Loving your job? Yes, it’s possible!

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” –Confucius
 
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to wake up in the morning — a weekday morning, not even a weekend — and be excited about the day ahead of you? For most of us, weekdays are the ultimate juggling act: work, kids, sports, after-school activities, finding something quick and easy to make for dinner, getting everyone ready for bed and then starting all over again the next morning. Sounds familiar, right?

The reality is, most people are unhappy with “the daily grind.” In fact, a recent Business Insider article says most people dread their mornings, as their days are occupied by jobs they chose for the wrong reasons — a means to an end that leaves them feeling unfulfilled.

But it doesn’t need to be that way. You can take control of your destiny and your happiness! One way to increase satisfaction with your job? Work from home. While you’ll still be balancing responsibilities of life — work and family — the flexibility of a home-based business can change your life. Here’s how:

Choose your hours: Yes, you will still need to work, but you will decide what type of schedule works best for you. Need your mornings free to get the kids off to school? You can do that. Are weekends completely off limits? You can do that, too!

Create your own path: Rather than trying to squeeze yourself into a mold where you just don’t fit, working for yourself allows you to decide EVERYTHING for yourself. Set your own expectations and goals, realistic ones that mirror your aspirations not those of your boss, your co-workers or the company you work for. As an entrepreneur, you make all these decisions.

No more commute: This one is actually a biggie. The top 10 benefits of working from home listed in this Forbes Magazine article rank saving on gas money, avoiding traffic, foregoing a long commute and environmental friendliness as top reasons.

Make it a part-time gig: Maybe your day job is satisfying, and you are happy with it, but you are looking for ways to make a little extra money. A home-based business is the perfect way to supplement your income.

Or maybe you’d like to test the waters of working for yourself. A home-based business on a part-time basis is a great way to see if you’re ready to spread your entrepreneurial wings!

There’s no need to coast through your days on fumes. Make your job, and your life, what you want it to be! Interested in finding out more about opportunities through SendOutCards? Take a peek here.

original post at my newsletter link http://cardsandmohr.sendcere.net/ on June 6, 2015

Friendship - Tell them now, not in an eulogy

Original post on website/newsletter Nov. 21, 2104

You’re like peas and carrots. Peanut butter and jelly. Buzz and Woody. Bert and Ernie. No matter what happens, through the good and bad, happy and sad, you’ve never left each other’s side.

How do you describe a friendship like that? Here are some famous quotes about friendship. Which one captures your friendship best?

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” – C.S. Lewis

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” – William Shakespeare

“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” – Elbert Hubbard

“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” – Henry Ford

“Friends are those rare people who ask how you are and then wait for the answer.” – Unknown

“Growing apart doesn’t change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I’m glad for that.” – Ally Condie

“The real test of friendship is can you literally do nothing with the other person? Can you enjoy those moments of life that are utterly simple?” – Eugene Kennedy

“Friendship isn’t a big thing — it’s a million little things.” – Unknown

Good friends are hard to find and impossible to forget. Let these simple quotes inspire you to make time for your special friend today. Nurture what you share together and send them your love in a custom card or gift today.

Work Hard - Play Hard

Hi Friends,

Just a quick note to check in. I can't believe it's been six weeks since my last entry... but I have a good excuse. We have been blessed with our business and set goals for our family... and in achieving them, we celebrated together too. We took a four-week vacation and celebrate us - we went to Disney World parks, Legoland, Florida beaches and got to visit both sets of grandparents. Literally, we were home a couple days (2!) in four weeks - just enough time to do laundry and jet set again.

Here are just a couple photos:



When you wish upon a star...

The Tree of Life is amazing!

Every boys dream! And it was a total surprise -

Everything was unbelievable - Dream & Achieve

As if the parks at Disney (we did Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot) and Legoland were not enough, we have one last surprise for the boys.  We stayed at a resort in Ft. Walton, Florida and one morning decided to take kayaks out in the Gulf of Mexico. Take a peek at our video - THIS topped all our memories for me and was a moment for all five of us to take in the beauty of the animals in their natural habitat while listening to their breathing and chatter.

