So much I want to do

5 hours and 40 minutes! The year is winding down and I know that a lot of people have made or are making New Years Resolutions. I know that I am. I have not make any in the past because I never had the follow thru. This year is going to be different. I am going to make those resolutions and I'm going to use you to help me get it done. I'm an not, however, going to make the same old one that everyone makes, to loose weight, no way. This resolution is going to be to....

1. Eating Healthier
 
2. Journal more
   
3. Pray every day
 
4. Read a daily devotional
 
5. Exercise more

6. Work my business with God by my side (and my husband)

7. Do something productive around my house everyday.

With all of that it includes the one resolution that most make, take time for myself, is already included. With all of that I will also be able to take care of my family and meet the needs of others.

Happy New Year my friends and Happy Cooking
Laura

Darkness into light

The blogpost I made before this was my life up until about 3months ago. This past summer was a hard for me, but let me back up just a little more. In 2015 I had back surgery and I knew that I was not going to be able to return to the work I was doing, so I asked a question on social media that said, "what can I do for a living that will not tax my back but give me a great income"? My Cousin said "what about consulting"? I told her, that would be a great idea but what do I consult on and she suggested I become a consultant with Jamberry Nail Wraps. I did that for a little while, and I do mean a little while, as I learned very quickly that it was not for me. I cook. I make people happy through their tummies. If you go away from my table hungry it's your own fault. So, in February of 2016 I became a Pampered Chef consultant. I worked my business and I did fine in the beginning, but, after a while business slowed down and I stopped asking questions. I didn't work my business. Things were tough this past summer and I wanted to blame everyone else around me for my troubles. I blamed my team leader for not seeing that I was falling off the grid. I blamed another team member for not inviting me to her wedding. On that comment I have to say that I have known the two ladies for about 30 years and I wanted them to come and save me and my business. Well, one day I was sitting on my butt at home and I decided to email my director and ask her a question and boy did I get a butt kicking. I deserved every thing she said to me and more. I was being the most selfish person I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. My team leader was in Texas trying to save her family home during the hurricane and flooding and the other teammate had a limited venue as well as a limited budget. OMG, am I the most stupid person on the face of this earth. Anyway, after I got my head wrapped around what I was doing, I got off my butt, started taking accountability for my own actions and my own business. Because guess what? There is NO ONE here to tell me that the extra step I take for my friends, family, customers, or clients is above my paygrade! I can do whatever I want. I can spoil my clientele as much as I want to and no one can tell me to stop that, your not qualified to do that. I realized that I am here and I AM the one that can make a difference. If I am able to help one person make their life easier in the kitchen and answer the eternal question "What's for dinner" than I have done my JOB. I have been a complete success! I want to know what their kitchen challenge is and I want to help them solve that problem so that it's not a problem anymore. Bring the family back to the table because we have lost our simplest idea of family values. Why go to a shrink, although I need one, and talk out the troubles of a hard day. Sit down with the family and talk about it. Put all the electronics in a basket and don't touch them until dinner and family time are over. Talking about our day helps us to distress and relax. We can problem solve, help our children with everyday problems that they are unaware that you had to face when you were in school.
Let the light in my friends, let the sun warm your skin and heal your heart. Stop letting the world control you and what you do.

The Darkness

The dark surrounds me like the cold dark chill of a long, cold winters night. I look in front of me in search of some kind of light, some kind of hope in darkness, but I see none, I feel none. The dark is all consuming and I feel as if I am slowly drowning. I stand in the middle of a crowded room and still I feel all alone. I scream at the top of my lungs but no one hears a sound coming from my lips. "Help me" I say. Help me understand why I hurt inside so much? Help me understand why I continue to feel so dark? Help me understand how to find the light.
On the outside I smile and chat happily with others. I appear to be chipper and excited, all the while I am cowering inside and just want to curl up in a dark corner of a room, curled up as small as I can possibly be so as not to be seen by passersby. Do not look at me, do not speak to me, I am unworthy of your time. Often times, when I work at a new job, and I am excited. I am excited to learn new things, to discover new things, something that will exercise my mind, but when "the honeymoon" is over I want to learn more and more. I do learn other skills and I take the incentive to use the skills I have been taught only to be told that I should not do that. I am chastised and told that particular function is above my pay grade. I strive to make myself better by attending college to obtain a degree but the tuition is so expensive I cannot continue to make myself more valuable. So again I am knocked down and told to stay down. "Just duck your head" they said, and try to get through life. I realized a long time ago that I am uneducated, according to the worlds standards today. New jobs are being made available in so many new fields and when they are advertised the specifically say that you need a college degree to obtain this position. The pay is awesome for these position, but alas, here I am, uneducated, and not worthy of the position. I am older today than I was yesterday and I am not able to keep up, so I do the menial jobs that no one is trained to do anymore and I am paid poorly because it's a menial job. I know that at some point in time my job will no longer exist, bus driver, because of the age of computers and the fact that students will be able to do all of their work from home. I do think that is a wonderful thing, after all look how much damage we do to our environment with the diesel exhaust in the air, and the amount of fuel that is consumed every day. Transportation will be a thing of the past because we can do everything online today. We can even have others be our personal shoppers, they don't deliver yet, but that will happen.
That was my life up until about 4 months ago. This past summer was a hard on for me, but let me back up just a little more. In 2015 I had back surgery and I knew that I was not going to be able to return to the work I was doing, so I asked a question on social media that said, "what can I do for a living that will not tax my back but give me a great income"? My Cousin said "what about consulting"? I told her that would be a great idea but what do I consult on and she suggested I become a consultant with Jamberry Nail Wraps. I did that for a little while, and I do mean a little while, as I learned very quickly that it was not for me. I cook. I make people happy through their tummies. If you go away from my table hungry it's your own fault. So, in February of 2016 I became a Pampered Chef consultant. I worked my business and I did fine in the beginning, but, after a while business slowed down and I stopped asking questions. I didn't work my business. Things were tough this past summer and I wanted to blame everyone else around me for my troubles. I blamed my team leader for not seeing that I was falling off the grid. I blamed another team member for not inviting me to her wedding. On that comment I have to say that I have known the two ladies for about 30 years and I wanted them to come and save me and my business. Well, one day I was sitting on my butt at home and I decided to email my director and ask her a question and boy did I get a butt kicking. I deserved every thing she said to me and more. I was being the most selfish person I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. My team leader was in Texas trying to save her family home during the hurricane and flooding and the other teammate had a limited venue as well as a limited budget. OMG, am I the most stupid person on the face of this earth. Anyway, after I got my head wrapped around what I was doing, I got off my butt, started taking accountability for my own actions and my own business. Because guess what? There is NO ONE here to tell me that the extra step I take for my friends, family, customers, or clients is above my paygrade! I can do whatever I want. I can spoil my clientele as much as I want to and no one can tell me to stop that, your not qualified to do that. I realized that I am here and I AM the one that can make a difference. If I am able to help one person make their life easier in the kitchen and answer the eternal question "What's for dinner" than I have done my JOB. I have been a complete success! I want to know what their kitchen challenge is and I want to help them solve that problem so that it's not a problem anymore. Bring the family back to the table because we have lost our simplest idea of family values. Why go to a shrink, although I need one, and talk out the troubles of a hard day. Sit down with the family and talk about it. Put all the electronics in a basket and don't touch them until dinner and family time are over. Talking about our day helps us to distress and relax. We can problem solve, help our children with everyday problems that they are unaware that you had to face when you were in school.
Let the light in my friends, let the sun warm your skin and heal your heart. Stop letting the world control you and what you do.

