Tuesday, July 28, 2009

What now?

I started writing this blog for many reasons but one was to have a place for women who auditioned for Women Inventor to get information about the upcoming show.

So I am going to pass along information to you that I got today because I feel it's important that I keep with my original purpose of my blog.

I have called Milojo to confirm what I am going to tell you all but I have not heard back from them so please keep that in mind.

I spoke to a lady today that has received a contract for Women Inventor and an outline of the show. She was emailed this contract and outline two weeks ago.

The outline stated that next month a camera crew would be filming her for 6 days and then in the Spring of next year, there would be one finial taping in New York City.

She was told that 60 women have been selected and sent contracts but they will only be using 24 women for the show.

Like I said, I have not confirmed this with Milojo but I do not feel that this information inaccurate because there would be no reason for this women to not tell the truth.

If this information is leaving you feeling disheartened, believe me, I know how you are feeling.

From what I understand, the show is waiting to see who, out of the 60 women, will sign the licensing agreement.

So... what now?

After a tearful moment and the realization that it looks pretty grim for me and The Everything Marinator (for this show), I decided to pull myself up from the bootstraps and realize that this is just not the path God has chosen for me. And believe me, I have had to remind myself of that over and over again today when a wave of "poor me" set in.

I do believe that everything happens for a reason and things are the way they are supposed to me.

During the audition in Chicago, I met this really great girl with an idea SO good that I am working with her to help get her product out there (she has not received anything from the show either). And we have become great friends. So I do think that in some way, I was meant to meet her and maybe that was my purpose for auditioning for the show.

Who knows.

But for now, I am going to pursue other avenues for manufacturing The Everything Marinator and see what God has planned for me. You should all see the pitiful little look I have on my face right now while typing this...all sad and poutty... :)

Chin up Tracy! Good things are to come!

Feel free to leave comments (and condolences, ha ha) on my blog and please know I have had a blast getting to know all of you and seeing, reading and learning about your wonderful inventions.

I am headed on vacation with my family - gotta love summer - and will not be blogging until next week but will check in early tomorrow morning before I leave.

I hope you understand that on behalf of the women I am speaking of, I can not tell who she is - a promise is a promise but I wish her luck and luck to all of you too!

Tracy

Monday, July 27, 2009

A rare gem

We read blogs. We get information and sometimes a chuckle or a tear but it's not often that we can say that a blog is BEAUTIFUL.

That is until you read Whitney's blog.

Reading Whitney's blog is an experience - not just a mindless click of your mouse when you have an extra five minutes at your computer.

She is a talented writer and not only blesses us with her words but also her amazing photographs that she uses to help tell her story.

Whitney is writing her blog as a way to document the happenings of her family, friends and loved ones - her personal journey - but let me invite you to take a peek of what will soon become your go to blog for a "feel good moment".

Whitney has many talents and is one creative gal! A rare gem, if you will.

I was fortunate enough to meet Whitney at my Sisters house and have been a "groupie" ever since!

Whitney has a website called little button designs where you can easily shop adorable, washable labels (think sippy cups, backpacks, lunch boxes, Tupperware, homemade goodies, etc.), return addresses and cute gift tags.

This will be the second year that I will be ordering labels from her for all of my childrens school stuff.

And then...if that isn't enough to make you smile, Whitney is also a professional photographer (which you can see right off the bat on her blog).

Visit Whitney Tingle Photography and just for fun, read what she has written under "about me". I'm telling you, it'll take your breath away.

Wow, I KNEW I liked Whitney but now after typing this, I realize I kinda idolize her! :)

Whitney's blog is "midnights and early mornings", right here on blogger.

Visit her there and I promise you, you won't be disappointed! All of her other info (her little paper shop, photography) is posted there as well.

Beautiful blog, adorable paper products, amazing photography and a great last name -
Tingle!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

We the Inventors

Ahh, to be an Inventor!

It takes a special person to be an Inventor - someone who thinks outside the box and someone that has a deep rooted passion for new ideas!

I am always thinking of ways to improve items I use and I love the challenge of finding solutions for simple, everyday problems.

But it's exhausting...with a chuckle I type, "it's exhausting"!!!!!!

From the moment I found out about Mom, Inc (Women Inventor, TLC Lifestyle Show), my brain has been on overdrive!

Purchasing of the airline tickets to fly to Chicago ("we'd love to meet you in person"!), to the prototype ("you must have a working prototype")to perfecting my pitch ("be ready to Dazzle us"!)and now to this...waiting...and waiting....and...you get the picture.

