Celebrating February!!

Yep, have not posted a blog entry in 10 months and a whole lot of catching up to do, but not tonight. Tonight, I just want to celebrate February and the reason I celebrate this month above other months... Debbie and Stacey both celebrate their birthdays on the 13th and we all know what happens on the 14th. So, I have two days to demonstrate to my bestest girls just how much I love them and how much they mean to me.
Now, I was informed on Sunday evening that Debbie has already purchased her own birthday gift and I'm sure all of you ladies will recognize the word "COACH" as it relates to handbags and purses. Now, it was hard for her to tell me this because she knows that I know how much some of these purses and handbags cost, but in true Debbie fashion and I expected no less.....she saved me hundreds of dollars because "they were marked down Allen and I had another 25% off coupon," or whatever followed the saving me hundreds of dollars phrase. Ya'll know how she rolls. To my Debbie, shopping is a hobby...a sport if you will. I have golf and fishing!~She has shopping! Makes sense to me. I learned a very long time ago that the two words she only wants to hear from me is "Yes Dear." She normally doesn't hear those two words because I typically acknowldge my approval (or disapproval for what it's worth) with a series of grunts that after 32 years of marriage she understands. Again, makes sense to me. The other thing I learned along the way...when she's not happy, I'm not happy!
Ok, so what to do with Stacey??? Hmmmm, will have to give that some special consideration.

Transition

Funny, how life is full of transitions. Transitions to different ages, different towns, different churches, schools, jobs, and different lifestyles. Debbie and I have been through so many and in looking ahead....they will continue to come. However, through all our transitions.....God remains the same. He never leaves or forsakes us. Nothing catches Him by surprise. He knows our joys and our sorrows. He knows our parents' heart and how we yearn for only goodness and happiness....a better life for our children. He knows our fears and what we anguish over in the still of the night....when all have gone to sleep and we lay awake pondering the weights of the world and what tomorrow has in store for us. But, He wakes us the next morning and waits patiently for us to acknowledge that He alone was the one that gave us a peaceful night's rest and the energy to face another day.
Today my prayer is for my son and daughter-in-law as they face new horizons in their lives. I know God's grace is sufficient, but in looking ahead....it will be hard knowing that our children aren't "just around the corner" any longer. They both have moved to the next chapter as they grow their own families, friends, and lives. It's just another transition, but it sure is hard to get my arms around it.

THE TRIPPSTER!

Hard to believe, but four years have passed in the wink of an eye!! Today my grandson is four years old. How can that be? How can I even be so old as to have a grandson? How do the minutes turn into hours turn into days turn into weeks, months, and even years so quickly?? That is why it is so important to savor each minute...to not worry about tomorrow...but to celebrate today...today!! So, today I celebrate Tripp! He is the best grandson in the whole world because he is mine. We developed a bond early on as there were plenty of days when he was just a baby that I would get to pick him up from the sitter and keep him by myself until Joey or Stacey could get by to get him after work. Now, he's Debbie's heart and he knows it, but when he wants something "fixed" he knows to come to Poppa. I'm also his resident "wrestling dummy" so we climb up in the bed and he commences to jumping on me until he gets tired of the "pounding" he gives me. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I never knew my maternal grandfather as he died when my mom was a young girl and my paternal grandfather died when I was only 3. The only memory of him that I have for some reason is that he took me outside one night and he showed me the moon and told me a story about the "man in the moon." Funny what you remember, but I do remember him holding me that night out on his back porch and telling me that story.
Tripp, regardless of his age, will have so many more memories because of technology..more than anything else. He'll have the hundreds of pictures, videos, and yes...even blog entries. I look forward to many more memories and many more Happy Birthdays. Poppa loves you Tripp. Happy Birthday!

TARDY!!

