Keeping up with Us http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php The life and times of Keith & Sarah Jones en-US http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Sleepy thoughts http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/08/29/sleepy-thoughts Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:55:44 +0000 Sarah Sarah 879@http://keepingupwithus.com/ <p>There are some days that I would love nothing more than to be able to close the door to the world around me and simply relax. No phone calls to deal with, no e-mails or Internet updates, no bills, no hassles, no responsibility.</p> <p>Some times I wonder why so many things seem to happen at one time...bad things. You hardly ever hear of someone winning the lottery twice, or being promoted on their birthday. Being broadsided in your brand-new truck, having a hospital bill 'accidentally' sent to collections, having your water cut off because the previous resident owes over $600, and being drastically overcharged, by mistake of course, for new cell phones, seems to be the luck around here lately! </p> <p>It gets difficult sometimes to not be brought down by all the negative things happening around you. Some nights, when it's quiet, and I'm very sleepy, I think about it all and just want to drift off...far away...and simply relax.</p><div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/08/29/sleepy-thoughts">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div> There are some days that I would love nothing more than to be able to close the door to the world around me and simply relax. No phone calls to deal with, no e-mails or Internet updates, no bills, no hassles, no responsibility.

Some times I wonder why so many things seem to happen at one time...bad things. You hardly ever hear of someone winning the lottery twice, or being promoted on their birthday. Being broadsided in your brand-new truck, having a hospital bill 'accidentally' sent to collections, having your water cut off because the previous resident owes over $600, and being drastically overcharged, by mistake of course, for new cell phones, seems to be the luck around here lately!

