4fabmoms

Smart Moms Take A Break

reb.kog@gmail.com (Rebekah) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:31:00 +0000

We are on hiatus for a while- taking some time with new babies, summer break, and vacations. Join us at our forum.
Join our Smart Moms Group!
Be a Smart Mom!

Direct Sales Companies For Shopping

reb.kog@gmail.com (Rebekah) — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:36:00 +0000

I recently surveyed some work at home moms, mostly that are consultants in direct sales companies. I asked them why they shop from direct sales companies. I am a "consultant" with a few companies, quite varied, and only one as a serious business. The others, I use for the perks. A lot of companies have a low start up cost that give you a discount for a year and access to special offers. Others may be higher, but you get a great "start up" offer to buy other products at a reduced rate. If you read about the company carefully, you can find out if they are going to require monthly requirements to stay active or if they just allow a wholesale-type account. I stay away from those wanting more that $40 a month to stay active, and most that I am involved with, doing require any, unless you want to earn commissions from those you have exposed to the business.

And that is another perk.
As you use the products and services, people may ask you about receiving the same discount. And then you can earn commissions on what they purchase. It is all word of mouth advertising and changing the way people buy products.
And the biggest perk is the great availability of great products.

You may be interested in some of the great companies I have found with great products and services. Or you may have other companies that you use similarly. Post a comment and share with us.

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Be a Smart Mom!

Thankful Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:03:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for all of the wonderful help I have been receiving! Last week my mom came and stayed with us and she was such a great help. Not to mention that our dd, Lilly, absolutely loved having Nana here and at her disposal for an entire 5 days (she really misses her this week!). I am also thankful for good friends who are bringing us meals! We had a meal last night and it was delicious (why do things always taste better when you don't make them?!?!).

So today, I have lots to be thankful for!!

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Smart Moms Forum

reb.kog@gmail.com (Rebekah) — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:07:00 +0000

Our Smart Moms work at home mom forum has been going strong for over a year now. I am so excited for the fun people that have joined and the information I have learned on all sorts of companies, business, and women that are out in the world. It is so nice to have a group of people doing the same thing as me. We chat just like girl friends that have known each other forever.

If you are looking for a great online group, even if you have never done it before, come on over and join us!
Smart Moms Forum
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Thankful Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:53:00 +0000

Today I have a lot to be thankful for! But without question, I am so thankful for our new addition, Logan Gage Canevari. Gage arrived at 1:39 am Friday, May 2nd weighing in at just 6 lbs. 11 oz. It was a rather quick delivery (just 4 hours...thank the Lord!!) and all went well. We were even able to leave the hospital early!

Our daughter, Lilly, is also doing well with her new brother. She has been so helpful and kind to him and doesn't like him to cry. And besides having his days and nights mixed up, Gage has been a good baby! And I think I'm a little more at ease this time around and I am finally able to just to enjoy spending time holding and kissing my baby!

Logan Gage
Big sister, Lilly, holding her brother for the first time!

Another Fab Mom Baby

reb.kog@gmail.com (Rebekah) — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:19:00 +0000

No pictures yet, but Fab Mom Betsy had her baby boy yesterday. That is the second this year for the fab moms- with no hope (or interest) in the other two of us to have another! Congratulations Besty! Post some pictures soon- when you get home at least!

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Thankful Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:45:00 +0000

Today I am thankful to my new washer and dryer!! It's actually about 6 years old and is a hand-me--down from my brother and sister in-law, but it's still new to me!! The best part about them is that they hold almost double what my old set use to hold. So that means less number of loads for me!!! I was so shocked the first day when I started putting my towels in! Instead of two loads, I only have one and now have more free time...amazing!!

I am soooo thankful for my new washer and dryer...but I would be even more thankful if I could just go into labor! I will be 38 weeks at the end of the week and I am soooo ready. I know life will be different and perhaps I don't realize what I am wishing for, but I am so ready to be done with pregnancy!!! His head is completely down and the pressure is overwhelming at times, not to mention all the other aches and pains! My only question is why men don't have to experience some of this!!!!

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Thankful Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:45:00 +0000

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Work at Home Education

reb.kog@gmail.com (Rebekah) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:16:00 +0000

The last year, by developing our internet work at home business site, I have learned so much about the internet and using technology for your business. These past weeks, I have learned how to transfer files using FTP, create a video and transfer it off my computer, and loading websites back to a new hosting company. For some, it seems basic. For others, it sounds Greek! Who would guess working from home would provide such an education to use in so many other aspects of life. I can really feel that I know what I am doing, some of the time, and that I can find the answer if I do not know how to do something.

Thanks to the internet, of course!

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Thankful Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:46:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for the fact that the nursery is "almost" finished (unfortunately it will probably be a work in progress for a while)! This past weekend my mom came over to help me get things set up and I am so thankful that she did. The closet still needed some painting and once the furniture arrived, we have a lot of clothes to put away.

