A few weeks ago a friend stopped me in the supermarket to ask me about my Arbonne business.  I told her it was going well and moved on. I saw her again last week and she asked me why it was going well.  In fact, why would anyone go into a “scheme” like that?

I tried to explain that network marketing is not only not a scheme, but it is the wave of the future.  Warren Buffet, Richard Branson and Donald Trump have all entered the world of network marketing because they see that it is the only industry right now that is recession proof.

Having your own network marketing business allows you to make your own hours, pick the people with whom you would like to work, buy products you love at a discount, and earn as much or as little as you like.  Some people simply want to earn vacation money and others would like to earn millions.

Building a network is about exposing as many people as possible to your products or services.   It is no different than recommending a new restaurant to your friends, except now you will be paid for your recommendations.

I decided to open this week’s blog writing about business as opposed to ending with it because the economy as we know it is taking a historical turn.   The House passed a bill a few minutes ago that will prevent the US from defaulting on its interest payments tomorrow.  It is assumed that the Senate will do the same tomorrow.   I have been following the debt crisis very closely.  I have shared what is going on with the children.  Our eldest is interested as she feels she will be called upon to defend the US when she arrives overseas for college.  The youngest took literally the headlines reading “Will the World Come to an End on August 2^nd?”   Our 12-year old paid fairly close attention, asking several times if we would be OK.  The 16-year old reminded me that she was going to study science, not politics.  There is one in every crowd.

I tried and tried to find something funny in all of this.  For the first time in a long time, I failed.  Today I will simply cherish my loved ones, count my blessings,  and go out for ice cream.

Thanks to all of you who sent me recipes to get me through these weeks of baseball madness.  It is much appreciated.  I even have a date with a friend to go to “Let’s Dish”  to make a bunch of meals that just need to be reheated.   Who knew?

About eight months ago, Brian and I agreed to run in a marathon with my brother and his wife in Disney at the end of the September.  Brian and I would each do six miles whilst the other two each did the full 13 miles.  This marathon would kick off food and wine week at Epcot. 

This sounded like a good plan for several reasons.  It would be a good excuse to get in shape.  It would be a nice diversion for me after dropping our eldest off in Scotland in mid-September for her freshman year.  We could actually spend time with Mark and Pam without looking after eight kids.

The only problem is that I had never run a day in my life and I didn’t have a gym membership of any sort.  I quit my last gym a few years back because the women there were so unbelievably fit yet they rarely smiled.  How could they?   They were probably always hungry.

I joined a gym right after the holidays.  I went on a fairly regular basis for a month or two, during which time I realized I don’t like running.  Not one bit.   This posed a big problem.  Did I mention that my brother dared me to do this marathon, which is why I agreed in the first place? Forget the shin splints and the aching arches.  I would prefer limping the rest of my life to listening to my brother remind me that he won a dare.

So, I recently went back to the gym and I am able to run two miles on the treadmill.  I started off slowly and I add a little distance each time I go.  I try to equate it to my Arbonne business.  You build it up little by little and before you know it, you have achieved a goal. That is the beauty of network marketing.    Just keep moving forward and you will succeed.

Believe it or not, I am even beginning to enjoy my time on the treadmill or track.  As for my brother, he is already planning the next dare.  It is rumored that we are going to go from running to jumping…..out of a plane.

Over the past few months, I dug myself out of my own mid-life crisis.   I thought it might be trendy to have one, but after going through it, I have come to the conclusion that it is terribly over-rated.

So now I am going back to one of my first loves. Working.  Working?  Has she gone mad?   Just hear me out.    Working is enabling me to learn new things, meet new people, and earn some money to help educate our children and support my handbag habit.   I chose to go the path of direct sales (aka network marketing) so that I may create my own schedule and leverage my time.  Over the next few months I will share with you the many advantages of this type of career.

Today, though, I think it is only fair to warn you that with every life transition there will be at least one obstacle to overcome.  Mine seems to be dinner.   I work in the mornings and take care of the rest of our lives for the rest of the day.

Over the past fourteen years our four children have been served only organic fruits and vegetables. They have gotten very used to home-cooked meals.  In fact, they have even started to expect to be fed at least three times a day.  My Italian-American genetic wiring makes it impossible for me to serve them frozen or canned food.   We even have two vegetable gardens. 

