Books On Consignment

Polly & Meek is making yet another exciting business move! We are now offering our books on consignment to book stores and establishments around the country.

God moved and afforded us a fantastic opportunity to be able to proceed with printing our books with our new Polly & Meek logo and becoming independent from our original publishers. We give him all the praise for this. In having this freedom, we are better able to serve our customers and expand in order to reach the masses. This is a wonderful blessing!

If you are wondering what Books on Consignment is then let me take a brief moment to explain. Polly and I will offer our books to book stores and other establishments at no cost to them for a set amount of time (6 -12 months), then the book store/establishment will collect a percentage of the proceeds from any book sales. If they are not able to sale the books we send to them, they can send them back to us at the end of the set time frame and never have to pay us a dime! I personally love this concept, especially from the Consignee's (person who receives the books)side. All of this is done at no cost to the bookstores and gives everyone involved an opportunity to make a profit. Most importantly, it gives Polly & Meek the opportunity to spread our positive message abroad!

Why should you participate with our Books on Consignment?:

* It is completely free and no cost to you.

* You can increase your children’s book selection in your store

* You can help spread a positive message to the world

* You can make a profit from sales

So, that is what is hot on the agenda for Polly & Meek. We have our consignment agreement ready for prospective Consignees. Just contact us and we’ll submit a copy to you and you can fax it right back to us. Before you know it you will have our beautiful books on display in your store and a positive message to share with everyone!

We can’t wait to hear from you!

I Dream of a World

While shuttling my kids to and from camp, I noticed a new hair and beauty supply store open in our area. It took me about a month to stop in, but when I finally did, it was a wonderful surprise. As I was greeted upon entry by the owners (an African-American husband and wife) a broad smile came across my face. They accomplished what seemed impossible in a county boasting one of the largest median household incomes in the U.S. but with an African-American population of just 9% .

What a welcome change. I've been a Sally Beauty supply shopper for 20 years or more. Like many I grew up with local wig stores and ethnic hair goods provided by everyone except the main customer base. So when I stepped into that store I knew I had to patronize, no matter what. I'm well aware of who makes the bulk of the products that most of us buy for our hair and beauty. Still, I dream of a world where more African-American products and businesses are thriving along with the rest of America. I'm ready to shed the image of the shameful, defeated, poor race who "also lives" in this great country.

Polly&Meek products are purchased by people of all cultures. In fact, Meek and I have had the pleasure of watching a group of non-African-American girls grin and giggle over seeing themselves in our book, Sisters Are From Heaven; even though it only contains images of my daughters. But there are more of us out there ---black business owners striving to bring you wonderful products that meet your needs and those of the community. Do us all a favor by patronizing our new and established businesses. Everyone will benefit.

I dream of such a world.

The Difference: Money vs. Time

I was listening to the radio the other day when I heard T.D. Jakes make an important announcement. During one of his thoughts for the day he stated that research had revealed the differences between test scores among children of varying economic backgrounds and different races. Most people suspect that money plays a big role in these type of statistics. Our thinking is typically, the more money you have the better off your children are. But while having access to funds can be important, it isn't the main difference in test scores and overall success rates of school-aged children.

The difference is time. The study showed that the amount of time parents invest in their children is directly related to how well their kids do in school and specifically on standardized tests. The study was most amazing because I've never heard it put that plainly. So in other words, as parents, relatives and friends we've got to give the children in our lives a lot more of our time. I've heard this before from older, wiser parents just as a child-rearing tip. But it is my first time hearing it from a study.

Children thrive when they feel loved and secure. When we spend time with them we should emphasize the importance of education by helping them with homework and making sure that they get it done. We can let them know the consequences of not working hard and recognize when they need tutoring or help with a subject. Most schools and churches offer some amount of free assistance for students. We need only ask. Parents with preschoolers can visit the library regularly, quiz the child with flashcards, play age appropriate learning games together and encourage imaginative play time. Turn on the TV as little as possible.

We should also start eating meals together more often, enjoying fun family outings, and just listening to each other. This allows children to get to know and love their family members. Ultimately, the children will learn to trust that we have their best interest at heart. These feelings of well being can lead them to do better in school and possibly other areas of their lives.

This is a positive message for chidren everywhere and it really couldn't hurt to give it a try. The difference in your child 's education is what's at stake.

Many Blessings,
Polly

July Newsletter

Summer is here and Polly & Meek is offering soft cover copies of our children’s picture book Sisters Are From Heaven at $5 (while current inventory lasts).

Visit our website (http://www.pollyandmeek.com/)

New Product for 2009
Be sure to view our new product for 2009 from our Divine Inspirations line. We are now offering magnetic calendars with photo and inspirational Bible verse. Calendars are laminated and can be displayed on your filing cabinet, refrigerator or locker and at $3 they are a steal! You must have one!

Visit our blog
Catch a sneak peak into the lives of the authors. We update our blog weekly.

