Author: jme71te

Today was the first day that I was able to talk to my daughter about the half time show.

Before everyone starts getting offended…let me say this. There is not ONE woman (besides Tina Turner who had amazing legs 😱) that would not wish to be able to move and dance and be in incredible shape like the two women that danced last night. They were the same age and older than I…and they put me to shame in exercise and beauty and talent. There is NOT one person that can’t sit there and say WOW about that.

However, I sat there in confusion. I am a woman…and I hear we as women protest that we don’t want to be seen as objects…but yet…I believe that is what was displayed…I know there are many that disagree…but I would say there are many that agree with me. That being said…we should support women…and each other. That statement is very true….we should. However, I’m not sure a pole and clothing that made most men in the room I was in uncomfortable, is what I would call “family friendly” entertainment for a football game. I don’t really care that they spoke in a foreign language…that they brought other cultures to the table…I’m perfectly fine with that…but when I think of strong women…..I don’t see the image that was put in front of me.

I see a woman that left an abusive relationship and her beautiful home and brand new nursery with her nine month old to start a better life for her baby boy.

I see a woman who endured her unfaithful husbands funeral and paid for it while the women there he had an affair with came through the line like they had a right to be there.

I see a woman who took the roses off her husbands grave and threw them in the ditch that were left on the tombstone she paid for…by women who played a part in destroying her marriage.

I see a woman who worked three jobs so she could pay all her bills and debts and take care of her son.

I see a woman who didn’t believe the mean lies people told about her.

I see a woman who kept going when everyone else told her to quit…it was too hard.

I see a woman who admits her mistakes and tries to be a better person. She does things that are uncomfortable because she knows it was what she was born to do. She is the one where the buck stops…and she fixes it. She is the one…without applause…no trophies….just the fight within her to NOT give up.

We see these strong women as they fight cancer. They fight infertility. They deal with depression. They care for special needs children. They care for spouses who are ill. They have children who they have lost, some they have buried…others they struggle with addiction. They fight abuse and find the strength to leave it. They go without so their babies can have more. They go without sleep and food, they work when they are sick…they care for their children through exhaustion. They run marathons and get degrees…they save lives….and come up with cures. They beautify homes and make everything in the world beautiful. They make memories and take pictures…they love unconditionally and fight tirelessly….those are the strong women…and that is what I tell my daughter….she can reach for the stars…she can create her destiny…but it is her character, her brains, her spirit, her heart…that I’m interested in…

I hear lots of women defending the display that was forced upon us.  I’ve heard your arguments.  I have even heard women say that all of us are hypocrites because our daughters wear clothes like that at their dance recitals. May I just say….not ONE dance recital did my daughter dance in where there were stripper poles.  Not ONE dance recital did she display her crotch for the whole world to see…nor was she taught by her teachers to move her body in the way that was being displayed….perhaps other studios do that…but not one that I’ve ever attended.  I don’t wear bikinis….if you do that’s your business…I don’t…because I’ve had kids…and even when I did look good in them I didn’t wear them because I felt like I was walking around in my bra and underwear.  That’s just me…not judging anyone.  My daughter also feels uncomfortable and she wears a one piece.  She also wears a one pice on her swim team as well.  I also am tired of people with the argument of that I did’nt have to watch it….here’s the thing….My Chiefs….well we are from MISSOURI, not KANSAS and a lot of my extended family was watching it with me….because we haven’t been in the Super Bowl….in my ENTIRE life….so yes, we were watching it…and then a lot of us got snacks…and more of us just sat there with our mouths wide open trying to understand WHY this was being shown. Since it was my first time watching the Super Bowl in its entirety….I wasn’t sure what to expect…but hopefully never that again….  So, I ask that those of you telling me to get over it…will just remember that I’m not going to…I will always stand up for my daughter and myself as a woman…and that display was not helpful to women…

Go make the world a better place…

Go for your biggest dream…and work hard to achieve it.