It gets difficult sometimes to not be brought down by all the negative things happening around you. Some nights, when it's quiet, and I'm very sleepy, I think about it all and just want to drift off...far away...and simply relax.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/08/29/sleepy-thoughts#comments What's a girl to do? http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/08/23/what-s-a-girl-to-do Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:12:47 +0000 Sarah Sarah 878@http://keepingupwithus.com/ <p>So, pretty much everyone who knows me, knows that I've sold Avon since before I could even wear make-up! Throughout high school, it was a great way for me to make money and do two things I enjoyed: skincare / fashion and sales! Once I got married and after having AJ, I used Avon as a way to bring in some extra spending cash for our household and also purchase things for ourselves at a discounted price. As most everyone also knows, last fall after much research into product ingredients and the effects of skin care products, I started working as an Arbonne consultant. I was so excited to be a part of a company with such wonderful products and couldn't wait to start sharing the information I had learned. Much to my disappointment, only two people that I talked with about Arbonne were even remotely interested in how their skin care products effect their bodies! I got responses like, "I've been using the same thing for so long, if it's gonna hurt me, it's already done the damage!" and "I'm too old to change skincare lines now" and "It can't be too harmful, or it wouldn't be allowed to be sold". (Wrong on all accounts!) Then I started getting responses like, "Arbonne is too expensive...why don't you sell Avon again?" or "I'd much rather order Avon from you, I don't know anything about Arbonne" So, I got my Avon account set up again, set Arbonne on the back burner, and went to town delivering Avon books and samples. Now, I'm the kind of person who is not going to sell something I don't have faith in myself. When I started selling Arbonne, it was because I had switched (from Avon) to their products and had wonderful results. 7 years of eczema was gone in three weeks! I lost 23 pounds in 3 1/2 months! I had more energy during the day, was sleeping great at night, and looked and felt great! So, when folks wanted me to go back to Avon and I put Arbonne on the back burner, I put my own Arbonne skin care regimen back there with it and ordered some of the new Avon products. Because let's face it, I'm not going to push you to buy something that I don't have confidence in myself. Unfortunately, less than two weeks later my face was broke out like I was a teenager again, my hair is dry and damaged, and my eczema is back full force! </p> <p>So now the dilemma begins:<br /> Arbonne -<br /> I have full confidence in the Arbonne products, even though I had the misfortune of running into a few folks that had allergic reactions to one of the products, I myself had no problems with them. The vitamins really helped with my mood and energy levels. The Figure 8 line really helped me lose weight and feel better. The skincare products were amazing! And everything is botanical...no petroleum, no parabins, no animal products...just good ol' naturally, botanically made products. And yes, they were a bit more expensive than what you'd buy at Wal Mart or from the Avon book, but (in my opinion) they were well worth the money! Plus, since the products are not packed full of synthetic fillers, they lasted two and three times longer than these other products, so in reality, people would be spending about the same...maybe even less...and using a product that is so much better for themselves and the environment.</p> <p>Avon -<br /> Over the past few years, I've had some bad experiences with the Avon skin care products and now, after doing the research that I did about ingredients, I'm almost afraid to start using the Avon products again. </p> <p>Sales -<br /> People said Arbonne cost too much, or they didn't care what they used, or they'd never heard of it before...'go back to selling Avon'. So I did. And now, the excuses I'm getting are, 'I didn't have to time to look at the book yet', or 'catch me next time', or 'let me get a sample of it first, then I'll order'...yet no orders are coming in. So, was it really the product they didn't want to buy or it is something else? Are people just not in the position financially to buy skin care? They shower don't they? Wash their hair? Shave? They're buying something to help with these daily things. Just not buying it from me. Ok...no big deal, right? But I'd much rather be told, 'Hey, I'm just not interested' instead of being ignored or put off. I'm a big girl...I can handle rejection! If I couldn't, I wouldn't even want to be in the sales field! I enjoy sales...I enjoy meeting new people and chatting about things I'm passionate about and skincare is one of those things! I've been through numerous skin care and cosmetic training courses. I have tips for everything from how to lighten up your undereye, to covering up a zit without concealer, to keeping your lipstick on all day! I have knowledge about ingredients used in 89% of all skincare on the market that's been linked to diseases such as lymphoma, cancer, autism, even obesity! But no one seems to want to hear those tips or information. It's not the rejection that bothers me, it's the rejection without even giving me the opportunity to share the information that's so upsetting. And even after going back with Avon because that's 'what people want' and the sales still not coming in...that's also upsetting! </p> <p>So what should I do? Do I continue trying to share with people the benefits of using Arbonne which is pure, safe, and botanical? Or do I continue using Arbonne and selling Avon which is a great product, but also loaded with fillers and petroleum that are not good for the body? Or do I just give up selling either one of them and simply continue to use the Arbonne products myself (and Keith &amp; AJ use them, too) in hopes that one of these days someone will say 'Hey, your skin looks great, what do you use?' and actually listen when I tell them? I know I can't please everyone, but can I really continue selling a product that I don't believe in? </p> <p>What's a girl to do?</p><div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/08/23/what-s-a-girl-to-do">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div> So, pretty much everyone who knows me, knows that I've sold Avon since before I could even wear make-up! Throughout high school, it was a great way for me to make money and do two things I enjoyed: skincare / fashion and sales! Once I got married and after having AJ, I used Avon as a way to bring in some extra spending cash for our household and also purchase things for ourselves at a discounted price. As most everyone also knows, last fall after much research into product ingredients and the effects of skin care products, I started working as an Arbonne consultant. I was so excited to be a part of a company with such wonderful products and couldn't wait to start sharing the information I had learned. Much to my disappointment, only two people that I talked with about Arbonne were even remotely interested in how their skin care products effect their bodies! I got responses like, "I've been using the same thing for so long, if it's gonna hurt me, it's already done the damage!" and "I'm too old to change skincare lines now" and "It can't be too harmful, or it wouldn't be allowed to be sold". (Wrong on all accounts!) Then I started getting responses like, "Arbonne is too expensive...why don't you sell Avon again?" or "I'd much rather order Avon from you, I don't know anything about Arbonne" So, I got my Avon account set up again, set Arbonne on the back burner, and went to town delivering Avon books and samples. Now, I'm the kind of person who is not going to sell something I don't have faith in myself. When I started selling Arbonne, it was because I had switched (from Avon) to their products and had wonderful results. 7 years of eczema was gone in three weeks! I lost 23 pounds in 3 1/2 months! I had more energy during the day, was sleeping great at night, and looked and felt great! So, when folks wanted me to go back to Avon and I put Arbonne on the back burner, I put my own Arbonne skin care regimen back there with it and ordered some of the new Avon products. Because let's face it, I'm not going to push you to buy something that I don't have confidence in myself. Unfortunately, less than two weeks later my face was broke out like I was a teenager again, my hair is dry and damaged, and my eczema is back full force!