Ruritan Flea Market
Please join us from 8am – Noon at the Ruritan indoor flea market. The flea market takes place rain or shine at 183 Ruritan Rd, Sterling Va on the second Saturday of each month now until September 2009. This is a great outing for families and there are opportunities to purchase all types of items at great deals.

As always we thank you all for your love and support and we encourage you to follow your dreams whatever they may be. Please be sure to pass our newsletter along to everyone you know.

Many Blessings,
Polly & Meek

Taking Care of Number One

Today I scheduled a mammogram. This isn't the first one I've had, but it's been quite a few years since the last one. Due to our family history of breast cancer, Meek and I have to stay on top of these types of appointments. But sometimes, as mothers and business women we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, forgetting to take time for ourselves. So today I'm here to remind us all to take a break everyday and be sure to see your physican for check ups and any problems you may be experiencing.

Most of the time our first response is to take care of our family members and others before ourselves. No, the children can't fend for themselves. Yes, our spouse does need support. But when we ignore our own needs we are putting everything in jeopardy. So even if it's just a mental break that's needed, we still have to honor it. As the saying goes, "pay now or pay later." With a little time for ourselves, we can steer clear of this.

I love you and want to see you continue to prosper as beautiful individuals and parents. Take a moment now to do a mental check to see if you've gotten all your parts serviced. Then reflect on the past week. Did you have enough down time? All work and no play isn't going to make you more efficient. Strength and productivity come from a happy, heathly you. Invest in yourself first and the rest will follow --- or if it doesn't you'll at least have enough energy to pull it along!

Sharing Love With Everyone!

Did you have a happy 4th of July? We certainly did!

We kicked off on Friday with a cook out at my sister and brother-in-law's home in Northern Va. Our father had come into town and we made it a family event when my husband, step-daughter and I came over to add in to the fun. We enjoyed ourselves with burgers, hotdogs, sausage dogs, chips and strawberry Kool-aid. Of course my brother-in-law made the most delicious peach smoothie concoction (virgin for me of course) and I made some cole slaw to top my hotdog with, yummy! It was all so delish.

The highlight of my day had to be seeing all the kids embrace my step-daughter and play with her as if they have known her for years and years. I am sure they are too young to remember meeting her about 3 years ago. As a matter of fact, I think this was the youngest one’s first time meeting her. Nonetheless, they went upstairs to play with toys and after a while it got very quiet. I went up to check on them and they were all the way upstairs. I asked what they were doing up there and they came out to report that they were ‘taking Big Sister on a tour of their rooms’. Okay I said and went back downstairs. A bit later, my youngest niece came down to show me money form the cash register that ‘Big Sister’ had given to her. I thought it was so very cute how they had given her a pet name immediately and embraced her to so quickly.

After eating, we went outside for water gun play. The simple things can fill a child with such glee. I think my sister has perfected the skill of showing her children that they can be fully entertained by the simple things in life. No one could tell them that they were not having the time of their lives out there running back and forth wetting each other with the guns. I sat on the steps, innocently taking photos, only to be sprayed down a few times. But my sister a.k.a Cleopatra Jones came out in full force with two small water pistols blazing, fighting them off left and right. She got quite the work out herself running behind those kids the way she was. After that it was time for red light, green light and I was immediately taken back to my childhood. Watching Lainey freeze had me rolling on the ground.

At the end of the evening we all exchanged hugs and kisses as my family and I headed back home. Even my boy Ox gave me big sugar and asked when I was coming back. I told him soon and I cannot wait to see them all again!

Train Up A Child

Yesterday my children were complaining about going to church. I totally understand their perspective because I didn't always like going when I was a child. But I had to tell them that they are lucky. My sister, cousins and I had to go to church ALL the time. We never even skipped a Sunday. That meant getting up extra early because Sunday school started at 9:45am and church wasn't out until 1pm. Then sometimes there was something special going on and we'd have to go back to church right after eating Sunday dinner. That was particularly upsetting, though I tried to keep it in. We were always involved in some aspect of worship and when we grew older we sung on the youth choir, participated in pageants, held offices in Sunday school, read scriptures and annoucements, performed, recited and represented our church --- everywhere.

Our family was raised in the church and they drilled it in our heads so that when we were older, try as we may, there was no hiding from God. I can't say that everything we did was completely necessary but, we built lots of other skills from those activities. Getting to know God and developing a personal relationship with him was the ultimate bonus added to tons of positive benefits we received from our attendance. But I know it's tough for little ones under five years old. I'm taking it easy on them, while still setting a routine. I don't care how much they resist right now. It's my job to make sure they learn about God so I ignore their complaints. My hope is that even if they do part from their training when they grow up, it will only be for a short while.

Along with attending church, at home we read the bible for story time, discuss all religious holidays at length and occassionally watch christain DVDs. Veggie Tales are some of their favorites. I'm now on the lookout for some children's bibles with illustrations to help further engage their little minds. Sounds like alot, but God is mixed in among other topics they enjoy. I pray for them a long, fruitful life filled with servitude, the love of God and his many blessings.

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday!

Many Blessings,

Polly & Meek