9:00 appointment.Anyway, at least I was able to enjoy a pedicure, and those AWESOME massage chairs sort of compensated for not getting a real massage! Cindy, another demonstrator, was getting her pedicure at about the same time, and I enjoyed visiting with her. She and I had gotten to chat on the airplane when we returned to Maryland from the Western Caribbean cruise a few years ago, so I knew she was also a homeschooling mother. Cool how it worked out that we were together at the spa! She also has 5 children, though her youngest is 8. Her oldest is 19. It was encouraging to hear that it CAN be done!! She has been a demonstrator for a long time, probably even a few years longer than I have, and this was her 2nd Founder's Trip.

Back at the hotel, I grabbed lunch to take upstairs and eat. Then I settled in for a nice, two-hour nap. Yay for naps! My cell phone woke me up...my hubby was calling for clarification on the directions to Charis' dance class! By the time I got a hold of him he had already dropped her off. Ah, well. I spent the next hour and a half or so working on my scrapbook. I had brought supplies for Kenna's baby album, since I had only done 2 pages so far and the girl is over 1 1/2 years old already!!


I met Sarah and 2 other demonstrators for dinner at the Olive Garden and had fun getting to know Penny and Jen and Jen's darling baby boy Hunter. (In this photo you can see me, Sarah, and Penny.) After dinner we all helped Sarah finish her swaps, and then it was time for the Business Share. Everyone got in their comfy pajamas and met in the Gathering Place, which was full of squashy sofas, armchairs, pink pillows with the familiar baroque pattern, blankets, and fuzzy rugs. First of all we grabbed our 135 Christmas/holiday swap cards we had brought with us and did the swap snake-style out in the hallways. (If you don't know what that is, I'm sorry, I'm not even going to try to explain, but suffice it to say that it took awhile but was very fun, and it helped us make sure that we got one of each card!)


After the swap, we crowded back into our various sitting areas. An ice cream float station was set up, as were finger foods galore--queso dip, veggies and fruit, crackers, chips...yikes. Why did we bother going out to eat?! We sat down, carefully balancing our food and drinks, and listened as different demonstrators shared business ideas. Most were already compiled into a handout for us, but some hadn't sent their idea in time to be included. (Glad I'm not the only one who put that off...though I did manage to submit something!)


At about 11:00 a herd of demonstrators decided to call it quits and began leaving, prompting Bonnie (a SU! employee) to announce that the Share was officially over. I stayed a little while, chatting with various people, and really had a great time. My business share idea was to show a copy of our daily schedule, which is all color-coordinated and allows me to focus on the kids when it's time to homeschool and on business stuff when it's "office time." A number of people told me they appreciated what I shared, and I got lots of ooohs and aaahs over being "so busy" with 4 kids and one on the way. :-) It's a bit of an ego boost, but truly, I wouldn't be able to do what I do if it weren't for God's grace AND my wonderful husband's support. Shelli, our founder and CEO, was working on HER swap cards...and she wouldn't let anyone help her! She wanted to do them all herself, and before we left for home we were able to pick up a card she had made and signed. While she was working, I got my picture taken with her. She's as sweet as she is beautiful!


Back in my room, I discovered the next gift...this cute little pocketbook that matches the beautiful pink bags we were given at Convention for being in Founder's Circle! Many of my local friends have seen my pink bag. I love it. It's not something I would have ever picked out for myself, but I'm so glad I have it! And now I have a matching pocketbook! I feel like such a girly-girl!