Baker at Heart

Baker at 

When I was starting out with consulting I was asked to try on business and that was working with women and the care of their nails. I had wraps for the style in you and gel polish to last for weeks and nail/cuticle care. Your hands look amazing! However this was not for me. I should have known this as I am the one that wants to be in the kitchen. I really hate cooking, imagine that, but most of all I hate the clean up. I took a class back in high school that taught me to clean up as I was messing up and that is really the key. Thank you Mrs. Brinkley. When you do this as you go you are not as overwhelmed and tend to run away from the chore at hand.

Anyway, I do love to bake. Cakes, pies, cookies. All kinds of things. Well as I was looking for something else to consult with I found The Pampered Chef and it has changed my life. I am working my business everyday because it is what I am passionate about. I love to cook and teach others how to cook. I offer free cooking classes, cooking classes with and for children, and just an all out good time to be had with a few friends.

I was speaking with someone the other day about what I do and I told her that I was a baker at heart and it is so true. The Pampered Chef has come out with these new AMAZING tools that make the baking and gift giving season so much easier. Here is a look at some of the new items.

Yes, over there on the right side of the picture are gift boxes. Yes we sell gift boxes now so you have an easy way to take your NEW mini bundt cakes and make them into homemade gifts for your friends. We also have a mini pie pan that makes 6 mini pies at the same time, and you can make then all different if you want. Who says each one has to be cherry or apple. Mix it up. Think outside the box. lol

I have so enjoyed looking at these new products that I went right ahead and ordered almost all of them. I can't wait to stop just looking at them and start using them. Which will be very soon.

I hope everyone has fun this season and

Happy Cooking.

Laura

P.S. I'm offering this amazing idea too! Pampered Chef Layaway!

One Pot Meals: Little Wins for the Fall Season

One-Pot Meals: Little Wins for the Fall Season

Our Season’s Best® has 15 delicious recipes that feature some of our most-loved products like the Deep Covered Baker, Rockcrok® Dutch Oven, and Slow Cooker Stand. And this season only, customers can get a free copy of the cookbook with the purchase of our one-pot meals power tools!

Why One-Pot Meals?

People are busy, and many of your customers feel the time-crunch most when they’re trying to feed their families. About 36% of Americans say they don’t have enough time to cook, and 27% say it’s easier to get takeout.

That’s why we’re focused on one-pot meals this season. They give your customers a no-stress, less-mess way to get dinner on the table—which is a big little win for busy families. Here are three reasons we love one-pot meals:

1. Quick. There are so many options for one-pot meals that come together fast, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying life.
2. Easy. They’re the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meals. Prep your ingredients, put them in a pot or pan, let it cook, and get some extra time.
3. Delicious. There are countless options, so it’s easy to find meals the whole family will love.

If you are interested in the Rockcrok® 4-qt. Slow Cooker Set let me suggest that when you host a party with me, you can get the set, PLUS the Deep Covered Baker and Half Sheet Pan for free!”

 

Easy One-Pot Meals Set

#HB44 $314.50 $157.25
Includes:

Half Sheet Pan
Rockcrok® Dutch Oven
Rockcrok® Slow Cooker Stand
Deep Covered Baker
Season’s Best® (Fall/Winter 2017)

Pampered Chef with Laura

Happy Cooking

Laura

Getting back into the grove

As the summer fades for some of us, we realize that we are going to be getting back to a very busy schedule. It's not easy to manage life with sports gearing back up, getting the back to school stuff and hauling it all to school on the first day. If you are involved in youth groups that take a vacation during the summer months and they are coming back to life, then that adds to your life schedule as well.

