Well, I'm feeling pretty good so far in my quest to blog. At least I haven't given up yet, right? My current confusion is actually stemming from my creative juices not just beginning to flow but to explode in volcano fashion - ideas spewing forth lava like and running amok.
So now, my self-doubting blogging self overthinks this and begins to stress. Do I choose a topic for a particular day of the week: being a mom and running a business issues on Monday, general parenting on Tuesday, fair trade issues on Wednesday, children's book reviews on Thursday, Monkey Beanz updates and product info on Friday? If I do this, can I write more than once in a day? What if I miss a day - does that throw the whole schedule off?
And perhaps now, you are starting to understand why it has taken me so long to actually start and continue this blog. Yes, yes, I am an analyzer, an overthinker, one who spends too much time in her head, I second guess everything. But wait, this is my new beginning! My Monkey Beanz New Year!
So what is the conclusion? There isn't one and I will still keep blogging. I have so many ideas that I will write about on any day whenever it strikes my fancy (and my kids are off at preschool/kindergarten or in bed) and perhaps even sometimes when it doesn't.
Tomorrow is the first morning that I will experience having both children in school at the same time for several hours and I'm hoping to get over my shock for long enough to blog about it. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
How Quickly They Grow
So cliche and yet so true ... I can not believe how fast our girls have grown up. This is the first year that both of them will be in some kind of school program and my belly is abuzz with butterflies about it. Tomorrow we have not one but two open houses to go to in hopes of calming the fears of the little ones and big ones alike. We'll start the morning at Marisa's preschool, an easier feat for the nerves as we've been part of that family for three years with Sasha. Then onto the big one ... kindergarten!! Oh my - my baby is a school girl!!
Thursday will be the first day that I will drop them both off and have several hours with no one to care for and play with. While I have big plans for productivity this school year, I have a hunch that this Thursday will be spent walking in circles around the house and a nagging feeling that I am missing something very important.
While Sasha is pretty nervous about starting school (I think we have every book about starting kindergarten from all libraries in Southern Maine), I am so excited for her to start her journey. It is so incredible as a parent to remember the day she was born and all we've gone through and think about all that she has ahead of her.
This all reminds of a book we were given when Sasha was 2 that Sasha refers to as "the book that makes Mama cry." Someday by Alison McGhee is a simple and moving written from a mother's perspective to her daughter about all her hopes and dreams for her little girl. A wonderful book for the permanent collection and a great gift for any mother.
Well, now that I've gotten myself all sentimental on this Monday morning, its time to start one of our final summer lunches on the playset. I'd love to hear some anecdotes from parents about starting school and how things are going for everyone as these first weeks of school get underway!
Thursday will be the first day that I will drop them both off and have several hours with no one to care for and play with. While I have big plans for productivity this school year, I have a hunch that this Thursday will be spent walking in circles around the house and a nagging feeling that I am missing something very important.
While Sasha is pretty nervous about starting school (I think we have every book about starting kindergarten from all libraries in Southern Maine), I am so excited for her to start her journey. It is so incredible as a parent to remember the day she was born and all we've gone through and think about all that she has ahead of her.
This all reminds of a book we were given when Sasha was 2 that Sasha refers to as "the book that makes Mama cry." Someday by Alison McGhee is a simple and moving written from a mother's perspective to her daughter about all her hopes and dreams for her little girl. A wonderful book for the permanent collection and a great gift for any mother.
Well, now that I've gotten myself all sentimental on this Monday morning, its time to start one of our final summer lunches on the playset. I'd love to hear some anecdotes from parents about starting school and how things are going for everyone as these first weeks of school get underway!
21 weeks and counting...
Hello internet friends!!! It has been A LONG TIME since I have blogged.. I have really missed it. It is so nice to just sit down and let write about whatever poors out of you!!!
I am in domestic bliss.. 5 years ago I would have never guessed that THIS would be the life that makes me happy but I have to tell you.. I am really enjoying it. I love the married life (my husband rocks), I am really enjoying my pregnancy (after the first trimester of course), and I love having a house to take care of.