We were beyond excited….I admit….during the game last night I gave myself a little pep talk like I normally do…it went like this:

Well, I’m really proud of them being in the Super Bowl….like we really really did it…we got here! So, really it’s ok…and there has to be a loser every time…and perhaps it will be next year will be our year?!”

Then, it’s like all the things in the universe worked in our favor…to the point that Joe Buck was even completely speechless…which in my humble opinion…is actually best. 😬

I was with my family and extended family and we were not sitting…We were standing…we were jumping…we were screaming….and we were shocked. This was new territory for us. Fireworks were going off…people were yelling…we were high fiving…we were practically crying.

I have waited for that moment for 45 years.

Perhaps you don’t know what it’s like to wear a jersey for your hometown baseball and football team and get laughed at…but we do. Perhaps you don’t know what it’s like to get excited. Almost make it…and then lose….every year.

My son almost quit being a fan…but I told him. You remain loyal…always loyal….because someday…it will be our turn…and boy did it feel good..

My son is now 20….but he’s been a fan since we showed him his first football game.

Will it change our lives that we won the Super Bowl ? Absolutely not….

But for all of us in KC (born and bred right here) and the rest of us surrounding they have supported this team when it wasn’t cool…it’s nice to have some love from others. For people to know where MO even is 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️. For people to unite together.

No one care who you voted for, where you go to church, if you carry a gun, what your occupation is…only if you are a Chiefs fan…and I think this dreary weather KC loving woman…and this entire city…just needed a bit of good news…and it’s so nice that it doesn’t matter where your from…just who are you rooting for…and we will always root for home…

I have a new schedule…and I rather like it. What became out of necessity, is turning out to be a whole lot better than I ever dreamed.

This past year I have dwelt a lot on the negative…but I haven’t spent much time on the positive. As a result, I’m sure that there have been a few of you who have just kind of thrown the towel in…and I can’t blame you.

I once followed a couple of blogs where people were going through an extreme personal struggle. I respected where they were in their life and the process that they were taking. What they were doing was real and raw and painful…and if there was anyone going through those huge emotional struggles, I’m sure that raw emotion was understood and appreciated. I personally, was turned off of it…because it was NOT what I needed at that time in my life.

I think so many times, so many of us can be negative about what other trials someone is going through. We can call them “whiny” or “dramatic” because we personally are not where they are at that moment. I personally am trying to give a bit more grace as I grow older to people…and hope that you will give me some as well.

As many of us have made changes in our lives…most of us have done so because it is something that we have been forced to do. Most of us are stubborn…and we don’t like change..and by most of us…I’m totally raising my hands. I know I needed to eat better and exercise and drink more water…but it wasn’t until my blood tests came back and a doctor telling me I’m gonna be on meds for my cholesterol if I don’t get it under control…which forced me to drink the water…and started my addiction for avocados. Still trying to get on the yoga and elliptical bus…slowly but surely.

When we had an employee who was not doing what they needed to do…and I had to step in and do payroll and schedules and pay bills..I will tell you…it was not with leaps of joy…but now…now it’s not so bad..and I enjoy it. I enjoy starting very early at our store and still being able to head home in late morning and come home to do homeschooling with my daughter.

I said no to lots of things this year…and in turn was able to say yes to lots more!

Sometimes we need a few months of recovery to recharge…and then the ideas just start flowing.

Instead of elaborate trips last summer we tried our hand at camping. We tried a new swim team, we tried learning how to ride horses and really succeeding this year. More sleepovers with friends for my girl. More camp fires and marshmallows. More children’s camps closer to home. More library field trips, more homemade ice cream movie nights. More online art classes…more repurposing everything…less out to eat…more experimenting with things at home we liked…and we realized…we didn’t really miss out on a thing.

We have some fun things packed into this year…new experiences….new camping adventures…new out of comfort zones. Gonna cross a bunch of things off my bucket lists…but in that process…I’m not going to forget the changes made..and I’m not going to be sad about them.