I guess I was getting used to being so busy with Product X that now it's not so easy sitting still and actually thinking of "regular things" like getting the kids ready for back to school, my diet :( , needing to get my breaks fixed, the much needed pulling of weeds, signing up for school committees, my diet :( ....

I have to admit (shhh), I'm already thinking of my "next big thing" but don't tell anybody...I'll be hung out to dry if I ramble on about ONE more invention to my friends and family!

Yes, to be an Inventor...we are a creative but impatient bunch but you've gotta love us!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Time is up

Milojo has officially closed the casting call for Women Inventors.
Visit their website for more info!
Good luck ladies! I know I'M holding my breath!!!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Change

How do you feel about change?

Me, sometimes I like change, other times...not so much. For example, I love moving and if I am somewhere (same house, same town) for more than 3 years, I get antsy.

But because I am married with children, jumping from house to house and town to town is not an option so I have to full fill my need for change in other areas. I redecorate, change gyms (which sometimes feels like my other home), change it up in the kitchen which, I am sad to say, means that I'll ACTUALLY cook for a stint.

However, I am sitting here looking at my blog and thought it was time for a change. Different fonts, different colors, different format. But this I can not bring myself to change. Weird, I do not know why. Maybe it's because I like the familiarity of it all, each and every day, knowing what I will see when I log on...

There is one thing I know we ALL are trying to change...our future! With the success of our inventions or even just the process of TRYING to be successful, we are changing our paths in life.

That age old expression: Embrace Change. Well... I'M ready to embrace change! I welcome the "change" that will come by having my invention be successful!

Hopefully sooner than later for my family's sake because I am seconds away from house hunting!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Pretty cool article

As I am enjoying my second cup of coffee, I typed in www.connietalk.com to see what news is being reported today.

After seeing a picture of Michael Jackson and his monkey, I scrolled down and to my surprise, there was another article about my quest to be on Mom, Inc (Women Inventor)!

I had emailed Connie when I returned from Chicago but did not know she published my quote!

If you have not checked out this news blog, do so today - it's pretty cool!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Got some info for ya

I had emailed Milojo the other day asking if they could let us ladies know a little more about what's going on and this is what they told me:

First off, production is not starting August 3rd and as of now, they do not have a production date set nor do they have an air date set.

Currently, they are still looking at submissions then the selected are off to TLC then to HSN for their consideration. No one has "officially" been selected yet.

If you did not get an email or phone call inquiring more about your invention, that does not mean anything either way. Phew!

It will be about 4 weeks before the selected women inventors are notified. Yep, still have some nail biting to do!

So that's that. For now.

Personally I think 4 weeks sounds better than a month!

You can look at it this way:
4 more Mondays (my favorite). Or 4 more Sunday dinners. Or 4 more tanks of gas (if you fill up once a week). Or 4 more weeks of summer before the kiddies go back to school.

What are some of your "4's"?

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Tell us three things

As I've posted before, when I was filling out the application for Women Inventor, one of the questions asked was "Tell us three things about you that we would not know just by looking at you".

Sometimes it's hard to be so introspective but after much thought, this is what I came up with:

1. I always try to do the right thing.
2. According to my daughter, I am the worlds worst singer.
3. I used to be a Flight Attendant but now I am terrified to fly!

Now, tell me YOUR three things. Even if you did not fill out an application for the show, I still want to know!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Quick update


Whoa, this is quite a journey we are all on!

I am on vacation with my family but I wanted to keep everyone in the loop as to what I have heard so far.

Because there are so many pieces of information "out there", I have emailed Milojo directly to see if there is anything they can tell me regarding the show, that I can post.

Two things I have heard so far from one of the ladies that auditioned is:
1. "They" are in the second stages of picking women inventors
2. Production is to begin Aug. 3rd.

Now, because we have not heard anything officially, I'm going by what I was told in Chicago. 8 weeks. I realize that things can go faster or slower but until I hear back from Milojo, I'm taking everything with a grain of salt.

Ok, off to play in the sand with the kiddies but I'll post the reply I get from Milojo ASAP!

Until then, enjoy the journey! :)

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Flipin' Out

I have not even made it to my second cup of coffee yet but I wanted to tell you "I'm inspired"!!!

Yesterday I met a girl who is a family friend of Debbee Barker. AKA: FlipFold Inventor.