I always thought I needed a big time career to feel succesful, that is not the case anymore.. my family makes me feel succesful and have that sense of worth!!! Do not get me wrong.. I love to go out!! Meeting up with girlfriends for some wine, music, chatting.. is the best way for me to unwind. I have a new appreciation for getting out. Also date nights are the best!! I love connecting with my husband once a week (soon to be once a month). Anyways I am going to keep this short and sweet and get off my soap box a little early today, I am heading out into the world today to tell everyone about Monkey Beanz!!! Thank you all for listening to my happy rant today.
Wish me luck
Nyki
I am in domestic bliss.. 5 years ago I would have never guessed that THIS would be the life that makes me happy but I have to tell you.. I am really enjoying it. I love the married life (my husband rocks), I am really enjoying my pregnancy (after the first trimester of course), and I love having a house to take care of.
I always thought I needed a big time career to feel succesful, that is not the case anymore.. my family makes me feel succesful and have that sense of worth!!! Do not get me wrong.. I love to go out!! Meeting up with girlfriends for some wine, music, chatting.. is the best way for me to unwind. I have a new appreciation for getting out. Also date nights are the best!! I love connecting with my husband once a week (soon to be once a month). Anyways I am going to keep this short and sweet and get off my soap box a little early today, I am heading out into the world today to tell everyone about Monkey Beanz!!! Thank you all for listening to my happy rant today.
Wish me luck
Nyki
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Back on the Blog Train ... again
This is it ... my year of the blog. I know it's not New Year's but with summertime coming to an end and the school year about to begin, fall often feels like more of a New Year than the dead of winter (at least here in Maine!). So as I prepare for Sasha to begin kindergarten (still in shock over that), here are a few of my Back to Work, Back to Reality (so there is no doubt, yes this is to be read to the beat of the En Vogue tune) resolutions:
1) Blog, blog, blog - I've been pretending that I have this blog for too long. It was too easy to just not know what to blog about as it is a "business" blog. However, so many things are integral aspects of our company as well as my life that I actually have now formulated a blog plan. Perhaps they can add that to the list of workshops offered at the SBA and SCORE offices for starting a business: writing a business plan on Wednesday night, blog planning Thursday night. Seriously, I could have used it about a year ago. I wonder if I'll have to revisit my blog plan annually as well ... hmmm ... thoughts?
2) Social Networking - I would like to become slightly competent in the SN world. I have now signed up for a Ping.fm account and hooked it up to the Monkey Beanz Twitter and Facebook accounts so I'm feeling really good about my abilities today. Now I can really put the iPhone to good use since my justification for the purchase and added monthly cost was that it would clearly enhance my ability to multitask running a business and raising kids! If you happen to be reading this and are not yet fans or followers or whatever you may call yourselves of the Monkey Beanz networks, hop on the bus and join since clearly the action is starting!
3) Etsy!!! - After over a year of way too many customers suggesting that I get MonkeyBeanz on Etsy, I have finally done it! Unfortunately, that is about all I have done. So, after hours of post kids in bed nights spent perusing the Etsy forums for advice on how to promote your Etsy site, I plan on actually taking some of the great advice. Here is my first attempt: Check out Monkey Beanz on Etsy! See us, love us, heart us, perhaps even make a purchase - then tell all your loved ones and maybe even a few not so loved ones. Okay, maybe I didn't need to spend hours ruining my eyes at the computer screen to do that, but like I tell the kids - practice makes perfect.
4) Wholesale - This has actually already begun to get on its way but we are on a continuous hunt for any suggstions or, better yet, connections to some shops that might be interested in carrying some great fair trade Monkey Beanz products. Any ideas are welcome - any time, day or night (thank you World Wide Web).
There are other resolutions but this post has tuckered me right out and I'm beginning to get anxious about the idea of others having all this knowledge about my goals for the year! Plus, many of the others are boring, "business-y" things like organizing files and record keeping and I am trying to keep in mind that this blog is not actually a journal and thus, there should be at least a minimal level of editing for entertainment purposes.
Whew, first post of the Monkey Beanz New Year completed! Don't forget I'm new and a little insecure at this blogging thing so send some comments, some love, maybe even some not-too-harsh critiques. Here's to success at Resolution #1 and some of you coming back again!