When you see a friend who writes things on her social media that irritate you, or you think are negative…instead of saying to her how negative she is…why don’t we just accept them where they are? Not all of us like to say what specifically is going on in our lives….we just don’t. Instead, if need be…just take a moment…and instead of telling them how they need to change…say a prayer for them…send them a note..take them a meal, a coffee….a plant.

Social media can be toxic…and it can be awesome. Everyone thinks it’s this real part of life…but it isn’t. The pictures I take of my house and life and put on here on social media is the best of the best…it’s not the everyday. It’s not what the house looks like when I’ve returned home from work or had people over for a football game…I don’t show you my dirty laundry…or unmade bed. I don’t show you my pjs in the bathroom…or the fact that I have a crockpot in the sink with burnt smokies in it…it just doesn’t.

However, when people share things that you might think are harsh or they should approach differently…don’t assume you know the whole story.

So many times we assume we know all…and we pass down our judgement on people because in all our wisdom. We know best..when we don’t know the whole story…nor do we understand.

So, yes. I will try to be more positive…as we go though things…but life isn’t easy…and my shoulders are only so big…and burdens are easier to carry when you share them.

Have a blessed day…and no matter what lane of life your in right now…let’s all just help get each other home…this life isn’t easy…and I know I sure do need help.

Here’s to new adventures…..and happier days!

So many things going on right now….so much good!

First of all, for the first time in my life, the KC Chiefs are headed to the Super Bowl!

None of us know how to act…I’ve never actually watched the super Bowl, for anything besides the commercial…so this year…it’s all about balloons and serious decor and everyone is having a party…so it may just be the three of us…but we are going to celebrate!

Second thing…not as exciting…but it’s time for some Valentine decor!!!

This heart garland was made with air drying clay..put in the oven at 200 degrees for an hour….head to @vintageporch for a full tutorial.

Last but not least…I Made this banner with chalk and a white sharpie pen and craft paper. More people love it then hate it! I have it at my store.

And my home…/

Lots of soaps coming at ya in about two more weeks!

We are headed to Texas soon….never have spent too much time there so looking forward to that!

Have an awesome week!

Sometimes, there is truth and sometimes….that truth is hard to swallow.

I think there are times in life that we just need to take a backseat.  Just need to sit by the water…and listen to the babbling brook, or the rush of the sea.  We need to dive into different cultures.  We need to read a book, a magazine….and forget that we own cell phones.  We need to write or draw…make soap, or run…or do all of those things.

What makes life real and worth living…isn’t the amount of followers you have on all your social media….but that is something everyone that is reading this has heard before.

About three years ago, I had surgery for skin cancer.  What was supposed to be just a tiny set back…became apparent as I lay on the surgery table…that what was supposed to be a quick little set back….would set me back for a week…and it did…and it was horrible…but what made it horrible…was that I wasn’t prepared for it.  What was supposed to be just a quick procedure…became apparent that it was indeed a deeper incision than he thought it would be…but didn’t realize it until he was in there.  I thought that that night I would be attending my son’s basketball game.  Since I was just given a local, the doctor was able to tell me during surgery…that that indeed would NOT be what I would be doing….and I wouldn’t be doing much of anything for SEVERAL days.  As I’m literally under the knife at this point…I’m getting a little annoyed.  I don’t do well at surprises….and I’m not sure that there are too many that do.

Right now, I’m at the “resting” part….its been a long haul….and I’m ready to rest…recharge. The problem is….I’m really really horrible at it.  I feel guilty for sitting…I feel guilty for doing things just for me…but there are times in life…that that is what must be.

I need to travel….get away from my comfort zone.  I need to see how other people live…what foods they eat….what houses they live in….I need to explore.  I need to be out of my comfort zone.  I need to experience new things.  When we experience new things we realize just how very small we are in this huge world…and sometimes that is just what we need.  Sometimes, we get too big for our britches.  Sometimes, we think the world revolves around us….sometimes…our kids take us for granted….our staff does, and our animals and children do….and sometimes…people have to learn to do things without us. Sometimes…we need to remember what makes us uniquely us….and that can’t be learned in the noise…the chatter…the constant movement.

