The Mom Pack

I spend a large portion of my day online. I love the internet. And much of my current business ventures have brought me to the internet even more. In my research I've come across a group called The Mom Pack. By joining their yahoo group you get to connect with hundreds of women, mostly WAHMs, to network, share ideas, ask questions and get advice and so forth. Its really amazing how these women support each other in both business and personal matters. If you are a working mom I would highly suggest that you join this group. Its a great way to support other moms who run their own businesses. Whenever someone is looking for a particular item they try to see if someone in the group sells it first. So its great for sales too. And many moms offer free advertising and links on their websites! Check out their site at www.themompack.com and find out exactly what a "mom pack" is.

LA for 3 Weeks!

I leave for LA tomorrow morning. My best friend is a surrogate mother and is going to LA to have the baby. And I have the privilege of experiencing the whole thing with her. The couple is from Japan and has a specific doctor in LA that they want to deliver. The agency is out of LA as well. I'm excited to go on a nice little vacation. And get paid to do so! It will be nice to get away from here for a little while and not have to deal with all the crap at home. And I plan on discussing the option of being a surrogate myself with the lady who runs the agency. I would love to be able to give a couple a child who can't on their own. She mostly deals with Japanese couples because apparently surrogacy is illegal in Japan so they have to come to the US to do it. And its a way for us to get out of debt and back into our own place. I've always been concerned about being able to become a surrogacy because Caeden was early so this will give me the opportunity to find out if its possible or if I need to wait to have another child first.
I should have Internet access while I'm gone but may be somewhat absent for a few weeks...

I feel like we should be past this point

I'm almost 23 years old. I'm married. I have a 16 month old son. I have roommates...
And I'm completely over it. I wonder everyday when we are going to be able to get out of debt and get on track with our life. And most importantly...have our own place again. There were about 8 glorious months in which we lived on our own after we were married. And then I somewhat stupidly quit my job after my boss made me mad for the last time. And so once again we went back to the ways of our pre-marriage life...we agreed to move in with some friends. We were smarter this time. We moved in with another couple (although not married) with a baby of their own. I must admit that its so much better than all those loser roommates we've had in the past. But still. My husband and I keep fighting lately. And now that I really sit and think about it. I think it's because I get so annoyed with other people and things that I tend to take it out on him. I guess I'm just more comfortable with arguing with him. I just wish I had some way to change our situation. The whole thing just really frustrates me.

Some Major Changes

I accepted a job at a photo boutique. I started today and absolutely love it. However, I will be closing my invitation website sue to a conflict in interest. I plan to keep the site going with some other products. Stay tuned for all that is to come!

It'll never happen to me...

We all say it. We see something bad on the news or read it on the internet. And we say..."There is no way that could ever happen to me". But the reality of it is...it can. Last Tuesday at about 1 am my brother in law was brutally murdered. His car was set on fire and then he was stabbed approximately 14 times. This all happening a block away from my in law's home. He managed to make it to a neighbors home yelling for help only to collapse on their front porch as they opened the door. He had absolutely no chance. Both of his lungs were punctured. They were able to catch the guy who did this in less than 48 hours. We now come to find out this was all over a woman. I find it so sad that our world has come to this. Our family will be forever haunted by the atrocity. My son will never get to know his Uncle...or even remember him. I take comfort in the fact that he is so young that he has not had to feel the pain and anger the rest of us have. I plan to be at every single day of trial possible. Maybe I can find some peace in justice.

RIP Mark Anthony Henson II

http://www.turlockjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=19&SubSectionID=6&ArticleID=2433
http://www.turlockjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=2455

Diaper Cakes?

I keep seeing them everywhere lately! Due to a new job I'm waiting to here back on I may have to discontinue my invitation website because of a conflict of interest. I don't want to just rip it down so I'm looking for other ideas and products to offer. I've already agreed to sell a product for a good friend. More on that in the future when she unveils her fun, fresh and funky idea. I love it! I was considering adding diaper cakes to the site. Would people buy these? I'm also thinking about doing ones with towels...both for baby showers, bridal showers and house warming. I'm in love with the whole idea I just don't know if it would really sell well. Feedback please.

