Mar. 28, 2007 - Happy Feet, the movie - what do you think?

Sep. 25, 2006 - Don't Give Up Home Schooling

Since 1985, I worked from home running a day care. Then around 1986 I started selling Discovery Toys. I had various jobs I wanted to do between 1985 & 1992. However, in 1992 I found my main purpose and job. It was to home school my children. I enjoyed it so much and the kids enjoyed it too.

After a couple of moves, my oldest asked to go to school. Since we moved and were given the great lie that the school we were moving near was top 100 in the state (NOT!) we gave it a try. When that didn't work, I was told to send the kids to the local Christian school where many of my church members were teachers. I tried that and it was as bad as the public school. IN FACT, the second grade teacher never noticed that my son needed glasses. All of the children in his class had glasses for reading. He was a highly proficient reader for 2nd grade and LOVED to read, so that could be why. I worked at the school as a volunteer once a week and ran the reading groups, but noticed that the behavior of the kids and the discipline was as bad as the public schools. I pulled them back home.

A few days after I started teaching them at home I realized that my son had trouble focusing enough to move smoothly to the next line in his book. He got glasses shortly thereafter.

We were having a great time and everyone was doing well. That was when I decided to purchase The Busy Woman's Daily Planner. I was their top sales rep and loved to help others get organized! A series of events took place to lead me to purchase the company. However, after bringing the company home I had to figure out how to home school and run a real company (not just be a rep for a company).

This was a whole new world I didn't know enough about. But to make this story a little shorter I'll cut to the facts. I have 3 kids, 1 boy and 2 girls. My two girls were not easy to home school and gave me a run for my money. I let one go to college early and the other two kids went on the video school programs. I found I couldn't do it all. After about a year of running the company and the kids on video school, I had to put the kids back in public school.

So here I am today with a thriving business. However I miss being a home school mom.

Many people don't really understand what it takes to actually run a company that has inventory, yet alone the other many tasks that go along with running a company. I'm telling you this story because a lot of ladies think they can home school and run a business. You need discernment as to what type of business and how much time and money you want to invest.

I got into business thinking this would be a life long career for the whole family. What I found was that no one else wanted to be a busy woman but me. I have to do things as a part of business that I don't like doing in order to be able to do things in business that I love doing, which is helping other women.

If I had it to do over again I would stay more focused, get more educated in what I was doing, and trim down the product line until we had good control over that before developing a new product line. I love the calls for help on getting organized and learning how to schedule. But I don't love the many office tasks and having to keep up with market trends. So for that I would budget better and hire someone.

While I know my kids wanted mom home all day every day they have learned a lot. There are good things that have come from this: My kids know what they don't want to do and are figuring out how to find their true passion. They have also learned how to grow where they are planted which is important for any person. They aren't afraid to travel and they can mix well with any age group. So before setting out to get into business while being a home schooling family, do heavy research. Listen to the advice of those who've gone before you because you really don't know everything until you've lived it. And most of all, find something you're passionate about.

©2006 Susie Glennan

BIO: Susie Glennan has been happily married since 1982, is mom to 3, grandmom to 2, Teacher, Author, Professional Speaker, Toastmaster, President of The Busy Woman, Inc., DBA - The Busy Woman's Daily Planner®. She teaches time management seminars, offers FREE consultations with your order, and will help you set up a schedule that's right for you. 800-848-7715 www.thebusywoman.com

May. 17, 2006 - Traveling With Children In A Car

I was sharing this story with someone on the phone when she told me I should blog it. So here I am!

Way back in the early 90's we went on a lot of home school field trips. I usually had a fair amount of children in the car so I purchased a Puff N Stuff trash bag. It had a place for Kleenex and trash. The bad part about it was that the kleenex box hung upside down. When we went to grab a tissue half of it would tear before we got a full tissue out. The good part about it was that when nausea came upon us during a road trip, I'd just reach back, flip open the Puff N Stuff and lean the youngun forward to casually throw up inside the great litterbag.

Many years later I purchased The Busy Woman's Daily Planner. They carried the products from this manufacturer so I began selling the very same car organizers. That prompted me to call the company and tell them of my issues with the kleenex tearing. They are a great bunch of family people so they changed that part!

Jump ahead to a 10 day trip from Southern California to the top of the state. We took Highway 1 as often as possible. As luck would have it, we didn't notice my 13 yr old eating an entire family size bag of Cool Ranch Dorittos and guess what? You got it! "Mommy, I don't feel so good." Can you guess what I did? I flipped open the NEW Puff N Stuff Litterbag and told her to lean forward. When she was done, we stopped at a rest stop and washed it out.

I feel so honored to be of service!

Apr. 28, 2006 - You know you're in a life change when...

