C'Mon...Everyone Needs a Hug

WOW!

This is a fantastic video.

Great song by Sick Puppies, "All the Same."

I came across this video on YouTube.
It won Most Inspirational Video for 2006.

Anyone want to work with me in scheduling a Free Hug Day?

21 Random Thoughts

I have seen many lists of random thoughts on Blogs.

I often wondered what would come if I came up with a list......oooh, let's give it a shot:

1. Think about where you want to be right now, what are you doing to get there?

2. Teaching your kids how to ride a bike is one of the greatest joys in the world.

3. If you could be any animal, what animal would you be?

4. Laughing everyday is key to success.

5. I LOVE jealous, mean people. Proves to me I am doing the right thing.

6. Life is precious, why waste it doing something boring?

7. Go to college.


8. Hong Kong Phooey IS the #1 super guy.

9. Everything in moderation is good.

10. Live life with no regrets.

11. You cannot fault honesty.


12. Why do we still need warnings on plastic bags?

13. Cheaters = Losers. Stay away from them.

14. If you are told, "Wow, you're cheap." Time to raise your rates!

15. Nothing better that people watchin'

16. F=ma

17. When in doubt, ask for help.

18. NEVER SETTLE!

19. Mountain Biking after a thunderstorm is Fantastic!

20. Don't be judgemental of others.

21. Singing to Meatloaf Videos with an electrical cord is perhaps the best night of my life!

That's the list I came up with.

What are your 3 random thoughts right now?

Referral Reality Check

We are approaching the end of the first quarter of 2007. I find myself looking back over these past few months.

DAMN GREAT START!!



I am lovin' business, networking, friends, family.....life.


My BNI group, Partners For Success, is one element to my success and my success at helping others.

I have passed 41 referrals this first quarter.

27 have closed business
7 are pending
8 did not work out

66% of my referrals were successful, a business connection was made. If the 7 pending referrals create business, it will raise me to 83%.

I am not pleased with 66%. It is OK, could be much better.

Looking back over my referrals, I learn I need to slow down and qualify them a bit more. Knowing that making every referral a closed deal would be fantastic, it likely will not happen. My goal for this next quarter is 80%.

How do you view the referral process? What is your success rate?

I Love My Boys!

I have the GREATEST boys in the entire world!

I would stand from any street corner or mountain top and proclaim this. My boys and I have an incredibly strong bond.

Two things happened recently.

One: Matthew (my oldest) earned his Cub Scout Bear Badge. In order to wear the badge properly on his uniform, he must perform a "Good Deed" without prompting. Matthew made me breakfast in bed, took the laundry downstairs, sorted it, loaded up the washer and switched it to the dryer. He's 8 years old! He is very helpful around our home, this was FANTASTIC!!
"Mom, you do everything and I wanted to help you. I love you."

Two: Jacob is 6 years old. He watches me check my email. Now, Matthew has an email account, too. Jacob was feeling left out. So, I signed him up for an account and told him I would sit down and help him with his mail and type notes. When we sat down to look at his mailbox for the first time (I had already sent him a note), he started to cry and hold me incredibly tight. These were happy tears.
"I am just happy you did this for me. I just love you so much."

I am so PROUD of my boys for who they are, what they have endured and where they are going with their lives. They not only know this, I tell them and show them through my actions every day how much they mean to me.

They know if they ever feel lonely, scared or miss me at any time. All they have to do is close their eyes and think of me. Knowing that I am thinking of them at that very same moment.

Matthew and Jacob--You guys ROCK!!
(They sat here for 20 minutes watching the clothes....Hysterical!)
How do you feel about your kids? Have you told them?

Making The Secret Work

Scott Ginsberg, that nametag guy, recently had a post about The Secret.





I have watched the Secret many times, and as Scott says:
"You can't argue it. It really is a cool movie. Smart. Poignant. Inspirational. And, of course, deliciously hokey."

HOKEY.

It exactly how I have described it to so many of my friends and family. Don't get me wrong. I love the movie and the message it brings. You just have to be able to listen and understand what is being said. The acting of the scenes will not win any oscars.

Back in October 2006, I found Earl Nightingale's classic recording, "The Strangest Secret." This recording is far more powerful to me.

Perhaps because I have it in my car, making it much easier to listen to.

Perhaps because it is only 33 minutes in length, oppose to 1.5 hours.

Perhaps because there are no hokey acted scenes, just a voice recording.

I have a Vision Board which has been extremely successful for me. Spending a few moments visualizing my day has been wonderfully powerful. When negative thoughts creep in, it is quite easy to turn them into positive moments.

It definitely takes less effort to be positive.
I am happy and enjoying my life like never before!
Giggling now at my success, and to think
.....It is only going to get better!!

What do you think about the Law of Attraction?

Movin' Marvin

Perhaps one of the coolest cartoon characters of all time--
Marvin the Martian.
How can you not like Marvin?

Today I helped Marvin (not the cartoon character). Marvin is getting new carpet for his apartment and needed help getting his belongings sorted and boxed up. Basically, he needs to have his entire apartment moved into the hallway, new carpet brought in, then move all his stuff back.

Marvin is a senior citizen and was referred to me from Debra Sorensen, who is owner of an eldercare management service.

I went through Marvin's belongings sorting out old paperwork, found more bonds (geez, I am beginning to think I am a bond magnet), tossing any broken items and boxing up the rest. Marvin is now set for his new carpet.

The plan is for me to return later this week to help unpack and, hopefully, sort out even more of Marvin's stuff. Perhaps, go through his clothes, too.