My husband is a contractor, so he has a good connection with a wonderful carpenter who made the two dressers. I have been waiting (ever so patiently!!) for these dressers for over a month and he finally picked them up on Saturday (minus the handles which will hopefully be put in some time this week...yeah right!!!). The dressers are a beautiful Cherry wood and they are wonderful, except for one thing...they are HUGE. I am sure you can't tell by the pictures, but the furniture swallows up the small room and they are VERY tall. So tall, in fact, that I will have to use a step stool to change the baby. And while this may not be a big deal to most, it was almost a cause for tears for this very hormonal mom!!

Nonetheless, at least the room is almost finished and I am thankful!!

Isn't the white crib just lovely with the cherry dressers?!?!

Yes, I am supposed to change a baby on this dresser!

Lilly just had to be in the picture (with her chocolate milk mustache!)

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Baby Showers

reb.kog@gmail.com (Rebekah) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:01:00 +0000

This weekend, I hosted two showers for my friends that are expecting new babies in the coming months. These are probably the 4th and 5th showers I have attended for friends in the past two or three months. What is funny to me is thinking about my mother's generation- they were mostly done having children well before 30. Now my generation is having their first, second, or third baby at 30, or like my best friend, her first at 35. Isn't interesting that we have chosen to wait to get married and/or have kids in comparison to our parents. Now, when an 19 year old is married and pregnant, we are shocked! My mom had three before 23 (and two after 35!). I did not make so much of my teaching career before having my two, but I certainly did not think I was ready to parent! LOL!

A lot to consider in our changing times- parenting older, but increasing numbers of stay at home moms; building careers, but then leaving them for parenting or to get a new one!

What will our children do?
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Thankful Tuesday's

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:09:00 +0000

Today I am thankful that my "to-do" list is finally dwindling! Fab Mom and new mother, Kim, suggested that I list ALL of the things I wanted to accomplish before baby #2 arrived and her suggestion really helped me get focused. So my "to-do" list has been posted on my kitchen cabinet for the past month+ and slowly I have been crossing things off. It's amazing the excitement I get when I can actually cross an item off. It's such a huge sense of accomplishment, but I guess when you feel like I do and your legs and feet are two size their normal size, you get excited about the little things!!!

So all that really needs to be done now are some things in the nursery. And unfortunately that means waiting on my husband. If he doesn't hurry up, I might be calling in some assistance real soon! We are also waiting on the furniture and I am praying it will be ready by next week. I just want everything in place and ready for my little guy!!

I also have a request!!! If any of you moms out there have any good last minute advice, I would love to hear it! Advice on things to do to prepare or "must have" items or any advice on preparing #1 for #2 would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

Nature Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:46:00 +0000

I went for a walk this weekend and brought my camera along to capture nature around my neighborhood.

"Good fences make good neighbors" is firmly believed in south Florida.

Illusion of perfection...this is the same hedge pictured above. As I walked by I saw a single twig jutting out. Was it forgotten or is is a rebel branch breaking out of the line??

Some days everyone needs a sign like this!

This one makes me chuckle every time I walk by it.
Obviously, not "nature" but it reminded me of the Florida Keys and it's tiny Key Deer.

4FabMoms Get Together

reb.kog@gmail.com (Rebekah) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:16:00 +0000

The four of us do not all live near each other- it is two and two. So every once in a while, we get a night out together and some time to brainstorm our business. Last night and today was the day. We were able to have a dinner out and some time for business this morning, and then a trip to Target together. While business is important, the time spent together just hanging out is important too. This past year of Smart Moms- yes, it has only been one year, has been a challenging one. We hit the ground running, working tirelessly to get going with our online business. We changed focus, changed direction, and changed our goals. One has had a baby, one with a baby on the way, one started homeschooling, and one had a husband diagnosed with cancer and returned to the work force. It has been a year of ups and downs and great friendships. I appreciate everything I have learned from our business and our friendships.

A funny thought came into my head- just know- and I am only writing it because it is appropriate...

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get."

This is only humorous to me because I do not see myself as the quoting Forrest Gump type. But we did not know what we would get or what is in store. I love the suspense!

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What are you doing with your Tax Refunds?

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Bishop) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:27:00 +0000

So anyone else have their refund and economic stimulus checks, If so what are you doing with them?

We are putting the tax refund to pay off a credit card and the economic stimulus on the principle of our home.

Here is a smart tip! Don't buy more stuff with it, see how you can leverage it to give you more financial freedom, not more useless stuff!

Thankful Tuesday's

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:31:00 +0000

Today I am thankful that it's Spring Break! And while I won't be celebrating like I did while in college(!!!), I am still excited for the break!! For me it's just nice to have a week without a schedule! And while we don't have our plates completely full during the week, it's still nice to know that we don't' have to be anywhere at any specific time all week (except for my Dr.'s appointment!!). Unfortunately that also means I will be working on projects around the house, but at least I can sleep-in (whatever that means) and enjoy some down time if I need it!!