It has been awhile....December 26 to be exact. Time flies! What's happening?
First and foremost....dieting. Time to get my body and some of my health back. I started Weight Watchers online 2 weeks ago. We have a contest going at work and there are 14 of us participating. If I had none the Weight Watcher's program was so easy, I would have started it years ago. I'm down 10 lbs. in my 2nd week weigh-in on yesterday and that is exciting. I've continued to eat a lot of the things I like and as long as I watch my points, it's all good. I have really laid off the sweets, bread...the soft drinks I have had are diet. I don't like diet drinks that much so my drinks of choice are usually water or coffee. I have a goal and that goal is to be down 60 lbs. by the time we go to the beach on July 3. Sounds like a lot and sounds unrealistic, but I'm committed to the "college try." I'm not sure I can average 5 lbs. a week, but even at 2.5 lbs. a week, I will lose over 50 lbs.. Trey is dieting as well and I am so proud of my son for putting his health in "priority" status. We're all "gym"ing it as well at least 3 times each week. Debbie and I were there Sunday afternoon and had the whole gym right to ourselves. Trey, Jennifer, and Stacey all have their own gyms and routines as well. (Joey, we know you have to stay home and watch the young ones.) When we hit the white sands of Florida this summer, we'll all be the combined "Lean Mean Sheneman Machine". (I include the Lancasters since Stacey is a Sheneman). I'm just sitting here waiting for Debbie to get home because I know the first words out of her mouth will be "are we going to the gym?" Never fails!
Work is tough right now and hitting the bike and weights is a great stress relief. If it were all proportionate, I would need to be at the gym for 4-5 hrs. each day! It's not that bad...thankfully surrounded by great people that care about me. We'll get there. You can eat an elephant...you just have to eat him one bite at the time.
Blessings!

Taking A Deep Breath!!

Wow! What a ride for the past 6 weeks! No time but Kroger time this time of year and I for one, am seriously glad that Christmas and Thanksgiving are behind us. While thankful for the holidays themselves and the wee bit of time I get to spend with my family, I am seriously ready for some "down" time. People that don't work in retail have absolutely no clue what goes on behind the scenes to make sure the customer is "happy" when they leave the store. It doesn't just apply to the Grocery industry...it is just about every retail company this time of year. I don't have a huge problem with the amount of business that we do, but I have a substantial issue with many "attitudes." People...get a life!! How would you like it if I came into your business and hollered at you over something you have no control over. Problem is, you don't want a legitimate explanation. Heck, you won't shut up long enough to even hear the words, "I'm sorry." I believe some customers actually walk in the door telling themselves our only service to them on that given day is to figure out new and inventive ways to take advantage of them. OK...I've got way better ways to spend my time.

OK, sorry. Someone just ame along and kicked my soapbox out from under me.

Thought For The Day

Hipocrisy is the act of pretending to have beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards that one does not actually have. Hipocrisy is thus a kind of lie. Hypocrisy may come from a desire to hide from others actual motives or feelings.

Hmmmmmmmmm! Proof is always in the pudding!

Fall!

Doesn't the coolness of the air in the morning refresh you? There are many things about summer that I love...mainly the beach with the family. But, there is something about the fall with football, Halloween, cooler weather, and fishing that just does it for me.
As a young boy...going all the way back to 5-6 years old...I have so many fond memories of spending them with my dad on the beaches in North Carolina surf fishing. It didn't matter to him that I couldn't cast my own line or tie my own tackle. I think what mattered to him the most was that we were together and he was teaching me his passion and love...not only for saltwater fishing, but also for the sea. When we would get a bite, he would hook the fish and make sure it was on. He would then hand me the rod and tell me to put it on my shoulder and just start walking towards the dunes. I never reeled....I just walked. By the time I got to the highest point on the beach, the fish was usually flopping around in the surf.
As I got older and could handle myself with a rod and reel, I can remember many Fridays when he would get me out of school early and we would head to the beach for a weekend of fishing. The bottom line was..if it was the fall and the fish were running...daddy and I were there.
Daddy just passed away in January and I was just thinking today I should call him and ask him how the fishing was.....then reality set in. It has been a number of years since I have walked with him over the dunes and to the surf..carrying all our rods, tackle boxes, coolers, and rod holders. The memories are as fresh today as they have ever been. I miss my dad a lot. Tears now streak my face as I wish I could just talk to him one more time.
Fish on Pops! I love you.

News!!

