Perhaps T*H*I*S is my most favorite addition to the Longaberger line. I love, Love, LOVE these new purses and accessories! They will rival that "Bradley lady" in every way!



I love the look of these rooms and I can show you how easy it is to decorate your home so you can entertain Longaberger style!



This is definitely NOT your Mama's Longaberger!


ATTENTION ALL PEOPLE INTO FUNDRAISING: Those with a cause...are you tired of selling candy, popcorn, wrapping paper, magazines and candles? It's time to turn to Longaberger for your next fundraiser and get 40% from the ltems you sell. Call me at 800.497.3487 to get started.

WOOHOO! Another Successful Longaberger Branch Meeting
......but the day didn't start out a winner!
Saturday morning I DID NOT want to get out of bed. I admit it, I am a night owl, not a morning song bird! And for a moment, when I first stirred, I thought "Yay, it is Saturday and I can cozy back down in this fabulous bed." I smacked my feather pillow to get the perfect place for my head and just as my golden locks (stop laughing) hit the pillow I realized I had a Longaberger Branch meeting in Gainesville VA - about an hour away. My first thought was how in the world do I force myself get out of this bed and the second thought was - NO (insert whiny voice here), I don't want to drive an hour to any kind of meeting.

BUT....I do love Longaberger and I do love hanging out with other gals that love Longaberger so I did it. After I got up I started finding things I just had to take so I could share some of my excitement about the Company's new direction. You see only 4 other consultants made the trek to Columbus last month for the Longaberger Bee (convention) and I knew that more would come to the meeting and be anxious for all the news. And those of you that know me best know I like to talk about my passions, so here was a chance for me to blab away.

I picked up one of my personal team members and we were off to the beautiful home of Linda Hendrickson for our fun time. And fun it was. Linda shared so many ideas about how to use some of the new products. And then what always happens - we all had ideas of our own that were shared. You have to go to facebook and search for "Willa's Love for Longaberger" to see some pictures, b/c I haven't figured out how to do mobile updates here, but suffice it to say there were a lot of ideas.

Now....CAN WE TALK???? I need to be serious here for a moment. There are a couple of things I know for sure and many things I don't have a clue about, but the bottom line is I refuse to give up on this "selling thing" and this "building my team thing" just because I seem to be getting nowhere! I still believe that people everywhere are buying gifts. We may or may not be working within a budget, but generally speaking we have people that we need to give little (or big) gifts to when the occasion arises. My question is....why not Longaberger? I really bristle when I say the word and people say, "oh those expensive baskets." I mean I get hostile about it. Like a dinner out, or a new pair of shoes, or a Vera Bradley bag (not to mention Coach) or a new electronic got-to-have-it device or tickets for two to the movies or ____________ (fill in the blank) ISN'T expensive. It's all about choice. All I'm asking is to consider the quality, the durability, the "hand-made to be handed-down," the made-in-America aspect and what you have is Longaberger. It's not just about baskets anymore. It is about baskets and everything that makes a house a home except the people....and it makes the people happy! So there you have it. Buy Longaberger and buy from me....you know....to make ME happy!!

And while I'm letting you "hear" my feelings on the subject how about considering joining my team. We are a bunch of successful, fun-loving gals that put extra $$$ in our pocket each month making people happy! I can teach you how to offer solutions to your friends and family's decorating, organizing, entertaining and gift-giving needs. Simple as that! And the sky's the limit when it comes to defining your business. It's custom made for you, because you are the boss. It's a great second job, stay-at-home job or a full time I'm-going-for-it job! Sorry, you're just going to have to trust me on this one. AND do me a favor; if you aren't interested but can think of someone you know that might be interested please get them to me ASAP!!

Please let me hear from you and if you are reading my blog I hope you will click "become a follower.
Hugs!
wb

What I've done.......