1) Blog, blog, blog - I've been pretending that I have this blog for too long. It was too easy to just not know what to blog about as it is a "business" blog. However, so many things are integral aspects of our company as well as my life that I actually have now formulated a blog plan. Perhaps they can add that to the list of workshops offered at the SBA and SCORE offices for starting a business: writing a business plan on Wednesday night, blog planning Thursday night. Seriously, I could have used it about a year ago. I wonder if I'll have to revisit my blog plan annually as well ... hmmm ... thoughts?
2) Social Networking - I would like to become slightly competent in the SN world. I have now signed up for a Ping.fm account and hooked it up to the Monkey Beanz Twitter and Facebook accounts so I'm feeling really good about my abilities today. Now I can really put the iPhone to good use since my justification for the purchase and added monthly cost was that it would clearly enhance my ability to multitask running a business and raising kids! If you happen to be reading this and are not yet fans or followers or whatever you may call yourselves of the Monkey Beanz networks, hop on the bus and join since clearly the action is starting!
3) Etsy!!! - After over a year of way too many customers suggesting that I get MonkeyBeanz on Etsy, I have finally done it! Unfortunately, that is about all I have done. So, after hours of post kids in bed nights spent perusing the Etsy forums for advice on how to promote your Etsy site, I plan on actually taking some of the great advice. Here is my first attempt: Check out Monkey Beanz on Etsy! See us, love us, heart us, perhaps even make a purchase - then tell all your loved ones and maybe even a few not so loved ones. Okay, maybe I didn't need to spend hours ruining my eyes at the computer screen to do that, but like I tell the kids - practice makes perfect.
4) Wholesale - This has actually already begun to get on its way but we are on a continuous hunt for any suggstions or, better yet, connections to some shops that might be interested in carrying some great fair trade Monkey Beanz products. Any ideas are welcome - any time, day or night (thank you World Wide Web).
There are other resolutions but this post has tuckered me right out and I'm beginning to get anxious about the idea of others having all this knowledge about my goals for the year! Plus, many of the others are boring, "business-y" things like organizing files and record keeping and I am trying to keep in mind that this blog is not actually a journal and thus, there should be at least a minimal level of editing for entertainment purposes.
Whew, first post of the Monkey Beanz New Year completed! Don't forget I'm new and a little insecure at this blogging thing so send some comments, some love, maybe even some not-too-harsh critiques. Here's to success at Resolution #1 and some of you coming back again!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Pregnant
So here I am 14 weeks pregnant and loving it!!!! Well most days.... I AM still VERY tired but I no longer have food aversions, actually I want to eat everything!!!! I have been loving things that are salty, spicy, sweet, sour, fruity, cheesy.. well I think you get the idea.
It is amazing to me what a woman's body is capable of, we can grow a human life in our stomach THEN after our bodies morph into a birthing machine we are able to feed our baby...AMAZING!!!!! It could be that my hormones are just out of control but I get so emotional just thinking about it. I feel so lucky!!!!
I think about our baby all the time.. will it be a boy or a girl.. will he/she look like me or my husband... will he/she keep me up all night... and the biggest one.. will my baby be healthy!!!???
I think about everything I put in my mouth, everything I don't put in my mouth, I think about the pollution, the government.. yes the government.. will it get better or worse. What will my child have to deal with as an adult. AM I CRAZY!!?? IS THIS NORMAL!!??
One thing that I will be working on soon is the nursery!!! I will obviously be decorating it with our new nursery line that is coming out soon. Bee is in Thailand right now!!!! I love the idea of having a nursery that is just bright and colorful. I cannot wait to show everyone, it is just so different from anything else you have ever seen!!!!!!
OOHHH and just a reminder I am hosting a trunk show at my house in Falmouth on Thursday at 6, if you are able to come just email me and I will send you directions nykijean@gmail.com
That's it for me... Peace, love and pickles!!!!
It is amazing to me what a woman's body is capable of, we can grow a human life in our stomach THEN after our bodies morph into a birthing machine we are able to feed our baby...AMAZING!!!!! It could be that my hormones are just out of control but I get so emotional just thinking about it. I feel so lucky!!!!