Happy Birthday to Makinley and Joey. We had a great time Sunday celebrating the big days with a party and then later, a cookout. My sister, Mary Grey, and brother-in-law, Derrick, came in from Wilmington and spent a few days with the kids. It's not often that we can get the whole family (almost) together in one place. I enjoyed the visit and all the excitement for the kids.
Debbie and I kept Tripp Friday night and Saturday night so Joey and Stacey could have some he and she time. I had to work all weekend, so Debbie was pretty much on her own as far as entertaining a 4 year old goes. She does it well. She just takes him to Target and opens her pocketbook.
Not a great report today from the kidney biopsy. Seems I have about 30% kidney function due to scarring from diabetes. I was shocked since I was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year and half ago. He seems to think for right now that the medicines I take are keeping everything in check, but he has moved up my frequency on visits. He hopes we can make it 10 years or so before we have to think about dialysis/transplant. Neither of those words are in my vocabulary.
The Efusjon opportunity is awesome and getting bigger by the day. Not only is the product great and good for you, it is a TREMENDOUS investment opportunity for anyone as the Company prepares to go international in the next few months. I am blown away by it's simplicity and the ease of duplication. I am hosting a webinar tonight at 8:30PM. Sit down in front of your computer and log in at www.gotomeeting.com. The meeting ID number is 693-673-218 and will last 30 minutes or thereabouts. No obligation whatsoever.

Ramblings........

I promise..nothing about Efusjon in this post. Well, one thing! It just keeps getting better and better! I would never have dreamed and now all I do is dream.
First of all, happy birthday to my son. I am so proud of him. Yesterday he went to the doctor and his Type 2 diabetes is gone. He has lost in excess of 80 lbs., blood pressure was great. Wish his Grandpa Sheneman was still here to see him as he always asked me how "Trey is doing with his weight?" He's doing great daddy. Hard to believe he is 26 years old. When I was 26, Stacey was already here and Trey was just around the corner. Where has the time gone? I remember laying in the hospital bed the night before my heart surgery in 1991 and asking God just to give me enough time to see both the kids graduate from high school. Isn't it just like God to give us more than we ask for?? Thank you Lord for all the days, all the hours, and all the blessings.
I miss seeing my little girl (you too Joey) and Tripp and Makinley everyday. Before they moved to MAdison and I needed a "fix", I could hop in the car and be with them in just a few minutes. Not so anymore, but that's OK. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I'm proud of my Stacey Baby. Not only does she work full-time and take care of her family as well, she has now gone back to school to get her masters in education. I don't care who you are...that's a massive undertaking and full plate.
We're heading to Orlando in a few weeks. Our nephew, Mark, is doing a internship at Disneyworld for the next 4-5 months and we're going down to make sure he isn't abusing Minnie. The part of our Efusjon TEAM H.O.P.E. that is Florida based is also having a event down there on October 3rd and we want to be there and be part of the excitement.
We're providing dinner tonight for Stacie Walker and her family. Keep her in your prayers. A very young mon and wife who has only recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and just had her breasts removed and has chemo to go through now. We serve a big God and nothing catches Him unaware. We just believe in His healing powers and His enormous love for each of His children.
Anyway, enough with the ramblings....
GO NC STATE...beat USC Gamecocks! College football is back TONIGHT!

The Power of Three

WOW!!
This is all I'm going to say...you snooze....you lose!!
What would you do if the company you work for came to you and said, "hey...great job, I just gave you a $6,000 anual raise?" I know what I'd do because with Kroger it would take me 3 years to get that kind of increase, so I'd be pretty ecstatic.

With efusjon it has taken me 44 days and this is just the beginning. I haven't sold anything. I have invested some time telling folks about this tremendous investment opportunity...how you can have a limited risk with a huge potential. Personally, I don't understand "no" before you know. This thing is going global and this is the absolute "ground floor." It is simple. It is not a get rich quick scheme. It is not a pyramid scheme. It's not anything like anything you've ever seen or heard of before...period.

But, if you're happy and satisfied and content with making $$$ for the other guy, have fun and I'll never say "I told you so."

Well.........actually I probably will.

