Souper Dooper Project

My son and his friend embarked on a little project when they were bored over the holidays. Really, boys? I  was very happy with my TV-induced coma over the holidays. You weren't?

The project morphed into something a little bit larger.

First, they wrote a letter to 60 police departments requesting uniform patches. In exchange for each patch they received, they said in the letter they would buy and deliver one can of food to our local food pantry.

They got together and opened the letters.

Boy, I bet it was hard to wait two weeks to open all the packages at once!

Some of the loot!

True to their word, they visited the local grocery store and bought at least one can of food for each patch they received. Because of the nice police departments that sent two patches, they increased their purchase a little over the 60 expected patches. They ended up with 77 cans of food. I got the full, exact report on that number.

I am proud they followed through. Here's another tidbit: They spent their own money buying the food.

They are just waiting on Mamas to drive them to the food pantry. As soon as life gets out of the way, we're going to do it next week.

Way to go, boys!

In the spirit of giving & love,
TCB
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day! Kiss someone.

Be Content

I was feeling a little down this past Saturday afternoon when I had to work in my office. I had an article due Monday, and it had to get done. I don't mind working (I love you, my clients), but it was nice and sunny and the rest of my family was outside.

Doing this.

(By the way, do you see how my front yard has become a 4-wheeling trail? The grass in the field doesn't even want to grow in some places anymore.)

Anyway.......then I realized how darn fortunate I am. I have a porch right off my office (from which I shot this photo), and I can step out there, feel the sunshine and see my baby, all while bringing home the grub. Woo-hoo for technology.

I love my job. (How's that for a change of perspective?!)

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4: 11b - 13, The Holy Bible, NIV

Love your job. Whether it's at home or around the globe. It's what God has for you in this season of life.

Smile,
TCB

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

My adult life has been filled to the brim with entrepreneurs. I have started or helped my husband begin four different businesses over the years we've been married. I worked as a consultant for many years with a non-profit organization that helped women start new businesses. I helped many talented ladies figure out how to launch the business of their dreams on a shoestring marketing budget. And I have several friends who are micro-entrepreneurs right now, starting businesses to help themselves, and sometimes another family or two, make money to run their households.

It is very gratifying to me to say that I have in some small way helped these women become successful entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurial spirit is part of a person's soul. It is either there or it isn't. I really don't believe it is something you can learn; it is a born trait that enables you to take the risks you need to take to make it all work.

What I've noticed about successful entrepreneurs is one trait. They truly have a passion for whatever it is they are selling. And that is the one characteristic that ensures they will stick with it when:

·         they are exhausted from working 12 hours, being a parent and being a wife and still have to do the payroll at midnight

·         they have to empty the trash cans and sweep the office floors when all they want to do is put their latest designs on paper

·         they are rejected by a potential client for the fourth time  that week when they know in their heart this is the best product or service out there right now.

I know I'm a country girl at heart, but I'm also an entrepreneur. So you'll probably see me writing on the topic from time to time. The one thing I've noticed is that almost everyone has a dream of owning a business or creating something new in their lifetimes. And I know it all starts with a dream (and a dose of passion).

Until next time,

TCB