Avon

Hi, Ho, Hi, Ho, It’s Off to Town I Go

/ Quilly / 17 Comments

Well, actually, I went.  I am back now.  I took the ferry to the mainland today then drove in to Oak Harbor for an Avon Sales meeting and  I had a wonderful encounter with God along the way.

This morning I loaded the stuff into my car that I had to take to the meeting.  I got my shopping list, made certain I had money, and took my camera. I put a blanket, my hat, coat and gloves in the back seat (waiting in line for the ferry can get cold this time of year).   I took a couple of books to read while crossing the Sound and I stopped and got a Mocha as well.

Unfortunately, I forgot my directions, but I was comforted by the knowledge that I knew which street the meeting was on, and I was certain if I racked my brains hard enough I would even remember the name of the restaurant — but no amount of thinking pulled up anything but Angelo’s — and I knew it wasn’t there.

That’s when it dawned on me to check my email.  I was pretty certain I hadn’t deleted the message — so I pulled into the K-Mart parking lot and grabbed my phone.  As it turns out, the directions I had memorized were for tomorrow’s meeting!  Today’s meeting was at The American Legion Hall on Barrington Rd.  Great, I thought.  Where the heck is Barrington Rd?  I looked around and didn’t see anyone in the parking lot, but there was a gas station next door so I headed there — and on the way I noticed that K-Mart is on the corner of Highway 20 and Barrington Rd.

The first thing I did was say, Thank you, God.  He knew exactly when to nudge me to pull over.  So, I had Barrington Rd.  Next, I needed the American Legion.  Left or right?  Left or … the left turn arrow lit up, so left it was.  When the left turn arrow lit, I drove right by the gas station where I was going to get directions.  Once on Barrington Rd I was thinking that wasn’t such a good idea.  I could be going the wrong way.

I saw the post office as I passed it.  I thought, I’ll get directions there.  So at the next corner I pulled into a parking lot to turn around and there was the American Legion Hall.  I looked at my watch.  I had about 7 minutes to spare.  And again I said thank you, God.

I don’t think it is a coincidence that I could drive to a city I don’t know (with a population of roughly 20,000 people) and blunder my way directly to where I was supposed to be.  Whenever I go on a road trip I ask God to come with me.  I think my drive today is proof he did.   God is faithful even in the little things.

Coffee Shop Shopping

/ Quilly / 12 Comments

I took myself and my Avon off to Criminal Coffee this morning and set up at a table.  This is my new Monday strategy.   I took a few nice products to catch people’s eye.  It worked.  A lot of folks stopped to look.  No one bought anything on the table, but I did take two orders for other products and I gave away a couple of books to new people.

Avon has a new mascara out that got a lot of comments but no one ordered.  It is Sonic Mascara and comes with a vibrating brush.  I’d like to repeat some of the comments, but I am certain if you use your imagination you’ll think them up all on your own.  (Thank heavens Thom is on vacation!)

Follow the Leader

/ Quilly / 21 Comments

I had an appointment this morning with the island’s former Avon Lady.  She not only placed a nice order, she directed me to one of her former, very loyal customers — who placed an order and directed me to one of her friends, who directed me to one of her friends, who directed me to one of her friends.

Not only that, but when I got home today I had a phone message asking me to call someone else who had picked up a book at the fair.  She placed an order, too!  In the last two days I have gained 5 new (ordering) customers and 6 potential customers, plus I’ve doubled my highest order to date.  Now I just need a plan to keep this momentum going.  Anyone have any ideas?

Tomorrow I am taking a book to a clerk at the grocery store and I’m giving her an extra to leave in the break room.  I’m also going to stop by the local clinic and put a couple of Avon books in their magazine piles.  I’m thinking I might do the same at the dentist’s office. Another friend said she’d put a couple on the benches in the ladies locker room at the gym. I already leave books in both the coffee shops and the laundromats.  What am I missing?

Quilly Update

/ Amoeba / 23 Comments

Today (21 August 2010) is the last day of the San Juan County Fair. Ever since Wednesday, she’s been staffing her very own booth at the fair – all by herself. From 9 in the morning to 9 or 10 at night. (Amoebae have to work their own jobs, and they don’t make very convincing Avon ladies anyway.)

Needless to say, about the only thing that the Q wishes when she gets home these last few nights is a shower and a bed. Blogging, not so much. There are certain challenges to trying to prepare blog posts with eyes closed.

Rest assured, Quilly will be back on the blog circuit in a day or two, after she gets a chance to recover from her stint as a carnie kid. That’s carnival kid, for the unworthy among you out there. Sheesh.

Safer Than One Overhead

/ Amoeba / 6 Comments

Early Wednesday morning …

He: “Ready?”

She: “Think so.”

He: “Got your vendor pass?”

She: “Check.”

He: “Tables and chairs?”

She: “Check.”

He: “Avon stuff?”

She: “Check.”

He: “Balanced?”

She: “Checkbook. You thought I wasn’t listening, weren’t you?”

He: “Camera?”

She: “And just when do you think I’m going to have time to take pictures?”

He: “You’ll find the time. Especially if the geese fly over your head. That’s a photo I’d like to have. Just the thing for this occasion.”

She: “Are you calling me silly?”

He: “Of course not. But they are San Juan County fowl.”

She: “Are we there yet?”