You know you're in a life change when...

1. your children are 16, 18, and 20, but there are diapers in almost every trashcan in the house, and in my case, the office.
2. the breakables in the house are put on the top shelves and kids toys are on the bottom ones.
3. you can barely open the doors or cabinets with the new child locks that keep them closed.

Yes, a new phase of life has begun. I’m a full-fledged grandma and happily so! But once again that means it’s time to regroup.

The house has been rearranged back to child safety mode.
The yard has to be cleaned and rearranged.
The doors have to have special knobs on them.

My daughter and her family have moved home and what a blessing! There’s always more to do than 1 or 2 can do alone. But with a team of people, so much can be accomplished. How difficult our current world has made things for so many. Fathers and Mothers have to work just to make ends meet. Single parents barely just get by or their job demands are such that the children have to stay in day-care all day. In many realms it’s no longer acceptable for a mother to stay home.

Oh how I longed to be a stay at home mother again. Then I remembered what I taught others when I did more consulting. Not everyone is made to be an at home parent, home school parent, or to go out into the workplace. We are many people made up of many personalities. It’s finding where we fit, what gifts God gave us, then using those gifts to find peace and happiness.

Having our children and grandchildren living in our home is what God has me doing right now. Coming home to grandchildren makes everything seem clear.

©2006 Susie Glennan

Apr. 14, 2006 - Whose Path Am I On Anyway and How Did I Get Here? (Psalm 23)

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
And yet I want all the time.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
I'm not tired, so I don't obey and rest.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
I don't like to get wet so I end up taking the rocky road.

3 He restores my soul.
When I let Him.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
I'll see those paths when I take time with Him… “later”.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
But I'll grumble about it as I walk.
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Thank you for being with me and comforting me Lord, but could you make life easier?

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
Thank you for my protection, but could you explain what I should do now?
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
And yet I still ask for more.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
Because I'll learn to obey and follow You “some day”.
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Because you are a gracious God and love me anyway.

How many times do we struggle to do things of our own free will, and then wonder why things don't go our way? We're on the right path one day and knocked off the next without realizing it. My prayer for you dear friend is that you have the patience to wait for God to show you what He is doing in your life, the wisdom to understand, the strength to bear what He allows to come your way even if it's not easy, time to spare for Him and to hear His Word, and the love for the Lord and your family with much grace to spare towards others.

In a world where we're being formatted like a computer disk to rush, get more done, and faster, we seem to get lost in the hustle and bustle. And somehow God gets lost from our lives too. When nothing seems to change and you don't see that you're making a difference in the kingdom of God, it's time to take a vacation from the world. Easier said than done, I know.

This goes back to my most popular question - what's it going to take for you to get fed up enough to get off the merry-go-round of “busyness” and take time for God, family, and self?

There are many sayings that we've all heard because many of us go through the same things. “When momma ain't happy, nobody's happy!” Heard that one? “Life's too short to buy green bananas.” How about that one? “Behind every great man is a good woman.” If that woman is off saving the rest of the world, that great man falls or never becomes great. Okay I made that last one up myself. But you get the picture. Sometimes the rewards of helping our family does not give us the same “feel good” feeling as it does helping at church or outside of the home where people recognize us for our good deeds. So it's easy to get caught up in doing good for others and not putting God and family first.

Romans 7:18 - 20 says, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”

This is a perfect example of why we must stay steadfast in our walk with God and read His word as our protection against those things we do not wish to do. But alas, our material world is making it more difficult to make a living. In striving to do better, help our children pay for college, or just have an easier life, we lose some sight of God and His plans.

But remember, when we put God first in our life, the rest falls into place. It may not be easy. James 1:2-4 - “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” I would love to be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Though I know I'll never get there without putting the Lord first, studying His word, and sharing the gospel with others.

©2006 Susie Glennan

Susie Glennan has been happily married to Steve since 1982. She is a mom of 3 and grandmom. Her passion is helping other women make time for what matters most. Susie does this through coaching and training via online seminars, chats, and phone consultations. You can reach her at: 800-848-7715 or http://www.thebusywoman.com Susie is also the President of Busy Woman, Inc. and runs its subsidiary, The Busy Woman's Daily Planner®. Her products have been featured in major magazines across the globe. Susie writes articles for many publications on and offline.

Apr. 12, 2006 - Marriage should be like dating

Two people coming together from two different worlds and upbringings make for an interesting combination. When you first start dating these differences are exciting and new because “you're dating.” The excitement and the newness of the relationship overshadows the seemingly little imperfections of the other person. But when you decide this is the person to spend the rest of your life with, you're together so much that those little things are more noticeable and might even become irritating or a problem later on.