So now the dilemma begins:
Arbonne -
I have full confidence in the Arbonne products, even though I had the misfortune of running into a few folks that had allergic reactions to one of the products, I myself had no problems with them. The vitamins really helped with my mood and energy levels. The Figure 8 line really helped me lose weight and feel better. The skincare products were amazing! And everything is botanical...no petroleum, no parabins, no animal products...just good ol' naturally, botanically made products. And yes, they were a bit more expensive than what you'd buy at Wal Mart or from the Avon book, but (in my opinion) they were well worth the money! Plus, since the products are not packed full of synthetic fillers, they lasted two and three times longer than these other products, so in reality, people would be spending about the same...maybe even less...and using a product that is so much better for themselves and the environment.

Avon -
Over the past few years, I've had some bad experiences with the Avon skin care products and now, after doing the research that I did about ingredients, I'm almost afraid to start using the Avon products again.

Sales -
People said Arbonne cost too much, or they didn't care what they used, or they'd never heard of it before...'go back to selling Avon'. So I did. And now, the excuses I'm getting are, 'I didn't have to time to look at the book yet', or 'catch me next time', or 'let me get a sample of it first, then I'll order'...yet no orders are coming in. So, was it really the product they didn't want to buy or it is something else? Are people just not in the position financially to buy skin care? They shower don't they? Wash their hair? Shave? They're buying something to help with these daily things. Just not buying it from me. Ok...no big deal, right? But I'd much rather be told, 'Hey, I'm just not interested' instead of being ignored or put off. I'm a big girl...I can handle rejection! If I couldn't, I wouldn't even want to be in the sales field! I enjoy sales...I enjoy meeting new people and chatting about things I'm passionate about and skincare is one of those things! I've been through numerous skin care and cosmetic training courses. I have tips for everything from how to lighten up your undereye, to covering up a zit without concealer, to keeping your lipstick on all day! I have knowledge about ingredients used in 89% of all skincare on the market that's been linked to diseases such as lymphoma, cancer, autism, even obesity! But no one seems to want to hear those tips or information. It's not the rejection that bothers me, it's the rejection without even giving me the opportunity to share the information that's so upsetting. And even after going back with Avon because that's 'what people want' and the sales still not coming in...that's also upsetting!

So what should I do? Do I continue trying to share with people the benefits of using Arbonne which is pure, safe, and botanical? Or do I continue using Arbonne and selling Avon which is a great product, but also loaded with fillers and petroleum that are not good for the body? Or do I just give up selling either one of them and simply continue to use the Arbonne products myself (and Keith & AJ use them, too) in hopes that one of these days someone will say 'Hey, your skin looks great, what do you use?' and actually listen when I tell them? I know I can't please everyone, but can I really continue selling a product that I don't believe in?

What's a girl to do?