Here is the success story we are all looking for! Debbee needed her two girls to fold their laundry. The girls would/could not fold their clothing properly so Debbee started to work on a solution. After a cardboard prototype was made and then a plastic one, a trip to a Vegas convention and a patent, the FlipFold became a HUGE success!

Debbee is now a regular on HSN - where we all hope to be - and enjoying the life of an entrepreneur! She sells other products as well such as a travel jewelry bag that looks like a T-Shirt that has been FlipFold(ed) and hides nicely in your hotel room dresser.

I went to Debbee's website and watched her segment on The Big Idea. Listening to her just filled me with excitment of what may be to come!

Credit card in hand, I am signing off so I can purchase a FlipFold for myself. Oh yes, she also has made FlipFold for Kids! Guess what my children will be doing from now on? Their OWN laundry!

You can find her at FlipFold.com. Happy Folding!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Mushy is not for me

I loves Williams and Sonoma and I'm always checking out their new kitchen tools.

Yesterday I popped in and on the front display was their $199.99 marinator with a cookbook and marinades on the table with a forth of July theme. This very pricey marinator is HUGE and boasts that you can marinate in a very short time using the vacuum method.

After doing A LOT of research, I found many articles stating that using the vacuum method to marinate meat gives you a mushy texture. From what I have read, vacuum marinators open and stretch the fibers of the meat therefore allowing the marinade to penetrate faster. Doing this is what makes the meat "mushy". It makes sense if you think about it. Maybe that's why you never see the cooks on Food Network using this method...

Ok, my featured product today is Grandma's Secret Spot Remover. If you ever thought of throwing away a piece of clothing because you could not get a stain out - WAIT! This stuff is A-MAZ-ING!

You know those stains on your black tees (grease?), Grandma's Secret Spot Remover will get it out! Grass on the jeans knees? OUT! Even a stain on my Mom's white pants that the drycleaner could not remover. BUH-BYE!

I purchased mine at Bed Bath and Beyond but have seen it at drug stores and you can buy it online.

So go to www.grandmassoap.com and put stained clothes behind you instead of in the trash!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Many great inventions

One week down and seven more to go!

That's when I will find out if I made the "cut" but I have to say, I am not counting down the days - so to speak - because that would mean the end of Summer and my kiddies will be headed back to school.

We are having such a great time swimming, traveling, having play dates and playing "tourist" in our own town. Visiting museums, aquariums, beaches and the zoo. The kids are at such an easy age(s) right now and I'm loving every minute of it. Well, almost every minute.

Of course if I hear anything worth reporting about The Everything Marinator and/or the Women Inventor Show, I'll be sure to post it ASAP!

Until then, I thought it would be fun to feature some products made by Women Inventors that I have come across in the past and that I love.

When I was in grade school and the summer was coming to an end, I would always get that sinking feeling...you know the feeling...back to bedtimes and homework and hoping I wouldn't get that really annoying kid in my class again this year.

The one saving grace for me was getting my school supplies. There was something magical about a brand new notebook with Scott Baio on the cover or whatever was "cool" at the time. The newly sharpened pencils and rubber glue that I would promise my Mom I would not "sniff". And let's not forget the new lunchbox.

I would take forever choosing my new lunchbox certain that the key to my happiness for the upcoming year would be riding on what I brought my lunch to school in. For that reason, I highly recommend checking out Laptop Lunches.

My children love bringing their lunches to school in these inventive lunch boxes!

Ever heard the expression, "Perception is key"? Well, the "perception" of the lunches in this colorful box actually makes the lunches more appealing! Therefore, my children actually eat what I pack them!

So if you can't find a Scott Baio lunchbox for your little one, go online and let your kiddies personalize their own bit of lunch time happiness!

Visit www.laptoplunches.com and place your order today. That's one check mark on your supply to - do - list....

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Proud Owner of...

Many, many thanks to "Anonymous" who suggested I purchase the domain names for The Everything Marinator!

In a true panic, I contacted Dotster and while on hold for 21 minutes I prayed that no one else would think to purchase the names. Funny how you can become irrational when you realize there is something out there that you MUST have!

Once I purchased the names, I typed them in: www.theeverythingmanrinator.com and www.everythingmarinator.com.

The site read: This is a future home page.

I wanted to celebrate! Right there in front of me were words on a computer assuring me that I will go further with The Everything Marinator! It had a future!

While not expensive, it's quite excitng to own a little piece of cyberspace realestate!

I am now the proud owner of two domain names that lead me one step closer to The Everything Marinator becoming a reality!