long time no blog!

I am sorry it has been so long since my last post. I am sure that by now my followers are just FINOs (Followers In Name Only). I have been "out of pocket" recently. In fact, I have been out of state.

I spent last week in San Diego at our National Sales Meeting. It was a good meeting. What was so good about it, you ask? Well, first of all, it created a definite break between the 2009 sales year and the 2010 sales year. Remember all of the news reports talking about the down economy? Well, they were accurate. I believe they were accurate because they scared the crap out of consumers all across the country, thus creating the very down economy they were describing. It's just a theory. Anyway, the sales meeting is always our big rah rah kick off to the new year. It sounds a little contrived, but it works on me. New year = new possibilities.

Secondly, the NSM gives me an opportunity to hear what other sales reps (Oops! I should have said "Animal Health Consultants.") from across the country are seeing out in the field. We are able to share ideas, vent frustrations, and strategize. It's fun, especially now that I have been around as long as (or longer than) over half of the reps. I finally sound like I know what I am talking about.

Thirdly, it was in a beautiful location. Paradise Point Resort. I did take pictures, but of course I have not uploaded them yet.

The best part of the sales meeting this year, though, had nothing to do with Bayer or sales. Marcus Luttrell, a Navy SEAL and true war hero, spoke to our sales force. He simply told his story and then signed our copy of his book, Lone Survivor, afterwards. If you don't read anything else this year, read his book (http://www.amazon.com/Lone-Survivor-Eyewitness-Account-Operation/dp/0316067598). I didn't have the nerve to ask to shake his hand, but I hope that somehow he could tell how grateful I am for his service and his heroism.

You know, our men and women in uniform are not always treated with the respect and admiration they deserve. We owe our freedom to them and to people like them who have gone before, and it's just too bad that some people use that very freedom to undermine and criticize our troops. Let me tell you... my children are being raised to respect our troops, to stand when they see the flag, to be quiet and put their hands over their hearts during the national anthem, and to respect our president - no matter who he is. Jeff and I won't stand for any less.

By the way, if you are looking for a way to show your appreciation for our troops, check out "Cup O' Joe for a Joe" at Green Beans Coffee (http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/coj/index.php). You can "buy a cup of joe for a soldier serving far from home and have it delivered with your own personal note of encouragement." Cool!

Back to the trip... the difficult part is being away from the family, as you can imagine. I always miss the kids so much. I missed Jeff, too. :) I have to admit, Asher seemed pretty glad to see me when I got home. Gumbo was glad to see me, too. Of course, Gumbo is glad to see me when I get home from the grocery store. Or the backyard.

You'd think that I would be able to stay at home for a while after a week away, but I am sitting in a hotel room in Lafayette as I type this. That's okay. I get to go home tomorrow! :)

Goodnight!