Marriage is a big commitment. Unless God is at the forefront of the marriage, the foundation is weak. Therefore, it is important to pray together as one, building upon the rock of salvation, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is the only way the relationship will be able to withstand little imperfections and times of change. The little things that bother you while you're dating may bother you even more after the honeymoon. Put those little things into perspective so that most of your marriage can be just as good as when you were dating. As long as you realize that no one you choose can be perfect, and you can't change them, you can get past these things.

What did Jesus do during times of change? He pressed on following the principles His Father set forth. Constant communion with Abba Father, prayer with your spouse (For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. Mat 18:20), fellowship with other believers.

There are times when couples go through change. Each individual has a time in their life where they will feel differently than before they first started out on this journey together. It is completely natural for people to go through different seasons of life. During any of these times it's important to go back to the principles of dating.

1. When you first got engaged, did you go for premarital counseling at your local church?
a. If so, go back for some more.
b. If not, it's never too late. After being married, you may need to go for counseling to gain unbiased perspective on the relationship.

2. Think through your feelings.
a. This is the time to decide what a “big” deal is. If you could over look certain things while dating, can you find a way to not let those things bother you now? I remember when it started to bother me that my husband squeezed the tube of toothpaste from the middle or the top. Before half of the tube was used up, the side would crack, leaving a hole for toothpaste to seep through. I used to come in to brush my teeth only to have to go through the regiment of redoing the tube of toothpaste first. One day my husband was away for more than a week and the tube was not crumpled. I instantly thought of him and decided I'd rather have a crumpled tube of toothpaste with the man I love.

3. During times of change start dating again.
a. Go out on a real date.
b. Ask questions.
c. Do not talk about the kids, family, or other people.
d. Try to give the other person a chance to talk about what they need and why they might be feeling the way they do.
e. Find out what has changed in “their” life to bring them to this place.
f. Give them your undivided attention and understanding.
g. Then take your turn or leave your turn for your next date.

4. Did you used to buy silly little gifts for each other back when you were dating?
a. Start doing it again… I remember my husband would buy me flowers and put a sweet a note with them when we were dating. This little token of love done every so often warmed my heart. So as a woman you can drop a hint that you miss getting a little treat or token of his affection now and again like when you were dating.
b. Men like little tokens of love too. Buy him a little token… a CD, movie, new lingerie to look at. Get creative ladies. This is also good if you can't think of a way to tell him it would be nice if he were to buy you a little something. Although, in my relationship with my husband, I would just say it, “Hubby, remember you used to buy me little something now and again to tell me you loved me? I wouldn't mind getting something now and again.

5. Have fun.
a. What did you do as a new couple that was fun?
b. Will reliving some of those fun times give you pleasure?
c. If so, do it.

6. Find new interests that both of you enjoy. As we get older, we won't necessarily like all of the same things we did before.
a. Find one new interest or hobby you can enjoy together.

7. Doing things without your spouse is not a crime. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Men need men and women need women. If the two of you do different things you enjoy separate of each other now and again it gives you new, “fun” things to share. Your together time won't be stale.
a. Find at least one new thing to do separately.

8. You were a couple before you were parents. Kids tend to throw a monkey wrench into the equation if your marriage is not built on a solid foundation. And it's “never” too late to start!
a. Take time to build a strong foundation for your marriage: He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. Luke 6:48
b. If you put God first and your marriage second, everything else will fall into place. You will be able to withstand the fiery darts of the wicked one.
c. Putting God and your marriage first teaches the children about marriage relationships during a confusing time in the world. So let the children see you pray together, study the Word together, and fellowship with other believers.
d. When one parent is at home and the other comes home from work, make sure to say hello, kiss, freshen up and spend at least a few moments together.
e. Be the arms of Christ for your spouse. Knowing that you have a loving support system to come home to after work can make a difference in how you get through your day. Jesus gave you to each other to be His physical arms of love.

Marriage can be like dating if you plan ahead. Find some exciting and fun things to do, separately and together. And most of all, pray together.

©2005 Susie Glennan

Susie Glennan has been in direct sales for over 23 years, home schooled & ran a daycare for 8 years, is a teacher, technology trainer, Toastmaster, Speaker, and Author of numerous articles that have been published in magazines and across the web. She teaches personality based time management & other seminars on various topics. Her passion is teaching others to use their God given personalities to enhance their lives and relationships by effectively managing their time and staying true to the values in life that are most important.

Susie has been happily married since 1982, has three children and 2 grandchildren. Her home is in the beautiful town of Thousand Oaks, CA. She is also the President of The Busy Woman, Inc. - DBA: The Busy Woman's Daily Planner®. The company provides daily planners, purses, car & home organizers, Memory Books, and other organizing tools to help enhance the busy life of today’s family and can be found at: http://www.thebusywoman.com