My Literal Kid and My Slave

Last Saturday, I stopped at a grocery store I usually don't shop at -- they have great brats, all beef hot dogs, and bacon that they do there at the store....so I stocked up for the freezer. When I got home, I asked Susanna to take the bacon out of the bag and put it in the freezer. Susi tends to get distracted often, so I didn't think much of it when it took over ten minutes to complete this simple little task.

Fast forward to Thursday morning. We're at breakfast, enjoying a slow starting morning -- I didn't have to be at the market or any where else; we were having "the cousins" over for supper; and the only thing I had to work on that day was a pretty long list of general house hold chores, some Watkins business things, and lots of laundry. Luke, being a typical boy, discovered that if he wets his lips, puts his mouth against the heels of his hands, and blows hard, it sounds like, well, a natural occurring bodily function. Much to his delight.

"hey mom! hear what this sounds like? A STINKY TOOT! Isn't that cool?"

Inside, I'm cracking up. I'm thinking back years ago to arm pit farts, burping contests, flipped up eyelids, and all other manner of inappropriate and hilarious childhood fun (or grown up fun, depending on the company you spend time with). Outside, I carefully maintained my mother face, asking "but Luke, do you think it's appropriate and polite behavior?" (This, as his sister is sticking her face in her plate and licking every last drop of syrup left over from the two pieces of French toast she devoured in a non-lady-like manner in less than five minutes.)

Eyes dart all over, except to my face. A grin surfaces. A quick glance at Mama then eyes zoom else where. Finally, the answer: 'Well, Mama, at this moment (yes, he actually said that), it, um, well, uh, hm. I don't know."

Boys.

I never did laugh in front of him, or crack a smile. I didn't want "those noises" made all day long!

So after breakfast, it was off to working down the chore list. I headed upstairs and stared with dismay at the kids' room....how did it get so messy and why did it smell so bad? Okay, I know why it smelled so bad, but anyway.....I set them to cleaning up while I headed into the upstairs living room. After they cleaned their room, we headed to the steps and foyer...where they continued to tidy things up along with me. Then downstairs...the biggest job area. As I cleaned the kitchen counters, I handed them each one of Watkins great new microfiber clothes (only $5.99...check it out! http://www.watkinsonline.com/productdetail.cfm?Product=27000&gCatalogLocale=USA&ECredit=367574) and had them start wiping down cupboard doors, kitchen drawers, and cabinets before sending them out to match socks in the sock basket.

Luke finally threw down his cloth in disgust and said, "you really hate us. You just make me slave around ALL DAY! My job is to PLAY, not work!" It startled him when I quickly agreed. "Yep, you're right. I hate you. I never cook for you, never make you treats, never give you cookies, never play with you, never let you have any fun, never let you play with the cousins. All I do is work you nonstop, every day." My son. He loves me. He quickly rose to my defense, this boy who had just accused me of being a slave-master, just like the Egyptians (yeah, he compared me to them!). "No, Mama, you really do love me! You're always doing that good stuff!" And he shut his face and finished wiping things down and matched all the socks he could find.

Meanwhile, I opened the freezer, I don't even remember why now. Much to my shock, there were two rashers of bacon, just sitting there, unwrapped, right on top of everything. "What is this bacon doing here, and why isn't it wrapped up???!!!!" and a tiny little voice piped up, "but Mama, you told me to take it out of the bag....."

Sigh. Maybe that's why she puts a little shimmy in her step when I tell them "let's get shaking!"

Update on what's going on

I got an email from my sister-in-law Rita today telling me how she caught up with things via my blog -- it's so great being able to keep in touch with loved ones from the Philipines, Indonesia, Paraguay, Canada, all over the United States, and who knows where else with just a quick (yeah, okay, long) blog entry! I love the emails, comments, etc. Keep 'em coming!

This weekend it dawned on me that I'm getting OLD! Okay, I've had creaks and aches for awhile, but my parents celebrated their birthdays yesterday (Mom) and today (Daddy). And I realized....my MOM is closer to 70 than she is to 65! And Dad is closing in on the big 7-0, too. Wow! (Sorry, Mom, I don't mean that in a bad way, it's probably just as hard to realize you have a daughter who is 41!) Is it me, or do people just turn like ten years older when you blink? I mean, kids I used to babysit have children. Babies I held in my arms are DRIVING. Kids who I used to have to bend down to talk to now have to bend down to talk to me! Anyway, happy birthday, Mom and Daddy!