Don't miss this amazing basket! The sale of each one of these beauties (and other Horizon of Hope benefits the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research. Longaberger has raised over $14 million for this important research that touches each of us. This campaign is in it's 15th year and I want to do my part to sell as many of these beautiful HOH products as I can. Check out the website to read more.
www.horizonofhope.com

It's THURSDAY....well, more than half over, but Thursday nonetheless. How did we get to Thursday so quickly? I know what I've been doing; what about you? I am still so excited about all I learned at the Longaberger Bee last week and have been trying some very new things. Many times I just give it a try and scratch my head and HOPE it works. Technology is not my strong point but I think I am teachable. Time will tell. Here's what I've done so far: and this is not in chronological order

1. Started a new business page on facebook. I learned this past week that I was actually boring my friends and family by sharing the Longaberger specials and "e-cards" on facebook. I thought I was doing a good thing. My reasoning was if they didn't want to buy it they wouldn't. How is that different from the many farm, mafia wars, farkle and whatever else request I get....oh yeah, I hide those requests. OOPS, it never occurred to me that people might me HIDING ME! Oh dear if I have lost you I will try and woo you back. So go to my new facebook page and become a fan. That's where you will find my ads for Longaberger Wacky Wednesday Specials, etc. On facebook it is called "WIlla's Love for Longaberger" I hope that gives you enough info to find it. I think you just use the search bar and type it in.

2. I purchsed two ads through facebook. We'll see about that. Another first. They cost me about $.64/click. So far no interest, but several clicks. They will only run for 2 weeks and I have a daily total that the click will not exceed!

3. I also am doing a trial (60 days) run with a company called Constant Contact. They will help me determine who, if anyone, is reading my emails and newsletters. The reports have been very interesting!! I now KNOW ALL!

4. I printed up a survey for strangers! How does that sound? Here's how it works. I will give strangers a copy of the current WishList with a survey. The survey is on a 5x7 card. On one side I have questions about the WishList and a place for them to give me their address or email address for more info. The other side has my address and a stamp already in place. I bought 100 stamps and will try this until the stamped cards run out and then evaluate the success/failure of this venture

5. I purchased a booth at the upcoming bridal show in my area. WOW it cost a bunch, but I am willing and able to try to break into this hot venue. There will always be brides and they always have money to spend on what appeals to them. Wish me luck as I turn my tiny 6x8 space into an eye-popping display that they will all just HAVE TO HAVE!

There you have it. Two days in my PJs all day long just to get all this done. I hope and pray this works. I really need to grow my business and sitting home hoping it will happen just doesn't cut it. It is VERY hard for me to ask for referrals, sales, someone to do a home show, team members, but I'm willing to try. If more than 100 people can sell more than $100,000 in one year why can't I?

Check it out!

Check out each of the "E-Cards" to see what is available at Longaberger this week. Visit my website at www.longaberger.com/willabrown or call me at 800.497.3487 with your questions or orders!! OR Send me an email basketsfromwila@doitnow.com

I'M CHANGING DIRECTIONS!

Hi All

Long time - no hear from! That would be me. I let life get in the way of blogging but now I am back! There is a good reason I'm back....as my title indicates, I'm changing directions just a little.

Here are some words that define me up to this point: in no particular order and these are the nouns, not the adjectives (you can add those in your comments if you like!)

A child of God

daughter

sister

wife

mother

aunt

grandmother

friend

scholar

reader

musician

teacher...to name a few.

I want to add one other word to that list and after returning from the Longaberger Convention and realizing that I do indeed own my own business ( love, love, LOVE that fact) it's a word I covet! I want to grow my business and become......a VIP Sales Leader! Simply put, I want to try and climb out of my comfort zone and share my love for these incredibly beautiful products with everyone that will listen.

I am 63 years old. I love my life. But it is time for me to make a huge contribution to our retirement. I know I can do this if I just share my passion...Longaberger!

MY EXPERIENCE:

For the last 45 years I have raised a family teaching piano and voice to help pay the bills. I have joyously worked as church pianist in so many churches since I was 16 years old. I have directed some of the finest church choirs, youth and children's choirs as well as military women's choirs around. I once had the amazing opportunity to be the opening act for Lee Greenwood in front of 10,000 people welcoming home the troops from Desert Storm in the 90s. I proudly served in Officers' Wives' Clubs wherever we were assigned and had the privilege of working side by side with the wives of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as we worked hard to raise money for those in need and worthy causes supporting our families in the military. I have taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, women's Bible studies, and even taught for years in the public school systems in Florida and Nevada. In the last 8 years I really took a "turn from the norm" and managed two Curves for Women facilities and headed up a staff of 15. Did I leave anything out - probably so, but the point is I have been living a life of total joy in service to others. I will always do that; it's part of who I am.