I think about our baby all the time.. will it be a boy or a girl.. will he/she look like me or my husband... will he/she keep me up all night... and the biggest one.. will my baby be healthy!!!???
I think about everything I put in my mouth, everything I don't put in my mouth, I think about the pollution, the government.. yes the government.. will it get better or worse. What will my child have to deal with as an adult. AM I CRAZY!!?? IS THIS NORMAL!!??
One thing that I will be working on soon is the nursery!!! I will obviously be decorating it with our new nursery line that is coming out soon. Bee is in Thailand right now!!!! I love the idea of having a nursery that is just bright and colorful. I cannot wait to show everyone, it is just so different from anything else you have ever seen!!!!!!
OOHHH and just a reminder I am hosting a trunk show at my house in Falmouth on Thursday at 6, if you are able to come just email me and I will send you directions nykijean@gmail.com
That's it for me... Peace, love and pickles!!!!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Fair Trade Rocks my World!!!!
Fair Trade!!!!!! Fair trade is an organized Social Movement and market-based approach that helps producers in developing countries and promote sustainability. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate and flowers.. this is the description from Wikipedia.. this is also MY favorite description!!! I love Fair Trade and I feel completely excited that my new career is based so much on Fair Trade!!!
We have a fantastic relationship with many people in Thailand. Their talent is unbelievable and if you have ever recieved any of our fantastic toys or the georgous clothing you have seen for yourself!!!
I will forever buy my fair share of Fair Trade products, it is something very important to me and my husband. I look forward to making my children aware of what it is and its importance.
It is important to me because it keeps me open to the world!!! Seriously look at anything in your house.. I bet it says made in China.. you do not know the condition of their work environment or how much they are getting paid... BUT if you look for goods that are fair trade it is guaranteed that they make a good wage and work in the best environment possible. I don't know about you but that makes me feel a whole lot better!!!!!!!
Well thank you so much for listening to my rant... see you soon Monkeybeaners..
Get in touch with reality and shop Fair Trade.. trust me.. you will love how it makes you feel!!!!
Peace and love!!!
Nyki Greene
Monkey Beanz Inc
We have a fantastic relationship with many people in Thailand. Their talent is unbelievable and if you have ever recieved any of our fantastic toys or the georgous clothing you have seen for yourself!!!
I will forever buy my fair share of Fair Trade products, it is something very important to me and my husband. I look forward to making my children aware of what it is and its importance.
It is important to me because it keeps me open to the world!!! Seriously look at anything in your house.. I bet it says made in China.. you do not know the condition of their work environment or how much they are getting paid... BUT if you look for goods that are fair trade it is guaranteed that they make a good wage and work in the best environment possible. I don't know about you but that makes me feel a whole lot better!!!!!!!
Well thank you so much for listening to my rant... see you soon Monkeybeaners..
Get in touch with reality and shop Fair Trade.. trust me.. you will love how it makes you feel!!!!
Peace and love!!!
Nyki Greene
Monkey Beanz Inc
Monday, June 8, 2009
Pregnancy!!!
So as our followers know... I am pregnant!!! This is my first pregnancy. I recently had my first doctors visit and found out that I am 9 weeks!!!! It has been a trip so far... morning sickness..sleepiness... sensitivity to ALL smells... hormones...
All I want is pasta, Mexican and pizza... not good!!!! I just discovered Fish oil which has been great for me!!! I love it!!! Ginger has also been a very good friend to me.
Now about Monkey Beanz.. Julia and I have been hit with a burst of inspiration.... we have been working really hard on creating new products. Also we have the trunk show stuff ready to go so let us know if you are interested!!!! It is 10% off.
Well folks that is all for me today.. time to go scarf down some ginger tea!!!!
Peace love and pickles
Nyki Greene
All I want is pasta, Mexican and pizza... not good!!!! I just discovered Fish oil which has been great for me!!! I love it!!! Ginger has also been a very good friend to me.
Now about Monkey Beanz.. Julia and I have been hit with a burst of inspiration.... we have been working really hard on creating new products. Also we have the trunk show stuff ready to go so let us know if you are interested!!!! It is 10% off.
Well folks that is all for me today.. time to go scarf down some ginger tea!!!!
Peace love and pickles
Nyki Greene
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