Hello, My name is Mrs.Griffin and I am a horribly inconsistant blogger.

I feel like its a bit redundant to once again for the bagillionth time announcemy return to the blogging world....it seems I am making a trend of such titles. To catch you up in super-duper warp speeds: My puppy is "the exception" to every rule known to dog owners and I have had the little miss at the vets SEVEN times this month for everything from her spay surgery going horribly wrong, to a hot spot, to a sprained leg. Poor baby. So long budget .  I quit my 50+ hour a week finance job and started my own business. YIKES!
(If this was the only thing on my list- you'd know why I have been a stranger around here...)I am loving the life of setting my own hours and being my own boss, but that comes with lengthy days getting it kickstarted and going strong. My best friend in CO is PCS-ing to another time-zone.
No this doesn't really affect me...except yes it does because it takes two to pack a box and plan a move. even if I'm 22 states away. Last week my oldest friend in the world said goodbye to her Marine for 12 months.
She is such a beautiful and strong wife and mother. I respect her so much.It was much more difficult to walk with her through this journey than I expected.I wasn't prepared for the thousand emotions that slammed into my chest as I pulled onto the base for his sendoff, they really are all the same... And wouldn't you know it, the month I am done work and starting the business at home, My Soldier has AT and is working all hours of the day and night. I haven't seen him in months it seems...  But this is life right? Learning to balance the chaos and madness gracefully? I won't promise to be around here more often, but I hope to say hello again soon.   

My Next Adventure

I am so very excited to share with all of you what has been consuming my free time as of late....

I am now an official Arbonne International Consultant!

Having just signed up last week, my kitchen at the present time looks like an Arbonne Christmas exploded! 

I was thrilled to come home to 4 lovely boxes filled with Arbonne goodies for my starter kit.

The products are even packaged pretty!

 

 For those of you who aren't familiar with Arbonne, you seriously owe it to yourself to check it out! 

 For years I have been an avid supporter of their products and their promise to deliver pure, safe and beneficial products that uphold their botanical tradition.

 

It wasn't until just recently a family member (an area manager for Arbonne) asked me to take a closer look at the business side of Arbonne. My first thought was that I wouldn't be any good at it, or that I wouldn't have the time to start it up while working a 45+ hours a week job...but the more I looked into this incredible opportunity, the more I realized it was a tangible reality for me.  She gave me this video and it really made me think... why not? Why isn't that lifestyle and opportunity as available to me as it is to them?

 

Then I made My Soldier watch it. And read the pamphlets. And listen to the informational call.

His approval sealed the deal. So here I am!

Kickstarting a new home business, with a crazy work week that requires an hour drive both ways, a puppy who is in desperate need of training and excerise,and these insane migraines that have plagued me for the last 6 months. 

 

And I'm loving it.

 

 I am busting my hiney to get my calendar filled with party dates and new clients to order products.

This isn't a get rich quick scheme by any means, but it is a lifestyle worth the work.

Freedom of time, being my own boss, and being part of an organization that strives to bring beauty to the world inside and out. Not to mention their products are amazing quality.

 

I have the best intentions to spend a little more time around here...

Look for my new Arbonne page..it's in the making!

 

Arbonne.com

 

 

 

AND THE WINNER IS....

Finally...for my end of the month beginning of the month give-away....  The lucky winner is.... #3 Kelly Lynn from You + Me = Wii !!!! Your fabulous prize??? 

 You are eligible for a $20.00 off coupon on any Arbonne purchase!!! AND a free surprise product when you order!Don't wait- hop on over and make your wish list!  ***** Never heard of Arbonne? Click here and discover how this amazing line of health and wellness products can change your life.  Come back tomorrow to find out how Arbonne changed MY life and why this giveaway is the start for my next adventure as an Army Wife!  **** To all those who introduced themselves- it was so nice to meet you! Come back soon for another giveaway in the making!! 

LAST CHANCE!!!

 Today is the last day to enter my giveaway! Have you entered yet? Theres been a lot of you who stopped by...but only a few left comments... (better chances for those who did to win!) Come on! Introduce yourself- win a fabulous giveaway!! I'd really like to meet you!  

Nice to Meet You

I came to the realization today that I don't know many of my readers.
I have yet to have the priviledge of meeting YOU!
I don't know how you found my blog,
Who you are and what you blog about.
(In fact, I haven't had the opportunity to follow many of you-tell me where you call bloggie-home!)
Are you a milspouse too?
What part of the world are you reading from?
Maybe we have a lot in common....maybe we live close to each other...
you never know!
SO
the next time you stop by to say hello, won't you introduce yourself?
I'd really like to say "nice to meet you"
******
P.S- those of you who are proactive followers and leave a comment introducing yourself will be entered for a fun surprise giveaway at the end of the month!!! Want two entries? Blog about this post and leave the link in an additional comment!
******

The "D" Word.