THE LONGABERGER CONNECTION:

In 1989 I discovered Longaberger. I wish more than anything I had been given the opportunity to sell it back then. But that didn't happen until 2002. For the last 8 years I have struggled with myself trying to figure out just how to make this work. We have an amazing product that has grown with the trends. It's not "your mama's basket company" anymore. But it is a company whose business statement is "To Stimulate a Better Quality of Life" for not only its consultants as we work our own business our own way, but also for the consumer. But something has been missing for me. I have to admit that I love to be in front of an audience, no matter what the size, and joining a direct sales company was supposed to give me the opportunity to do just that; have home shows, talk, laugh, instruct, solve decorating problems - all in front of 2-25 people as we gather to party. NOPE, it DIDN'T happen. In my 8 years I have done less than 10 "in the home" shows. Fortunately Longaberger has moved with the times and I now have a website I can use or my sales would have gone down the toilet the last few years. So I have struggled along.

BUT I WANT MORE!

1. I want a team. I want the team to be gals from all over the U.S. so I can travel to train my team and help them build their business.

2. I want huge sales. I want to figure out how to reach new customers. Those of you reading this that have been my support system for the last 8 years are probably saying a big hearty AMEN to this since I keep coming back to you over and over. So help me find some customers.

3. I want people to search me out when they have a gift giving problem (and no matter what the economy is we still BUY gifts) or a decorating need.

4. I want to build lasting friendships with my customers - old and new. This isn't your average pushy Amway dealer here folks, it's me - Willa Brown asking for your help!!

THE PLAN:

1. I want (NEED) you on my team. For as little as $49 you can join this amazing company. With that you get a free ($79 value) Medium Market Basket and everything you need to get started. You get ME!! I guarantee if you let me show you how, you can add income to your monthly bottom line! I PROMISE this will happen. Longaberger has so many products at so many different price points that there is truly something for everyone. If you read Longaberger, An American Success Story (and I will send you a copy) you will not be able to wait to get on board. You don't have to do home shows. Our number two sales person this year sold over $250,000 and she has never had a home show, but she does have 4,000 customers...all online! We need a piece of that!

2. If you don't want to sell and buy products at 25% off retail then become my customer and help me to get the word out. Please offer to do a catalogue or a home show and I'll do the rest. I will even send out your invitations for you. I need your help to find new customers. I will travel anywhere to bring the Longaberger story to you and your friends. Just give me a chance.

You get a prize if you stuck through this long blog! Just let me know what you think. Please let me know and then tell others about my blog.

SIDE NOTE: I have 3 daughters (two by marriage) and I really wish my core team consisted of the 4 of us! One is selling with me and it is my dream that the other two will join us. If I had these 3 I am convinced we would be an unstoppable force.

Pictures....I forgot to add them!

Here are a few pictures from Christmas. As they say, "you had to be there" and if you had you would have split your sides laughing! We had so much fun. We missed Andy, Lisa, Alyssa and Kaitlyn so much though. We are planning our next family reunion and with this large family, so spread out, this is not an easy task!

Tom bowling and everyone else laughing
DANCING

and more DANCING

And the famous DIP!

These two need to take this show on the road

4 of my Beautiful Grands!!

What a gorgeous family!

Scott being....Scott!

...and Connor doing what he does a lot!!

Scott singing O, Holy Night!

Tom and the incredible Christmas dinner

Olivia and Larry are great pals! What a cute picture!!

The great pal team of Brown and Gilkeson!

We were always laughing...always!

.......or we were at the piano!

Ty getting ready for battle

Take that Daddy!

Not quite as long between post.....

.....but close! Since I announced on facebook (3 days ago) that journaling was to be one of my goals (not resolutions) for the year, here I am trying to work on that goal. I let time get away from me. I need to learn from Andy, the consummate blogger, about stick-to-it-ness because he is awesome! I find myself at the beginning of each day checking to see what he has posted and yes, I am terribly disappointed when there is not a new note or picture or two. Yeah, I know, I know....something about working strange hours, but he still manages to delight me with his words and or course the many, many pictures that make me think the twins are just down the street....I*W*I*S*H!!

