Trying new things...

So what I've realized on this journey is that it's always changing.  You have to push yourself all the time.  Keep at it.  Every day you must post.  I'm trying to keep up with 3x/day.  I redid my ad.  Some days I get results, some days I don't.  But I have to keep on trying and won't let that get me down.  I try to keep on being inspiring.  Try to engage more with the followers.  This is all the time.  Once I get buyers, it'll start to get easier.  My followers are growing.  It takes time to build up anything.  If it was easy, then everyone would do it.  

Friday accomplishments...

So I had today off.  I had some goals I wanted to accomplish.  I was determined to fix the window screen.  We have some other screens that need mending but I figured, let me try one and see how it goes.  Well, fixing a screen is really an easy thing to do.  I watched a youtube video and was able to remove the damaged screen.  I then cleaned it up a bit and went to the store.  I needed new screen materials, a new screen plunger, and a spline and spline tool.  Got it all.  The screen plunger didn't work well.  OK. off to Ace to see if they have them.  found them. With J's help, I got the screen plungers working.  I then laid out the screen, cut around it so it had some hanging over.  Used the spline tool to push the spline into the groove.  Then cut the excess off. Awesome, it was done...Wait...oops, I cut the screen.  Take it all apart and do it again only more careful when I cut the excess off.  And really the hardest part of all that was getting the screen back in the window.  But now it's done and I want to take care of the rest of the window..  The next thing I know, it's 3pm and the day is almost over.  So one screen fixed is what I  accomplished on my day off. YAY.   

Listening to the lessons...

Being an online entrepreneur is so new for me.  It's a new way of thinking.  I'm not an employee to myself.  I need to own my why, goals, failures, and successes.  It's a work in progress and if I keep at it, I'll succeed.  I might have failures along the way but in the end, I will succeed.  

Digital Business Blues....

 So it's not always sunshine and roses.  I'm trying to plan, listen to masterminds, learn, learn, learn.  Work on perfecting my messages.  Keep on posting.  Some drawbacks.  If you change anything on your page, you seem to get dinged by FB.  I just need to plug through it and keep on posting my message.  Keep on engaging and connecting with people that like and follow my page.  Sometimes it gets hard.  But I am determined to be successful.  

Bumps in the road...

So, I'm trying a new thing.  One of the coaches had a video about it.   I'm setting up duplicate ads for $2/day each.  I did one duplicate.  Did another duplicate with a small change. Did another duplicate with a different image.  This morning, it said I had 2 leads on that one.  So I decided to do another duplicate with another image.  Still waiting for the review to be approved by Facebook.  Got another lead on my main ad that's for $10/day.  Here's the issue.  I didn't get any emails for any of these leads which means these people signed up with someone else within the last 6 months. So I'm starting to feel defeated.  I'm still plugging away and refuse to stop now.  Online is the way of the future and I'm determined to win this battle.  I will find my successful ad.  I will find my niche and my dreams will come true.  All good things come to those who wait, right.  I'm praying each day for us to get through the hard times.   I know we will.  We have before and we will again.  I didn't work so hard for J to change his ways and for Giuli to come along only to give up when things get tough. 

Goals....

 So I'm reading up on how to build up my Facebook Business Page.  I need to set some goals.  I'm watching a webinar on Marketing my Business Page and they suggest coming up with a content calendar.  It's not a new term for me, just didn't think of applying it to my Business Page.  But now I will.  It's a great idea.  I need ideas to post 3x/day and have them ready because I'm busy with my day job.  So, step one is in the works.  Yay...

Leads....

 So yesterday, I got 3 leads.  Today, it says one lead and I didn't get an email to back that up.  I'm taking this one day at a time.  I will get there with perseverance.  I will get there if I put myself out there day after day.  I just need to keep on posting content, build up my followers and I'm sure I'll start getting leads and then buyers.  Each day that I post, I'm more confident in who I am and what I'm doing.  I can feel the difference in me if that makes sense.  I feel the changes and change is good.

Trying to be a success!