Well I want to help you elevate the one stress everyone has every day and that is what's for dinner, but not only can I handle your dinner, I can take you all the way from breakfast to dinner to evening treats. The link below is the NEW 2017 Fall Catalog from The Pampered Chef. I invite you to take a look at what's new and consider having a party. Contact me at my website, pamperedchef.biz/thehappytummy or my email at laura.austin6840@yahoo.com

http://issuu.com/pamperedchef/docs/pamperedchef-09fallwinter2017catalo?e=18598180/51290332

Let's make food fun again.

Happy Cooking,
Laura

Starting a business

Weather you are starting an in-home business or brick and mortar, it is not for the faint of heart. In other words it is not for someone that gives up easily. You have to be willing to keep going, to strive for the ultimate goal. It doesn't matter if you have had several in-home demonstrations that are a flop or internet parties that totally bomb you must continue onward and upward. Pick yourself up and dust yourself off and keep on keepin on. It's hard and frustrating and will test your very being. It will test your sanity. It will make you second guess yourself. DON'T! I am here to tell you that I am currently at that spot in my business. My friends are tired and so am I, but I need to keep going. Trying to get my friends to refer me is kinda hard as well.
When you start an in-home based business you think, "oh, this is going to be easy". Ha! No it's not. You have to have the discipline to keep going for it. You are the only one that will drive you. It's great to have the support of your family and I have that, but when I want to give up they don't know what to say other then "you do what you feel you have to do". NOT what I want to hear.
I am friends on a page on FB and it is called positive outlook and all morning I have been seeing post on this very topic. Don't give up!

Well I guess God is trying to tell me something.

God's Love, Peace and Joy to you

Laura

Being myself

I don't want to be one of those bloggers that talks about nothing but the items I have for you that will save you time and money in the long run. My products are great, no doubt, but I am a person. I am so much more than just what I do for a living. I have a husband that does some of the craziest things. I have children, grown (almost), but they are also entertaining, and I have grand children and of course they are always entertaining. I also have feelings, emotions, bad days and good days. I try to have more good days than bad days and sometimes it's hard but I do try.

I know that I am losing my audience because of the things that I have been posting lately and I want to apologize to you for that. I would like to have your business but I am not here to do the hard sell to you. I would rather be your friend first and then if you wish to be a customer as well that's fine but no pressure. My work is all about making new friends and helping you when I can with what I can. I am here to be that ear you might need to talk to or the shoulder you need to cry on. I am here to show the people of this world that there is more to us then anger and violence. I guess I want to revert back to the 60's. Peace and Love man! Peace and Love.

I kept my granddaughter last night and she has been with me all day today. It's been great but I forget how much time and work it takes to be with a busy 4 year old. lol I have to admit that I should sleep very well tonight though. 

I am having a little trouble today concentrating. I can't seem to focus today on one thing. Other things keep running through my head and I lose my train of thought. It happens sometimes like this. My thoughts are all jumbled up and come out rather erratically, but like I said I am being me. I write the way I talk. It can get kinda comical at times.

I have continued to work on my lifestyle change. It has been hard because I ran out of my foods I have been eating, but I had reached a plateau and I needed to shake up my system. I did, however, I made one mistake. I have purged by body of all refined sugars and I decided that I wanted to try my new Ceramic Egg Cooker and make a single serve brownie. It worked very well but because I have purged my body it made me so sick. So sick that I got physically sick after eating it. I had surgery in '98 and I am not supposed to have refined sugar anyway but I have to admit, since doing that, ALL of my sugar cravings have gone away. I told my husband what happened and he gave me a big thumbs up. He hated it that I had gone back to eating sugar anyway and he is very happy that I am back to where I should be in that aspect.

I am kinda beating myself up today though. I didn't go to church yesterday and I feel bad about it. Especially since I had just gotten paid and I didn't pay my tithes but I am going to set it aside and take it to church next Sunday. I'm going to send a prayer up about it and I will ask you to pray for me too as I can always use prayer. Anyway, I think that is all I wanted to relay today.

God's Peace, Love and Joy to you,

Laura

20 Reasons to host a Virtual Party

I don't care what anyone says, we all love to entertain. However when we stop and think about what goes into hosting a party we end up talking ourselves out of it. Why? Well let's make a list of the things we have to do to prepare for this party.

1. Clean the house (that's the big one right there).
2. Go to the store and get food and drinks for everyone to enjoy.
3. Host on a Saturday night so you don't have to get up and go to work the next day.
4. Be dressed in something presentable.
5. Make sure all the furbabies are put away and the hair is off the couch.
6. Prepare all the foods and beverages.
7. AND, run around and make sure everyone is having a good time.
8. THEN there is the clean up afterwards.

Ok, I'm tired and I don't want to have this party anymore. Too much work involved.

Now lets discuss the 20 advantages to hosting a virtual party.

1. No cleaning required!
2. No need for a bra (women)/pants (men)
3. Most likely you will be on some sort of social media anyway.
4. No shower needed!
5. You can pop in and out of the party
6. No cooking necessary!
7. You can wear your snuggie without shame
8. It costs you absolutely nothing
9. Earn FREE stuff!
10. It's Fun!
11. Catch up with old friends, you know the ones that don't come to your parties because they live out of town.
12. You don't need a sitter!
13. No excuses for weather cancellations
14. No need to do your hair
15. Shop without going out
16. Friends and family out of state can attend
17. Convenient for everyone!
18. No cleanup afterwards!
19. Kids screaming in the background? No problem!
20. All the cool people are doing it!

SO, WHY NOT?!