My head has been spinning lately.

I keep catching myself playing the "what if" and "when" game...

deployment is slapping me in the face from every angle.

and my soldier isn't even deploying.
not for another year.

but my best friend's are facing it in their near future. they are making plans and adjustments. preparing themselves for single mommy-hood. steeling themselves for the rough journey.

and everything is flooding back.

the long nights filled with insomnia. the lonely days waiting for that blessed 5 minutes phone call.

I can't decide whats better, the blissful ignorance of first deployment or the painful truth of knowing what lies ahead. I've tried to be still and listen to what I know the Father must be trying to reveal through this.I know it isn't my burden to carry.

I believe and have faith that He gives grace sufficiently.

I KNOW He gives strength for each day.

And I still find myself trying to stand beneath the weight.

I want to spare them from the pain.

the fear. the constant worry. the loneliness.

I know how to be a hooah buddy and walk through the "tour of duty" when I'm going through the same thing. I've been there through the tears and long awaited letters, the 3 am phone calls because you can't sleep. planning skype dates and sending flat rates.

I understood because I was living in the same shoes.

But what will I say when I have my soldier in my arms?

How do I comfort in the middle of the night when my bed isn't lonely and cold,
when ACU's still line my closet and dirty PT's fill my hamper?

I'm scared my "hooah hooah hooah" won't be the same.

That kills me.

As thankful as I am that My Soldier won't be leaving anytime soon, I think I almost feel guilty for it. Like somehow I should walk through the same journey while they do. If only they would all deploy at the same time. later, not sooner.

If only Soldiers could arrive at home at 5 o'clock for dinner everynight
and tuck their daughters into bed for a goodnight kiss.
and no birthdays, holidays and anniversaries were missed.
and puppies were family pets and not guard dogs when you're scared to live alone.

If only the "sandbox" was a place where sand castles were built and seashells were lined in rows.
If only life were... simple? easy? fair?

Deployment. I just don't know what to do with you...

How do you face deployment fears?
Have you ever felt the weight of someone else's trial?

Techinically a post. Not so much.

I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have writer’s block. That is, I haven’t had the opportunity to remember. Somewhere between the 45 minute drive one way to work, 8 hours later repeating the same endless road, the arriving home 2 hours after my soldier, scarfing down dinner (that my amazing husband makes every single night now…) playing with my puppy and kissing my soldier goodnight, I fall into bed with not one ounce of energy left…. And not one thought to share with you even if I had a spare moment…
I miss having writers block. I miss writing and rewriting, or staring at the page until I finally think of something that might be of interest to any of you who might still check in now and again to see if I’ve actually returned to the blogging world.
I miss reading and following all of you! Please!!, will someone tell me how to balance this complicated thing called life? How do you fit it all in? When do you find the time for hobbies or even exercise (don’t even get me started on how long its been since I’ve said hello to my elliptical…or hit play to do my cardio videos...yikes!) when you are only home long enough to sleep and restart the day yet again?

Even as I am sitting here, I'm madly typing as if I have a time clock... grrr! My Soldier is MIA tonight. He's working a FTP with NVG's.
So I have the house to myself.And the puppy...errr...growing monster. Everytime I turn around she's grown an inch, has new teeth and ways 4 more pounds.(She's helping me type by the way- making this muchhhh less complicated than normal...)

*****
I did actually do something fun this past weekend. I had an Arbonne Makeup Party! If you haven't heard of Arbonne before... it is all-natural, organic, botanically-based, ph correct and has absolutely no chemicals. Why is it different than other products? Other products contain things like mineral oil (refined crude oil), petrolatum, petroleum, artificial dyes and colors, and artificial fragrances. (All of these things which have been proven to cause cancer, toxicity, reproductive problems, skin and eye irritants etc...
If you have never heard about chemicals and animal byproducts in personal care products and cosmetics, check this out (click on the look inside tab). You NEED to know this info! Theres tons of info out there, most people just never knew to research it. I never did!Arbonne has beautiful cosmetics, amazing skin care products, dietary supplements and baby products... you can find their website here. And if you are interested, email me! I would love to share my favorite things about this great company or place an order for you to try it! I wish my post were more interesting, eloquent, or even EXISTANT...but this is all I've got for now...puppy is turning into a demanding monster with daddy gone for the night. She's now not only helping me type but in my lap trying to take over all together!