Birthday Cakes & Benefits

Listening to the radio this morning on my way into work, they listed the 8 friends you should have before you turn 30. This gave me an idea for my weekly blog. Here are, in my opinion, the 5 things you need before you are 30. Keep in mind that I am, not as of yet, 30 so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I actually think these are 5 things you need even if you are older than 30. Since I am not yet 30- I have a couple more years to work on my five things. Ok here we go:

First you need to have a Good Friend or friends. Someone or some ones who encompasses all the 8 friends you should have before you are 30. Someone who will help you figure out what to wear to your business dinners, someone to help you paint your bedroom, someone that’s up for anything, someone to hit the spin classes with, someone you can vent to, someone who can teach you things, someone who will travel with you, and someone to hit the local scene with. For me all 8 of these people can be found in, my husband, my mother, and my girl friends Sarah & Lindsay. Between the four of them I can always find a shoulder to lean on, an opinion, advice, and a fun time. My support circle might be small but it is solid. I also try to be these 8 important friends to them. They let me be who I am and enjoy what I do. They are a must have before you are 30.

Second you need to have Your Own Place. We are seeing a greater trend of people who continue to live with their parents even after college, but to truly discover who you are as a person you need to be on your own. For me my home is my sanctuary. It’s the place that at the end of the day I want to be. It’s my happy place. It’s my safe place. It’s the place where I can be cranky, or creative, or relaxed. Everyone needs to create their own home… so before you are 30 you should move out! Now don’t get me wrong, I have strong ties to my parents… I actually live across the street from them… I don’t want to discredit family roots. They are important too but hopefully, if you are lucky, you established these long before 30.

Third you need to have a Positive Social Outlet. This is a place that gets you involved with other people, outside your family and pocket full of friends. Someplace that maybe pushes you to be involved in community, or religion, or a healthy lifestyle. For many this is an association, a church, or a gym. I have not yet found my Social Outlet. I am a bit anti-social by nature and often try and avoid social gatherings. This is a must have before 30 and even after. You want to stay relevant, engaging, and have substance beyond what you do for a living. Finding a positive way to spend some social time will give you this. I am in search of the right outlet for me. If you have suggestions please feel free to leave a comment.


Fourth you need a good Primary Care Doctor. As we get older our need for a doctor that knows us and understands how our unique body works is essential to quality medical care. When medical conditions arise we want someone who understands how we should be operating as a human being, and knows how our body will react. If you have a good primary care doctor, who you have been seeing regularly, they will know your history. Things like, family history, daily activity, and current medications will already be in their files. They will be able to recognize and diagnose problems sooner. This benefit can actually save your life. If you don’t already have a Primary Care Doctor, you need to establish one! A life important need before you are 30, a must have!

Finally fifth, you need a good Insurance Agent. I think it’s important to find an agent that you can trust. That, like your doctor, will know your history. As we get older and our life grows, we buy cars, homes, have children. Our needs for coverage will grow and change. You want someone who will be there to explain the complicated maze of insurance. The Virginia Farm Bureau has an office in over 100 counties in VA. In each office there is someone licensed and appointed in Life, Health & Property and Casualty insurances. As a company they are also committed to community. They fight the good fight for local farmers, and sponsor initiatives like Save Our Food. When you buy insurance from the Virginia Farm Bureau you are not just spending money on insurance companies, you are investing in our local agriculture, and helping promote Safe, Fresh & Locally grown food.

Now that you are ready for your 30th birthday, the rest is just cake! Happy Birthday Everyone! :-)

Boating & Roasted Almonds

About a week ago my family and I went to the Richmond Boat show. Richmond has one every year in February. This is almost a tradition for my family. Since I was a little girl I can remember piling into the car and going to see all the pretty shinny watercrafts on display. As a family we like to go, and get our excitement increased for the spring and summer seasons headed our way. We will sit, poised on the bow of a pretty speed boat and imagine the warm weather is here. I even remember one year as a young girl, my parents buying a boat, on a whim. Very exciting stuff!

This year was extra special because I got to take my husband, and my little boy. As the big nerd I claim to be, I came prepared with my camera to capture images of my 9 month old, posed, driving boats, jet skis, & motorcycles. Not that I am ever going to allow him to have a motorcycle but it made a great picture. As you can see!

Now while everyone gets all wrapped up in their dreams of boating, water sports, and summer, I tend to go for one main reason. The All American Nut Roasters Company always, every year, has a booth. They turn out these wonderfully smelling, fantastic tasting, warm sugary roasted almonds, pecans, & cashews. While I did indulge myself and picked out my dream boat (the shinny yellow one in the picture) I truly go to the boat show to enjoy these yummy treats.

Walking into the boat show, instead of smelling leather, boat fuel, & fiberglass, all you smell is roasted almonds coated in cinnamon & brown sugar. Once you seek out the booth, they fill a triangular paper bag full of the warm sugary treat, and like at a fair or carnival you can wander around, munching along the way.

My husband, being the wonderful man he is, decided we should be able to enjoy these delectable treats more often than once a year. As we were planning to leave, he went back to the All American Nut Roaster’s booth in hopes of getting marketing material that contained an order form or website. We figured we could order them online and enjoy all year round. Unfortunately All American Nut Roasters does not have a website or order form. My husband returned with a folded up paper bag containing a hand written phone number (540-972-0166) exclaiming that they only took phone orders. – We have not yet ordered any nuts. Had they had a website, I truly believe I would have logged on and ordered some treats.

This made me think again about the importance of having an online presence. As an agent I always make sure that when offering products, I give my clients as many options as I can on how to buy; in person, online, or via paper application. What All American Nut Roasters' doesn't realize is they are losing business simply because they are not available online. It's estimated that 70% of the United States population is on the Web. As agents you want to make sure you are proudly displaying your webpage, and subweb link in all of your marketing materials. We want all of our clients to enjoy our warm, sugary treats whenever they choose.