Blessed and Efused

Four weeks ago today, Trey and I sat down at my PC and hit the "Join Now" button. Little did we know at the time, how the Efusjon Energy Club would begin to change our lives.
First of all and most importantly to me, it has drawn us closer together as a father and a son. I am proud of Trey and love him dearly. He is one of my heroes, but one of the requirements of being a dad is to teach his son how to be a man and in that area....I struggled. See, I wanted him to grow into the same man I am. I didn't realize that he was growing into a man, but he was growing into the man that God wanted him to be. We've had the typical struggles and disagreements that a father and son would have, but I have been to blame for too many of them that weren't necessary. I'm sorry son.
It was only several days later that Stacey & Joey came into the business, so now our whole family is involved. I couldn't be more excited.
Many people have come into our lives via Efusjon. We have made many new friends. We are helping our new friends build this opportunity for themselves. It is so simple and easy, but hard for people to see "past" all the other home based business opportunities that maybe they are familiar with. IT'S NOT LIKE THEM Y'ALL. But, you will never understand unless you ask for an explanation. You can watch the company produced videos and see the plan, but if you were like me...you still didn't get it. In fact, Trey got it well before I did and once he explained it to me and the light bulb went off it was GAME OVER.
Let me explain it this way. All you need do is to enroll 3 people and only 3 people in the club. The next step is to help those 3 people enroll their 3 people and then that progression perpetuates itself. So, the first month, you enroll 3 people. If the progression remains constant over 10 months, there will be 88,572 people enrolled that you are being paid on or $451,717.20 PER MONTH. Sounds absolutely ludicrous doesn't it? Well, what if I am 99% WRONG?? If I am 99% WRONG, I will still be making $4,472.00 per month at the end of 10 months.
Bottom line is I'm willing to risk $120 per month to make this kind of money. It is a absolute no-brainer for me.
By the way.....I paid myself back in the first 8 days of being in the club!!
Welcome to the Goodie Room! If you want to come inside, send me a email at ashene9190@aol.com.

Internet Business Authority

I thought you might enjoy this review of Efusjon written by the Internet Business Authority dated June 18th. The IBA is an organization dedicated to providing the best internet marketing strategies, tips, and product reviews.

"Efusjon is a energy drink company that has recently caused a great deal of buzz throughout the internet. While at first I wasn't too impressed with the thought of another health and wellness type of opportunity, after further review I understood the cause of the excitement.
Efusjon energy drinks are basically a healthy option to the other increasingly popular options available on the market. it differs from products such as Red Bull, Monster and Rock Star energy drink due to its ingredients. Currently available and upcoming products contain items such as Acai Berry, Mangosteen, and Quercetin, which was recently made popular by Lance Armstrong.Most of the other energy drinks on the market today are filled with sugar and harmful ingredients, and realistically should be avoided if possible. However, the energy drink market continues to grow annually as people look for an extra boost to get through their days. Efusjon decided to meet this same purpose, but with the healthy components named above. These ingredients are touted by well known doctors around the world. For example, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a contributor to the Oprah Winfrey show, calls the Acai Berry found in Efusjon Edge and Efusjon Raw drinks "Nature's #1 Super Food."
Efusjon also differs from the other energy drink companies in regards to their business plans. While companies like Red Bull spend nearly a billion dollars a year in advertising costs, Efusjon decided to use the network marketing model to spread the word about their products. The Efusjon Energy Club was modeled after a wine tasting club. As Associates share the product with others, they are compensated. This is obviously working for Efusjon as they are currently experiencing record breaking growth.
Of course this alone does not excited the professional network marketer, as all of their businesses use this model. What does excite them however is the Efusjon Club compensation plan, which can honestly be called revolutionary without exhibiting hype. They use a unique community overlap plan that allows people to share compensation on entrants into the matrix. This contributes to a true team building effort. What's more is that Efusjon does not have the usual complicated requirements that most network marketing companies have. A associate only needs to enroll three others to qualify to be compensated for the ENTIRE pay plan.
Although the product and compensation plan are both solid reasons for me to recommend Efusjon, the marketing strategy they are employing is what really puts it over the edge. Derek Broes, a Vice President at Paramount pictures who has worked with Microsoft and Napster in the past, is launching an application on Facebook that should further increase excitement and enrollments for a company currently averaging about 400 new associates per day. This Efusjon application will mark the first time any company, network marketing or Fortune 500, has used the popular applications that makes Facebook so addictive as a platform to advertise their company.
Now if you can imagine how having your business promoted each time someone uses the application would affect your bottom line, you will be impressed as I was after learning this."