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/08/23/what-s-a-girl-to-do#comments Need more time! http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/08/13/need-more-time Sat, 14 Aug 2010 03:39:37 +0000 Sarah Sarah 877@http://keepingupwithus.com/ <p>There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day lately! I have been meaning to write an update post here for quite some time, but with the move(s), the wreck, VA appointments, out-of-town company, and everyday life, I just haven't had the time to sit down and write! I guess most of you keep up with us on Facebook now, so our blog here has kinda become a thing of the past anyway. Still, it's nice to come over here once in a while and post the occasional birthday wish or holiday greeting. I'm hoping that things have settled down a bit for a while and I'll have the time to come here and write more often again. For now, I'll hit the high-spots because there's a terrible storm outside and I may lose power before I can post this anyway!</p> <p>Keith is doing well...still working (for now) and starting new treatments at the VA the end of this month. A few of the doctors we were working with have moved (one to Alaska) so we'll be meeting the new one in two weeks. </p> <p>AJ is wonderful! He'll be started Kindergarten on September 7th! He's really excited as am I and we're looking forward to a great first semester! He's already at a 2nd grade reading level and 1st grade math level and we're all very proud of him! His bowling team won 1st place in the summer league and his fall league starts up in a few weeks. He's turning out to be quite the bowler!! </p> <p>I'm doing good...there's been a lot of stress over the past 3 - 4 months, but I think things are finally starting to calm down! Keith's dad came up from Texas for a visit over my birthday which was absolutely wonderful! We all enjoyed visiting with him and are looking forward to seeing him later this fall. </p> <p>We'll be participating in the Step Out Walk for Diabetes on September 25th and are taking donations for the American Diabetes Association. You can click here to join the team and walk with us, or donate to help us meet our goals! We're walking for my Dad! <a href="http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/KansasampKansasCityArea?pg=team&amp;fr_id=7298&amp;team_id=485510">http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/KansasampKansasCityArea?pg=team&amp;fr_id=7298&amp;team_id=485510</a></p> <p>Well, I suppose I better stop for now and get this posted while we still have power! Just heard on the news that more than 7000 people in the area are without power right now! Oh the joys of the mid-west storms!</p> <p>Check back soon as I hope to have a more detail posts up more often! As always, feel free to leave comments here...we'd love to hear from you!</p><div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/08/13/need-more-time">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div> There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day lately! I have been meaning to write an update post here for quite some time, but with the move(s), the wreck, VA appointments, out-of-town company, and everyday life, I just haven't had the time to sit down and write! I guess most of you keep up with us on Facebook now, so our blog here has kinda become a thing of the past anyway. Still, it's nice to come over here once in a while and post the occasional birthday wish or holiday greeting. I'm hoping that things have settled down a bit for a while and I'll have the time to come here and write more often again. For now, I'll hit the high-spots because there's a terrible storm outside and I may lose power before I can post this anyway!

Keith is doing well...still working (for now) and starting new treatments at the VA the end of this month. A few of the doctors we were working with have moved (one to Alaska) so we'll be meeting the new one in two weeks.

AJ is wonderful! He'll be started Kindergarten on September 7th! He's really excited as am I and we're looking forward to a great first semester! He's already at a 2nd grade reading level and 1st grade math level and we're all very proud of him! His bowling team won 1st place in the summer league and his fall league starts up in a few weeks. He's turning out to be quite the bowler!!

I'm doing good...there's been a lot of stress over the past 3 - 4 months, but I think things are finally starting to calm down! Keith's dad came up from Texas for a visit over my birthday which was absolutely wonderful! We all enjoyed visiting with him and are looking forward to seeing him later this fall.

We'll be participating in the Step Out Walk for Diabetes on September 25th and are taking donations for the American Diabetes Association. You can click here to join the team and walk with us, or donate to help us meet our goals! We're walking for my Dad! http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/KansasampKansasCityArea?pg=team&fr_id=7298&team_id=485510

Well, I suppose I better stop for now and get this posted while we still have power! Just heard on the news that more than 7000 people in the area are without power right now! Oh the joys of the mid-west storms!

Check back soon as I hope to have a more detail posts up more often! As always, feel free to leave comments here...we'd love to hear from you!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/08/13/need-more-time#comments Happy 4th http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/07/03/happy-4th Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:25:01 +0000 Sarah Latest News 876@http://keepingupwithus.com/ <p>Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend. Be watching for an update post soon. It's been a while, but it's been a crazy year. Things will be settling down a bit later this month and I'll try to sit down and write about it! Happy 4th of July!!</p> <p><img src="http://www.cottagedreamer.com/images/holiday/fireworks.gif" alt="" title="" /></p><div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/07/03/happy-4th">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div> Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend. Be watching for an update post soon. It's been a while, but it's been a crazy year. Things will be settling down a bit later this month and I'll try to sit down and write about it! Happy 4th of July!!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/07/03/happy-4th#comments Happy Father's Day http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/06/19/happy-father-s-day-1 Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:52:16 +0000 Sarah Latest News 875@http://keepingupwithus.com/ <p>To our Dad and to my hubby... Happy Father's Day!! Hope everyone has a great weekend with their dads!</p> <p><img src="http://www.grandprofile.com/Myspace_Comments/Holiday_Comments/Fathers_Day_Holiday_Comments/images/Happy-Fathers-Day-17.gif" alt="" title="" /></p><div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/06/19/happy-father-s-day-1">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div> To our Dad and to my hubby... Happy Father's Day!! Hope everyone has a great weekend with their dads!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/06/19/happy-father-s-day-1#comments Happy Birthday, Dad http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/06/14/happy-birthday-dad Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:04:46 +0000 Sarah Latest News 874@http://keepingupwithus.com/ <p>Today is Dad's birthday!! We hope he has a wonderful day and great year ahead!! We love you, Dad!!</p> <p><img src="http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334/daddysgirl520/happy_bday_comments_017.gif" alt="" title="" /></p><div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/06/14/happy-birthday-dad">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div> Today is Dad's birthday!! We hope he has a wonderful day and great year ahead!! We love you, Dad!!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/06/14/happy-birthday-dad#comments From the heart of a child http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/06/06/from-the-heart-of-a-child Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:15:38 +0000 Sarah Sarah 873@http://keepingupwithus.com/ <p>Last night AJ was watching the national news with me when a story came on showing images of the birds and other wildlife covered in oil from the BP spill in the gulf. He seemed very concerned as he watched and listened very intently to the news segment, but he never said anything. This morning, right after he woke up, I heard him say this:</p> <p>"Wonder Pets? This is AJ Jones. There are some animals in the ocean that are in big trouble, can you help them? Thanks Wonder Pets!"</p> <p>Now, if you've never seen The Wonder Pets on Nick Jr., this probably won't mean much to you. But if you have, then you know how incredibly innocent this statement is. The Wonder Pets save animals you see, and to a child it only makes since to save these animals in the ocean that are in big trouble. If only more people...adults...had the heart of a sweet, innocent child...things would be so different!</p><div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/06/06/from-the-heart-of-a-child">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div> Last night AJ was watching the national news with me when a story came on showing images of the birds and other wildlife covered in oil from the BP spill in the gulf. He seemed very concerned as he watched and listened very intently to the news segment, but he never said anything. This morning, right after he woke up, I heard him say this:

"Wonder Pets? This is AJ Jones. There are some animals in the ocean that are in big trouble, can you help them? Thanks Wonder Pets!"

Now, if you've never seen The Wonder Pets on Nick Jr., this probably won't mean much to you. But if you have, then you know how incredibly innocent this statement is. The Wonder Pets save animals you see, and to a child it only makes since to save these animals in the ocean that are in big trouble. If only more people...adults...had the heart of a sweet, innocent child...things would be so different!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/06/06/from-the-heart-of-a-child#comments Memorial Day http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/05/31/memorial-day Mon, 31 May 2010 18:01:22 +0000 Sarah Latest News 872@http://keepingupwithus.com/ <p>Remember those who served our country and fought for our freedoms today and always. Many Veterans are still fighting battles daily and need our prayers and support. </p> <p><img src="http://s3.hubimg.com/u/555754_f260.jpg" alt="" title="" /></p><div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/05/31/memorial-day">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div> Remember those who served our country and fought for our freedoms today and always. Many Veterans are still fighting battles daily and need our prayers and support.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://keepingupwithus.com/index.php/2010/05/31/memorial-day#comments