 

Well... vacation is over, school has resumed and so has my appointments to aid others in their personal and business relationships - all with the power of a greeting card. Check out our cards and gifts at by clicking here. May this tool and service allow you to work smarter and not harder - but if you do work hard, remember to take time (especially with your family) to PLAY HARD too.

 

And as always, thanks for following us. We appreciate you!

 

In gratitude,

Danielle



Life - It's for Rent

Wowzer. Our family has been on an emotional rollercoaster since July 5th when my Uncle, who is like a father-figure to me, went to the doctor's office with concern of some arm swelling. His doctor sent him to the ER concerned that my Uncle wasn't getting enough blood flow thru his carotid artery. While I won't document all the medical stuff, we went from thinking the July 5 visit would turn into the need for a carotid stent in his neck; however, we got more than we ever wanted to hear.

Initial tests showed numerous "spots on his spine, lungs, liver, kidney, and lymph nodes." Doctors were writing down "cancer everywhere.... possible small cell cancer... prognosis: 4-6 months...."  Honestly, I can't remember everything - my world was just turned upside down.

As my Uncle had more tests dones and I started to hang on to hope.  The kidney results came back and it is a cyst - it's the size of an orange, but a cyst. One slide of tissue cut for one of the above areas came back negative, but the doctor disagreed and asked for another section.  After almost a week in the hospital with all these tests, my Uncle was discharged home to wait for the results on new biopsies taken.

And that leads me to today, readmission in the hospital to conduct a PET scan. Still waiting on those results and a conversation with another oncologist this afternoon, but the worst of our fears have been confirmed... Stage IV cancer of lung and liver .  (Yes, my Uncle smoked 30 years ago; however, was not a drinker. I am not sure how that all relates, but I don't want there to be speculation.)

I guess I am sitting down to write because I don't know what else to do... yes, I'm praying and while I don't know God's Plan, I do trust Him. I guess I am writing because I don't want you to take life for granted... I don't want you to wait for tomorrow.... I don't want you to put off your dreams.... Now, I'm not saying you have to get all crazy and start checking off everything on your Bucket List, but maybe do the little things you put off....

Do something crazy with the kids... eat dessert first, have a water fight...

Cut your hair... color your hair... Maybe get that tatoo...

Call a Friend you haven't talked to in year... Call a Friend you are grateful for....

Pick flowers... Give away the flowers... Take time to smell the flowers

Even as supper is boiling over or the baby spit up, the dog is barking -
stop and take time to kiss your spouse good-bye

You know I did it, GO SKY-DIVING or something that scares you!

I can't write everything, but take a moment to think about what you would do if you got a grim diagnosis. What would you miss out on? Celebrate those people... those things today - tomorrow is not promised.... and just like when we lost our friend, Denai, I am reminded of that with all the heartache and tears our family has shed recently.

I am not giving up hope and I do believe in the power of prayer, but I also know the odds are against my Uncle. However, any of you reading this know he's a fighter since his vehicle accident at age 18 that eventually left him paraplegic. I guess I am just writing for myself (it's therapeutic and I get all my tears out) and I'm writing for you... PLEASE take time to celebrate the now. Our life is not our's... we don't know when our final tomorrow will be.... Tomorrow is not promised.

With sincere gratitude for you - in reading our blog and following our blog.  With appreciation for your kindness, love and support - as my readers, CardsAndMohr team, SendOutCards Family and as FRIENDS.  I do appreciate you! And I do enjoy celebrating you - may you pay-it-foward and celebrate someone else today... and you may do so for FREE on me at our website by clicking on the "Send a Free Card" icon.

Big, BIG hugs -
Danielle

New Gratitude Challenge Participants

My heart is sooo happy? Guess who is doing the Gratitude Challenge? Yep - our boys! The big boys pooled their money together and are sharing the 30 days to send cards to their teachers, coaches and friends. They are loving it and while I know how I feel and have read your messages, to see my children participate is unmatched.  Take a peek as they show you how easy it is to be part of the challenge by clicking here!

Make someone's day.... What do you have to lose..? That is right - absolutely nothing. Hugs, Danielle

"Dates" with Your Kids

It's been a long time since grad school and I would never consider myself a parenting "expert," but I do want to take a moment to share a couple of ideas. 