So what news should I share with you? How about the goals for the year? That's easy because they are fresh in my mind and they are written down and they have been shared on facebook for all my 135 friends to see. I did that on purpose because it does no good to have a goal if you keep quiet about it. I have to answer to someone about these things. So here goes:

• I will read through the Bible this year. It has been several years since I have done that and I can't think of a better way to the new decade. Now here's the amazing part. I announced this on facebook a few days ago and got only one response. I was kind of sad about that because I was hoping several people would join me. Well, last night I was chatting with Donna, one of my favorite cousins in Texas, and she suggested I start a facebook group and invite people like that. I had no idea to do that, but in less than a minute or two she had us up and running. We now have 28 people joining us; friends and family of mine, hers and Christin's. HOW EXCITING is that?! Each night I will go there and post the next day's passage and we might or might not have a discussion/comments on what we read. The important thing is that we are all doing something together that will benefit us individually and as a whole. It's not too late to join us!!


• I will walk 200 miles this year. Now, for you athletic types out there in "read-a-blog-land" that might not sound like a very lofty goal, but believe me for this gal with bad knees, a bad back, osteoarthritis, overweight, and lazy on top of all that...THIS IS HUGE!! I broke it down into 4 miles/week or 1 mile 4 times each week. I can do that!! I WILL DO THAT!! I asked for people to join me and got a few.....anybody else?


• I will journal. I think it is important to write down thoughts and feelings and comments and hmmm, even questions. It really doesn't matter who reads this or if anyone ever comments. What matters is that I am engaged and trying to develop a discipline! Besides it gives me a place to brag about my husband, children, grands and kitties!!


• I have a very strange music goal to share with you. I decided that I listen to basically the same music day after day. I switch things up, but end up hearing the same ole, same ole 'cause I like my collections. SO once each month I'm going to choose a different category; is that called a genre. Anyway, someone can correct me on that one. But I will listen to as many songs within my chosen group each month as I can. Two choices each month: one is always classical (this month it is music by Mozart - it's his birthday month) and the other will be whatever pops in my head. This month the theme (yeah, I like that better - theme) is music from Broadway Musicals. I'll let you know how I do. In the mean time I'm uploading songs from some oldies, like Brigadoon and Carousel. FUN!!


• My Longaberger business will grow by leaps and bounds this year. I really do love this company. I love what it stands for - I love the made in America by Americans. I love the family owned, family run business. I love the only-in-America story of the man that had so many things going against him but kept believing in his dreams of a better way of life for many, many people until he made the art of basket weaving that started with his father and his grandfather into a multi-million dollar company. AND I love that before he died of cancer in 1996 he gave the company to his daughter who took up the challenge and has lead the company through the best and worse of times and it just still keeps thriving. ALL THAT TO SAY THIS: I plan to "grow" my team, "grow" my customer base and "grow" my income so Sam and I can retire already!!


• And finally HEALTH with all capital letters! I have to get on top of things this year. On October 31, 2009 I entered a challenge with Andy. We are both on Weight Watchers and each night we are supposed to tally what we ate and send a report to each other. We have been doing awesome....well, at least until Christmas week, but we will get back to it...RIGHT ANDY??? I have lost 15 lbs since the two of us started this and 25 lbs since I started from my highest weight.....which shall forever be kept a secret until maybe when I reach my goal. AND speaking of goals, I will reach it this year. I set milestone goals for Christmas (was over by 1 lb), Valentine's Day, April 28th, June 1st, September 15 and for November 16th when I plan to reach my final goal. This will take prayer. Along with this weight loss goal is the goal to go to my doctor more regularly. I haven't been doing that. In fact I would be mortified if you knew how far behind I am on some very basic tests. I just got tired of hearing them tell me to lose weight and that everything that "ailed me" was due to my weight. Well, take that doctors....now I'm on the way to that goal, but I won't be waiting until I get there to see them again. Hmmm, note to self.....need to think about adding the goal of conquering some doctor fears to this list!

There you have it. I will try and entice you to check back often by posting pictures TOMORROW. I hope you will feel free to comment, offer advice, pray for and with me, join me on any of these goal challenges if you like and just check back when you can!

Oh Happy Day!

Has it really been 6 months since I last posted? Guess so, the date doesn't lie. I thought I would be more faithful to blogging, but life got in the way and I didn't think it was the kind of things that everyone wanted to read about.



So here is the short version:

Sam, my beloved, got sick in January - really sick. Turned out to be pneumonia that wouldn't go away. After months on antibiotics with other odd symptoms showing almost every week we decided that something else had to be going on. Well, you know the military heath care system - that took time and time and then some more time!