Health-wise I'm doing much better these past few days. I did really well for about a month then started having problems again with my stomach, chills, shaking, fatigue, weakness, etc. My right foot was also very painful to the point where I could barely walk. I finally called my doctor after dealing with these daily for almost three weeks and she asked me to come in right away. Blood pressure still pretty low, severe plantar's faciitis (or however it's spelled) -- doctor's orders to wear shoes in the house, a definite no-no in this one! (hey, I'm married to a farmer with a hubby and kids and visitors coming in all the time after being in the fields and cow barn, need I say more about what may or may not be trekked into our house???) So I wore my sneakers that day then went and got a pair of Crocs the next day -- and got a pair for Tony, too. My feet are already feeling MUCH better! She also gave me a prescription for my stomach problems with strict instructions to call next week if there was no improvement so she could order an ultra-sound to check my gallbladder. I'm very happy to report that there was a big improvement the first day I took the medication, and I'm back to feeling 100% now, praise God! I still have to go in one morning for more blood work....I'm so tired of this all....but at least I have energy again, and was quite surprised and thankful when I told Tony last night (after the TOH show) that my LEGS hurt from standing all day, and not my feet!

Remember the 14 bushel of apples we got last weekend? Last fall, we sold maybe a total of 7 bushels of apples throughout September and October. I thought 14 bushel would last at least thru mid-October, or at least until the end of the month when I hope to go back down to the Cities for Honeycrisp as well as restocking other apples. Good grief. We have less than a bushel left! By Friday afternoon, we had sold about 12 bushels of apples with people requesting even more of the common ones (McIntosh, Haralson, Cortland) and some that aren't being picked yet (Honeycrisp, Gala, Fireside). I'm heading south again on Tuesday.....

We are getting ready for our pumpkin parties. The first one is this coming Saturday, then we'll add Friday afternoons in October. Tony has added duck races this year, too. So this week will be packed with him busy at the market getting the maze and everything ready while I bustle around with the admin side of things -- wristbands, give-away candy, buying food and making treats for the concessions, getting out the pumpkin party paraphenilia, and wondering if everything will be done in time...while getting in that trip to the Cities all day Tuesday and a trip to Fargo on Friday! Thankfully, though, things do slow down work-wise once the first pumpkin party is done!

The Taste of Home cooking show! I've had questions on how it went! It was busy; we had a GREAT location for our booth, about five slots from the entrance. Good set up, good products from the Market and from Watkins, you name it. Two years ago when the show was here before, they told us over 2300 people came through. I had three helpers scheduled along with me and hoped we'd be prepared. Well. The show didn't sell out. They even had more than 100 extra bags AFTER cutting the bags down from 850 to 800. Everyone in town saw the big advertisement in our paper for the show....two days earlier in Alexandria (an hour or so away), but only one person remembered seeing an ad for the Park Rapids show. Even today at church three ladies I spoke with didn't even realize there was a show yesterday...and would've been there if they knew! We did have brisk business off and on throughout the morning, but not as good as I was expecting. However, from what others said who have been there before, they had great long-term results from exposure at the show. So...that's what I'm hoping for! Maybe the calls and orders will start pouring in for Watkins...and the market will be innundated with customers from now until October 31! They did give each of the vendors one of the give-away bags, and there were some GREAT give-aways! Best thing, though, is that we found more participants for our home-based business show on December 6 (more about that in another blog) and I was asked to participate in a huge pre-Thanksgiving bazaar at a local church here in town! So...we'll see where that leads!

Luke and Susanna have decided they are coyotes and go around the house howling all the time. Either that or wild ponies. Or farm dogs. Or sheep. They do give us clues by the sounds they make.

For now, I'm heading off-line. Got a few more things to do before bed time as well as figuring out when I'm going to do what this week! I think, God willing, everything is under control...but you can keep us in your prayers!

And big congrats to my cousin's son, Brandon, who was baptised today! God is good. ALL the time!

Various stuff

Okay, I cannot stop laughing at my cousin Martha's blog today...click the link and check it out. For any of you mom's out there, you will REALLY appreciate her budding artist story! Drop her a comment if you have any suggestions. Oh, I wish I could see the artwork in person!

Hey, if you're in the area this weekend (or if you already live here), come by our house Saturday between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. I'm having a Watkins open house and sampling literally dozens of items. Okay, some of them are things like the room fresheners and shea butters and wonderful new chemical-free cleaners, but I've also got some really yummy things on the menu like chips and salsa, tomato-basil tossed noodles, fat-free chocolate almond pudding dip, mandarin orange dip, apple spice muffins, orange spice bread, zippy breadsticks, cranberry mustard with pretzels, four different hot cocoas, several different dips, barbecue shredded meat, shortbread cookies with peppermint-flavored sprinkles, baked potato soup, a really good honey butter spread that tastes just like Cinnabon, and so much more! Can't make it but want to try some of the things? Email me or send me a comment; I typed up all the recipes of things I'm making. Want to stock up on some gifts or items for Christmas baking? Check out my website at www.watkinsonline.com/lindasuecarter (or click the link at the upper right on this page) -- you can order online and have things shipped directly to you, or you can give me a call if you're from this area.