En route to see ”Harry Potter” tonight I decided to engage the children in dinner planning for the next three weeks as the boys have about 200 baseball games. I suggested fresh salads, cut-up fruit, tasty sandwiches and maybe even breakfast for dinner.   Based on their responses, I gather that what really came out of my mouth was “How can I ruin your lives?’   

“I hate salads.”  “Fruit isn’t for dinner!”  “Only bad moms give their kids breakfast for dinner.”   “Sandwiches, are you kidding?’”  “We may starve to death.”  In an effort to be helpful, the husband suggested homemade lasagne or chicken parmigiano.   You know, light summer fare.

So, I will carry on trying to figure out how to fit work AND dinner into our lives.    There will still be plenty of food for anyone who wants to come by and be fed.    I would avoid Thursday, though.  That is the night I am serving everyone cereal.   

There are the fortunate few seniors who are accepted to their top choice of college in mid-December.  The rest wait until the last week of March, the cruelest week of the year.

Today our daughter’s letters arrived. Despite the thick acceptance envelopes that were laid upon her desk, the only one that counted was the thin one.  The one that told her that she was not one of the chosen few, the one that despite all that she has accomplished in a mere 18 years, spoke to her in a way that made her head bow and her shoulders heave.  

In the few seconds it took for her sobs to become audible, I saw my two-year old after she lost her favorite doll and my thirteen-year old who was broken-hearted by the meanness of a friend.   I remembered how old she really is when I realized that my 5’1” arms barely fit around the shoulders of her 5’8” frame. 

The silver lining is that my daughter and I share an unshakable faith that we do not walk this earth alone, and that our journeys are sometimes set before us for reasons that may not come clear for a long time.  She will attend the other school that was at the top of her list, the one welcoming her with enthusiasm and the promise of great adventures. 

As she shares with me the wonders of her college years, I will sign the e-mails and the texts with my normal, “Love, Mom.”  Today though, I take solace in that I could still be “Mommy.”

I like to think of a new year as a time for new beginnings. 

Most of the time new beginnings, like my newfound dedication to my Arbonne business and a commitment (predicated on a dare) to run a half marathon in September are very exciting.

Other times, new beginnings own a poignancy that tug on one’s heart with no sign of letting go.

This week I found out that someone very close to me may not win a battle with a terrible illness.  Whether it is a few months or a few years from now, I must begin to prepare for a time when my loved one will not be a part of my daily existence.

On a completely different note, this week our eldest, Danielle, received her first college acceptance.    First I felt a sensation of relief, then a wave of pride and finally, a pang of extraordinary sadness.  She really is going to leave, isn’t she?  Our little band of six will go down to five.   Danielle will enjoy a new beginning without me and well, no one deserves all of the excitement that comes with newfound independence more than she.  

No matter what the new year brings to you, I wish that all of your new beginnings have happy endings.

I remember when the day after Christmas was the saddest day of the year for me.   The lights on the houses seemed dimmer on December 26^th and the gray of winter seemed a little more noticeable.  Now December 26^th represents the day when the pressure of making Christmas happen for our four kids and a large, extended family is over. The difference?   The weeks leading up to Christmas were magical back then and now, well, they just seem to be some sort of mad marathon of preparation.

This year I want to recreate the magic of past holiday seasons.     Instead of buying all of my gifts online, I will actually go to the mall (but maybe just twice) and take in the sounds of the carols playing in every store and the smiles from passersby who just found the perfect gift for someone on their list.    I will bake with the kids, or at the least, watch whilst our 15 year old creates baking wonders.   I will listen to the joy in the voices of our 9 and 11 year old sons as they count down the days on their chocolate Advent calendars.   I will absolutely revel in our 17 year’s old joy when that last college application is sent in mid-December.   I will then make the time to cry when I remember that this will be the last Christmas before I have to share her with the world.

So my hope for all of you is that this year’s holiday season be filled with the laughter of your families and an awareness of the bright lights all around you, both outside and in your hearts.  As for me, I am looking forward to December 26^th, and that little bit of melancholy signaling the end to a season well spent.

Coming in the New Year:  Musings on being the best you for 2011!

If you want to make your gift giving a little easier this year, click here to visit my Arbonne holiday boutique.