Let's get together and have some fun, you earn FREE products, and have some laughs! June is an amazing time to have a "party" with me and here is why!

For my Host you can earn:

1. Up to a $265 shopping spree (depending on amount of sales)
2. 5 Half price items
3. A 30% discount
4. Host exclusive monthly specials
5. A 10% discount for a FULL year
6. In June my Host has a choice of the following too:

AND

In June your guest will also benefit by the following FREE items (when they spend $75 or more):

Contact me and get on my calendar before it's all booked up!

Happy Cooking,

Laura

My Why

Every one of us has their own story. Their story about their lives and their why's. Their why's are why they do what they do. Many people have incredible talents and we see this evidence on tv everyday in the form of the entertainment we enjoy, or someone has the most incredible voice and we love to listen to their CD's or on the radio. Then there are others that have a much more quite talents. Some have the talent of hospitality, charity, or they are crafty, and even others talents lie in the kitchen. They cook, bake, stew, simmer, boil, knead dough, use fresh herbs and make people happy through their tummies. I love to make people happy by providing them an excellent meal. Nothing makes me happier then to hear someone say "that was so good. I want your recipe". Most of the time though I stay in the background. I like to hear the compliments but I would rather just stay in the kitchen. Quite talent.

So with my quiet talent, that I have used but kept underwraps for many many years, I come to my why. Why did I decide to join The Pampered Chef? Why do I love to cook? Why do I love kitchen gadgets? To explain my why I will have to go back many years.

In 1986 I graduated from high school. It was a proud accomplishment for me but anything beyond high school was not something I was encouraged to do. No college was suggested, BUT my Catering (home economics) teacher encouraged me to attend a culinary school. I wanted to. I was excited about doing something like that, but I was told it was to expensive and that it was a very difficult profession to be in. Hence, no encouragement. I worked in the retail trade (yuck), K-Mart, Wal-Mart, and Revco (Rite Aid). I had no "education" so I was not going to go anywhere in either of the companies I was in, not to mention I didn't know how to be a manager. I had no training and I was untrainable, at the time. So I worked at these deadbeat jobs until I entered the logistics end of the retail business. Fancy way of saying that I worked in a warehouse. I worked at a couple of them and I found out that I really liked that kind of work but my body, by this time, was breaking down. My spine was compressing the disks in my back and I wasn't able to feel my right foot. All the damage did not just come from the back breaking work I was doing. I was obese all my life and I had two babies. If you know anything about carrying a baby in your tummy you know that it is a front load. I already had a heavy stomach but the added weight of a baby only made the damage to my spine more prevalent. Anyway, in October 2014, I think, I had back surgery to fuse my spinal column down in the lumbar region of my spine and the Doctor cleaned out some arthritis in the spaces below that. He explained that there was much more arthritis there then the x-rays revealed. Well as I laid at home, trying to heal, I came to the realization that there was no way I was going to be able to return to the warehouse. I needed to do something else. Between the retail and the warehouse I did learn to drive a school bus, so I did earn my class B CDL.

So I went to a local private school (on the advice from a friend), did public and didn't want to go back, and got a job driving a bus, again. I love it but I wanted more. With each job I have had I learned that I was uneducated and would always be the grunt. So without a college education and learning on the fly. I decided, with the help of my cousin, that I would be a consultant, but which company. I tried Jamberry Nail Wraps, but it wasn't my passion. Then a friend reminded me of The Pampered Chef. Ah, my passion, cooking and making people happy through delicious foods they enjoyed eating.

I started working with The Pampered Chef in the winter of 2016, February, and I loved it. I finally realized I was worth something. There was no one here telling me that I was never going to go anywhere. I was the leader of my own path! What a wonderful feeling and today I still have to remind myself that this is not a sprint it is a marathon. I am trying to build a quality business to give others the quality of life they deserve or want. I am trying to build others to their God given ability and talents and help them realize they too can give their children their time and earn a quality paycheck.

It has been over a year now with this company and the support my Pampered Chef family has shown me is fantastic. I could not ask for more than what I have here. The love, care, and support is what I am striving to share with others. If you think you would love to achieve your life's dreams you can contact me via my website at https://pamperedchef.biz/thehappytummy

God's Love, Peace, and Joy to you,

Laura

I am with you

.

"I am with you". Four little words but they are filled with meaning. My understanding of this phrase is that someone has promised to be by your side forever. Ah ha, there is one word in that meaning that a lot of people have problems with, "promise". This is your word that you are going to do something. "Mom, I promise I will take the trash out in the morning before the trash man get here". How many times have I heard that one and my teenager sleeps right through the clanging and banging of the truck outside the house while dumping the neighbors trash. Yes this is a little promise. One that frequently gets broken and as a parent we are disappointed in our teens actions of a broken word but we forgive and move on to the next time. BUT, if someone says they will be with you always and then they forget their promise and turn their back on you, you are more than crushed. Your heart is broken. You take marriage vows that say I will be with you always and then next thing you know you're in divorce court! Why! What in the world happened between the I do and the I can't stand you anymore! We fail to remember that we have made a promise and when things get hard we just want to tuck our tails and run. There are way to many of us that have experienced this kind of disappointment and when we fall it is very hard to get back up.