BOTTOM LINE: He has been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, (RA) and just FINALLY began treatment last Friday. He has had numerous appointments and test along the way to rule out other things before we could proceed with treatment, but we are now on the way. He has lost a lot of weight, not dangerously, but through Weight Watchers (and my excellent cooking) and is feeling 100% better. Last Saturday he actually did some manual labor by cleaning out the garage and he did fine. We are thanking the Lord for the healing that is and will continue to take place.



Another thing that has happened is the loss of my sweet kitten Oriella. It has been hard to go back to look at her pictures in this blog so I have avoided doing that. She died, quite unexpectedly, on June 28 of FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) and we grieved for a very long time. Pocahontas is fine except for the fact that she misses her playmate terribly! I have become her new playmate and she is now very spoiled!!



Good news is that she has a new baby brother; literally because he has the same parents as her. His name is Wolfgang Amadeus Brown and was born July 18. We will get him mid-October and we can't wait. He is a cutie, the only boy in a litter of 5 and he is already almost twice as big as his sisters. Pocahontas will have her hands (paws?) full when he arrives. We call him Wolfie for short.



THIS and THAT:

Trips:

#1 - #5 - I have been to Texas 4 times since January and I'm so thankful I get to go often to see Mom and the rest of the family. I always stay with Scott and Ally and love my time with the boys! Next trip there will be Sept 3 - 7 for Austin's birthday.

#6 - I took a few friends to the Longaberger Homestead in April and we had so much fun. It was the Collector's Club Gathering. We drove from here to Morgantown WV to spend the night. Can you say "room party"? We got up early the next morning and drove to Fraseysburg OH where the Homestead is located and spent the day looking, playing, eating and oh yea - shopping. We all also worked with a Longaberger basket maker and wove out very own Lady-Bug Basket. TOO CUTE! We left late in the day for the 3 hour dirve back to Morgantown - more room partying and then the next day back home again to Virginia. We were tired but it was oh so much fun. We have plans to make it an annual event and hope to add to our numbers next year!!

#7 - Sam and I went to the Longaberger Bee (convention) earlier this month. If you have been then you know just how special this is. If not come with me next year. I can't describe the fun, learning, excitement and pride in a company that we get to experience for 4 days. It is something we will NOT miss. Both of us made a basket with one of the talented basket makers on the last day and they are beautiful. Tomorrow I promise pictures!

#8 - We leave this Sunday for Nags Head!!! It will be our first trip to the Outer Banks and we can't wait. We are spending the week with the Taylors. ALL THE TAYLORS! The older Taylors are treating family and friends to a week in a beautiful 8 bedroom home that is located right on the Atlantic. Oh yes, we are watching the tract of Hurricane Bill with great interest! For those of you that don't know, Randy Taylor was Sam's roommate (old lady as they are called) at A&M. He was best man at our wedding and he and Lois have been our dearest friends forever! This will be a treat for us to get to spend a whole week with them.

#9 - I already mentioned my next trip to Texas but I thought I'd also throw in Sam's travel to Atlanta Sept 11 - 13 to be with the Brown II while Austin participates in the Triathlon Iron Kid Event. Wish I could go...boohoo!

#10 - Speaking of Browns....September 25th - Oct 4 we will be in ANCHORAGE! It's been since January 2008 that I have visited and even longer since Sam was there. Thank God for the video conferences we have ever so often because we at least get to see the girls and Andy and Lisa often, but this is a dream trip for us. We can't wait to get there!

#11 - Might as well add this one that is really a trip within a trip. When we get to Anchorage on Friday, we will board the train the very next day and have a side trip to Seward AK. Yup, you read that right! You know me and trains. Well, Andy found us a trip that features a jazz festival while on board the train. We will party on the way down, spend the night in Seward and come back to Anchorage the next day.

#12 - When I get back from AK I will have to go to Texas to see Mom and the family, then rent a car to drive North to Dallas to pick up Wolfie and fly home from there. That will be a fun, but busy trip but look at the reward at the end.

# ????? - After that we don't know, but probably will make plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas that involves travel somewhere. When you live so far from family you love (wait a minute; they live far from me) you travel to go see them so as long as we have the means, then we will travel. Thank goodness for piano/voice lessons!!



Guess I need to get on with my day. It involves getting the house ready for Bunko Friday night and an HUGE Open House the day after we return from Nags Head. What was I thinking??? Oh, I remember - I wanted to have an open house so I could make money to take more trips!!



Look for pictures tomorrow. I have lots to download to the computer and and then to this site. Wish me luck!

Thanks for reading!

WB