If you are interested in learning more about this unbelievable opportunity and being one of the first members in a club that is already sweeping through the US and soon to enter Canada, UK, Asia, and Australia..please visit www.myefusjon.com/alspals

Efused.....

2 weeks ago today I began gathering information about the Efusjon Energy Drink Club that my nephew had first told me about on July 8. I spent a number of hours that afternoon watching videos, researching the company, looking at the storied resumes' of the founders of the company. I couldn't find anything bad on the internet clearly telling me to stay away.
Quite clearly I agreed to join the club because my nephew asked me too and I love my nephew. I don't drink energy drinks, I'm not interested in selling energy drinks. Bottom line, it was worth it to me to help him get started and then in a few months I would come up with an excuse to get out.

So much for that thought.

Here it is 13 days later and I'm profitable. I've repaid my initial investment and I'm putting money in my pocket. The thing about it, that check will only continue to grow and to grow as the months come and go. I was thinking today about the stock market. For 25 years or so I have funded my 401K plan at work. I've placed money in expecting to get a return on my investment. The problem is, I lost about 30% of it's value in just a few short months after working my tail off for 30 years to fund it. We all probably do something similar...try and save a few dollars here and there for a rainy day. Who would have expected a major downturn in the country's economy in the past year? If I could have made 10%/11% on a particular stock in 13 days, I would have put everything I had in it.

So, I've returned 11.68% on my money in 13 days. The neat thing about it. That's the lowest return I'll ever have. The other thing is, I'll stop funding my 401K in a few more months and start using my profits to pay off my house. Once I pay off my house, I'm set for retirement. I will have more than enough income to do so. Pay off your house Al? Yep! Period! End of story! This thing will be that big.

Everyone says run...stay away...multi level marketing...ALARM ALARM ALARM! I DID THE SAME THING. Then one day lightning struck and I understood it all. I said to myself then and I'm saying to myself today...this is genius. It's not MLM. I don't have to sell anything but myself. If I can sell myself to 3 friends and I'm in the money. It all clicked. It's all simple once a person sees what it took me 4 days to see.

It's a club, nothing more. All you need is 3 friends to join with you and help those 3 friends get 3 friends and you are off to the races. Many of you might have never been approached about joining a wine club, but I have. join the wine club and get 4 different bottles of wine each month to sample. In this case we're talking one of the hottest commodities in the country today...energy drinks...but healthy, all natural, organic energy drinks> Good stuff and good for you too. Share them, sell them, dump them down the toilet. As my 23 month old granddaugher would say, "wotever." That's all there is to it. You then sit back and let the power of the matrix do the rest.

That's how big this thing is going to be! 46 members in 13 days for me.....you do the math!

Have a nice efused.....day!

Thank You!

Today is a thank-you day! Actually, everyday is a thank-you day, but often, I don't stop long enough to give thanks to the One that loved me enough to die for me and promise me eternal life and not only give me a home in heaven....but my family as well. So, thank you Lord!.
Today is my sister, Susan's, birthday. Thank you Lord for giving her the years that you have and I pray asking for many more. Bless her and those around her that she cares about.
Thank you again Lord for looking after my friend, Bubba, while he was in the hospital this week. I look forward to continued better health for him in the days ahead.
Thank you for my family. Debbie, Stacey, Joey, Tripp, Makinley, Trey, & Jennifer. I am blessed beyond measure.
Thank you for my church family, my Pastor, my Bible Study Fellowship, my choir. They empower me, love me, and pray for me.
Thank you for those that I call friend. You have placed some awesome people in my path and I am a better person because of it.
Thank you for my job of over 30 years and for the wonderful company that I work for.
Thank you for the great people I work with. They are awesome!!

Finally...for this moment...thank you for allowing me to see another day. I pray that you will guide my steps today and guide my tongue. Help me to be a blessing to those around me. Today and everyday, hide me behind the cross. Don't allow people that look at me to see me...allow them to see you.

Welcome To The Goodie Room!!

