Time for A Camomile Tea Break

It's been a long day, and boy, am I ready for a camomile tea break. It's just one of the ways I relieve myself from the stresses of the day; Errands, household chores, work, kids, bills; you know, everyday life. Thank Goodness for moments like these.

Checking In...Update: Jan 19, 2013

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It's an early Saturday morning, and I've been up since 4am. (I just can't seem to get with the "sleep-inners" anymore). In fact, it's been awhile since I actually "slept in". My kids are all grown up, but I think I'm suffering from "work-week routine" syndrome.

I get up at 4am every day, and it seems that my body's biological clock has been linked to 4am. It won't let me sleep in, no matter how hard I try.

So today, I'm going to catch up on some reading; books and emails, have some tea, watch a Lifetime Movie and pull out those old VHS &  DVD tapes I haven't seen for awhile.
I also plan to spend some quality time with my family, and rejuvenate my spirit, with some quality time in my "prayer closet".

I figure, just because I can't adjust my biological clock, I can still adjust what I do with the time. I can learn to relax, and ax the "work-week schedule". Just as Garfield says, "Relax, It's the Weekend". And I'm taking that good advice.

Well, that's today's update in Sarah Kim's Days in the Life of A Mompreneur. My daughter is editing a fun-family "photo/video show". I'll be uploading the video to my YouTube page, SarahKimMompreneur, soon.

Thanks for blogging with me. Have a happy weekend! Until next time, LIVE life!

Moving-When Is It Really Over?

My family & I finalized our move, just before the holidays, but, we are still not finished. When you decide to move, there's a lot to consider. There's the before, during & the after.

The preparation phase stirs up all kinds of feelings; excitement, nervousness, anxiousness, tired and weariness, hurriedness, etc. And, it seems that these feelings kick into overdrive, during the move.

So, what happens after the move? Well, perhaps, there's a sense of relief, more excitement and then, more hurriedness. Now, you are in a new place, but there's the unpacking to do, the cable & phone hookup, which takes up most of your day, by the way. Then there's the need to change addresses for all the magazine or catalog subscriptions you still want. (These don't get forwarded automatically).

I'm sure there are more things-to-do, on the list, so the point being; moving is a long process; which brings enough of it's share of stresses to the table. We are still "moving".

Be prepared for the before, during and after. It will finally come to an end.

We love our new home, but, we have to learn new places & meet new people, & still scramble through a long list of things-to-do. We also have to learn the rules of the community, & how the mail runs.
But it will come to an end.

Up Early in the Morning

It's 1:30 am & I'm up. I've got a major migraine, but I also have work and family to tend to. It's days like these I wish I really were Superwoman.
I know we have to take in account that there will be days like these, but I sure don't like them. I'm used to schedules and routine, and being sick in bed, is not a favorite part of my plans.
That being said, we still have to plan. Thank Goodness my husband is off, and he can man the house, while I rest. I have to reschedule some things on my agenda, but that's OK. I figure my health is more important. (At this point, I would be no more productive in them, anyway). I'm going to take in some herbal tea & chicken soup, and rest. I figure those can nurture me back to Mompreneur mode, in no time.
It's not fun, or easy being sick. But it's inevitable. It's one of those things we have to plan for. I am so blessed to have loving friends & family to support me through these times. And my faith, always sees me through.
Well, that's it for this update. Join in again for another adventure of my Days in the Life of A Mompreneur.

October Breast Cancer Awareness: Article-Symptoms of Breast Cancer

All month, I see people "going pink" & showing their support in the fight against breast cancer; from the NFL to our local gocer. That is very noble, and highly to be respected.
We also need to become involved in educating ourselves, and others. I wanted to share this news article on "Symptoms of Breast Cancer", via East Brunswick News.
It's important to know the symptoms of breast cancer. If you suspect, in the slightest thought, that you have one or more of these symptoms, it is also important to consult your physician. He or she can help you with your concerns.
The article below is just a starting point.

Symptoms of breast cancer | eb.gmnews.com | East Brunswick Sentinel | eb.gmnews.com | East Brunswick Sentinel

Wishes of blessings of health & prosperity to each & every one. Please feel free to share your comments, discussions, tips, etc below. Let's all get involved in this fight. Together, we can make a difference.

5 Most Neglected Daily/Weekly Tasks of Running a Home Office

It's easy to get caught up in doing all the "home tasks", and neglect your home office/business. 5 Things You Should do, to keep your home office running smoothly:

1. Plan for the next day

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Planning is the the first essential step for success. I usually plan a week and a month a head, as well as yearly planning. Then, each day, I plan for the immediate day ahead. It is important for you to choose the tool that will help you keep track of your plans, so that you can easily implement them.
You could use a daily planner, a calendar, a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet  or checklist. There are even great apps on smartphones that can be downloaded. Whichever works for you, use it.

2. Clear the desk

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OK, how many times a week do many of us look like this? I know, we've heard this a million times; Clear your desk. Do you see the woman's persona and bodily expression, in the image? What is her body language saying to you?