If your is like our  house, it is busy - no matter how many children you have... there are school, events, extra-cirriculars, meals, shopping, playdates, doctor appointments and the list goes on and on. Sometimes, you may find it hard to slow down and just "be" with your child in that moment. There are two ideas I'd like to share that make a difference in our house.

(1) Stagger Bedtimes

(2) Take Your Child on a Date

Let me write some details. We have three kiddos (3-6-9 y/o) and bedtime for Mom/Dad takes about an hour a half - you might be thinking, what? Basically each night, each kiddo gets about 30 minutes with Mom and/or Dad. The preschooler starts first - it's bath, then 1:1 time - it varies: snuggles, TV time, reading, quiet game... things to get ready for bed. When he offiically goes to bed, it's one book, prayer, and hugs/kisses.  Then our 1st grader gets his solo time, followed by our 3rd grader.

I LOVE these quiet times - the focus is all on that child. It allows us to return to anything touched on at dinner (that'll be another entry), relax, chat about school, subjects, friends - make small talk and address anything that comes up or use it as a teaching lesson while they are young. The boys each have their favorite things to do and it varies - I love it because even as fast as my 3rd grader wants to grow up, he still wants his time with Mom/Dad.

It is my hope to always keep the lines of communication open - for big or small concerns. Even if I get the 'oh mom' plus a sigh, I'll joke about that I always hope he'll come to me for any questions. The boys really love it because instead of having to 'fight' to get a word in or feel like someone stole their thunder at an announcement, the focus is all them.  And the boys are respectfuly to each other during their bedtime snuggles/routines - even if one of the big boys comes in for a question while I'm with the preschooler, I say (and my son hears me say) "That will have to wait, I'm spending my time with L. I'll help you once he is in bed."

Another great way to give your child that special one-on-one time, is to "date your child." HA! Not the "date - date," which the kids laugh about; however, you do want to make a point to do something special with each child.  Something specific to that child - their likes, their personalities, their dream.  We've done everything to sushi (ok, sushi rolls - but not bad for a 9 year old) taking them to basketball game to movies to bike rides to ice cream to arcade places to Legoland Discovery Center to playing at the park, feeding the ducks, and each kiddo gets a solo trip to San Antonio with Daddy when in Kinder or 1st grade to experience that for themselves.

The "date" doesn't have to be elaborate - it's about the quality of time. And you might find out a lot more about school, friends, concerns, fears, ideas and much more than in the one question "how was school today?"

Always wishing you the best in all of life's adventures -

From one momma to another, Danielle

No More Calling in Sick

YEAH - so thankful for a business I can run from my laptop... anywhere. Give me a computer and a telephone and I'm in business. What a week of illness at my house - last week, my little one was sick and today/tomorrow, my middle kiddo is out of school. I have wrote my appreciation in my Gratitude Journal that I am thankful that I didn't have to call anyone and 'ask for a sick day.' I am able to be mommy and business owner... I am in charge of my life...

If you are not in charge of your life, what can you do differently? What would a side business in network marketing provide you? Do your homework - there are so many companies. Find one that fits your personality and family needs.... Research the investment, the return, and the competition...  Find out: What is the commission rate? Can you earn a residual income with *just* customers? Do you need to team build to be successful?

I LOVE that our SendOutCards team gets that choice. Some of our SOC family are working "part-time" while still having an outside j-o-b.  I'm excited to see their progress.... For those who are just gathering customers, they are on their way to earning $2000/mo in residual income in a year. What would you do with $2000 a month?

And those that take their business to the next level and show others how to do the same thing are creating a legacy and a residual income for years and years to come. "The Future is Now" is our theme for convention - and I can't wait for the trip to Las Vegas, but I can't wait to see our team experience the trip. Amazing memories are waiting!!!

If SendOutCards has ever interest you for a business, take a look at the specifics on the business site.  Or if you want to try the sytem for a month or so, create an account thru this link.  With either option, you'll see what a difference you'll have in all your relationships!

If you are ready to join our SOC Family and Team, then message or call me. I will always be your biggest cheerleader.

Hugs,

Danielle

Living Life Now

Thanks for the compliments on the photos. I got a couple emails asking for the Video - so others could feel the moment and be there.... So click here and you'll see the video footage from my Skydive.