 I'm really trying to push myself harder.  I want this to succeed.  I know it can.  This isn't hard work.  Anyone can do this.  It's about what you want and how hard you will try to meet your goals and dreams.  I started this in January.  My business page was started in February.  My first likes ad was running in March and my conversion ads have been running end of March to now.  I'm getting leads.  Not a lot but some.  Eventually, someone will be interested and become a buyer.  I just need to keep on posting and getting more followers on my page.  As I post, I feel like my confidence builds up more and more.  It's so important for me to become confident.  For this business and myself.  

Anyone interested in finding out about this here is my Facebook business page and here is my website

My Facebook Business Page...

So I'm trying to think outside the box.  I'm trying to drive people to my website and now I'm trying to drive people to my business page.  Here is the link to My Business Page.  I started this journey in February.  I have about 490 likes/followers.  It's a start.  It takes some work but not something that is full-time.  I like this business and I believe it will work out.  This step-by-step training has taught me so much.  I'm learning to change my mindset which is so key when you have your own business.  You have no one to push you to the next level by yourself.  No one to answer to but yourself.  Every day I need to make the decision to do the work necessary or my page won't advance and I won't get any leads or buyers. 

Digital Business Opportunity...

I've mentioned my new adventure but haven't really given a lot of details out.  All I will say it's been a blessing to start this business.  It's a business I own.  I need to put in the work if I expect to get returns.  I need to build up a following if I'm to get trust with people.  I'll never steer anyone to do anything they don't want to.  It's simple.  If people want to have an online business then they need to have a source of money to start it up as you would any business.  I feel like people can't change the thinking that someone needs to pay for it for them.  Then it's not your business.  You just work for that business.  Owning something means changing your mindset from employee to owner.  It means taking responsibility for what you have to do every day.  It's not hard work but it does take work and time.  I've seen some people complain about the money they are being charged to get the training and coaching call.  The coach needs to be paid for her time.  They've earned it.  I feel lucky to have found this opportunity and this is why.  I have mentors and coaches available to help me, plus an entire community of people who will also help.  No one is alone on this journey.  I've met great people and feel I've made lifelong friends from this.  I'm just saying there is so much personal growth I've already accomplished in just a few short months.  I've learned so much from the training and still learning every day.   I know I can succeed.  I will succeed.

My new adventure needs help...

So I'm going to post here what I'm doing as well as on Facebook.  I'm starting an Online Digital Business using "Attraction Marketing".  In other words, I signed up, paid a small fee, and bought a product.  I then get amazing training to learn how to do the same thing.  I set up a business page, got lots of likes on my page (would like more followers), running my first conversion ad, etc.  I did it all myself with the help of my mentor. She's amazing by the way.  I work in advertising but know nothing about this stuff.  It's an amazing learning experience and I believe I can succeed.  I will succeed because I'm that hot-headed enough to not give up.  

The link to my business page is: https://www.facebook.com/alisonhfarina

The link to my website is: https://www.alison-farina.com

I hope you visit and join up.  If you want to start an online business to earn extra money, fund your retirement, or save for your kids' college, then take a chance and find out what it's all about.  This community is amazing.  I see the possibilities and no, I don't plan to bother my friends or family to join.  This is strictly for people that are interested and want to do this.  It's not for everyone. Some people have no interest and some don't have the drive.  It's also not a get-rich-quick scheme.  It's hard work that I hope will pay off in the end so I can pay our debts and not get a second job that'll take me away from my little girl.  And don't think I didn't think about it.   We have debts to pay back and since my husband was off for an entire year (thanks COVID) it has hurt us.  The measly money the government gave us was just a taste of what's needed to fix our debt. 

Anyway, I hope all hs had a wonderful Mother's Day.  I did.  I'm blessed.

My new adventures...

I've been so busy building this business that I've been neglecting my blog. I'm loving this new project.  This new business that I'm setting up, I'm learning so much.  I gather some may not understand but the wealth of knowledge I'm getting is priceless to me.  I can't see the future but I'll do my best to go in the direction that gives me growth, takes me out of my comfort zone, and will possibly get me further in life.  I'm learning about Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn advertising.  Starting with Facebook for now but maybe I'll learn about the others too.  It's all at my fingertips, I just need to do it.   

