My own little oasis! (yes Donna, I have one too!)

Well everyone I have discovered my local, neighborhood Pool! I AM AMAZED!! I had such a stigma about public pools, but I was told to try the one in my new neighborhood and can I tell you, FAB-U-LOUS!! You know I have to share my experience with you. I went and got my pool pass and decided the next day I was going to the Pool (that was probably the day you called and Pooka was closed!). I decided to put on my bathing suit and go to the pool by myself. Now first of all I haven’t had on my bathing suit in a while and it was not………CUTE! I used to wear a nice 2 piece but now I’ve moved into the 2 piece with the little skirt on the bottom! But so what, I packed my sunscreen, towel, ipod, magazine, water, snacks, sunglasses, phone(If I needed to bring all that stuff I should have stayed home!) When I got to the pool and dragged my suitcase in I was amazed! It was so nice, 3 pools, picnic area, beach chairs, concession stand, I thought I was in the Bahamas. It was so liberating setting up shop for the day and just relax. The best part was the summer pass was only $20! What was even better was I could bring guests for only $5 a day! Now you know me I had to tell everyone about my little nirvana and the words “You should come to my pool….” will forever haunt me! That’s when the “VISITS” began. I have become a local tour guide for my pool. I now have a schedule by my bed of who is coming to the pool and what time. I get many calls about what slots are available. I now wear a uniform, similar to a bus driver when I drop my groups off at the pool. I’ve even purchased a whistle for when my groups get a little disorderly. Last week my parents and aunts and uncle came for pool day and we had such a nice time. Since then, sometimes when I look into the crowd, I see them sitting in the corner with shades on! “How did they get in without me?” I wonder. They pretend not to see me but I know it’s them! And you know I get the very frequent, Auntie Dawn can we go back to the pool? (hhmmmmmmmmmm………..I remember seafood night kid!) So now my summer nirvana has changed, I wish I would have known I could have gotten a job at the pool and got paid! The lesson here, we have to start taking advantage of things that are available to us, you never know you may find your own little Bahamas!(just make sure you get a one way ticket! hahahaha)

Return of the 2Fer Sale! This Saturday!

Is Five A Day Enough?

Hey Pooka Family, sharing an email that can keep us all on a good nutritional path. Enjoy!

Most of us are familiar with the 5 A Day message when it comes to
eating fruits and vegetables. But is this really enough? Maybe, if
your only goal is to meet your basic nutritional needs. If you are more
interested in disease prevention, longevity and a healthy appearance,
try aiming for eight to 10 servings a day. If you are getting your
five a day, good job! Now consider going for great with eight or more
servings.

Shopping with a Cause

Hi Family!

I recently came across a great site that I wanted to share. We girls of course love shopping and especially shopping for pocketbooks! Please check out www.madimports.net. This company was founded and run by two women who are socially and environmentally responsible. Their accessories come from Kenya and Madagascar. They fund education programs and support the women of Kenya with community development. Please check out their site to read all about. They have some really cute bags and totes that are especially great for summer. So shop on sisters and know you are supporting a great cause!

Donna

Graduation 2008

Well it happened....... they all told me that the day would come, that I should prepare myself, its like being at the top of a roller coaster just before you head down, your excited and nervous but willing to go on with the journey (not like you can get off now anyway). Yes I'm talking about my Baby graduating form Kindergarten! I know, I know there’s lots more to come, more graduations, dates, heartaches, the prom. Everyone says that after the first graduation it all just goes by so fast, I mean William is my baby, my first baby and everyone knows there is nothing like the first. (take it from me I was the second) It was sooo nice all of the parents were there cheering their kids on, as we watched pictures of them from the school year, watching all of the fun that they had, knowing that they were in a good place, not just learning but being cared for. They did a play "The grouchy Lady bug" (okay so we couldn't hear most of it, it seemed like then the kids wanted to whisper their parts) and it was good. William was the elephant and he said his line perfectly. They then sang " I believe I can fly"(which I guess was okay being that R was acquitted, Hummmmm, but that’s another story). Then it was time to receive the diplomas, all the kids were anxious as they waited for their name to be called. William J. Reeves was called out he stood up and walked across the floor he received his diploma and turned to me with a big bright smile and my heart just broke! I will not cry, I told myself as tears started to well up in my eyes. I was so proud of my child! He's gone from being my baby to my little man, Awhhh who am I kidding? He will always be my baby! I love you Will!

We Still Need You

From time to time I just shake my head and smile when I think of the long, blessed trail we have traveled with Pooka. I could never have imagined this little idea would grow into a little company that would appear in national magazines and not one, but two national television shows. We have truly been blessed. To get the opportunity to work with my sister and my girlfriends and other members of my family has been a dream come true. I’ve learned a lot about myself over the years… I didn’t know just how resilient I could be!!

I would be less than truthful if I didn’t say the road has been rough too. A lot of folks have written or told me in person how proud they are of me and Pooka. They have seen the articles and TV appearances and congratulated us on “making it.” Most of the time I just smile and keep it moving but if it’s someone I know I may take the time to remind them of the expenses associated with business. I know they mean well but we are not quite in a place where we have made it [that’s putting it nicely]. We are hustling to make it every day like most of you.

We definitely take time to recognize the achievements and accomplishments and how many companies don’t get to celebrate a 7th anniversary but we have a long way to go before we get to the place we’re trying to reach. We still need you… all of you. No order is too small. We need your referrals… your friends, family, church members and their people. We are looking for every way we can think of to help spread the word of Pooka but advertising is expensive. Pooka is still a small company and we rely on individuals to keep us going. No matter where you see us – magazines, TV, websites – we still know who we are and who keeps us going. We share our blessings with you like we do with our family and friends but, please believe, there is no Pooka without you.

Peace and blessings,

Dawn