What I love the best from the experience was having my kids there - and in the video. I am blessed with an amazing husband who supports me in all my decisions and our children who inspire me as much as I inspire them.

Know your WHYs in life and you'll find a HOW. I will always share my gratitude to SendOutCards & Kody Bateman for what our 'little card busines' has afforded our family to do... the memories and legacy we are making compare to no other.

Always here to help you create your own SOC-cess and make a diffference in someone's life -starting with your own.

Hugs,
Danielle

Bucket List - Live for Today!

Hi Friends and Followers -

Today's entry is short & sweet... My life lesson after an afternoon of skydiving: LIVE FOR TODAY. Tomorrow... Some day... is not promised. I've experienced too many life lessons this year and regret actions I did not take w/ people I care about - and now because of different tragedies and losses, I know longer have that moment.

I tried to put some photos of my Sky Diving Adventure in a photo slide show: Click here to share in my adventure!

Never let anyone ground you from your dreams!
Hugs, Danielle

California Dave & Danielle at 13,500 feet and free-falling one minte @120 mph

TGIT - Thank Goodness It's Today!

This weekend I had a great talk with a new team member who joined our Cards And Mohr team about his WHYs for wanting to start in business.  He had some great WHYs and we all know -if you know your WHY, you'll find the HOW...Well, he found us and SendOutCards.

In addition to his family and some other prominent WHYs, the one that he really was caught up on was how he was living for each Friday afternoon - and dreading each Monday morning.  That is a long week to go through waiting for one particular day.

What we told him and we'd tell you, is stick with that j-o-b for the next year as you build your new business in network marketing.  We will be the first ones to tell you, what a difference your goals and deadlines do for motivation...  Our SOC Friends and Network Marketing Expert, Eric Worre created this 8 minute post/video and I highly recommend you watch it. 

Eric has been with other companies and while other network marketing companies were trying to recruit him, he decided to be part of SOC without any incentive - heworks his business just as Tim & I do... and just as the next person on our team.  His video explains why network marketing is "better" than being employed.  And we agree 100%. It is so nice to be our own boss, but to also work at our pace and be paid or promoted based solely on our performance - we don't have to wait for someone else to promote (or die) to change roles.  We are building our legacy for our children one card at a time.

So instead of thinking "TGIF," think "TFIT..." That means, "Thank Goodness It's TODAY!" Live for the now, enjoy the now - don't wait for some day.  We all know some day is not promised.  If you are living  life and waiting for a certain day of the week to arrive like Friday, Satutday or Sunday - that is a sign.  Follow your "what if" and start feeling the excitement of those three days, every day of the year - there are 365 days (+1 this year) to enjoy.

We support our team with all our hearts, time and energy. We want the same freedoms in time and money to be their's.... we want it to be your's too.  If our company has ever been an interest to you -contact us at danielle@cardsandmohr.com or through this blog.

Cheering you on!
Danielle & Tim

What is Your Legacy?

Unexpected phone calls from family make me nervous... We just talked to them - why are they calling? Such was another phone call today as we learned that my husband's uncle had passed away after an auto accident earlier this week.

It is these unexpected tragedies this year (compared to a "prepared loss" as ridiculous as that sounds with an older relative) that has really put a lot of things in perspective for me and *what* is important... From the unthinkable of a parent saying good-bye to an infant as God holds a baby angel to a little girl losing her mom to friends losing parents... and now this unexpected loss in our family.

I'm not going to be a philosophical here, but recently I have often asked myself what legacy and memory do I want to leave... and I am revisiting that question tonight.... What legacy and memory do I want to leave for my children?  What do I want people to tell my kids about me? What impact (no matter the size) will my life have to those around me...? 

As I read the above I realize it sounds "doom & gloom," but it's not meant to be. It's meant to reminde me what is important and how we should celebrate all the little things "now" and not later, as someday or tomorrow is not promised.

So ask yourself, what is the legacy you want to leave? If you aren't leaving the legacy you deisre, change it.  Only you have the power to change the outcome - this reminds me of a quote from Facebook today about CHOICE - CHANCE - CHANGE... Remember: Celebrate the NOW! 

Big hugs all around,
Danielle