Growing up....

 My daughter never ceases to amaze me.  We've been giving her melatonin for kids to help her get to sleep at night.  It's been a battle.  Melatonin has changed that.  She went to sleep without fuss last night, got up while I was getting ready.  She dressed herself with clothes she picked out.  And she was happy and smiling.  Amazing.  

Getting toddlers to eat...

So this is a big challenge in this house but things have been changing.  First off, I discovered melatonin for kids and it's a huge lifesaver.  G just wasn't going to sleep.  Kept getting up, fix my blankets, I'm thirsty, I have to potty, etc... Anyway, we tried this and it worked so well.  She went to bed on her own, slept all night and got up early without any fuss.  

Next issue is mealtime.  Every night same question, what's for dinner?  Next question, do I eat it?  I always say yes.  On the weekend we had tacos.  I thought she liked tacos but suddenly she wouldn't touch it.  I saw that they had these soft taco boats.  I thought, why not, maybe that's why she won't eat it.  It falls out of the shell and frustrates her.  Well, that was it.  She loved it.  Ate almost the entire taco.  I guess the secret is to just get in the head of the child.  At least this time it worked.

Thank you El Paseo for your taco boats :)

Cleaning up....

So I'm more motivated than ever to get out of this house.  I want G and us to live a normal life and I don't think that will ever happen in this state.  The leadership here feels mighty powerful and doesn't want to let that power go.  So we need to move to a place that G can meet and have friends over.  Go to school full time.  Have after school functions in person.  Places like that exist but not here so much.  Any excuse to shut it down, happens.  Last year was hard.  But now we are in a groove and I want out before they get another excuse to shut it down.  

This month, I'm working on the office.  I'm getting rid of G's current bed and replacing it with the daybed in the office.  It'll look much nicer than what she has right now.  Then it'll also be easier to start packing up things and throwing things out.  Just taking baby steps to get there.  Once this room is done, I think it'll be easier to do the rest.  

Changes....

2020 was one year for the records.  So much happened.   It'll be a year on March 23rd that I started WFH.  A week later my daughters daycare closed down.  I had to figure out how to work from home and take care of a toddler that didn't understand why she was home from daycare.   I really don't remember much from those 2 months except the drink I had to unwind every night.  But we made it through and Giuli returned to daycare in June.  Next issue was dinners.  We were eating junk food all the time and I knew we needed to stop that.  I started planning our meals out each week.  Made tomato basil and meat sauce on a  regular basis and try to keep jars in the freezer for meals.  Found easy recipes we love through website searches.  I'm making a new recipe book so we can easily have them on hand when we want them.  I try to plan for the following week by the weekend so I can stock up on what's needed and plan according.  All this has helped with our eating budgets.  We get at least 2 meals out of every one that I cook.  No 2020 was a hard year but it forced me to change.  I think these changes are for the better.  Makes me a better person and a mom.  

Jumping in with two feet...

OK.  I've done it now.  I signed the paperwork.  Purchased my product.  I'm waiting for the rest of the training to be unlocked.  Nervous but excited.  I really see the potential.  The potential to learn something new.  The potential to bring me out of my comfort zone and challenge myself.  These are things I really can't object to.  It'll help me grow as a person to do this. And who can argue with that?

Anxiety...

 Lately, I've been feeling anxious and nervous.  Our finances are not good and I'm trying to find a way out of this hole we're in.  Is there a get rich quick scheme anywhere out there?  Maybe a reputable side business that I can do online?  I've been researching.  I know J is too.  I did find something but I'm so nervous about it.  Will it pay off.  The people who have tried say yes.  But with hard work and following the training they give us.  So scared I'm making a mistake but also praying it can and will pay off.  I'm not expecting money to just roll in but I have to try, right?  What's a little more money down the drain, right?  Maybe the training will help me with other future endeavors, right?  I see the pros and I see the cons.  Scary, right?  2020 has been a hard year and I need to put it past me.  Maybe this will help my family.  All I want to do is get our debts paid down so we can move out of this frozen tundra with a little dignity.

