Did you work out today?

On a rambling personal note...
I think everyone who made the resolution to go to the gym went today. At least those who are members at my gym.

Ok, confession, I have been to the gym once since October. Now that's certainly not to say that I haven't been getting my exercise. Schlepping my soap around to the 8.9 million shows; setting it up; tearing it down; standing there to sell it & making it all had to burn a few calories, wouldn't you think? I just haven't gotten to the gym due to all of the activities stated above.

So I went yesterday, and almost felt the need to whip out my day planner for the last 3 months to prove why I hadn't been diligently attending and that no, this wasn't a "let's change just because the calendar year has" moment. So I got over the feeling (and might I add that no one made me feel that way... just my own little mind) & had a great workout in a fairly quite gym.

Went back today and holy cow! I think EVERYONE was there. And if they had kids, they were there too. The kids gym was to capacity. The floor was shaking due to an over-capacity Kickboxing class & I think, for a moment, every treadmill was in use.

I am so excited to be getting back into the great routine I started of hitting the gym 3-4 times a week. I just hope that everyone who started today doesn't stick with it (or at least they change what time the go) so I can have my fairly quite gym back.

Hot Squeeze - Yum

So I'm not normally a foody at shows, but I've gotta say I'm infatuated (but not as much as my husband is) with Hot Squeeze.

It's a sauce that you can put on practically anything. So much so that D has already tried it on every food available through the hospitality at this show including: cheese casserole thing, sausage biscuit, meatballs, rolled sandwiches... you get the picture. I think he's going to want to cover our Thanksgiving turkey in it, and to be honest, I don't think I would mind.

My infatuation is more because the person behind the sauce - Sue is just as amazing as the sauce. She is an inspiration to me and for where I want Rinse to be in the next couple of years. Her hard work has placed her in all of my favorite stores including Whole Foods, Cost Plus World Market and gourmet shops all over the place.

Ahhh, to have aspirations!

Scout Bag - My New Tote Love

Now I admit, I'm a totey kind of girl, and my husband just doesn't get it. I need totes for specific tasks so that I'm not swapping things in and out & forget something that I shouldn't - it's my grasp at organization. My current tote roll call is:

• Gym - enough said
• General Rinse - carries pertinent info, fliers, samples...
• Scrapbooking - a girl needs all of those cubbies
• Sales Meeting - this one carries all of my samples & a stock of sales materials
• Just in Case - you never know if you'll need to take a lot of things somewhere
  
• Show - the most used and abused October - December this tote carries everything I need for shows

Well my circa 2004 Show Tote had seen better days, and frankly isn't really in style anymore. So I've been in the market for a new one for a while. And then there it was... across the room, actually (ugh, there's that word again; smiles) it was in my friend Laurie's booth at one of my markets.

The Scout Pocket Rocket Tote Bag. It is the tote of all totes and this is why:

• 6 exterior pockets which are now filled with pens, sales receipts, business cards, scissors, bottled water...
• Water resistant material so no worries if it's raining, or I spill something on it.
• A zipper top so nothing spills out when I A. make a sudden turn or B. bale - it happens, a lot
• A shoulder strap & handles
• The inside pocket has a pocket.