And on a sadder note, today I hit a dog. The kids and I had errands to do (well, I did...they were along for the ride), and as we were driving down a back road, a black lab darted in front of our van. I slammed on my brakes, but there was still a sickening crunch and thud. Two ladies rushed out of a yard and told me the dog was their neighbor's -- I went to the house as they tried to find the dog...I'd heard him whimpering and howling, then silence. As I'm talking to the owner (who reassured me it was okay...I think I felt worse than he did!), the neighbors are still trying to find the dog. Freaked me out enough to make me check under the van to see if he was stuck there some how (yuck!). We looked all over and couldn't find that dog! Then a neighbor across a corn field came over to tell us she'd seen him loping down the road and off on another road. I was amazed he could still move, let alone was alive! Not sure if they ever found him; the guy kept reassuring me everything was okay, nobody could find the dog, so we continued on our way. Then I was met with little voices "Mama, do you think we can find the dog?" Um. Well, the neighbor ladies are looking for him. "Mama, what do you think happened with the dog?" Ummmmm. Well, he was hurt because he ran in front of a car without looking. That's why you must ALWAYS stop and look before going anywhere near cars and you must always hold Mama's hand. "Mama, where is he?" Sigh. Do you think the grocery store will let you have a cookie today? "I want a cookie!" "No, I want a cookie!" The questions will come again. They always do. And what DID happen to that dog?

So my latest poll is going to expire pretty soon....got any ideas for questions? My cousin Liz has a great Thanksgiving themed one that I want to do, but I don't want to copy. Oh well, maybe I will! I've come to think, based on my last couple questions, that those taking the time to answer like to read just about anything and want to know more about Watkins, and they are mainly my friends and not family.

"Orange Fluff"

I mentioned in a previous blog about my Watkins booth at our county fair. I was excited when they showed me where my location would be...second booth from one of the two main doors! Then as I looked to see who my "neighbors" would be, I started laughing. The event organizer asked what was so funny, and I told him I loved the location, but my father-in-law wouldn't be too happy with it...I was right next to the DFL booth! Keith asked who my FIL was, and upon hearing the name "Russ Carter," he immediately told me he was going to change my location. I assured him it was fine, but he told me he knew Russ, and he thought it would be better all around if he moved me. I ended up third booth from the other main door...right next to the Republican booth. Another good location, with lots of other great vendors surrounding me.

Anyway, the Republican's rotated who manned the booth every 2-4 hours, and I enjoyed getting to know most everyone who took their turn. However, my all-time favorite was a Carter family friend, Dr. Chuck Fuller. Chuck's turn happened to be during the supper hour, and I encouraged him to try some of the Watkins dip samples I had made. Well, he took one bite of an apple dunked in the mandarin orange dip...then another...and another...and knew he had to have a bottle of his own. Chuck didn't stop there, though. Every person who walked near by, who stopped at either of our booths (and many who probably didn't intend to) was treated enthusiastically by my newest Watkins testimonial and encouraged to try the mandarin orange dip for themselves. Chuck sold quite a few bottles of mandarin orange dip for me that night...and has bought quite a few since! He is also responsible for many more sales to others. He offered to share with you his story:

"We were introduced to what we call "Orange Fluff" this summer at our county fair. This was a landmark day for us as we have been eagerly eating this delightful dip with thin fresh apple slices daily every since. If you don't eat enough fruit, which most of us don't, the "Orange Fluff" with apple slices will remedy that as the combination is absolutely addictive. We have experimented with other food items to dip, i.e. cashew nuts, and have come to the conclusion that any thing dipped into the "Orange Fluff" is a delightful taste experience. Judy makes the dip with Watkin's Mandarin Fruit Dip Mix as follows....Two 8 oz. packages of Philadelphia Creme Cheese, 4 oz. of Kraft marshmello creme, three rounded tablespoons of Watkin's Mandarin Orange Fruit Dip Mix, ...put the creme cheese and marshmello creme in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave until soft...then sprinkle the Watkin's Mandarin Orange mix on the softened creme cheese and marshmello creme, and stir until well combined. What ever is left over ...refrigerate between uses..Enjoy!!!

This Watkins Mandarin Orange powder is available in easy to use 4.6 oz large mouth bottles. You know the old saying " An apple a day keeps the doctor away".

Dr. Chuck and Judy Fuller
Park Rapids, MN

I do need to let you know that the mandarin orange dip is a limited seasonal item...but upon seeing how well the sales took off on this delicious product, I made sure I put in a huge order before it was removed from the line in August. I'm not sure when Watkins will make it available again; perhaps next summer, perhaps in a few years from now, but I currently have a good amount of it in stock. If you'd like to see what all the excitement is about (AND follow doctor's orders about an apple a day), post a comment or give me a call. It is $8.49 a bottle (plus s/h) and will make at least 4-6 batches. It really is scrumptious!

