Which are you?

I can't take credit for these comparisons.. they're from this morning's service by Dr. Rick Long at Harmony Grove UMC. But I thought it an interesting question. Which are you: a thermometer or a thermostat?
A thermometer takes the temperature reading of it's environment and adjusts itself accordingly.
A thermostat does the same but the calls on a greater power to ADJUST it's environment to what it should be.

More than likely I'm a thermometer with thermostat desires. I try to adjust my world, but it doesn't always work. Maybe I don't have the self control or belief to follow through, or maybe I give up to easily, I'm not sure. I, like most of us, look at what we WANT and do what we can to get it. Then, when something adverse happens we tend to focus on the bad, not the good. I don't look at the problem as something to be overcome, but as a blockade toward getting to my goal.

It applies in business just as it applies in the personal life. I don't like "NO" when I talk to people about my business. It's a numbers game. The more "NO"s I get, the closer to that "YES" that I really want I get. But a lot of the time I see that "NO" and get depressed. Some times I stop working and feel sorry for myself. Then I take a look at what I HAVE done and say "OK, try again" and I start over. Eventually I'll get my outlook changed, it's not easy and it CERTAINLY isn't quick. I just have to make up my mind to change my environment (and my self perception) to meet what I KNOW can happen.

So, which are you?

Turn back your clocks!

Don't forget, FALL BACK 1 HOUR, tonight! Also, check your fire alarm batteries.

For the Soldiers

Did you know? Discovery Toys Consultants living overseas on US military bases and having a valid APO/FPO address may sell DISCOVERY TOYS® products and offer the Discovery Toys business opportunity. Ask me for more information.

Having family in the military, I love to provide what support I can. I support both of these groups below.

Soy Vendedora de Juguetes

Mi color favorito es verde. Tengo a dos ninos. Mi hijo es cinco y mi hija es tres. Mi hijo esta en jardin de la infancia. Soy alumna de espanol. Soy reciebo una casa abierta el 13 de Noviembre.

NaNoWriMo

Well, I've created a new blog. This one is to participate in the NaNoWriMo stuff. For those that are interested, you'll find it here:
mykidnovel.blogspot.com

Ashley

Animated Gifs

Ok, I must say I'm proud of myself. I had suspected that the software I had would do animated gifs, but I hadn't had the time to sit down and figure it out. Read the manual? I definitely didn't have time for that (No tengo tiempo). I'm thrilled, though. Now I can feel a bit closer to the 'big moms' that advertise out there. Look around! You may see one of these floating out there..

Hostess Specials! Go to Los Cabos!

THE BEAR WORKS FOR HOSTESSES!
Everyone wants to be a hostess to earn unlimited FREE and half-price toys. Plus, only in October, Bearworks is FREE with $299 in party orders and at least one booking. Hurry! Orders must be in house by October 31.

FLEXIBLOCKS® FOR HOSTESSES
In November, they?ll want to host again to get more unlimited FREE and half-price toys, and Flexiblocks® is FREE with $350 in party orders and at least one booking.

OVERLAP WEEK FOR HOSTESSES!
Special hostess offer for Flexiblocks® starts 10/25/04 and must be in house by 11/30/04. For one week, your hostesses who qualify with $350 in party orders and have at least one booking can choose either Bearworks or Flexiblocks® FREE! Each of these hostess gifts is a wonderful holiday gift, and an activity both parents and children will enjoy together.

New Recruits CAN GO TO Cabos Too!
New recruits a chance to win a Free trip for two to Los Cabos when they start their own Discovery Toys Business. Each new Educational Consultant who joins through December automatically gets a CABOS ENTRY when they place orders of $300 PSV or more by December 31 (supply orders are not eligible). October recruits will also receive a Discovery Toys logo apron for putting in a first order within their Superstart level 1 period. Plus, the deposit is just $25!

Holiday Shipping Cutoff Schedule for Discovery Toys

If you plan on ordering for the holidays, here's the shipping schedule to make sure you get it in time!

November 22nd - Cutoff date for Hanukah ground shipping
December 2nd - Cutoff date for Hanukah standard air shipping
December 3rd (noon) - Cutoff for Hanukah priority air shipping
December 13th - Cutoff date for Christmas ground shipping
December 20th - Cutoff date for Christmas standard air shipping
December 21st (noon) - Cutoff date for Christmas priority air shipping

www.ashleystoys.com

Carob Creations Updates - new bracelets & sun catchers

YEA ! I've figured out how to get reasonable pictures of my jewelry and sun catchers using my digital camera. This isn't such a big deal for folk who do this regularly. I've been using my camera primarily for family shots and such. My jewelry shots were generally blurred or otherwise hard to see. Please, take a look at the new photos (easily identifiable), and let me know if you like the new layout of the site. I'll keep taking pictures and update as I can.