This year….I don’t want to talk about what mean things people have done to me, what lies they’ve told…I just want….to stick my feet in spring water….hike and explore…forget to check my phone…and laugh….I want to really laugh.  I want to get a sunburn so that all you see is my freckles again…I don’t want to spend another summer without swimming at all.

Sometimes, people read things that I write…and instead of reading the fact that I’m trying to push above all the lies and yuck…they say I’m bitter and angry…and if that is the case…then I’m a terrible writer…and shouldn’t be writing at all.

However, more people tell me that they are glad that I write what I write…and as long as I hear from those people….then I’m gonna keep writing.

I’ve decided this year that you can either take me or leave me.  You can either be for me…or you can be against me.  You can either say mean and cruel things about me and my husband….or you can speak truth.

I sat in my chair the other day…wondered why some people felt so strongly about me one way or the other…and I just felt that actually…I must be doing something right. If your not ever making waves….are you ever really living? If everyone likes you do you stand for everything? I don’t think you can stand for everything…you have to be against something.

So this year….I’m taking a backseat to all the drama….gonna enjoy the ride…the beauty of this crazy world…I’m gonna listen to nature…gonna take some amazing hikes….see the beauty of things that I’ve never seen before…and I will tell you all about my adventures as we go!

Happy New Year Everyone! It’s gonna be a good one!

What has this year taught me? Lots of things…some good and some bad. I’ve learned a lot about people…apparently, I offend people and don’t even realize it.

I was in church the Other day…and I started thinking about this. What does it mean when you seem to make so many people annoyed? I have come to a few conclusions. Usually, if everyone around me is unhappy…it’s because I’m in a bad mood and have sucked all the joy out of a room…I will not say that I have never been guilty of this…I will say…that I’m sure I have.

However, sometimes people don’t like you because they are jealous of you. They think they know you…they think that they have an inside track of your life and how easy you have it when they know absolutely nothing about you. They don’t see your struggle, your tears, your frustration…they just see you being strong and assume instead that your just this independent woman with nothing bothering you.

I wish to not repeat this year….It’s been the hardest one for me in twenty years. However, the hardest part is being silent about it…which I will continue to be…because it is a silent matter. It doesn’t mean that I’m not hurting, it doesn’t mean that I’m not sad and overwhelmed…it just means that I’m going through something and I feel that it’s important to tell people that.

Every January everyone makes this big list of what they are going to do…but by January 14th we all throw in the towel…I believe in realistic goals…if I said I was going to run 2 miles everyday…that goal would quickly die. However, if I told you that I’m gonna start running everyday for 15 minutes and then raise it to five minutes every week until I hit my goal…that’s a reasonable goal. If I tell you that I’m gonna eat avocados everyday for lunch but never have…that goal will die very quickly…but if you knew that’s what I’ve been trying to do everyday for about two months along with taking my vitamins…you might see that I have a chance with continuing that goal.

The same can be said for planning and overcrowded schedules. Last fall, I stopped a few things…then a few more…and now for spring…I’ve cut out even more…I’ve been evaluating, planning, changing. What do I want from life? What can I possibly achieve? What is pointless and what brings me joy? It’s been a long long haul…but a year later I believe I am starting to figure it out…and that’s what we have to do with goal setting and yearly planning…

Each day in my organizer…I have a list of what I want to accomplish for that day…and I usually cram it too full…but I’ve also learned that somethings can be pushed to another day…and the task still gets completed in a timely fashion. It’s not a pie in the sky goal…it’s written..it’s looked at…it’s completed.

I know that each year…we all say we are going to run a marathon…have arms we aren’t embarrassed to show…but instead of starting out small…like working up to a 5K we become very distracted and very disappointed early.