All of my children has this can do attitude. When they are faced with adversity they always looks for a way to solve the problem. They don't run from things, hence their issues with anxiety just like their Mom. Sorry babies for putting that out there. My children are my inspiration because they never give up. They have always been challenged by their father and I do mean always. When he says it's time to give up on that they start thinking "heck no", step back, look at the problem, and find a solution just to spite Dad. I kinda think it's funny because I was the absolute opposite when I was younger. If my Mom told me I couldn't do something then I guess I wasn't good enough to do it. Many times I have gotten my bubble busted. Even my husband did the same thing to me. However on the other hand he made me stop and take a hard look at what I wanted to do and make sure it was a good thing and not just jump in blindly and fall flat on my face. I've done that a lot too. lol

Honestly the phrase "I am with you" can only be help up by one person or rather higher power, God. He sent His Son to save our souls and I know this to be true because this is my faith, my belief. Today is my first day on summer vacation and I decided that I wanted to subscribe to a daily devotional called "The Upper Room". Well this morning I read their blog post and it was very profound for me. It was speaking about Moses and how he was just a simple sheep herder when God came to him and said that he would deliver Him people from Pharaoh. "Me, you're talking to me"? "I'm just a little ole sheep herder". God said "little or not. With you I can do great things". This is all paraphrased of course, but God was telling Moses that He was always with him, no matter what. This is true for us today as well. There are many times in our lives, if not everyday, that God shows us that he is with us. It might be just a little message through a reading or a tv preacher says just the right words that get your attention, or something is said or a song comes on the radio that hits your heart just right. God is letting you know that He is there. Right by your side. Never give up, never stop trying, and never, never stop praying.

I am praying for our world and all that entails every day. I have really been diligent about it for the last couple of weeks and I am scared that I am going to forget to do it while on vacation because my pray time was when I got on the bus in the morning before I picked up my first student, during my drive. My quiet time. No distraction, except the occasional driver that has no idea what they are doing to other around them or my mind starts to wander from my point and I start thinking about something else. God forgives me for this transgression, Amen. I pray for all the individuals driving around me, their families, my family, extended family, all my blessings, and then I get specific. I know that He knows what my struggles are but I have learned that it is not selfish to ask specifically for that particular trial. It's not selfish to ask God to bless my Pampered Chef business or my job at my school. God likes it when we are specific. There are a couple of things, recently, I have had to lay at the feet of my Lord and I am learning to let Him handle the situation. My heart is light and I am happy. I have a blessed life, with blessed children and family, and I know that my Lord loves me. I am good enough and I do matter. I am a child of God!  

God's Love, Peace and Joy to you

Laura

Empty Nest Syndrom

As I sit here constructing this post I am having to deal with my emotions. Today was the last day of school, for me anyway, for this school year. It's my first year at this school and I can tell you that private school is way way different from public school. In public school, on the last day of school students can't wait to get away from you because you are one of the sources of their pain. You are the one that drives them to school where they have to learn something and sit all day and pay attention. You are the bane of their existence.

In this private school things are different. Yes the students are happy to begin their summer vacation but they don't run away from you. They take the time to hug you and thank you, wish you a wonderful summer, and tell you that you are sweet. AWE. I get all misty eyed thinking about my day today. I am really going to miss my students this summer. They are so wonderful, not that public school students aren't. They are really good students. I remember when I first started working on the bus for the public school system and that first year they gave me a permanent route that was supposed to be one of the roughest neighborhoods in the city. Well no doubt it was a rough neighborhood but my students treated me with so much respect. I really loved them. I got attached to them and then the next year the school system, transportation department specifically, changed my route to somewhere else. Man my parents were pissed. They made calls downtown and everything but nothing would change their minds. From that point on my experience with public schools went down hill until the final year I was there. I had another great group of students but I knew that I wouldn't have them the next year and I just couldn't go through that again, not to mention the office staff didn't really know how to treat people fairly. Anyway I left the public sector and enter into the warehouse sector. Back breaking work, literally. Hot summers, freezing winters, and couldn't make anyone happy. Well that is an exaggeration. I made my supervisor very happy as well as the Director, but my boss on the other hand is a different story.

As I am dealing with this empty nest syndrome I am reminded when it started here at home. My oldest daughter was moving out, not her choice, and I felt crushed. I cried buckets of tears no one knew about, until now, and a lot of my emotions came out in anger. I hope she can forgive me for that. I was hurting and I didn't know what to do with all that pain. I still had my middle daughter at home as well as my baby girl, but, and I don't mean to hurt anyone here, but she was my first born! She was never supposed to leave! She was my best friend and best friends never leave! Kinda selfish right? I know that now. I cut my teeth on her and by the time it was the middle daughters time to leave I handled it much better then before. Besides she is the hardest person in the world to deal with first thing in the morning. God, don't even look at her because she will bite you head off. Many mornings started out with an argument with her. Now that she is on her own she and I have grown a lot closer. My oldest daughter has proven to me time after time that she still needs her Mama and I love those calls when they come as much as I love the text messages when I am sad to "hold you head up buttercup. It's going to get better". I love my children to infinity and back, if there is a back from that. I pray for them everyday and I hope they realize just how much they mean to me. Nothing can ever replace your children. Grandchildren come in real real close. I could dote all over them and my fur grand babies as well. All of them are growing up to fast and time does not seem to want to stop or slow down.

Empty nesters heed my word. It will get easier over time. It is not easy. That is why being a parent is not for the weak. It takes a strong person to get through the severing of each little apron string, but don't be surprised that you find out one day that not all of them have been cut and they will come back to you.

God's love, peace, and joy to you

Laura

Kids in the Kitchen

I love to see kids in the kitchen. I never had the energy to do it with mine and that is very disappointing on my party as a parent. My bills ruled my life instead of me taking charge of my life and paying attention to my children.