To me, she seems uncomfortable, frustrated, and almost at the end of her wits; possibly near nervous breakdown. Does it really have to be this way? No. Each day can be a comfortable and productive day in the office, by simply clearing your desk. You'll be more at ease when you don't have to stare at a pile of disorganized papers. You'll also have more room to manuever, and you won't lose your mind, when you can't find what you are looking for. Your productivity and time management will drastically increase and change.

3. Purge and File Paperwork

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This next step actually coincides with clearing your desk. If you can file a piece of paperwork away immediately, that would be great. This is the recommended thing to do. File it away in the perspective folders   in your file cabinet you have already set up. Or schedule a specific day to file paperwork, but place them in a holding folder, neatly organized. (Remember, clear desks are organized, but not necessarily empty). You can have a file holder on your desk, which holds your paperwork neatly, and keeps it organized.

4. Read emails

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You've got mail, and these days, we get lots of it. We have to face it. We've definitely become the digital age. I love the speed and resourcefulness of emails. But I have found that reading them can get pretty time consuming. Plan a time to read your email. Schedule a block of your day to read your emails. Neglecting this task can be costly, in time later.


5.Review Plans for the Day

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You've planned. You've implemented. Now finally, you need to review. At the end of each day, you should review what you have accomplished. This will:

• Help you plan for the next day-For example, if there's something you really couldn't finish or if you need to break a task into parts and turn it into a project, then you will be able to plan by reviewing
• Help you "see" your successful road map, day by day. You will feel accomplished, and will be successful, as you put your plan into action. Seeing that accomplishment will motivate you to continue down a path of success.

Another note on planning: Be sure to plan time off, and vacations. You don't want to burn out. Rejuvenating in between hard work, is the real key to success. I wish you all the best in your daily endeavors. Thanks for reading, and please feel free to add your comments or questions below.

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My Encounter At The Flea Market

OK, today, I decided to head out to our local flea market, here in Newport News, VA on Jefferson. I thought I found a steal; a Dell Latitude laptop. Well, the computer looked pretty decent, but the flea market vendor had an attitude from #@l!.
A word of advice: Don't ever repeat the actions of this vendor. He lost a sale, and I shared my experience with just about everyone in the flea market, and now on my blog.
As I was looking at the laptop, trying to check it out, I overheard the vendor speaking to his daughter in the background. She told him that I was looking at the laptop, and may need some assistance. I could hear his response as clear as day. His response was, "It doesn't matter. People come out here all day. All they do is look, and they don't buy".
Earlier, I actually sent my husband alone to inquire about the item. We went to get the money, to buy the laptop; had the money in our hands. But, this time I inquired; not my husband. I asked about some of the features on the computer. He became rude and obnoxious, as if "he knew I wasn't going to buy it anyway". He got in my face & tried to lecture me on how to "ask him for help".
Rules of Engaging a Customer
1. Have a Positive Attitude: You should not be discussing your negative feelings about your sales, your customers or the like; in front of your customers.
This vendor felt the need to express his feelings of dissatisfaction, in front of me, while I was researching his products. Although he was not addressing me directly, it just instantly left a bad taste in my mouth.
2. Be helpful & inciteful. If your customer is trying to figure something out, don't just stand there and watch them. Offer them assistance. This vendor got on my nerves when he saw me trying to figure out his product, and he just gawked at me from behind. (I was watching him from my peripheal vision).
3. Respect Your Customer & Their Personal Space: When you do approach a customer, please do not approach them as if you are heading into the ring for a boxing match. Major turn-off. This was the ultimate for me: the last straw. When this vendor got in my face and became rude & beligerent, I turned to him and told him that I would never buy anything from him, ever. He responded with "Good, I wasn't going to sell it to you anyway".
I know that flea markets have certain reputations; a laid-back sort of marketplace setting, so to speak. But it is still a place of business. I believe the vendors there are trying to sell something, just like we are trying to buy something.
First, it would help vendors to understand the flea market setting; what type of customers you are dealing with, what they want, and what they expect to buy.
As a vendor, please do not go to the flea market & expect to run your table or store, as if it were Wal-mart, or the mall.
Please be aware that people come there to browse, to find hard-to-find products, or products cheaper than what they can buy @ Wal-mart, or even the dollar store, at times.
If you are not making the money you would like to at Flea Markets, then please check to see why. Complaining in front of your customers about not making enough money, is a sure turn-off. Check your attitude about selling @ flea markets. Is this atmosphere right for your business?
These are things you need to decide, because people always remember bad experiences. If you mistreat your customers, they will not buy from you, and, in addition, they will spread the word, for others not to buy from you either.
Word-of-mouth is one of the most effective ways to get your business up & running & boost your sales. No matter where you sell, always be professional. You can be funny, whitty, or a down-to-business person, but ALWAYS be professional.
That's the end of my Flea Market Venture. Take care until next updates on Days in the Life of a Momprenuer