Thanks, Chuck!
LindaSue

Small print (and solutions)

Okay, so I'm still trying to figure out what is going to work best, and based on my last posting (even BEFORE the comments), I realized the font was waaaaay too small. Sorry about that! But it did inspire the content of this posting (the small font, that is) -- well, that and how people are actually voting on my poll that they want me to post about Watkins! Okay, two of you did, but still!


So for the very few of you that don't know, I signed up with Watkins over a year ago, mainly to fill a void in our town after our local Watkins lady remarried and stopped selling. I was pleasantly surprised at how well business took off...and even more satisfied with how much I love the products! And I'm honestly not saying that because I sell Watkins.... I'll write more about other Watkins products and stuff in the future, but going back to the first paragraph, about the small print and the comments and all...


My cousin Liz is a bit older than me, not that much older than me, but enough to realize that when I got engaged, she is actually older than my now-husband (okay, that's a reminder of an email she sent me telling how she was surprised I was getting married to a guy who was so old...then realized she was actually two weeks older than he was, so he really wasn't that old). ANYWAY! Liz commented something about her eye sight as she gets older (I don't remember precisely at this time what the comment was, but it was along those lines, and bear with me, cuz I have another comment about memory, but I'm already off on too many tangents!). See, at the beginning of this year, I realized that I was starting to have to hold things with smaller print at arms length so I could read it easier. I was horrified! Was I getting old? Well, yes, I turned 40 in June, but that's beside the point. Who really wants to admit they're getting old? On a lark, and because I like to try the different things Watkins makes so I can give personal testimonials, I decided to try their Eye Care Plus supplement for a month, see if it really did make a difference. I honestly didn't notice anything, but then again, I honestly wasn't paying attention (reminder...follow up on above tangent on memory).


So I was hosting a party in May, and as I was talking about the supplements and how much my kids love the Children's Chewable vitamins, as usual, I started reading off some of the fruits and vegetables contained in them (all kinds of things most kids won't touch, but my kids really love, like asparagus, beets, and a bunch of other stuff), I realized I wasn't holding the bottle away from me AND I was seeing everything quite clearly! That, of course, segued into an "oh my goodness, guess what I just realized and what I have to talk about next!" I sold six bottles of Eye Care Plus that night (and three of the Children's Chewables...). The Eye Care Plus really has made a difference in replacing my potential need for bifocals (at least for now) and once again, I don't feel too old (except when I try to keep up with my kids!). Some of the testimonials I've read about the product also talks about helping astigmatism as well as near and far sightedness. I just know I'm really sold on it.


Watkins' supplements are really great. Another one of my favorites (and one I use ALOT) is Linimax. Linimax is a musculo-skeletal supplement that contains, among other things, glucosamine. And where glucosamine usually takes one to two months to kick in and start relieving pain for arthritis sufferers, Linimax starts working (at least for me and several others I recommended it for) within a day or two. I love seeing friends of mine who have started taking Linimax stop walking with that painful limp when you first get up and start walking again (another personal testimonial -- I have bone-on-bone arthritis in both knees, and going back to that age thing, I noticed late last year that when I stand up after playing on the floor with my kids or sitting in one position for quite awhile, my hips are pretty stiff and awkward moving for the first few minutes. However, I don't have any problems since I've started taking Linimax...well, except for when I'm working at the Market for nine hours walking constantly on the cement floor without gettting a chance to sit down, like at the pumpkin parties....and by the following morning, stiffness and soreness is gone). Again, some of the testimonials I've read on Linimax talks about improvement and in some cases completely pain free for individuals with "achy" problems (including degenerative disks, torn tendons, fibromyalgia, and arthritis).


Okay, the memory thing! Watkins also has a supplement called Brain Plus that is supposed to help with memory; it has ginkgo biloba and other stuff in it that is great for "bringing back your memory while preventing against age-related mental decline" -- so, since I tend to forget stuff sometimes, I thought I'd get some and try that, too! Maybe add another personal testimonial to my collection...but (and don't laugh at me!) I keep forgetting to take it. Seriously.


So anyway, check out my Watkins website http://www.watkinsonline.com/lindasuecarter and look at some of the supplements and other great things for yourself. (Supplement information can be found under "home remedies" then "supplements for all lifestyles" -- supplement names may vary slightly in Canada.) I'll write more in the future about some of the other great products, like their chemical-free cleaning line, their awesome 2007 holiday gift line, and their other long-time favorites!


And while I'll keep the font at a more reasonable size, do consider giving Eye Care Plus a try (you can order anything right one line)...and I promise I'll remember to take my Brain Plus!


Love and blessings,
LindaSue

PS - I hope I remember to tell you about our fun adventure after church today! Well, not TELLING you today, but maybe tomorrow or Tuesday....