Anyway that is the sad part of this post. The Pampered Chef has worked hard for the last 36-37 years to build individuals to the best of their God given talents and to build healthy families. We are committee to teaching adults and children the power of the family table and to teach the art of giving back. Laura Austin - The Pampered Chef

I have wonderful memories of being in the kitchen. That's usually where we would eat breakfast, lunch or have a snack, but at dinner time it was into the dining room. Placemats, coasters, real plates, and real flatware. It was very important to my family to eat this meal at the dining room table. But I don't ever remember my Grandma or my Mom teaching me to cook. I don't ever remember helping to measure out the ingredients for anything. I remember though, one day in particular. I came home from school and I had my afternoon snack with my Grandma, we lived with Grandma, and Grandma was chasing me around the kitchen table and I would make her laugh by blowing up my cheeks and crossing my eyes. She laughed so hard at me. LOL. That is one of my most cherished kitchen memories. My Mom and Grandma took care of me very well, but I still don't remember ever being taught HOW to cook. I took a home economics class in high school, catering, and I loved it. It was there that I learned a lot about cooking.

With all of the violence in the world, case in point the recent bombing in the UK, the constant shootings we have in our area here, where is the love, where has all of this hate and discontent come from. As a society, have we lost so much that we can't get it back. We have lost an entire generation to this discontent. We, adults, have lost sight at how important our children are for our future. We are more focused on making the needed money to just survive in the country. All of our utilities are so high we can afford to pay them but we can't afford to have them turned off because our children will freeze in the winter and roast in the summer, since global warming has gotten so bad. We cannot live without water, and you can't really cook very well without it either. We have to have transportation to get to and from work and because the boss wants us to be in at 6 or 7 am we have to give over our children to a childcare provider. And God help that childcare provider if there is an issue and they try to correct it then and there. The parents go off! I have always said that it take a tribe to raise children. Each individual has something to teach. What a parent see as the child not being rude, may be rude to someone else. We have to teach our children how to talk to others with respect and we have to teach them that they really do need to care about the other persons feelings. I know raising children is the hardest job in the world, I have been working on three of my own. It's not easy and not for the faint of heart. There is so much we really need to fix in this world, but we need to continue to take our families back. We can't afford to continue to lose them to a faulty society.

In need of prayer

I don't know what to do today. I'm feeling meh today. I'm praying a lot. I want to smile, I  want to post, I  want to work my business, but I just don't have the energy today. I do have a few things on my mind but I  didn't think it was bothering me.


I know it's really my fault because I  over extended my money this pay period. There are a couple of bulls i can't pay and it's really bothering me.

I went to church yesterday and it was youth Sunday. It was really good and e sang hymns that were my favorite like "Lord I life your name on High" and "Shout to the Lord". I love those because they are so up beat and inspiring. I also did something that I haven't done in years and that was i paid my tithes. I feel that it's very important in my life. It really always had been but I've never really done it constantly. As I  am turning over this new leaf in my life I feel that I  need to do this. Good has blessed me with so much in my life and He continues to show me everyday. I also know that when I  am feeling like this I must continue to have faith. Even if it is just the faith of a mustard seed and that is all I can muster right now God is still happy, but it's not enough for me. At this time, right now, as I  am typing this I am laying it at the feet of my Lord.

       




Oh, I wanted to tell you! I used these two amazing products this weekend. The ceramic egg coffee and the indoor/outdoor grill. I made an egg and cheese omelet and a single serve blueberry lemon muffin. They were both amazing and on the grill I did lemon pepper chicken. So juicy and tender. WOW! The egg coffee is$15.50 + tax and shipping and the grill is $125.00 + tax and shipping. If you would really like to get the grill or even the egg coffee for free contact me and I'll tell you how.

Laura Austin - The Pampered Chef

Stepping it up

 

Remember when I said that was was going to have to step it up with my lifestyle change? That I was to the point that the water weight was gone and now it's time to burn the "real" fat? Well on Thursday I decided that was a good day to begin the second leg of my journey.

I was sitting at home, working; yes on my Pampered Chef business, and I received a phone call from my boss at the school. She asked me if I could help get one of our busses back to the school as the repairs had been finished. Of course I told her yes. Well she told me to be at the school by 1 and I was about 15 minutes early and my fellow bus driver that was going with me was about 10 minutes early. I know him so well. We went on and got the bus and I headed back to school. Well I couldn't see parking the bus, going back home for 30 minutes, and driving back to school. So I decided I would just stay at school and instead of just sitting there I went for a walk on the school track. Now mind you, there was a wonderful breeze blowing and it really wasn't to bad outside. I'm excited, I am going to do this. I'm walking along, doing fine when I realize that my feet were stinging. Holy Mother of God! The devil was licking my feet. Don't Google that for a graphic. My eyes hurt and I dumped my cookies right away. lol. Anyway, I was determined that I was not going to give up. I wanted to get in my 30 minutes so I could get my 30 fit points. I lasted about 25 minutes. I had blisters on the balls of my feet that were the size of half dollars. I DO NOT recommend that you walk in 93 degree heat, on an asphalt track, with the wrong shoes. I had on tennis shoes but they were not walking shoes and the heat went right through them. Phew what an adventure I had.

I have to tell you that I have been feeling very at peace this last week. I have dedicated myself to a new lifestyle and I am sticking to it. I am finding it easier to get up in the mornings. I've gone from 3 alarms down to 1, and I am smiling a lot more and having a lot more positive thoughts. There is one thing that I have changed, something that I should have been doing my whole life, and that is I pray. I might no do it when I first get up but by the time I get on the bus, I am praying while I am driving. I praise my Lord for all that he has given me, and then even though is knows all, I ask for something specific and I find that He is there. He is watching over me. I am a human! An imperfect human! Of course that statement leads right back to "What does it mean to be an Adult". All your bills are paid, and on time, your house is immaculate, your yard is cut and trimmed and flowerbeds weeded, your dishes are clean and put away and your kitchen is so clean you could eat off the floor. You are perfect! Well I was told that if I was like that, then I shouldn't be here on earth because only God is perfect. I am so thankful that I do make mistakes, as long as I learn from them. Because I would not want to miss a minute of my life here on earth with my family and my friends.

