Updates

Hey-yo...so I guess it's been a while (again): I would apologize - but then I remembered if you have time to check here for updates, you probably have more time than me...so all of the sudden I don't feel so badly!

So my agency opened up Jan 1. It's been a tumultuous ride, let's just say that. Last update indicated I had my first staffing change...and I am soon to embark upon my third.

I hired Fernando right before we opened and he has proven to be an absolute diamond in the rough. Last month he sold over 40 apps alone! Fantastic.
Meanwhile Ryan is still working for me (the guy who had planned to open his own agency, backed out, and is killing time working for me until he can get a job at the regional office). Of course he is blessing - how can you go wrong with a candidate who has had as much training as the agent? You can't.

I also hired a young girl part-time who is a student at UT. She is so smart - and so sweet and innocent (or so it seems). We closed down early tonight to have a celebration (we hit over 100 apps last month which is nearly unheard of - setting records for Austin!!). I brought in some champagne and told her she could just have a sip (she's not legal you see) and turns out it was her first sip of alcohol intentionally! She says she's tasted her dad's beer and mom's strawberry daquiri, but never really had her own. So I promptly took away her glass (after our toast) and told her she had to ride wiht me to dinner. haha

I took Ryan, Fernando, Christine, their spouses, and my lovely honey all out to PF Changs to celebrate our fantastic start. I'm really still awestruck at how we have started with such a strong 2 months. It's not normal - and I guess I'm not normal. I just keep waiting for it to turn around, but we've already gotten this month off to an amazing start as well! It's only the 4th and we have 23 apps (compared to our record-setting 115 for the month of February). So if we keep up this pace...well...you get the picture. Let's not count our chickens before the eggs hatch, right?

Chris invested in some used home gym equipment and created the "Manrage". He put it all in the garage and is out there working out as we speak. It's nice in this weather - we'll see how bearable it becomes once summer starts. Meanwhile I'm cheering him on from the couch. haha

We finally hired a cleaning lady. That has been the best investment we've made for years. We were both coming home absolutely exhausted...and something had to take the hit in terms of tasks we have time to complete. Litterbox is a must therefore the toilets, tubs, floors, etc have been sadly neglected. That is until Linda came in to our lives. Ahhh Linda - the heavens sing upon you. :)

We are finalizing plans for my friend Vicki's wedding in Akumal, Mexico this May. We plan to head down May 7th and stay until that Sunday. I can't wait for a vacation!!

This week is pretty busy. Tomorrow night we are going to a dinner for "Travel Club" - which is comprised of all the agents in Austin who intend to at least try to sell enough to earn next year's Hawaiian vacation. They are putting it on at Cool River and picking up the tab (they being Austin management people). Free dinner - sweet! Then Thursday I'm helping fund/volunteer/put on the Shattered Dreams program for Akins HS. Thursday night will be a student sleep over and Friday will be the program. If you haven't heard me talk about htis it is very similar to the drunk driving education I drove back to College Station for late last year. I feel priveleged to help share this with Austin high schools. I'm working in conjunction wiht the Travis County Sherrif's department - so if you ever get in trouble here give me a call - I've got "peeps". ;)
Friday we are doing a charity poker tournament (to benefit March of Dimes - if you haven't donated to Chris' page yet do it!) with some folks from his work. Saturday we are going out to eat and then to a comedy club called Esther's Follies wiht Chris' family. Sunday I am presenting the awards on behalf of State Farm (the major sponsor) at the Austin rodeo (again - I'm honored - I got awarded this opportunity based upon my life production from last month). Then Sunday night I'm flying out to New Orleans for a Million Dollar Round Table conference on Monday and Tuesday (prestigious industry awards - my management thinks I might get there someday and I'm starting to believe them!). I finally get some rest next Wednesday. I think I might call in sick. Oh wait. I can't do that anymore! :(

Well that's all the updates for now folks. I'll get you pics some time soon (I know that's what the blogs are really for but my camera battery is dead).
Oh speaking of pics - my friend Carrie is starting up her own photography business. She bribed me in to putting my wedding dress back on and letting her take pictures on the St. Edward's University campus. Check out her website at www.carrieme.com

Love you all and hope you are having a great week!