Happy Spring Break (for anyone else who hasn't already enjoyed their break!!).

Quick Business Tip

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:09:00 +0000

If you are running a business from home you probably need to have a way to send and receive faxes. eFax is a wonderful alternative to the fax machine, extra phone line, paper, ink/toner and file system you would need with a traditional fax system. eFax is readily accessible through your email/internet. So, as long as you can access your internet and email you can access your fax line. This is great for the business traveler!

It's very cost efficient, simple to use, environmentally friendly (no paper or ink cartridges), highly organized (save documents directly to your computer) and easily accessible with any internet access.

Even in these days of email, a lot of businesses still need a way to send and receive faxes. If your business is like this, check out eFax for all the details.

300th Post!

reb.kog@gmail.com (Rebekah) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:42:00 +0000

Congrats on 300 blog posts! I just noticed that last week hit 300- yeah!
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Thankful Tuesday's

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:31:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for having a little more energy. Lately I have been feeling so fatigued and couldn't fall asleep at night (until midnight or 1am). So last week at my check-up the Dr. suggested taking Benadryl to fall asleep. So I started that last week and it's really helped. Then I have also started taking my Arbonne vitamins faithfully again. Before I was pregnant I could feel an energy boost within 3 days of taking them and now again, I have started to feel the difference...so much so that I skipped a nap last week.

I just hope that this new found energy sticks around for a while!!

Back in the swing - well kind of?

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Bishop) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:49:00 +0000

I am slowly getting back into the swing after returning home from South America. First we needed to get our house reorganized after renting it out as a vacation rental on Craig's List and then we needed to get our homeschooling back on track and now it is Easter oh yeah and finishing taxes! OK - April will be a better month.

Although we were gone for 5 weeks, we did download and watch all of the LOST

episodes, and a few nights ago, I found out who won project runway! I called it in week 2.

Anyone else out there a Lost or Project Runway fan?

Busy Days

reb.kog@gmail.com (Rebekah) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:08:00 +0000

As a mom that works outside the home and has a business inside the home, with two* kids, a husband, and three dogs, some days just get busy. I have found that blogging is a way to reflect on what is happening and how it effects me and my family. Blogging is such a good tool for journaling and for accountability. I currently co-write on two blogs and have three more of my own- each related to a different topic. Some are read by so many people each day and others are hardly read except by me. And that is okay. I am thankful for finding blogging almost 1 year ago. It is hard to start, but once you get into it, it is well worth the time, for business or personal use.

If you are a blog reader, but do not have a blog, start one- even if it is just for yourself!

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Thankful Tuesday's

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:52:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for my new Croc shoes. As a big pregnant women, comfy shoes are a must! The only ones that have been comfortable lately are my Croc flip flops. So this weekend I found a pair of Mary Jane Crocs and I have been wearing them non-stop! I really like them, although they don't have any of the holes that the other Crocs have. I didn't think that was a big deal until my feet started to sweat!! Oh well, guess I will have sweaty, stinky feet!!

Adjusting to 2 kids!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:02:00 +0000

So I'm on day 13 of being a parent to two sweet girls. I am tired (goes with the territory) but feel like I'm starting to adjust. Our oldest has been amazing with this new addition and life change. She wants to do everything I do for Brooke except change poopies - LOL!

I know that sleep will come and I'm just enjoying the moment of having a tiny one to hold. Pretty soon she will be off to pre-school and playdates, growing in independence like my first!

For all you mommies out there - enjoy the moments while you can!

Work at Home Moms Clean Up Your Computer!

reb.kog@gmail.com (Rebekah) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:39:00 +0000

I have had to switch to an older laptop we own since the other computer is having power issues. This one was running so slow, I went to the control panel (PC) and looked at the programs that could be removed. There were so many I never used or did not even remembering loading! It was slowing my computer way down. With everything offer free trial downloads on the internet, we sometimes forget we even loaded something new! Between that and 2 gigs of pictures, I really had loaded up the memory. So I removed some unneeded programs (using the control panel only- or you can deleted something you may not want to delete) and now it is running smoother. I think I will defrag it tonight and see if that helps too. Computers can really be used forever with proper maintenance. Think of them like a car- you would never go for 10000 miles without changing the oil- I hope!
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Thankful Tuesday's

noreply@blogger.com (Betsy) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:33:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for my steamer! I am sure I have shared this before, but oh well! Today I was working on cleaning my curtains and instead of ironing them, I just steamed them. It was so much easier and it didn't take as long either! Plus, it looks just as good as if I had labored over ironing.

I absolutely love my steamer because it really does save me time. And right now, time is very precious to me!