God's love, joy and peach to you

Laura

Be your own BOSS

You get up in the morning, thank the Lord, and you get ready for work. Shower, dress, breakfast (maybe), coffee (a must), get in the car (get caught in traffic), finally get to work and your doing great, you haven't spilled coffee on you (yet). Punch in at the computer and if you are a grunt like me, let the sweating begin. Work harder then hard for the boss for 8 hours, go home with muscles hurting you never thought you had or you're sitting at your desk all day on the computer and your carpal tunnel has kicked in and your back and butt are hurting so bad it's hard to get up and walk because your stiff. Now I know that companies like this are trying to be more opened minded and getting computer/office workers these ergonomic desk that allow you to stand up at your station and get the blood flowing again, kudos to them. Thanks for helping. Ok your day is done and you are on the way home. Punch out, get in your car, get in traffic (again), and when you finally get home you're so tired that the idea of fixing something to eat is the farthest thought from your mind. Sit down in the easy chair, breath a sigh of relief, and here's a happy thought. GET UP AND DO IT ALL AGAIN TOMORROW! Oh yeah.  If you are a wife and a Mom, or a single Father even, Lord help you, let us pray. Do you really want me to go through that list of things to do. No I don't think I will take the time. We would be here all day reading what has to be done. Let's just say there is a better way for you to make extra money in spare time (if you have any), or to eventually replace your paycheck, AND it's fun. So you can do this......

Or you could consider this.......

    

You could have more time for your family by working around their schedule. Work where you want and when you want. Never again have to sit in traffic and breathe exhaust fumes that are not really good for you. I am not saying to quit your job right this minute because I am not saying that the money and time is just going to fall into your lap. What I am saying is that with a lot of hard work, an investment into yourself, and consistency you already have you CAN make some extra money or even replace a paycheck (sometimes surpass). You can contact me or visit my website for more information. Laura Austin - The Pampered Chef

According to womenonbusiness.com there are 5 signs that you are ready to be your own boss.
*ALL the information given below is copy and pasted from the website.

You have ideas

There’s much debate about whether entrepreneurs are born or made, but they all share something in common: a list of ideas that just won’t stop growing and evolving. When they look at business, they see innovation, ways to improve, and opportunities missed.

This insight is described as a blessing and a curse, but if you have that ability, it’s a clear sign you might be suited to going it alone. This drive and resilience may mean you’re willing to take a risk, back yourself, and have more than one plan on how to achieve your aim.

Good Product

Whether you have created it yourself or have come across a product you’d like to be associated with, having a great product or service is imperative to your business success. If your motivation to be in business is about managing your own time and using your skills, there are a host of options.

There are some great companies that want inspired people on board under their own terms, such as Telcoinabox, who can help set you up to be your own telecommunications provider.

Passion

If you believe in your idea and have the passion to drive it, there’s a good chance you’re ready to be your own boss. Business requires an unshakeable belief – in your concept, your product, and your ability to deliver it. Passion guarantees job satisfaction. It also inspires enthusiasm in your team and customers.

Want something different

Many people realize it’s time to go into their own business when they find themselves sitting at their desks and begrudging their jobs, wishing they could manage their own time and do it their own way. Successful business people will often tell you a major reason they went into business was simply to be their own boss.

Business Awareness

A great way to recognize you are ready to own your own business is to know how business works, particularly in your chosen field. Hospitality is different to sales, maintenance is different to manufacturing, but if you have an awareness of the industry, ability to learn, and some experience in how business operates, then you’re already part of the way there.

Any person entering their own business accepts that it’s a risk. Few things in life are guaranteed, and business is no different. But if you have passion, drive, a great product and some know-how, it could be a risk that reaps huge financial returns and amazing lifestyle rewards.

Do you think you’re ready for the leap? Share in the comments the signs you’ve noticed that might indicate it’s time for you to take a chance on running your own business.

Planning ahead can relieve stress

Planning ahead can help you relieve stress. Just like finally listening to the nag you have in the back of your mind that keeps reminding you that you need to get back to the gym. But there is a downfall to planning ahead and that is if you are trying to plan to far ahead. In comes the anxiety. That's for a later time, but yes, a good plan is never a mistake.

I had my field trip today, so yesterday I looked at the paperwork, again, and noticed the time of pick up, where we were going, how many I would have on board, and what time we would be arriving back at school. Well my pick up time was for 8:15am and we would not be arriving back at school until about 1. With my lifestyle change I knew that I needed to be prepared with my lunch and snacks and everything else I might need. Also you remember the fiasco I had last friday? No lunch or snack because I was to lazy to get my rears out of bed. Well this week was way, way different. We are still on the night before. I call my husband and asked him to stop at the store for a few things. I needed lettuce, carrots, and cherry tomatoes, he also added some Mini Babybel cheese, AMAZING! So I grab my vegetable knife, yes it's green, and my Pampered Chef Close and Cut, wonderful tool, and cut my tomatoes in half. But the lettuce in the Pampered Chef Make and Take Mason Jar along with the tomatoes and added the dressing in the secret compartment in the top of the lid and bamb I was set. Done! That had my two vegetable that I am allowed for lunch. I packed my two proteins, carbohydrate, and my fat was in the dressing. Lunch was packed, in my lunch box and waiting for me in the refrigerator for in the morning. Also while all this was going on with me I also used my Pampered Chef simple slice and sliced up 5 red potatoes and had them ready in about 8 minutes. All and all I had dinner fixed, and my lunch packed in about 20 minutes. I take a minute and show you the products I used to help me get this done so fast.

