It's a Wonderful Life!!

That Damn Pie

It has been a productive week since Mr. Man has been away. The problem herein is there are too many projects started at one time. First, I have scratched the surface on the dreaded income tax.  It is a time consuming beast of a project. Being self employed is the culprit.....you have to be very organized and methodical with records, which I am not - alot better, but not good by any stretch of one's imagination. I know the routine - but on a daily basis I seem to have mounds of paperwork to muddle thru. Second, the Motherly Unit is on a mission to get Mr. Man's room organized. Another smaller beast of a different color, but easily manageable. I mean you go thru clothes, toys, books - the big decision lies in what to do with all this stuff. I am bagging/boxing it up, loading my car, and driving to the Salvation Army for a deposit. My sweet Mama!!! She is the organization queen and I didn't get an ounce of her genes. Third, keeping up with office and clearing my desk, laundry, you know, all the necessaries that do not change from week to week.

Sha and I had dinner tonight with our sales manager from one of our manufacturers. This fellow has been a blessing to us! He is so incredibly smart and motivated, you come away with a renewed spirit about business. At first, I didn't understand his "lingo", but over time it has been easier to converse with him and he has taught us alot. He has also given us the tools we need to make business contacts/potential customers. He is a network man......always has something interesting to add. He knows the business and the people behind the business. He invited us to Atlanta several months ago. We met his lovely wife. He even took us to "hog heaven". What a trip! That is really a topic for another blog - a trip I will not soon forget.

I have learned a hard lesson. You have to be tough to run with the crowd. It is a motley crowd, which I am quickly learning. You know, you think in this world that everyone is basically good. I guess I shouldn't have drank the Kool-Aid, but I tend to believe that folks are straight up and are just trying to carve out a slice of the pie for themselves. Is it really necessary to plot and plan to others detriment along the way?? Well, my friends, let me just say that there are some out there that have devious minds, and evil spirited by nature. When you first meet someone, usually first impressions are pretty good - you can determine right away if this person is good or "sour". Yes, I am one that holds the half full glass. Business is like driving a car, YOU HAVE TO BE IN THE DEFENSIVE MODE, looking out for others along the highway of pie-dom. All trying to get that slice of pie. Some folks just speak with forked tongue. I may get burned once, twice, maybe even three times (I am a softy if nothing), but friends, after a time, you realize a strange but true pattern emerges. A pattern that does not fit well with my philosophy.

Sad but true. All because of that damn pie.......

Peace out!

Mama's Got Cleaveage.....and a Spoon.

Just look at this fine womanly specimen of a pig!! She is on every pork skin bag produced by Evans Foods (2nd largest pork skin manufacturer in the world) for my company. I spent most of spring 06 traveling selling this label to my existing customers. We are now a year out and I am quite proud of the marketing results. My co-worker Sha worked very hard on the labels. We now have 4 in production with more coming. The future looks very bright - I just had to brag for a moment.

We are in the process of having this Trademarked. This is a beast of a project. The latest word from the attorney if that there is another company that is trademarked "Mamas Cookin" they produce frozen meat products. We are consulting with a Trademark attorney for an opinion. We feel that it would not be an infringement on their trademark since ours is distinguished by this lovely portly woman (pig) and our product is a snack food. Not to mention that my company is a woman owned business. Guess who the owner is of the frozen meat company?? H. Walker Enterprises (yes, that would be Herschel Walker Enterprises). Plus they have no portly pig or any image at all.

Mr. Man and I pray every night for this business, and our prayers are being heard and answered. When I acquired the business - it was more than 100K in debt!! By the grace of God, I was able to make my obligations and we are in a much more comfortable place today. I can't venture to say that all is well, but it is close. It has been a mountain to climb and for about 6 months I was hanging on that last knot of the rope. I hung on and fought, prayed, and worked hard.

I know my daddy would be so proud!! I think about him so much. He absolutely loved this business and he was a marketing genius. In 1979 (fine in 79 HHS) he worked for Rice's potato chip company and was riding in the country one day and noticed a man stirring something in a big black kettle under an oak tree. He stopped and became friends with this old man. Daddy talked him into letting him take a few bags and selling the homemade pork skins in his country stores. He sat them on the sales counter in a peach basket. Thus, the beginnings of what is known today as Lee's Pork Skin Company.

Well alot has gone on since my daddy passed away on May 31, 2003 - this story will have to be continued. But it is a story about greed and indulgence. About the lust of the heart and the careless cries of the mind. Yes, it is dark....and it is sad.

I patiently await!