Last but not least…toxic relationships. We sit around and try to please people that continually tell us where we are failing…and yet, they never show up for us. Consider what you want from that relationship…then either have a conversation and tell them what you expect…or move on. I’m not saying “block them” from your life (unless completely necessary) but definitely explain. I have found that I’ve been wrong in assuming several things about people and then finding out I have egg all over my face..:still at my age…still.

Happy New Year! May this year your adventures be many…and your heart find happiness!

I have been home since Christmas….that means that for four days..:I’ve stayed at home. I’ve been napping and cleaning, planning and working…haven’t worn makeup since Friday…and now at 1 am…my body is confused.

For five weeks…we have gone non stop…and I have been on and in and talking and baking and cooking and all the things…and now…I just want to be quiet.

I have no desire to go see Christmas lights, or shopping. I don’t want to go to museums or out to eat…I don’t want to host anything at my home…or even go anywhere.

I pick up my organizer to plan…and I just can’t…I can’t ONE more thing. I have planned my business social media to September…and all promos…and even have planned a clown camp I’m conducting in the summer…but that is it.

My body and my soul knows that I need rest….but my brain just isn’t getting that message. I’m in the middle of planning business trips for the year and camping trips and hopefully a once in a lifetime trip…but instead of accomplishing it…I just am frozen…frozen with indecision.

My calendar isn’t full to bursting and I feel weird about it. My schedule isn’t consuming me and I feel that I’m late for something.

So this year…I’m committed to me…which sounds like the biggest load of actual crap.

And if I’m honest…..I believe that’s why we as women have such a hard time doing it…we feel like losers saying we need help…that our bodies are worn down.

Maybe just say that it’s ok to sit by your tree and just chill. That not all your Christmas decor needs to be down by December 26th. It’s ok if all the boxes your using have mismatched tops and they aren’t clear. It’s ok if the contents of the box don’t have a notecard on it to tell you what’s in the box (I confess, this once was me).

It’s ok to be so sick of Christmas music that your stomach almost heaves at the sound of it. It’s ok if your talked out, tired of wrapping, never wanted to see Christmas paper again…or ribbon. It’s ok if your tired of scheduling people and social media, and whiners of a contest you did…for free…for your community. It’s ok if your sick of being copied and taken advantage of. It’s ok if your tired of people not acknowledging your accomplishments…it’s ok.

Me personally? Tomorrow we have one last big family dinner after church tomorrow…so that means that after three days of not wearing any makeup …I will put on some makeup and drive my car and interact with people all day….and on Monday…I will stay in my house….because….I’m about done.

I used to not be able to understand this about myself…as an extrovert I should always be “on”….but I have found as an extrovert that we all wear out quickly…can be awkward in social situations…and we all seem to feel this overwhelming need to make people laugh.

I tell you this, because I don’t want messages from people asking if I’m ok…because I really truly am…but I am weary…weary of so so much.

Unlike everyone else….my exit is loud….so I feel that I need to announce it…

I’m NOT done clowning….I’m NOT done soapmaking or homeschooling or teaching clowning or any of the hats that I’ve always worn….but for a few months this year…the attention will be on my health…and on my child.

I have put other children first before my own child….and my physical health is so far back on the burner…it will take me awhile to get it back up to speed…

I say this with great intention…January 1st…is my first time back at physical exercise.:.I had started back with healthier eating and healthier cleaning supplies and will continue that…and I believe that once I have they accomplished that these aching feelings will leave and I will be able to do all the things that I once did.

I ask for your patience…and thank you in advance.

See ya soon!

I am sure that right now so many people are looking back at the year and seeing what worked and didn’t.

