It is the week of Thanksgiving!  Hard to believe.  Yesterday we had a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner at Church, it was delicious and abounding in fellowship as well.  I love our church.  I am very thankful for all the wonderful friends God has brought into my lives recently, particularly my fellow Housewives ;)

The kids of the church took part in the Community Thanksgiving Service last night, as well as performing in both services at our church in the morning.  They did an awesome job.  They sang and signed to the song, "All things are possible".  I wish I'd been able to get a video of it, but I forgot my camera in the morning and then couldn't hardly see in the evening.  But it was great, the song is still playing in my head this  morning.  Rhett also took part in the community service in the Handbell Choir.  They did an excellent job as well.

The sermon series our Pastor is doing this month has been wonderful.  He has been talking about finding Joy.  The first week it was like he was speaking right to me, as I wrote then.  But the whole thing as been great.  Last week he talked about taking joy into all the little things of today.  So being the week of Thanksgiving that is my goal this week, to find something little everyday.  To be generally more thankful and remember how truely blessed I am.

In the past few weeks Makenna anad Hannah have actually become friends.  It's not that they didn't like each other before, they are just growing up, maturing into little girls as opposed to toddlers.  It's so funny now to listen to them chat with each other, to take interest in each other, to make up games and pretend togther.

This morning Hannah ran up to Makenna and hugged her exclaiming she had missed her.

Today they played cards (with their babies), they played dress up and danced to "Camp Rock".  We then had a little Tea Party for lunch.  I served the fruit punch in tea cups, and cut their PBJ's into teeny, tiny fun sandwich shapes of flowers, hearts and stars.  They thought it was the best.  Makenna came up the counter when I called her for lunch and said, "It looks like we're having a party."  They exclaimed over and over how "delicious" the sandwiches were.

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Yesterday was Parent/ Teacher confrences.  I'm proud to say that both Ryan and Mikayla got good reviews from their teachers.  I was happy to hear they are both reading above grade level.  Being a big reader myself it makes me happy to hear they are doing so well in reading.

My party last night was great!  I had so much fun~ I'm still on a little bit of a Pampered Chef high....

In the afternoon as I was preparing I started having major anxiety wondering what I was thinking!?  Why didn't I just quit and let it go?!  But it went so well.  I really do love doing shows~ I just get really nervous before hand. The recipe was fabulous~ as I already stated I had a blast...I think my guests did too.   They must have because I came away with FOUR potential bookings!!! FOUR!!!  For me that is huge.  It feels so good to know I have some future business coming my way.

From the sales last night I have ALREADY earned back my $65 to re~sign...currently I am at about $73 in commission...pretty sweet for partying for a couple hours...AND since I'm also the hostess, I currently get $40 in FREE stuff plus 1 half price item...I am about $37 away from the next level which will bump me up to $60 in free stuff and TWO half price items!   So you know if you'd like some free PC goodies of your own~ give me a call and I'll come party at your place   It's not hard at all, and totally FUN!  And I cook for you, and not to brag but I hear I do a pretty fair job in the cooking department.

First thing Tuesday morning I sent in my new Consultant Agreement.  I just came home to a big brown package on the deck.  I was very excited to see "The Pampered Chef" logo on the side.  It could only be one thing!!! My new mini kit!  I caould hardly wait to get it inside and rip into it.  I'm psyched it came in time for my show tonight.  Not that I really needed it, I already has enough catalogs and order forms.  But getting it in time makes my consultanthood seem more official.  And now I have a crisp new apron to wear too.

Tonight I am making "Autumn Apple Cherry Crisp" in my Deep Covered Baker.  My very favorite PC piece.  If you'd like a taste and the recipe come on out for my show.

Hannah and Makenna were playing paino together yesterday...

Tonight my Sunday School class had a little party. It was quite fun. :) It ended up being kind of a pot luck deal. This morning I had yet to decide what to make. I asked my Hubby for suggestions...we could pick up a bag of chips on the way. Um no...I have a reputation to protect! A bag of chips is not going to cut it. I had a Pampered Chef recipe from last season that I had yet to try, partially because it was made with jalapenos and I was a little afraid. But I decided to go for it. I must say it was a hit. I don't like overly spicey things but I liked them a lot. I also made a second batch without the peppers since I was feeling guilty about taking something I knew my kids would not like. Also the recipe calls for leaving the seeds in both jalapenos. I seeded one and I left the seeds in one.

The party itself was great. Most of the class was able to make it. We had a great time of fellowship and played Cranium.  Very Fun.  And as silly as it seems I found myself basking in being by my husband's side.  Not so long ago I remember going to parties alone or not going at all because I didn't want to be alone.  As we led our separate lives.  I'm so glad we found our way back to one another again. <3

I meant to take a picture of my popper pizzas but forgot.  Here is the recipe. 

I recieved nothing but postive feedback yesterday from my invites that were sent out before I realized I was no longer a consultant. 

I realized how much I love Pampred Chef, that I can't bear to let it go.  I just need to buckle down, focus and get over my fear of the phone.  Until the end of the year there is a mini kit available, so I can re sign for only $65 as opposed to the usual $155.  I already own pretty much everything in the kit anyway and don't really need it.  I do need a new bar pan, as mine cracked in half a few months ago and I have not replaced it.  Also I'll get a piece of the forged cutlery, a new batter bowl, and a couple other small peices.  Also because I'll be starting over I'll get to take advantage of the new consultant program and earn some Pampered Chef dollors to get more products or paperwork.  Also its Novemeber so I can earn the new spring products too...and since I'll be resinging sometime in the next week or so I will have 30 days from that date to earn products, instead of until the end of November.

My new plan is to do one or two shows a month.  I'm going a head with the one I was going to do myself next week, I also have a catalog show booked for December.  Also out of the blue last night I got an email from a past host, inviting me to a Scentsy (I'd never heard of it but its warmers and wax melts like candles) party on Friday and saying she wants to have a Pampered Chef SOON!  So to resign I have to line up 6 shows, I'm practically half way there.

I was starting to stress about preschool net year, wondering if we'd actually be able to afford to send Hannah.  She wants to go so bad.  She cries everytime we drop off Makenna.  So that is my goal, to earn enough to pay for her preschool and perhaps Mik's piano lessons.

That being said, I still need to get three more parties (at least) on the calendar so if anyone is interested...

This morning I tried to set up a new Pampered Chef show.  Much to my surprise I was blocked out of consultant's corner.  Turns out my contract expired yesterday due to being inactive for 6 consectutive months.  Good grief has it been that long.  But apparently it has.  It was all I could do not burst into tears when the rather unsypathetic representive at the "Solution Center" gave me the news.  If I want to continue as a consultant I will have to re-sign and buy a new kit.  So now I am faced with the dilemma.  Do I or don't I?

I pretty much sucked at being a consultant because I hate making phone calls and asking people for things.  Therefore my calendar was nearly always empty as it has been for the past six months.  Oh I had a couple nibbles but they fell through.

Recently I had someone want to order something as a Christmas gift.  So I decided I was going to give it another shot.  I scheduled a Holiday Show, sent out some invites this morning.  But alas as of yesterday I am no longer a Pampered Chefer.  The thought of hanging up my apron for good leaves me wanting to weep again. 

I took a little time out today to do something that brings me joy...

I bought a pattern for this cute little tote a while back, along with the fabric and had not yet had a chance to sew it up.  So this afternoon I did.  I think it came out pretty cute   If I do say so myself.

Then Hannah wanted to take my picture with it too.