For some of you this is the first time reading my blog. Thanks! It's not anything special...just some random thoughts on being a dad, a father, grandfather, and hopefully a friend.
Today's blog has a certain and direct sense of urgency. I won't ramble on talking about the basis of it. You need to read my last post from several days ago....that will serve to introduce my plea today!
Bottom line is...you know me. Enough said! I'm not going to force anything down your throat. If I didn't believe in this...understand it's simplicity....understand it's possibilities....I wouldn't bother to share it. I have absolutely no desire to be a "salesman" and try to convince you to be a part of my "business development group." Nope! The merits of it stand on their own. The question you have to ask yourself is, "what if he's right?" No, let me rephrase it, "what if he is only 5% right?" What you are telling me when you say "not interested" is you are going to let a relatively small monthly investment stand between you and a dream. Do you not have a dream? Are you happy with the way your life turned out or are you ready to try and change the playing field? Like many, the downturn in the economy hit my 401K and retirement options in a real way. My plan was always to retire at 55 and that is still my plan and this is a realistic vehicle to help me accomplish my dream. I know exactly what my risk is!! I spend it every month in soft drinks, movies, cable TV, snacks, eating out (a lot), many things I want to do, but not on anything I need to do. It's all about priorities and having a vision for what I want my furture to look like. I CONTROL my future.
Back to the 5% right thing!!!!
You've got to grasp this. It took me a while, but I get it and I get it in a big way.
Facebook has 100 million users. What is 5%? 5% of 100 million is 5 million people. If this software only accomplishes a increase in distributors of 5% that is an additional 5 million distributors.
WHEN THEY JOIN THEY ARE ALL UNDER US!!! All I have to do is to recruit 3 people (which I did in 3 days and now am personally responsible for 6 in 4 days). Not only that......when Canada launches before the end of the year....ALL THOSE NEW DISTRIBUTORS ARE UNDER US AS WELL. I don't have to sell anything....all I had to do was recruit 3 people to the EFUSJON ENERGY CLUB and I was in the COMP PLAN. The Facebook launch happens THIS WEDNESDAY! Therein lies the urgency. It's not that you can't join at anytime...you certainly can. Best time is now just so you're in in advance of the Facebook launch. When they did the 2 hour BETA test on the Facebook application in April they had 30,000 hits and 2,000 folks that wanted to join at that time. HMMMMM, that's over 5%!!!!

Take 15-20 minutes and look at the website www.freeus.ws/efusjonvideo2. It should answer any question you may have. If not, ask me. If I can't, I promise you I can put someone in touch with you that can. My "sponsor" who joined a little over 4 weeks ago has OVER 400 people he is accountable for. How many did he personally sign up??? You wouldn't believe me if I told you, so I won't. Just watch the video and see how the compensation MATRIX exponentially multiplies. Hopefully it will click!

Been there and done that! I've heard all the sales pitches in my lifetime..AMWAY, Monavie, Datek, Herbalife, Arbonne, and some I don't even remember. It was easy to say no because I don't have the time to go out, have meetings, door to door, whatever to BUILD SOME DOWNLINE and only get $$$$ off those people I sign up.

Facebook adds a whole new dimension through the power of the internet and gaming. Additionally, all I had to do was sign up three people.

Are you kidding me!

Have a blessed day. I hope you have a dream. If I can help answer questions, holler to ashene9190@aol.com.

The Power of Three!!

WOW!!

Who would have thought at this time last week as I sat in my chair on the sands of Myrtle Beach thinking about how I'm going to get to early retirement, that the opportunity of a lifetime would fall in my lap in the past 7 days.

I think anyone that reads this and has known me for any length of time, knows that I am very analytical. I look at everything in black and white. I know the numbers. Instead of learning the "tricks of the trade", I pride myself on learning the trade.

My nephew, the very successful insurance salesman in Wilmington, NC, called while I was on the beach and introduced me to EFUSJON. First, let me say I am the ultra-skeptic. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. But, as he talked and explained...something started to resonate and click. When I returned home from vacation, I began my research into EFUSJON. I literally looked for hours. I looked at websites, bios, product, videos, the compensation plan...everything I could find and then I made the jump. Let me tell you why!!

