The Beat Goes On

With winter behind us, and I sure say that lightly since we had more than a dusting of snow and cold temps two days ago, it is time to get the creaks out of our bones, the warm clothes packed away as well as the scrapers, snow brushes and tires out of our vehicles. Soon a good wash will be in order for the little faithful Corolla that gets us back and forth to work through thick and thin, rain or sleet, sunshine or rain. It's our own little 'mail person'!

For me it means Nia classes can begin again and more walking outdoors than I do for the 5 months of my self-designated hibernation period.  I take at least one 7 week class with a couple of girlfriends from April to June and during September and October, after camping season is done and before the 'scrape off the car before I go anywhere' begins. The classes are an hour long and just help to loosen up the body to some soul searching tunes.  If you like some dancing/stretching/body rejuvenation without the strained poses of yoga and tai chi check it out. www.niaclass.com

I love a class where things are not so cut and dry that you have to beat yourself up inside if you can't keep up to everyone else.

Nia, a smooth long stretch in the right direction

This class is slow and easy and when I find myself turning the wrong way and I'm facing the back of the gym instead of the front, we can all just laugh about it because usually I'm not the only one! The walk to and from the school from my friend's house is a chatter-filled 8 blocks as we catch up on our week. We laugh a lot which is a good retreat from the daily business of a work week. "What did you do on the weekend? How would you describe me for my dating site? Whereever did you get that coat? Men! Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em" We cover a lot of ground in those few steps.



Wonderfully inviting, no?

Winter for us is a good time to huddle, cuddle and snuggle in front of the tv or computer and do indoor projects together or not together.

No one snuggles better than Clemson!

No one does it like Marilyn.

Cold is not my friend and I'm not afraid to admit that I'd rather curl up on the couch with a blankie and a book or a pooch with a needlepoint project

Not mine but I'm doing one
of my own

than bundle up in boots, scarves and mitts to step outside for any reason. You can't make me!!

Now that the sun is warmer, -14C has turned into +14C and even +24C, I find myself happier inside. My spirit is young, so a psychic told me recently, (and we believe what we want, no?) and that helps to explain my childhood exuberance when the warmth hits and I key in the combination to our Mobile Suite and step into our $500,000.00 home. Ha ha, well, it feels like that to us. It is luxurious, it is beautiful, it is well-equipped, it is solid and it is an extravagance we have never had before and we love it. I have put dishes, blankets, towels and some games in select cabinets but my fingers are just itching for our first trip out on the long weekend in May. The thrill of filling the residential size fridge and pantry with FULL size condiments makes my heart flutter with excitement. I am a camper at heart, even though we are oft told 'that isn't camping!' Say what you will, whether it be a tent or a truck camper, leaving the house for a trip away in any rv is in my blood and I feel excitement for it each and every time.

Our dog, Clemson another young spirit, will be 11 this July and he has loved our travels every year since his first. I'd give a lot to be able to delve into his brain.

In his seatbelt, ready for the next trip

What does he  think when we pack up, cart things in and out of the sticks and mortar home, in and out of a 'mobile' home, weekend after weekend?

Take me Take me! (how could you not, with that face?)

For the most part, he keeps a very close eye on us until the keys are picked up and we get ready to exit the front door. He is there, doing his little dance "don't forget me, don't forget me!"

No matter where we settle for that holiday, he accepts it with peace, even when it means putting him on a tether every time he is outside. He's such a good little dog and waits patiently for us to clip it on as soon as he is let out.

Clemson doesn't have a favourite 'parent' of all time but we know his routine as much as he knows ours and we know who is his favourite at any given part of the day or night.

The excitement we see him express when we approach our subdivision after every venture out is tell tale of what is going through his little head. Soon, we have to break the news to him that he will be 'homeless'. I can just imagine all the questions we'll have to answer!

Outdoor cuddling!

So today, I whole heartedly want to celebrate the season. I feel like tipping a glass to the upcoming trips during this spring/summer of 2015! I'm trying to be patient for today's +23C to climb so I can walk outside on the deck and put my pale winter face to the sky. Feel the warmth on my skin, that's what I want today and every day.

Walk with me and remember to keep the beat going on and on and on!