After I left, I felt really good about this job. Marvin is a sweetheart. He truly needed some help getting ready, and I was glad to be able to help him.

Thank you Deb for referring me to Marvin. I am looking forward to getting his apartment organized later this week.

What recent client has truly needed your help?

Basement Storage

This week I was back helping "Sara" with her basement. She has a ton of space, however there are no shelves. Sara also has a bunch of shelves she had removed from her children's closets. I thought, why not use the shelves Sara has and install them in the basement for storage. She LOVED the idea!

To the left is the BEFORE picture, then to the right is the AFTER. These six shelves will be great for storing extra pantry, household items and seasonal decorations.
















During the same appointment, I was able to add shelves under the stairs for the extra paint and home improvement supplies. This really cleaned up the area. The extra rug was move under the steps. The paint cans were sorted by rooms, extra tiles were sorted and stacked, and boxes of broken items were discarded.










Sara is just delighted with the added storage and the organization of her home improvement supplies.
"Angie, I cannot thank you enough for helping me get my home in order. What you do is fantastic!"

WOW! That made me feel great!

Sara, it has been my pleasure helping.

What client has made you feel great?

Survivor Video Unleashed!

OK, Here is it.

For the history, you will have to check out a previous post
(click here).


Enjoy!



What crazy, fun thing have you done in your life?

Customizing Closets

A wonderfully busy day today.

Started off with the WEN AM Coffee Club meeting (the 50/50 continues to grow), then onto an client, lunch with a BNI member, a 1-on-1 with a fellow personal assistant, home for fun and dinner with my boys, cubscout meeting tonight....geez, I am getting more tired as I type this......


Now my client, Vicky, wanted me to come up with a plan that would work for the closet she shares with her husband, as well as, come up with some added storage space.






Here is the BEFORE picture of her husband's side of the closet. He wanted a double rod system, "get the stuff off the floor" and use the space at the top better.











In the AFTER, a big added shelf doubles the storage at the top, the double rod increases hanging space and added a slide out shelving unit for larger items.











Now, for some added storage I found the utility room (BEFORE) with a lot of open space. This is a great area to store household supply items purchased in bulk from Costco or Sam's Club.















AFTER: It was decided to add 3 big 16 inch shelves (there is clearance around the furnace). This area is going to be great for Vicky and her husband to store many items that were their closet.







Now, Vicky's side of the closet was not completed. She is going to think a little more about what she wants in the next couple weeks. Once she decides, I will be back to finish.

Perhaps it would be easier to just rush and get this project done, but listening to my client's needs and making sure they are completely comfortable is far more important.

Vicky, It was my pleasure to help you with "stage 1" of your closet.

How does listening to your client's needs make a project better?

Birthday Card Tally

The results are in for the

Birthday Card Challenge.

19 cards

Plus....Home Delivered Flowers

(BIG bonus points to someone special)

Plus....A Blazing Birthday Cake from my little pyros

along with some wonderful gifts!

Plus....New Jammies

(Oh, I love my jammies!)

Plus....A cool pencil bouquet.

Best part---I still have 20 days until my Birthday month is over,

and only 6 months until my Half-Birthday!

(Yes, I celebrate my half birthday, too)

Thank you to everyone for making this the BEST birthday ever!!!

Houston....We have a problem.....

FINALLY!!

It was some setting, somewhere on my computer that was preventing me from posting these past few days.

(I still have no idea what happened)

I followed Blogger's steps to correct
--they did not work.
Then I cleared my history files & cache files, stomped around the house, yelling at the computer....then paused (what the hell am I doing) just take a step back and ignore it.

Cleared my mind of the problem, went and worked out, had a lovely post-lunch nap, nice looong hot shower......hey, problem solved! (Happy Dance!)

Alright, I have a bit of catch up here. Couple projects and thoughts to mention from the week. Not to forget my Birthday Card Tally. (I am on a secluded R&R for the weekend, so I don't have the number to post right now --> Sunday night.) SEGER in 5 days!!

Hey, I am back to bloggin.

A little more relaxed with a little less ear wax.

It's all good!

What problem have you solved and

really had no idea how you did it?

OK, Something is wrong with my Blog. I cannot add anything more than the Title. Anyone with an idea to fix this is much apprieciated. Thank you!!!

It's My Birthday!!!!!

You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too--yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you

OK, I am certain my boys are annoyed with me singing

The Beatles "Birthday" song.

Oh well---They are so used to their crazy mom.

They just shake their heads and smile.

My birthday is far more than just one day.
I stretch it out to at least one week.....and I will make every effort to make it last one month.

How do you enjoy your birthday?
If you don't, wouldn't it be more fun if you did?

Some Assembly Required

One thing I love about my business is that every day is different.

Today, no exception.

I met with Leigh about 4-5 weeks ago to discuss her home office. At the time, her desk was in her bedroom crowded with papers and supplies.

"Every morning I wake up and just see this mess and think--blah."

We talked about her options and came up with a desk in the family area. Her tasks when I left were to contact her internet provider and have them drop a new line for new desk location, order a new desk and begin sorting out her current office.

Leigh did a FANTASTIC job!

When I arrived, I went to work assembly the new desk which looks perfect in the family room. She continued to sort out some things and take care of her Lia Sophia jewelry orders.

While we talked, we found out we went to the same Elementary School! She knew my little brother (who is now my big brother).

Leigh, It was my pleasure helping you out. (pulling out the old yearbook to see how we looked in 8th and 9th grade was hysterical)

Thanks for a great day!

What long distance connection have you had with a client?