The product is one of the fastest growing commodities in the world today...energy drinks. Volume is expected to push $10 billion in the world by next year. Difference is, this product is natural and healthy. The ingredients speak for themselves. In my current job, I see energy drinks fly off our shelves each and everyday.

The three originators of the company have unbelievable resumes'. One is a former Senior Director of Microsoft and is now a VP with Paramount. One is a VP with COSTCO. One is the pioneer of FACEBOOK.

The compensation plan is revolutionary. Not only does it pay from below, but also left and right. There is no typical MLM process of "building your down line" and the more you put into the program...the higher your status and the more you make. Nope...it is one MATRIX and EVERYONE is in it. EVERYONE! Did I say everyone. Currently there are only 50,000 reps in the company....in the whole company, and, we're all linked together. All anyone has to do to be a part of the MATRIX is join the EFUSJON CLUB and get three other people to join as well. THREE and only THREE! Period. End of story! You get "overlap" by others in the Company.

Here's the kicker. This is the first time in history that a multi-level marketing company has ever been linked to social networking. On July 22, only 6 days from now, Facebook and EFUSJON join together to build the business. There are currently 100 million Facebook users in the US and 225 million in the world. Almost 5 million users join each and every week. This process is too lengthy for me to go in here, so look for the website at the end of the blog. This application alone could produce phenomenal results.

By the end of the year, EFUSJON opens in Canada. The UK, Australia, Europe, and Asia are all in the works. REMEMBER THIS: There is no seperate EFUSJON CANADA and seperate MATRIX. Nope. when Canada comes on, they all fall into our one MATRIX.

I could go on and on and on and tell you some of the heavy hitters that are in our small part of the organization. We're excited. I easily got my three. I'm a realist though and understand the $$$$$$ doesn't happen tomorrow, but i belive that those entering today are poised for tremendous results prior to the Facebook and Canada launches.

Remember, it's three and only three. Check out www.freeus.ws/efusjonvideo2 or www.myefusjon.com/alspals . I hope you see it in the same light that I did as there is PLENTY to go around. I hope you have questions and will let me know. Our little part of the company believes strongly in paying it forward. We're here to help anyone we can build their three and move towards making some cha-chang.
Have a blessed day!

And The Beat Goes On........

Didn't realize I haven't posted since June 1. Hmmmm, where has the time gone? Time seems to drag when you have something that you are really looking forward to and I am really, really looking forward to vacation this year. Of course, I look forward to our family beach trip every year, but this year will be different in many ways. First of all, we're headed to North Myrtle Beach versus Panama City Beach. Personally, I would have rather have gone to Florida because of the flat, crystal clear water and white sand. Also, where we stay it is not really necessary to get in the car to find something to do or somewhere to eat as Pier Park was right across the street. Secondly, Tripp & Makinley will be a year older and it's my hope that they will enjoy the beach even more than they have in the past. I would agree from a young person's perspective and certainly a child's point of view, North Myrtle has more entertainment options. BUT...it also has a ton more traffic and where we are staying will require us to get two cars out of the parking deck each time we go out for fun and food. Thirdly, 4 bedrooms this year versus three and everyone will have a bedroom versus sleeping on a couch or a air mattress. This year it will be Mr./Mrs. Trey Sheneman instead of Trey Sheneman and Jennifer Hartley as it was last year, so we have no choice but to let them share a bed. it's a positive to be going to North Myrtle as Debbie has a sister there and I have my sisters 50 miles up the coast in Wilmington, so we'll get to visit with them as well. Bottom line is...in 9 days we're on the road....the Sheneman Family Vacation. God has been so good to us and I thank Him daily for my wonderful family. Each one of them hung the moon!!

Time!