New Things we ventured upon:

Camping- We greatly enjoyed learning how to do this. When I was growing up, we always had a pop up camper…so this “tent” camping was completely new to me. We experimented with three different tents…and decided on one from Wal-Matt (believe it or not) that actually had LED lights at the top of the tent and three different settings. We learned about water proofing our tent…and that honestly, we are too old for the huge blow up mattresses and we are going to have to use the fold up cots. The other thing that I liked about the tent is that the poles were connected so that the tent could be set up in about two minutes. It’s much better to have everything easy to set up when your out in nature

The downfalls we ran into every single time was rain….no matter if we went in June, or July….or even August….we endured lightening and hail….and still….we enjoyed it….I realize that we are weird…but unless you are new here…you already knew that.

The second thing I did this year was a lot of clowning. I clowned at retirement homes and the local UCP and at Pivotal Point. I also conducted clown classes for our local homeschoolers and have even done some at our local Youth Alliance.

I also introduced a new character for our store which went around to other local businesses. It was fun…we had a good time doing it.

We ran a 5K….and I was horrible. I’m not embarrassed to tell you that I will now only run one that offers me a shiny medal….its a finishers medal…you only get one if you finish….,my training will begin again….on January 1st…I’m not sure that I’m thrilled….but I’ve gotten a little pudgy….and my cholesterol is borderline dangerous….but anyway…..

As far as rewards….my husband got his Graduate Gemologist diploma this year….so proud of how hard that he worked!

I’m still working on my little colored stones class….someday I will get there.

Our store won the best store in our town, for the fifth straight year in a row….so that felt pretty neat.

I was nominated for “20 Who Count” and was in our local paper and local news. If you read the last couple of blog posts you would see those.

Our youngest went to over night camp for the first time….and our college son received an RA position at a state university which has helped him greatly financially.

Our youngest enjoyed horse riding lessons and Art Camp and her beloved swim team. This year we went to a local swim team which worked out much better for us. She may even do year round swim team next year. We will see.

This New Year, we will be going on more adventures. Doing a little more self care…and just changing a few things that are sucking the life out of me. I can’t always be 110 percent for everyone….and it is beginning to affect my health…and my stress. I have one child that still lives at home….and I want to be able to do for her all the things that she needs….and I cannot do that if I’m doing everything for everyone else. That’s a very hard thing for me to do….but its clear to me now. I must work on fitness, and just doing some things that make my life full….and not everything else. I want to be able to do more….but now I just need to make sure that I take care of me….in order to take care of others…but I will be back…..2019….you were a serious difficult year….but we managed to make it through…..2020…hoping for you to be better….here’s to a much better year!!!!

The other day I noticed some things about myself I didn’t like…I don’t like the creases that are forming on my face and by my eyes when I smile. I’m not real fond of the neck that I have lately….but I also have absolutely no problem going to church and then work wearing this…..

I even had to wear it to Sams and then dig through the five pound briskets….until I found the one that I wanted….as I was leaving a lovely employee told me that my outfit was “stunning”….I could have hugged her. Something about being 45 years old and I feel that I don’t need permission anymore about what I wear, or what color my hair is….or what I drive.

My hair is dyed this color because my hair was turning gray…and I just didn’t want to battle it anymore…but I no longer look at myself that way.

At 45, I have earned the stretch marks that are on my stomach…due to the babies that my body was able to bring into this world. My hands have freckles and age spots on them and they have diapered babies, cleaned countless messes, and worked several jobs. My body has endured more than most, and I have come out stronger.

I have earned every wrinkle, scar, and gray hair. They are my battle scars.

You could not pay me enough money to go back to 25. I wouldn’t mind having that body again…but the inexperience and naive attitude…no thank you.

I have purple in my hair, and I drive a car that completely expresses my personality. My favorite color is blue…even though my car and hair are accented with purple…blue…blue is my favorite.

I’m not against tattoos…and if you know me you know the answer to whether or not I have one.