Thank you for stopping in for a peek. Clemson and I only wish we could see and hear you as you visit. :)



Not a Pusher

Not sure if I have ever mentioned that I am an Avon representative in London. Well, I am.
In 1997 just after Bill and I got married, I was living in a high rise apartment and needed something to fill in some gaps........in my life and in my wallet. I've tried selling things before, Tupperware for one. A couple of times  actually, but soon realized that I wasn't a pushy enough person and didn't feel right talking people into having parties. My manager was pushy and I just didn't make the grade, so I stopped........twice. Sometimes it just takes me a little longer to grasp things!

I'd made an appointment first with a Mary Kay representative to come and talk to me about their product sales line. When I realized that I couldn't afford to, or wouldn't ever pay $22 for a blush and $19 for lipstick, I knew it wasn't for me. How could I sell something I didn't believe in?

MaryKay Blush/Eyeshadow $22

MaryKay lipstick $19

My interview with an Avon manager was different. I liked the products and better still, I loved their prices. I'd bought the products in the past and Avon always guaranteed satisfaction to the customer.

Avon blush $14.99

Avon eye shadows $15

Avon lipsticks, something to brag about, no? YES!

This was something I could see myself selling........or rather being merely an instrument in it selling itself!

It would make me stretch my personal boundaries by having to take my brochures door to door at the beginning to create my own customer base. I had a good manager who didn't push, but instead encouraged me in a way that never felt like pressure. I only earned when I sold, so I signed up.





I loved it and I loved attending the meetings once a month. My customer list increased and although I wasn't greedy and never sat in a customer's living room and displayed and talked about how our wonderful product was going to make them look younger over night, I did knock on doors and make phone calls. Over and over I dropped books off and called for orders. It seemed to be working and I was earning a bit of free spending cash.

I had a customer base of about 25 regulars and was doing pretty good. I also fell into a great little opportunity with a skating club for a friend of mine  for a couple of years. Her daughter was looking for a way to earn money for the club so I worked out a way to help her and myself at the same time. I reached goals for 4 years that moved me up the ladder into the President's Club. I have 4 of the prized Mrs. Albee dolls to prove it.

After moving from the apartment into a condo, same area, Bill and I bought a house and moved from the northwest end of the city to the southeast. Talk about extremes! But the move was 10 minutes from our employment so perfect for us!

In regards to Avon my manager told me I had to give up my customers because the city was divided into territories and I was moving out of hers. When I thought about it, and the thought of driving across town to service my 25 clients on a weekly basis, it made sense so I gave them up. I later learned by other reps that it wasn't fair of her to insist I do that. What did I know but it was too late to change things.

I had to start over. It took a lot of determination to start knocking on doors all over again..........it was harder. I persisted and picked up a few customers in my neighbourhood but not enough to make much money. After a few years of struggling and not getting much return out of my efforts,  I became discouraged with the process. I was wasting my time walking around, calling around and I was wasting money by buying books that weren't bringing in orders. I was, however, happy that I could offer good deals to my family and friends, not to mention the benefit of snatching some up for our own household.  So I stuck to family, friends and co-workers and let the orders come to me.

This is where I am today and it is working just fine. No more Presidents Club rewards, no more new Mrs. Albee dolls to display but just a tidy little profit that allows me to satisfy my clothes and shoes shopping urges.

As it turns out, this is all for the best. Since in a little over a year I won't be here in the city to sell to my clients, I will naturally be giving up little Avon business. I will stock up on the things we use before I quit, hopefully find someone in my area to take over selling to my customers and move on.

For the present time, I offer my services, along with other reps, once in a while to help set up banquet rooms for their special event dinners and enjoy the perks for what we do. It used to be fun to get gussied all up for these events when I was actually receiving the awards! We are even invited to attend for the lovely dinner etc. This year, I just might take them up on it!

It is a good endeavour and I've enjoyed being connected with such a popular company even through all the trials, discouragements and tribulations. Yes, Bill and I have grumbled about some of the processes many times! When I'm done, I will remember it fondly and will always enjoy browsing through their brochures when I see one. They are all over North America so I'm sure I will still be able to get my hands on some shower gel should we need it!

Thanks for stopping in and reading about another segment of my life.

Ding dong, Avon calling!