A rose for Princess

Not as beautiful as she.

The rose bush we planted in memory of Princess opened it's first bloom today. It's hard to believe it has been 21 days since she died. It's a Melody Parfumee and it has a good smell.

We miss her.

Kisses.

Life is a strange cycle

A path home.

I've been examining my life quite a bit lately. It started when I decided to take a Comparative Religion class online. It's quite an inclusive lesson plan and I'm on week 7. So far I've read several books about different religions: Bhagavad Gita, The Vedas, Tao Te Ching, The Golden Bough, and KJV Bible. I'm super grateful for eBooks!

 That's not all of the required reading and I still have several more books to go, but it's really helping me see the similarities, as well as the differences, between religions. From what I've read they all want us to treat each other kindly, defend and uplift the weak, be honest, to give proper veneration to Diety/s, and to basically not be dicks. They just use different words and terms to teach us that. I can't wait to read more.
 It's also made me take a hard and long look at my own spirituality, especially reading the KJV. I hadn't read it through since I was a tween and it brought back a lot of memories. I used to love reading it to my frog when I was young and I swear he would pay attention. It was my favorite book in the world and I just about destroyed it through use. When I was 12 it was taken away from me because I had odd views and they weren't understood. They still aren't understood by most.
 I believe that God is female and male, and I prefer the female. I see Her as a loving yet stern mother who is always there for you to talk to, but she expects you to clean up your own mess. If you ask for help She'll give it, but it's often not what you had in mind. I also see Jesus as more of a brother and teacher than a savior. I believe he lived and died for us, but if we don't learn anything form his lessons then it was pointless. He showed the way, but it's up to us to walk the path. Not a popular views to say the least and I got into all sorts of trouble proving it until they took my Bible away. I was quite the annoyance.

I've always had trouble keeping my beak shut.

My life since then has been a Comparative Religion class in and of itself, I just never realized it until I started taking an actual class. I've sat with Buddhists and attended Druid groves. I've gone to Circle meetings with Wiccans and attended Catholic mass. To say I've jumped and journeyed would be a gross understatement.
 Reading the KJV Bible on my phone felt like a strange sort homecoming. If it had never been taken from me I would have never gone exploring. If I hadn't gone exploring I wouldn't be who I am. In a way I'm grateful they took my Bible away now, it gave me the chance to return to Her even though I never really left, I just called Her different names.
I ordered myself a paper Bible. It's the ESV translation and I can't wait to feel the thin paper under my fingers as I read it aloud to my zoo.
If you want to read some of the best poetry though you have to read the The Vedas. The Norsemen really knew how to write!

Rainbows are cool!

I went to my first company meeting on Monday

On Monday we took a field trip to Phoenix for the yearly company meeting. It was a lot of fun and I got to finally meet our web designer. I've been bothering that poor man about a site he's building for one of my clients and it was great to put a face to a name. He was super nice and friendly and I learned a lot from him. I also got to meet the entire Phoenix office and that was great. They seem like a nice bunch, but I'm happy with my office. They even served food so no one went hungry! We're going to be doing a lot of new things in the new year. I'm most excited about the giving back aspect. Each office is encouraged to go out into the community and volunteer. That is going to be a ton of fun and I hope my vote for the Humane Society gets the nod. It's going to be an exciting year!

Who could resist?

On a more irritating note I just got a letter from the IRS. They're disputing my tax return for 2012 and want $1600. I know I put everything in it correctly from my salon, maybe they're not letting me use the nearly $1000 a month rent as a business expense or something.  I'll have to call them tomorrow and find out. Every time I think I'm past the whole salon issue and have finally put it behind me something comes up. If I owe it I will pay it though. I hope they take payments! Then it will be over I hope! The past really does haunt you!

It's coming for me aahhhhh...

I Now Have A Client!

I signed my first client yesterday afternoon and it was great! They have the most interesting items for sale, it's like nothing I've ever seen before. They are Anywhere Tactical and they make break down mats that can be used anywhere! I'm going to find out which one to get my brother for Christmas. They brought in samples and these things are really heavy duty. I can't wait to help their business grow! They are also a very nice family and I really enjoyed meeting them and can't wait to see them again! I'm so happy! My first client is great!
It's exciting to be an actual agent now working with Helix House Internet Marketing Agency. The more I learn and study the more I realize that I can really help others live and grow their dreams. We get their name out there and get them exposure that they can't get for themselves. It's a great feeling to finally find a way I can help others without hurting myself. I'm really grateful to have this opportunity.
In photography news I have some photos up in Artworx Studio. I think it would be great to sell a few and if you're in the Tucson, AZ area check them out. As soon as I know when the show officially opens I'm inviting the office to come see, but they're hanging now.
Life is exciting and I can't believe how fast it's moving. It's a really wild ride!
Here's some shots we took at this years Mosey For Mutts. My husband and I were honored to be invited to shoot it! It was great!

My First Day Training Was Great!

Yesterday was my first day of training for the sales job and it was great! I got to pick the pizza toppings for lunch! The owner of the company came down from Phoenix to help out and meet me! Everyone in the office was super friendly! The cubicles are cute and if I can make it through the training I get one and can have a plant in it! Lying to clients is not allowed!!!! That last one is big because at CC salon the manager often lied to her clients and tried to make us do it too. She was after higher sales. What's funny is I had the highest tickets there and I never lied. 2 months after I left she was fired and 5 months after that they closed that location.
I learned a lot about how the business works and that I won't be an "employee" but an independent contractor. I'll have complete freedom to come and go as I want when the office is open. They encourage me to join clubs and things to meet more people, which will also help with my photography. They will do every thing they can to help me grow my client base. I'll have clients that I get to build relationships with and hopefully work with for a long time! That means more characters and experiences for me! I really hope I can complete the training successfully!
A part of me can't believe they're even thinking of taking me on. My background has very little sales and they are #1 in Arizona and one of the top in the country in internet marketing. I feel really glad I followed the little cartoon man to their site and took the chance on applying.
The only downsides are that it'll take about a month before I start making any money because I have to go out/ call and make clients. I can do it though! Also it's in one of the ugliest parts of town, so no great photo ops there and it's out of my bicycle range, but I can work on that.
*** (Shameless pre-self promotion!) If any of you have a business or know of anyone who has one and want to plump up your marketing and increase you prospective sales give me a week to finish training then let me know! (Shameless pre-self promotion!)

The future is shiny and colorful!