 

Make and Take Mason Jar Set

                                                                                                        Simple Slicer

     

Close and Cut set                                        

Laura Austin - The Pampered Chef

By the time the morning came I was so refreshed and relaxed that I was able to pop out of bed and go take my shower, fix my breakfast, and pack the last additional items I needed for my trip. This is one time when being prepared really paid off for me big time. My day when as smooth as a babies butt today. lol

God's love, peace and joy to you,

Laura

OMG

Oh my what a day already. I have to tell you all that I was sitting here trying to think about what I was going to talk about today or what I was going to complain about. I have to laugh at myself though. Thoughts kept sneaking in from the back of my mind. You know that wonderful to do list that we all have. Dishes, laundry, etc.

I went to work this morning like a normal more, except on time, lol, and left school on time. I'm going down the road and traffic starts to stop. I'm like, "let's keep going people, what is what they make sunglasses for". We were all headed in an easterly direction. Well the traffic just kept stacking up and we were coming to a complete stop and I start watching the clock. I know that I am going to be late for my students, so I call in and told her what was going on. By the way my friends please pray for the people involved in the multi-car accident that happened this morning.

Getting back to the back of my mind. As I was sitting there in traffic I kept thinking about how I am going to have to step things up now. I have reached the end of the first stage of my weight loss, I'm done losing all the water weight now it is time to burn the fat. I have a Fitbit and I also have a Pebble. My Pebble is connected to my phone and my Fitbit to my tablet. I want to keep track of my walking activity, drinking enough water, and making sure I get up and move around every hour. I will get lost when I am working on the computer and I will sit for hours. So while we are at a full stop I start loading the apps I want on my phone/watch. lol.

Ok, so I finally go home and I know that I have work to do on the computer. So I sit down and start going through the different things that I always do and got side tracked. I stopped working on my business and started organizing files. I swear sometimes I have ADD. Well I get to the part where I pull up my blog and I think, "ok, what are we going to try to enlighten ourselves about today". The page sat there for about ten minutes, blank. Not one work, no thoughts coming to my mind except that little voice in the back of my mind again telling me to get off my butt and get your laundry done as well as the dishes. My dishwasher is broken so I have to hand wash them. Yuck! Anyway, I get off my behind and I start doing my chores and thinking, in the back of my mind again, what I need to do to prepare for tomorrows field trip. I won't be home for lunch so I have to be prepared. If manage to finish my dishes and I have one load of laundry in the dryer and one in the washer and LOOK, here I am. Writing away as if something has been freed in me. I still have to prepare my food for my field trip tomorrow, but that will be easy. I will take left overs from tonight! Yeah, problem solved, except my husband will still have to go to the store after work for me so I have everything I need more dinner.

I sure am having a blast laughing at myself today. And one more thing I have to laugh at is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is on Oxygen today!

Goodness my pot roast smells good.

I have to give myself credit where credit is due. Even though I have reached a small plateau in my weight loss I am not discouraged. The craving for sugar and fat have ALMOST gone away and I have stuck to my menu. I have no desire to stop at Hardee's in the mornings anymore and I don't want to stop at the BP and get a 44oz. diet soda either. I can drive right past them and I do not get any pangs of regret that I started this change in lifestyle. When I know that I am not going to be home I have begun to pre plan my meals or if I know we are going out I start think ahead of time what I can order.

I am doing great and I am enough. I am worth the skin I live in and I am worth loving. I am beautiful and my husband and children, and grand children, love me! My life is blessed! I give all this AWESOMENESS to my Lord above, because if it were not for him I would not have what I have today.

With God's love, joy and peace

Laura

Sunday

As promised I am back to tell you about Sunday.

Sunday morning we all got up and went to early morning church service, and it was great as it always is. The Preacher knows just how to step on my toes to make me sit up and listen. Sometimes my toes really hurt when I am not be the Christian I should be and she dances on my toes. My mind imagines a little tiny Preacher happily singing and dancing on my toes while looking up and me and smiling. It's like she is saying "you get it now". Ouch Preacher, yeah I get it. lol

Anyway I got a little lightheaded as we were singing the hymns and I had to sit down. Once I was stable I continued to sing while sitting between my husband and our youngest daughter. After the service was over my husband asked me what was wrong and I explained to him that my body was going through a transition as I am not eating refined sugar anymore or drinking soda's. So I am in that adjustment period and I get lightheaded on occasion.

Well after church we went home so we could get something to eat, yes I ate my breakfast but I needed a little more, and sit down and relax before meeting my middle daughter and her fiance' for dinner at Olive Garden to celebrate Mother's Day together. I got a little tired while waiting, after all it was quite a long time before we had to meet them, so I took a nap. About 3:30 I received a phone call from her that her fiance' was sick and they would not be able to make it. "Ok" I said, and told my husband that dinner was off. He asked me what I wanted to do. And here is the kicker my friends, He said, "I know with this "diet" you are on you don't really want to go out and eat do you"? Now that was amazing for me because he helped to not self sabotage myself. He supports me in my endeavor and is proud of how hard I am working on it. We sat back for a while and watched some really great movies on the Lifetime channel and when dinner came I fixed dinner for us and when the time came I went to bed very peacefully. What a wonderful Mother's Day I had!

God's Peace, Love and Joy to you all
Laura