Thanks!

www.carobcreations.com - jewelry and sun catchers created for pet lovers.

My spanish homework

I'm taking a spanish class once a week. A friend of mine is helping me practice (she's a native speaker). She gave me 'homework' for while she's on vacation. Here's my homework for the week... learn colors!

Mi nombre esta Ashley y soy alumna de espanol. Hoy es Octubre 15 (quince). Esten colores: rojo, blanco, azul, verde, amarillo, naranja, morado, negro, y cafe.

Afuera hace frio y brizas. Mi mucho gusto color esta verde.

I'm not sure about that last sentence. I need to practice more. Stay tuned! Next: Numbers!

Miss Jamie's House

Well, most of my toys are currently over at Miss Jamie's House. And I must say, they are a HUGE hit. The Kooky Catchers are ending up in both the puppet stage area and in the big room as a bat set. Hammer Away is big with the 3 and under set. If I put it back on the table, they immediately come get it back out. Toddler Talk wanders the "house" area. Both flashlights, Tiger Brite and Discovery Sub, are being used to 'explore' all the caves, tents, and hidey holes around the House. If you're in the Tucker, GA area, stop by Miss Jamie's House and check out both the toys and a great place for kids to play and hang out.

www.ashleystoys.com

I support the Dream House

I support a home called the Dream House for Medically Fragile Children (www.dreamhouseforkids.org). Laura Moore established this home to take in children in state custody living in hospitals due to a medical condition. She works to get the children placed either back with their families or in a new home, while giving the children a home environment to live in, instead of in the hospital. She LOVES Discovery Toys. As a result, I've set up a program where if you place an order through me (not through my web site), and include a toy in your order for the Dream House, I will give you free shipping on your entire order. All orders placed this way will be shipped to me and I will contact you for either pick-up, delivery, or meet-up. Please note that unless you state otherwise, your name will be placed on the toy when it goes to the Dream House so that Laura knows who has sent the toy.

Please note that this only works for local customers, though I truly appreciate any long distance customers that might be interested.

www.ashleystoys.com

It's a Quiet Night

My children are at their grandparent's home for the weekend, which creates a very quiet night here. It's halfway lonely and feels quite odd. However, it's also quite enjoyable. I've had the time to slightly redesign one of my web sites (www.carobcreations.com). I'm working on taking pictures (and improving the ones I have) of the jewelry I've made. It's very difficult (for me) to get good clear pictures of the beads and such. Fortunately for me, my husband is a better photographer than I am and has agreed to try to help me out. So, look for new pictures soon!

I also received a testimonial from a Discovery Toys customer and have added that to my toy site (www.ashleystoys.com). Look under "My Story" if you want to see it. When my children get home, I'll work on getting another new toy review up and add their picture along with it. If you have a suggestion for a review, please let me know. I'll do what I can to get it for you.

Great New Specials!

Discovery Toys has released a couple of GREAT specials for October.

The first is that a hostess can earn the adorable Teddy Works from the Holiday catalog for FREE (separate from your free hostess toys) with parties of $299.

The second is that you can join Discovery Toys as a consultant for only $25 down! You will then make two more payments on your kit. In the meantime, though, you can earn your entire KIT for free by using SuperStart.

LEVEL 1
In your first four weeks:
Earn $75 in FREE Bonus Toys!
Requirements:
$750 retail ($600 PSV*) or
$500 retail ($400 PSV*) and
Add One New Person to Your Team

LEVEL 2
In your first eight weeks:
Earn a full rebate** on your Intro Kit!
Requirements:
$2,125 retail ($1,700 PSV*) or
$1,875 retail ($1,500 PSV*) and
Add One New Person to Your Team

*PSV (Personal Sales Value) = Retail Price x 80%
**Intro Kit Rebate does not include tax and delivery

You can see the information about the starter kit on my website: www.ashleystoys.com

Toy Review: Classical Casey

This is a GREAT toy. My kids have been having fights over this guy. He plays the entire tune from one of 6 different composers: Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, Schubert, Tchaikovsky. You press a note on the bottom of one of his feet to play the tune, press his left hand to turn him off. His 'pants' come down to get access to the sound box to change batteries or to turn the entire unit off. He's made out of slightly different textured materials and is very brightly colored. He'll make a good lovey for a young child, he's VERY soft. Only surface washable due to the sound box inside. He's listed at $29.99 in the catalog, though if you host a party (catalog or in-home) you can earn him free or even half price!

www.ashleystoys.com