Sick kiddos...

 One of the things I hate the most is when my little one get's sick.  It always seems to come on so quickly and takes the spark out of her.  And of course I'm always thinking the worst.  She was fine on Saturday and early Sunday (she played in the snow) then went downhill quickly.  Fevers of 101-103 Sunday to Monday.  Then she recovered on Monday afternoon.  House looked like a tornado went through it and this Mama was overwhelmed.  And of course she couldn't go back to daycare till she was 24 hours without fever.  But she is better.  A bit cranky but better and now in school so Mama can get back to work.

2021 Giuliisms

Just starting the 2021 Giuli laughables....

• J walking with a cane.  Giuli "Daddy, are you an old man?"  Daddy "Yes I am."  Then laughs.  Giuli takes cane and says "I want to be an old man". Proceeds to try and walk with the cane that is taller than her.

• In the bathroom I tell Giuli to get some toilet paper and wipe.  She grabs the toilet paper and crumbles it into a ball then puts it between her but cheeks.  "Mommy, look....I'm a bunny" and starts to hop around the bathroom"  🤣

• J is watching Sunny Bunnies with G.  One Sunny Bunny is eating a snack and offers to share with another Sunny Bunny.  G says that's nasty.  And when the virus is over, it'll still be nasty.

• We're driving in the car and a loud car goes zooming by.  G say's that scared her. "It freaked me out"  Then she says, "It scared the crap out of me"🤣

• Giuli brings her barbie doll to sit in the bed with us while she watches her nighttime show.  She says she wants her to sleep in the bed with her.  Then she says mommy said we'll see which means yes.

Planning our exit...

J and I have been working on this for quite some time.  Seems like it always takes just about forever to get from A to B these days.  With J being home since May, yep, since May we've been working on doing what we can to fix up the house and get out of this state.  I like the friends I've made and my neighbors but we need to live somewhere that the cost of living isn't so crazy.  Our property tax on our house is almost the same as our mortgage payment.  And we don't have a big house or live in the best area.  Especially when it comes to school for Giuli.  

Anyways, since J has been home and collecting unemployment (not much) I was able to get a loan from my 401K.  A big loan.  We put in a fence and updated our landscaping.  Also, replaced the counter and sinks in the bathroom.  Sinks were cracked and the counter was part of the sink.  Replaced the front door and storm doo.  Also needed to use a lot to pay bills and just live.  So now we still have to fix the roof and the front steps to finish the outside.  Then we need to replace the carpet and flooring in 2 bathrooms.  Fix walls, change out light fixtures throughout the house and throw out lots and lots of stuff.  Just writing all this out gives me such anxiety.  Especially now that most of that money is gone and I need to start paying it back out of my check.  Ouch.  Talk about stress.  Hoping it will all pay off and we can pay down some debt that we are accumulating once we sell the house and move.  Can't wait till we are out of here.

Meat Sauce....

So I have this meat sauce recipe I've used for years that I got from San Giorgio pasta. They have a lot of good ones.  In the last year, a friend mentioned to add riced cauliflower for veggies.  Seemed like a good idea. I also made an error when looking in my pantry for crushed tomatoes.  I accidently grabbed diced tomatoes which was a good accident as we like it with both crushed and now a can of diced tomatoes.   Not long after, J started saying he really didn't like the meat sauce.  Not his thing.  So on Monday, I made the meat sauce. It's been a while and my little one loves it.  I didn't put in the cauliflower.  J now likes it again. Says it tastes better.  So for those wondering if cauliflower made a difference (I didn't think it would) it does.  Now we are all happy with the meat sauce again and I can add it back to our menu of dinners.

Meat Sauce recipe if you are interested

INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 cup water
6 oz can tomato paste
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Brown ground beef in a large skillet; add onion, garlic and cook until onion is tender. Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, water, tomato paste, parsley, basil, salt and pepper; simmer 30 minutes.