I’ve cornered myself into a self-made trap. Okay, it wasn’t all self-made, but still, I pretty much allowed it.
In September, a good friend of mine invited me over for a night with the girls. Not just any ordinary night, though. No. A Pampered Chef fancy pants night.
Ten years ago, you could safely say I didn’t know much (okay, anything) about Pampered Chef. A friend of mine bought me a Cookie Press about seven years ago, which, admittedly, I still haven’t used. I looked the company up online and browsed through their products, that was about it. Then five years later, I went to a party and checked out their regalia in the catalogue and became a total skeptic. I saw the prices and my jaw dropped.
So, I’m sitting next to a dear friend of mine, Diane, an older lady with a sweet heart and an engaging personality. Since moving here just over a year ago, I have lynched on to a few select people. The type of people you just mesh with right off the bat. The ones who let you be your complete self. She was one of them. I had heard her talk in front of a crowd a few times and I was just drawn to her. Her experiences and trials just amazed me. She had that way of making you laugh and cry all in the same instance.
The first time I chatted with her, I knew she had been one of those women who’d been hardened by life experiences – I was a small reflection of her when I was younger. I think that was the reason I looked up to her so much. She was my Gran to me, and I just adored that woman. I looked on her that way anyway and she knows it (she’s since moved away and I’m still pretty cut up about it). Anyway, we got quietly chatting and I asked her opinion on a few of the things in the catalogue. I knew she’d give me a straight answer and would tell me if I was wasting my money or not. She’s the type of woman that has seen a lot and been through so much that you just instantly trust and respect their opinion. So I did. Then I ordered a few things and filled out one of those gimmick cards to enter the instant drawing.
Would you be interested in hosting a Show? Yes. No. Maybe.
Being the indecisive person that I can be on occasion, I marked “maybe”. I didn’t feel like committing to anything, but the thought of having people over and entertaining, intrigued me. Inevitably, the consultant talked me into it. A month and a half later (15 Oct), I hosted my show. I was fairly nervous leading up to it. In the six-and-a-half years Bryan and I have been married, I’ve never once entertained for a crowd of non-relatives. I really had a great time. Sixteen people came and a few others dropped by and some ordered online or over the phone. It was really quite successful, but to be truthful, I didn’t do it for the kickback, I did it for the social side of it. Despite that, I got a really nice return on it and picked out quite a few free products, so I was really happy.
Another friend of mine from the previous party hosted too. Hers was on Thursday. She came to mine, so I went to hers. You know that one. A neighbour of mine who was at my party received a lot of P.C. items as wedding gifts, so she was all over the idea of hosting too. So, guess where I’m headed 12th December? Yeah. Up the street.
I have a feeling the cycle’s going to keep going and I’ll be doing this for the next few months. If I do keep it up though, the consultant will start using her Jedi mind tricks on me, and I’m pretty sure Life Alert will drop kick me for paging them for that.
a Brit different 