Time...you can't multiply it and the older you get...the faster it seems to go. I'm sitting here looking at the calendar and realizing that the year is nearly 50% DONE! Trey and Jennifer have already been married nearly 4 months and it seems like just yesterday I was standing with him and holding the ring. Both Tripp and Makinley are wide open and growing so quickly. Each time I am with them, it seems like something else has changed. Stacey & Joey just celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary.Debbie is over 6 weeks post-op and again, just last night I was asleep on the couch in her hospital room. This weekend I had a friend request come through on Facebook from a guy I worked with in law enforcement. As I read some of his Facebook entries, I realized he had just RETIRED. I have been officially out of law enforcement for 28 years and here are people I worked with hanging up the badge and gun. April 9th was 18 years since I had my open heart surgery...thank you Lord for the gift of life.
Through it all....I know that as I go each day....God goes alongside me. Just as importantly, he continues to bless our family and extended family. To Him, a day is like a thousand years which should really bring to light how short our time here on earth really is. My only regret....I wish I had my mom's personality.

BLISS!!!

What is bliss in my business! Some might say as long as Mr. Whipple doesn't have anyone squeezing the Charmin or that he has on a clean apron....life in the grocery business is bliss!!
WRONG!
Our business has changed so much in the 30 years I have been in it. I remember the days when we had to change 2000-3000 prices by hand on a Saturday night. I remember the days when we had to take a catalog about 6" thick up and down each aisle and manually enter our case orders. I remember when we made donuts, pizzas, cakes, and pastries from scratch each day.
So what has changed???
Computer programs do much of the technical work, ie: ordering exact quantities of product based on exact sales of same product, scheduling the exact number of manhours by exact task down to the expected second of completion, with one keystroke on a keyboard changing the price of one item or all 44,000 items, etc., etc.. So, what in the world do you need me for?? Bliss in my job is effectively and efficiently leading 144 associates in accomplishing $36 million in annual sales generating over $3 million in annual profits while serving over 30,000 customers a week in a 56,000 sq. foot facility that cost the Company $8 million to construct.

It is so easy a trained monkey could do it!
Yeah...right!

"Hey, please don't squeeze the Charmin."

When A Day Is Like A Thousand Years!

Last week I had the opportunity to spend three days in Pinehurst with some friends on a golf outing. I have known Mike Dougherty for 10-11 years since he worked in Kroger Manaufacturing. When he and his family lived in the Atlanta area, we played way too much golf together. After leaving Kroger, he was able to relocate back to Lynchburg, VA. where the rest of his family lived including his mom, dad, sister, and brother. Wouldn't you know it...when I was promoted to Zone Manager, we were relocated to Lynchburg, VA. as well and actually moved to the same subdivision that Mike and Colleen lived in. We picked up where we had left off. In fact, I began to play in a 6AM Saturday golf game with Mike's dad, Joe. Well, a few short months ago, Joe, had a melanoma removed from his head. It was malignant, but further tissue samples at the time revealed it had been contained...or so it was thought. Actually he now has several spots on his lungs and is in the procfess of starting his treatments. Before beginning them, I was invited to join Mike, his brother Jay, and his dad in Pinehurst for a special golf outing. We were also joined by two other friends of the family and we had a great time, but it was somewhat bittersweet for me as things went south and further south on Wednesday.
As we prepared to play one of the holes, I received a cell call from a friend with Kroger. He informed me that one of my best friends within the Company, David Pelfrey, had lost his daughter the night before. I have known David and valued his friendship since we lived in Savannah, GA many, many years ago. I was pleased to find out that when I was promoted to ZM with Kroger, David was one of my Store Managers and a great one at that. Now, he actually is the ZM in the very same zone I managed when we were in Virginia and I am extremely proud of all his accomplishments. My heart breaks for he and his wife, Theresa, and his other daughters.
It wasn't long after that phone call that Debbie called with more tragic news. Trey and Jennifer had visited the doctor to check on the state of their baby only to be informed via ultrasound, the baby had no heartbeat. I was overwhelmed...still am. If ever there were two people more excited about a child it was Jennifer and Trey. They have had such a difficult time going through the whole experience of seeing their baby via ultrasound and having to live through a chemically induced DNC the past few days. We are so heartbroken for them, but know that God's ways are not our ways. His Word tells us in Matthew 5:4, that "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." I am encouraged by Jennifer's thoughts when I read her blog posts at Shenemannews.blogspot.com and Trey's thoughts when I read his blog at the whirlingderbisher.blogspot.com. They both are in pain, but they both also know who brings the relief from that pain. God bless Jennifer, Trey, David, Theresa, Joe, Mike, Jay, and Paddy.