Two New Websites

I now have personal websites for both Uppercase Living and MonaVie. To check out my Uppercase Living website where you can learn about me, view our products, create a MyDesign Expression, or contact me to host a party or sign up as a distributor go to http://elissa.uppercaseliving.net. To view my MonaVie site to learn about the Juice, the business opportunity, purchase retail bottles or become a distributor to get the juice at wholesale and earn commission go to www.mymonavie.com/edahlgren.

Would this interest you?

I am part of an online "support group" specifically for Uppercase Living Demonstrators. I found this great (or so I think) idea. What this demonstrator does is offer Make & Take Parties. You sign up ahead of time and pay for it. She offers 3 or so different "projects" in which she provides the UL Expression and supplies for you to create your own home decor to take home. Typically it comes out much cheaper than if you bought the supplies yourself because she can buy in bulk with no left offer material. If I were to offer something like this where projects are under $25 or so would this be something you would be interested in? I'm trying to decide if I should start doing this and would love some feedback as to whether or not you yourself would pay for this and go.

I.C.E

I recently read about ICE. No not frozen water you stick in your glass to make your beverage cold, but "In Case of Emergency". Its this great campaign that was started by a British Paramedic. Create a group in your cell phone labeled ICE and place all those who are emergency contacts within this group. Heaven forbid something horrible happens to you, police, paramedics, doctors, etc can use it as a way to contact your husband/wife, parents, or children much more quickly. What a great idea! So pull out your cell phones!

MonaVie

I encourage you to go check out http://www.monavie.com/ and learn about this amazing juice and the wonderful business plan of this new but booming company. After only a week of drinking this antioxidant filled juice I'm already sleeping better and full of more energy. I've heard so many testimonials from people about the wonderful things that this juice is doing for them. If you choose to go with the business side of it things only get better. It has only taken me a week to reach the Star500 level (if you check out the site this will make more sense to you) and am already earning an income. All it really took was introducing MonaVie to a few family members who are now benefiting from drinking MonaVie. Contact me for more information. Becoming a distributor only costs $39 and allows you buy the juice at wholesale cost. Its up to you whether or not you take it a step further and develop the business side of it to start making an income. I'm already meeting new people and having a blast building my business. I've joined a great team who are doing all they can to help me succeed as they have.

Book Recomendation

I recently read Amber Frey's Witness for the Prosecution of Scott Peterson. First, a little background infomation. I' sure most of you remember the Laci Peterson story that was all over the news back in 2002 and early 2003. She was an 8 month pregnant woman who disappeared on Christmas Eve. There bodies washed ashore in April 2003 and her husband Scott was convited of their murders. Amber Frey was the girlfriend of Scott who after learning he was married and about Laci's disappearance helped the police by taping phone conversations. Amber was basically attacked at every turn by the media and so she wrote this book to tell her side. The Peterson's lived in Modesto, ca. I myslef live just 15 minutes south of Modesto and had taken an interest. If you are familar with the Laci Peterson story then I highly suggest that you read Ms. Frey's book.

Uppercase Living

I just became an Uppercase Living demonstrator. UL is vinyl lettering that you use in home decor. It can go on any flat surface including straight onto your walls with no damage when it's removed. There are hudreds of expressions to choose from in the idea atalog or you can use the Mydesign Tool to create your own. The possibilities really are endless. To view the catalog go to http://www.uppercaseliving.com/ and then click on customer corner. Follow the directions for registration and use demonstrator id: 562763 and Registration token: Dahlgren. Here you can view our catalog, create personilize expressions or order a hard copy of our catalog. IPleas email me if you would like to make an order or if you live in the Turlock,California area and would like to book a party. My email address is caedensmommy@charter.net. As a hostess you will get free gifts and discounts. Feel free to ask questions about our products, hosting an open house, or becomign a demonstrator yourslf!

Welcome!

This blog is mainly associated with my invitation and announcement website www.divamomdesigns.com. As well as my new business venture with Uppercase Living. I hope you find the information, tips, links and everything else in my blog useful. Please feel free to leave comments and feedback anytime!