I like holes in my jeans…and yoga pants…sleeveless shirts with funny sayings and I adore huge and different jewelry. I love exploring new cultures and different foods…but this is new for me…this didn’t happen until my late 30s. Before that I was always safe safe safe. My dresses were navy, my hair normal and I drove a black Toyota Camry…but after 2002….my life was anything but normal…and I couldn’t fix it no matter how hard I tried.

My life may look like everything has gone wrong according to some. Our family is blended…our kids have different parents…I won’t explain myself…if you know me…you know the whole story.

I’ve become tired of people that spend their time talking about how they love Jesus..but they spend their time cutting off relationships with those who don’t measure up…or saying rude things to those who have the strength to stand up….the events have been so frequent…I’ve been wondering if perhaps it’s me:..perhaps I’m the problem.

I read nowhere in the Bible that Jesus sat around with the perfect people…in fact, if we really look at scripture…He only was with them when He was upset with them and rebuking them. His disciples were not treated well either.

I believe that Jesus didn’t start petitions. Nor did he gossip about others. He didn’t hold grudges. He didn’t lie about others..He didn’t look to see if someone had on leather leggings before deciding to speak with them. He didn’t honk his horn or wave his hands, or treat others rudely. He didn’t yell because someone was in His way…not did He get His message across by being obnoxious….and yet, those who raise their hands to Him on Sunday…refuse to help others on Monday. They are rude to those who are waiting tables just hours after raising their hands to Jesus…and then at same time…they wonder why our world is in the hurt that it is in.

I wish I could tell you that I’m always like Jesus…but I’m not. I get mad at people who have taken advantage of me and tell lies about me. I yell at those who cut in front of me…and I’ve even been known to roll my eyes at rude cashiers at Sams.

My favorite place to be? Honestly…it’s when I’m serving with those that don’t have cameras to take our pictures to share what amazing humans we are. It’s in the amazing woman I heard sing “Jesus loves the little children” in the middle of my city…in the middle of a circle of 100 kids who were hungry….that’s where Jesus was…that’s exactly where He was. He was in the kitchen where we made sandwiches for the kids who were hungry in our city. It was in the cleaning of an apartment for a new family that was able to get a second chance. It was in the quick drive by of gifts for a family that was going to have nothing for Christmas…or the single lady who needed a car…and one was given to her…that’s where Jesus was…and where He is.

The older I become…the more I realize…how little I need…and how much I need to give away.

I’m not saying to you that I’m selling my house and possessions and going to Africa…but each year…I do try to see what I can change in the next year.

At 45…..I’m happy to go on new adventures…and I’m hoping to have a back seat this year to even more amazing adventures. I’m grateful for all the opportunities that are coming my way….because in the end…Jesus sees it all anyway….the good…the bad….the ugly…:the beautiful. He sees the wrinkles, He knows all about the scars…those you can see and those that are hidden. He knows the hurt…the pain.::the agony of keeping it all in…and He knows that it is only temporary…this world is not our home…don’t get comfortable. We don’t have a long time here.

The day after Christmas….probably one of my favorite days after the crazy of this holiday season.

This year has been a tough one for us but Christmas this year was extra sweet. We first of all had a very good year at our store and we are very grateful and feeling very blessed. We never take that for granted and we so appreciate our community showing up.

The month of December always goes by in a huge hurry..:but I wanted to share a few things that I was very humbled by. First of all, I was chosen as one of the “20 Who Count” in our town and a video was put on by our local news…here’s a tiny video of it…

We were also greatly blessed by our staff this year and how hard they all worked…one of our best years ever with an amazing staff that worked very well together.

We had a wonderful Christmas with our children as they surprised us with a gift for helping us finally put a stamp in our passports. We will let you know what we decide…but it feels so good to be making g happy plans after such a very busy and stressful year.

We have some fun things to stay tuned for with our business and things we are doing…and our favorite business trip of the year will soon be here!!!

We are enjoying a few more days of Christmas Decor up since we haven’t really been able to enjoy it with being gone so much.

Here’s to 2020…..we can’t wait to start a new year…and put this one behind us!🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻😱