Here is the first paragraph of Jennifer’s article.  Please click through to the rest - it is worth the read regardless of if you own your own business! 

By Jennifer Albin

I’m not a millionaire. Yet.

That may sound over‐confident to the point of arrogance to some, but to me it is key in maintaining my Mommy Millionaire™ mindset. It’s more than just building a home business or being a female entrepreneur, although that’s certainly part of it. It means being a combination of Wonder Woman, Mary Poppins, June Cleaver, and Oprah.

 http://www.mommymillionaire.com/i-am-not-a-millionaireyet/2008/12/1/i-am-not-a-millionaireyet.html

Anyway, I have spent a lot of time contemplating how I feel about all of the events.  How I will vote.  How I will grow our business.  How will our family be impacted.

I have also gotten a lot of signs that things are going to be just fine.  Yes, we are in a tough economy in transition.  Things are going to change (we all hate change ).  But we are going to be fine.  Remember, no one actually DIED from buying Target brand shoes over Jimmy Choos!

Back to the signs..

Sean recently went to a networking event where everyone wore pins that said “I am choosing not to participate in the recession”.  LOVE THAT!

I heard a snippet of a story on NPR yesterday (B was screaming so I missed the rest ) that talked about how many Native American cultures consider being rich as a negative thing.  You aren’t sharing enough.

The sermon at church on Sunday was about tithing and reworking your budget in todays economy so it DOES work (ie. 86 the Choos).

Then I saw this video from Toilet Paper Entrepeneurs which basically explained HOW you make it through these down turns.

So the way I see it..we are going to be just fine.  The signs are there.  

Just think of it as a Diet.  We are all cranky the first week, then things get a bit better but it takes some time before you actually don’t CRAVE McDonalds.

THEN

• You realize you have more energy from less.
• You can run after your 2 year old a bit faster - heels are hard to run in anyway
• Your mind is clearer.
• You can’t ever imagine living the way you ‘used to’. 
• Life was more complicated anyway with all of our ’stuff’!

It is time for the change.  Don’t run from it.  Embrace it with open eyes and smart decisions and you will come out of this transition just fine..and maybe even smarter and more confident than before.

1. The pumpkins actually have BUGS on them!  Since there are no harmful pesticides these guys have worms and slugs and all sorts of other crawly things.  B was a HUGE fan!

2. You get to use LOPPERS!  Yep, these bad boys are still attached to the vine - SUCH a boy thing!

Did I mention I am trying to run a business too :)  Obviously all of this is life and frankly after the afternoon I had with Briggs I couldn’t be more thankful for it!

Here is what happened.  B and I spent the afternoon at the zoo.  It was one of those awesome crisp fall days where you just want to jump in a pile of leaves.  The fact that this morning was a typical rainy Seattle mess made the day even better.

We went wherever he wanted.  Pet goats and a very noisy donkey at the petting zoo.  We slid down slides at the interactive play area.  I sat back with an ear to ear grin watching my son take in the flamingos.  As he lay down on the ground to get a closer look through the glass I watched the world in wonder through his eyes.  It felt great.

With my blackberry in hand I was still able to get answers on a PO from my manufacturer.  Our packaging specs went out on time.  My orders are ready to go out in the am. 

All while I got to hang out with the coolest and sweetest kid there is!

It was the kind of day that makes all the chaos worth it.

Since Briggs has a bit of a cold I trucked us off to Target (yep, our daily run )and gotten him a very fun (and friendly) looking humidifier in the shape of a red dinosaur (yes you read that right). 

Tonight I put on his new zoo themed pj’s grandma just got him (in honor of our fun at the zoo today - we are all about props in this family!) then turned on the humidifier and tucked him off to bed.

-then-

ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE.

Apparently the pj’s glow in the dark and the ‘cute’ dinosaur humidifier emits a strange red glow at night.  Poor kid freaked out like I have never heard him before!

I went in to find him tugging at his glowy jammies and pointing in fear at the red monstor.  Oh boy…did that ever backfire!

After 45 min. of cuddling and story time I finally just got him down again.  I can hear him in there singing to himself.  Cross your fingers that he will rest peacefully..in standard jammies and the glowing monstor hidden from view.

turns into  at night.  Not good.  Poor guy

Check out todays blog: “Make your own Dream Machine” by Corrie Wilder.  It pretty much sums up the hectic life we all lead as moms, wives, and entrepeneurs but adds in some solutions before we all have a nervous breakdown

http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=59
Thanks Corrie!

Have a GREAT Long weekend

Chief Momma

The FedEx man just dropped off 100 lbs of pacifier caps on my front door.

The next door neighbor’s sprinkler system - and soaked the corner of 1 box (don’t worry - caps are bagged )

Briggs is emptying the wagon in the dining room that we as a catch all for shoes, coats and mittens (yes I know it is August but we didn’t put them away) 

The dog ran away. - seriously..not making that up for dramatics.

Just another day in the life of a Seattle area mompreneur.

I love it.

-Chief Momma

Travel is booked

Our booth is planned (umm..mostly )

The handouts are designed (mostly again )

-And-

Last but not least - our two new designs will be in stock and ready for their launch!

SO come stop by booth 1038 and meet Chief Momma (me) and my business partner / husband - Sean!  Briggs sadly enough will be at home with Grandma but if you have been reading my blog for any amount of time you know him anyway

See you there!

Erin

Chief Momma

Lots to Say Baby took the weekend off to go tide pooling! 

Sean, Briggs and I hosted 14 kids and their parents for some fun in the tidepools at the beach.  I thought I’d share

Hey everyone!  Check out the great Lots to Say Baby write up on the Mommy Perks blog. 

 http://www.mommyperks.com/vip/?cat=1

-Chief Momma